The Apocalypse

Yet another sign that the Apocalypse is nearly upon us:

Up here on the computer, listening to some TV show, purportedly a more cerebral one, that K is watching, I heard..."General George McClellan, a great World War 2 hero...." It took a second or two to shake off the cobwebs, but, one, he wasn't a "WW2" figure and, two, he wasn't a "hero."

McClellan was the commander of the Union forces in the Civil War. He was appointed, dismissed, and appointed a second time. Hmmm, Civil War or World War 2? What's the difference? A lot of people died...get over it. (Yes, that's a snide, caustic, and sarcastic comment based on how one teacher cover(s)(ed) the Civil War.)

McClellan was hardly a "hero." In fact, someone might make the case that he was a traitor, in that he aided and abetted the enemy. I don't think he was overtly treasonous; he was just egotistical to the extreme. Like many of today's "anointed" politicians and academics, he knew what was best, better than anyone else possible could. He was a good organizer and a good defensive general, but he didn't like to fight. Isn't that a great quality for a general leading troops in war? His dalliance, his proclivity for vastly overestimating the size of Lee's and other Confederate generals' armies (he had to know he was doing that, didn't he?), and his unwillingness to engage the Rebs likely extended the war, causing how many more deaths?

How could someone make such a mistake?

Where Have All the Adults Gone?

An author has posed this question, "Where have all the grown-ups gone?" It is her suggestion that we no longer have any adults, that they have abdicated their responsibilities. It's an interesting thesis.

From the 1950s and 1960s, we've had more and more "toys," not little kid ones, but those for adults. The post-WW2 prosperity and lower costs made, first, televisions, sporty cars, leisure boats, etc. affordable. These "toys" began to occupy the thinking, the time of adults. No longer could they be bothered with things, trivial things, such as what's happening to our government, to our culture. There were important things to consider, important things like television, sporty cars, leisure boats, etc. Of course, as the decades passed, more toys occupied more time of more people--these toys also became more important. Color television, computers, cell phones, and now all the attachments (blueberries, whatever they are!)....

Consider these Presidents: FDR (although I'm no fan of his, I reluctantly admit his significance), Truman, Eisenhower (yes and I can make a strong case for his inclusion). Then consider their successors, right up to the present. None of them belong in the same room with FDR, HST, DDE (although, I suppose, Reagan could be included). Why is that? Why have we had such lousy Presidents (or good Presidents who did too many lousy things?)?

Of course, you might say, "Why did you start with FDR in returning to yesteryear?" (thank you Lone Ranger!) Good question and it helps make my point. At the turn of the century we had TR, Taft (OK, but no great shakes), Wilson. Most consider them pretty good Presidents. We were paying attention. Whoa, but what about Harding, Coolidge (and I'm nearly as hard on Cool Cal as most historians; he was better than they say), and Hoover? Right! And what did the '20s, "The Roaring '20s," bring? Yep, more "toys" in the presence of radio, movies (and the talkies), phonographs, cars that were affordable, etc. The Depression took away many of those toys. People didn't have the diversions.

Hmmm. It's an interesting thesis and more can be said about it and my brief analysis of it here. I haven't really had time to think more about it. But I like it at face value.... It explains a lot of what is happening today.

Remember the Dutchman, "I was too busy enjoying my freedom to spend any time defending it."

Education

Boy, Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams have it right on education!!!! Why is it nobody listens to them, preferring the "psychobabble" of the education-types (I say that in the most pejorative sense, of course!) and administrators? Williams and Sowell make all kinds of sense.

Read the latest column from Williams: http://townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2009/12/23/black_education

Note what he says about schools of education, which, in my experience, is right on the money. I know people will scoff, not really arguing against what I say, just scoffing as if I can't be taken seriously, but student-teaching is a big scam. It's a crock. What does student-teaching do that the first year of teaching doesn't? Oh, then they learn it while student-teaching, not while earning pay? Think about that one a while, think deeply. Then try asking it again, with a straight face. Student-teaching rips off students-teachers, reinforces the worst of the worst (note Williams' comments on schools of education again), and allows teachers to get paid with time off. But who will listen? Who will take this seriously?

And note what Williams says about those going into education, that is, those becoming teachers. It's devastating. No doubt, we have some good people with good minds who are going to be teachers, but, in all honesty, they are not nearly a high enough percentage. Even some people I know who have always defended teachers, the worse even, have said that the younger teachers just don't cut the mustard. From my experiences, they don't know their subjects, have no sense of rigor and/or quality, and don't have any integrity or courage when it comes to demanding excellence (of course, per my first two clauses, they might not know what "excellence" is!). And, who keeps passing them along, with tenure and awards? Yep, the equally inept administrators, who also are afraid of or don't know quality, rigor, etc. What, do people think Sowell and Williams just make up this stuff? They know what they are talking about.

Good timing, for the editorial above Williams' column this AM talks about the state reform legislation that is pending, calling for its passage. Again, people who don't know what they are talking about, who don't know the real problems, who take what they hear from politicians and administrators as the gospel, etc., weighing in on education. Read the editorial and then read Williams--night and day. The difference between right and wrong (although the intent might be noble).

Freakonomics takes a few glances at education and suggests the above, the good part of above. Again, my guess is nobody will listen. Who, after all, wants to criticize teachers who give out all As and Bs to their kids, despite the fact the students can't read or write very well?

What have we created? See, there's the problem with "give and take," with "compromise." A little give here and there and here and there and soon we have a problem that is monumental, one that likely can't be solved without destroying the entire system. What was it Everett Dirksen said about gov't spending? A few million dollars here and a few million dollars there and pretty soon you're talking about real money. Yep....

We should be ashamed, but, alas, there no longer is a sense of shame.

Youth

First, I want to thank our elected officials in DC for the lousy, rotten Chris present they call "health care reform." And, if I were a youngster, I would especially thank them for seriously threatening my future. (We won't mention the vote to raise the debt ceiling, ever higher, with no chance of paying back the debt and no hope of these clowns reducing spending.)

"Clowns?" Yeah, didn't Lee Iacocca call them "bozos" in his book, on page one? Boy, with that and the Mustang, K-car, and mini-wagon, he got things right.

Perhaps we can take some solace, with some hope, from the recent history of Rumania. It wasn't the "grown-ups," but the youth of Rumania who had the courage to stand up to the tyranny of the dictator Ceaucescu. They encouraged the older folks to protest. They took to the streets, often being gunned down in cold blood. They stood their ground. They had the guts to fight for freedom. Maybe we can hope for the same.

I see some hope in that I get a few e-mails from the younger crowd asking about the massive spending and restrictive legislation our government officials are perpetrating. (I deliberately use the word "perpetrating" because that's what the crime show cops call those who commit crimes, "perps.") Some are beginning to see what a mess is being created with their future.

Now, if they can protest and the "grown-ups" can learn from their courage and throw off their apathy.... Is this too much to ask for?

Television Judges?

Just asking:

How did many of these judges get through law school????? And, then, how did they pass the bar exams????? No, I don't watch them, but Karen does. So, they are on frequently, esp during her breaks. I listen while I read or write or grade papers or am on the computer. What I hear leads me to think, "What the heck?" What was it one of my AC professors wrote on one of my papers, "No sloppy thinking allowed?"

Yesterday, one of them berated a plaintiff, "I don't care what you 'think!' That's the last thing I'll consider in this case, what you 'think.'" The next question out of the judge's mouth, after the appropriate delay for the audience laughter and approval at the judge's Solomonic words, was, "Well, sir, what then did you think...?"

And so it goes....

Lonely Opinions

Boy, I really like talking/writing to myself. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear, does it make a noise?

Hey, is American Idol on tonight? What about a football game?

"I was too busy enjoying my freedoms to do anything to protect them."

Degrees

At face value, I'm sure the idea of the former state superintendent of public schools to offer lower tuition to students majoring in areas of "under-filled professions" seems attractive to some. After all, to get more math majors, offer financial incentives. Upon closer examination, though, the whole thing stinks of, well, something offered by the education establishment--and there's a reason the guy rose to state superintendent of public schools.

First, is that the sole purpose of education, to fill jobs? Education, then, is to prepare people for specific jobs? Wow! What has become of the western tradition of liberal education?

Second, how long before there is a glut of those graduates, that is, before the "under-filled professions" are sated? Will those graduates then be flipping burgers as has been the case with math, science, engineering students of the past?

Third, who says majoring in areas of "under-filled professions" is a smart thing? Let's see, one of my college roommates majored in psychology and, with no graduate degree in business, eventually was a manager of properties for major insurance firms, millions of dollars of transactions passing his desk daily. Hmmm, a fine arts major a year ahead of me, who later played in the NFL, became an anaesthesiologist--no, he wasn't a chemistry or biology major.

Education, in the western tradition, is to teach people to think (not necessarily what to think, but how to think), as well as express, in writing and verbally, those thoughts. Students should be able to apply what they think, to problems, to citizenship, etc. If one is taught to do these things, one, physical/intellectual limitations excepted, any job should be open. In the western tradition, students would be exposed to math and science as well as history and English/writing. Further training, as in the case of my fine arts/anaesthesiologist college mate, can be had in graduate school.

The idea offered by the former super of public education is hare-brained. So, likely, the education-types will embrace it.

Walking the Walk

It's time to stop talking the talk and begin walking the walk.

The Senate, and the House before it, has passed the ObamaCare bill. This despite a more than 2 to 1 opposition to it among Americans. The latest polls have 60% or more against the bill(s) while somewhere among the mid-20% favor it. Almost half would rather have nothing than this so-called "reform." Yet, it's passed anyway.

Bribes. Prostitution. Threats. Promises. These are all parts of this bill. I'm not naive enough to think these are unique in legislative deals. That, though, doesn't make them right. In other words, because "it's done all the time" isn't a justification.

Shall we add Sneaky. Duplicitous. Dishonest....

