One Way or Another

Apples and Oranges

2010-01-08T17:55:00.001-06:00

Something you can always count on every winter and summer are folks who can't quite get it through their skulls that global climate and local weather are really two entirely different things. These are people that believe that the world is as it's always been and that...though most species that have ever existed have become extinct due to changes in global climate, somehow humans are the exception out of the last couple hundred million years.

Their favorite line of logic is to look outside a nearby window and extrapolate their local weather conditions to the other 99.999% of the planet. The arguments go like this in the winter: "Look at all of this record breaking cold. Sure doesn't look like global warming to me." Then in the summer they come up with the original "Look at all of this record breaking heat. Sure doesn't look like global cooling to me".

Ya think those record breaking cold and heat waves, year after year, might just be an indicator of climate change?

Honestly....some people are too stupid to breed.

Kneel Before Zod

2009-04-03T07:15:00.003-05:00

I've really been trying to wait a hundred days before I started rubbing the noses of all the faux liberals into the steaming pile they they sold their souls to in the last election. But....this is just too rich to let pass.

This is YOUR PRESIDENT.

Feel proud?

It's Good to be the King

2009-02-02T16:31:00.002-06:00

So I'm sitting here reading about Barry reading his script about a new era of responsibility, change, and all that good stuff....and I also read about the little party he threw for a few friends to celebrate his trillion dollar stimulus packet that we are all going to pay for; at least those of us who still have jobs.

Wagyu steak.

$100 a pound.

I'm a beef lover myself. I've had Kobe. It melts in your mouth like butter....which, to my taste is not very good because I'm fond of chewing my steak. I had it in Japan as a lark and it cost way too much money, but it was my money to blow. I didn't spend other people's money while they were facing probably the biggest economic disaster in the history of the world.

Still think this fraud represents you?

You, me, millions of other average people....we are nothing to Obama and his elite buddies.

2009-01-25T14:07:00.000-06:00

Gone Fishin

2008-11-11T19:55:00.002-06:00

Not really....just spending most of my time and writing at my other blog. It's hard enough to keep up with two of them, so I kind of consolidated over here................

One Way or Another...Fitness after Fifty

Stop by and say "hi"

no politics..which should be a relief to some readers

History

2008-11-04T22:01:00.003-06:00

Well...Looks like Obama won.

I'm appreciative of the history that I was able to witness. It's no small thing that a half-black man can appear out of nowhere and be given the highest office in the land. Hopefully this will end, finally, the excuses that many use that America is a racist society. There is indeed a lot of prejudice but skin color is not a barrier.

Gender still seems to be, though.

We have witnessed another aspect of history. The mostly unchallenged assumption that women are not serious players. They are objects to be ridiculed, humiliated, abused, and derided...because they are women, or rather, ho's and cunts. In that spirit, I'd like to offer this poster for all the women out there who went along and kept your mouths shut when speaking out would have made a difference.

Welcome to your new world.

I give the nod to all who supported Obama. My sincere hope is that he will be the great leader you believe he will be rather than the disaster for the world he appears to me. I have no desire to see our country slide further down the terrible path that Bush has led while in office. Perhaps, now that he has safely won the election, Obama will clue us all in on how he is going to fix many of the problems that he will face as President. I have sat through two elections wondering how Americans could be so stupid as to elect somebody so incompetent to the Presidency. I hope I haven't sat through a third wondering the same thing.

History is a funny thing...it's always being written

Please Vote So You Can Share in the Blame

2008-11-03T16:07:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow it will be over. Well....one phase of the whole mess will be anyway. The polls say that Obama is slightly ahead among the 20% of the people that didn't hang up on the pollsters. I'm not quite as convinced of Obama's chances seeing how he is running in a year that a Democrat should win by a slam dunk. Two wars. Imploding economy. Worse President in history. Plus Obama has spent more money than God trying to woo over the country. Tomorrow morning I will do something that I've never done before, something that I never would have believed I would ever do...vote for a Republican presidential candidate. It's not that I'm enthralled by McCain (only idiots worship politicians and celebrities), it's just that McCain looks magnificent against what Obama has to offer...or rather...what he hasn't got to offer. That plus there is just no way I can go with a candidate that is so misogynistic, homophobic, racist, and is arrogantly dismissive of just about everybody in the country.

But I can go either way.

I don't really think that there will be riots in the streets if McCain wins. First of all, those left in the Democratic party are a bunch of pussies. Bush stole the election....no protest. Invaded a country...no protest. Democrats gains control of Congress and continue to rubber stamp Bush...not a peep. Obama reverses on his liberal promises....nothing but crickets. The Democrats aren't going to do a thing. Certainly the majority of the Obama supporters, who think that civil action is wearing a t-shirt or putting a bumper sticker on their car, are not going to break out of their self-absorbed lives to do anything. Hell...I doubt most of them will bother to vote. McCain will be president and the Democratic Party will undergo a major overhaul, purging itself of the corrupt leaders that led this mess.

If Obama does win, that would be kind of nice in a weird sort of way. The reason would be that it would give the opportunity to spend the next couple of years sitting pretty in the "I told you so" seat. All this hopey dopey talk is great for speeches, but when the rubber hits the road is when reality set in....and it will be a shock for a lot of people. I lost a lot of friends because of this campaign. I've been called every name in the book. I've been banned from blogs I visited for years. I've even had death threats. I want to see these people eat crow when they find out what kind of snake they've forsaken all else to worship.

Either way...I'm cool. I've spent way too much time on politics which, I have concluded, is like banging my head against the ground. I'll post one more, very short, post when we have a new President. Then I will transform this blog to reflect other projects going on with myself.

My hope is that when all the smoke clears, we can all get back to being normal.

whatever that is

What's So Bad About Socialism?

2008-10-29T08:06:00.002-05:00

By itself, nothing. Socialism is an idea that all members of a society are equal in worth to the society. This means that all members should share equally in the burdens as well as the wealth that a society has to offer. "From each according to their ability, to each according to their need". A pretty fine idea for an ideal society...unfortunately, people are not quite ideal.

People have different needs as well as a different perspective of what their abilities are. This is where the imposition of communism comes into play. Since people each have their own idea of what they want to do and what they need in their lives; there must be some arbitrating body to run the show. A government tells you what you can do, where you can do it, and how long to do it in the interests of the state. A government tells you what you need, when you need it, and how long you can have it in the interests of the state. Individual desire is not relevant and, in fact, must be crushed as a threat to the viability of a socialist state.

The really bad thing is that the government is composed of people who feel they can do more so they naturally expect more. The end result is a very small ruling class and a population of servants. This happens time and time again anywhere where socialism is tried out on a country.

Obama had it right when he was talking about the American system of government. Our constitution is a list of negative liberties. It talks about what the government is not allowed to do to the people. That is the great experiment that made this county the most advanced in the history of the world. WE dictate to our government it's abilities and needs rather than the other way around.

This country has problems but the advantage of democracy is that our society evolves. Socialism is a dead end. Every country that has embraced it had crumbled. When you hear the bourgeois Obamabots praising the idea of a socialist America and wearing red stars on t-shirts bought with their parent's credit card....laugh it off as coming from uneducated rebels without a clue groupies.

But don't let them take away what has been paid for with a very dear price. Literally billions of people have had to endure the hardships of a government that considers it's citizens state property.

The Clock is Ticking

2008-10-26T07:50:00.004-05:00

Everybody has heard about Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, by now. He's evidently one of those bitter people who live in the great wasteland between our country's two coasts. They don't count since anybody who lives in a fly-over state is just some buck-tooth uneducated boob; but still, they vote, so the Precious had to make an appearance...shake a few hands, talk about change, and generally bask in the glow of adoration he rightly deserves. It's good for the king to mingle with the little people every once in awhile.

All was going well until this mean looking racist that bought a house in the neighborhood Obama decided to visit did the unthinkable...he asked a question. Years of careful planning by this obvious plant had finally paid off.

The army of journalists and television crews leaped into action to cover the event because asking questions of The One was something that they've never considered for themselves. An even bigger surprise followed when Joe the Plumber appeared not to accept Obama's non-answer. In fact, he all but called it bullshit and....and....my god...he argued with Obama.

Within hours, Joe's government-held records were accessed by three different agencies: The Office of Ohio Attorney General, the Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency, and the Toledo Police Department.

