Tell me, please do, that we aren't going certifiably nuts!
Today's paper carried a column explaining how "puritanical" we've become about...get this, I'm not making it up...food. Yes, eating at the all-you-can-eat buffet now carries a stigma, but casual and frequent sex doesn't. Of course, the country is fat and, even, obese and severely out of shape. But, as the column points out, almost 4 in 10 babies today is born out of wedlock. In the black community it's closer to 8 in 10! Consider, one, the costs of that, socially and economically. Also consider, the message we are sending. We have become a nation of absolute fools.
There was also a letter from Wis Dem Sen Russ Feingold, one I literally laughed out loud about. He claimed to be a Progressive who believes in more democracy. So, I guess, that's why he sponsored the Feingold-McCain Act, the greatest assault on freedom of speech in who knows how long.
I suppose if we hear things enough we believe they are true. "Stimulus" package--yeah, right. There's only one thing that is "stimulating." We have become a nation of absolute fools. Didn't I just hear that recently????
I'll have to look into this one, but it sounds about right. If the BO package goes into effect, a family will gain $13/week. But, does the BO package override/supercede the scheduled Bush tax cuts, another of which is about to kick in? If so, we will lose $41/week in more cash in our pay checks, not stolen by Uncle Sam. Let's see, I might not even need my calculator with this one--would I rather save $13/week or $41/week? I'll bet $28 we don't hear that one from any of our looney-tune legislators!!!!
Fairness/Schmairness Doctine! I should be able to listen to what I want on the radio. Oh, I hear all these "anointed," who, remember, are a lot smarter than you and I, tell us about the "public airwaves." Hmmmm. What about the public "airwaves" ABC, CBS, NBC, et al use? What about the "public dollars" all the PBS/NPR stations get? Will they also have to be "fair?" And what about our colleges and universities, supposedly the hallowed halls where all ideas can enter the marketplace of free thought? Right, go ahead and try to get a conservative speaking in Ann Arbor or just about any place outside of Hillsdale. (Remember, the schools--public schools, K-12, and colleges--are the least tolerant of "other" ideas.)
Out....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Just Curious...
...as to where the laughing people are now. That is, when W paved the way for a $600 tax rebate, $1200 for a family, many laughed. "What good is that going to do?" Well, obviously, not much. But why aren't these same folks laughing now, at BO's "stimulus" of $13/week per family. My calculator totals that to be $676, a far cry from $1200. Hmmm. Maybe everyone's calculators are broken; yep, that's it.
Still feeling, "It hurts too much to laugh and I am too old to cry."
Still feeling, "It hurts too much to laugh and I am too old to cry."
Near and Far
Some days, both near and far, I just sit and wonder. Can things be as they seem/are? Am I wrong on this and wrong on that? I'm reminded this AM of one of A. Lincoln's quotations during the Civil War, "It hurts too much to laugh and I'm too old to cry." I think that is most fitting for today.
I just look around and want to laugh at the insanity of so much. But, then I think of the gravity, and I want to cry (and, maybe, when alone, sometimes do--but don't tell anyone!).
My US Senator finally responds to my comments to her by saying, in essence, The nominee has some flaws (that is, he broke the law, the law that will be the particular domain of his position), but he's the best qualified for the job. Yeah, right.
The Michigan gov unashamedly proclaims she'll take the boondoogle (I won't say "stimulus") that certain governors have said they'll forgo. This is the same woman who admitted in a newspaper interview that, "They," meaning us, "have to get over thinking it's their," meaning our, "money." And, I have no doubt, were Gov Jennie not term-limited, she'd be re-elected.
Businesses that have laid off hundreds and thousands of workers give bonuses of 7- and 8-figures. Sports figures are demanding and receiving tens of millions of dollars for a single year. School districts, instead of replacing the failed administrators who know little or nothing about quality education, pay them $125,000, $150,000, and even up to $250,000 a year. Meanwhile, it's "Don't drive on weekends if it snows...there's no overtime pay for road workers."
The gov't encourages the most undesirable of behaviors. Have too many kids? Don't worry, those without children will pay for them. Have more? Don't worry, those without children will pay for them. Going to prison? Don't worry, there's cable television, a training room, and square meals each day. Coming out of prison, if you're a politician? Don't worry, someone will offer a six-figure salary for a job you know nothing about.
And gov't discourages desirable behavior. Play the game the way it's supposed to be played, well, get f**ked. (Excuse my French!) Know your field better than most, but expose the flaws in it? Don't worry, you'll be ignored if you don't fit the agenda. Pay off your mortgage, by having a job--or two or three or four or five? Don't worry, you'll get taxed more to bail out those who gambled and bought houses they couldn't afford or those stupid enough to lend to them (or was it gov't that required such loans?). Study hard, work hard--reap the rewards only to find the more you work, the more you earn, the more gov't takes to pay for those who don't want to study and work as long, as hard.