I hope residents of some states will be happy paying billions of dollars to citizens of other states for the bribes/prostitution extorted by their Senators. With a lot of luck, the court challenges to this unconstitutional usurpation of government power will succeed. The health care bill is patently a violation of the Constitution. How can the government require citizens to purchase health insurance? Will we also be required to buy homeowners' insurance? What about life insurance? (Auto insurance is another story, since it is involved with a specific activity. If one doesn't own a car, one shouldn't have to buy car insurance. Or, with this Congress, maybe one will be required to, regardless of auto ownership!) How about government buying my auto, homeowner's, life insurances for me? How can the government require citizens of one state to openly subsidize the medical insurance of residents of other states?

A pox on the houses of all those members of Congress who voted for this bill! (I might also add the bailouts, the CRA, TARP, and, soon, Tax and Trade.) Ready to walk the walk????

Beginning in 2010, yep this coming year, all those incumbents who voted for the bill need to be replaced. If some don't run (rumor is some have been promised ambassadorships, Cabinet posts, and other government positions), before we elect a candidate from that same party, we must elicit a firm commitment to repeal this legislation. In fact, we must insist that anyone we vote for is one who is committed to rescinding this abomination.

I have opined that people who say they are fed up, mad as hell, outraged, not going to take it are not really fed up, mad as hell, outraged and that they are going to take it. We'll see in the next elections. We'll see who says more than their prayers. Now is the time for political actions--get hid of the duplicitous, dishonest, stupid crooks. Remember, Monica Conyers is going to prison for taking a $5000 bribe. What about the bribes to Landrieu, Brown, Levin, etc...the amounts of which are a great deal more than $5000???? Are those legal just because they were proffered by the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader of the Senate, President of the United States? What about the threats? Because they were made by the above, does that make the intimidating extortion legal?

Throw out the bums--ASAP!!!!!

No Naps

Apparently Sen Levin wasn't taking a nap when all the bribe money was being handed out. He arranged some sort of deal exempting Blue Cross/Blue Shield from the health care bill. I don't know details. Wait a minute... Aren't the insurance companies one of the monsters targeted by the party of the good Sen? Then, why the deal???

Regardless, the bribes were sleazy. I have heard Mich's atty-gen, along with those from at least six other states, are considering a lawsuit challenging the Constitutionality of the deals with the health care bill. They are citing the 14th Am's "equal protection" clause.

Health Care Bill

"Elections have consequences." We've heard that one a lot lately and now we are experiencing it. And, the experience isn't a good one.

The health care bill is an abomination. Those who vote for a Congressman or Senator who support it deserves exactly what they get--and, unfortunately, the rest of us who use our votes much more wisely get it, too. I wish we could rescind their right to vote for being stupid.

Imagine a car dealer who tells you, "OK, you bought the car tonight. You can make payments on it for four years and then you get the car." Read the health care bill.

Imagine a family of 4 with an income of up to $96,000...it now qualifies for Medicare. So I am now paying for that family's health care, even though it makes more than twice what I make. You mean to tell me a family that makes $96K can't afford its own health insurance. Why not? Exactly why not?

Imagine paying a LA Senator $300,000,000 to get her vote. Let's see, when we pay a woman or man for sex, that's prostitution--and it's illegal. Hmmmm.

Imagine getting a NE Senator to vote for the bill by promising him his state won't have to kick in matching funds (well, OK, the feds pay 60% and the states 40%) for Medicaid coverage. Hey, why doesn't my state get the same thing? Isn't Michigan the hardest hit state in this recession?

Imagine, where are our two US Senators in all of this?

Imagine this bill, other than the taxes for it, don't go into effect until after the next Presidential election. Wonder why?????

Imagine a bill that still doesn't cover 21,000,000 Americans (about 7%). Now, even though the liars claimed 48,000,000 Americans don't have health insurance now, the number is likely less than half that--take out the illegals, those too lazy or stupid to sign up or Medicare/Medicaid or S-Chip, those who opt to pay cash for health services instead of insurance premiums, and those who opt to gamble by choosing to spend their money on other things. So, to cover about 1% of the population, we are messing up health care for 85-90% of Americans.

Imagine, now, having to pay income tax on health insurance given as a perk at work.

Imagine your life insurance policy expiring and, to renew, rates more that tripled. Now, will Congress pay for my life insurance premiums? Come to think of it, will it also pay for my auto insurance, homeowners' insurance, and any other I can think of?

Imagine sneaking around on Sat eves, the night before Thanksgiving, Chris eve to pass bills. Imagine have a 2000+ page bill that nobody has read be transformed into a 1000 page bill in 17 hours and having it pass--all before anyone in the public knows what is in it!

Imagine passing a bill that doesn't apply to those who passed the bill! Congressmen and Senators and their staffs are not subject to it and its provisions.

Imagine we elect and re-elect these duplicitous, arrogant, dishonest fools. A bad dream? Nope, not at all.

Bobby Knight

I saw that Bobby Knight ragged on another college coach, some guy named Calipari (?). He wondered who would hire this guy after he led two other college programs into NCAA probation. Very good question, Bobby!

"Not Rational?"

I'm still a bit worked up over the reply to a recent assessment of Obama that was dismissed as "not rational." I know I responded with strong language and examples, but I'm still upset. Here are more of my thoughts:

What "wasn't rational" about the assessment? It was never said. Here is what is "irrational." Letting Barney Frank, Charlie Rangel head Congressional commitees. Ruining health insurance for abou 85-90% of Americans to take care of the 10-15% who "aren't covered," about half of them can be explained away (illegals, opting not to purchase health insurance--like my two sons, being too lazy to sign up for Medicaid or S-Chip, etc.). Hillary Clinton pledging hundreds of billions of dollars as sort of a "climate reparations" to third world countries, letting the UN "oversee" the funds, you know, so the petty tyrant dictators don't just spend the money on themselves and consolidating their own power (and the UN has been so very effective over the years, hasn't it?). Hailing Ted Kennedy as a hero, "An American Lion," when, the truth is, he was a scumbag, from the death of Mary Jo Kopechne (or at least leaving the scene of her homocide) to libeling Robert Bork to being a hypocrite with his hundreds of millions of dollars (Did I mention so many affairs as to put Tiger Woods to shame? Why wasn't he excommunicated from the Catholic Church on general principle rather than exalted as St. Ted, as it was St John, his equally nefarious brother?). Giving taxpayer money to the same people who drove the auto companies, the banks, the financial/investment companies into the ground. My US Senator telling me, huffily, that the science on man-made global warming "was settled," as if saying I should stop sending her letters on the hoax. Need I go on? "Wasn't rational!" Yeah, right....

Tenure Laws

Tenure laws, namely those involving public school teachers, have come under attack recently--for their costliness, prevention of "real reform," etc. Having been in the public schools for 33 years, while continuing on now in my 15 year of college teaching, I am of two minds about teacher tenure laws.

First, I realize they have been abused. There are some very good teachers out there, very good. I think, for instance, my grandson has had several. And, likely most teachers are adequate, if lacking in courage/integrity. (With proper leadership, they can be led in the right direction, but only with proper leadership that includes, of course, courage/integrity and knowledge of what is quality education.) Far too many (certainly not a majority, but far too many) teachers are incompetent, don't belong anywhere near a classroom. How many of them get tenure? Likely, almost all of them. They should and, once achieved, they cannot really be touched. It's a shame to have to have them teaching. It's a shame to have had to work with them.

Second, though, I think tenure laws are necessary. They are needed to protect good teachers, those who are outspoken and courageous enough, with integrity, to speak out against the deleterious programs and policies often found in our schools. Who are responsible for granting tenure? Often it's the administrators who don't have a clue as to what quality education is, have never experienced the rigor required for that quality, and cannot summon the courage or integrity to stand up to the "deleterious programs and policies." Now, isn't that comforting? The lousiest of the lousy are responsible for perpetuating the lousiness!

Without tenure, how long would I have lasted? I don't know. I do know, on more than one occasion, I called out administrators, even a couple of superintendents, on the stupidest of things they were doing or were requiring the schools/teachers to do. At least once, I publicly questioned the integrity/honesty of an assistant super who blatantly lied to a small group of us on an important curriculum matter. (Fortunately, I had another courageous teacher back me up when the administrator tried to deny the lie. Of course, it made no difference. The policy of the lie won out and teachers just merrily went on and implemented it--remember the above, courage and integrity?).

Instead of a forum for different ideas, education has become on of the least tolerant institutions. And, it's hidden, as "diversity," "acceptance and respect," etc. are fraudulently perpetrated on an unsuspecting (uncaring?) public.

So, tenure or no tenure????

Ooooh...

They got me going yesterday!

First, I'm listening to the Lt Gov on the radio and he blurts out, "We have to protect the property rights of Michigan citizens." Huh? Didn't his own gov sign the law that forces private property owners in the state to be nonsmoking? That is, restaurant and bar, etc. owners now cannot permit smoking, whether they want to or not in their own personal private property establishments. Grrrr....

I received an e-mail last week from a man who didn't like my negative assessment of Obama. One of the things that criticized the assessment was "not rational." Hmmm. "Not rational?" Now, let's forget that BO has exhibited no sense, not an iota, of history, no understanding at all. Let's just focus on, say, this week in Copenhagen. BO's Sec of State, HRC, pledged $100 Billion, yes, with a "B," to third world nations as sort of "climate reparations." Was it a bribe to prevent third world nations from using too much energy/carbon? Come again? Was it the typical guilt that this administration has because the US is the freest, most prosperous nation the world has ever seen? Now, who is going to see that the money we give to these mostly petty, tyrannical martinets is spent on things other than their own power/grandeur? Oh, the United Nations...OK, now I feel better! Yeah, right. So relying on these despots and the ineffective UN, because that's what the BO administration does, is "rational?" Yep, it is rapidly becoming "the world turned upside down."

Education

A guy who wrote like he new what he was talking about, namely comparisons of the academic achievements in various states, suggested in the weekend's paper that all of the students in Michigan take the same tests as those in Detroit. I don't think he was trying to make Detroit students or their scores look any less anemic, hardly; there's no way to sugar coat those. They were pathetic, at best.

I think he was suggesting others in the state, other school districts, compared to the rest of the country are doing abysmally, too. I don't know, maybe. But it would be interesting. Consider recent reports that Michigan students on the ACT ranked no better than 41st on any of the four tests rated. On one, they were 49th and another 45th. That's not good, is it?

