Once again the old blood of my Scottish ancestors, still coursing through my veins, sings out in tune with my favorite time of the year…Samhuinn...the beginning of the dark season.
And much as I did as a child, I long to go forth into the world and create a little mischief and mayhem just to keep the old traditions going, and finish by building a large bonefire to burn a sacrifice of grain (grain alcohol that is) upon, and reflect upon life. And should, indeed, the barriers between realms thin and blur and I should find myself learning something about my past, or present, or future…so much the better; knowledge is always welcome and useful.
In Mexico, this time of the year is call Dia de los Muertos, meaning, Days of the Dead. (Some add a more plural meaning to the term.) Many flowers are sold, much food is prepared, and every necropolis is full of people spending time with those who have gone on before, sharing food, and drink, and laughter, and reflection. I was able to be in Mexico about four years ago during this time and be included in this celebration by some friends of mine down there. It was magical and spiritual and I can only think this must have been how the ancients celebrated almost 2000 years ago.
So enjoy! Be merry! Create a little chaos… And ponder that which is on your mind…
10.31.2006
10.18.2006
Could You Pass The US Citizenship Test?
| You Passed the US Citizenship Test |
 Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct! |
My Celtic Horoscope
| You Are An Ash Tree |
 You are vivacious and impulsive, which makes you extremely attractive to many. Intelligent and demanding, you don't care much for criticism. You have a ton of ambition and talent, and sometimes money rules your heart. You like to play with fate, and you can be very egotistical and restless. Demanding of attention, you need love and a lot of emotional support. |
No Tag At Recess
OK... I'm really starting to think that I was either born in the wrong country, or maybe I was just born in the wrong century. I can't help but notice periodically the asinine changes in our society that take place, often due to liberal minded (i.e. Politically Correct) stupidity, or sometimes just because of how litigation happy this country has become.
My most recent observation comes from a news story out of Massachusetts with the tag line: Not it! Mass. Elementary school bans tag
It seems, according to the school principal, that recess is “…a time when accidents can happen.” So, in order to help keep the kids from getting hurt, and also to minimize any liability the school might have, the school has now banned tag, touch football, or any other unauthorized game where kids might run and hurt themselves.
WHAT!?!?!?!? Is this freaking America, or did I step into a damn George Orwell novel? Let’s see… It’s a simple fact that our children are fatter (yeah, F-A-T-T-E-R… As in porky, tubby, chubby, chunky, obese, [insert your favorite non-politically correct synonym for lard-ass here]) than they used to be due to poor eating and exercise habits, yet we’re going to limit their physical activity on the playground by banning time honored traditional play because, um, someone might get hurt??? and then some so called parent might sue??? OK then… Please let me off at the next alternate reality…
To be fair to this particular school, according the article, they aren’t the only system doing this, nor do they carry the distinction of being the first. But there is just something SO WRONG with this entire picture that should have every average American doing a double take. When schools started banning dodge ball because it could be dangerous getting hit with a flying object, most people could sort of understand the reasoning. (However, I maintain it should still be permitted if it was on a voluntary basis. ) But telling a kid that you can't play tag because you might hurt yourself while running around?? That has to be one of the most ludicrous things I’ve heard so far this year…if not the most.
I, as a parent, am sick of our schools, and our governments, trying to tell me how my child should grow-up and what is or isn’t best for them. I’m totally sick and tired of these lame excuses for parents I too often see who won’t take the time or the responsibility to raise their own children and therefore lend credence to the continued abuse of these entities as they strive to assume more and more control that simply should, no, SIMPLY MUST be exclusively reserved for the parents…or at least for the parents who take their responsibilities seriously and actually have the desire to parent their child(ren).
Do you like the school telling your children: That God has no place in the classroom? That having pre-marital sex is OK as long as you use protection? That homosexual lifestyles are perfectly normal and whatever your religious belief on the subject might be is wrong if it states otherwise? That it is more important that you feel good about yourself than actually being able to learn the material being taught and pass a test on the subject? That we should accept everyone and what they believe in and stand for? That you can’t defend yourself if you’re getting the crap beat out of you without getting kicked out of school too because of a “Zero Tolerance” policy? That only liberal thinking is good and conservative thinking is bad? Anyone care to add to the list?