If the Obama Party can do this now....what will they do once in actual power? What will they do to you if, for some reason or another, you don't enthusiastically support whatever Obama does when he is "tested" in the next 6 months?

But, of course, Obama said that we could trust him with FISA.

I forget though....was that before or after he said he would never support it and filibuster the bill to keep it from going through.

Another JFK he ain't

2008-10-22T18:06:00.002-05:00

“Mark my words,” Biden was quoted as saying. “It will be not six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy."

John Kennedy facing a crisis threatening the survival of the human race.

Barry Obama

War Criminal Endorses the Precious

2008-10-19T10:53:00.004-05:00

In front of the world, he lied through his teeth. He delivered fake evidence as ordered by Bush to justify the illegal invasion of another country. Bush knew he could count on the weasel who kept his mouth shut about My Lai and the Iran/Contra operations in return for a General's star.

So who does he support for President? Who reflects the lack of moral standards and honesty of presidents that Powell has served during his bloody career?

One guess.

I'm waiting to see how the obamabots twist themselves inside-out to forgive and forget and now portray this scumbag as a great patriot.

Change You Can Believe?

2008-10-14T12:16:00.002-05:00

The poster boy for the "new" Democratic Party.

I really hope all females who so enthusiastically support Obama are enjoying a good laugh about this. It's your party, sweeties.

Would you buy a presidential candidate from the same people who sold you Bush's war?

2008-10-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

To all my friends out there who use to call themselves "progressives".

Remember how utterly stunned we all were when the main stream media blindly ignored the problems of the 2000 election, told us Bush won, and that we should move on and get over it?

Remember the frustration leading up to the invasion of Iraq with the MSM going 24/7 about weapons of mass destruction and our glorious fight to avenge an act of terror against a country that had nothing to do with it?

Remember all the crimes of the Bush administration that were committed without comment or investigation that stood in stark contrast to the media feeding frenzy of the Clinton years?

Remember?

Then how the hell can you think that their love affair and complete hands-off treatment of Obama is serving your interests?

When a salesman cheats a customer, they are known as a sleazeball. When a customer keeps returning time after time hoping for a good deal, they are known as stupid.

And Now For Something Comepletely Different

2008-10-07T16:55:00.002-05:00

What? You thought all I think about is politics?

VP Debate

2008-10-03T06:20:00.003-05:00

Well....that was certainly refreshing. Two politicians showing respect and civility to each other in front of a camera, not speaking over each other trying to get in the last jab on every little insignificant point, no patronizing, direct answers to direct questions, and a moderator that was near invisible with none of those "gotcha" questions that the media love to feed upon.

I'm sure that whoever you support did better in your own eyes. I myself thought both carried themselves with dignity and that the debate was a genuine pleasure to watch.

Holy Mao!

2008-10-02T08:26:00.000-05:00

Children sing for Dear Leader.

Brother, Can You Spare $700 Billion?

2008-09-29T21:55:00.005-05:00

What a joke.

The financial bail-out didn't pass today primarily because 12 Republicans got miffed when Nancy Pelosi opened her unregulated pie-hole and blamed the Republicans for the mess they were all facing. Go figure....especially since it was the Democrats who squashed any attempts to put the reigns on this mortgage fiasco (can we all say ACORN). She really needed those 12 Republicans...to make up for 95 Democrats who also saw this bill as a load of manure.

So you know what will happen if the big financial institutions don't get bailed out of their own greed?

Nothing. Or rather, nothing near as apocalyptic as what the investment power brokers and Obama backers (one and the same, as it turns out) would like you to believe.

Yeah, getting a loan will be harder. You may have to show that you can actually pay it back. Why....why....people may have to do something drastic if they want to do things like buy a house, a car, pay for college, or whatever.

Save - Their - Money - And - Wait - Until - They - Can - Afford - It

We really seem to have a whole bunch of people in this country who expect to get it all and get it now, and pay for it later....with a VISA card.

Reality time has come around and there is no easy fix. This will cause problems. Businesses will go under. People will declare bankruptcy. That is unpleasant but the alternative would be far, far worse. Think about it folks.... suppose they pass this bailout...where will the money come from? The government doesn't have it. It's not sitting around in some bank or under Cheney's mattress. They will have to print it. YOU won't get it, but you will immediately feel the effects of the inflation that it will ignite. The government printing money to pay debts is exactly the same as using a VISA card to pay off your MasterCard. It's a quick fix, but only digs you into a deeper hole and makes things much harder in the long run.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-09-29T18:00:00.000-05:00

Living In an Alternate Universe

2008-09-29T16:05:00.004-05:00

This is just incredible! Those rightwingnuts seem to not have a shred of concern about the Bill of Rights. They are in Missouri right now recruiting law officers and public prosecutors to form what they are calling a "Truth Squad". They state that they will go after anybody that says anything negative about McCain or Palin and shut them down...hard.

I just can't understand the Republican party anymore. I know quite a few people who are Republican and I understand that they really want their candidate to win....but don't they realize that their party has basically turned into a bunch of kool-aid slurping zombies who will do anything, sacrifice any principle, just to win an election? Don't they consider the day after? When did they give up the capacity for independent thought?

Me Too...Me Too!

2008-09-27T20:01:00.008-05:00

"Jim, let me just make a point. I've got a bracelet too. From... Sergeant........uh........uh.......from the mother of.......uh.......Sergeant, Ryan David Jopek."

--- Obama, trying to read a name that means nothing at all to him.

I bet the family would like to have the bracelet back.

update -- well how about that....I guess they would

A Perfect Moment

2008-09-21T21:24:00.003-05:00

Ever have one of those? I've had several...instances in life where everything seems to mesh and the universe just literally hums in your head. I call them benchmarks in my memory. They are etched in vivid detail and I carry them through my life like jewels.

The first one I can remember is staring at a slat of wood in my crib (really). I can see the slat and I can see my hand, fingers wiggling forward. Then I see everything tilt and go upside down and see the face of, I think, my mother. Whoever it was, I felt supremely happy and content.

Real memory?

Who can say? It's been a persistent one for as long as I can remember.

Change You Can't Believe

2008-09-17T15:57:00.002-05:00

It seems that the more we know of Barry, the more he is beginning to....well...stink to high heaven.

The latest case in point:

It seems that during the Precious' European campaign tour, he had a little face to face time with some Iraqi leaders and tried to persuade them to hold off on any plans for a draw-down of America military presence....until AFTER he became president.

Putting aside the incredible assholery of wanting to play with the lives of soldiers stuck there for his own political goals; this seems to fly in the face of all the obamabots who pine that their chosen one had any interest in this war, the lives it has claimed, and the cost it has extracted. It's what I've pointed out for quite some time....Barry has done absolutely NOTHING about this war. He's just using it to con you.

An even bigger issue is the fact that he violated the Logan Act. At best he committed a felony, at worse he engaged in treason.

This is why adults need to be in charge.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-09-15T18:53:00.000-05:00

Foot In Mouth Disorder Poster Child

2008-09-13T07:28:00.001-05:00

If I Should Die Before I Wake

2008-09-09T10:36:00.002-05:00

Ever hear of a guy called Dave Freeman? He wrote a travel book titled 100 Things to do Before You Die. Freeman also died a few weeks ago at the age of 47 due to an accident in his home....only managing to do about half of the things on his list.

Bummer.

...or is it? He did, after all, pursue his life as he wanted rather than wait for "someday" to come around before starting.

Yeah, it is too bad that Freeman died at a fairly young age. I'm sure it was unexpected to everybody close to him. Certainly it came as a surprise to him. Death usually does for most of us, and that is my point today.

Most of us don't think about dying. We don't get up in the morning knowing that it might be our last. In this entirely human characteristic of denial about our own mortality, we also tend to have a nonchalant attitude about living. Tomorrow will always be there. We'll do that later. I'll put that goal on hold for awhile.

If you knew this was your last day, what would you do?

If you are thinking of a lot of things you would feel an urgent need to cram into the next 24 hours...you aren't living right now.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-09-08T01:08:00.000-05:00

It's Not Fair!

2008-09-05T21:22:00.002-05:00

It really isn't. The Precious gave his "historic" speech at his coronation...er...convention that was viewed by 37 million people.

That uppity woman, Palin, gave her shrill little speech to 40 million. She's only running for Vice-President. Who does she think she is? Why are women so mean to Barry? First Clinton shows him up, now Palin.

