That's what my selective hearing ears thought I heard on the radio when I was driving back home from a couple of errand trips just now. Lots and lots of people out there fighting for parking spots today, doncha know. I did only what I had to and then came back home to the safety and relative calm of my private habitat.
Did I hear that right? This is the 6th year anniversary of the "invasion of Iraq", as it's now termed, and Tony Blair - among many others - is being called to be a witness before some sort of tribunal?? Is he on trial? Will "W" be on trial? Will they be charged with war crimes? With crimes against humanity?
Sometimes - oftentimes, actually! - I guess I'd prefer to be an ostrich. Just hide my head in the sand and pretend nothing is happening around me.
That's ridiculous, of course! However, the last time I was actively involved in the political scene - I must admit - was in the mid-70's. Since then, I have preferred to 'pretend it doesn't exist'. You might even say I stopped living - cocooned in my own little web of life.
This Thanksgiving has me filled with such joy, warmth and contentment. Very different from those in recent years. I am going to be with my dearest ones in just two days. My son-in-law said that they might need some help with a 'naked bird'. Well, I'm not very good with naked birds, but I'm planning to make some of Beth's delicious fudge to take out there to help contribute to the feasting.
I have been composing a list of whatall I'm going to take to Katyland. And yes, I confess I even bought them something for Christmas. Yeah, I did! I mean, who knows? They might not be around this neck of the woods next month, right? I intend to fully enjoy this holiday! Maybe we'll even get in a game of bananagrams. (?)
Today has been a little different from yesterday. My next door neighbor, who is evidently off this week, hasn't chosen to have his stereo blasting through my walls yet. Nice and quiet. zzzzzzzz
Regarding AAA? I'll just have to look at their literature more carefully the next time they send me a solicitous inquiry through the mail - which they will! - won't I? I was just speaking from feelings of bad memories in that last post, and a bunch of you caught me up on it. Good on you!
Tonight, I'll be watching the two-hour season finale of "Dancing With the Stars". It's kind of hard to believe that I haven't been glued to the television set for all of the episodes this time around, but I haven't. In fact, I'm not sure I even remember who is participating. Donny Osmond, maybe. (?) Who else? I don't know. Anyhoo, I'll be watching. It's a good show. I enjoy it.
I really don't have a whole lot more to say here, so I'll just close - in case I don't post another tomorrow - by wishing you and yours a most happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20, 2009
This date did not escape my attention. No no, it did not!
However, I had resolved not to write a political post today, but I must confess that I have been so moved as to publish one.
As I'm sure most of you know, I was not an Obama supporter. I was not a McCain supporter, either, as you might have gathered from previous posts.
As a taxicab driver for many years, I came into frequent contact with - and, indeed, some of my friends are - taxicab drivers of African-American ancestry. I value them.
At the same time, I must say, when I last visited Hobby Airport this past November on election day - I'll admit that my timing could have been a whole lot better (!), I was asked (again and again), "Who'd you vote for?"
I'd like to share with you just a couple or three/four or more of my thoughts ... ...
1) I couldn't be more proud (I mean that sincerely!) that 'we' have elected an 'African-American' as President of the United States.
2) I just wish his heritage were more 'pure' ... there's Caucasian in there, along with what all else? (I don't remember. My ignorance, I apologize.)
3) I did not listen to his address to the nation following the swearing-in ceremonies, and so I cannot comment on it.
4) I'm more than a little disgruntled that we are going to be subjected to yet another four or more years of a Clinton in the White House limelight. (For the entire eight years of Bill Clinton's presidency, I was ashamed to admit that I was an American. I'm being serious here!)
5) I'm almost sorry* that we are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday ALmost at the same time. I'm of really mixed feelings on this one! But wouldn't Dr. King have been proud?
*Dr. King was a 'proven' commodity. President Obama is an unknown as of this writing.
There was a prayer offered after the swearing-in this morning, but I do not recall who gave it. It was that prayer that inspired my writing of this post.
My own deepest, most thoughtful and heartfelt wish is that Barack Obama ascend to and encompass those highest of ideals that ALL of us in the United States - if not the whole world - aspire to.
Amen.
However, I had resolved not to write a political post today, but I must confess that I have been so moved as to publish one.
