John Conyers, Congressman from Det and spouse of the notorious Monica, recently explained why we should never reelect most of these Bozos to Congress. He said something about one of his colleagues making a speech about the health care bill, "to read it first, before voting on it!" Conyers remarked something like, "What? Read it? It's over 1,000 pages. Who has time to read that? And we'd have to have a couple of aides and lawyers with us to tell us what it means." Precisely!!!!!!!
What are these Bozos doing even writing a bill like this, let alone voting on it?
The lies flying around about it (and the health care issue) are limitless. There aren't anywhere close to "47,000 uninsured" Americans. That's a lie, a number made up, sort of like the number of jobs "created" by the stimulus package--complete and utter dishonesty (and admitted by the White House when called on it by someone with some facts). Nobody asks the right questions, such as the real number of uninsured and why they are insured.
C'mon people. I keep hearing and reading how "fed up," "sick and tired," etc. you are, how you are "not going to take it any more." Well, I don't believe it. I don't think, when push comes to shove, you are "fed up," "sick and tired," etc. and that you will "take it any more," lots more. Show me I'm wrong. Stand up for what's right.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cell Phones????
Grrrrr....
Aside from me nearly again being run down by a fool driving while talking on her cell phone, here are some other stats. Talking on a cell phone while driving increases the likelihood of an accident four hundred percent!!!! (But let's not ban them!) And texting? Texting while driving drives up the chances of an accident 23 times!
Now, add in the recent studies indicating other maladies linked with increased cell phone usage: some forms of cancer (brain), loss of fertility, etc. Ah, you probably won't die of any of these; some fooll driving while talking on a cell phone will likely run over you.
Have I ever mentioned how incredibly rude cell phone use often is? It's great to hear other people's conversations in the theater, grocery stores, parks, you name it. Another sign of the type of society we have created--"It's all about me!!!!!!"
Aside from me nearly again being run down by a fool driving while talking on her cell phone, here are some other stats. Talking on a cell phone while driving increases the likelihood of an accident four hundred percent!!!! (But let's not ban them!) And texting? Texting while driving drives up the chances of an accident 23 times!
Now, add in the recent studies indicating other maladies linked with increased cell phone usage: some forms of cancer (brain), loss of fertility, etc. Ah, you probably won't die of any of these; some fooll driving while talking on a cell phone will likely run over you.
Have I ever mentioned how incredibly rude cell phone use often is? It's great to hear other people's conversations in the theater, grocery stores, parks, you name it. Another sign of the type of society we have created--"It's all about me!!!!!!"
Saturday, July 25, 2009
And the Beat Goes on....
Thanks to all of you... ...who continue to perpetuate our political morass. Did you hear Joe Biden the other day? The government has to spend money to keep from going bankrupt. You know, the Joe Biden who made more than $250K annually and was quite "frugal," shall we say, in making charitable contributions. And how about this health care bill, which already passed the House Committees, but hasn't been written yet? Isn't that great?!?! Our Congressmen and Senators are going to vote on a bill, trillions of dollars are involved, hundreds of millions of citizens are going to be (adversely) affected by it, and these guys haven't read it yet!!!! Hey, didn't they do the same thing with the bailout money to the financials? Yep, they expressed outrage at the bonuses the financials CEOs were given with bailout bucks, but right in the bill they passed were the provisions for such bonuses. Hmmmm. I guess we can conclude one of several things. One, they are stupid and can't read. Two, they didn't bother reading it. Three, they read it and agreed with the bonuses. Four, they didn't think the bonuses were such a big deal. Five, all of these. Yet, let's send the same people and same types of people (namely Dems and Reps) back to do our bidding for us.Do you know part of the bill that has been written will require you to prove you have private care insurance by such and such a date and, if you don't, you'll be penalized/fined thousands of dollars? Have you read about the Hamilton, Ontario young woman who couldn't get into a hospital in Canada and had to go to Buffalo, NY for her delivery, one that save her child's life? That was only a few days ago. Yep, let's go like Canada and Britain and Germany and France....One of the arguments for health care by the federal government (great bumper sticker I've seen: Believe the federal government? Ask a Native American!) is the longer life spans in Europe, supposed due to their vaunted government health care. But if we include just white Americans in the comparison, life spans in the US compare very, very favorably to those in Europe. Minorities have other problems in this nation, e.g., higher incidents of hypertension, that lead to shorter life spans--health care has little to do with it. And, of course, can we also compare obesity rates with the Europeans????Ah, I'm getting a headache when I should be watching American Idol. But, before I leave, remember Pastor Niemoeller's words (Oh, I forgot--history isn't important.). Out....
draft
draft
Bumper Stickers
Most bumper stickers, although maybe humorous, are trite or worse. Yet, I have seen some good ones, giving pause for thought. One was "No Blood for Oil," on an SUV driving in excess of 80 mph on the expressway. I saw another a few weeks ago which read, "Trust the Government? Ask a Native American."