In the same paper, a former state super was calling for reform or, more precisely, taking state politicians, local school districts, and the MEA to task for standing in the way of reform. The former super had no real ideas about reform, other than generalities such as "getting more dollars in the classroom." What does that mean? Even more computers? More videos? I don't know--nobody ever says. I think a good argument can be made that there are enough computers and too many videos, but that's not the point here and now.

Like almost all so-called calls for reform, this one never talked about quality teachers and administrators, that is, those with real degrees, with the integrity and courage to set high standards (not just blab about setting high standards and then caving in on them), who have experienced quality education. They should know how to read and write, I mean really know how to read and write--and do math. They should have been through quality education at schools whose degrees demanded rigorous effort, study, and work. Obviously, not all can have this background. But the leadership, both administrators and teachers, should have these. But, I don't recall many, if any, so-called "reformers" who espouse this. They seem to just accept that administrators and teachers are "the best and brightest" or, at least, competent.

I don't know....

A. Jackson

Just finished An American Lion, the second biog of A. Jackson I've read in the past few months. Certainly Jackson was an important President, likely in the very top echelon. I wouldn't quite rank him with Lincoln or Washington or even Jefferson (if only his first term were counted). I know most historians have F. Roosevelt up there, too. I agree he was very, very influential. But, to me, his significant influence was debilitating/deleterious (I don't often get a chance to use those words!). Yes, he changed American lives in a big way; I just don't think the changes were good ones. T. Roosevelt, Truman, and even Eisenhower were also favorites of mine. Truman, for instance, never gets the credit he deserves for his role in the civil rights movement--very courageous man, that Truman. And many people still don't understand Eisenhower and his "Hidden Hand Presidency." But, back to Jackson....

Jackson, I think, did save the Union. We'll never know for sure, but it seems he prevented any serious talk of nullification/secession at a time when the North couldn't have really prevented it. There are big problems with his bigotry, namely Indian removal (which was based in large part on his prejudiced views of Indians) and slave ownership (although did he have an epiphany near his end?). Those are hard to overlook (as they are with Wash and Jeff). How to evaluate. One great statement coming from the author, Jon Meacham, of An American Lion is "Evil can appear perfectly normal to even the best men and women of a given time." Maybe that is a lesson of history. Do we judge others from the past using our own values, without necessarily condoning evils? Hmmmm....to ponder.

One of the lessons of A. Jackson is pretty clear, one we need to seriously consider today. As early as the 1830s, Jackson recognized that the US had little to fear from other nations' armies. More, much more, with which to concern ourselves are "the combinations of the wealthy and professional [political] classes, from an aristocracy ["the anointed?"] which throught the influences of riches and talents, insidiously employed, sometimes succeeds in preventing political institutions , however well adjusted, from securing the freedom of the citizen...." Wow! And all this from a political rube, a backwoods hick?

We ignore our history at our own peril.

Thanks, Robb!

Last...

...but not least.

I watched on C-Span (please, no nasty comments) a panel discussion involving research/polling of eleven ordinary citizens. They were queried on the President and Congress and the issues confronting the nation.

Two of the nine thought the nation was going in the wrong direction. Five though Obama was going to be a "great" President (although they couldn't remotely say why except, "He cares."). Two disliked Congress and didn't trust what it was doing.

From what I could tell, one certainly didn't like BO, three likely weren't big fans of his, a couple were fence-sitters, and the other five fawned over him. Now, realize, each of the five couldn't say one positive result that has stemmed from BO's Presidency (he might have some, but that isn't the point here--the people who couldn't name even one still thought he was great). Oh, there were the generalities and platitudes like, "Oh, he's one of us" (although none of the panelists looked like they lived in multi-million dollar homes), "He really cares" (enough to spend how many millions on his weekly parties and dates with Michelle--so far?), "He's really trying" (well, lots of people have "tried," even Nixon and W). How frightening! It's one thing to think he's doing well and be able to cite reasons for it (whether or not I agree or disagree). It's quite another to say he's doing well, but not be able to name a single thing that he's accomplished. Is it suprising that almost all of the BO supporters were in education or some sort of gov't work?????

It was funny, the opinion gatherer asked the panelists to form a portrait, a picture of someone who symbolized Congress to them. I immediately laughed as "Satan" came to my mind. I laughed even harder as five of the panelists also said "the devil" (with one admitting he couldn't spell "Beelzebub," as if I can).

I was answering along with the questions. For instance, "What one word or phrase characterizes what you think of President Obama? My word was "hypocrite," although I could think of others. For Michelle O my phrase was "glitz with no substance."

I could see a couple of the panel members seemed to want to explode at some of the other responses, but were obviously told ahead of time that this was not a debate, wasn't supposed to be contentious, etc.

It's OK to differ in opinions, but there must be reasons for differences. People should be able to support their views. "I feel" isn't a good argument. I'm all for 100% voting, until I think that people like these (or the one interviewed a year ago who thought Sarah Palin was a good choice to be Barak Obama's running mate) have a vote that counts as much as mine.

Barbara Boxer

What with Babs? Is she loco? If there's any reason to doubt that California is off its collective rocker, consider Pelosi, Feinstein, Schwartzenegger (sp?), and now Boxer.

Boxer wants the hackers of the e-mails in the Climategate affair prosecuted. OK, I understand the privacy issues and am sensitive to them. But, c'mon....

What about the fraud being perpetuated by the global warming nuts? There's a reason Algore cancelled his latest talks. That fraud resulted in how much gov't money going into certain hands? Hmmmm. Isn't that a felony? Isn't that, too, worthy of prosecution? I would surmise, with the millions or billions of dollars involved, with deliberate fraud, this would be a more significant case to chase. But, nope, gotta keep the global warming fraud going because it, but not the facts, fits an agenda.

And, yes, I believe we should cut back on waste, pollution, emissions, etc., but not because of the global warming fiction.

How Rome Fell

I wonder what we are doing. We are so very ignorant of history. It is likely going to help lead to the downfall.

The US is the only nation to be founded on an idea, a set of principles. That creed is spelled out in Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. Yet, we seem to be forgetting it (as imperfect as it was in the beginning).

Why is it that government and now private concerns are refusing to recognize "Christmas?" It's "Happy Holidays" or some other such generality. OK, so I'm not much on the religion part, but still.... What if there was no Christmas? What "holiday" season would it be to most people, the overwhelming majority of people? After all, how many people celebrate the Jewish High Holidays, people who aren't Jewish? People who aren't Christians still partake in the mood of the season, the Christmas season (the "greed" is a topic for another occasion).

Oh, I know the arguments. Government is worried about "separation of church and state," or so it says. Then, I ask, why does government not only permit, but encourage things like foot baths at public colleges for Muslims to pray? I have no problem with those footbaths, as long as there is no problem with singing Away in the Manger at a public school's Chris concert.

Private concerns are worried about offending some people. Are they stupid???? If the Christians decided they were "offended" by "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Chris and decided boycotts were in order.... Yeah, see.

There's room for everyone and every faith--we should not discriminate against the majority religion while bending over backwards for minority religions.

Consider the principle and reread the fall of Rome.

Please Write Your Congressmen/Senators

A letter I wrote to my US Senator:



No!

The overwhelming majority of Americans have health insurance. Even if the numbers provided by some advocates of an ObamaCare bill are accepted (and I don't; they are grossly inflated), but for the sake of argument if they are accepted, 85-90% of Americans have health care! And, we have the best health care in the world!

Of course the cost of coverage are skyrocketing and are worrisome. But there are much better ways of dealing with them, even through Congressional meddling, than the monstrosity being considered now.

Health care is not "a right," no more so than life insurance, auto insurance, etc. Can I expect the next "right" to be tackled by Congress is how to pay my life insurance premium, which, by the way, just increased more than 300%!?!? No, none of these are rights--and where in the Constitution can any tangential semblance to such rights be found? Don't look because none can. Of course, as one of your Congressional colleagues on a recent Sunday AM news show said, if a majority of the elected officials in Washington want something that violates the Constitution, it's OK to pass. Health insurance is an individual/family budget issue. People, especially young ones, think nothing of a $150 a month cell phone bill, among other things. But, thanks to the nanny state, they expect health insurance to be given to them.

Members of Congress think they are smarter than the rest of us. They aren't. They think they know what's best for us better than we do. They don't. Stop this madness of spending, practically guaranteeing bleak lives for our children and grandchildren who will be saddled with this massive debt. Vote NO! on this health care bill.

Terms of Congress

Reading a book the other day, I was reminded that Congress in the 18th and 19th Centuries normally adjourned from March/April to November/December. Wow! What a great idea!

Now, I'm not in favor of part-time legislatures because of the savings. That would be a start, but just a pittance. More so, I am in favor of part-time legislatures (including Congress, see above) to get them away from making so many laws that are ruining this country. To wit, the state legislature now requires school districts to report any teacher illness lasting more than three days. Now, is this to check up on teachers? I don't know. But consider the time, effort, and money spent/wasted on this.

Should we then turn to the myriad agencies created by full-time legislatures? You know, the people who are not responsible to anyone, no electorate, nobody, and give such great service, care, and concern? Let's make them, too, either part-time or nonexistent.

Two Items

I heard on the radio this week these two things.

First, one of our Congressmen from Michigan pretty much said, flat out, that he's smarter than we are and knows what's best for us better than we do. There, that's one of the "anointed" for you. I think most of them are like that, certainly Reid, Pelosi, and their cabal and, of course, Obama. Well, although they may know a bit more on the specific issues--at least I would hope they would, since that's their job!!!!! and we have other jobs--they aren't any smarter. I've listened to some of these people and, although I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree, they are not smarter than I am. In fact, I think I could make a pretty good case they are a lot more stupid! But, let's keep electing the "anointed."