As I'm sure most of you know, I was not an Obama supporter. I was not a McCain supporter, either, as you might have gathered from previous posts.
As a taxicab driver for many years, I came into frequent contact with - and, indeed, some of my friends are - taxicab drivers of African-American ancestry. I value them.
At the same time, I must say, when I last visited Hobby Airport this past November on election day - I'll admit that my timing could have been a whole lot better (!), I was asked (again and again), "Who'd you vote for?"
I'd like to share with you just a couple or three/four or more of my thoughts ... ...
1) I couldn't be more proud (I mean that sincerely!) that 'we' have elected an 'African-American' as President of the United States.
2) I just wish his heritage were more 'pure' ... there's Caucasian in there, along with what all else? (I don't remember. My ignorance, I apologize.)
3) I did not listen to his address to the nation following the swearing-in ceremonies, and so I cannot comment on it.
4) I'm more than a little disgruntled that we are going to be subjected to yet another four or more years of a Clinton in the White House limelight. (For the entire eight years of Bill Clinton's presidency, I was ashamed to admit that I was an American. I'm being serious here!)
5) I'm almost sorry* that we are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday ALmost at the same time. I'm of really mixed feelings on this one! But wouldn't Dr. King have been proud?
*Dr. King was a 'proven' commodity. President Obama is an unknown as of this writing.
There was a prayer offered after the swearing-in this morning, but I do not recall who gave it. It was that prayer that inspired my writing of this post.
My own deepest, most thoughtful and heartfelt wish is that Barack Obama ascend to and encompass those highest of ideals that ALL of us in the United States - if not the whole world - aspire to.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Full circle?
I spent a great deal of time yesterday reading about the Civil Rights movement in this country. "How did I ever get on that topic?" you might well ask.
Well, it's kind of a long story - and not a boring one, either, so grab yourself another cup of coffee and sit back. My journey began when, in search of inspiration for a post of my own, I started reading 'Favorites' that I hadn't checked up on in a while. This one stopped me dead in my tracks.
The author is a knitter - obviously, if you click on the link - and she has a lot of readers! I think it was Steven who put me on to her site, initially, but I'm not positive about that.
As I continued to read - I'm a knitter, altho not the caliber she is, so that sort of stuff is always interesting to me - I noted that she said she was among the finalists for Canada's 2008 best blog award and was thanking all those who had voted for her.
Well, that caught my attention and I immediately headed over to this site. Then, wouldn't you know, my curiosity got the best of me and I continued to click onto others' blogsites that either had been originally nominated or were among the top five going on to the next round in the voting. (Do we have such a thing here in the States? Probably. I'm just not aware of it if we do.)
One of those sites had a side margin (probably not using the right terminology here) that continued on like 'forever' - lots of links, quotes, references, etc. - I mean, just tons of stuff! Cite after cite, link after link. I clicked on a few and read them. All were of interest to me, particularly one that referenced a radio interview with Rosa Parks in 1956.
Did you realize that it's been 53 years now since that famous incident in Montgomery, Alabama, when she refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man? Perhaps the date - 12/01/55 - was at your mind's ready fingertips, but it wasn't at mine!
I was eighteen years old, living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a freshman in college, and very far removed from any sort of personal contact with the tremendous struggle and upheaval going on in this country.
I was interested in learning more about Rosa Parks. I knew who she was, but the rest of my stored 'information' was terribly faulty. I had always thought that she was somewhat elderly (she was in her early 40's!), was tired from her long day at work (she said that she was not!), and that she sat in the 'white section' because she was so tired (actually, she sat in the first row of the 'black section'!).
I 'knew' that she had been one of the sparks to ignite the modern Civil Rights movement. That was correct. What I did not know was that it was she who propelled Martin Luther King, Jr. on his way to national recognition.
There are so many stories! I found myself getting more and more immersed in this saga, and kept clicking on link after link, reference after reference.
It was while reading about the history of the Civil Rights movement here in the States that I came across the name Ida B. Wells. Now that name caught my attention because it is so close to my mother's! I immediately thought, "What if?" Wouldn't be unheard of, right? It couldn't have been my mother, because Ida B. Wells died in 1931, but still! Perhaps she was a distant relative?