I guess maybe I really am living in an Orwellian society after all, and if so, this is one Snowball that has no intentions of being easy meat.
I just hope enough sane, rational people are left out there who notice things like this and will refuse to be silent about the stupidity of it all. Scream out and be heard… Refuse to be cajoled into accepting this path towards Socialism… Use the greatest gift you have in being an American: The right to be an Individual with a Voice…
DISCLAIMER: As a fat-ass myself, I am fully qualified to use objectionable terms when referencing someone else’s state of being a fat-ass. If anyone reading this post was offended by my diction........GOOD!
My most recent observation comes from a news story out of Massachusetts with the tag line: Not it! Mass. Elementary school bans tag
It seems, according to the school principal, that recess is “…a time when accidents can happen.” So, in order to help keep the kids from getting hurt, and also to minimize any liability the school might have, the school has now banned tag, touch football, or any other unauthorized game where kids might run and hurt themselves.
WHAT!?!?!?!? Is this freaking America, or did I step into a damn George Orwell novel? Let’s see… It’s a simple fact that our children are fatter (yeah, F-A-T-T-E-R… As in porky, tubby, chubby, chunky, obese, [insert your favorite non-politically correct synonym for lard-ass here]) than they used to be due to poor eating and exercise habits, yet we’re going to limit their physical activity on the playground by banning time honored traditional play because, um, someone might get hurt??? and then some so called parent might sue??? OK then… Please let me off at the next alternate reality…
To be fair to this particular school, according the article, they aren’t the only system doing this, nor do they carry the distinction of being the first. But there is just something SO WRONG with this entire picture that should have every average American doing a double take. When schools started banning dodge ball because it could be dangerous getting hit with a flying object, most people could sort of understand the reasoning. (However, I maintain it should still be permitted if it was on a voluntary basis. ) But telling a kid that you can't play tag because you might hurt yourself while running around?? That has to be one of the most ludicrous things I’ve heard so far this year…if not the most.
I, as a parent, am sick of our schools, and our governments, trying to tell me how my child should grow-up and what is or isn’t best for them. I’m totally sick and tired of these lame excuses for parents I too often see who won’t take the time or the responsibility to raise their own children and therefore lend credence to the continued abuse of these entities as they strive to assume more and more control that simply should, no, SIMPLY MUST be exclusively reserved for the parents…or at least for the parents who take their responsibilities seriously and actually have the desire to parent their child(ren).
Do you like the school telling your children: That God has no place in the classroom? That having pre-marital sex is OK as long as you use protection? That homosexual lifestyles are perfectly normal and whatever your religious belief on the subject might be is wrong if it states otherwise? That it is more important that you feel good about yourself than actually being able to learn the material being taught and pass a test on the subject? That we should accept everyone and what they believe in and stand for? That you can’t defend yourself if you’re getting the crap beat out of you without getting kicked out of school too because of a “Zero Tolerance” policy? That only liberal thinking is good and conservative thinking is bad? Anyone care to add to the list?
I guess maybe I really am living in an Orwellian society after all, and if so, this is one Snowball that has no intentions of being easy meat.
I just hope enough sane, rational people are left out there who notice things like this and will refuse to be silent about the stupidity of it all. Scream out and be heard… Refuse to be cajoled into accepting this path towards Socialism… Use the greatest gift you have in being an American: The right to be an Individual with a Voice…
DISCLAIMER: As a fat-ass myself, I am fully qualified to use objectionable terms when referencing someone else’s state of being a fat-ass. If anyone reading this post was offended by my diction........GOOD!
Buffy Meets Nickelback
If any of you happen to be fans of the T.V. series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and also happen to like music by Nickelback, then check out the video adaptation of encounters between Buffy and Spike set to the tune of Figured You Out.
10.17.2006
Why I (Mostly) Like The Fall
Having lived the first part of my life in the mid-west, I became very accustom to there being actual changes in the seasons. Spring gave way to summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, and winter to spring. And, there are aspects about all of the seasons I like and dislike. For instances, I love snow…
However, I always looked forward to the fall. The cooler days and nights (especially good for sitting around a fire pit), the changes in the leaves, the smell of burning leaves, the fields being emptied of their fruits, going to the orchards for apples, the beginning of squirrel and dove hunting seasons… It was great!