Of course, talk like this and you get labelled: "mean-spirited," "greedy," "out-of-touch," just like the dimwits in the schools who couldn't defend their inept programs and policies (They don't seem to be working, do they? Have you counted your change at McD's lately? Do you know that BO isn't anything at all like A. Lincoln?). Instead, call names, "negative," "bitcher," "old-fashioned," etc. Or, if those don't work, just ignore and/or intimidate others into ignoring (of course, that assumes people willing to stand up for what is right, not merely bitch in the lunch room and then blindly follow the stupidity).
Who are our "leaders," which I write very sarcastically? Politically, financially, educationally.... They are greedy. They have no principles. They are ignorant. They are self-centered.
And where are the people who can put a stop to all of this? We're too busy watching American Idol or Survivor. We are more interested in the latest basketball or football score. (There is nothing wrong with watching or having interest, not at all. There is something wrong when those are the most important things.)
Yes, A. Lincoln nailed it. "It hurts too much to laugh and I'm too old to cry."
I just look around and want to laugh at the insanity of so much. But, then I think of the gravity, and I want to cry (and, maybe, when alone, sometimes do--but don't tell anyone!).
My US Senator finally responds to my comments to her by saying, in essence, The nominee has some flaws (that is, he broke the law, the law that will be the particular domain of his position), but he's the best qualified for the job. Yeah, right.
The Michigan gov unashamedly proclaims she'll take the boondoogle (I won't say "stimulus") that certain governors have said they'll forgo. This is the same woman who admitted in a newspaper interview that, "They," meaning us, "have to get over thinking it's their," meaning our, "money." And, I have no doubt, were Gov Jennie not term-limited, she'd be re-elected.
Businesses that have laid off hundreds and thousands of workers give bonuses of 7- and 8-figures. Sports figures are demanding and receiving tens of millions of dollars for a single year. School districts, instead of replacing the failed administrators who know little or nothing about quality education, pay them $125,000, $150,000, and even up to $250,000 a year. Meanwhile, it's "Don't drive on weekends if it snows...there's no overtime pay for road workers."
The gov't encourages the most undesirable of behaviors. Have too many kids? Don't worry, those without children will pay for them. Have more? Don't worry, those without children will pay for them. Going to prison? Don't worry, there's cable television, a training room, and square meals each day. Coming out of prison, if you're a politician? Don't worry, someone will offer a six-figure salary for a job you know nothing about.
And gov't discourages desirable behavior. Play the game the way it's supposed to be played, well, get f**ked. (Excuse my French!) Know your field better than most, but expose the flaws in it? Don't worry, you'll be ignored if you don't fit the agenda. Pay off your mortgage, by having a job--or two or three or four or five? Don't worry, you'll get taxed more to bail out those who gambled and bought houses they couldn't afford or those stupid enough to lend to them (or was it gov't that required such loans?). Study hard, work hard--reap the rewards only to find the more you work, the more you earn, the more gov't takes to pay for those who don't want to study and work as long, as hard.
Of course, talk like this and you get labelled: "mean-spirited," "greedy," "out-of-touch," just like the dimwits in the schools who couldn't defend their inept programs and policies (They don't seem to be working, do they? Have you counted your change at McD's lately? Do you know that BO isn't anything at all like A. Lincoln?). Instead, call names, "negative," "bitcher," "old-fashioned," etc. Or, if those don't work, just ignore and/or intimidate others into ignoring (of course, that assumes people willing to stand up for what is right, not merely bitch in the lunch room and then blindly follow the stupidity).
Who are our "leaders," which I write very sarcastically? Politically, financially, educationally.... They are greedy. They have no principles. They are ignorant. They are self-centered.
And where are the people who can put a stop to all of this? We're too busy watching American Idol or Survivor. We are more interested in the latest basketball or football score. (There is nothing wrong with watching or having interest, not at all. There is something wrong when those are the most important things.)
Yes, A. Lincoln nailed it. "It hurts too much to laugh and I'm too old to cry."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sat Musings
Well, time to talk to myself again.