Have you ever heard of Ida B. Wells? I had not, but - the more I read about her, the more I wish I had known her. What a woman she must have been! I stopped reading in the wee hours last night, but knew that this just had to be the subject of my next post.
And so here we have come - full circle, as it were. A termed 'African-American' (altho there are some other things thrown in there that no one seems to want to talk about, except in passing - ?!?) has recently been elected to become the next President of the United States.
My hopes and prayers are that he will provide our country with leadership, that he was not chosen 'because he is black', that he will occupy and preside over a White House that was originally built by slaves with dignity and humility, and that he will - in spite of his youth - be able to do so with honor and, in the end, distinguish himself as one of our greatest presidents.
Well, it's kind of a long story - and not a boring one, either, so grab yourself another cup of coffee and sit back. My journey began when, in search of inspiration for a post of my own, I started reading 'Favorites' that I hadn't checked up on in a while. This one stopped me dead in my tracks.
The author is a knitter - obviously, if you click on the link - and she has a lot of readers! I think it was Steven who put me on to her site, initially, but I'm not positive about that.
As I continued to read - I'm a knitter, altho not the caliber she is, so that sort of stuff is always interesting to me - I noted that she said she was among the finalists for Canada's 2008 best blog award and was thanking all those who had voted for her.
Well, that caught my attention and I immediately headed over to this site. Then, wouldn't you know, my curiosity got the best of me and I continued to click onto others' blogsites that either had been originally nominated or were among the top five going on to the next round in the voting. (Do we have such a thing here in the States? Probably. I'm just not aware of it if we do.)
One of those sites had a side margin (probably not using the right terminology here) that continued on like 'forever' - lots of links, quotes, references, etc. - I mean, just tons of stuff! Cite after cite, link after link. I clicked on a few and read them. All were of interest to me, particularly one that referenced a radio interview with Rosa Parks in 1956.
Did you realize that it's been 53 years now since that famous incident in Montgomery, Alabama, when she refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man? Perhaps the date - 12/01/55 - was at your mind's ready fingertips, but it wasn't at mine!
I was eighteen years old, living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a freshman in college, and very far removed from any sort of personal contact with the tremendous struggle and upheaval going on in this country.
I was interested in learning more about Rosa Parks. I knew who she was, but the rest of my stored 'information' was terribly faulty. I had always thought that she was somewhat elderly (she was in her early 40's!), was tired from her long day at work (she said that she was not!), and that she sat in the 'white section' because she was so tired (actually, she sat in the first row of the 'black section'!).
I 'knew' that she had been one of the sparks to ignite the modern Civil Rights movement. That was correct. What I did not know was that it was she who propelled Martin Luther King, Jr. on his way to national recognition.
There are so many stories! I found myself getting more and more immersed in this saga, and kept clicking on link after link, reference after reference.
It was while reading about the history of the Civil Rights movement here in the States that I came across the name Ida B. Wells. Now that name caught my attention because it is so close to my mother's! I immediately thought, "What if?" Wouldn't be unheard of, right? It couldn't have been my mother, because Ida B. Wells died in 1931, but still! Perhaps she was a distant relative?
Have you ever heard of Ida B. Wells? I had not, but - the more I read about her, the more I wish I had known her. What a woman she must have been! I stopped reading in the wee hours last night, but knew that this just had to be the subject of my next post.
And so here we have come - full circle, as it were. A termed 'African-American' (altho there are some other things thrown in there that no one seems to want to talk about, except in passing - ?!?) has recently been elected to become the next President of the United States.
My hopes and prayers are that he will provide our country with leadership, that he was not chosen 'because he is black', that he will occupy and preside over a White House that was originally built by slaves with dignity and humility, and that he will - in spite of his youth - be able to do so with honor and, in the end, distinguish himself as one of our greatest presidents.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Idle thoughts ...
... for a Friday.
Began my day very early this morning - too early, actually - by clicking on a couple of sites I haven't visited recently after first catching up with Steven's latest. He almost always posts shortly after midnight his time, and last night was no exception. I can look forward to something new and very different from what everyone else seems to be doing first thing each morning. Neat!