Methinks the Kool-Aid is starting to turn a bit sour on those in the Regressive Party.

Pay More...Get Less

2008-09-04T07:45:00.002-05:00

Notice something? The can of coffee on the left is 34.5 ounces and claims to make about 270 cups. The can on the right weighs in at 27.8 ounces and delivers 240 cups of coffee. Not only do you get less coffee per can but, evidently, the coffee is more efficient in that you can squeeze a couple of more cups out of every ounce.

The best part is....the one on the right cost a couple of dollars more.

I must be old because I can remember when coffee came in one pound cans. Over the years, they have reduced the volume to where I think it's about eleven ounces which makes it just a tiny little can that's not worth bothering with for a long-time caffeine fiend like me. I started buying the three pounders...and they've been getting smaller while the cost has been getting higher. I paid nearly ten bucks for the latest shrinkage!

I don't know if my budget can take this habit any longer. I may have to turn to crack or something.

What the Hell is Wrong With You People?

2008-09-01T23:18:00.004-05:00

In their insane fear of strong women, many (ahem) progressive bloggers are falling all over themselves trying to rip apart Palin. That's not unexpected, that's politics, it's actually the duty of one party to point out shortcomings of the other's candidates.

So...what do these guys focus on?

Experience? Nope, can't really point out that Palin actually has more experience than the Democrat prez choice.

Comes from Alaska? Well, once again, it's a bit embarrassing to suggest that it is a bad thing that somebody is outside of the Washington loop when their whole campaign is about changing the same old tired politicians.....like Biden.

She's a conservative? Well...duh....what do you expect from a Republican? At least she's honest about it and has a long record of defending the rights that the Democratic candidates only talk about then vote the opposite.

No....what these dimbulb misogynistic dingle-berries yammer about on their blogs is a rumor that Sarah Palin's youngest child, Trig, in not her baby but her daughter's baby.

Let's turn this around.

Barry Obama is not the real daddy of his children.

How does that sound?

I am so stunned by many bloggers that have descended to this. These are writers that I've enjoyed and rallied around for years. We held the light during all the Bush years. We did it knowing that we were right, that we had the unquestioned moral high ground. What happened to you?

Scumbags....all of you.

Clincher!

2008-08-29T19:43:00.003-05:00

For quite a while now I've had this conundrum. The political party that I've known, loved, and worked for all these years has gone completely bat-shit. They tossed overboard every value that they've nurtured since FDR. They stripped whole populations of their voice in primaries. They crowned as a nominee a inexperienced, scandal ridden, lying, egomaniacal thug. Then they paired him up with a lame VP nominee who NOBODY has ever wanted when he ran for president himself several times.

I couldn't (and I tried, believe me) support such a party or vote for their precious one.

But...gosh...vote Republican? Lemme think about it. Which pair of candidates represents me? Which pair listens to me? Which party's members want to include me rather than tell me to piss off? Which candidate gives straight answers to real questions rather than just put on one dog and pony show after another?

It's a no-brainer...except to those Obamabots who have become addicted to the kool-aid, which I guess still brings up the phrase "no-brainer".

Barry lost this election today. The millions of us who are disgusted with the Democratic party are leaving en masse. McCain made it easy with his choice of Palin as a running mate. Barry and his followers made it a necessity.

Act My Age?

2008-08-27T08:23:00.002-05:00

In a few days, I'll turn 51.

On the one hand, it's no big deal to me. I won't feel any different the day after my birthday than the day before. I don't really look back with longing to be in my twenties or thirties again...those were pretty perilous times and I'm, quite frankly, amazed that I managed to get through them and find myself with a fairly stable life today.

Still...when I ponder....fifty-one....dang, that's getting up there.

Fifty's okay. Like hitting a peak. Trouble with a peak is that everything is downhill from then on. Complete strangers call me "sir". Kids hold the door open for me and offer to carry my groceries out to the car. Nobody wants to check my I.D. if I order off the senior menu in a restaurant. If I pat my chest at work due to some heartburn from the burrito I had for lunch, co-workers jump up in alarm. I belong to AARP, fer petesake.

I should act my age but I'm still fond of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

Well, okay....sex when I can get it, ibuprofen for my achy bones, and grooving to the golden-oldies radio station.

Maybe Next Century

2008-08-26T16:18:00.004-05:00

Today is the 88th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment “giving” women the right to vote. To celebrate this historic event, Barry chose to have a man who is anti-choice (that is, does not believe a woman owns her own body) to speak at today’s UnDemocratic Convention.

I guess it is some measure of progress that, this year, a woman ran for president and received more primary votes than anybody...in any primary....ever.

Happy Anniversary, Sweeties!

This Message Has Not Been Approved

2008-08-25T19:40:00.002-05:00

Barry is demanding that the DOJ halt airing of the above political ad because....well...because it's true and it casts The Precious in a not so good light.

Being the liberal that I am and opposed to being told what to watch and what is forbidden, I present it here in case there are any other independent thinkers around.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-08-25T11:33:00.000-05:00

It Just Keeps Getting Better Every Day

2008-08-23T07:29:00.001-05:00

This is so hilarious. It's going to be amusing watching all of Barry's followers turning themselves inside out extolling the virtues of Biden and why he's such a wonderful choice for the VP slot. The guy who couldn't scrape up a delegate for himself. Keeps putting his foot in his mouth with racist remarks. Plagiarizes speeches. Thinks Barry is too inexperienced to be President. Loves McCain so much he said he would be his running mate.

This is rich! The campaign that promised change and a new way of doing politics is offering.....a long time white male politician who is widely considered Republican-Lite. But hey...running an inexperienced empty suit with a grizzled old political veteran as his running mate worked for the GOP. Perhaps the DNC thinks that "change" means they will stop being Democrats and act like Republicans.

I'm actually relieved. I didn't know what I would do if Clinton was picked. Not that it was ever likely; for one, she's a woman and the misogynistic plank of the new Democrat party would never allow that to happen. Sebelius had that carrot dangled in front of her only to get her support and maybe a few of the bitter little sweeties who keep harping about having a voice in choosing their leaders. As well, it wouldn't do at all to have a VP that is so clearly better suited for the job than Barry. I mean...how embarrassing would that be? Kerry would have been a good choice as a loser to put up with Barry for some contrast. Edwards was a bit more promising but he was mangled beyond repair when tossed under the bus.

Nope. Biden is perfect. The candidate nobody ever wanted. The one the DNC has stuck you with.

again

Please Come to Denver to See the Snowjob

2008-08-19T17:12:00.002-05:00

All are welcome under the big tent of the new Democratic Party....even those who fail to show the proper adoration and unquestioned loyalty to the great and powerful Soetoro will be hosted in these lovely and spacious cages tastefully decorated with razor wire and attended by taser wielding brownshirts...I mean....party loyalists.

You know what really shocks and saddens me?

So-called "progressives" who are not even batting an eye at this.

Barry Soetoro (aka Obama) as Messiah

2008-08-19T10:12:00.002-05:00

Cry Me a River

2008-08-12T05:52:00.003-05:00

It's somewhat amusing to see all the loyal Obamists scramble to defend John Edward's little loose zipper affair. The primary talking points seem to be; it's no big deal, a lot of men have affairs, it's a private matter of concern only to his family, and it has no bearing on his leadership.

I might agree with that if not for this little blast from the past from Edwards when asked for support and unity behind the most successful Democrat leader in 50 years:

"I think this president has shown a remarkable disrespect for his office, for the moral dimensions of leadership, for his friends, for his wife, for his precious daughter. It is breathtaking to me the level to which that disrespect has risen."

So pardon me if I don't get all outraged about Edwards having the fact that he not only cheated on his wife while using her struggle with cancer to mold an image that he was a caring family man but probably even fathered a child with his secret girlfriend, dragged out (finally) in the mainstream media for the world to see.

Anybody remember Gary Hart?

Edwards will pass into the same anonymity as far as history is concerned, and good riddance.

Spare Time? What Spare Time?

2008-08-08T19:32:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't posted much recently, certainly not on a regular basis, but I've been putting in some serious hours at work. My agency had an accreditation inspection this week that required everything from medical charts to the waste basket to be just-so perfect. On top of that; the agency decided it would also be a good week to switch over to our new computerized paperless system....which ran about as smoothly as a three legged hog on a frozen lake.