A guy on Facebook (Yes, even I have a page on Facebook!) sent around a bunch of question for theoretical answers. One was pet peeves or annoyances. I was thinking about this and have come up with two of them. One is people who don't care. Oh, they bitch like everyone else, but that's all that they do. They don't take the time to contact their elected reps, to write to the newspapers, to cancel subscriptions, to vote for new people, etc. Oh, they say they "care," but their inaction belies their words. The second is students who whine at low grades. In a sense, I don't blame them. Their entire academic lives have been with people who have little or no sense of academic rigor, of scholastic excellence. The teachers of today are more concerned with self-image, feelings, diversity, etc. Of course, engage them in discussions of these things and see how little they know about anything, let alone self-image, feelings, diversity, etc. Students want good grades, but don't want to work at it. I'm sure most of us want that, too, but if we didn't work and got the bad grades, we didn't complain. We realized it was our fault. Let me resort to "back when I was a kid." I can't imagine 90+% of my students lasting at all in the academic atmosphere I had. Hey, I almost didn't make it--one of my professors suggested I transfer to another school.
See "one" above...I can't believe people are just taking this crap called the "stimulus package." I guess we just call it the "stimulus package" and that's what people will believe--rather than the boondoggle, spending, stupid thing that it is. C'mon, why is ACORN getting millions of dollars? We could go on. And where are the Bush bashers (and, remember, I'm not Bush supporter, hardly) with BO??? Oh, they ripped Bush for the $600 per person tax rebate last year. "Oh, big deal," they said. Well, BO's big tax savings is $13 a week, not per person, but for a family!!!! Gee, that's about $600 a year, again, per family, not person. Where are all those who laughed, criticized? I'm not the brightest person in the world, but to quote myself when I was working, "I work with idiots."
I guess one way to save on the highways is not to plow or salt the heavy snow on weekends (to save on OT for the workers), just have force people to stay home. Businesses probably love that and the taxes from lost business sales????? I suppose that's one way, but I don't see our genius governor talking about withholding monies from school districts, local and intermediate, that pay their superintendents $200K and more. From 38 years of experience and perspective, I've never met one who was worth half that. I know teachers are not very good any more, but I still maintain the biggest drawback to quality education is administrators, which include principals, board admins, and supers. They have no idea of quality education, since they haven't experienced it. They don't have the courage to stand up for rigor, which is needed for quality.
Oh, I'm tired of talking to myself. Out.
A guy on Facebook (Yes, even I have a page on Facebook!) sent around a bunch of question for theoretical answers. One was pet peeves or annoyances. I was thinking about this and have come up with two of them. One is people who don't care. Oh, they bitch like everyone else, but that's all that they do. They don't take the time to contact their elected reps, to write to the newspapers, to cancel subscriptions, to vote for new people, etc. Oh, they say they "care," but their inaction belies their words. The second is students who whine at low grades. In a sense, I don't blame them. Their entire academic lives have been with people who have little or no sense of academic rigor, of scholastic excellence. The teachers of today are more concerned with self-image, feelings, diversity, etc. Of course, engage them in discussions of these things and see how little they know about anything, let alone self-image, feelings, diversity, etc. Students want good grades, but don't want to work at it. I'm sure most of us want that, too, but if we didn't work and got the bad grades, we didn't complain. We realized it was our fault. Let me resort to "back when I was a kid." I can't imagine 90+% of my students lasting at all in the academic atmosphere I had. Hey, I almost didn't make it--one of my professors suggested I transfer to another school.
See "one" above...I can't believe people are just taking this crap called the "stimulus package." I guess we just call it the "stimulus package" and that's what people will believe--rather than the boondoggle, spending, stupid thing that it is. C'mon, why is ACORN getting millions of dollars? We could go on. And where are the Bush bashers (and, remember, I'm not Bush supporter, hardly) with BO??? Oh, they ripped Bush for the $600 per person tax rebate last year. "Oh, big deal," they said. Well, BO's big tax savings is $13 a week, not per person, but for a family!!!! Gee, that's about $600 a year, again, per family, not person. Where are all those who laughed, criticized? I'm not the brightest person in the world, but to quote myself when I was working, "I work with idiots."
I guess one way to save on the highways is not to plow or salt the heavy snow on weekends (to save on OT for the workers), just have force people to stay home. Businesses probably love that and the taxes from lost business sales????? I suppose that's one way, but I don't see our genius governor talking about withholding monies from school districts, local and intermediate, that pay their superintendents $200K and more. From 38 years of experience and perspective, I've never met one who was worth half that. I know teachers are not very good any more, but I still maintain the biggest drawback to quality education is administrators, which include principals, board admins, and supers. They have no idea of quality education, since they haven't experienced it. They don't have the courage to stand up for rigor, which is needed for quality.
Oh, I'm tired of talking to myself. Out.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
"But, it's not fair..."