I still like the fall, for most of the same reasons. These days I mostly enjoy the cooler weather, and a good change in color of the foliage. Where I don’t get out as much as I used to just to tromp around in the woods, I still like getting out and taking a walk and just seeing all of the changes. This is what I missed most about living out west where the seasons did not have such a marked difference. (And if you’ve seen one Aspen change to a different shade of gold, you’ve seen them all.)
I guess a few things about the fall I don’t enjoy is the extra dust coming out of the fields, and the allergy aggravating foliage that comes out right before the frosts and freezes kill them, and the turbulent weather that wreaks havoc on my sinuses – which has been going on for about a week now.
But still… It’s fall… And I’ve been to the orchard, and I’ve been able to get out and take some walks, and enjoy the cooler weather and the changing color of the leaves. And sinuses be damned, I’m still glad to be here to enjoy it all.
However, I always looked forward to the fall. The cooler days and nights (especially good for sitting around a fire pit), the changes in the leaves, the smell of burning leaves, the fields being emptied of their fruits, going to the orchards for apples, the beginning of squirrel and dove hunting seasons… It was great!
I still like the fall, for most of the same reasons. These days I mostly enjoy the cooler weather, and a good change in color of the foliage. Where I don’t get out as much as I used to just to tromp around in the woods, I still like getting out and taking a walk and just seeing all of the changes. This is what I missed most about living out west where the seasons did not have such a marked difference. (And if you’ve seen one Aspen change to a different shade of gold, you’ve seen them all.)
I guess a few things about the fall I don’t enjoy is the extra dust coming out of the fields, and the allergy aggravating foliage that comes out right before the frosts and freezes kill them, and the turbulent weather that wreaks havoc on my sinuses – which has been going on for about a week now.
But still… It’s fall… And I’ve been to the orchard, and I’ve been able to get out and take some walks, and enjoy the cooler weather and the changing color of the leaves. And sinuses be damned, I’m still glad to be here to enjoy it all.
10.13.2006
Curious Goods
Friday the 13th (of any month) has to be one of my favorite days of the entire year. Along with the fact the I personally always purchase a lottery ticket, it always reminds me of one of my most favorite television programs - Friday the 13th: The Series.
Basically, if you don’t remember the show, two cousins take over their now dead uncles antique shop (Curious Goods) and, with the help of their uncles partner, Jack, try to recover all of the cursed items that he sold to people over the years.
This program had some really good cursed item concepts, some really great stories, and pretty darn good acting for television. Oh, for the record, and contrary to popular belief, the fact that Micki was a hot red head had absolutely nothing to do with my watching the show!
10.10.2006
Some Enchanted Evening
If you have never had the pleasure of attending a dinner theater, I highly recommend that you take the opportunity if and when it becomes available.
I, and a very special companion, had the opportunity to enjoy a delightful evening last Saturday at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. Aside from the excellent meal and the general atmosphere, we were regaled with an excellent performance of the Rodgers & Hammerstien musical, South Pacific.
Being one of my all time favorite musicals, it also held the special distinction of being something special that my companion and I shared from many years ago, and I can only surmise that this particular musical being performed at this time and place must fall within the purview of serendipity.
Whatever the reason, it most certainly was…an enchanted evening.
I, and a very special companion, had the opportunity to enjoy a delightful evening last Saturday at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. Aside from the excellent meal and the general atmosphere, we were regaled with an excellent performance of the Rodgers & Hammerstien musical, South Pacific.
Being one of my all time favorite musicals, it also held the special distinction of being something special that my companion and I shared from many years ago, and I can only surmise that this particular musical being performed at this time and place must fall within the purview of serendipity.
Whatever the reason, it most certainly was…an enchanted evening.
9.30.2006
Seasons Passing
I would like to leave you all with the following poem, one taught to me by my Father. It was one of his favorites, and I guess it was fitting since he passed away during the title month... Enjoy...
