Wed AM Thoughts

OK, esp in light of the recent episode, why didn't that NY Congressman pronounce his name "WY ner" instead of "WEE ner?" I was listening to a discussion on the radio yesterday about the guy and his, ahem, private(s) life. The host, Hannity, was intellectually dishonest in questioning one of the callers. All the lady said was that voters, WEE ner's constituents, should be the final arbiters of his conduct and fitness to represent them in the House. Hannity kept implying the lady wasn't disgusted with Wee ner's behavior, although she frequently denounced it in the strongest terms. All she kept saying was the votes should decide. And, after all, isn't that what a democracy is supposed to be all about? It's another concern I have with the current use of "emergency financial managers." Very undemocratic.... Now, one might argue, as I might, that the Democrats are hypocrites for not denouncing and getting rid of WEE ner, but, ultimately, I think that the lady was right. And Hannity was being intellectually dishonest.

I think a major problem with the Democrats, now and in the past, Obama and others, is that they have trumpeted dangerous messages. One of them is that there are too many "rich" people, greedy ones at that, and they should pay more in taxes. That they already do, in almost all instance, is, I guess, beside the point. Particularly dangerous is the message being sent to those who now believe they are entitled to the money of the wealthy because the President and his party continually say they are.

And, speaking of "greed," how can more than 20 cents difference in the price of a gallon of gas at stations within 15-20 minutes of each other be explained? Hmmm..."greed?" And, in the past few days, I've seen "credit" purchases of gas 9 to 11 cents more than cash purchases. Hmmm...how, then, to explain some stations that have no difference in cash and credit purchases? Or, how it costs so much more per gallon of gas for a credit purchase (all of a sudden, a couple years ago, it was discovered that credit purchases cost the station more?)? I guess it's all right for some people to be greedy.

I guess the no-smoking-in-restaurants/bars issue is rising again. I still don't understand how do-gooder legislators can tell private property owners that there can be no smoking. I am a non-smoker and find it vile. I find it equally odious that gov't can tell bar/restaurant owners they can't allow smoking. If people don't want to eat or drink with the smoke, go elsewhere--I do. If the gov't can tell private property owners--restaurant/bar owners--how big a jump is it to say people can't smoke in their own homes? Or eat certain foods, deemed "unhealthy" by the do-gooders, in their own homes? And, from all accounts, business in restaurants and bars is hurting, not only because of the recession, but because of the smoking ban. How many have closed? I see a few right around here. I'd like to see these do-gooder legislators be confronted by those wo lost their businesses or workers who lost their jobs. Unintended consequences by the elites who, once again, know what's best for everyone, not just for themselves.

I see some teachers are writing letters-to-the-editor defending the use of students to protest revenue cuts in education coming from the state. Oh, it's all right to have students write and send letters to legislators who are voting to reduce spending in schools because "students' lives are being affected?" OK, then I suppose it's all right to have students use class time to write letters of protest to school boards when they do their many things that have a negative impact on "students' lives?" I could list a myriad of instances when student letters could be so-justified, but I'll just stick with cutting teachers (and increasing class size) and hiring impossibly inept administrators (and teachers). So this is the sloppy kind of thinking that comes from our teachers today? And, no doubt, these letter writers are being congratulated by their colleagues this AM.

It was hard to see my kids disappointed and just has hard, if not harder, to see my grandkids disappointed. Bopper didn't make the All-Star team for his baseball team. I'd say he had a legitimate shot. One kid was a definite pick, the best player on the team. Four were chosen, by the players, and the other three spots were a toss-up between four kids, including Bopper. His selection could certainly have been justified, but it's hard to argue with the other kids who were chosen (other than they really aren't "all-stars" at all, not being very good, just relatively so compared to their teammates). Bopper seemed to be over it this AM, even wearing his baseball jersey (dirty and all) to school! Maybe it was because he smacked a legitimate bases-loaded triple that tied the score in the 3rd inning (we only played 4 innings due to the time limit). Toss in his real home run last Thur and he has reason to be happy with his progress.

Speaking of baseball, I guess I can't go get the pre-game instructions from the umpire(s). Again last night, the umpire explained a rule (on overthrows) that was wrong. When I questioned it, he tried to explain by completely being wrong, stating things that aren't in any baseball rule book I've ever read. And, from talking with the guy and another coach, I think the umpire is a league director. Of course, what are the odds any of these guys would admit they don't know the rules????? Grrrrr.... Other than that, I think he, like all of the umpires we've had this year, have done very well in calling the games--balls/strikes, outs, etc. It's just that they don't know the rules.

I wonder if Mother Nature, with the latest rush of nasty-hot weather, is preparing me for our soon-to-come visit to Las Vegas????? OK, I admit, I turned on the AC today. Last night's lack of sleep due to the stickiness and heat were too much for me.