The hotel Taj in India is being blamed for lax security in the recent terrorist attacks. Wal-Mart is being blamed for inadequate security because 2000 shoppers stampeded into the store, breaking down the doors in the process. Toys R Us is being blamed for inadequate security in the shooting deaths of 2 men on Black Friday.
Where does personal accountability come into these situations? I hate to beat an old dead horse, but it is NOT the weapon that commits the crime: it is the person who uses the weapon. It is not the corporation's fault that criminals committed crimes on their premises: it is the criminal who chose that time, that place, that crime. As President Bush meant to say, the terrorists only have to be right once, but law enforcement has to be right all the time everywhere to prevent crime.
--Nothing could have stopped the terrorist attacks in India: nothing. Terrorists not only train, but they plan at least a year out, conduct reconnaissance, develop contingency plans, stockpile weapons and supplies. Terrorists are going to complete their mission because that's what they are willing to sacrifice their lives to do.
--It takes kindergarten teachers an entire year to teach the children to form a single line; they maintain the skill until about 6th grade, when it is no longer appropriate socially to do anything an adult directs a student to do. By high school, a bomb scare means unsupervised social times, with videos, text messages, and cell calls the order of the day, especially if by alerting the media, the students may be on-camera during the evening news. The 2000 men, women and children gathered outside that Wal-Mart store were going in regardless of the obstacles in their way. Directing them to form a single line could only have exacerbated the stampede, not prevented it.
--The 2 men who shot one another to death at the Toys R Us were simply waiting for the time to come: why else did they take their children toy shopping while they carried loaded pistols in their pockets? There is nothing that can prevent this sort of criminal activity from taking place when it's going to take place. Both of these men had criminal records, one of whom was arrested for possession of an illegal firearm, the other for domestic violence, so they had already decided how to resolve their differences: violently.
The head of India's security has resigned; perhaps the managers of the Wal-Mart and Toys R Us will also lose their jobs because we have forgotten how to hold the criminals responsible for their crimes. We cannot prevent crime by posting a guard, by installing security cameras, by checking purses, pockets and backpacks at the entry to a toy store: we can only deal with what happens after an individual commits a crime.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Breaking News
I'm watching coverage of the terrorist attacks in India when it is interrupted by a breaking news bulletin. The report is on a shooting at the local Toys 'R Us. My local, not CNN's local.
Switching to the local channels to see what's up, there is a real estate agent touring an exclusive property and 2 cosmetic surgeons discussing breast implants and how to select the right size for one's body size. Another station has a game show on, but not one channel is reporting live what's already made it to both the AP and CNN.
About 15 minutes later, a male reporter reported that there is nothing to report, and about a half-hour later, two female reporters reported that their reporter reported that there is nothing to report. One of the females said that this is another tragedy marring "Black Sunday," so perhaps someone needs to clue her in that it's Friday? Viewers did see the same 30 seconds of officers arriving on-scene 45 minutes after that happened, but nothing current. There was a man interviewed whose wife was in the store and called him on his cell phone to tell him that she was scared and hiding under a clothes rack -- and he cried as he related to viewers that she told him to tell their children that she loves them.
After finally realizing that the same 30 seconds of tape of the officers arriving and the same 60-second interview of the man's talk with his wife had been replayed more times than they should, and with nothing else to report, the local news signed off, promising more up-to-the-minute news at 6 pm.
Hm. That was both informative and engaging. I feel totally on top of the local breaking news. I'll have to check back with CNN and see what they've learned about local events in my area.
UPDATING: It appears that 2 females were in the store and got into it, but no one's sure why. As the hair pulling and punching continued, the menfolk with the women in the store, pulled out pistols -- and shot each other dead in the aisles after a running gun fight that went from the registers to the back of the store. No one is quite sure why the women were fighting or why the men came to a toy store with loaded guns in their pants pockets, but ... .
Switching to the local channels to see what's up, there is a real estate agent touring an exclusive property and 2 cosmetic surgeons discussing breast implants and how to select the right size for one's body size. Another station has a game show on, but not one channel is reporting live what's already made it to both the AP and CNN.
About 15 minutes later, a male reporter reported that there is nothing to report, and about a half-hour later, two female reporters reported that their reporter reported that there is nothing to report. One of the females said that this is another tragedy marring "Black Sunday," so perhaps someone needs to clue her in that it's Friday? Viewers did see the same 30 seconds of officers arriving on-scene 45 minutes after that happened, but nothing current. There was a man interviewed whose wife was in the store and called him on his cell phone to tell him that she was scared and hiding under a clothes rack -- and he cried as he related to viewers that she told him to tell their children that she loves them.
After finally realizing that the same 30 seconds of tape of the officers arriving and the same 60-second interview of the man's talk with his wife had been replayed more times than they should, and with nothing else to report, the local news signed off, promising more up-to-the-minute news at 6 pm.
Hm. That was both informative and engaging. I feel totally on top of the local breaking news. I'll have to check back with CNN and see what they've learned about local events in my area.
UPDATING: It appears that 2 females were in the store and got into it, but no one's sure why. As the hair pulling and punching continued, the menfolk with the women in the store, pulled out pistols -- and shot each other dead in the aisles after a running gun fight that went from the registers to the back of the store. No one is quite sure why the women were fighting or why the men came to a toy store with loaded guns in their pants pockets, but ... .
LA Fried Turkey
That's Lou-see-ana fried turkey and man, was it good! I was invited to a friend's home for Thanksgiving dinner and I've never seen so much food for so few people. A big turkey, a big ham, two kinds of stuffing, three vegetable dishes, mashed potatoes and the best pecan praline sweet potatoes I've ever tasted, a corn casserole that was incredibly good, hot rolls, gravy. Well, I'm sure I've left something off the list, but whatever that dish was has to be as good as all the others.
Then came the desserts -- and the kitchen counter was again covered from one end to the other. I didn't even start because that counter was a medical no-no! There is enough food left over to have a crowd to eat leftovers and still have some for the 'fridge.
The host deep fried another turkey for me, which I shared 3 ways: one breast and the carcass to one friend, another breast for another friend, and the legs, thighs and wings for me. I can't wait to nibble on one of my stash today before visiting my friend at the coast and delivering her third.
Good time and great food enjoyed by all.
Then came the desserts -- and the kitchen counter was again covered from one end to the other. I didn't even start because that counter was a medical no-no! There is enough food left over to have a crowd to eat leftovers and still have some for the 'fridge.
The host deep fried another turkey for me, which I shared 3 ways: one breast and the carcass to one friend, another breast for another friend, and the legs, thighs and wings for me. I can't wait to nibble on one of my stash today before visiting my friend at the coast and delivering her third.
Good time and great food enjoyed by all.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
P.S.
I remembered something else the psychic said yesterday: Mia has her arms around her food bowl, protecting it, and she's angry that another dog is eating her food. That's not all Mia's angry about: CC is also sleeping on her big pillow, as well as on the shaggy rug next to my bed. It has been a challenge for Mia to define and defend her territory this visit. The picture clearly shows that even though she appears to be resting, Mia has her eyes open and is not going to allow CC to put even one paw on the pillow!
She'll probably be happy when CC goes home tomorrow.
Psychic Awareness
My friend totally believes in lots of weird things that I view with what can charitably be called skepticism. She allows me my old-fashioned ideas about ethics, integrity, and hard work, for which, in turn, I allow her to get into the wicca thing, colonics, and psychics. As a gift, she invited me to her home for a reading with what she calls "the real deal," a psychic who lives both at the coast and in the desert and drives a nice Mercedes sedan. Evidently, there are many more gullible people than I thought or she is really, really good.
I walked through the doorway, set down my purse, and was taken to the kitchen table where the psychic awaited me. She gave her disclaimer, then picked up my left hand and said, "I'm feeling stress and pain, perhaps an injury, along your shoulders, involving both your neck and your left arm." She told me that it's been painful and is involving more of my body as I continue to feel constant pain. Her comment was that my body is not happy with me, and my dog is also worried about me. She also said that my dog and my mom share a name, which they do: I named my dog my mother's nickname, Mia. Okay, that was either impressive or she reads my blog because the only information I had given to her was my name.
She began scratching and rubbing her arms, as she told me that my mother is with us, and she's rubbing, almost scratching her arms, as if they itch. Yeah, my mom had a nervous reaction that appeared as huge red welts on her arms and looked as if a wild animal had clawed her -- and she said they itched and she rubbed them. She said that we were standing back-to-back, indicating some kind of problem between us. Yeah, that too. Her final comment about my mom said that she was in great pain when she died, rubbing her abdomen as she related this, and she was glad when she finally passed because her brother came to get her. My mom died on her brother's birthday!
She commented on the confusion, the noise, the people in my early life all packed together, and said that it was the wrong environment for me. Well, I have 4 brothers and a sister, 5 of us born within 6 years, which could qualify as a pack of people, so it was lots of people and lots of noise all the time. My one goal in life was not to share the bathroom. She mentioned both my fierce independence and my strong sense of right and wrong, said that while it's been a blessing, it's also kept me from fully participating in and enjoying life, but she sees change.
As more and more guests came into the psychic readings party, it was challenging to concentrate, but she talked about there being writing all around me, that not only do I write, but the people around me write. My daughter is a magazine editor and my son a technical writer. I am going to make changes in my career, changes that will probably revolve around writing. She said that I've been writing political tracts, or been involved in policy-making or politics, but the only thing I can think in that arena is my blog entries about the recent political situations. I'm also going to travel, which she said my soul wants to do. She said that I will travel across the states this coming year to be with my son when he needs me there, but I will also travel for my own enjoyment and fulfillment.
Then there came the relationship predictions, beginning with my unwillingness to open myself to a relationship. However, there is someone coming to me, someone who knows me and understands me and with whom I will feel trust and give trust. He is an air sign. She said that my hand shows two marriages or significant relationships, but I've only had one of them. She said that the career change may include travel, but she sees the travel as part of the relationship, a part that brings me joy. Perhaps I'll finally make the trip to Greece?