I've been spending long days at my desk at my laptop until my eyes are spinning and I can hear the faint sizzle of my brain frying.

The week is almost over though. I just need to hang on...so to speak.

The New Progressive

2008-08-05T18:47:00.002-05:00

Well....it seems to be happening with some increasing frequency in the last couple of weeks. Progressive blogs that I've visited and commented on for years are suddenly not accepting of anything other than uncritical adoration of the Precious. I'm called names. I'm called a traitor. I'm called racist. I was called homophobic by one but I'm not sure where that came from. Most of all, I'm told to just STFU and not even foul the (so-called) progressive blog with my presence.

Wow. I haven't felt this kind of love since the days when Bush still had a few die-hard followers. You don't find those type of blogs anymore, btw. Even the rightest of the right wing blogs have come to the conclusion that Bush is a disaster of a president. I understood the reactions then from Bush followers....they didn't have anything to argue in favor of their chosen deliverer and it drove them bat-shit with rage.

I suppose the same reasoning applies to the Obamabots. I go on their blogs and punch a hole in their party balloon with some inconvenient reality. I do this for two reasons: one, it makes them think and to understand that they are fooling nobody, even themselves; and two, it's a good object lesson in what real liberal values are all about.

And that you don't toss them overboard for a crush on some slick talking politician.

Oh...and as an aside....EVERYBODY can comment on my blog. I don't care what your politics are. I ban no one.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-08-04T20:23:00.002-05:00

You Can't Fool all the People all the Time

2008-08-03T09:32:00.002-05:00

I guess Obama's Tour de Farce wasn't much help. Oh...I'm sure the beer, brauts, and bands were enjoyed by the Germans; but those of us who actually live in the country that Obama has anointed himself as savior tend to be less impressed. It seems the latest Gallup shows Obama and McCain running neck and neck at 44%.

The significance of this is.....at the beginning of the year, I would have bet my pension that the Democrats could run a turnip against any Republican for the presidency and win by a landslide. I was very happy about this because we had a Clinton in the slot. Smart, a long history of advocacy and accomplishment for the average American, and a fighter that would finally end the disastrous rule of the right wing of the Republican party. It would definitely be the start of a new age.

Alas...the party I use to belong to committed the same blunder that the GOP did...choosing appearance over substance, the elite taking over the party for their ends rather than for the good of the country, putting forward an empty suit they hope to control rather than a leader they would have to answer to. They have given us Bush with a tan.

As an aside; at this same point in the last election, Kerry had a 10 point lead over Bush.

We all know how that election turned out.

Get Thee to a Teleprompter

2008-08-01T21:29:00.002-05:00

And here I have been thinking for the last few years that Bush was the dumbest politician I've ever seen.

I love the dead silence of the crowd. People looking at each other and going "huh?".

Sometimes

2008-07-27T23:49:00.003-05:00

...I feel like I cannot deal with the incredible pain that others bring to me every day

but I will

and hope it makes a difference in the end

Change We Can Believe In

2008-07-26T05:28:00.002-05:00

Now we know why Backtrack Obama voted for FISA. It's not politically prudent to bite the corporate hand that feeds you.

But it was only a silly little piece of the Bill of Rights. I'm sure all loyal followers of the Precious will "get over it and move on".

What is Backtrack afraid of?

2008-07-23T07:37:00.004-05:00

Handfasting

2008-07-21T16:28:00.000-05:00

Are you paying attention?

2008-07-18T07:41:00.000-05:00

Well Duh!

2008-07-15T14:15:00.004-05:00

I'm finding that it's pretty handy having a wife.

Case in point...

I was noticing that my shoes were getting fairly ragged and worn. Time to buy another pair. So off my wife and I mosey to the local shoe buying place. I like having her along when I do things like this because, though I'm mostly able to dress myself, I have absolutely no concept of design or coordination. Left to my own, I would dress like a rodeo clown. While trying on different pairs of shoes, Vicki noticed that I seemed to be putting a bit more effort than was necessary in slipping on a pair. She asked what size I wear.

"A nine wide"

She then proceeded to prod around the shoe saying "I think you need something a bit larger."

So I tried on a size 10.

"Still too small", she said.

So I tried on a size 11.

"Nope, too small", she chirped and went off to grab a size 12.

"I can't wear those", I said, "they're as big as boats. Maybe a 10 but not those skis".

I tried them on. They felt wonderful. Fit perfectly. My beautiful wife looked at me with those gentle eyes and said "you mean to tell me, that for all these years, you've been wearing shoes three sizes too small?"

"Well, that may explain why my feet are so sore at the end of the day" I said, managing a weak grin.

She rolled those gentle eyes and said "you need a keeper".

yep...and she definately is one.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-07-14T20:42:00.000-05:00

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-07-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

Nope....not war, global climate change, economic depression, oil prices, personal liberty, civil rights, erosion of the constitution, or any of a hundred other things that directly effect the lives and futures of just about every person on the planet.

No...the critical issue of Backtrack Obama is that the New Yorker engaged in (shudder) satire. I'm not quite sure why the Precious and all his devoted fans are upset about the cover. They ought to read the article inside the magazine. That would really make them nervous.

Still, I guess the cover would be offensive if my wife was characterized as a terrorist. Freedom of the press be damned, we should shut the New Yorker down. Next thing you know, they'll be depicting mothers, wives, and sisters as "ho's".

oh....waitaminute

"Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer!"

2008-07-08T15:17:00.006-05:00

Irony is lost on many people these days. So is, I'm guessing, the warnings of Santayana.

The Precious has announced he will leave the convention hall in Denver to present himself to a huge open-air arena where he will deliver his acceptance speech to the American people.

Everybody is welcome to attend.

Provided you display unwavering love to Obama.

And are not a Jew.

Or Latino.

Or Native American.

Or gay.

Or poor.

Or a veteran.

Or a woman who doesn't know her place.

It should be a blast. Why....something like this hasn't happened since...oh, who remembers when?

With the $5 admission price you get a stylish Obama symbol armband. Brown shirts will be available from on-site vendors for a nominal fee.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-07-07T14:06:00.000-05:00

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-07-06T23:11:00.004-05:00

I don't have to tell anybody that the price of gasoline is starting to make things difficult for a lot of people. It's tough out there. I'm spending a couple of hundred every month just to be able to go to work...to make more money...to get more gas...to go to work, etc. etc. etc. Naturally, the people cry for some relief, some answers, and what do our politicians and presidential candidates throw back at us? Look into why gas prices have gone through the roof while the oil companies are making record breaking profits in the hundreds of billions every quarter?

Oh hell no.

They tell us that we must open up more drilling for domestic oil.

That is stupid for several reasons. The main one is that the price of oil isn't what it is because it comes from overseas. It's because of speculation because other countries want to buy it too. It's a simple law of commerce that, if you have a product that somebody is willing to pay X amount of money for, that is what the price is going to be for everybody else. Even if you opened up every square inch of this country to drilling every drop of oil available...guess what....it will still be speculated and sold to the highest bidder. The reason the caveat of "decrease America's dependence on foreign oil" is tossed out by our fearless leaders and wannabe leaders is because it is a great idea for big oil. More oil, more to sell, more money...and more money into politicians pockets.

Screw the people. You don't count in the business of oil.

You know what would be a true move to getting rid of America's dependence on foreign oil? Get rid of the dependence on oil. Get rid of the industry that is sucking our country dry. Get rid of the politicians who vote for the oil interests while pocketing their contributions.

You don't hear much serious talk about that, do you?

Independence Day!

2008-07-04T07:09:00.002-05:00

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-06-30T20:03:00.000-05:00

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-06-29T09:25:00.004-05:00

Ya wanna know what's really stoopid?

Bloggers who divulge personal stuff, ask for advice and feedback, then get upset when you actually give them a point of view a bit different than the internet delivered hugs and prayers expected.

Now, I don't go out of my way to be cruel. In fact, to ignore what I see may be a problem with somebody that I care about is just about the worse form of cruelty one can perform. For example; say you have a friend who is slowly destroying his life with alcohol. Would you support him by sitting in a bar night after night commiserating on all the bad things happening in his life, or would you point out that all the bad things just might be because he is drinking himself silly every day? Most would probably answer the later, even though it might upset him, might piss him off, might even cause him to declare that you were no longer a friend.