I made no comments except for Ellen's post. She was feeding M&M, Chuck's cat, spinach leaves in an attempt to train it not to beg for food. It was funny! She included a couple of cute pix, and I just had to leave a comment. I love cats!!
Kind of unusual for me to leave just one comment, but I'm a little gunshy right now after putting my foot in my mouth the other day and being somewhat careless and (I thought) intrusive with one of my comments on Craig's site. "It's all good," he says, but I'm having trouble getting over being mad at myself. I will, eventually, but right now I'm still kind of in the doldrums.
I reminded myself of Ann Richards who, when campaigning for re-election as Texas' governor in the mid 90's, made the statement about her opponent (who happened to be "W"), "Poor George ... he was born with a silver boot in his mouth!"
Die-hard Democrats and feminists loved it. The media were ecstatic and ran with it! Where was I in all this? I immediately lost all respect for that woman, and began paying more attention to "W".
I had trouble visualizing him as governor of our great state. I didn't much care for his laugh and facial expressions - looked a little 'smirky' to me at times, had some difficulty getting used to his inability to get his tongue around certain words that should have been easily pronounceable (imo), and thought his general 'folksy' demeanor would not be conducive to promoting Texas' image nationally.
He was elected, and I thought did a credible job. (But then, you have to keep in mind that I'm not nearly as involved in the political scene as I once was, so my opinion is probably worthless.) I was pleased, actually, when he ran for President and won.
I thought the media did their very best to try and elect Gore, trumpeting to the world that the State of Florida had gone to Gore when the polls weren't even closed there!!! I was incensed with rage, and wondered aloud to anyone who cared to listen how many tens of thousands of Florida voters who lived in a different time zone might have been on their way to vote, heard the 'news', and turned around to go back home. Talk about disenfranchised! Certainly we wouldn't have had any of this 'hanging chad' nonsense!!
I wonder how many of the voters in the rest of the country, who live in the same time zone as that of Florida's panhandle - Texas is in that same time zone, from here all the way up north to the Canadian border, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Louisiana, etc. - the 'guts' of America, might have been on their way to the polls when the Florida election (mis-reported and highly distorted) 'results' were broadcast far and wide.
It wouldn't have been even close, folks! Now, there's no way I will ever be able to prove a statement like that, but I'm sticking with it.
Ann Richards meant to be unkind. Mean, even! Lloyd Bentsen meant to be unkind when he zapped Dan Quayle during their Vice Presidential debate with this zinger, "And you, sir, are no Jack Kennedy!" A low blow. Quayle left the door open for it, but ugly nonetheless. And intentional.
I was not intentionally unkind or intrusive, but I certainly was unthinking when I wrote my comment. I sometimes (maybe more than sometimes) put my foot in my mouth when speaking, but not usually when writing (unless I'm really upset about something - Tammy'll vouch for this).
When composing a post - especially on the computer where it's so easy to change a word here or a phrase there, delete a whole paragraph, even, or start over - particularly one like this where it's so full of feelings, I often spend several hours thinking, and trying to get all my thoughts together in some semblance of reasonable order. I often jot down little notes in case I get distracted.
After viewing a few blogsites, I worked the daily Sudoku puzzle. Fun! Tammy and I exchanged a few e-mails, I got the garbage all bagged up and placed outside for pickup, and then I took a nap. It's Friday, and there was shopping that had to be done. Yuk!!
OK. Awake, alert, dressed, and with list in hand, I headed on over to Kroger's to get my weekly 'fix' of grape salad, baked fish filets, mushrooms, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I had signed up to receive 'Allrecipes' frequent e-mails months ago and yesterday, after reading about a cornbread and sausage casserole, decided I'd like to give it a try.
I can just hear you saying, "Goldenrod, that's not on your diet!" I know it's not, but I've been a very good girl for a while, and thought I'd treat myself. The biggest problem was figuring out how I could cut the proportions! There's just me, and the recipe serves eight!! (I can always zap something in the microwave, but how many days in a row would I want to do that?)
So anyway I thought I had it planned out fairly well, but then there was the problem of finding the ingredients - now that was a less than pretty picture! All was finally in hand - or I should say in the basket, and my last stop was in the meat section. Guess what?