Second, there was a U of M prof discussing "obesity" on the air. She was very interesting, made good points, esp toward the costs of obese and overweight people, etc. Then, she lost me. She said it wasn't people's fault they ate too much and exercised too little, that, indeed, they were overweight or obese. It was outside factors, such as stress, frustration, etc. Yeah, right. I weigh 20 pounds more than I should because of stress and frustration? No! I weigh 20 pounds more than I should because I like to drink beer (and do) and like to eat just about anything (except vegetables and fruits), including raw cookie dough (and I do). If stress and frustration led to overweight and obesity, back when I was working, I'd have weighed 400 lbs!!!! Yet another instance of not holding people accountable for their own actions, their own lives; it's always somebody or something else's fault.

The Apocalypse

Further evidence that the Apocalypse is nearly upon us:

On a sign promoting an upcoming event--"Coming Dec 5-6, Christmas Bizarre." Now, isn't that bazaar, I mean, "bizarre?"

Modern Colleges

Here we go again, insisting that college educations are crucial to the coming generations. But, then, we try so very hard to make getting a college education so very easy. Let's do a four-year degree in three years--or two or even one, say some radio ads. Let's do online "virtual" courses. Let's let high school kids get college credit. And on and on....

Now there might well be some good online courses. But it seems to me that, although students should be able to take some of them, overall, they need to have personal confrontation with a professor/instructor. I keep going back to teachers in my bldg all taking the same online course and, meeting several times a week, then doing their work together.

If a college education is being "dumbed down" (and I can't imagine anyone, anywhere arguing it isn't), why is it so important, vital? Instead of colleges and universities, shouldn't we just expand high schools for another couple of years? It would be cheaper (a much more important factor than "it's for the kids") and colleges/universities wouldn't be further degraded (dumbed down).

Surely, no one will listen to that. After all, the "education-types" are in charge.

A Couple Items

First, did you hear the interview with a US Senator, I think she's from Fla, with Stephanopoulos over the weekend? He asked her a question about the Senate health bill and she pooh-poohed it, saying no, that's not true, that's not the case. But, he said, holding up a copy of he bill, he was reading directly from the bill. No, she insisted, that's not true. But it's in the bill!?!?! I guess if you lie and deny enough, it becomes the truth? And, of course, we have now turned callling someone a "liar" into a politically incorrect no-no.

Second, did you hear BO talk about Geitner and the work at the Treasury Dept? If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable, very laughable. BO said he, Geitner, and the Treas Dept couldn't and wouldn't sit back on their laurels, that there was still work to be done. Huh? What laurels? What has been accomplished? What jobs have been saved, with the unemployment rate up to 11% or more nationally and, in Michigan, almost dbld since BO took office? Of course, the White House just makes up numbers and the dutiful media just fall into place, lapping up the information, accurate or not. Sort of like the local newspapers just accepting the word of school districts that everything is just great, that students are learning, etc, despite the fact that student don't know very much (again, have you counted your change at McD's lately?).

Third, I'm just wondering, from out of nowhere, how many more BO appts are tax cheats. No, no, I don't want to hear, "But Bush...." That's one of the stupidest things someone can say to back/support BO and his inept "czars" and other appts. It's like saying, in response to Hitler's numbers of mass murders, "But Stalin and Mao...."

Fourth, in class today, I noted the Detroit Women's League, an org founded in 1930 to help promote doing business with Depression Era black business. The women, started by a handful of Detroiters and spreading to a number of US cities, advocated and promoted buying from businesses that were black-owned, hired black youths, etc. It saved a number of black businesses from bankruptcy in the '30s. One of my students stuttered, something about "racism." I didn't hear the whole thing, but he said "just helping black businesses" was racist. I merely said, "But, then, what whites were going to help the blacks?" He was nonplussed and I was able to move on.

Fifth, a WB org is trying to get people to donate $1 a day to help WB schools keep programs being cut due to state aid reductions. Fine and good, but isn't this a voluntary tax? What pressures are being put on people to give? I guess I don't have a problem with this since it is voluntary except isn't this a band-aid on a gash? What happens next year? The temporary fix allows the schools to avoid the structural changes needed. And, my guess is any reasonable person, not associated with the schools, could walk in and find numerous cost savings, savings that would reach into the 6- and 7-figures. Oh, "but it's for the kids." Yeah, right..... Say something long enough and loud enough and people fall for it as the truth.

Sixth, along the same lines, how about "Climategate?" The purloined or whistle-blower e-mails and memos do a great deal to blow holes in the man-made warming arguments. Who can we trust any more???

US Senators

I wrote to the two US Senators from Michigan, Levin and Stabenow, last week. I voiced my extreme opposition to the Senate health care bill, urging their no votes. I indicated that I was exasperated with the current Congress and Administration and their frenzied pace of deleterious legislation. I noted I would vote against them and urge others to do so if they voted aye. Let this be step one on my promise to actively oppose their re-election.

To the two or three of you who might actually read this, I urge you to strong oppose the re-election of the two US Senators from Michigan, Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, in their bids for re-election (although they are several years up the road). I won't forget their inane actions and blind support for the craziness coming out of Washington and I hope you don't either. Let's take back "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" by voting them out of office, replacing them with those who will respect the Constitution and the principle of limited government.

KSM

Some thoughts on moving KSM's trial to NYC. I'm not so concerned about the safety of citizens of NYC; if there are dangers, there are dangers. That's not to say there might not be legitimate concerns. I just don't think moving the trial there heightens them.

But I am concerned with several other things. First, the Attorney-General, Eric Holder (who appears to me to be out of his league, but that's just me), said KSM will be tried, convicted, and be given the death sentence. Now, is this typical prosecutor's bravado? Or, does this make a sham out of the legal system, the one we are holding up as a paragon by trying KSM in it rather than a military tribunal? Doesn't this make the presumption of innocence a bit suspicious here? And why should KSM be presumed innocent when, in the face of the IRS, I (and other US citizens) am presumed guilty--and can't win in court?

Second, will there be defense motions for all sorts of documents, including classified ones, that might aid and abet terrorists? The 1993 WTC bombing resulted in a couple hundred names on a list, names our intelligence agencies had identified with terrorist groups, a list that was made public and, without doubt, found its way into the hands of terrorist groups. Surely that helped the terrorists.

Third, a local columnist likened the KSM trial to those in Nuremburg in WW2. He noted that those trials didn't seem to rock the world, continue to give voice to Nazi propaganda, etc. Well, I think he missed out a bit on HIS 152--the Nuremburg Trials weren't civilian trials, not at all. Hmmm.... No need to emphasize history in the schools, nope.

Fourth, what if, just if, KSM is found not guilty or has the trial dismissed on some legal technicality? (Let's not consider if, during war, Miranda rights, for instance, must be given.) Would KSM be allowed to go free? Highly unlikely that he would. What does that say about a "fair trial?" And what would Americans think about their judicial system, already one that is raising doubts?

Fifth, why does KSM get a civilian trial, yet one of the masterminds of the USS Cole attack remain with a military tribunal? What is the difference?

Sixth, if, as Holder says, KSM is to be convicted and executed, where are the opponents of capital punishment? Why are they so silent? Are they waiting for a trial, conviction, and sentence? They don't wait in other instances....

As the Doobies sang, "I ain't blind and I don't like what I think I see."

Oops! Hip or Knee Replacement?

Talk about a slip, Freudian or otherwise!

A federal gov't task force this week announced that mammograms weren't really necessary until age 50, that they were either a waste of time and money or, worse, could have debilitating effects on recipients. Yeah, sure.

The number of women between 50 and 60 who are saved is 1 of every 1300 or so mammograms. Those between 40 and 40 are only, ha, only, 1 of every 1900. Tell that to the women whose lives were saved.

Of course, the foolishness of that had to be countered. K Sibelius (with the personality and charisma of a small soap dish, how did she get so far in politics?) quickly said, well, that's not the official gov't position. Could she have said this with less emotion, less conviction? I think that small soap dish could have shown a bit more life.

More important, this slip lets something else out. What if the single-payer, fed gov't health care becomes law? Will this gov't panels findings then allow the fed gov't to deny mammograms to women under 50? Don't chuckle and say, "How ridiculous!?!? That won't ever happen." No? Do some research, say, in Washington state. A similar panel makes decisions for Medicaid holders. Hip replacement surgery, arthroscopic knee surgery, among other procedures are no longer covered as being "too expensive," "not worthwhile," etc. Want to do some more research? Check similar situtations in Massachusetts, Kentucky....

Yet, we are going to allow our elected officials to pass a federal health care bill, one by the way, if similar state plans are any indication will not substantially increase the number of those covered. Oh, and the cost will skyrocket, esp after 10 years.

But that's OK. Our gov't talking heads, exec, legis, whatever dept, talk about the 12 trillion dollar national debt. Ha! There are four sets of accounting books. If an accurate picture is taken, I think we should include "unfunded" programs, you know, the ones that go on and aren't paid for, but aren't counted as "debt." If we do, the current amount is about 10 times that, yep, about 118 trillion dollars.

Yeah, let's trust these people. Yeah, let's make things secure and good for us, our children and grandchildren be damned. Those CEOs sure were selfish, weren't they????

C'mon!

OK, when does the free pass end? This isn't about politics or W or any of that. Listen to this...not reported in our "unbiased" media (no, not "unbiased" at all--ha!).

Hundreds of millions of dollars of the so-called "stimulus" package (exactly what it has stimulated other than FOB--"Friends of Barak"--is hardly clear) has gone to states' Congressional districts which don't exist. Well, I suppose that there could be "clerical errors," as suggested by one government spokeman. Then, that just means there is an awful lot of stupidity running the government. Hawaii's 11th District, Arizona's 15th District, Connecticut's 42 District don't exist--none of them; there aren't any such districts. I could imagine, say, an error of CT's 3rd or 4th District, but 42nd!?!? CT has only 2!!!! Would those running our gov't fail a high school government course? It sure seems like it, since HI has only 2 and AZ only 8 districts. Now, would they also fail economics? One district, it is claimed, spend $17 million of stimulus money to create three, that's 3, jobs!

Can you imagine the media outcry if W was the President???? (Remember, I don't think W was a good President; in fact, I think he was a lousy one.) Why wasn't this on the front page of my Det News this AM? And the News is supposed to be a Rep/conservative rag!?!? I heard about all this Tue on some radio shows, but nothing in he paper, nothing on my computer news outlet (I haven't checked Web sites).