There are basically two types of people that visit your blog. The vast majority are total strangers who don't give a rat's ass about you or your problems, much like the real world. Then there are a very few who actually are interested in you and whatever you are writing about. Over the course of thousands of words a connection, dare I say, a friendship develops. Yet with this ultimate disconnect of the internet such friendships are often shakier than a bowl of jello.

This happens time and time again with people I've known in their blogs for years. Huggie and kissie as long as you are tripping over yourself to be sympathetic to their particular issues...but just try once to inject a little objective observation about what the writer is saying and....

Here's the deal. People who have blogs that are basically personal diaries need to be aware that, by virtue of being publicly available to any smoe with a computer. the things they are writing about in their lives are no longer private. If you do not want feedback, don't ask for it. If you want to just jot down thoughts only for yourself, get a pad of paper and keep it under your bed. If you want friends who will only tell you what you want to hear, get a pet...they are great at giving you the kind of support you are seeking. A friend....a real friend...will often tell you what you don't necessarily want to hear. They will tell you things for your sake rather than for the expectation of being stroked themselves. That's what makes them friends.

Leave a comment if you would like but keep it friendly.

Or not.

Politics?

2008-06-27T16:06:00.001-05:00

I'm starting to get a bit burned out on thinking and writing about politics. Actually...it's more like just getting disgusted and fed up. I'm feeling that it really doesn't matter anymore; nothing changes and nothing will.

So I'm asking you...should I continue or go back to writing drivel about my life? When I write about political things, it's something that I feel is important to talk about. When I write about myself, it's certainly not important but I have more fun.

Please, let me know which direction to go.

Made it back alive..

2008-06-26T10:25:00.003-05:00

The honeymoon was great. The hotel was luxurious. The food was...so-so (people in Missouri have no concept of Mexican or seafood).

Driving back home, however, was what you could call a puckering experience. Wild drivers, heavy traffic, and very nasty thunderstorms all the way back to Kansas.

It's good to be home again.

Missouri is for Lovers

2008-06-23T17:49:00.001-05:00

The only thing I have to say right now is that drivers in Missouri are insane.

You really gonna vote for McCain?

2008-06-18T16:38:00.003-05:00

I get a lot of emails because of this blog. Most of them are hateful, some threatening, and several that are barely intelligible. Such is the joy of expressing one's opinions. There is a tendency in a few to go completely ballistic because...well, because somebody that they do not know somewhere in the world has an opinion they do not share.

Anyway; one of the questions asked by some of the more civil emailers, and comments that I allow through, is....You really gonna vote for McCain?

hmmmm....how to answer?

First off, my vote will be secret. Who I vote for in November is nobody's business unless I make it so. I have been forced at times to vote for the lesser of two evils. I voted for Kerry because I despise Bush, not because I liked him. I voted for Gore because I thought he would make a great president, much better than the retarded baboon he ran against. I voted for Clinton...twice...best damn president since FDR. I voted for Dukakis, though I don't know why. I voted for Carter because I thought he was honest...naive but honest. I seem to have been a Democrat. It was certainly the party that embraced the views about democracy and equality that I believe in.

No more.

Obama is just another Bush empty suit with appeal to a different audience. I've spent years here on this blog railing what a fraud Bush was. It would be the height of hypocrisy to suddenly declare that the same character traits that I found abhorrent in Bush are suddenly okay for Obama. The Omama worshipers may be able to wrap their ADD minds around that inconsistency, but not me.

So...am I going to vote for McCain?

Let's just say that I will never, ever vote for Obama for any public office.

"Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party." ---Winston Churchill

The Audacity of NOPE

2008-06-14T05:45:00.001-05:00

The rain it rains without a stay

2008-06-13T06:35:00.001-05:00

And presently the floods break way.

It may be a long summer.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-06-09T12:49:00.006-05:00

A bit different than the usual cute kitty. This is a puma , a different symbol than the jackass representing the corrupt bosses of the democrat party.

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-06-08T09:05:00.003-05:00

There are many irritating associations about Kansas of which people who live here have to deal with all the time. There's that stupid Wizard of Oz movie, of course. There is Phreaky Phred Phelps and his merry band of psychopaths. There's the concept that the state is nothing but a flat wasteland and that even one city named after Kansas would rather be in Missouri. But one thing Kansas is really known for is our endless battles about teaching creationism in public schools.

Some people don't believe in evolution. That's a rather strange concept when you think about it. Believe in evolution? How do you even do that? It's like asking if you believe in algebra. Yet there are some folks who get mighty upset that children in the state may be getting a little science education without their favorite myths tossed in the mix.

Evolution is only a theory. Yep. So is the germ theory of disease, atomic theory of chemical reactions, plate tectonics, physics, astronomy, etc, etc, etc. Science is full of theories...that's what science is; gathering observations, developing a hypothesis, and formulating a theory. Religion is about revelation; you don't acquire knowledge, it is given to you provided you are deserving. The problem with religion is that what is considered truth is pretty much subjective and not really specific. "God created the heavens and the earth" is what the creationists say, which is okay as far as that goes; but what creationists want to do is teach kids their particular myth on HOW it was created. In six days. 10,000 years ago.

And I gotta tell ya...if you buy that....if you are convinced of that scenario....you are an idiot.

And you are not helping dispel the conception that my state is full of similar idiots.

Some Are More Equal than Others

2008-06-04T06:13:00.002-05:00

Well....the Precious declared himself the nominee. That's so nice of him not to wait around for any messy voting at the convention. After all...the party bosses have gone to all the trouble of manipulating the vote and delegate counts to ensure he is the chosen one. They know what is best for us. Those gosh-durn people who keep voting for Clinton by the millions, even after told the bitch is unacceptable, just need to shut up and go away.

Most of us will not shut up, much to the consternation of Obamabots, but we will go away. If you had asked me a few months ago if there was any way the Republicans could win the presidency after the Bush disaster, I would have bet my paycheck there wouldn't be a snowball's chance in hell. Now, I'm looking at the very real possibility of a Democratic defeat eerily similar to McGovern.

We'll see. November is a long ways off. No telling what will come up between now and then. I do know that the rightwingers are dancing in the streets today. They destroyed a candidate who was a war hero. They devastated a candidate who was highly intelligent. They let the Democrats assassinate the character of their own party's only successful two-term president since FDR and his liberal wife who had the nerve to take on the health insurance industry. They will annihilate the Precious; who carries a lot of baggage with no record of achievement.

I have to admit some admiration of the rightwing. I never suspected that they would pull something like this off. I figured most people were too smart; but I guess I should have gotten a clue when Bush won a second term and a Democratic controlled Congress still did absolutely nothing to oppose him for the last couple of years. Those same Democratic leaders who, with Obama, bleat "change, change, change" but sat on their thumbs when they actually had the power and duty to implement some changes. Those same Democrats who whined for a fighter against the machine for years yet, when presented with one who would fight and never give up, went ape shit and spent the entire primary season attacking both her and anybody who supported her....in favor of an empty suit with a very shady past, no plan, no agenda whatsoever other than to be president because kids thought he was kewl.

McCain '08

Enjoy it. The pigs have spoken.

It's the People Stupid

2008-06-03T11:04:00.001-05:00

Whoops...hold the coronation

2008-06-02T16:33:00.004-05:00

Puerto Rico primary results are in. Clinton won 68% of the votes. That's more than two to one against The Precious.

Must be a lot of bitter people in Puerto Rico.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-06-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-06-01T07:26:00.005-05:00

Same sex marriage. This has to be one of the top non-issues out there in the country today.

Who cares? I mean, who really cares if two women or two men want to marry each other? Lotsa people get married everyday and nobody cares or is even aware that it is happening. I bet you that, sometime today, some couple will have a wedding in my city. It will not effect me in the slightest. I don't care! Nobody (except the couple I presume) will care.

You know who cares about gay marriage though, doncha? People who hate homosexuals. People who hate them so much that they wish them dead...or at least go away. They certainly don't want gay men and women to partake in "THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE".

Which is bull. The sanctity of marriage is what you put into it. Some believe that marriage is defined by God but since there aren't a dozen people on the planet who can agree just what it is that God wants, who's to say. Looking at heterosexual marriages that are rife with abuse and the production of dysfunctional children and future sociopaths, I'm hard pressed to think that God digs that arrangement over the union of a couple of people who love each other.