SEPTEMBER
by: Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)
The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.
The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.
The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.
From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.
But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.
'T is a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.
SEPTEMBER
by: Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)
The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.
The gentian's bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.
The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.
From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes' sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.
By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather,
And autumn's best of cheer.
But none of all this beauty
Which floods the earth and air
Is unto me the secret
Which makes September fair.
'T is a thing which I remember;
To name it thrills me yet:
One day of one September
I never can forget.
9.28.2006
Second Chances
For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed history. I think that it is important to understand where we have come from so we can know where to go in the future.
Maybe the greatest capability of mankind is the ability to learn and to grow, and we do that for the most part by trying, and failing, and trying, and failing, until we learn from our mistakes and develop the ability to accomplish that which we are trying to do. In other words, we are learning from the history we create. And following that thought, the study of history is simply learning from mistakes made by others…
I remember talking once with someone who had the opinion that where we can learn from history, we can not go back and fix the past.
But maybe, on some occasions, we can do just that by making changes in the here and now.
A few weeks ago I went back to where I grew up as the annual Fall Festival was happening. An old friend accompanied me as we were going to meet up with yet another old friend for the occasion. I also happened to find out once I was down in the area that someone else very special to me from the past was single again and I knew that I needed to get in touch with her. As it happened, or maybe as it was designed, we ran into each other at the Festival.
She and I had only spoken briefly twice over the past eighteen plus years, and both times we were involved with someone else. There were issues that needed to be discussed from all those years ago, mostly on my part, as I had caused her a lot of hurt in the past.
However, over the years, I also knew that I had never lost my love for her. I was totally surprised during the course of the conversation to find out that she held similar feelings to my own in spite of everything, and in spite of all the time that had passed.
Since that night we have spoken daily, and at length, on the phone and in e-mail. The opportunity to reconnect has been quite marvelous and I know we are both surprised at how open and comfortable we are with each other after all of time we have spent apart. We are looking forward to all of the phenomenal possibilities that the future might hold in store for us both.
But how does this fix the mistake made in the past? Because this very special person was once my wife, and I feel (as does she) that, where our separation may have been necessary in order for us both to grow up and become the adults we are today, it was still a mistake for us to divorce and now we have the possibility of correcting that mistake and rewriting a future together.
Maybe the greatest capability of mankind is the ability to learn and to grow, and we do that for the most part by trying, and failing, and trying, and failing, until we learn from our mistakes and develop the ability to accomplish that which we are trying to do. In other words, we are learning from the history we create. And following that thought, the study of history is simply learning from mistakes made by others…
I remember talking once with someone who had the opinion that where we can learn from history, we can not go back and fix the past.
But maybe, on some occasions, we can do just that by making changes in the here and now.
A few weeks ago I went back to where I grew up as the annual Fall Festival was happening. An old friend accompanied me as we were going to meet up with yet another old friend for the occasion. I also happened to find out once I was down in the area that someone else very special to me from the past was single again and I knew that I needed to get in touch with her. As it happened, or maybe as it was designed, we ran into each other at the Festival.
She and I had only spoken briefly twice over the past eighteen plus years, and both times we were involved with someone else. There were issues that needed to be discussed from all those years ago, mostly on my part, as I had caused her a lot of hurt in the past.
However, over the years, I also knew that I had never lost my love for her. I was totally surprised during the course of the conversation to find out that she held similar feelings to my own in spite of everything, and in spite of all the time that had passed.
Since that night we have spoken daily, and at length, on the phone and in e-mail. The opportunity to reconnect has been quite marvelous and I know we are both surprised at how open and comfortable we are with each other after all of time we have spent apart. We are looking forward to all of the phenomenal possibilities that the future might hold in store for us both.
But how does this fix the mistake made in the past? Because this very special person was once my wife, and I feel (as does she) that, where our separation may have been necessary in order for us both to grow up and become the adults we are today, it was still a mistake for us to divorce and now we have the possibility of correcting that mistake and rewriting a future together.
I Resemble These Remarks
Ok... It's been awhile since I last posted, but I've been busy... And in a very good way... I hope to take a little time soon to post about it... But in the mean time, a cousin of mine sent me this and I thought I'd pass it along. I hope some of you reading this aren't to this stage in your life yet. As for the rest of us "older" people...