This isn't news? This isn't what the press (1st Amendement guarantees) is all about, to inform the citizenry? I guess it's all about being a shill for the President.

And some wonder why the newspapers and major television networks are losing money and going out of business??????

Phys Ed

I read an interesting and exhaustive study from the Tex schools. It finally seems to confirm what I've felt for years and years, that physical education is an important part of "education." The study shows a direct correlation between physical fitness and academic achievement, behavior in schools, etc. The more fit, the higher the learning and the fewer the problems. This was shown for individuals and for entire schools. Higher achieving schools with, say, 50% higher scores in achievement, also had 50% better fitness (based on a series of physical batteries/tests). So what is it that our lame-brained administrators do first in a crunch? Yep, cut phys ed--and music, art, etc. Somewhere, sometime, someone has to tell people these areas are not fringes, not "extras." I know HVS officially calls them "extras" and elementary phys ed is 30 mins, twice a week. That "band" can substitute for phys ed requirments is a travesty. Music and art, for instance, are not for everyone. I wouldn't have wanted to take them, esp not in hs. But phys ed is a bit different, sort of like math and history and medicine. We may not like it, but it's good for us. And the trend in phys ed toward "lifelong" activities? Bah...the kids need exercise and the study shows it.

Quality Standards

I am not at all talking politics here. This isn't about left and right or Dems and Reps (although I don't classify myself in any of those categories). This is about quality.

In the newspaper over the past couple of days I have seen quite a contrast in columns. Walter Williams wrote a thoughtful, insightful, and informative column. One may or may not agree with him, might call him a fear-monger, or whatever. But it was a well written column. Bill Press just wrote a piece of garbage. There was no thought-process that could be discerned in the column. There was no evidence of insight. Again, this isn't about right/left or Dem/Rep. I think Leonard Pitts and Thomas Sowell are two of the very best we have writing. Their views don't mesh at all, but I enjoy reading each. "Thoughtful," "informative," "insightful" are words that always come to mind when I read them. George Will and, locally, Ron Dzwonkowski always produce quality columns. Again, they don't run with the same ideological crowd, I'm sure, but they bear reading.

It makes me wonder if newspaper editors even read the columnists they use.

The Constitution

Last week, I noted a Mich Congressman who had both no respect and no knowledge of the Constitution. He said, loud and clear on the radio, not once, but twice, that it was OK for duly elected members of Congress, with a majority, to pass legislation that violated the Constitution.

Now, here comes Pelosi. The Speaker of the House, in response to a media question about the Constitutional authority to enact such a health care bill (e.g., forcing Americans to purchase health care or face fines and/or prison), dismissed such a thought with, "Oh, you can't be serious." Repeating the question and indicating that he was "serious," she merely turned and asked for the next question. Later, a spokesman from her office said only "serious" questions would be entertained.

I will let go for now the hypocrisy surrounding this lady. And, there is much else I will let go for now. But consider her comments!!!! Isn't that frightening? That Congress can enact legislation for which it has no Constitutional authority isn't "serious?" How about if Congress passes laws not permitting such questions? What or who is to stop it if we don't act now--or elect people committed to undoing the dangers now being done in DC?

A related tangent.... A letter to the editor in today's newspaper from a Bloomfield Hills doctor lauding "the courage" of the House in passing such a health care bill to take care of those unable to afford health coverage. I would love a question-answer period with this lady. My first question would be this: "Why don't you just treat those without health insurance for free?" No doubt she'd start talking Chinese.

U of M Football

I had a discussion with a U of M football fan yesterday. I took this away from it--and left him with this, too.

U of M always prided itself, arrogantly, too arrogantly, on winning while doing things the right way. Now, I'll overlook that a lot of dirty laundry was swept under the rug, laundry that came out in other college towns. But U of M was "holier than thou." "We can win by obeying the rules."

Now, they obviously can't or, at least, aren't. That's fine. Anyway, this U of M fan argued in favor of the current coach and climate in Ann Arbor. I said that's fine, I really don't care one way or another. But the writing is now clearly on the wall. U of M and its fan base are hypocrites--winning is more important that obeying the rules or, perhaps a bit less stringently, doing the right thing.

Oh, I think U of M fans will still be arrogant, but I'll be able to point out a certain little thing or two now....

NFL

Mike just told me about some NFL guy who was fined $20000 for an antic last week--or whenever, I don't know (since I don't follow the NFL--and you'll soon see one reason why). Apparently, there was a close call and the officials huddled to confer. Jokingly, in front of thousands, the player pulled out a buck and walked over toward the huddle, seemingly to bribe the officials to make the right ruling. That, is seems to me, is harmless fun. Yet, the NFL fined the guy $20000. I suppose there might be a reason for that; I just can't figure out a legitimate one.

I guess whoever coined this was right--NFL stands for No Fun League. And that's one important reason I don't watch it.

Individual Responsibility

One of the bitter results of the government nanny-state (beginning esp with FDR and his New Deal) is that people now can legitimately duck accountability for their own actions. After all, if government is there to bail everyone out (everyone, that is, except those who have worked to avoid needing to be bailed out), why would anyone have to answer for what he/she did? That isn't to say I'm not compassionate or don't help others (those close to me know what I do and what I give--let's just say it's a lot more that our "caring" President and Vice President give). There are some people who legitimately need help, facing conditions through no fault of their own. I commiserate and, well, see above about charity. But alcoholics and drug addicts? Convicted felons? Those who bought homes they couldn't afford even though conditions allowed them to be able to do so--or the lenders who gave them the money? The auto companies who made stupid decisions--and the auto unions who insisted on incredibly stupid and wasteful contract provisions? No, I don't have any compassion for them--none.

One who has lost his job after working to get it, working hard, but is in the economic whirlwind. Yep, let's help there.

For instance, I regret having spent (dare I say "wasted?") 30+ years of my life in the career had and the place I did. I can't go back and undo that, but I do regret it a great deal. But, I'm not blaming anyone (for the stupidity, cowardice, etc. that others showed, yes, I blame them). It was my own fault. I was stupid myself for not getting out. As little as I thought of many of the people I worked for and with, it wasn't their fault I was still there. That was my fault.

So, now, I read of an Indiana woman who is blaming a casino for her gambling addiction--and the loss of $125K!!!! Now, she knew she was addicted, yet went to the casino anyway??? And, it's the casino's fault? So, it's the brewery's fault that some guy is an alcoholic? And government, our nanny state, in this case is right there. The court, instead of throwing this case in the trash heap, is hearing it. Of course, her addiction isn't her fault--certainly not.

And look how many aren't blaming the nutty Muslim for the shooting at Ft Hood. It wasn't his fault and surely wasn't his Islamic beliefs, although he apparently cited them a number of times. Ultimately, it will come out, it was Bush's fault.

Oh, I'm not sure this came out the way I wanted--I just want to know why nobody is held accountable for his/her actions any longer. It's always somebody or something else's fault.

Tolerance?

Sometimes I wonder just how much people will take. Perhaps they just don't care. Maybe they don't see the urgency I do. I don't really know.

In my classes, I tell students the Japanese (and the other fascist/Axis powers) threw test after test at the US (and other democracies) to see how far they could go. Japan in Manchuria, Germany and Hitler in the Rhineland. Austria, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, Memel, Italy in Ethiopia, Libya, etc. They, the Axis, wanted to see how much the democracis would take. I ask students if Japan had to be wondering just what it would take the Americans to fight back, that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because we had shown that we wouldn't really fight back or, if we did, would do so only reluctantly and half-heartedly. Of course, the Japanese gambled and it was a reasonable gamble, based on what the US had shown over a decade of inaction and empty messages, doctrines, etc. Japan lost the gamble, but....

How much will we take today, not necessarily from outsiders, but from others, esp our government leaders, our so-called opinion makers in the media? Apparently, we haven't learned our lessons, that people will push and push the envelope until they are stopped or think they will be stopped. Two examples, just from yesterday.

I was almost floored to hear on the radio a Congressman, Bart Stupak, say if a majority of the elected representatives in Congress vote to pass something, it's OK if that something violates the Constitution!!!!! Yes, he said that; I hope he didn't mean it. Now, to be fair, he had to be somewhat flustered as the host was ripping him to shreds in the dialog (although I'm pretty sure the Congressman didn't know/realize that). But he was asked to repeat what he said and he did. So, apparently, our elected representatives in Congress are not bound by the Constitution. Am I paranoid or is that really, really disturbing? No doubt, this guy will be re-elected in 2010 by people who aren't paying attention, are too busy with more important things, or whatever. The shame is that this guy gets to vote on matters than affect me! Maybe Hamilton was right.

Then, on another show, I listened to a TV host (recorded) try to rip on that Calif beauty contest winner who either had an affair or posed for a nudie mag or something that seemed to contradict her more conservative morals. Now, that this was done quite a while ago is, apparently, irrelevant. That this scumbag, who has been married, what seven times!, had the nerve, with no shame at all, to be critical of someone else ("Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!") is startling, too. That he has allowed his TV show to be a forum for some of the most decadent political and entertainment figures is also a sign of his hypocrisy. He never grills them on their decadence! Hypocrisy lives! And no one cares....

Oh, I have a headache.

Big Bird

I ran the Big Bird on Sunday. It's a 10K and one of my favorite races. I didn't train specifically for it, but had residual training to carry me. I ran pretty well, faster than the last couple of years. I was pretty pleased with my time and effort. (The day was absolutely glorious!) Hey, I figured, faster than last year, new age-group...likely I'll place in my age-group and get an award. Imagine my chagrin to see the results and discover I was nowhere close to the top, but 7th--yep, 7th! Those old guys are fast! Another runner, Mike Markie, upon my feigned lament, commented, "Maybe you can wait 'em out!" Heh Heh!

Almost lost in the race was the shattering of the couple decades old women's record there, 34:06, which bested the old mark by well over a minute. The runner-up beat the record, too. The first woman was 3rd overall and the first masters was 4th overall. A 67-year old, Doug Goodhue, ran 40:11, which age-grades to 30:48!!!! And, almost 900 runners participated.

Next week the Light Fest (everyone so far!) and De Luca's for post-run pizza and beer!