Marriage is a two-fold thing. First of all, it's a ceremony invoking whatever beliefs and traditions are important to the couple. It's a way of asserting that the couple look to themselves beyond all others. It means "we are sharing our lives in every way", including public...which brings the second part. It's also a public announcement and legal contract. You get a license and it goes into the public record for all time. All that is really required for the license is to shell out a few bucks and have whoever performs the ceremony sign on the dotted line. A couple doesn't have to drop their drawers and prove that they have opposing genitalia.

I'm so old I can remember when some states had laws against couples of different races marrying. The laws were finally scrapped because they were wrong. Today no intelligent person, or anybody pretending to be intelligent, thinks that there is anything at all morally wrong with a black and white couple getting married.

Laws against same sex marriage is wrong too....and it's high time they went into the dustbin of history.

Just Saying....

2008-05-30T06:59:00.003-05:00

I've been married and I've been divorced. Getting married is a lot more work.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-05-26T06:58:00.000-05:00

Stoopid Issue Sunday

2008-05-25T16:08:00.003-05:00

I'm starting a new series, every Sunday, to look at an issue that is....well....dumb. By dumb, I mean that it's something that is usually blown up by media and politicians to be a big important issue but is actually just something to divert your attention from important matters. Bread and Circuses; oldest trick in the book.

My choice this week is illegal immigration.

The Mexicans are coming, the Mexicans are coming! Hide the wimmen and bolt the doors! Those gosh-durn illegals are swarming all over us, taking our jobs, living off our welfare, and sucking dry our health care system. And they speak Spanish too....friggin furriners.

Well, here's some reality for the bigots who get all worked up because somebody with brown skin didn't earn the right to be a citizen the way they had to..namely by being born north of a line on a map. These people are not taking any jobs from you. I challenge one person to tell me how their career in picking fruit or scouring out toilets was ruined by illegal immigrants. My thoughts are, if some yokel who can't even speak our language can stroll in and take your job....you probably sucked at it anyway. Long hours of manual labor, well below minimum wage, no benefits, horrid working conditions, total lack of respect; yeah, it's a shame so many real Americans have to go on welfare rather than live the high life with such plush employment.

And speaking of welfare....illegals don't get it. There is this myth that illegal aliens are streaming across the border to get themselves a big slice of that welfare pie. Well, let me tell ya something about our welfare system...it's only for citizens. The immigrants have to work if they want to eat. And guess what? They pay taxes too, unlike red-blooded American welfare recipients.

Oh, and there's the fear that they might be getting some free medical care too...the undeserving bean chompers. Alas, another myth. Medicaid is only for citizens. Illegals have to pay out the nose for health care like the rest of us working stiffs, though their employers don't even pretend to have any type of health care plan. Want to know who really sucks our health system dry? Citizens on medicaid. Geeze...I know medicaid recipients who go to the emergency room because they have a headache. I kid you not.....a.....headache. I myself can't afford to visit an ER unless I accidentally lost a limb and my hair was on fire.

Here's the deal. Illegal immigration is one of those great little buttons that governments press to get people's minds off of how badly they are being screwed over by their government. It's called scapegoating and it generally works well with masses because of ignorance and bigotry...both of which the masses have in spades. I know nice, liberal, progressive people that just froth at the mouth about illegal immigration and would be horrified to be labeled racist; but they are, every bit as much as any KKKer or Ayrian Nation dimbulb.

It doesn't matter how you wrap it up, it's still the same old bullshit. It's always been wrong.

Pod People

2008-05-20T15:20:00.005-05:00

Well...shoot....it happened again. Another long-time acquaintance I've had on the web has decided that my lack of proper adoration of BO is an unpardonable sin. I've been cast to the ether. Stripped of commenting privileges on his blog. Banned from email. I am persona non grata.

I'm really getting sick of this shit.

Maybe it's the tenuous nature of internet acquaintances. After all these people don't really know me, they just know what I choose to let them see. It's not really a friendship....but still; I've corresponded with some of these people for years. It is disheartening that they would suddenly ascribe all types of characteristics to me because of my opinion about a politician.

It makes the point that internet associations are, by nature shallow. It illustrates the shallow nature of, not only Obama, but most of his supporters. It also impresses me with the shallowness of a great many who do this blogging thing.

Yes....I know....I blog too.

I didn't say EVERYBODY. There are still a few who keep perspective as well as their sense of humor. For example, this guy First Door on the Left

If I could run across more people like this, I would feel better about supporting Obama. As it is, there is a lot I will need to think about if BO manages to get the nomination.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-05-19T21:04:00.000-05:00

Peeing in the Pool

2008-05-17T12:41:00.002-05:00

Imagine that you're swimming around in a huge Olympic-sized pool and you feel that familiar warm sensation around your nether regions. No problem, right? Nobody knows that you did it and, besides...you can just paddle over to another spot while the filters take of it.

A few other people? Maybe no problem, probably won't even know what's going on. You might even fool yourself into believing that nobody else is being as gross and inconsiderate as you.

Fill the pool with people all merrily whizzing away.

Would you want to swim anymore?

Think about a swimming pool with over six billion people.

Yes She Did!

2008-05-14T06:21:00.002-05:00

I know, very poor grammar.

Record turnout. A 41-point spread. A nearly 150,000 vote margin of victory. Obama defeated in every single county. The popular vote lead retaken. You just can't define landslide any better.

What does this mean?

It means that though BO has a very vocal and cult-like following...most people just do not like him. Despite the endless calls that Clinton drop out of the race before people have the chance to voice their choice, despite the media coronation of BO, despite the backing of Wall Street and Republicans who desperately want a weak candidate to run against their own, despite massive campaign spending, despite the threats of riots if BO supporters do not get their precious, despite the viciousness against Clinton the likes of which surpass anything rightwingers have done, despite the frat boy misogynistic mindset against any woman who dares to seek power ....Clinton proves once again that she is the choice of Americans.

All Americans.

You know. The ones who will vote in the general election for the Presidency.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-05-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

The Grass is as High as a Preacher's Eye

2008-05-06T17:28:00.004-05:00

And getting higher every day. The reason is my damn lawn mower crapped out on me...and it's only three years old.

piece of junk

When I was a kid, my father always had electric lawn mowers. I didn't like it because they were kinda boring....more like vacuuming with the steady hum. Plus, the cord was always a pain in the ass to wind, unwind, and making sure it was out of the way so that you didn't run over the thing. You really had to pay attention so that you didn't electrocute yourself. Not like with gas mowers where you just have to keep an eye out for squirrels and stray cats.

I tell ya though...I'm inclined to get an electric now. I just spent the better part of two days disassembling, cleaning, and putting back together a gas mower of mine. I also came close to giving myself a stroke yanking on the starter cord about a million times. It wouldn't stay working for more than a few minutes and I tried everything I could think of.

Well...almost. I did think of one method of maintenance by the end of the day.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-05-05T23:02:00.000-05:00

Gas Holiday?

2008-05-05T14:55:00.002-05:00

Simple premise. The oil companies have posted yet more record breaking profits while speculators in the market have pushed oil past $120 a barrel. Some people are getting filthy rich while the ordinary people of the country are taking it up the rear. So howzabout taking the tax on gasoline off the consumers and putting it on the oil company profits, where they should be in the first place, for a few months?

Short term solution? Yeah...but the problem with gasoline costs now a major part of the paycheck is a problem now, not something to be dealt with by endless committees and studies over the next few years.

Political pandering? Duh, yeah....politicians addressing the concerns of voters. What a novel idea.

Economically unsound? Yeah...according to all the same geniuses that are telling us that the economy is booming. The oil companies don't like it because it will cut into their billions.

Will it make any difference? Yeah...for myself, I figured about $60 a month less spent at the pump. Of course, BO says that this is just piddling small change. Well, maybe for him and other elites that don't have to deal with the shock of filling up a car to go to work every day. For the rest of the country, every little bit helps.

I wonder how the candidates voted on Bush's energy plan? Anybody know?

I do...I just want to rub it in to a few "friends" who think their candidate represents their interests and "will do things differently" once elected.

Goodbye Ruby Tuesday

2008-04-30T21:44:00.002-05:00

This is a sad day for me. A dear friend where I work has decided to retire a bit early for reasons that don't really matter to anybody here.