She had me pull cards out of the pack and I was amazed at the words that were on them, but with all the people milling in the room, I lost my focus and cannot remember them. She said that the cards I picked reflected everything that she had said, and I do remember relationship, travel, success, intimacy, independence, but not the last few. She asked me if I had a question for her, but I told her no. I also made it a point not to volunteer information during the reading, but I will admit that I confirmed that my relationship with my mother is one of my horror stories, and that my children are both writers, as well as I.
One specific thing I noticed was that while she was holding my left hand, the constant, throbbing pain went away. Her hand felt warm in mine, and when she dropped my hand to work with the cards, my hand grew cold and began throbbing again. I almost wanted her to hold it again and get rid of the pain. I mentioned that to her as we wound down and the next person came in, and she gave me her card and said that she works with realigning the body's energy and chakra healing, whatever that is.
I had lots to ponder as I relinquished my seat to the next guest, so I came home, started a little fire in the chiminea, took a cup of hot coffee outside with me, and sat in a light sprinkle of rain to think about all of this. She did capture me pretty darned close, and I was surprised at some of her comments, so maybe she does have a gift and is not a charlatan. Are there those among us who have the gift of insight? Yes. There are times in my life when I have simply known things that were later revealed to be true. Is this woman the real deal? I don't know, but it was fun, I saw several people I had not seen since I retired, and I met my friend's mother. That and a nice night, a cozy fire, and 2 dogs nestled at my feet makes for a good end to another day.
I walked through the doorway, set down my purse, and was taken to the kitchen table where the psychic awaited me. She gave her disclaimer, then picked up my left hand and said, "I'm feeling stress and pain, perhaps an injury, along your shoulders, involving both your neck and your left arm." She told me that it's been painful and is involving more of my body as I continue to feel constant pain. Her comment was that my body is not happy with me, and my dog is also worried about me. She also said that my dog and my mom share a name, which they do: I named my dog my mother's nickname, Mia. Okay, that was either impressive or she reads my blog because the only information I had given to her was my name.
She began scratching and rubbing her arms, as she told me that my mother is with us, and she's rubbing, almost scratching her arms, as if they itch. Yeah, my mom had a nervous reaction that appeared as huge red welts on her arms and looked as if a wild animal had clawed her -- and she said they itched and she rubbed them. She said that we were standing back-to-back, indicating some kind of problem between us. Yeah, that too. Her final comment about my mom said that she was in great pain when she died, rubbing her abdomen as she related this, and she was glad when she finally passed because her brother came to get her. My mom died on her brother's birthday!
She commented on the confusion, the noise, the people in my early life all packed together, and said that it was the wrong environment for me. Well, I have 4 brothers and a sister, 5 of us born within 6 years, which could qualify as a pack of people, so it was lots of people and lots of noise all the time. My one goal in life was not to share the bathroom. She mentioned both my fierce independence and my strong sense of right and wrong, said that while it's been a blessing, it's also kept me from fully participating in and enjoying life, but she sees change.
As more and more guests came into the psychic readings party, it was challenging to concentrate, but she talked about there being writing all around me, that not only do I write, but the people around me write. My daughter is a magazine editor and my son a technical writer. I am going to make changes in my career, changes that will probably revolve around writing. She said that I've been writing political tracts, or been involved in policy-making or politics, but the only thing I can think in that arena is my blog entries about the recent political situations. I'm also going to travel, which she said my soul wants to do. She said that I will travel across the states this coming year to be with my son when he needs me there, but I will also travel for my own enjoyment and fulfillment.
Then there came the relationship predictions, beginning with my unwillingness to open myself to a relationship. However, there is someone coming to me, someone who knows me and understands me and with whom I will feel trust and give trust. He is an air sign. She said that my hand shows two marriages or significant relationships, but I've only had one of them. She said that the career change may include travel, but she sees the travel as part of the relationship, a part that brings me joy. Perhaps I'll finally make the trip to Greece?
She had me pull cards out of the pack and I was amazed at the words that were on them, but with all the people milling in the room, I lost my focus and cannot remember them. She said that the cards I picked reflected everything that she had said, and I do remember relationship, travel, success, intimacy, independence, but not the last few. She asked me if I had a question for her, but I told her no. I also made it a point not to volunteer information during the reading, but I will admit that I confirmed that my relationship with my mother is one of my horror stories, and that my children are both writers, as well as I.
One specific thing I noticed was that while she was holding my left hand, the constant, throbbing pain went away. Her hand felt warm in mine, and when she dropped my hand to work with the cards, my hand grew cold and began throbbing again. I almost wanted her to hold it again and get rid of the pain. I mentioned that to her as we wound down and the next person came in, and she gave me her card and said that she works with realigning the body's energy and chakra healing, whatever that is.
I had lots to ponder as I relinquished my seat to the next guest, so I came home, started a little fire in the chiminea, took a cup of hot coffee outside with me, and sat in a light sprinkle of rain to think about all of this. She did capture me pretty darned close, and I was surprised at some of her comments, so maybe she does have a gift and is not a charlatan. Are there those among us who have the gift of insight? Yes. There are times in my life when I have simply known things that were later revealed to be true. Is this woman the real deal? I don't know, but it was fun, I saw several people I had not seen since I retired, and I met my friend's mother. That and a nice night, a cozy fire, and 2 dogs nestled at my feet makes for a good end to another day.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
My Newest Great Idea -- Really!
After the mammo this morning (show up at 7:45 am to be the first appointment, but no one comes into work until 8 am), I met friends at a local restaurant that has the best food at the best prices of anywhere in the Valley. As it is wont to do these days, the conversation turned to DWTS because I was with my friend who was devastated when Cloris was axed.
"Well," sayeth I, "there should be a spin-off, Dancing with the Senior Stars, then because she was too old to keep up with the 20-year-olds."
Huh? Great idea? I think so and even my friend and her folks, visiting for the holiday, agreed with me.
Okay, I'm over the DWTS thing and moving on to my appointment with the psychic later this afternoon.
Yeah, really!
"Well," sayeth I, "there should be a spin-off, Dancing with the Senior Stars, then because she was too old to keep up with the 20-year-olds."
Huh? Great idea? I think so and even my friend and her folks, visiting for the holiday, agreed with me.
Okay, I'm over the DWTS thing and moving on to my appointment with the psychic later this afternoon.
Yeah, really!
Dancing My Ass
So much for the "it's all about the dancing" warnings given endlessly during the lead-up to the final results. Last night, it was all about personality, ethusiasm, crowd-pleasing winks and big fake grins.
Yeah, Brooke won, which is okay, but Warren took 2nd place, which is totally not okay. It was so apparent from both Cody Linley's and Lance's performances last night that Warren Sapp should never have been in the final 3 of the competition. Sapp thundered heavily across the floor, standing in place while his partner danced; both Brooke and Lance danced with their partners, doing the intricate moves and foot work beat for beat with the professionals.
It was as if the judges were reading a script, not critiquing a performance! Again, Warren, you big ole sexy cuddly teddy bear, you sure had the crowd on their feet. The audience (and Carrie Ann) just love you! You have totally taught the world that anyone can get out on the dance floor! Lance, your performance didn't measure up to the high professional standards that characterize the final 3. Carrie Ann was quick to point out that Lance missed a little thingy that she twirled with her finger -- but Warren, you great big cuddly sexy teddy bear, you really had the crowd on its feet! Men everywhere will be more likely to dance after watching you this season!
Perhaps it's time to shake up the panel of judges, you know, the old "judge not less ye too be judged." As a matter of fact, I'd like to see the three judges perform each season, so we can all have a better understanding of their credentials for the critiques of the non-dancer's performances. Yeah, I'm liking that ... .
Maybe I need another presidential campaign or lying Mayor Pro-Tem or extremely biased media event or total economic failure to rant and rave about. Those I cannot control by turning off the TV and going to bed, an action I should have taken about week 4 of DWTS, when Cloris was still in contention or after Toni Braxton was cut and Warren stayed, or when Cody was cut for being too young -- and sexy, cuddly Warren stayed.
Okay, okay, it's just a TV show. I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. Just move on. It's over. I don't have to watch next season. I mean, focus on world hunger, global warming, something other than a damned dancing show. How about a list of all the things I'm grateful for at T-day? I'll get back to you after my mammo.
Yeah, Brooke won, which is okay, but Warren took 2nd place, which is totally not okay. It was so apparent from both Cody Linley's and Lance's performances last night that Warren Sapp should never have been in the final 3 of the competition. Sapp thundered heavily across the floor, standing in place while his partner danced; both Brooke and Lance danced with their partners, doing the intricate moves and foot work beat for beat with the professionals.
It was as if the judges were reading a script, not critiquing a performance! Again, Warren, you big ole sexy cuddly teddy bear, you sure had the crowd on their feet. The audience (and Carrie Ann) just love you! You have totally taught the world that anyone can get out on the dance floor! Lance, your performance didn't measure up to the high professional standards that characterize the final 3. Carrie Ann was quick to point out that Lance missed a little thingy that she twirled with her finger -- but Warren, you great big cuddly sexy teddy bear, you really had the crowd on its feet! Men everywhere will be more likely to dance after watching you this season!
Perhaps it's time to shake up the panel of judges, you know, the old "judge not less ye too be judged." As a matter of fact, I'd like to see the three judges perform each season, so we can all have a better understanding of their credentials for the critiques of the non-dancer's performances. Yeah, I'm liking that ... .
Maybe I need another presidential campaign or lying Mayor Pro-Tem or extremely biased media event or total economic failure to rant and rave about. Those I cannot control by turning off the TV and going to bed, an action I should have taken about week 4 of DWTS, when Cloris was still in contention or after Toni Braxton was cut and Warren stayed, or when Cody was cut for being too young -- and sexy, cuddly Warren stayed.