You guessed it. No ground pork, at least not packaged. My recipe called for 'ground pork breakfast sausage'. So I went to the meat counter, confident that the butcher would be able to fix me up. No could do. Kroger's policy is not to grind pork to order. It all comes pre-packaged. What's with that?!?
I left the store w/o all of the ingredients necessary to prepare this casserole dish that had sounded so enticing. What I'll probably do in the next day or two (perhaps Sunday, on my way back from taking one of my regular customers to the airport) is return the other stuff I bought to put in the dish. Maybe not. Haven't decided for sure. Right now I'm a little discouraged. The gal in charge of ordering said she'd put in an order for me, but still!
You'll never believe what happened after I had loaded my groceries into the car and was wheeling the cart over to one of their cart stands! There I was, minding my own business and doing a good deed by returning the cart to its proper place when I saw this large SUV-type vehicle backing out of its parking place and heading right towards me!!
I immediately let go of the cart, repositioned my body to a place of safety, and another shopper and I watched with some fascination as this woman (not a little old lady, either - didn't notice if she was talking on her cell phone or not) slammed her vehicle into the cart. Incredible!
It has long been my opinion that parking lots are very dangerous places. The ones who are leaving have concluded their business and are anxious to get on to the next place on their agenda. They simply are not completely focused on the task at hand, namely that of backing out of their parking spot without hitting something or - worse yet - someone.
I'm going to conclude my 'idle thoughts' with a comment or two on the CBS series, "Ghost Whisperer". Do you watch that, by any chance? Well, the series has taken a decidedly weird turn. Not sure I'm going to continue watching it anymore. I mean weird!
I might decide to do a fairly short post tomorrow for those of you who do not know very much about the show. Would you like that? That way, you can decide for yourselves whether or not you might enjoy looking in on an episode or two. Yeah, I think I will. Look for it, OK?
Meanwhile, I hope you all have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. It's supposed to start getting cold here. Well, it's that time of year, what can I tell you? Talk atcha later!
Began my day very early this morning - too early, actually - by clicking on a couple of sites I haven't visited recently after first catching up with Steven's latest. He almost always posts shortly after midnight his time, and last night was no exception. I can look forward to something new and very different from what everyone else seems to be doing first thing each morning. Neat!
I made no comments except for Ellen's post. She was feeding M&M, Chuck's cat, spinach leaves in an attempt to train it not to beg for food. It was funny! She included a couple of cute pix, and I just had to leave a comment. I love cats!!
Kind of unusual for me to leave just one comment, but I'm a little gunshy right now after putting my foot in my mouth the other day and being somewhat careless and (I thought) intrusive with one of my comments on Craig's site. "It's all good," he says, but I'm having trouble getting over being mad at myself. I will, eventually, but right now I'm still kind of in the doldrums.
I reminded myself of Ann Richards who, when campaigning for re-election as Texas' governor in the mid 90's, made the statement about her opponent (who happened to be "W"), "Poor George ... he was born with a silver boot in his mouth!"
Die-hard Democrats and feminists loved it. The media were ecstatic and ran with it! Where was I in all this? I immediately lost all respect for that woman, and began paying more attention to "W".
I had trouble visualizing him as governor of our great state. I didn't much care for his laugh and facial expressions - looked a little 'smirky' to me at times, had some difficulty getting used to his inability to get his tongue around certain words that should have been easily pronounceable (imo), and thought his general 'folksy' demeanor would not be conducive to promoting Texas' image nationally.
He was elected, and I thought did a credible job. (But then, you have to keep in mind that I'm not nearly as involved in the political scene as I once was, so my opinion is probably worthless.) I was pleased, actually, when he ran for President and won.
I thought the media did their very best to try and elect Gore, trumpeting to the world that the State of Florida had gone to Gore when the polls weren't even closed there!!! I was incensed with rage, and wondered aloud to anyone who cared to listen how many tens of thousands of Florida voters who lived in a different time zone might have been on their way to vote, heard the 'news', and turned around to go back home. Talk about disenfranchised! Certainly we wouldn't have had any of this 'hanging chad' nonsense!!
I wonder how many of the voters in the rest of the country, who live in the same time zone as that of Florida's panhandle - Texas is in that same time zone, from here all the way up north to the Canadian border, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Louisiana, etc. - the 'guts' of America, might have been on their way to the polls when the Florida election (mis-reported and highly distorted) 'results' were broadcast far and wide.