This comports with a book I'm finishing up, The Dirty Dozen. No, it's not the novel of the Jim Brown movie of the '60s or '70s. It's about twelve rotten Supreme Court decisions (with some "Dishonorable Mentions") that have abrogated clear, Constitutional rights. I know, even to myself, I sometimes seem/sound paranoid, but the implications, real and perceived, are quite frightening.
Do you know, for instance, that to fix someone's hair in Mississippi in an "African braid" requires about 3000 hours of courses/classes--the state of Mississippi says so? that if the gov't says you can't grow, say 300 acres of wheat, even if it's for use on your own farm, going to nobody else let alone to another state, you can't do it? that if gov't wants your property, not for a park or road or school, but to give to another private individual (or corporation), it can take it--and not necessarily give you just compensation for it? that your political speech is restricted, esp as election time nears and esp in favor of incumbents? There are many more examples, too.
I know, personally, from my small, limited battle with the IRS (I still look in the mail daily for my audit letter). Even my elected federal officials (Well, my two Dem Sens offered this "help"--"Look on the IRS Web site." Thanks, guys. At least my Rep Congressman or one of his aides met with an IRS manager, though, to no avail.) couldn't stand up to the IRS. Funny, if I owe the IRS money, I have to pay in advance; if the IRS owes me money (a refund) it takes months to get here.
What is it, then, about "We the people...?" Let's just go on watching American Idol, wearing our Red Wing jerseys, etc. (Again, I have nothing against these things, as long as they aren't the primary foci of people's lives, to the detriment of letting gov't become perverted and omnipotent.) Remember, "First they came after the Jews. I wasn't a Jew so I said nothing. Then they came after.... Then, they came after me and there was nobody left to say anything."
This comports with a book I'm finishing up, The Dirty Dozen. No, it's not the novel of the Jim Brown movie of the '60s or '70s. It's about twelve rotten Supreme Court decisions (with some "Dishonorable Mentions") that have abrogated clear, Constitutional rights. I know, even to myself, I sometimes seem/sound paranoid, but the implications, real and perceived, are quite frightening.
Do you know, for instance, that to fix someone's hair in Mississippi in an "African braid" requires about 3000 hours of courses/classes--the state of Mississippi says so? that if the gov't says you can't grow, say 300 acres of wheat, even if it's for use on your own farm, going to nobody else let alone to another state, you can't do it? that if gov't wants your property, not for a park or road or school, but to give to another private individual (or corporation), it can take it--and not necessarily give you just compensation for it? that your political speech is restricted, esp as election time nears and esp in favor of incumbents? There are many more examples, too.
I know, personally, from my small, limited battle with the IRS (I still look in the mail daily for my audit letter). Even my elected federal officials (Well, my two Dem Sens offered this "help"--"Look on the IRS Web site." Thanks, guys. At least my Rep Congressman or one of his aides met with an IRS manager, though, to no avail.) couldn't stand up to the IRS. Funny, if I owe the IRS money, I have to pay in advance; if the IRS owes me money (a refund) it takes months to get here.
What is it, then, about "We the people...?" Let's just go on watching American Idol, wearing our Red Wing jerseys, etc. (Again, I have nothing against these things, as long as they aren't the primary foci of people's lives, to the detriment of letting gov't become perverted and omnipotent.) Remember, "First they came after the Jews. I wasn't a Jew so I said nothing. Then they came after.... Then, they came after me and there was nobody left to say anything."
Friday, July 24, 2009
Where are the kids????
It's summer time and this summer hasn't been too hot and not very wet. So, where are the kids? Why aren't they outside playing? We have tons of kids in our neighborhood, but very few are outside, not riding their bikes, not skipping rope, not playing ball, not running through the sprinklers. Where are they? I take Bopper, My Little One, and Codester to "a park" very frequently and there usually aren't many kids at any of the parks. Where are they?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Smokey!!!!