Okay, okay, it's just a TV show. I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. Just move on. It's over. I don't have to watch next season. I mean, focus on world hunger, global warming, something other than a damned dancing show. How about a list of all the things I'm grateful for at T-day? I'll get back to you after my mammo.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Foul!
I'm just going to come right out and say it: Warren Sapp sucks! He may wear a Super Bowl ring, but he cannot dance. I'm upset that he "earned" a 10 last night for his personality because his dancing certainly did not warrant that score. Rewarding Sapp with a 10 because he has a great personality demeans the hard work and talent of the other competitors who were denied that perfect score. As Len has said almost weekly, it's a dancing competition.
Of the 3 judges on the program, Len always gives a professional critique, which rightly has reflected weekly that Sapp has a great personality, but zero dancing talent. Imagine my surprise when Len awarded Sapp the 10. I'm tired of listening to Carrie Ann's gushy sexy comments when Warren monster mashes his way up and down the dance floor, while his partner swirls and twirls, yet Warren made it to the final 3.
What a joke.
Last night, it was clear that Brooke and Lance were pretty evenly matched in their final dances, but the kudos went to Brooke, while Lance was again chided for his lack of professional dancing ability. For the last 4 weeks of the contest, Lance has improved beyond what could be expected and has consistently turned in professional DANCING performances. Warren, on the other hand, stands in place and gyrates, lifts his partner, allows his partner to wrap herself around his body, and, for about 20 seconds of each performance, moves his feet. Warren then smiles his phony smile when both Len and Bruno tell him that he has zero dancing skills, then winks at Carrie Ann, and waltzes his way into the finals.
The judges have made it clear that Brooke will win the contest, which is a good decision; however, Lance should clearly be in second place for his dancing. Lance and Lacey have choreographed dances that showcase Lance's development as a dancer. His feet move, he maintains his physicality, his musical talent allows him to both keep on beat and to interpret the music. Lance blew the lid off the competition last week, but once he again showed what has been obvious for a lot longer than that, he can really dance, it was back to the negatives this week from the judges.
If you ask me, and no one will, Lacey was stereotyped as not the kind of dancer the judges wanted on the show, and they made their bias totally clear the first few weeks in harsh, harsh criticism of both the performances and the performers. When both Lacey and Lance demonstrated that they can dance, the judges had to find ways to keep them in the bad box they had created for the couple, but it's hurt the performers, as well as the outcome.
Reminds me all too much of high school, where far too often teachers reward students for good attendance, compliant personalities, and trying, when the rest of the world needs the judgment made on skill, ability, and accomplishment. Yes, there's a place for Warren's charming personality, but not high accolades for trying hard or pleasing the crowd with his personality when his best does not come close to either Cody Linley, who was dismissed as too young, or to Lance, who consistently was warned to try harder, rather than applauded for his outstanding performances.
Let Brooke take home the mirror ball, but allow Lance to enjoy the second-place win he richly deserves.
Of the 3 judges on the program, Len always gives a professional critique, which rightly has reflected weekly that Sapp has a great personality, but zero dancing talent. Imagine my surprise when Len awarded Sapp the 10. I'm tired of listening to Carrie Ann's gushy sexy comments when Warren monster mashes his way up and down the dance floor, while his partner swirls and twirls, yet Warren made it to the final 3.
What a joke.
Last night, it was clear that Brooke and Lance were pretty evenly matched in their final dances, but the kudos went to Brooke, while Lance was again chided for his lack of professional dancing ability. For the last 4 weeks of the contest, Lance has improved beyond what could be expected and has consistently turned in professional DANCING performances. Warren, on the other hand, stands in place and gyrates, lifts his partner, allows his partner to wrap herself around his body, and, for about 20 seconds of each performance, moves his feet. Warren then smiles his phony smile when both Len and Bruno tell him that he has zero dancing skills, then winks at Carrie Ann, and waltzes his way into the finals.
The judges have made it clear that Brooke will win the contest, which is a good decision; however, Lance should clearly be in second place for his dancing. Lance and Lacey have choreographed dances that showcase Lance's development as a dancer. His feet move, he maintains his physicality, his musical talent allows him to both keep on beat and to interpret the music. Lance blew the lid off the competition last week, but once he again showed what has been obvious for a lot longer than that, he can really dance, it was back to the negatives this week from the judges.
If you ask me, and no one will, Lacey was stereotyped as not the kind of dancer the judges wanted on the show, and they made their bias totally clear the first few weeks in harsh, harsh criticism of both the performances and the performers. When both Lacey and Lance demonstrated that they can dance, the judges had to find ways to keep them in the bad box they had created for the couple, but it's hurt the performers, as well as the outcome.
Reminds me all too much of high school, where far too often teachers reward students for good attendance, compliant personalities, and trying, when the rest of the world needs the judgment made on skill, ability, and accomplishment. Yes, there's a place for Warren's charming personality, but not high accolades for trying hard or pleasing the crowd with his personality when his best does not come close to either Cody Linley, who was dismissed as too young, or to Lance, who consistently was warned to try harder, rather than applauded for his outstanding performances.
Let Brooke take home the mirror ball, but allow Lance to enjoy the second-place win he richly deserves.
Monday, November 24, 2008
No Recollection
Today, the Mayor Pro-Tem clarified her part in the bruhaha about the call for an ongoing boycott of businesses, church members, and individuals who made financial contributions to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign.
After the election, according to the MP-T, it was an emotional time, so the MP-T attended a rally, and she did speak. Oddly, she did not remember one short week later what she said at the rally when she was confronted about it at a city council meeting. However, she adamantly denied that she read from a list of names, which is why she denied having encouraged the boycott.
That is, perhaps, the only true statement she's made: she did not read the list of names.
According to the local newspaper, news footage shows [the Mayor Pro-Tem] holding a microphone during the rally and saying, “So when you see a business on that list, you need to not utilize that business.” After her statement, another person actually read the list of names, so those in attendance would know which businesses, churches, and individuals not to "utilize." In this instance, not utilizing the business is another way of saying boycott without using the b word!
Here we go again with the old my perception is my reality justification, even when the news footage clearly shows that her recollection is no one else's reality. Everyone is up in arms about the situation, especially since all employees of a business owner who contributed to the Yes on 8 campaign are targeted, along with the business. Ditto for the churches, as well as all members of the church.
Didn't Obama make it clear that a parishoner can sit in the pew for 20 years and NOT be part of what comes from the pulpit?
As this pot continues to boil, Dec. 10 looms as the day the pot could boil over. Again, this Valley voted 14% to sustain the gay marriage ban, which means that approximately 85% of this Valley's voters marked their ballots "no" in favor of gay marriage. The margin between sustaining the ban and overturning it was 4% across the state, which means that almost as many voters supported gay marriage as voted against it, but the voters in the state of CA are not ready to wholeheartedly support gay marriage.
The CA Supreme Court's decision last May over-turned the last statewide vote against gay marriage and led to the wave of 1500 gay marriages in this area alone. However, the Supreme Court decision did not change the fact that the majority of CA citizens voted against gay marriage then -- and now. Proponents of gay marriage have returned to the CA Supreme Court and expect the court to again rule in favor of gay marriage, but the aggressive activism called for by the Mayor Pro-Tem continues across the Valley.
After the election, according to the MP-T, it was an emotional time, so the MP-T attended a rally, and she did speak. Oddly, she did not remember one short week later what she said at the rally when she was confronted about it at a city council meeting. However, she adamantly denied that she read from a list of names, which is why she denied having encouraged the boycott.
That is, perhaps, the only true statement she's made: she did not read the list of names.
According to the local newspaper, news footage shows [the Mayor Pro-Tem] holding a microphone during the rally and saying, “So when you see a business on that list, you need to not utilize that business.” After her statement, another person actually read the list of names, so those in attendance would know which businesses, churches, and individuals not to "utilize." In this instance, not utilizing the business is another way of saying boycott without using the b word!
Here we go again with the old my perception is my reality justification, even when the news footage clearly shows that her recollection is no one else's reality. Everyone is up in arms about the situation, especially since all employees of a business owner who contributed to the Yes on 8 campaign are targeted, along with the business. Ditto for the churches, as well as all members of the church.
Didn't Obama make it clear that a parishoner can sit in the pew for 20 years and NOT be part of what comes from the pulpit?
As this pot continues to boil, Dec. 10 looms as the day the pot could boil over. Again, this Valley voted 14% to sustain the gay marriage ban, which means that approximately 85% of this Valley's voters marked their ballots "no" in favor of gay marriage. The margin between sustaining the ban and overturning it was 4% across the state, which means that almost as many voters supported gay marriage as voted against it, but the voters in the state of CA are not ready to wholeheartedly support gay marriage.
The CA Supreme Court's decision last May over-turned the last statewide vote against gay marriage and led to the wave of 1500 gay marriages in this area alone. However, the Supreme Court decision did not change the fact that the majority of CA citizens voted against gay marriage then -- and now. Proponents of gay marriage have returned to the CA Supreme Court and expect the court to again rule in favor of gay marriage, but the aggressive activism called for by the Mayor Pro-Tem continues across the Valley.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Another Glass of Whine?
In the midst of being pissed off that my retirement bounty has been pirated by financial institutions, how other consumers are coping was brought sharply into focus by a news report lamenting that the upper echelon of our consumer base is suffering too. According to the reporter, affluent shoppers can cut costs by foregoing the purchase of designer shoes, which can easily pop between $450 and $750 a pair.
I know it's hard to believe, but that is one ginormous cost-cutting strategy that never occurred to me. I'd have to add to the cost-cutting agenda buying designer knock-offs, rather than the real deal, which can also save thousands of dollars. Of course, with my shopping usually happening at the big box stores, I probably won't be quite as concerned as the mall hoppers about scrimping and saving just to buy a pair of last season's Jimmy Choo's, but you never know. This may be the year that I throw shopping caution to the wind and take a stroll through El Paseo, the desert's answer to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, shoring up the economy as any good citizen should do by leaving in my wake a flowing stream of hundred dollar bills and thousand dollar credit card purchases that I may not be able to pay off when the bills arrive.