25 ways to know you have grown up
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good shit."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh crap - what the h--- happened?"
Bonus:
26. You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass. Then you forward it to a bunch of old friends 'cause you know they'll enjoy it & do. And now you know why I am forwarding this to you
25 ways to know you have grown up
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up."
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up."
10. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good shit."
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again."
23. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "Oh crap - what the h--- happened?"
Bonus:
26. You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass. Then you forward it to a bunch of old friends 'cause you know they'll enjoy it & do. And now you know why I am forwarding this to you
9.11.2006
9.07.2006
How It Should Have Ended
Real quick... If you find yourself with nothing to do and can't think of anything to do with the nothing to do time... Check out this site... I'm sure you'll find something to laugh at while killing some time.
9.04.2006
The Crocodile Hunter
As most of you will know by now, Steve Irwin was killed earlier today after being "...fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while diving in Queensland's Batt Reef, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef."
I was saddened to hear this as I have always greatly enjoyed watching Steve bring nature into the living room in a very informative way, while at the same time doing so in a highly entertaining fashion. He ranked in the top three (in my book) of people whom I have most enjoyed watching that dealt with wildlife and discovery - Marlin Perkins (Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom) and Jacques-Yves Cousteau being the other two.
So Steve... It's a shame you couldn't have been able to say, "Crikey! That was a close one!," this time. We'll miss you, mate.
9.02.2006
Land Of Confusion
Anyone remember Phil Collins and Genesis? I would think it would be hard not to remember a group that managed to claim around 20 major awards in the 80's, not to mention about another 20 that Collins racked up on solo work.
In 1986, they released a video for a song called Land Of Confusion. Not only was the video great for its time {watch it here}, but the lyrics were well written, well thought out, and well applied.
Jump forward twenty years. This song has been masterfully re-done by the group Disturbed and the message in the lyrics apply just as much today as they ever did, if not more. But the true mastery is the songs video release. I usually wouldn't put a video tie in into my blog, but this is an exception. I hope you all enjoy.
In 1986, they released a video for a song called Land Of Confusion. Not only was the video great for its time {watch it here}, but the lyrics were well written, well thought out, and well applied.
Jump forward twenty years. This song has been masterfully re-done by the group Disturbed and the message in the lyrics apply just as much today as they ever did, if not more. But the true mastery is the songs video release. I usually wouldn't put a video tie in into my blog, but this is an exception. I hope you all enjoy.
Labor Day Weekend
First... I hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day Weekend.
Second... If it is Labor Day Weekend, what am I doing at the office working?!?
I think I want a new profession....
Second... If it is Labor Day Weekend, what am I doing at the office working?!?
I think I want a new profession....
Accolades Where They Are Due
Well… It pains me somewhat to do so, but I have to tip my virtual hat to one particular liberal that I usually have more contempt for than Bill (or Hillary) Clinton…
Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. Al Gore… Mr. Internet…
Al recently was in the land of my ancestors… Scotland. While he was there, talking his usual “green” talk amongst other things, he touched on something very important, very disturbing, not to mention very vital, about media and democracy. He said, “Democracy is under attack.”
His thoughts are directed at fears he has (along with a lot of other Americans, including myself) that too few people (or companies) are gaining a consolidated control of available media outlets, including T.V., radio, newspapers, etc. Al went on further to say, “Democracy is a conversation and the most important role of the media is to facilitate that conversation of democracy. Now the conversation is more controlled, it is more centralized.”
BAM! He hit the nail on the head and he is entirely correct. The media of today is too controlled by too few people with too few points of view. And, not to belabor the point, but the vast majority of the media is controlled and directed by those with a left side liberal point of view.