OK, the backup band wasn't so hot (although the saxophonist had very good solos); it played too loudly, often overwhelming Smokey's voice; it's music often didn't seem to fit "Motown" music. The crowd was pretty small; only about a quarter to a third of the pavilion was filled and the hill was as sparse as I've seen it (yet another thing Detroit needs to be embarrassed about, not selling out a Smokey Robinson concert!). The show began about 40 mins late, for no apparent reason. The first couple of songs, good ones, were disappointments due to the band and Smokey's voice didn't seem right. Karen and I surmised, well, 67 (some say 69) is getting up there in years and....
And the rest of the concert was terrific!!!! Smokey was at Pine Knob. Karen and I have attended his last three there and I didn't want to miss this one, maybe his last (67 or 69?). Yes, early on, prospects weren't inviting--the voice wasn't there and his moves (Well, Smokey was never going to be a Temptation, but who was? Not even the new, fake Temptations.) were, well, 67 (or 69). But once he hit on a short Motown medley of songs he wrote for others, it was Katie Bar the Door! His "My Girl," esp with the audience participation, set the new tone. (Of course, I may be biased; I think "My Girl" is one of the two best songs--ever, by anyone.) Getting the audience into it and then taking a brief intermission, The Smokester began hitting all the high notes. His earlier, "Ooh, Baby, Baby" was a bit choppy, a false foreboding of what wasn't to come. Esp on some of his earlier songs (that maybe only three of us there remember, but ooh they are great), he sounded like the Smokey I remember and know. He ended with a long, long version of "Cruisin'." Again, audience participation was terrific. Smokey knows what he's doing. The Motown training and almost 50 years of performing make his a very polished show, very polished. I wonder if he responds to the audiences in other towns the way he does here. And, I wonder if the audiences in other towns respond to him the way they do here. What brought the house down was "Tracks of My Tears." (Again, I admit my bias--this is the other of the best two songs--ever, by anyone.) The audience, I think every single person, was singing along. Dancing accompanied in the seats and in the aisles--I couldn't see all of the hill. When it came to perhaps the greatest poetry ever in a pop song, "My smile is my make-up I wear since my break-up...," he let the audience take over. And it did--everyone! Electrifying.
He also did some lesser known, likely to most people, songs, including one of my favorites, from his very second album, "I'll Try Something New." (The lyrics include, "I'll pretend I'm jealous, of all the fellas.....") And, later on, in another, "Just like the desert shows a thirsty man, a green oasis where there's only sand...." And who else not only includes "camouflage" in songs, but rhymes it????
(On a side note, it's practically inconceivable to me that the Miracles' first Motown release, "Way Over There," was a flop. It's a terrific song!!!!! It has great lyrics and Smokey hits some great notes. The Temptations did a version of it on their album, "The Temptations Sing Smokey," and it, too, is outstanding, Eddie Kendricks on the lead. Listen to it sometime.)
Of course, blaring on my car CD on the way home was, "The Ultimate Collection," which we sang all the way.
I'm sure his concerts of 30 and 40 years ago must have sounded better (at one he said, I remember distinctly, "We're gonna bring the roof off of this here Ford Auditorium," in Downtown Detroit off Jefferson by the river), but I doubt they had the same effect on me that this one did (and I've loved every Smokey concert I've ever attended, including 40+ years ago, still with the Miracles--actually, it was the Miracles, no Smokey Robinson in the group's name at all until later). A great evening, suspending time for just a couple of hours!!!!!!