None of us had any idea that the economy was going to get this bad, but lo and behold, here it is. I'm not going to look as enthusiastically at holiday gifts this year, no matter how tantalizing the wrapping, knowing as I now do that the contents may be cheap imitations, rather than the real deal. Diamonique, instead of glass-cutting carats, could ruin my day!
I know it's hard to believe, but that is one ginormous cost-cutting strategy that never occurred to me. I'd have to add to the cost-cutting agenda buying designer knock-offs, rather than the real deal, which can also save thousands of dollars. Of course, with my shopping usually happening at the big box stores, I probably won't be quite as concerned as the mall hoppers about scrimping and saving just to buy a pair of last season's Jimmy Choo's, but you never know. This may be the year that I throw shopping caution to the wind and take a stroll through El Paseo, the desert's answer to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, shoring up the economy as any good citizen should do by leaving in my wake a flowing stream of hundred dollar bills and thousand dollar credit card purchases that I may not be able to pay off when the bills arrive.
None of us had any idea that the economy was going to get this bad, but lo and behold, here it is. I'm not going to look as enthusiastically at holiday gifts this year, no matter how tantalizing the wrapping, knowing as I now do that the contents may be cheap imitations, rather than the real deal. Diamonique, instead of glass-cutting carats, could ruin my day!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Destination: Poor House
Who says lightning doesn't strike twice?
When I told friends that my retirement account was with AIG, they assured me I meant ING no matter how many times I told them no, it's AIG. You know: the company that the government had to bail out? The company whose executives came to the desert and spent half a mil in one weekend for a relaxing retreat? That's where my nice cushion of retirement funds used to be. Yeah, I still have an account there, but barely.
Who woulda thunk that this week it's the bank that houses my savings account that was closed by the government? Oh, sure, the funds are insured, but it does not instill confidence in an aging retiree to have two sources of retirement income go belly up. Another bank has bought them out, but what does that mean?
STRS continues to assure all retired teachers that our monthly checks will keep coming. Last time finances dimmed for the state, the Governator illegally seized STRS retirement funds to bail out the state and had to be sued to get the money back where it belonged. So far, he hasn't tried that trick again, but you never know what will happen when the bills come due and there's no money to pay them.
Had I known it was going to turn out this way, I woulda spent every damned dime myself on whatever I wanted -- and waltzed away from it all, just like all the other fine citizens are doing. NO, I have to be RESPONSIBLE. I don't want to be a BURDEN for my children in my old age. I had to SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY. Now that it's pouring buckets, I'm going to be lucky to afford a new umbrella.
What the hell was I thinking?
When I told friends that my retirement account was with AIG, they assured me I meant ING no matter how many times I told them no, it's AIG. You know: the company that the government had to bail out? The company whose executives came to the desert and spent half a mil in one weekend for a relaxing retreat? That's where my nice cushion of retirement funds used to be. Yeah, I still have an account there, but barely.
Who woulda thunk that this week it's the bank that houses my savings account that was closed by the government? Oh, sure, the funds are insured, but it does not instill confidence in an aging retiree to have two sources of retirement income go belly up. Another bank has bought them out, but what does that mean?
STRS continues to assure all retired teachers that our monthly checks will keep coming. Last time finances dimmed for the state, the Governator illegally seized STRS retirement funds to bail out the state and had to be sued to get the money back where it belonged. So far, he hasn't tried that trick again, but you never know what will happen when the bills come due and there's no money to pay them.
Had I known it was going to turn out this way, I woulda spent every damned dime myself on whatever I wanted -- and waltzed away from it all, just like all the other fine citizens are doing. NO, I have to be RESPONSIBLE. I don't want to be a BURDEN for my children in my old age. I had to SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY. Now that it's pouring buckets, I'm going to be lucky to afford a new umbrella.
What the hell was I thinking?
Friday, November 21, 2008
Pants on Fire!
People make comments that are so patently untrue that it's hard to convince me that they believe what they are saying.
One example is the whore/hooker/call girl/prostitute who engaged in sex with then Gov. Spitzer for a fee of $1500 an hour, but said this week that she did not have sex for the money. Isn't that why a whore/hooker/call girl/prostitute has sex with a man she doesn't know? For the money? What other reason could there possibly be? Self-esteem building? Resume padding? Social networking? You just really, really like having sex with really, really rich strangers because it's so much fun?
With the potential to clear a grand an hour after paying the booking fee, why aren't more young women taking advantage of this employment opportunity? I know of no other career that has absolutely no minimum requirements and pays so well! Beats the hell out of working for minimum wage at Wal-Mart--unless, of course, you aren't in it for the money.
Another example is the local Mayor Pro-Tem who testified at her 1983 murder trial that she could not remember either the murders or cleaning the blood out of her ex-husband's car, blood allegedly evidence in a double homicide for which she was on trial.
That was then, this is now.
This week, she's telling the voters that she does not remember a press conference a couple of weeks back where she expressed support for the gay boycott of local businesses in the very community that elected her to office. Local business owners, who are righteously upset with her becoming a "leading force" in the gay boycott of individuals, church members, and business owners who donated to the Yes on 8 campaign, are calling for her resignation. After all, she was elected to represent ALL the constituents, not just the gay ones, but, perhaps, she doesn't remember the campaign promises, either.
Isn't there a movie of the week in all of this?
One example is the whore/hooker/call girl/prostitute who engaged in sex with then Gov. Spitzer for a fee of $1500 an hour, but said this week that she did not have sex for the money. Isn't that why a whore/hooker/call girl/prostitute has sex with a man she doesn't know? For the money? What other reason could there possibly be? Self-esteem building? Resume padding? Social networking? You just really, really like having sex with really, really rich strangers because it's so much fun?
With the potential to clear a grand an hour after paying the booking fee, why aren't more young women taking advantage of this employment opportunity? I know of no other career that has absolutely no minimum requirements and pays so well! Beats the hell out of working for minimum wage at Wal-Mart--unless, of course, you aren't in it for the money.
Another example is the local Mayor Pro-Tem who testified at her 1983 murder trial that she could not remember either the murders or cleaning the blood out of her ex-husband's car, blood allegedly evidence in a double homicide for which she was on trial.
That was then, this is now.
This week, she's telling the voters that she does not remember a press conference a couple of weeks back where she expressed support for the gay boycott of local businesses in the very community that elected her to office. Local business owners, who are righteously upset with her becoming a "leading force" in the gay boycott of individuals, church members, and business owners who donated to the Yes on 8 campaign, are calling for her resignation. After all, she was elected to represent ALL the constituents, not just the gay ones, but, perhaps, she doesn't remember the campaign promises, either.
Isn't there a movie of the week in all of this?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Conspiracy Theory
During the run-up to the election, it seemed that Fox News provided a more balanced coverage of the candidates than the many prominent network stations who boarded the Obama train early and enthusiastically and appeared to my untutored eyes to run all other trains off the tracks. When Barbara Walters was called out for her "isn't he sexy" query to her mostly female audience the day Obama sat on the couch, she later justified her comments and flirtatious conduct by clarifying that Obama had not yet been chosen by the Democratic party as the official nominee for President, a distinction that perhaps made her feel better, but didn't change her actions that day.
If it quacks like a duck, even though it hasn't been butchered and baked, it's still duck ala orange. Walters, and far too many other network talent, made it abundantly clear to the American voters that, in Oprah's words, "This man, this time." Since the media not only shapes but actually forms public opinion, once the media was on-message, the deal was done.
I commented earlier in blogs about my reaction to and concern about Obama's campaign, which firmly and finally squashed any, and I do mean any, negative comments about the candidate. Once negative news hit the airways, it was addressed either by the campaign or by the candidate, and then they were done: we have nothing more to say. Whatever it was, and it was many, was gone from the airways. If, god forbid, the issue was raised again on-air or the appearance of stifling freedom of speech was questioned, the station and/or on-air personality suffered.
Censorship is alive and well, and rapidly outgrowing its infancy.
Locally, a prominent politician and former mayor was arrested, tried, and acquitted of murder back in the 1980s. 'Tis true; no matter how much a political person would like a go back and do over, once it's part of the record, it's part of the record. So, a caller was on-air, talking about the politician and the charges, as well as the politician's public support for the position of the gay community about gay marriage, including the local boycotts. The on-air personalities responded to the caller, confirming the historical accuracy of the murder charges, as well as the sudden loss of the local network news affiliate's film of the politician averring support for the gay boycotts, in direct contrast to her recent public denial that she ever publicly stated her support.
After the broadcast, the on-air personalities were fired. It seems that the on-air hosts, who have been with the station for 10 years and are praised for their quick wit and aggressive challenges to the status quo, did not follow station policy regarding acceptable discussion topics.
Obviously on the list of no-no's is talking about the skeletons in a politician's closet, a lesson learned from the past 2 years on the political trail by the press covering the candidacy of America's first racially-mixed President-elect. There was a double standard applied to Obama, perhaps mindful of any appearance of racism, such as questioning the influence of Rev. Wright's overtly racist and hate-filled preaching to which the candidate was exposed for 20 formative years of his life. Had not both men been black, both the candidate and the preacher, there would have been a no-holds-barred aggressive investigation and face-to-face confrontation on the air and in the press. There are situations that never would have gone away if Obama were all-white, instead of part black, situations where the candidate said, "I've said all I'm going to say about that," and the press moved on to another candidates' hair-do.
Freedom of the press stops where the politician's race, religion, or, in the local case, gender and/or sexual orientation begins.
The on-air talent on the Fox Network prophesied that censorship is going to raise its ugly head again, much as it did during the era of McCarthy and the witchhunt for Communists, an issue addressed by Arthur Miller, the playwright who wrote The Crucible. When all was said and done in Salem, as well as in the media during the 1950s, it was an individual with a personal agenda who cried "witch" and sent the witch-hunters off to identify, accuse, and crucify alleged witches, while the villagers kept silent so they would not suffer the same fate. If we stand for nothing, we fall for anything, which may be trite, but is also true.