That is one of the reasons I spend very little time watching the TV for my source of news. By the time something makes it onto TV in the way of news, the liberal spin is SO heavy that it is painful to watch. Not only that, but I simply can not trust it because I KNOW it is slanted. It is biased… It is analyzed to death… Facts are not presented from an objective view point so you can make up your own mind… Your opinion of the event is GIVEN to you… Sometimes by a whole team of liberal spin doctors who already have it all figured out…
Look at several notable TV news personalities who could not (or would not) contain their liberal view points when trying to present the “news” to the rest of America: Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, Mike Wallace, Bryant Gumbel, and Connie Chung just to name a few. Then you have the type like Wolf Blitzer and Katie Couric…with liberal points of view, but who have a little too much air between their ears to be taken seriously.
Or, you have some Fox News (as much as I hate to say it because I still kind of like Fox) camera man who was captured by Islamic jihadists saying how “…he can’t condemn his captors…” because “…In some ways, I feel such sympathy for the Palestinian cause. You know, in my heart. You know, I can’t hate them for what they did…there’s a funny bit of me that’s sympathetic to them still.” WHAT!?!?!? What freaking drugs are you on man!!! Well… I’m sure he’s just suffering from Stockholme Syndrome. I mean, these are the people that cut other peoples heads off with dull knives while hiding behind head scarves yelling “Allahu Akbar” and taping the event. But he’s sympathetic to them… Right…
I’m not going to try to fit in newspapers and magazines at the moment, but they too play a major role in telling people what they should think instead of presenting facts and fostering dialog and constructive thinking.
So who is to blame for making this situation worse? The answer might surprise you… It wasn’t the liberals (who may have started it). It is the Republicans that may have push it all over the edge. Or, at least, it is the Republican controlled FCC. You see, a few years ago, this wonderful waste of our taxpaying dollars voted to make legal the ownership of up to three TV stations, eight radio stations, the local paper, AND the cable system in a SINGLE media market!!! One person or corporation can own it all now thus denying the majority of the local populace of what is needed most when it comes to democracy; differing dialog and debate without a single point of interference with regards to point of view. And it is this that Al Gore finds to be a problem and rightly so.
We need an independent press. We must have an independent press. But until journalism returns to its roots, forgets about trying to make the King, and turns away from seeing how much profit can be made by making news instead of simply reporting news, we the people are going to continue to have to muddle our way through events hoping that what it is we hear and read is actually fact and not someone else’s fiction.
And as for Al Gore? Good job… I’m with you… On this one…
Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. Al Gore… Mr. Internet…
Al recently was in the land of my ancestors… Scotland. While he was there, talking his usual “green” talk amongst other things, he touched on something very important, very disturbing, not to mention very vital, about media and democracy. He said, “Democracy is under attack.”
His thoughts are directed at fears he has (along with a lot of other Americans, including myself) that too few people (or companies) are gaining a consolidated control of available media outlets, including T.V., radio, newspapers, etc. Al went on further to say, “Democracy is a conversation and the most important role of the media is to facilitate that conversation of democracy. Now the conversation is more controlled, it is more centralized.”
BAM! He hit the nail on the head and he is entirely correct. The media of today is too controlled by too few people with too few points of view. And, not to belabor the point, but the vast majority of the media is controlled and directed by those with a left side liberal point of view.
That is one of the reasons I spend very little time watching the TV for my source of news. By the time something makes it onto TV in the way of news, the liberal spin is SO heavy that it is painful to watch. Not only that, but I simply can not trust it because I KNOW it is slanted. It is biased… It is analyzed to death… Facts are not presented from an objective view point so you can make up your own mind… Your opinion of the event is GIVEN to you… Sometimes by a whole team of liberal spin doctors who already have it all figured out…
Look at several notable TV news personalities who could not (or would not) contain their liberal view points when trying to present the “news” to the rest of America: Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, Mike Wallace, Bryant Gumbel, and Connie Chung just to name a few. Then you have the type like Wolf Blitzer and Katie Couric…with liberal points of view, but who have a little too much air between their ears to be taken seriously.
Or, you have some Fox News (as much as I hate to say it because I still kind of like Fox) camera man who was captured by Islamic jihadists saying how “…he can’t condemn his captors…” because “…In some ways, I feel such sympathy for the Palestinian cause. You know, in my heart. You know, I can’t hate them for what they did…there’s a funny bit of me that’s sympathetic to them still.” WHAT!?!?!? What freaking drugs are you on man!!! Well… I’m sure he’s just suffering from Stockholme Syndrome. I mean, these are the people that cut other peoples heads off with dull knives while hiding behind head scarves yelling “Allahu Akbar” and taping the event. But he’s sympathetic to them… Right…
I’m not going to try to fit in newspapers and magazines at the moment, but they too play a major role in telling people what they should think instead of presenting facts and fostering dialog and constructive thinking.