And the rest of the concert was terrific!!!! Smokey was at Pine Knob. Karen and I have attended his last three there and I didn't want to miss this one, maybe his last (67 or 69?). Yes, early on, prospects weren't inviting--the voice wasn't there and his moves (Well, Smokey was never going to be a Temptation, but who was? Not even the new, fake Temptations.) were, well, 67 (or 69). But once he hit on a short Motown medley of songs he wrote for others, it was Katie Bar the Door! His "My Girl," esp with the audience participation, set the new tone. (Of course, I may be biased; I think "My Girl" is one of the two best songs--ever, by anyone.) Getting the audience into it and then taking a brief intermission, The Smokester began hitting all the high notes. His earlier, "Ooh, Baby, Baby" was a bit choppy, a false foreboding of what wasn't to come. Esp on some of his earlier songs (that maybe only three of us there remember, but ooh they are great), he sounded like the Smokey I remember and know. He ended with a long, long version of "Cruisin'." Again, audience participation was terrific. Smokey knows what he's doing. The Motown training and almost 50 years of performing make his a very polished show, very polished. I wonder if he responds to the audiences in other towns the way he does here. And, I wonder if the audiences in other towns respond to him the way they do here. What brought the house down was "Tracks of My Tears." (Again, I admit my bias--this is the other of the best two songs--ever, by anyone.) The audience, I think every single person, was singing along. Dancing accompanied in the seats and in the aisles--I couldn't see all of the hill. When it came to perhaps the greatest poetry ever in a pop song, "My smile is my make-up I wear since my break-up...," he let the audience take over. And it did--everyone! Electrifying.
He also did some lesser known, likely to most people, songs, including one of my favorites, from his very second album, "I'll Try Something New." (The lyrics include, "I'll pretend I'm jealous, of all the fellas.....") And, later on, in another, "Just like the desert shows a thirsty man, a green oasis where there's only sand...." And who else not only includes "camouflage" in songs, but rhymes it????
(On a side note, it's practically inconceivable to me that the Miracles' first Motown release, "Way Over There," was a flop. It's a terrific song!!!!! It has great lyrics and Smokey hits some great notes. The Temptations did a version of it on their album, "The Temptations Sing Smokey," and it, too, is outstanding, Eddie Kendricks on the lead. Listen to it sometime.)
Of course, blaring on my car CD on the way home was, "The Ultimate Collection," which we sang all the way.
I'm sure his concerts of 30 and 40 years ago must have sounded better (at one he said, I remember distinctly, "We're gonna bring the roof off of this here Ford Auditorium," in Downtown Detroit off Jefferson by the river), but I doubt they had the same effect on me that this one did (and I've loved every Smokey concert I've ever attended, including 40+ years ago, still with the Miracles--actually, it was the Miracles, no Smokey Robinson in the group's name at all until later). A great evening, suspending time for just a couple of hours!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Paying Attention
Several recent e-mails reminded me of the Roman Cicero's comment: What is the abolition of debts except that you buy a farm with my money, that you have the farm, and I don't have my money? So, what are the bailouts? easy bankruptcies? the health care proposal (all 1200 pp. of it)?
And I love how the elites poke fun at Clarence Thomas and his supposed intellectual limitations. Let's see the anointed top this one from the Supreme Clarence: "Respondents...use [a good] that has never been bought or sold, that has never crossed state lines, and that has had no demonstrable effect on the national market.... If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything--and the Federal Government is no longer one of limted and enumerated powers." Of course, maybe some people want an all-powerful government that can strip us of whatever it wants. After all, what the Italians said of Mussolini was, "He made the trains run on time" (and he really didn't).
I hope I'm not the only one bombarding my elected officials to vote against this so-called national health bill. Have you read any of it? Heard anything in particular about its provisions? It's only 1200+ pages long and BO and his administration have admitted they haven't read the whole thing--yet they are urging its passage before the term ends in Aug. Hmmm. Why? Didn't the loons in DC learn their lessons from the bailout packages tendered the financials? They feigned shock that bailout $$$ was used to give lavish bonuses to CEOs of failing companies--yet, the bill they passed and BO signed had specific provisions for just such lavish bonuses.
Yeah, yeah--tell me about how "outraged" people are, how "fed up" they are, how they're "not going to take it any more." Blah, Blah, Blah. No they aren't and yes they are. If they were, they'd make it so none of these Bozos would even consider such a flawed, rushed, rotten bill. (Don't believe me about that? Go ahead and read it, for instance, the part that requires you to designate an approved health plan on your tax forms--or pay a penalty/fine, or that Soc Sec recipients--hmmm, after age 65, I wonder who that will be?--will be required to undergo Last Days Counseling, you know, talk to someone about ending it sooner, rather than later. Can you say Kevorkian? And how many of BO's associates have hinted or come right out and said that old people are a drain on health care, the economy, etc.?) Ah, but to know all this, you have to be paying attention.
Who knows, in a few years, maybe BO and his government will prevent me from writing things like this and I'll be forced into watching American Idol?????
Out....