On-air talent is going to be targeted for unfavorable spin during the coming administration, but how well those setting up the targets do depends on whether the American people are brave enough to do what's right simply because it is the right thing to do. If we, the people allow persecution of the press, rather than support its freedom, George Orwell was, indeed, a man not only ahead of his time, but prescient about who, what, where, when -- and how.
If it quacks like a duck, even though it hasn't been butchered and baked, it's still duck ala orange. Walters, and far too many other network talent, made it abundantly clear to the American voters that, in Oprah's words, "This man, this time." Since the media not only shapes but actually forms public opinion, once the media was on-message, the deal was done.
I commented earlier in blogs about my reaction to and concern about Obama's campaign, which firmly and finally squashed any, and I do mean any, negative comments about the candidate. Once negative news hit the airways, it was addressed either by the campaign or by the candidate, and then they were done: we have nothing more to say. Whatever it was, and it was many, was gone from the airways. If, god forbid, the issue was raised again on-air or the appearance of stifling freedom of speech was questioned, the station and/or on-air personality suffered.
Censorship is alive and well, and rapidly outgrowing its infancy.
Locally, a prominent politician and former mayor was arrested, tried, and acquitted of murder back in the 1980s. 'Tis true; no matter how much a political person would like a go back and do over, once it's part of the record, it's part of the record. So, a caller was on-air, talking about the politician and the charges, as well as the politician's public support for the position of the gay community about gay marriage, including the local boycotts. The on-air personalities responded to the caller, confirming the historical accuracy of the murder charges, as well as the sudden loss of the local network news affiliate's film of the politician averring support for the gay boycotts, in direct contrast to her recent public denial that she ever publicly stated her support.
After the broadcast, the on-air personalities were fired. It seems that the on-air hosts, who have been with the station for 10 years and are praised for their quick wit and aggressive challenges to the status quo, did not follow station policy regarding acceptable discussion topics.
Obviously on the list of no-no's is talking about the skeletons in a politician's closet, a lesson learned from the past 2 years on the political trail by the press covering the candidacy of America's first racially-mixed President-elect. There was a double standard applied to Obama, perhaps mindful of any appearance of racism, such as questioning the influence of Rev. Wright's overtly racist and hate-filled preaching to which the candidate was exposed for 20 formative years of his life. Had not both men been black, both the candidate and the preacher, there would have been a no-holds-barred aggressive investigation and face-to-face confrontation on the air and in the press. There are situations that never would have gone away if Obama were all-white, instead of part black, situations where the candidate said, "I've said all I'm going to say about that," and the press moved on to another candidates' hair-do.
Freedom of the press stops where the politician's race, religion, or, in the local case, gender and/or sexual orientation begins.
The on-air talent on the Fox Network prophesied that censorship is going to raise its ugly head again, much as it did during the era of McCarthy and the witchhunt for Communists, an issue addressed by Arthur Miller, the playwright who wrote The Crucible. When all was said and done in Salem, as well as in the media during the 1950s, it was an individual with a personal agenda who cried "witch" and sent the witch-hunters off to identify, accuse, and crucify alleged witches, while the villagers kept silent so they would not suffer the same fate. If we stand for nothing, we fall for anything, which may be trite, but is also true.
On-air talent is going to be targeted for unfavorable spin during the coming administration, but how well those setting up the targets do depends on whether the American people are brave enough to do what's right simply because it is the right thing to do. If we, the people allow persecution of the press, rather than support its freedom, George Orwell was, indeed, a man not only ahead of his time, but prescient about who, what, where, when -- and how.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Catchy Slogan; Bad Idea
A couple of years ago, all the Hispanic kids walked out of school to demand equal rights for illegal immigrants, many of whom attended the school and had managed to keep their illegal status secret until their faces were featured on the evening news. Carrying Mexican flags, shouting in Spanish, and declaring their right to be treated equally with all other Americans, the concept was better than the execution because ... the illegal status of many of the protestors led to their deportation after they were arrested for the illegal marches.
This week, it's the "go without a gay for a day" boycott that is cranking up in a demographic where only 14% of the voters voted against gay marriage. The gay community is upset that the majority of Californians voted that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, so the gays are going to punish the local communities that supported their cause. The goal, of course, is that I want what I want, and I want it now!
I'm not sure how this protest logically makes sense, but the gay community is emotionally unreasonable about the issue and determined to nurture a continuous stream of demonstrations and protests until they get what they want: gay marriage. In the process, they run the risk of alienating the very demographic that supported their cause and losing the base of support that brought the issue to a close race during the recent election. Few people are favorably impressed by boycotts and strikes, which often have a different outcome than what is intended by the organizers, and voters have long memories.
Business owners who are teetering in tough economic times may not take well to the absence of employees, as well as consumers, during the critical holiday shopping season. Causing economic hardship to owners of local businesses by publishing lists of names of both businesses and individuals who contributed to the political cause and demanding all gays boycott them; harassing church members gathering for worship services; and pushing, shoving, and verbally attacking citizens who don't support the demonstrations in the street are tactics being employed locally by the gay community. What effect will these actions have on the electorate the gays need to support their cause in 2010?
Just as I was offended by the red-haired comedienne's comments that not voting for candidate Obama for President would demonstrate that racism is alive and well, I am offended by the gay community for assuming that there is sexual discrimination intended by those who want marriage to remain a union of a man and a woman. The people of the state of CA have voted, again, and the result is that we, the people do not favor gay marriage. Again. For whatever reason determines how the voter marks each ballot.
There has to be a better way to persuade voters to support the cause of gay marriage than "going without a gay for a day," an idea with a catchy slogan that may lead to a more resounding defeat the next time it comes to a vote, rather than the overwhelming support that the gay community is predicting.
This week, it's the "go without a gay for a day" boycott that is cranking up in a demographic where only 14% of the voters voted against gay marriage. The gay community is upset that the majority of Californians voted that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, so the gays are going to punish the local communities that supported their cause. The goal, of course, is that I want what I want, and I want it now!
I'm not sure how this protest logically makes sense, but the gay community is emotionally unreasonable about the issue and determined to nurture a continuous stream of demonstrations and protests until they get what they want: gay marriage. In the process, they run the risk of alienating the very demographic that supported their cause and losing the base of support that brought the issue to a close race during the recent election. Few people are favorably impressed by boycotts and strikes, which often have a different outcome than what is intended by the organizers, and voters have long memories.
Business owners who are teetering in tough economic times may not take well to the absence of employees, as well as consumers, during the critical holiday shopping season. Causing economic hardship to owners of local businesses by publishing lists of names of both businesses and individuals who contributed to the political cause and demanding all gays boycott them; harassing church members gathering for worship services; and pushing, shoving, and verbally attacking citizens who don't support the demonstrations in the street are tactics being employed locally by the gay community. What effect will these actions have on the electorate the gays need to support their cause in 2010?
Just as I was offended by the red-haired comedienne's comments that not voting for candidate Obama for President would demonstrate that racism is alive and well, I am offended by the gay community for assuming that there is sexual discrimination intended by those who want marriage to remain a union of a man and a woman. The people of the state of CA have voted, again, and the result is that we, the people do not favor gay marriage. Again. For whatever reason determines how the voter marks each ballot.
There has to be a better way to persuade voters to support the cause of gay marriage than "going without a gay for a day," an idea with a catchy slogan that may lead to a more resounding defeat the next time it comes to a vote, rather than the overwhelming support that the gay community is predicting.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Fatality
There is a deadly mountain road, a narrow two-lanes wide, complete with switchbacks and blind curves, that has earned distinction as racking up one of the highest fatality rates in the US. It bisects the geography between Temecula Valley and the Coachella Valley and has become a favorite raceway for motorcycle riders who straddle their revved up crotch rockets and see who, if anyone, can make it the fastest from point A to point B. Often, they miss a turn and spend their final earthly seconds free-falling through space from one level of the road to another, perhaps 500 feet straight down.
Yesterday, the fatality involved an 86-year-old driver of a 30-foot motorhome trailering his personal vehicle into the desert for a bit of R & R. The male driver is dead at the scene and his 84-year-old wife in critical condition in the hospital. The good news is that, although the motorhome involved a couple of other vehicles in the accident and was witnessed by a police officer at the scene, no one else was injured.
This is wrong on so many levels that it's hard to recount, but what the hell is an 86-year-old-driver doing behind the wheel of a humongous motorhome, towing a pov, on a road that is dangerous for any vehicle, much less his rig?
I believe that driver's exams, both written and behind the wheel, need to be passed at least every three years by anyone over the age of 65 who continues to drive a vehicle, but especially those who take on the huge SUVs and the motorhomes. Research has proven that a "normal" driver cannot see to the sides and/or behind a large SUV, which led to the installation of back-up cameras in these vehicles. This state requires that those who ride motorcycles are properly licensed, but assumes that anyone who has a driver's license can handle a recreational vehicle also. Not true.
Elderly drivers often lose not only peripheral vision, but the physical ability to look to the sides, as well as behind, the vehicle and make quick, reflexive adjustments to driving conditions. Driving the rig that this very elderly driver was, it's a wonder he didn't go off the road on the way down, rather than misjudging the braking situation when he came into the final stretch and encountered the first traffic signal.
[Update: The news reports indicate that the accident investigators think that the brakes may have burned out on the way down the winding mountain road and then failed at the intersection, causing the accident. This could well be true, as keeping the huge motorhome on the road while coming down the narrow, dangerous mountain road would require almost constant braking.]
There are accidents that are truly accidents, and then there are potential accidents just looking for a place to happen, which is, I believe, what happened to this elderly couple. We can all laugh and say that 60 is the new 50, but being behind the wheel of this recreational rig is no laughing matter for an 86-year-old traffic fatality, his critically injured wife, and the other drivers on the roadway!