How many times over the past couple of days have I heard the whine, "But it's not fair?" ("Whining" isn't the same as criticizing!) No kidding.... Lots of things aren't fair. Let me count the ways....
It isn't fair that I have to pay for other people's kids, that government policies not only don't discourage, but encourage having more kids parents can't pay for. It's not fair that I go out an earn four college degrees, work at up to five jobs, yet, because I earn more money, I pay not only more taxes, but a higher percentage of my income in taxes. (Yes, I have buddies who will insist and have insisted that "that's only fair.") It isn't fair that the IRS comes after the little guy while afraid to go after the political crooks who don't pay their taxes, not only not their fair shares, but don't pay! (That says a lot about the courage and integrity of the IRS, doesn't it!?) And, it's not fair that these crooks end up in the Cabinet, while the little guy....
It's not fair that my vote gets cancelled by some guy who things Palin was a good choice for VP by Obama!
I don't mind that life is "not fair." I can and so deal with that (yes, I've had my fair share of good breaks, I know). What is irritating is that government is dictating was is "fair" and that isn't very fair at all.
Before closing, to all the suburbanites who self-righteously hooted at Detroiters over Kwame..."You got what you deserved." Yep, say I, look around us now....
It isn't fair that I have to pay for other people's kids, that government policies not only don't discourage, but encourage having more kids parents can't pay for. It's not fair that I go out an earn four college degrees, work at up to five jobs, yet, because I earn more money, I pay not only more taxes, but a higher percentage of my income in taxes. (Yes, I have buddies who will insist and have insisted that "that's only fair.") It isn't fair that the IRS comes after the little guy while afraid to go after the political crooks who don't pay their taxes, not only not their fair shares, but don't pay! (That says a lot about the courage and integrity of the IRS, doesn't it!?) And, it's not fair that these crooks end up in the Cabinet, while the little guy....
It's not fair that my vote gets cancelled by some guy who things Palin was a good choice for VP by Obama!
I don't mind that life is "not fair." I can and so deal with that (yes, I've had my fair share of good breaks, I know). What is irritating is that government is dictating was is "fair" and that isn't very fair at all.
Before closing, to all the suburbanites who self-righteously hooted at Detroiters over Kwame..."You got what you deserved." Yep, say I, look around us now....
Monday, February 9, 2009
Now I Nemember
I guess BO has broken with FDR. FDR told Americans "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." BO is warning about an "economic disaster." Yep, that's the way to get things rolling again, play upon people's fears. Of course, if he is interested in transforming America into something we won't recognize four years from now, this is the way to do it.
Why, oh, why don't we read our history!?!?! The ignorance of history is destroying us, making us vulnerable to charlatans in the White House, Congress, and all levels of government. Read about the Romans, the Nazi takeover, FDR and the New Deal.... I know times are different with the technological advances in communications and transportation among the greatest (e.g., I think online stock trading, that can be done with the click of a mouse by Joe Blow, has had an effect on the markets). But that makes it more imperative that we watch more closely....
Why, oh, why don't we read our history!?!?! The ignorance of history is destroying us, making us vulnerable to charlatans in the White House, Congress, and all levels of government. Read about the Romans, the Nazi takeover, FDR and the New Deal.... I know times are different with the technological advances in communications and transportation among the greatest (e.g., I think online stock trading, that can be done with the click of a mouse by Joe Blow, has had an effect on the markets). But that makes it more imperative that we watch more closely....
Mon Musings
What's the deal with this $9.7 trillion figure now being tossed around? I can't even bring myself to say it! Arlen Specter from PA was trying to justify the spending (although saying the figure "wasn't accurate") on the radio this AM. The host was begging him to change his mind, to vote no. But, remember, it's not his money. They don't care. They especially don't care about our children and grandchildren because they don't vote.... And, why should they care if we don't care about our own kids and grandkids. It's not all about things, you know. We let this happen. We elected these fools, even though they prove again and again that they are fools. Get away from DWTS and Am Idol for a couple of minutes and watch C-Span--you can see for yourself. You don't have to take my word for it.
I'm not sure what Debbie Stabenow did last Thur or Fri, but she sure had the radio buzzing. Something about censorship, requiring "balance" on the airwaves. Two things, first, if I don't want to listen to Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. (and I most often don't), I can turn on another station with another host. I can listen to hippy rock music. I can flip in Smokey on the CD player. I can turn in all off and get lost in my thoughts. Second, what about the television networks and the newspapers and magazines? I know, I know, "the public airwaves." That's malarkey. The government doesn't own the airwaves--they are out there for all to use. If radio is to be censored, then what about fair play in the newspapers, television, etc.? Or, as usual, is it just "fair play" for some? So much for change, BO! What a fraud! This is America. We have the right of free speech. You can say what you want. But people don't have to listen. Obviously, Americans don't want to hear the other side--that's why the lib shows don't do well. Again, I most often don't listen to ranters and ravers (who, btw, often cannot engage in dialogue--often hanging up on reasonable counterpoints, calling them "There you go, again, another lib." That's why people shouldn't listen to these guys. They can't argue their points, the way, say Thomas Sowell can.) Government doesn't have the right to mandate who gets heard when.