So who is to blame for making this situation worse? The answer might surprise you… It wasn’t the liberals (who may have started it). It is the Republicans that may have push it all over the edge. Or, at least, it is the Republican controlled FCC. You see, a few years ago, this wonderful waste of our taxpaying dollars voted to make legal the ownership of up to three TV stations, eight radio stations, the local paper, AND the cable system in a SINGLE media market!!! One person or corporation can own it all now thus denying the majority of the local populace of what is needed most when it comes to democracy; differing dialog and debate without a single point of interference with regards to point of view. And it is this that Al Gore finds to be a problem and rightly so.
We need an independent press. We must have an independent press. But until journalism returns to its roots, forgets about trying to make the King, and turns away from seeing how much profit can be made by making news instead of simply reporting news, we the people are going to continue to have to muddle our way through events hoping that what it is we hear and read is actually fact and not someone else’s fiction.
And as for Al Gore? Good job… I’m with you… On this one…
8.31.2006
Butch The Rooster
[Humor sent from a cousin of mine...]
John the farmer was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred
young layers (hens, called pullets) and eight or ten roosters, whose job
was to fertilize the eggs. The farmer kept records, and any rooster that
didn't perform went into the soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful
lot of his time so he bought a set of tiny bells and attached them to his
roosters.
Each bell had a different tone so John could tell from a distance which
rooster was performing. Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an
efficiency report simply by listening to the bells.
The farmer's favorite rooster was old Butch; a very fine specimen he was
too. But on this particular morning John noticed old Butch’s bell hadn't
rung at all! John went to investigate. The other roosters were chasing
pullets, bells-a-ringing. The pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would
run for cover.
But to Farmer John's amazement, Butch had his bell in his beak, so it
couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the
next one. John was so proud of Butch, he entered him in the county fair
and Butch became an overnight sensation among the judges.
The result... The judges not only awarded Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize"
but they also awarded him the "Pullet Surprise" as well.
Clearly Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician
could figure out how to win two of the most highly coveted awards on our
planet by being the best at sneaking up on the populace and screwing them
when they weren't paying attention?
Vampires and a Hit Man
I’m not exactly fond of living the “single life” as it were so I find myself trying to kill some of the lonely time either with reading, music, the Net, or by watching movies.
It has become a small rut in which about every weekend three or four movies are picked up at a local video store just to have something around through the week as a boredom buster measure.
A couple of titles picked up recently ended up surprising me somewhat and I thought I’d share a quick thought…
I have, for a long time, enjoyed Pierce Brosnan as an actor. Even slightly before his “Remington Steele” days I had taken note of him. Over the years, with a minor exception early on, I have not been disappointed. So, I see on the shelf a movie he did last year that I had not seen called The Matador. When you look at the front of the DVD case, you expect something more along the lines of a Bond or Taffin style action flick. You could not be more wrong. I won’t tell anything about the story line… no spoilers here. I will only say that this is a REALLY well done and well acted movie with some great comedic moments. It’s worth the rent, and come to think of it, would have been worth the price of admission…
I’ve also been recently drawn towards movies with a vampirism theme. Sometimes it is quite hard to really find a good one. So… I happen to look down towards the bottom shelf on the wall and I see cover that caught my eye. It looked cool enough that I went ahead, picked it up, and started reading the back. It basically read like a Sci-Fi meets Vampires type story, and I really didn’t expect much, but I figured what the heck. As it turns out, the movie is low budget as you would expect, the “acting” is way over done at times (especially by Michael Ironside, but that's normal for him), and the story line is fairly predictable… However, having said that, I would still suggest picking up Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe, (a.k.a. Bloodsuckers) This movie too has a few really good comedic moments. And, if nothing else, Natassia Malthe makes black leather look GOOD.