Yesterday, the fatality involved an 86-year-old driver of a 30-foot motorhome trailering his personal vehicle into the desert for a bit of R & R. The male driver is dead at the scene and his 84-year-old wife in critical condition in the hospital. The good news is that, although the motorhome involved a couple of other vehicles in the accident and was witnessed by a police officer at the scene, no one else was injured.
This is wrong on so many levels that it's hard to recount, but what the hell is an 86-year-old-driver doing behind the wheel of a humongous motorhome, towing a pov, on a road that is dangerous for any vehicle, much less his rig?
I believe that driver's exams, both written and behind the wheel, need to be passed at least every three years by anyone over the age of 65 who continues to drive a vehicle, but especially those who take on the huge SUVs and the motorhomes. Research has proven that a "normal" driver cannot see to the sides and/or behind a large SUV, which led to the installation of back-up cameras in these vehicles. This state requires that those who ride motorcycles are properly licensed, but assumes that anyone who has a driver's license can handle a recreational vehicle also. Not true.
Elderly drivers often lose not only peripheral vision, but the physical ability to look to the sides, as well as behind, the vehicle and make quick, reflexive adjustments to driving conditions. Driving the rig that this very elderly driver was, it's a wonder he didn't go off the road on the way down, rather than misjudging the braking situation when he came into the final stretch and encountered the first traffic signal.
[Update: The news reports indicate that the accident investigators think that the brakes may have burned out on the way down the winding mountain road and then failed at the intersection, causing the accident. This could well be true, as keeping the huge motorhome on the road while coming down the narrow, dangerous mountain road would require almost constant braking.]
There are accidents that are truly accidents, and then there are potential accidents just looking for a place to happen, which is, I believe, what happened to this elderly couple. We can all laugh and say that 60 is the new 50, but being behind the wheel of this recreational rig is no laughing matter for an 86-year-old traffic fatality, his critically injured wife, and the other drivers on the roadway!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Flames LIght the Night
Once again, SoCal is ablaze. It seems that when one fire starts, others soon follow. My brother and his family have returned home as once the winds died down, the Montecito fire seemed to burn back on itself, allowing containment. Thankfully for us, that occurred at Rattlesnake Canyon; however, between the wealthy mansions in parts of Montecito and my family home were many, many other family homes in the path of the devastating fire as it raged out of control. About 75 homes burned in Montecito, that rich enclave of star-studded homes, but another 125 burned in Santa Barbara as the fire raced along the back side of the Montecito area into the foothills of Santa Barbara, Everyone was thankful that there was not a repeat of 1978, when a similar fire, starting in the same canyon as this one, Sycamore Canyon, turned and tore a path of destruction through Santa Barbara on its way to the ocean.
Yesterday, another half dozen fires took off, one in Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills that is raging in an area that was deeply involved in a major fire just a year ago, as well as another one in Sylmar that took out a mobile home court, as well as a dozen commercial buildings and several homes. Officials are deeply worried about fatalities in the mobile home park fire as there simply was not time to evacuate, nor to check on the safety of elderly residents. Neither one of these is anywhere near under control, so we'll see what today brings.
It's as if the arsonists wait for the Santa Ana winds to light the torches across SoCal. When the winds are hurricane force, in excess of 70 miles an hour, nothing can be done to stop the fires, regardless of how many fire fighters and how much equipment are rushed to the scene. Residents don't have time to pack 'n go: they have to run for their lives with the clothes on their backs.
As one firefighter said, these massive blazes used to be a once-in-a-career fire; now they are every year, year after year after year, and all too often, occurring in the same geographical areas. He said he doesn't know how people will recover from these fires during these economic times, which is a sad point to ponder this early on a Sunday morning.
Yesterday, another half dozen fires took off, one in Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills that is raging in an area that was deeply involved in a major fire just a year ago, as well as another one in Sylmar that took out a mobile home court, as well as a dozen commercial buildings and several homes. Officials are deeply worried about fatalities in the mobile home park fire as there simply was not time to evacuate, nor to check on the safety of elderly residents. Neither one of these is anywhere near under control, so we'll see what today brings.
It's as if the arsonists wait for the Santa Ana winds to light the torches across SoCal. When the winds are hurricane force, in excess of 70 miles an hour, nothing can be done to stop the fires, regardless of how many fire fighters and how much equipment are rushed to the scene. Residents don't have time to pack 'n go: they have to run for their lives with the clothes on their backs.
As one firefighter said, these massive blazes used to be a once-in-a-career fire; now they are every year, year after year after year, and all too often, occurring in the same geographical areas. He said he doesn't know how people will recover from these fires during these economic times, which is a sad point to ponder this early on a Sunday morning.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wealthy Enclave Ablaze
My father's father gave him a parcel of land he owned, located way up in the foothills in Santa Barbara, CA, close enough to what became the Botanical Gardens that we went there to play during our childhood. When my father built a home in the early 1950s for his ever-expanding family, he built on that parcel. The view was spectacular as there was a handful of other homes in the area and limited vegetation. From the living room window of the 2-story house, we could watch the ships, as well as the whales, travel the Santa Barbara Channel from Goleta to Carpinteria and had an unrestricted view of the sailing ships docked in the harbor.
It took about a decade for other homes to be built and the vegetation to mature, interfering with our view and crowding our neighborhood. The old gully that I played in as a child, a deep, natural gully that became intriguingly dangerous during the rainy season, was finally filled in and homes built on top of it in the 1970s. As the years passed and the homes suffered from constant drainage issues, no one believed the "kids" who told them that their homes were built on a natural gully that fed into Mission Creek down at the foot of the hill. After all, no one would build on a gully, right?
As the neighborhood became more and more crowded, our lower lot remained one of the few natural parcels of land. However, as the neighborhood became population-dense, the complaints from the new neighbors about the animals we always had while I was growing up, animals that provided us with food, became legend. There were also complaints about our unfenced lower lot, where my brother parked his boat, and the citrus trees and the vegetable garden my mom always maintained continued to thrive. There were many people who came onto the property and helped themselves to our produce, in spite of continued requests to respect the privacy of our land. One woman backed her car onto the property and began filling her trunk with what she thought was fire wood, but was actually some specialty lumber that my brother was storing for a friend while it cured. The woman's point, when she was confronted by my mother, was that if it was private property, we needed to fence it and lock a gate to keep her out.
Once, when another neighbor who was building a home in the area needed to store some soil, he used our field. That resulted in an immediate visit from an inspector, obviously called by a neighbor, who gave us 30 days to remove the unstable earth or face criminal action. Another neighbor began harassing phone calls to the county about the chickens, ducks, turkeys and pigs we raised, and that ended our right to have a food source on our own private property. Then, without rhyme or reason, the county not only installed sewers, but decided that what had always been 2 parcels, the parcel with the 2-story home on it and the lower lot, would become as 1. After my mother's death, that became a big deal because what the county does once lives forever.
Thursday night, my brother and his family fled the house in Mission Canyon, ordered to evacuate because a fire that began in Montecito was headed their way -- driven by 70 mile an hour winds that were hurtling burning embers a half-mile ahead of the main fire, spreading the fire at an uncontrollable rate. Although the fire was still about a mile, as the crow flies, from the Mission Canyon area, it was headed in that direction. Because it's a neighborhood in the foothills, the roads into and out of it are few, narrow, and congested, the existing roads that we used when we drove up the hill to build the home in the 1950s. The street in front of my family home is literally not wide enough for 2 cars to pass, which prompted my father to move back the front wall to create space in front of the home, an improvement that no one else in the neighborhood ever did.
If the fire jumped airborne into the Canyon, it would be chaos. My brother would watch the house burn before he'd jeopardize his family by staying to see what happens.
The fire settled down yesterday a bit when the daytime winds died down, but there is no containment of even a small part of it. The biggest worry were the Sundowner Santa Ana winds expected to fire back up last night. The fire isn't being covered on the local news that comes to us from the LA stations, so I'm not sure how my family is this morning. I do know that whatever happens, the people will be safe.
This is NOT the wealthy enclave of celebrity homes in Montecito, but, as the crow flies, it's about 7 miles from them. We used to take the back roads into the backside of Montecito, traveling through Rattlesnake Canyon, which was ablaze yesterday and is, perhaps, a mile from my family home. There have always been estates in the Montecito area, owned by residents who built way out there, rather than in the crowded Santa Barbara city area, much as my father built up the hill when he needed a large home for his wife and 6 children. I'll venture a guess that homes owned by the Hollywood/ entertainment crowd lost in the fire are many fewer than the homes owned by residents who, like my father, built their homes many, many years ago on a much less grand scale than the recent sprawling mansions of the rich and famous.
My daughter was aghast when I told her that her family had to evacuate as she didn't know there was a fire endangering them until I told her. When she read about the fire in the "wealthy enclave" to the east of Santa Barbara, she had no idea that fire was so close to my family home, a decidedly unwealthy neighborhood up the hill in Mission Canyon. She, too, waits to hear.
It took about a decade for other homes to be built and the vegetation to mature, interfering with our view and crowding our neighborhood. The old gully that I played in as a child, a deep, natural gully that became intriguingly dangerous during the rainy season, was finally filled in and homes built on top of it in the 1970s. As the years passed and the homes suffered from constant drainage issues, no one believed the "kids" who told them that their homes were built on a natural gully that fed into Mission Creek down at the foot of the hill. After all, no one would build on a gully, right?
As the neighborhood became more and more crowded, our lower lot remained one of the few natural parcels of land. However, as the neighborhood became population-dense, the complaints from the new neighbors about the animals we always had while I was growing up, animals that provided us with food, became legend. There were also complaints about our unfenced lower lot, where my brother parked his boat, and the citrus trees and the vegetable garden my mom always maintained continued to thrive. There were many people who came onto the property and helped themselves to our produce, in spite of continued requests to respect the privacy of our land. One woman backed her car onto the property and began filling her trunk with what she thought was fire wood, but was actually some specialty lumber that my brother was storing for a friend while it cured. The woman's point, when she was confronted by my mother, was that if it was private property, we needed to fence it and lock a gate to keep her out.