I've forgotten what else I was going to write....out.
I'm not sure what Debbie Stabenow did last Thur or Fri, but she sure had the radio buzzing. Something about censorship, requiring "balance" on the airwaves. Two things, first, if I don't want to listen to Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. (and I most often don't), I can turn on another station with another host. I can listen to hippy rock music. I can flip in Smokey on the CD player. I can turn in all off and get lost in my thoughts. Second, what about the television networks and the newspapers and magazines? I know, I know, "the public airwaves." That's malarkey. The government doesn't own the airwaves--they are out there for all to use. If radio is to be censored, then what about fair play in the newspapers, television, etc.? Or, as usual, is it just "fair play" for some? So much for change, BO! What a fraud! This is America. We have the right of free speech. You can say what you want. But people don't have to listen. Obviously, Americans don't want to hear the other side--that's why the lib shows don't do well. Again, I most often don't listen to ranters and ravers (who, btw, often cannot engage in dialogue--often hanging up on reasonable counterpoints, calling them "There you go, again, another lib." That's why people shouldn't listen to these guys. They can't argue their points, the way, say Thomas Sowell can.) Government doesn't have the right to mandate who gets heard when.
I've forgotten what else I was going to write....out.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Early Sun Musing
I continue to learn things every day. I didn't know, or maybe I forgot, that it is mandatory to be on a cell phone in an SUV doing 80 mph (or faster) on the expressway. And, SUV drivers don't have to use turn signals to change lanes or even turn on side streets. I was informed, or maybe reminded, of these yesterday when I was nearly run off I 696 a few times by the aforementioned. Of course, I was going pretty slow, only about 73 (the speed limit is 70).
Now, why is it against the law to drive while intoxicated (obviously), but not while on a cell phone? Study after study shows that cell phone usage while driving is as distracting/dangerous as drunk driving. Hmmm. No doubt, people who use cell phones while driving will say, "But that's not me. I'm careful." And, no doubt, drinkers will say, "But that's not me. I'm careful." How fitting for me to be killed in an auto accident (me either driving or running) with a driver on a cell phone!
Where do we find the biggest "greenies," those talking about global warming like it is the gospel, those worried about energy, etc.? In the schools, right? Then why do so many, a vast majority, of the teachers, instructors, professors leave on their classroom lights when they leave? For instance, on my floor and wing on Sat AM, there are six rooms (of eight) in use. Yesterday, when I left about a half hour after everyone else, four of those six rooms still had on their lights. I turned mine off (I just put a star on my forehead!) and the other one without lights on may have had them turned off by the custodians as they were cleaning in the area. Reminds me of the greatest bumper sticker ever (I do mention this one a lot, don't I?): "No Blood For Oil" plastered on an SUV doing about 90 mph on the freeway.
BTW, who won the Super Bowl? Who cares? Ha Ha Ha Ha.... Out.
Now, why is it against the law to drive while intoxicated (obviously), but not while on a cell phone? Study after study shows that cell phone usage while driving is as distracting/dangerous as drunk driving. Hmmm. No doubt, people who use cell phones while driving will say, "But that's not me. I'm careful." And, no doubt, drinkers will say, "But that's not me. I'm careful." How fitting for me to be killed in an auto accident (me either driving or running) with a driver on a cell phone!
Where do we find the biggest "greenies," those talking about global warming like it is the gospel, those worried about energy, etc.? In the schools, right? Then why do so many, a vast majority, of the teachers, instructors, professors leave on their classroom lights when they leave? For instance, on my floor and wing on Sat AM, there are six rooms (of eight) in use. Yesterday, when I left about a half hour after everyone else, four of those six rooms still had on their lights. I turned mine off (I just put a star on my forehead!) and the other one without lights on may have had them turned off by the custodians as they were cleaning in the area. Reminds me of the greatest bumper sticker ever (I do mention this one a lot, don't I?): "No Blood For Oil" plastered on an SUV doing about 90 mph on the freeway.
BTW, who won the Super Bowl? Who cares? Ha Ha Ha Ha.... Out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