I first met Margie when she came to work at our agency several years ago. I don't know what the chemistry was but we seemed to hit it off immediately....probably it was because both of us have a peculiar sense of humor, and humor is definitely a survival mechanism in our line of work. Over the years I had come to admire many qualities about Margie. One major characteristic she has is to tell me when I was wrong about something or somebody. I trusted her. I needed her; to keep me grounded, to be my mentor, to be a better person simply because she was a part of my day every day year after year. More than a friend, she was my big sister in every sense of the word.

I can't enjoy her presence at work anymore and that will leave a very big hole in my day. Oh...she'll still be around. She's still a major part of my life. We will talk, visit, write, she still lives in my city, and of course she'll be at my wedding. She's not going anywhere. Just leaving her job.

Still I'm going to miss you.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

2008-04-29T18:52:00.004-05:00

Well...Obama finally disavowed himself from Rev. Wright. Actually what Obama said was that, basically, Wright is a lunatic and he was disgusted, ashamed, and saddened by the hate-filled rhetoric. It was the first time I've ever seen Obama come across as a genuine person. No bullshit grins, no gestures, no insipid chants.

Damn near presidential.

Took long enough for him to start acting like one but it makes me feel a little less uneasy about the possibility of him running for the office. Let's hope it lasts.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-04-28T21:12:00.000-05:00

Brawwk, brawk, brawk

2008-04-27T01:24:00.002-05:00

Noting comments from many Obama supporters that the last debate wasn't fair and that no substantive questions were addressed...Clinton offered a debate in the historic style of Lincoln and Douglas; no moderators, just a one-on-one exchange.

B.O.'s response?

He'd rather eat waffles than show the country what type of president he would be.

Lazybones

2008-04-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

I was talking with someone the other day. He was a young man (thirty is young to me) who found himself homeless and broke. That sucks, I've been there and I know how frightening and frustrating it can be to have nothing. Nothing focuses your life like having to get down to basics such as food and shelter on a day-to-day basis. So I had a lot of empathy and wanted to help.

"How about a job", I asked.

"Sure", he said. "Where? Nobody will hire me cuz I haven't got an address".

"I know some people at a custodial service place. I can go with you and they'll give you some work. Not much at first, maybe just four hours a day, but it will give you a start on getting some cash and if you do well for them...they will gladly make you full time".

"I ain't being a janitor"!

"Why not?"

"I'm better than that".

Getting a bit miffed, I said "I worked for them. They are good people. It's good honest work".

"It's beneath me to sweep and mop floors".

"Oh...but it's not beneath you to scour the gutters for cigarette butts and beg for spare change?"

"I'll just wait", he said, "until something better comes along".

The conversation went downhill from there. I probably should not judge him too harshly. I myself went through a long period where I expected that money, job, housing, and a host of other things would just somehow fall out of the sky and land at my feet while I was waiting. I don't know what switch it is in people that flips on and gives them the realization that...if they want something, they are probably going to have to go out and get it themselves. That it will take time, effort, sacrifice, and more effort. Some 'get it' sooner than others. It took me quite a while. I have a nephew who seems to have been born knowing 'it'.

I wish I could figure out how to turn 'it' on in others.

The Come Back Kid

2008-04-23T06:15:00.005-05:00

Of course, the Obama supporters will yammer on and on that Clinton didn't win by enough...but consider this - The Obama campaign poured everything they had into this state primary. This was not only Clinton's shot to prove she was a viable candidate but Obama's to prove that he was the favorite son for the nomination. With all that money, all those ads, all the media fawning over him, all the ones saying that Obama has the nomination wrapped up and Clinton should quit for the good of the party before millions of Americans have the opportunity to vote; Obama got trounced. Neither have the delegates to win the nomination but it now appears that Clinton has about a million more popular votes on her side.

Doncha just love democracy?

Thank You Big Oil....May I Have Another

2008-04-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

$50

Fifty dollars. Fifty smackers, greenbacks, clams....to put some gas in my vehicle and I didn't even fill it up, I just couldn't stand to put anymore in.

Oil has shot past $118 a barrel and shows no sign of slowing down. I sure miss those bad old days when Clinton was prez and oil was around $20 a barrel.

Of course...I was pretty bitter then.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-04-21T18:35:00.000-05:00

A Response

2008-04-20T14:34:00.002-05:00

...to probably somebody I respect and adore more than just about anybody else in this blogging universe. Jane and I don't necessarily agree on everything, but we do tend to share a lot of the same thoughts on a variety of issues...and those we don't, we tend to at least understand or even sympathize with the other's viewpoints. One of those issues is about the better choice of a Democratic nominee. I'm making no secret that I do not support Obama, but I have a big mouth and a smartass attitude that often dances over the line. Jane kind of pointed that out to me and it made me think that most people would dismiss my objections as bashing and not pay any attention to the points I was trying to make. Below is a comment in it's entirety that Jane posted here. I want to go through it step by step...so bear with me in what will probably be my longest post ever.

"Jay, there aren't many people I'd have this discussion with, so regardless of our differences, I do appreciate you willingness to do this.
Obama apologized for the word "bitter", he didn't apologize for the rest of what he said. I would think "close-minded" would have been a better word than bitter. But keep in mind, I'm from the "left coast"... that's what it's called, right?"

Close minded might have been more accurate of his intent...but the primary point, the reason people were offended, is that implication that everybody in the country between the two coasts are ignorant hicks. I've been to New York, I've been to L.A. Believe me, ignorance is not a localized phenomena. With Obama's private little fundraiser among the elite, his comments just reinforce his image as a good old boy among circles 95% of us will never be welcomed to run with.

I agree about the party committing suicide, that's why I said I won't bash Clinton. If Hillary were to be the Democratic candidate, she will get my vote. Why? Because I believe if McCain is our next president we are D.O.N.E. A Republican CANNOT be our next president. That's my big issue with the Obama-bashing.
Critique him all you want, but don't do the Republicans dirty work for him. And do your homework. Hillary made a comment very similar to Obama's "bitter" comment in 1995.

"I believe Obama will make a better president, I believe she's more of the same corporate b.s. we've had for the past 16 years? (And I was a HUGE B. Clinton "groupie", so you say)"

That's interesting because Obama is entirely a corporate creation. Clinton has worked for decades to get where she is at. Let's take a look at one of the most powerful corporate entities out there...the insurance industry. Which candidate to you suppose they are fronting? The one who backs their legislation all the way or the one who was the first person to ever seriously force the government to look at the disaster of the health industry and the greed of insurance companies?

"Details: I want us OUT of Iraq a.s.a.p. I want us to begin deployment immediately, if not sooner. Obama is committed to doing just that, Hillary isn't."

Actually...Obama hasn't committed to anything saying he wants to wait until he is in office and knows the facts. I guess Clinton already knows the facts because she is committed to a beginning pullout within 60 days. Not only that; she has committed to expanding vet care for the massive casualties that are being currently neglected and implementing set tours of combat duty. Obama has said nothing about this. In fact, though Obama says he is against this war, he has done absolutely nothing about it other than give one speech when he didn't have any power to do anything about it. When he chaired a committee....the committee did nothing, not one thing.

"If you read Obama's website (barackobama.com?) I like what he says about changing the direction of our economy. Like quitting giving corporations tax breaks & stop spending all our $$ on defense, making our deficit bigger."

Sounds good. How is he going to do it? Congress generally makes those decisions and Obama never seemed to have time to do anything for the few months he was in there.

"The U.S.A. currently has 28% of Americans on food stamps, the largest amount EVER. Cheneys taxes were 17% of his income, Bush's were 22%... something is WRONG here.
Obama has said he will have his attorney general (I'm almost 100% positive that's the position he was referring to) look into the Bush Admin. to see if anything illegal was done & to press charges."

I would think that he would demand that the Attorney General look into it now. Why doesn't he? As a Senator, he has that right and power to do so. You and I both know that if Bush and Cheney actually give up power, they will pardon themselves. Obama or any other President is not going to spend the first few months of office with investigations...no matter how much they would like, and believe me..nobody would like to throw the rightwingers in jail than Clinton, who has been at war with them for the last twenty years. Carter knew this principle and didn't waste time with investigating the last administration. Clinton knew this and didn't with Reagan's. No administration wants to define itself by the last.

"I like Obama's suggestions about improving the educational system so that more Americans can actually attend college, or a trade school."