Fort Hood

There is a lot of disturbing news coming out of the tragedy at Ft Hood last week. First, how was this Muslim doctor, so openly dangerous, not stopped a long time ago? Second, was this really a case of "political correctness?" Were people afraid to "profile," "stereotype," etc. based on this guy's religion? But what about his political beliefs? So, does that mean political correctness is responsible for 13 deaths, along with 28 serious casualties? If so, again, what a farce PC is--and I hope the PC crowd feels the pain. (Although I'm sure it doesn't because they are "the anointed," they know better than we and have a "higher good" in mind that outweighs the deaths of these soldiers.) Of course, PC isn't responsible--the guy is responsible for his own actions. But the PC crowd must be held accountable for creating an atmosphere that allowed this to occur. Third, where is the "moderate" Muslim community? I haven't heard any of them decrying this atrocity, again committed in the name of the Muslims' religion. Does their silence speak volumes, a tacit approval of what went on? Surely they are going to lament, not the deaths, but the possibility of "profiling," "stereotyping," etc. Have the "moderates" not noticed that any demonstrations in the streets have not come from Americans against Islam or Muslims, but from Muslims over cartoons, Tickle Me Muhammad, etc. Even when Muslims lop off heads of Westerners, there are no riots in American streets.

I wonder if any heads will roll. No, I don't wonder at all. Nothing will happen. The media will spin this to placate the situation. There will be no reaction because people will be afraid to be called names, like "bigot," etc. And that's what the PC crowd and media will do. Instead of looking seriously at a serious problem, they will call names. Hey, that's what the schools do when they can't engage in serious dialogue, can't defend their inane actions. What a country!

Prison

Just a quickie tonight--lots to do, including finishing the Bob Feller autobiog.

A story in the newspaper yesterday carried a photo. Some bleeding hearts are concerned about prison sentences for minors. One story was of two teens, 16 and 17, who a decade or so ago brutally murdered a couple, for fun. They thought this would make them "big men" with their in crowd. Well, they received life sentences, with no chance of parole until the 2030s or so.

What bothered me, really bothered me, was the photo. One of the punks had tattoos all over his face, like a mask. He got those in prison, at least according to the photo that accompanied this one, where he had no tattoos. Now, what is going on in our prisons where these guys are allowed to get such tattoos???? Who is running our prisons???? Where do these guys get the money for tattoos???? We aren't paying for them, are we???? Is this a country club???? What about the idea of punishment???? Can anyone say culture of violence???? Just asking.....

Health Care Bill

So, Pelosi and the Dems are rushing a vote today/tonight on the House Health Care Bill. Note, I didn't say "reform." Why the rush? The bill is almost 2000 pages!!!! 1990, I heard from a Congresswoman the other day. What's the rush? Much won't go into effect for four or more years, oh, except for the tax increases to pay for it!!!! And does anyone think the tax revenues raised now will still be there to pay for the health care bill in four or more years????? I mean, anyone but the most naive persons?

Anyone who votes, next election, for any of these bums who vote in favor of this bill is an idiot! Yep, there, I've said it. One can be in favor of the bill, of another health care bill, or no bill at all. But to vote for someone trying to give us the bum's rush is stupid.

Hmmmm.... I wonder if the handful of elections last week have anything to do with this???? After all, in the two elections BO made his presence felt and felt mightily (one caller from NJ thought the President was in NJ so often he might have to change his Zip Code!), the Dem candidate was humbled, not just defeated, but humbled. In the one he made zero appearance, the Dem one, but only after the RINO Rep candidate withdrew and threw her support behind the Dem!!!! That is, the Dem barely defeated a minor party (Conservative) candidate with the support of the mainstream Reps. The two major parties eked out a victory over a third party!

Will all of this hold until 2010? I hope so, but doubt it. There's far too much in between--NFL games and the bowl season, NCAA basketball, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, far too much. And even if we throw out these scoundrels (and I doubt we will) who deserve to be bounced, will the new scoundrels (no, I'm not giving them the benefit of the doubt) have the guts to pass legislation to undo all of the mistakes???? Of course they won't. We still have the New Deal remnants, affirmative action, etc.

How is it, again, to spell D-O-O-M?

The Apocalypse...

...is nearing.

Did I just hear correctly? There is a "hit" television show based on an older woman who had a fling with a much young man, a kid almost, and is expecting a baby from that tryst??? And, it's a comedy????????? Yet, we wonder about the number of babies born out of wedlock, the number on state aid, etc. Fools all, we are.

I still can't get over that show that apparenlty is very popular about some young kid, not a teenager?, who lives with his old man and philandering uncle. I've heard some of the come-ons in advertising and they are over the top. And again, we wonder about why our younger folks are the ways they are. Fools all, we are.

I love how easy it is sometimes. The National Org of Women is calling for the dismissal of some NFL coach (I have no idea who it is or what team; I don't follow the NFL at all) for his abusive treatment of women. Yet this same NOW sat on its collective thumb and spun during the Presidency of Bill Clinton. And where are the boycotts of the movies, records, and television shows of certain other "abusers?" The hypocrisy and double standards are laughable. Who can take NOW seriously, other than fools? Oops...see above.

While I'm at it, why does BO get such a free pass on everything? He has done and said things just as bad as "that stupid Bush." But who calls him on it? Again, the hypocrisy and double standards....

I'm awaiting a reply I sent to a newspaper columnist a week ago. She wrote about the budget crunch at taking money/funds from the schools. After all, "it's for the kids." I pointed out the fallacy of such an argument, that it's becoming trite and shopworn. I used concrete examples. Yet, people/taxpayers still fall for it. All they have to do is look around. I don't make up these things. Yet, they choose not to do so. For instance, I am not surprised the bond/funding issues passed in our local district. But I am surprised at the margin of victory. Just like incumbents, the school district is able to fight an unfair fight. It is able to hold "information" meetings, complete with free day care, pizza and other treats (hey, who pays for those? the superintendent?), etc. "Information" was given, I'm certain, but not all the "information," just some. No doubt the district employees, like the phone call I received, cited that "your taxes won't go up" if the issues passed. No, they wouldn't. But if they didn't pass, people were likely to see a savings of $150-200 a year, if not more. Hmmm...isn't that a tax cut? Sort of the like the Dems proposing an outlandish 20% increase in a program while the Reps propose only a 15% increase--then the Dems can claim the Reps want to cut funding!!!! Liars!!!! Oh, I'm sorry--that's impolite, rude, not civil. Of course, it is honest. They are liars! Yeah, who did pay for the treats at those "informational" meetings?

Halloween

The kids got gobs of "treats" last night. But I was somewhat disappointed that we didn't have many of our own neighborhood goblins, etc. show. The turnout was pretty low. I enjoy seeing the costumes, esp on the littlest of kids.

Fortunately, the rain (that the weathermen said wasn't coming!) cleared out by 4 PM or so and the winds died down to bearable. It was cold, though, lower 40s and upper 30s. Ash didn't stay out too long and the Bopps dressed real warmly with his gloves.

I may be just a bit biased, but Ashley was the cutest witch I have ever seen. Bopper was so very anxious to get out there, even doing a good portion of Lake Sherwood! The Codester had a penguin costume on for a short while and was great. Toss in the good time the kids had at Mott on Fri and I'd say they really enjoyed Halloween 2009!

BTW, the Codester is recovering from his delayed circumcision. Yesterday, he was fine, as active as always!, until time to change his wrap/ointment. Ooohh! He wasn't at all happy about that, poor little guy. He cried and fussed (and I mean fussed!) for almost half an hour before settling down. I hope it's more discomfort than actual pain. Once, I got him calmed, he was back to himself, just a great deal of fun.

Today is dry, mostly sunny, with most of the wind gone. Lots of leaves, colorful they were, have disappeared with two days of rain and wind. Too bad. Although there weren't many fiery reds, the deep golds and browns and yellows were really beautiful. Now, we await the pretty snowfalls.

This Halloween

The wind is blowing and, despite weather forecasts calling for it to diminish last night (wrong!) or this afternoon (so far, wrong!), I hope it dies down for the trick or treaters tonight. Ashley might get blown away! I think we can dress the kids warmly enough, but the wind.... And, I hope it is dry. Again, all the weather forecasts this AM (at least three radio stations) said it'd be dry today, yet, we've had rain off and on for the past two or more hours.

Karen and I took the kids up to Mott last nigh for the Halloween Party in the fieldhouse. Bopper and Ashley really enjoyed it, the face- and pumpkin- painting, the haunted house, the pizza and doughnuts. It was great seeing all of the kids dressed up, happy, running and smiling. Thanks to the Mott folks, esp the student groups and Public Safety, for putting on such a nice event!

Now, out to figure what costume I'm going to wear as I hand out the treats tonight.....

????

If there are so many "great schools" (as designated in online Web sites), Blue Ribbon Schools, Exemplary Schools, etc. (go ahead, check them out), why are so many students still unable to write very well or do simple, basic math (you know, like count your change)? Just wondering....

Also, is it legal to make lane changes or turns without signals as long as one is on a cell phone or driving an SUV? Again, just wondering....

I see from an e-mail sent to me by a DC insider that the House health care bill is loaded with hidden "stuff," stuff that who knows who will see among the 1900 pages (and, after all, John Conyers asks who has the time to read all of it, esp without a lawyer). There are provisions that allow members of Congress to sign up for the national health care, er new bill, but don't require them to do so. There are provisions to require all to have health insurance in a few years or to pay a tax. There are provisions for employers to pay extra taxes if their health insurance is other than the national plan. Let's see if anyone is paying attention: one, the members of Congress who don't seem to get that the significant majority of US citizens, a key there "citizens," don't want this and, two, the voters who should take out their frustration, disgust at the polls. I doubt we'll see either. The NFL season is in its middle, while the NBA and NHL have started, not to mention the World Series and college football. Dancing with the Stars is nearing a champion and American Idol will start soon. You know, the really important stuff....

A great guest opinion in the newspaper this AM. Gov Jennie is "a nice lady, but a bad gov." Yep.
And I believe, were she allowed to run again, she'd be re-elected.