And I love how the elites poke fun at Clarence Thomas and his supposed intellectual limitations. Let's see the anointed top this one from the Supreme Clarence: "Respondents...use [a good] that has never been bought or sold, that has never crossed state lines, and that has had no demonstrable effect on the national market.... If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything--and the Federal Government is no longer one of limted and enumerated powers." Of course, maybe some people want an all-powerful government that can strip us of whatever it wants. After all, what the Italians said of Mussolini was, "He made the trains run on time" (and he really didn't).
I hope I'm not the only one bombarding my elected officials to vote against this so-called national health bill. Have you read any of it? Heard anything in particular about its provisions? It's only 1200+ pages long and BO and his administration have admitted they haven't read the whole thing--yet they are urging its passage before the term ends in Aug. Hmmm. Why? Didn't the loons in DC learn their lessons from the bailout packages tendered the financials? They feigned shock that bailout $$$ was used to give lavish bonuses to CEOs of failing companies--yet, the bill they passed and BO signed had specific provisions for just such lavish bonuses.
Yeah, yeah--tell me about how "outraged" people are, how "fed up" they are, how they're "not going to take it any more." Blah, Blah, Blah. No they aren't and yes they are. If they were, they'd make it so none of these Bozos would even consider such a flawed, rushed, rotten bill. (Don't believe me about that? Go ahead and read it, for instance, the part that requires you to designate an approved health plan on your tax forms--or pay a penalty/fine, or that Soc Sec recipients--hmmm, after age 65, I wonder who that will be?--will be required to undergo Last Days Counseling, you know, talk to someone about ending it sooner, rather than later. Can you say Kevorkian? And how many of BO's associates have hinted or come right out and said that old people are a drain on health care, the economy, etc.?) Ah, but to know all this, you have to be paying attention.
Who knows, in a few years, maybe BO and his government will prevent me from writing things like this and I'll be forced into watching American Idol?????
Out....
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Running and Health
Runners often hear, "It'll ruin your knees," "I can't run because it..." does some terrible thing(s) to the body, etc. Well, another recent study (there have been a number of them over the years, all demonstrating the same results) has countered all that. The study began in 1984 and has followed runners and controls 50 years and older. And, surprise (though not to we runners)....
Runners began to show the earliest signs of disabilities (ruined knees?) 16 years later than nonrunners. A couple of decades after the study began, only 15% of the runners had died, while more than twice as many (34%) of the nonrunners had passed. (Of course, everyone "knows someone who....")
The evidence is clear. And, ironically, I don't run for my health at all--not to live longer, not to forestall disabilities. I run because I enjoy it, enjoy competing in races, etc. Despite the health benefits, I don't think I'd run if I didn't like it. So, talk about a bonus!!!! (And, if I keel over tomorrow, don't laugh!)
Runners began to show the earliest signs of disabilities (ruined knees?) 16 years later than nonrunners. A couple of decades after the study began, only 15% of the runners had died, while more than twice as many (34%) of the nonrunners had passed. (Of course, everyone "knows someone who....")
The evidence is clear. And, ironically, I don't run for my health at all--not to live longer, not to forestall disabilities. I run because I enjoy it, enjoy competing in races, etc. Despite the health benefits, I don't think I'd run if I didn't like it. So, talk about a bonus!!!! (And, if I keel over tomorrow, don't laugh!)
Bastille Day
I ran a "Bastille Day Run," a 15K, yesterday. I know the actual date is the 14th, but that was Tue and not too many folks, I'd guess, were available to race that day.
It was a tough, tough course. It's hard to tell, since I am getting a bit older, but I think it was the hardest, most challenging course I've done. At least, it's the most difficult one I've done in a long, long time. (The Trail Ends Marathon and Half Marathon were tough, but I was a lot younger.) I think it is considerably more challenging than the Crim or even Hell. There were hills and more hills and more hills...up and down, up and down. The "ups" I don't have to explain, but I could really feel the "downs" on my quads. And today, ouch! I am pretty beaten up, sore and, esp, tired. I did get in a long run this AM, but that was the plan, to run long after the tough run from yesterday. But, I didn't realize the Bastille Run would be that hard.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and plan on returning next year. I wasn't really well prepared for the race yesterday, long- or short-term. But it was still a great AM.