It has become a small rut in which about every weekend three or four movies are picked up at a local video store just to have something around through the week as a boredom buster measure.
A couple of titles picked up recently ended up surprising me somewhat and I thought I’d share a quick thought…
I have, for a long time, enjoyed Pierce Brosnan as an actor. Even slightly before his “Remington Steele” days I had taken note of him. Over the years, with a minor exception early on, I have not been disappointed. So, I see on the shelf a movie he did last year that I had not seen called The Matador. When you look at the front of the DVD case, you expect something more along the lines of a Bond or Taffin style action flick. You could not be more wrong. I won’t tell anything about the story line… no spoilers here. I will only say that this is a REALLY well done and well acted movie with some great comedic moments. It’s worth the rent, and come to think of it, would have been worth the price of admission…
I’ve also been recently drawn towards movies with a vampirism theme. Sometimes it is quite hard to really find a good one. So… I happen to look down towards the bottom shelf on the wall and I see cover that caught my eye. It looked cool enough that I went ahead, picked it up, and started reading the back. It basically read like a Sci-Fi meets Vampires type story, and I really didn’t expect much, but I figured what the heck. As it turns out, the movie is low budget as you would expect, the “acting” is way over done at times (especially by Michael Ironside, but that's normal for him), and the story line is fairly predictable… However, having said that, I would still suggest picking up Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe, (a.k.a. Bloodsuckers) This movie too has a few really good comedic moments. And, if nothing else, Natassia Malthe makes black leather look GOOD.
8.26.2006
Memories...
I've been thinking about my father recently.... I guess it started earlier in the week when I noticed that August was almost gone and that September was soon to arrive. September was a time of the year my father always liked, and it is also the month in which he died. My father, over the course of his life, had memorized many poems, speeches, etc., but the one I remember him quoting the most was one titled 'September' by Helen Hunt Jackson, and every year since his death I've always printed out that poem and hung it where ever I happen to be working.
But... Back to thinking... I was in the grocery store earlier in the afternoon and as I was picking through the produce, I saw some green beans in a bin on sale. I started thinking about a way that Dad used to fix green beans for Sunday dinner once in awhile...something he had learned from an Aunt that had helped to raise him and his brothers. It's very simple really... Take a pan big enough for how ever many beans you are going to fix... Put in enough tomato juice to cook the beans in without floating them, add some bacon, some chopped onion, a little garlic if you want (I use fresh), some salt, pepper, a couple of dashes of sugar (to cut down on the tomato), and bring those items to a boil and then simmer for about ten minutes or so. Then add the beans, lower the heat, and cook to how ever you like your beans...but long enough to flavor. If you need to thicken the juice a little before you're ready to server (it will thicken on it own some) you can add just a little flour or corn starch.
That's it... Nothing fancy... Takes little time to prepare, an for me, about 1 ½ to 2 hours to cook as I like my beans cooked down.
Well... This all ran though my mind very quickly and right now, the apartment is full of an odor that I remember from my childhood. Thank you Dad, and thank you Aunt Grace.
But... Back to thinking... I was in the grocery store earlier in the afternoon and as I was picking through the produce, I saw some green beans in a bin on sale. I started thinking about a way that Dad used to fix green beans for Sunday dinner once in awhile...something he had learned from an Aunt that had helped to raise him and his brothers. It's very simple really... Take a pan big enough for how ever many beans you are going to fix... Put in enough tomato juice to cook the beans in without floating them, add some bacon, some chopped onion, a little garlic if you want (I use fresh), some salt, pepper, a couple of dashes of sugar (to cut down on the tomato), and bring those items to a boil and then simmer for about ten minutes or so. Then add the beans, lower the heat, and cook to how ever you like your beans...but long enough to flavor. If you need to thicken the juice a little before you're ready to server (it will thicken on it own some) you can add just a little flour or corn starch.
That's it... Nothing fancy... Takes little time to prepare, an for me, about 1 ½ to 2 hours to cook as I like my beans cooked down.
Well... This all ran though my mind very quickly and right now, the apartment is full of an odor that I remember from my childhood. Thank you Dad, and thank you Aunt Grace.
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