Once, when another neighbor who was building a home in the area needed to store some soil, he used our field. That resulted in an immediate visit from an inspector, obviously called by a neighbor, who gave us 30 days to remove the unstable earth or face criminal action. Another neighbor began harassing phone calls to the county about the chickens, ducks, turkeys and pigs we raised, and that ended our right to have a food source on our own private property. Then, without rhyme or reason, the county not only installed sewers, but decided that what had always been 2 parcels, the parcel with the 2-story home on it and the lower lot, would become as 1. After my mother's death, that became a big deal because what the county does once lives forever.
Thursday night, my brother and his family fled the house in Mission Canyon, ordered to evacuate because a fire that began in Montecito was headed their way -- driven by 70 mile an hour winds that were hurtling burning embers a half-mile ahead of the main fire, spreading the fire at an uncontrollable rate. Although the fire was still about a mile, as the crow flies, from the Mission Canyon area, it was headed in that direction. Because it's a neighborhood in the foothills, the roads into and out of it are few, narrow, and congested, the existing roads that we used when we drove up the hill to build the home in the 1950s. The street in front of my family home is literally not wide enough for 2 cars to pass, which prompted my father to move back the front wall to create space in front of the home, an improvement that no one else in the neighborhood ever did.
If the fire jumped airborne into the Canyon, it would be chaos. My brother would watch the house burn before he'd jeopardize his family by staying to see what happens.
The fire settled down yesterday a bit when the daytime winds died down, but there is no containment of even a small part of it. The biggest worry were the Sundowner Santa Ana winds expected to fire back up last night. The fire isn't being covered on the local news that comes to us from the LA stations, so I'm not sure how my family is this morning. I do know that whatever happens, the people will be safe.
This is NOT the wealthy enclave of celebrity homes in Montecito, but, as the crow flies, it's about 7 miles from them. We used to take the back roads into the backside of Montecito, traveling through Rattlesnake Canyon, which was ablaze yesterday and is, perhaps, a mile from my family home. There have always been estates in the Montecito area, owned by residents who built way out there, rather than in the crowded Santa Barbara city area, much as my father built up the hill when he needed a large home for his wife and 6 children. I'll venture a guess that homes owned by the Hollywood/ entertainment crowd lost in the fire are many fewer than the homes owned by residents who, like my father, built their homes many, many years ago on a much less grand scale than the recent sprawling mansions of the rich and famous.
My daughter was aghast when I told her that her family had to evacuate as she didn't know there was a fire endangering them until I told her. When she read about the fire in the "wealthy enclave" to the east of Santa Barbara, she had no idea that fire was so close to my family home, a decidedly unwealthy neighborhood up the hill in Mission Canyon. She, too, waits to hear.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tremors
You know the wrist problem that is not a problem, especially where my thumb is (along with all the swollen blood carriers)? I now have a tremor in it, a rapidly twitching tremor that has also made my thumb numb. If I had to guess, I'd say a pinched nerve, but believe me: there will be no doctor's appt this time as I've learned that lesson!
It took me 5 months, but I got it: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY LEFT WRIST/THUMB.
It took me 5 months, but I got it: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY LEFT WRIST/THUMB.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Slip 'n Fall
I have pretty much tripped and fallen my way through life, having enjoyed breaking both of my legs during my youth, as well as ripping the ligaments in my left foot one evening, as I stepped down a 2-inch high step while leaving the neighbor's house. I've also had 3 separate knee surgeries on my left knee, and broken my left arm twice within 3 months.
Needless to say, I am no stranger to the trip n' fall.
As I extricated myself from the living room couch earlier and headed toward the front door to check night-time security, I found myself sliding on the tile floor and landing with a significant whump. I know I mopped the floor earlier, but it would be dry by now -- and I definitely slipped on something wet and slimey.
Of course: Mia threw up on the tile floor, that slimey vomit that is slicker than snot and twice as hard to clean up. I yelled at her, but she really didn't care as she can't clean up the mess. I cleaned it up, as well as my feet, and then changed into my pj's as my sweats got a nice smear of slime as I careened across the tile floor.
I can do enough damage all by my little lonesome, so really don't need the dog setting slip 'n fall traps for me in the comfort and alleged safety of my own home!
Needless to say, I am no stranger to the trip n' fall.
As I extricated myself from the living room couch earlier and headed toward the front door to check night-time security, I found myself sliding on the tile floor and landing with a significant whump. I know I mopped the floor earlier, but it would be dry by now -- and I definitely slipped on something wet and slimey.
Of course: Mia threw up on the tile floor, that slimey vomit that is slicker than snot and twice as hard to clean up. I yelled at her, but she really didn't care as she can't clean up the mess. I cleaned it up, as well as my feet, and then changed into my pj's as my sweats got a nice smear of slime as I careened across the tile floor.
I can do enough damage all by my little lonesome, so really don't need the dog setting slip 'n fall traps for me in the comfort and alleged safety of my own home!
To Err is a Hoot!
Between cooking my pot roast, finishing up the laundry and housecleaning, and catching up on TiVo programs that come on too late for me to see on their scheduled days, I'm also completing grading and updating the records for the college classes.
Sometimes, a good laugh just clears the stress right out of one's life, including this gem from a gal who is passionate about what she believes, but not quite on top of how to express herself correctly:
Arguing against abortion, the writer explains that "A tubal pregnancy is where the fetus implants in the fall option tubes. If a women do not find out about the tubal pregnancy, it can rapture."
When I actually receive a well-organized, well-researched, well-written essay, I go into my own form of rapture, but it doesn't come with a fall option tube!
Sometimes, a good laugh just clears the stress right out of one's life, including this gem from a gal who is passionate about what she believes, but not quite on top of how to express herself correctly:
Arguing against abortion, the writer explains that "A tubal pregnancy is where the fetus implants in the fall option tubes. If a women do not find out about the tubal pregnancy, it can rapture."
When I actually receive a well-organized, well-researched, well-written essay, I go into my own form of rapture, but it doesn't come with a fall option tube!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Coincidence or Cause-Effect
This is the night, the first time it's totally pitch black at 5:30 pm, a weekend, and cool enough to try out the chiminea. I bought fireplace logs, cut one into quarters, spread the layer of white rocks into the bottom of the fireplace, and struck the match.
Ah.
Mia and I sat outside, listening to the neighborhood noises, watching the planes coming into and leaving the airport, sipping on my cup of coffee, and hearing the sirens suddenly appear on MY street!
First, several police cars punched it at the corner and went full throttle down the street. I didn't hear them stop anywhere on the street or at the intersection down the road. Then, a huge fire truck came lumbering down the road, lights and sirens ablaze, followed by an ambulance.
My first thought was crap, I'm going to get busted for having my tiny little fire in the chiminea in my backyard. I waited for the fire fighters to rush up the driveway, hoses in hand, but they stayed 2 doors down the street for 20 minutes or so before departing.
I'm hoping it was just a coincidence that the first time I have a fire in my chiminea the fire trucks show up as I really enjoyed sitting outside in front of my fire for the first time: I don't want it to be the last!
Ah.
Mia and I sat outside, listening to the neighborhood noises, watching the planes coming into and leaving the airport, sipping on my cup of coffee, and hearing the sirens suddenly appear on MY street!
First, several police cars punched it at the corner and went full throttle down the street. I didn't hear them stop anywhere on the street or at the intersection down the road. Then, a huge fire truck came lumbering down the road, lights and sirens ablaze, followed by an ambulance.
My first thought was crap, I'm going to get busted for having my tiny little fire in the chiminea in my backyard. I waited for the fire fighters to rush up the driveway, hoses in hand, but they stayed 2 doors down the street for 20 minutes or so before departing.
I'm hoping it was just a coincidence that the first time I have a fire in my chiminea the fire trucks show up as I really enjoyed sitting outside in front of my fire for the first time: I don't want it to be the last!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dead Motherboard
My son recently wrote a blog about his dead motherboard (I actually have no idea what that is, other than the fact that it pretty much controls a computer), but I have co-opted that little phrase to sum up my life in recent weeks.
I often chide students about their tendency to write what I call "shotgun essays," a poorly organized, poorly developed, scattered melange of content that is completely pointless. However, I have to respond to these essays, provide feedback to the drafts, and assign a grade to them, which is pretty much a waste of my time, talent, and training. After once again demonstrating the required outline that is to be completed before writing the essay, and receiving feedback during class that they don't need to use an outline, they just write, I'm done. Only final drafts of essays will be accepted through the end of the semester, rather than an endless stream of "drafts" they want me to "fix" for them so they can get a "good grade." That process is now a dead motherboard: deal with it.
The attendance issues with a couple of community college clientele were challenging, to put it mildly. Young people feel empowered to bully their way into making the adults in charge do it their way, not the right way. I did violate my own ethics and college policy by working with the students in an effort to meet their attendance needs, but the old I gave an inch and the student ran a marathon applies here. The end result is that my syllabus will now clearly state that upon the 3rd absence from class, the student WILL be dropped. It will apply equally to all students in all situations, and someone else will have to hear their pleas and deal with them because this issue is now a dead motherboard.
A person I have called "friend" for a decade recently assured me that I am the "most intolerant person" she knows, a comment that has rankled for a couple of weeks. The comment results from her asking me what I felt about Prop 8, the CA proposition restricting marriage to a male/female couple. She is gay, as are many of the people with whom I associate in one of the Gay meccas in SoCal, so I told her that I'd rather not have that conversation. She is gratingly persistent, so I finally said, "Okay," which I perhaps should not have done. She's entitled to her opinion, but I am only entitled to share her opinion: doesn't work for me. Dead motherboard.
Finally, here come the holidays, my least favorite season of the year. I used to love Thanksgiving because it was a time for incredible food, family and friends, but I began to hate the holiday when, instead of staying home where I wanted to be, we always had to drive to my ex-husband's family 500 miles from our locale! My daughter's birthday is at Thanksgiving, a special time for both of us, to say the least, and her ex-husband destroyed their marriage, her birthday, and the holiday last year. I'm glad he's a dead motherboard, but I'm devastated that he had to choose the holiday season as his weapon of mass family destruction.