I had to explain to a young lady in line for post-race goodies the idea of "Bastille Day." (So much for the high scores on the recent state history tests! Of course, the French Rev only influenced the world in more ways than did the US Rev.) Somewhat surprisingly, she didn't leave the line or even roll her eyes as I explained. When I told her the part about the mob chopping off the warden's head and marching through the streets of Paris with the head on a pike, she said, "Really?" Yep.
Speaking of young ladies, it was very refreshing to see so many attractive young ladies at the race without any tattoos. And anyone who might not find these young gals attractive perhaps needs an eye examination.
I was amazed at how fast some ran this course. A 66-year old, Jim Carlton (a very good runner!) ran 8 minutes faster than I! And I am very, very pleased with my time and effort. How do they do it?????
I have already placed the Bastille Day Run on next year's racing calendar.
It was a tough, tough course. It's hard to tell, since I am getting a bit older, but I think it was the hardest, most challenging course I've done. At least, it's the most difficult one I've done in a long, long time. (The Trail Ends Marathon and Half Marathon were tough, but I was a lot younger.) I think it is considerably more challenging than the Crim or even Hell. There were hills and more hills and more hills...up and down, up and down. The "ups" I don't have to explain, but I could really feel the "downs" on my quads. And today, ouch! I am pretty beaten up, sore and, esp, tired. I did get in a long run this AM, but that was the plan, to run long after the tough run from yesterday. But, I didn't realize the Bastille Run would be that hard.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and plan on returning next year. I wasn't really well prepared for the race yesterday, long- or short-term. But it was still a great AM.
I had to explain to a young lady in line for post-race goodies the idea of "Bastille Day." (So much for the high scores on the recent state history tests! Of course, the French Rev only influenced the world in more ways than did the US Rev.) Somewhat surprisingly, she didn't leave the line or even roll her eyes as I explained. When I told her the part about the mob chopping off the warden's head and marching through the streets of Paris with the head on a pike, she said, "Really?" Yep.
Speaking of young ladies, it was very refreshing to see so many attractive young ladies at the race without any tattoos. And anyone who might not find these young gals attractive perhaps needs an eye examination.
I was amazed at how fast some ran this course. A 66-year old, Jim Carlton (a very good runner!) ran 8 minutes faster than I! And I am very, very pleased with my time and effort. How do they do it?????
I have already placed the Bastille Day Run on next year's racing calendar.
Saints?
Why is it that people identify others as "saints" or "heroes" or some other such platitudes, yet then don't try to emulate them? People identify the attributes that are desirable, yet make no attempts to follow them.
Instead, we want to be like the latest hippy rock star or movie celebrity or athlete. Now, isn't that weird?
Instead, we want to be like the latest hippy rock star or movie celebrity or athlete. Now, isn't that weird?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Supreme Court Nominations
"To the victor belong the spoils...."
Elections, winning or losing them, have consequences. BO won the last election and now has the opportunity to appoint justices to the Supreme Court when vacancies occur. That is his Constitutional prize for winning the Presidency. But I don't have to like his nominee and I do have the right to ask my US Senators to oppose the nomination by rejecting confirmation.
Sotomayor might well be the bully and legal lightweight that some of her critics and former clerks have alleged. Well, not all nominees are the brightest bulbs on the block. Some are downright mediocre. But as Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska once stated, "Mediocre people deserve representation, too."
No, although I oppose what her politics and legal opinions appear to be, that's my problem with her---appear. Now, one might argue, what she is doing is the way to get confirmed...that, to be honest, would doom confirmation. Maybe--maybe not. But this is still my problem with her. She is dishonest. Why doesn't she just say what she believes? She's going to be confirmed anyway, whether she is disingenuous in her hearings or not. Why not have the guts to say what she really believes? You see, I don't like cowards....
And in now seems one will soon be sitting on the Supreme Court.
Elections, winning or losing them, have consequences. BO won the last election and now has the opportunity to appoint justices to the Supreme Court when vacancies occur. That is his Constitutional prize for winning the Presidency. But I don't have to like his nominee and I do have the right to ask my US Senators to oppose the nomination by rejecting confirmation.
Sotomayor might well be the bully and legal lightweight that some of her critics and former clerks have alleged. Well, not all nominees are the brightest bulbs on the block. Some are downright mediocre. But as Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska once stated, "Mediocre people deserve representation, too."