Teachers (esp the retired ones!) are taking a lot of flak recently, esp concerning the MI state budget. OK, admittedly, I am a retired teacher, spending almost 40 years in education. Maybe I am biased, but I also have a bit of a different perspective. I also think I am honest here, maybe wrong, but honest. First, I think Brooks Patterson is along the right path with a public employee 401K plan rather than the current retirement. Yeah, Yeah, I know I get that public pension right now, but I played under the rules that were provided me. Second, not all teachers deserve what they get. Oh, there are a lot of good ones out there, more than I sometimes seem willing to admit. They deserve everything they get and maybe more. But there are a lot out there who are a lot worse than people know. They are lazy, have no real degrees, don't know their subjects, have no standards, etc. They don't deserve much at all. The problem is identifying them. It's hard because incompetent, less than courageous administrators can't or won't identify them--partly because they themselves fit the above bleak picture. Third, many teachers in many districts (namely, the one I was in) accepted much lower pay than others to retain the benefits (the retirement pension for one). Give me the six-figure salary that others with my educational background (OK, a much less prominent one) in other industries have received and I wouldn't have needed the pension. What makes this a very difficult issue are two things. One is the number of teachers who aren't very good. Two is the waste that really does go on in schools (and I have cited a number of instances here over the months), waste that nobody wants to believe (after all, "it's for the kids!").

Amherst Thoughts

From one of my Amherst professors, still teaching (since 1958!), William Pritchard:

An AC grad himself, he said, "I was opened up to the imaginative possibilities of argument and of talk and reading. It was an education in extending oneself in various ways." Precisely! Contrast this with the indoctrination, narrowness often found in education today.

Also, "When I read outside of class for an essay or a review, I find, again and again, something that I can use: formulatons or just something new discovered." From my own perspective as a teacher, yes, yes, yes!

"I'm mainly interested in helping students free themselves a bit and open up to a more complicated and refined kind of pleasure than they've perhaps experienced before. '...the grand elementary principle of pleasure by which we know and feel and live and move.'" Of course! Who will remember that the Magna Carta was signed in 1215 (don't ask how I remember!) or what happened in 12th C Africa? Very few, but, well, see the above....

And, my professors didn't employ "magic circles," group work, "icebreakers," or any of that other garbage that passes for educational/teaching methods today. My classes were lecture and seminar, always, always open for discussion. Sometimes I think they were wasted on a youthful me! But, I was "indoctrinated," with a love of learning and inquiry.

I was very fortunate and I thank my lucky stars (and professors) every day.

Life is Good!

The colors of the leaves are nearing their peaks. That's somewhat surprising, since many seemed to change in late August!. This year's colors seem to been heavily gold, yellow, brown, with some reds and oranges. Of course, it might be a bit early. My brother was in Vermont a couple weeks ago and marveled at the colors there--yep, I remember Western Mass.

One night last week, as Ashley was thrashing and kicking while asleep, she burst into a giggle, a long giggle. Still sleeping, she was laughing very hard. I started to giggle a bit myself.

I also had Bopper laughing very hard a few times last week, so hard he had trouble catching his breath. It's good to see him laugh.

The Codester is always laughing, except when he is hungry or I'm not around. He has this devilish grin on his face, getting into something he shouldn't be getting into and then turning around to give me the big grin. That, and when he rests his hand/arm on my shoulder when I hold him...what is it the television commercials say, "priceless."

Reading a novel by Hal Higdon now, Marathon. It's about the final 72 hours before a major megamarathon, a fictional one, although, like many of the characters, thinly disguised. I am drawn to it because of the running link, but also the many plots/subplots and the characters. the characters are easy to id with ties to my own life (and, I suspect, many others' lives). So far, I am enjoying it a great deal.

Where does time go? I think I had one deadline on Fri, missed it. One was moved up from Dec 1 to Nov 1. Another is Oct 30.... Toss in midterms this week, Halloween, a visist from my favorite aunt and uncle this week, whew...do things ever slow?

"You lie!"

It's been weeks since Congressman Joe Wilson's ill-advised outburst to the President's comments at a joint session of Congress. And, in that time, unless I missed it,nobody has debated the substance of Wilson's comments, only that they were disrespectful, rude, etc.

Isn't that just great!?!? It's terrible to be rude, but perfectly fine to lie (esp on a matter like this).

Yet another sign that the Apocalypse is nearly upon us.

Fri Musings

Imagine a governor who sits on the sideline through much of a nasty budget crisis, one who wants to be known as "the education governor" (but who has never answered any of my letters and e-mails challenging her perceptions), coming in at the last minute to veto legislation depriving school districts of millions of dollars each. Some of the districts will lose more than $6 million! Go try to run any place with a cut that deep at the last minute. Is it blatantly transparent that this is a so-called "power play" to raise taxes? Is the Dem gov trying to emulate the hated John Engler, who outfoxed the Dems 15 years ago with Proposal A? The WSJ had it right when it surmised the other 49 states should watch Michigan to see how not to govern a state.

Speaking of the media.... How interesting that American newspapers, television, mags, etc. won't publish cartoons some Muslims might find offensive, yet are more than willing to publish info and opinions that give aid and comfort to enemies who kill Americans (soldiers and civilians).

I noted that, of the 83 Michigan counties, all but 5 have unemployment rates of more than 10%. Some cities, Pontiac, Highland Park are over 30% and several others, Flint, Detroit are very close. Yet, in Lansing, it's business as usual, the typical hand-wringing followed by inaction to change the structural faults in state government. I think one of the "structural" faults is the quality of people we keep sending to hold state public offices.

I read with interest a Walter Williams piece this AM. I almost chuckled out loud when he called most of the taxes levied on us "legal thievery." Ha Ha. I have asked for years, "What is it called when someone takes your money without your permission?" Of course, there are valid reasons for taxes, some taxes, far fewer than what are paid now, as Williams notes, too. But the pols have agendas, agendas that cost money. Those pols don't pay for them out of their own pockets, do they? So, they steal others' money, in the name of taxes. (BTW, I wonder how many of the 535 members of Congress live in houses that cost as little as mine???) I know the "community organizer" who now sits in the White House had his suburban Chi house worth more than 10 times mine--hmmm, I wonder why he didn't give more of his money to his "community." Oh, check and see how little, very little, he actually gave to charities, with a family net worth in the millions.

In the same vein, if government can force people to save for retirement (and, after all, what is Social Security? can you opt out of payments?), not to pay taxes for, say, protection, it can eventually force people to pay for other things, insurance, farmers' costs, bailouts of maladministered companies, other people's cars and houses, health insurance...the list is endless. Yet we sit and take it, all of it, smiling because government is going to take care of us. It's taking care of us, all right.

So, the government has been urging "everyone" to get the Swine Flu Shot, but then, because so many are looking to get the shots, there aren't enough to go around. The shots have to be rationed (hmmm, with health care on the legislative table, isn't that a scary thought???). I read that almost half of Americans aren't going to get shots. Well, I wonder why. No, I don't wonder, not at all. More and more people don't trust government, the media. How many times can "wolf!" be cried? Didn't more people die from the early flu shots than from the flu itself, back in the '70s? Then some gov't hack doctor claims the Swine Flu Shots have been tested more than other flu medicines. Hmmm, that's odd, seeing as the Swine Flu just appeared, not years, but months ago. What long-term effects could possibly have been monitored--there hasn't been a long-term????? Can you say "public option?"

From Lynn Cheney's book Telling the Truth (please, no comments about her husband, which seems to be de rigeur for dialogue nowadays: Before one can get "Obama is a bad President..." out of one's mouth, the response is "Yeah, but Bush..." as if Hitler was OK because Mao and Stalin....): "The name-calling and invective that my forays brought down on my head struck me as curious. Why didn't my opponents offer counterarguments to what I had to say? Why didn't they try to show where weak evidence had led mt to false conclusions or where a lack of knowledge had kept me from seeing the truth?" And, later, "...reasoned argument having been rejected as...[a] tool." Talk about nailing the public schools!!!!! She has, right there in a nutshell. Of course, the answer to her questions is "opponents" can't offer counterevidence; they can't debate or engage in contentious dialogue. And, they don't have to...because far too many teachers lack the courage, concern, knowledge to stand up to the idiocies being perpetrated. Too many teachers are like too many citizens--they don't really care.

Oh, I have a headache--not really, but I have a deadline that was just moved from Dec 1 to Nov 1.

Appreciation

I know I took most of my college professors, esp at AC, for granted. I think once I started teaching myself, I did recognize the good grad school professors--and the bad ones. Particularly over the years, I have come to realize I had just outstanding teachers in college. They knew their material and knew how to present it (mostly lecture and seminar, but always engaging). They also were wonderful at devising questions, the art of inquiry. I have come to admire that, especially.

What brought this to mind (well, it's never far from my mind, but more so than normal) is the high regard I have for my current (let me emphasize current) colleagues, esp at Mott. The adjuncts/part-timers are knowledgable and enthusiastic. The two full-timers really know their stuff, how to present it, and really enjoy what they are doing (hey, I said that above!). Their enthusiasm is openly evident and, with students, I hope, contagious. I hope the students at Mott realize how lucky they are to have these instructors. If they pay attention, do their work, they can learn a lot.

Cringing

I visibly cringed listening to a school superintendent on the radio say, "I'm doing good." Maybe I overreact, but it's like fingernails on a blackboard to my ears. Like I've maintained, not real college degrees....

And the fiasco at UM.... I read an article this AM about a rift, not real deep yet, but deepening, over the current fb coach and past/tradition. Apparently, what matters to most UM fans, former players, etc. is winning. I was somewhat heartened, but only somewhat, to read one or two former players talk about "the right way." I fear UM, for all of its arrogance, is becoming one with the other college programs.

BTW, doing things "the right way," the Jeffs go into this week's Little Three game with Wesleyan at 5-0. If I get back from Bopper's game in time, I will watch the Web cast. It really is very amazing that, with ratings in the top three liberal arts colleges nationally, year after year, AC (and, I must begrudgingly admit, Williams!) has such successful athletic teams. Football has fallen a bit over the past few decades, but not much. But basketball has a national championship with several other final four appearances, and hockey, wrestling, soccer, etc., both men's and women's teams, have earned national honors. And baseball is as good a program, over the years, as any. Cool. I am proud and very humbled by all of this.