Christmas has become a game of one-upmanship, a competition to see who can outdo whom in the gift-giving Olympics. My intent is usually in the right place, but it has become evident that I am the worst gift-giver in the world, especially when I care enough about a person to make a gift from my heart. My new policy is just send checks and/or gift cards: they want what they want, so let 'em go buy it. For me, 'tis a seasonal dead motherboard.
Yeah, as my years accrue, life just seems to keep poking its stick in my eye, and I'll admit I'm tired. Just once in a while, I'd like someone to care, but that's another dead motherboard: they have their own issues to handle, so don't need to add mine. I'm a giver living in a society of takers, so I have to accept that or move on, but it still violates some of my most basic beliefs.
When I called my financial advisor at AIG and asked him, now that AIG has received another huge financial relief package from the government (AIGs mismanagement goes back decades; my TSA was with another firm that was bought out by AIG just in time for the financial destruction to begin), is he going to put my money back into my retirement account? He was bewildered. I said, "I put all my money into the account during the last 30 years. Your company, through fiscal malfeasance, threw it away. Therefore, since I am the government and I've bailed you out so you still have a job and a 6-figure salary, how about putting my money back into my retirement account?"
He laughed, told me that was an interesting perspective, but it would not happen. I agreed: it wouldn't happen, but it should happen. I knew the conversation was a dead motherboard before I started it, but I'm the most intolerant person you've probably ever known, so get over it.
I often chide students about their tendency to write what I call "shotgun essays," a poorly organized, poorly developed, scattered melange of content that is completely pointless. However, I have to respond to these essays, provide feedback to the drafts, and assign a grade to them, which is pretty much a waste of my time, talent, and training. After once again demonstrating the required outline that is to be completed before writing the essay, and receiving feedback during class that they don't need to use an outline, they just write, I'm done. Only final drafts of essays will be accepted through the end of the semester, rather than an endless stream of "drafts" they want me to "fix" for them so they can get a "good grade." That process is now a dead motherboard: deal with it.
The attendance issues with a couple of community college clientele were challenging, to put it mildly. Young people feel empowered to bully their way into making the adults in charge do it their way, not the right way. I did violate my own ethics and college policy by working with the students in an effort to meet their attendance needs, but the old I gave an inch and the student ran a marathon applies here. The end result is that my syllabus will now clearly state that upon the 3rd absence from class, the student WILL be dropped. It will apply equally to all students in all situations, and someone else will have to hear their pleas and deal with them because this issue is now a dead motherboard.
A person I have called "friend" for a decade recently assured me that I am the "most intolerant person" she knows, a comment that has rankled for a couple of weeks. The comment results from her asking me what I felt about Prop 8, the CA proposition restricting marriage to a male/female couple. She is gay, as are many of the people with whom I associate in one of the Gay meccas in SoCal, so I told her that I'd rather not have that conversation. She is gratingly persistent, so I finally said, "Okay," which I perhaps should not have done. She's entitled to her opinion, but I am only entitled to share her opinion: doesn't work for me. Dead motherboard.
Finally, here come the holidays, my least favorite season of the year. I used to love Thanksgiving because it was a time for incredible food, family and friends, but I began to hate the holiday when, instead of staying home where I wanted to be, we always had to drive to my ex-husband's family 500 miles from our locale! My daughter's birthday is at Thanksgiving, a special time for both of us, to say the least, and her ex-husband destroyed their marriage, her birthday, and the holiday last year. I'm glad he's a dead motherboard, but I'm devastated that he had to choose the holiday season as his weapon of mass family destruction.
Christmas has become a game of one-upmanship, a competition to see who can outdo whom in the gift-giving Olympics. My intent is usually in the right place, but it has become evident that I am the worst gift-giver in the world, especially when I care enough about a person to make a gift from my heart. My new policy is just send checks and/or gift cards: they want what they want, so let 'em go buy it. For me, 'tis a seasonal dead motherboard.
Yeah, as my years accrue, life just seems to keep poking its stick in my eye, and I'll admit I'm tired. Just once in a while, I'd like someone to care, but that's another dead motherboard: they have their own issues to handle, so don't need to add mine. I'm a giver living in a society of takers, so I have to accept that or move on, but it still violates some of my most basic beliefs.
When I called my financial advisor at AIG and asked him, now that AIG has received another huge financial relief package from the government (AIGs mismanagement goes back decades; my TSA was with another firm that was bought out by AIG just in time for the financial destruction to begin), is he going to put my money back into my retirement account? He was bewildered. I said, "I put all my money into the account during the last 30 years. Your company, through fiscal malfeasance, threw it away. Therefore, since I am the government and I've bailed you out so you still have a job and a 6-figure salary, how about putting my money back into my retirement account?"
He laughed, told me that was an interesting perspective, but it would not happen. I agreed: it wouldn't happen, but it should happen. I knew the conversation was a dead motherboard before I started it, but I'm the most intolerant person you've probably ever known, so get over it.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Red, White, and Who Knew?
Pedro the Plumber needs to stop the leaks: it's 5:45 am in SoCal, the polls don't open for another hour, but we're already receiving EARLY ELECTION RETURNS from the East Coast states.
Really? I didn't know the polls were closing before noon on the Eastern Seabord.
Isn't there a policy in place that prohibits releasing election results until AFTER ALL THE POLLS CLOSE and certainly NOT BEFORE HALF OF THE 50 STATES' POLLING PLACES HAVE A CHANCE TO OPEN? People who believe their candidate is winning in a landslide may decide not to stand in long lines to cast their one little vote, while voters whose candidate is the underdog and needs every single vote may decide why bother: the results are showing it's a done deal and the other guy is winning.
The media told voters months ago that Obama will be elected in a landslide, but McCain continues to creep slowly up to almost even in many of the "done deal" states. The message today should be a consistent GO VOTE across all 50 states, with nary a breath of "done deal" allowed to surface, especially in what have to be phony "early election returns."
Really? I didn't know the polls were closing before noon on the Eastern Seabord.
Isn't there a policy in place that prohibits releasing election results until AFTER ALL THE POLLS CLOSE and certainly NOT BEFORE HALF OF THE 50 STATES' POLLING PLACES HAVE A CHANCE TO OPEN? People who believe their candidate is winning in a landslide may decide not to stand in long lines to cast their one little vote, while voters whose candidate is the underdog and needs every single vote may decide why bother: the results are showing it's a done deal and the other guy is winning.
The media told voters months ago that Obama will be elected in a landslide, but McCain continues to creep slowly up to almost even in many of the "done deal" states. The message today should be a consistent GO VOTE across all 50 states, with nary a breath of "done deal" allowed to surface, especially in what have to be phony "early election returns."
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Definition: Racist
Kathy Griffith, the brazenly red-haired, foul-mouthed, female comedienne, has defined racism for those of us too ignorant to know what it means without her interpretation.
Let's say a white person does not vote for a black candidate: that's racism.
Let's say that a black person does vote for a black candidate: that's racial pride.
Griffith's primary concern for Nov. 4 is that all the "racist white voters" will give the election to the white candidate, which she decries as unfair because this is the first time in history that we can elect a black President!
I thought this election was about the candidates' qualifications for office, not about the color of their skin, but it appears that it's only about qualifications if you're white, and skin color if you're black.
Kathy: don't give up your day job.
Let's say a white person does not vote for a black candidate: that's racism.
Let's say that a black person does vote for a black candidate: that's racial pride.
Griffith's primary concern for Nov. 4 is that all the "racist white voters" will give the election to the white candidate, which she decries as unfair because this is the first time in history that we can elect a black President!
I thought this election was about the candidates' qualifications for office, not about the color of their skin, but it appears that it's only about qualifications if you're white, and skin color if you're black.
Kathy: don't give up your day job.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Another Perspective
This short video was posted on the blogspace of the local newspaper. When I played it, some of the thoughts in the back of my mind fell into place and said, "This is what makes me uneasy. The truth is being suppressed." Perhaps this tactic is justified by someone's belief that ignoring the past is for a greater good. However, if that's the goal, the truth cannot hurt; manipulating the truth to achieve a personal objective and then dealing with the fall-off after the fact undermines not just the person who lies, but the greater good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLL7vkx9ALU
Contrary to Jack Nicholson's great line, "You can't handle the truth," I do better when people are upfront, when they aren't manipulative, devious, or passive / aggressive. I can handle the truth, but far too few people share my point of view. In this case, I'm sure the Obama campaign realizes that if this video receives wide distribution, it will affect his candidacy -- perhaps negatively, which simply is not allowed by the Obama campaign and/or the media. However, the people deserve to see the whole picture of the candidate, not just the public persona that is being presented as representative of the whole, BEFORE the votes are cast, not afterward.
Sooner or later, as my mother used to warn me, it all comes out in the wash.
NOTE: I don't know how to insert the little viewer into an email, much less a blog, but if you want to see what I saw, cut and past the URL I've provided into your address and tell me what you think after you've watched the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLL7vkx9ALU
Contrary to Jack Nicholson's great line, "You can't handle the truth," I do better when people are upfront, when they aren't manipulative, devious, or passive / aggressive. I can handle the truth, but far too few people share my point of view. In this case, I'm sure the Obama campaign realizes that if this video receives wide distribution, it will affect his candidacy -- perhaps negatively, which simply is not allowed by the Obama campaign and/or the media. However, the people deserve to see the whole picture of the candidate, not just the public persona that is being presented as representative of the whole, BEFORE the votes are cast, not afterward.
Sooner or later, as my mother used to warn me, it all comes out in the wash.
NOTE: I don't know how to insert the little viewer into an email, much less a blog, but if you want to see what I saw, cut and past the URL I've provided into your address and tell me what you think after you've watched the video.
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