No, although I oppose what her politics and legal opinions appear to be, that's my problem with her---appear. Now, one might argue, what she is doing is the way to get confirmed...that, to be honest, would doom confirmation. Maybe--maybe not. But this is still my problem with her. She is dishonest. Why doesn't she just say what she believes? She's going to be confirmed anyway, whether she is disingenuous in her hearings or not. Why not have the guts to say what she really believes? You see, I don't like cowards....
And in now seems one will soon be sitting on the Supreme Court.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Required Reading
I know I am retired and not supposed to care any more, but read these essays, Yarbrough on Jefferson and Guelzo on Lincoln. No, they won't take more than 10 minutes, but are remarkably spot on. And, if you care at all, they'll make an impression in a number of ways.
Note Guelzo on history textbooks "passing muster" and Yarbrough on Jeff's slavery and our snobbish views of it.
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp
Note Guelzo on history textbooks "passing muster" and Yarbrough on Jeff's slavery and our snobbish views of it.
http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp
"Outrage?"
I see Mayor Bing has joined in the use of the word "outrage." More and more people are using it, on television, on radio, in the newspapers. "I am outraged!" "I am fed up!" No, you're not. "I've had it!" No, you haven't. "I'm not going to tolerate any more!" Yes, you are.
Politicians, local, state, federal. Athletes and entertainers. Schools. Businesses and CEOs. We are "outraged," "fed up," etc. Bologna/Baloney.
Where are your votes on election day? If they are anywhere, they are for the same Bozos or, at least, the same types of Bozos. Obviously, people simply accept what garbage the Dems or Reps throw at us. Vote for a third/minor party? That's tantamount to throwing away a vote. Not so, not if more and more people "throw away" their votes in such a manner. And, in my humble opinion (quite lonely, I'm certain), voting for Obama or McCain was throwing away a vote.
How about inundating our elected officials with letters, telling them why we are outraged and, if they persist in the insanity, our votes are going elsewhere next election? Yeah, right. Do you think Levin or Stabenow is worried right now, despite the junk coming out of the Senate and their lack of influence there? Of course not, you are going to vote for them next time regardless. They can be Bozos and still get your vote.
I'm becoming inured to people using the "outraged," "fed up," faces. Until they actually start acting, not talking, that is. And, I'm not holding my breath.
Politicians, local, state, federal. Athletes and entertainers. Schools. Businesses and CEOs. We are "outraged," "fed up," etc. Bologna/Baloney.
Where are your votes on election day? If they are anywhere, they are for the same Bozos or, at least, the same types of Bozos. Obviously, people simply accept what garbage the Dems or Reps throw at us. Vote for a third/minor party? That's tantamount to throwing away a vote. Not so, not if more and more people "throw away" their votes in such a manner. And, in my humble opinion (quite lonely, I'm certain), voting for Obama or McCain was throwing away a vote.
How about inundating our elected officials with letters, telling them why we are outraged and, if they persist in the insanity, our votes are going elsewhere next election? Yeah, right. Do you think Levin or Stabenow is worried right now, despite the junk coming out of the Senate and their lack of influence there? Of course not, you are going to vote for them next time regardless. They can be Bozos and still get your vote.
I'm becoming inured to people using the "outraged," "fed up," faces. Until they actually start acting, not talking, that is. And, I'm not holding my breath.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Outliers
Matt bought me a pretty good book, Outliers. It challenges the accepted explanations for a variety of things--education, plane crashes (just what I needed to read before flying home!), business success (Bill Gates, etc.), and a few others. What characteristics, what reasons, what is behind the success of the successful?
Of course, reading Outliers, it is obvious it would be very difficult to get anyone (or many) to listen to the conclusions here, despite the logic presented.
I think there is room for some disagreement/dispute, esp concerning desired outcomes, but the book is well worth reading...if not only because of the list (in today's dollars) of the 75 wealthiest people in history (J Rockefeller was #1, with H Ford #8--B Gates was 37 or 38 I believe). It included the most recent and even Cleopatra and Crassus (one of the Roman Triumvirate).
Of course, reading Outliers, it is obvious it would be very difficult to get anyone (or many) to listen to the conclusions here, despite the logic presented.
I think there is room for some disagreement/dispute, esp concerning desired outcomes, but the book is well worth reading...if not only because of the list (in today's dollars) of the 75 wealthiest people in history (J Rockefeller was #1, with H Ford #8--B Gates was 37 or 38 I believe). It included the most recent and even Cleopatra and Crassus (one of the Roman Triumvirate).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