Death Penalty Offenses

I know the arguments for and against capital punishment. I am swayed by them, on both sides. Where I am convinced, however, are the many recent sexual attacks and murders against children. I don't want to hear about these molesters'/murderers' problems--their home lives, their own molestations when they were younger, etc. What I want is for them to be executed. Torture is sometimes in my mind, too.

And don't give me that garbage about "If the state kills them, it will be just like the murderers." Oh, give me a break! There's a world of difference and, if it can't be seen, then we have no discussion. There are arguments, reasonable ones, against the death penalty. This isn't one of them.

But to attack kids...I have no compassion, none.

Free Press

Three runners died in the Free Press Half, not Full, Marathon. Two fell at just about the same place. One may have died from hitting his head on the pavement after falling. But, that is speculation awaiting autopsy results.

The naysayers have already started, the "dangers" of running, etc. One national blog has already encouraged comments with "Have Marathons Become More Dangerous?"

Of course they have. First, more people are running them. That inevitably increases the odds of people with health problems, hidden and otherwise, participating. Second, more people are running them without training properly. Some run them for charities (and I'm not at all criticizing that). Some run them because it's trendy. Some do not recognized the need for proper training. In a way, I suspect, the question is why more people don't have problems or die.

It's a long way to run, a real long way. The body is taxed, likely in ways it was not meant to be taxed. Certainly that's the case for most late 20th and early 21st Century bodies. The schools, in their typically Neanderthal reasoning, have increasingly ignored the importance of physical education. To wit, what is one of the first things to get the ziggy in the budget crunches? Activities for the youth of today more often include the boob tube, video games, etc., not out running through the neighborhood. Have you noticed the impromptu football, basketball, baseball, street hockey, etc. games in your neighborhood? I haven't either. Instead of having their kids mow the lawn, shovel the walks, etc., parents now have tractors and snow blowers (with their infernal noise!) or hire out the work to landscape contractors. And I'm as guilty as the next in not really watching what I eat. To me, a Double Stack at Wendy's is a needed treat once a week or so. How about that bowl of Oreos covered with milk? Raw cookie dough anyone?

Running and other more strenuous exercises aren't just for physical health. There are multitudes of reasons for them. (Check my recent online articles and blog.) There are mental aspects, social reasons, love of the outdoors, the quiet and solitude, the physical challenges and the competition (as distinct from the physical health aspects), and more. And, remember, the overwhelming evidence is that, despite the tragic episodes like yesterday, exercise like running is very, very beneficial. It helps not only the longevity of life, but its quality.

So, before we jump to any conclusions, let's wait for the autopsies. Condolences for the families, who must have been doubly shocked by the ironic circumstances of deaths during such healthy endeavors.

More to Consider

Before we rush to judgment about the government doing any more for us, here is yet another thing to consider.

A 6-year old kid brought his Cub Scout fork, spoon, and knife set to school. He was probably all excited about eating his lunch. Instead, he was expelled, although I understand that is being reviewed and, I hope, rescinded. First, what is this "zero tolerance policy?" C'mon, can't common sense be the policy????? Second, all things considered, what are the odds of this kid doing any damage? Yeah, Yeah...it only takes once. Well, if that's so, why do we continue to allow 16- and 17-year olds to drive? They are, beyond question, those most like to have and to cause auto accidents and, after all, it only takes once. Third, unless these Cub Scout gadgets have changed a great deal from when I was a kid, the damage this kid might have done could also have been done with a pen or pencil, the safety scissors, etc.

Just like the Michigan mom who was threatened with prosecution for watching her neighbors' kids for an hour until they caught the school bus...she wasn't a licensed day care provider, seriously!....

This is government run amok!!!! We'd better be careful. Federally-run health care????

Once we let the genie out of the bottle.... Perhaps we already have????

"good?"

IN the newspaper yesterday, "The Lions played hard and good...." and "good-intentioned." Hmmmm.

????

Sometimes I question my own beliefs, opinions, esp in the face of contrary ones. I am often left to wonder if I am wrong or if other people are seriously naive. But, although successful diplomacy is certainly preferable to war (of course, we may differ on "successful"), for some people, "war is the answer." (See my earlier blog, last week I think.) Do some people not at all recognize there are some not-very-nice other people out there? Who do they think strap bombs on their kids? Who do they think beat women for having a beer? Who do they think put prices on the heads of certain authors? And so on.... How does one negotiate with these kinds of people? How does one take their words seriously?

I also wonder how some people live. That is, they are free to spout off whatever they want. They are able to take advantage of the weath of this nation to pursue whatever interests they want. Yet, they continually badmouth the US. Should we become like other countries? Of course we should strive for "a more perfect Union." But tearing down the rights and the wealth of the US isn't the way to become "more perfect." That is, unless Zimbabwe, the Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Red China are the models of perfection. How can these people live like they do, taking full advantage of what is here, then, well...then do and say what they do and say?

I've blogged about dishonest people before and I think also hypocrites. Again, it's easy to voice an opinion in a country that allows dissent. It's easy to rant and rave about the worse plight of others on the globe--but why don't these people give up their own creature comforts and donate all of the rest to the others on the globe? Can't one live in a $40,000 house, drive a clunker, take no vacations, etc. and then give $50K or more to others? Well, why not?

Isn't it great that those who take their ideas from Michael Moore rip on those who get their ideas from Glen Beck--and vice versa? While we stress passing the state-wide tests in the schools, we are failing to educate our future citizenry if this is what we've taken as our intellectual matter.

Interesting how a liberal columnist last week wrote about the "violence" of the right protests recently. Hmmmm. Maybe there was a bit, but compared to what--the Vietnam protests, for instance?

Walter Williams made just a great point in his column this AM. He wrote of the hundreds of millions of people who have been killed by nations that allowed the centralization of power in the 20th C. It's worth reading.

The Apolcalypse

Yet another sure sign that the Apocalypse is nearly upon us:

A Facebook comment actually referred to Michael Moore's new movie, saying, "...that about says it all." So, Michael Moore is now the authority to which the dialogue stoops? Do people really believe what his movies portray? Do they really? (Yes, they do, as I know a couple who have continually referred to the Columbine and Cuban health movies to bolster their arguments.)

First, don't they see the hypocrisy? It's not hard to find. Second, don't they read the numerous newspaper articles (hardly "the vast right-wing conspiracy") that list his lies, er, mistakes. I know, I know--"But Bush...."

That and in this AM's newspaper, "The Lions played hard and good...."

Thoughts on an NFL Afternoon

Bopper had a chance to play at halftime of the Lions' game at Ford Field. It was in front of the "announced" sellout. His team, and the other, each had 8 plays to run, but I think the number was actually 14. Kids kept getting shuttled in and out so all could play about the same number of plays. He made a tackle for a loss! I don't know if he liked playing or the "tailgate" more? And he enjoyed the game because he is a Steelers' fan--or so he says. He was excited and that was nice.

Driving down the Lodge, I set the cruise at 70 the whole way from about 9 Mile to Bagley. I know, I know, the speed limit is 55, but that is the point. I passed, that whole way, five cars, one of which kept leap-frogging with me. This doesn't include the cars on the entrance ramps. The number who passed me? Had to be a couple hundred, if not more. Hmmmm.

The Old Michigan Theater bldg, now a parking structure of three stories, was the venue for the tailgate. Most of the parking spots were occupied. The kids enjoyed it. I was surprised at how many were interested in the "history" of the theater and the surrounding area. I started telling Bopper about the theater, pointing out the stage/screen area, the balcony that remained, the projection booth, loges, etc. He noticed the deco decor. He didn't run away from the "history lecture." Instead, over came another kid, then another, finally about half a dozen or so. Someone asked me what I was saying to them. That was pretty cool, too, that they were interested in the past, asking questions, while looking at the former theater. In a way, it was a shame, though, to think of the great past Detroit had while looking at the present.

I had never been to Ford Field, likely won't return except perhaps for something like this. It was a nice enough stadium. Prices were, of course, outrageous. I suppose our legislators never thought about the gouging when they gave tax money to pay for it. Nope, bet they never did. We were about a dozen rows from the very top. But, as my sister-in-law said, "Hey, you only paid $55 a ticket!" How silly of me. I know it was a "sellout," but from my visual calculations, there were about 5- to 7,000 not in attendance, that is, empty seats. I think a conservative estimate would put the Steelers'-Lions' fans at 50-50. I guess that's pretty pathetic. Some Steelers' fans behind us said they were the reason the Bengals' game a couple weeks ago was also a "sellout."

$55 a ticket? OK, I didn't mind paying for Karen's and mine. But the Lions made the kids and the coaches also buy tickets. In fact, I think they required a package of 200 tix to be sold in order for the kids to play. The cheap b*#@*#@! I don't mind profits, but this irks me. Too bad for the players, because I know they work pretty hard and played pretty hard yesterday, but I hope they lose all of their games. They can make all the money they can, but, except for special things like yesterday, they won't get mine--unless the legislators give away more of our money.

I wonder about those people who get all dressed up, not "dressed up" like in nice clothes, but faces painted, masks, etc. I think it's a bit silly to have those high-priced Lion (and Steeler) jerseys, but that's a personal thing, I guess. But adults painting their faces, wearing Lion costumes, with masks and helmets, etc.? I wonder how they are received at work this AM????

Also, for a while I thought I walked into a commercial and a football game broke out. It took forever to play the game. During the interminable breaks, players just mingled on the field, waiting. How many of them are those? Again, it must be the money and, again, they can do what they want, but I don't have to watch. The absurd happened when a Steeler dropped a pass and then, in frustration, kicked the ball. The official threw a flag for, get this, "DELAY OF GAME!" I roared--after all those time-out breaks and this guy gets a flag for another 5 seconds of delay. Also, do people really have that short of an attention span? Or what other reason is there for all the silly music being played? the big screen? How about singing the fight song after a score that puts you down 28-13?

I think the NFL is going to continue doing without me. And I'm sure that won't change things a bit.