I like it too. How's he going to do it? Another example of saying nice things but leaving out specifics like how to do it and how to pay for it.

"1 thing I like more about Clinton: her health plan. I believe all Americans should be on it. I believe in National Healthcare."

Clinton is the only one talking about national healthcare...been talking about it for years. Obama says he supports it but, when pressed, his plan sounds remarkably like the Republicans...which is basically just the government paying insurance companies to cover a few more Americans. I don't really think a plan that protects the heath insurance profits is one that will protect us.

"Those are a few of the reasons why I support Obama. I am not the exception to the rule, most Obama supporters know why they support him."

Most nearly all can't give me a reason other than they like him and he inspires them. They seem to get really upset about asking questions of his very questionable past, his behaviors, and his extreme lack of any experience. I see a lot of support for Obama on the web and on the media...but not much in real life. Unfortunately...it seems that the real world will not be choosing.

"I am not sure what you see in him as an "empty suit", you've mentioned this "cool guy" before (on my blog), I don't see a "cool guy" Jay. I see an intelligent, knowledgeable, world-minded LEADER. I see someone I would like to represent our country; who represents ME; who will promote a non-violent future for my kids & grandkids."

I see somebody that the media wants to be the nominee. I see somebody that the GOP desperately wants to be the nominee. I see that both are going to have a great time ripping him to pieces because Obama cannot fight. Clinton can...and has beat them.

And why would you think that Obama would promote a non-violent future? It's not like he is anti-war or anything. If he continues with the trait of flipping off people that might not be too conducive to peace talks.

"I am disappointed & see insult because you write statements such as: "Obama's followers seem to have all the characteristics of groupies...love of the man rather than of the ideas." I'm sorry, but as someone who has done my homework, I find that offensive. And I actually find that more love Hillary because she's Hillary rather than what her positions on issues are. 1 example: my mother. She voted for Hillary. Why? Because she LOVES Bill & wants him back in office. I have another relative, a very intelligent one who supports her because she's "gone thru the whole woman thing", meaning "it's a man's world", etc. and I agree, she's gone thru a lot. But I won't support her only because of those reasons."

Consider what type of woman rises from obscurity to world renown. You've come a long way baby...but the intense hatred I see for Hillary, surprisingly coming from so-called progressives, leads me to think women haven't come very far at all. You have an interest in reproductive rights? Who will put it all on the line to protect them? Be honest now.

"If your apology is indeed sincere (and I believe it is), then I hope you will respect my choosing Obama, as I respect your choosing Clinton. And as a Progressive thinker, I'd hope you'll extend that same respect to others who support Obama."

Yes, it was sincere. Obama supporters disappoint me and, in some cases, frighten me. I'm no longer able to tell the difference between Obama supporters and Bush supporters. They use exactly the same talking points (oh..your just bashing, we need a change, he's somebody I'd like to have a beer with, Clinton had an affair you know)

"I've resented all those statements about the Clintons, too. There is definitely a double standard in politics for women, our country is not as evolved as we're told it is. But this is in the workplace, EVERYWHERE. Us women are always called bitches for something a man may do, but if we do it, that makes us a bitch. That's life... it sucks, but I've learned to live with it. Most men are intimidated by serious, successful women."

Black men have had to endure a terrible history in this country...but they were able to vote before it was finally granted to women. Not all men are intimidated by women but a lot are, and I think it is this intimidation that fuels the extraordinary hatred toward Hillary. I had thought we had evolved beyond that.

Clinton is the best candidate we have had since Gore. Gore gave up because, I think, he just got wore out fighting the rightwing machine. Pity. I see Obama wanting to be president but not why. I don't think that he is willing to be a president. I don't think he is up to the task of repairing the damage done by Bush. Most people don't think so either. Obama supporters are much like Bush supporters at living in a bubble. He will not win the general election and...oh...I'm sure there will be a bunch of accusations of racism and stolen elections when the time comes; but the bottom line is that most people are not willing to give an unknown a spin in office with hopes for the best. The one good thing about this whole primary is...if Obama gets the nomination and loses...the Democratic party will die. Maybe it's high time so a new and real liberal party can arise from the ashes.

"Anyways, that's my 2 cents."

Always worth much more to me.

Statesmanship?

2008-04-19T08:26:00.003-05:00

Well...when we select our presidents as if we were choosing the prom king, we end up with candidates that act like a smirking high-school kid rather than a potential world leader.

I guess Bush is leaving a legacy after all.

My Bad

2008-04-17T08:09:00.003-05:00

It's been brought to my attention that in my reaction to what I see as manipulation of the Democratic primary to saddle us with a losing candidate...I've been insulting to those who support Obama instead of talking about Obama. That is a very childish and Republican way of discussing politics and I should know better. Please forgive me.

"Just Words?"

2008-04-14T16:19:00.003-05:00

Ooops....the messiah showed his real self while at a private fundraiser; thinking, I guess, that he was among like-minded latte liberals and none of the great unwashed masses would hear.

"decades of lost jobs and unfulfilled promises from Washington have left some Pennsylvanians "bitter" and clinging "to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

ho0000-kay

Lessee now. The job losses started and accelerated only with the introduction of the current president. We did have one period with tremendous job creation and such prosperity that there was even debates on what to do with all the surplus money in the treasury. Who was that president....oh yeah....a Clinton. But, be that as it may, I guess the real blooper was describing people who have guns or practice religion as being frustrated apathetic bigots.

Wow. Now, being from Kansas and Texas, I have a keen understanding just how insulting condescending stuff like this sounds. The really insulting part of it is...Obama actually doesn't have a clue just what it is he has said that is insulting.

Of course, Obama is busy telling everybody that he didn't mean what he said, though he did, but he had a poor choice of words, but the meaning was right, but he may have misspoke and if anybody was offended he's sorry, but it's the truth, kinda...etc. etc. etc.

I liken this to Bush 1.0 when he was shown in a grocery store marveling at a scanner. It showed the country that this was a man that lived in a completely different world than the average American who does mundane things such as shop for groceries, struggle with bills, and worry about his kid's future...that he wasn't one of us and that most likely, away from the cameras and campaign, he actually despised us.

Obama is like that. He shares nothing with the obamamaniacs who blindly look to him for salvation. He is playing them. He is using them.

Hope they can pull their heads out before the nomination.

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-04-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

Blow, blow, thou winter wind!

2008-04-13T21:31:00.002-05:00

In the span of a week we had warm days, soft spring showers, high winds, hail, tornadoes, floods, and snow. In the middle of April.

Maybe just a fluke, somewhat like chunks of ice the size of small countries melting and breaking off the Antarctic. Flukes are what these things are, y'know....no changes in the global climate...everything is just fine. Who needs four seasons when two will do.

I sometimes think that those who continue to assert that we are not witnessing the most significant change in global weather since humans were scratching pictures of bison in caves must be either crazy

or they suffer from the effects of a steady diet of

All I Want...

2008-04-09T20:23:00.004-05:00

...is a simple wedding. Just a small ceremony without much fuss or bother, no countless bells and whistles, no church service, no organ banging, no line of maids dressed in pastels, no flower arrangements.

Just a nice simple wedding with a few good friends.

I am learning something about simple weddings. There isn't any such thing. Nothing is simple. Nothing is clear cut. I'm finding that Vicki and I should have started planning long before now...probably at least a couple of years before we even met.

Sometimes, sometimes I think that it might be better to just forget it all and go to Las Vegas to get hitched. Find a nice traditional chapel with a nice traditional guy who will listen to our I do's.

Well...maybe not

Monday Cat Blogging

2008-04-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

Not Ready to Make Nice

2008-04-06T06:22:00.002-05:00

Greatness Remembered

2008-04-04T06:43:00.002-05:00

We will speed the day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing... Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I'm free at last. --- Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Think That I Shall Never See

2008-03-26T22:38:00.002-05:00

The time had finally come. The accused was judge guilty and by decree from the great and powerful Vicki...condemned to be struck down from her holy gaze. The blade was raised high, glinting in the morning sun, then brought down with a powerful and decisive blow.

And again.

and again and again and again and again and again and again.....

One hour later...."sunuvabitch, where's my damn power saw!"

Finally, with the waning sun, the mighty tree creaked and began it's slow decent to the dirt from which it sprang. Landing right on top of my fence and into my neighbor's back yard.

shit