It wouldn't have been even close, folks! Now, there's no way I will ever be able to prove a statement like that, but I'm sticking with it.
Ann Richards meant to be unkind. Mean, even! Lloyd Bentsen meant to be unkind when he zapped Dan Quayle during their Vice Presidential debate with this zinger, "And you, sir, are no Jack Kennedy!" A low blow. Quayle left the door open for it, but ugly nonetheless. And intentional.
I was not intentionally unkind or intrusive, but I certainly was unthinking when I wrote my comment. I sometimes (maybe more than sometimes) put my foot in my mouth when speaking, but not usually when writing (unless I'm really upset about something - Tammy'll vouch for this).
When composing a post - especially on the computer where it's so easy to change a word here or a phrase there, delete a whole paragraph, even, or start over - particularly one like this where it's so full of feelings, I often spend several hours thinking, and trying to get all my thoughts together in some semblance of reasonable order. I often jot down little notes in case I get distracted.
After viewing a few blogsites, I worked the daily Sudoku puzzle. Fun! Tammy and I exchanged a few e-mails, I got the garbage all bagged up and placed outside for pickup, and then I took a nap. It's Friday, and there was shopping that had to be done. Yuk!!
OK. Awake, alert, dressed, and with list in hand, I headed on over to Kroger's to get my weekly 'fix' of grape salad, baked fish filets, mushrooms, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I had signed up to receive 'Allrecipes' frequent e-mails months ago and yesterday, after reading about a cornbread and sausage casserole, decided I'd like to give it a try.
I can just hear you saying, "Goldenrod, that's not on your diet!" I know it's not, but I've been a very good girl for a while, and thought I'd treat myself. The biggest problem was figuring out how I could cut the proportions! There's just me, and the recipe serves eight!! (I can always zap something in the microwave, but how many days in a row would I want to do that?)
So anyway I thought I had it planned out fairly well, but then there was the problem of finding the ingredients - now that was a less than pretty picture! All was finally in hand - or I should say in the basket, and my last stop was in the meat section. Guess what?
You guessed it. No ground pork, at least not packaged. My recipe called for 'ground pork breakfast sausage'. So I went to the meat counter, confident that the butcher would be able to fix me up. No could do. Kroger's policy is not to grind pork to order. It all comes pre-packaged. What's with that?!?
I left the store w/o all of the ingredients necessary to prepare this casserole dish that had sounded so enticing. What I'll probably do in the next day or two (perhaps Sunday, on my way back from taking one of my regular customers to the airport) is return the other stuff I bought to put in the dish. Maybe not. Haven't decided for sure. Right now I'm a little discouraged. The gal in charge of ordering said she'd put in an order for me, but still!
You'll never believe what happened after I had loaded my groceries into the car and was wheeling the cart over to one of their cart stands! There I was, minding my own business and doing a good deed by returning the cart to its proper place when I saw this large SUV-type vehicle backing out of its parking place and heading right towards me!!
I immediately let go of the cart, repositioned my body to a place of safety, and another shopper and I watched with some fascination as this woman (not a little old lady, either - didn't notice if she was talking on her cell phone or not) slammed her vehicle into the cart. Incredible!
It has long been my opinion that parking lots are very dangerous places. The ones who are leaving have concluded their business and are anxious to get on to the next place on their agenda. They simply are not completely focused on the task at hand, namely that of backing out of their parking spot without hitting something or - worse yet - someone.
I'm going to conclude my 'idle thoughts' with a comment or two on the CBS series, "Ghost Whisperer". Do you watch that, by any chance? Well, the series has taken a decidedly weird turn. Not sure I'm going to continue watching it anymore. I mean weird!
I might decide to do a fairly short post tomorrow for those of you who do not know very much about the show. Would you like that? That way, you can decide for yourselves whether or not you might enjoy looking in on an episode or two. Yeah, I think I will. Look for it, OK?
Meanwhile, I hope you all have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. It's supposed to start getting cold here. Well, it's that time of year, what can I tell you? Talk atcha later!
Friday, November 7, 2008
"President Obama"
Every time I look at a site that shows photograph after photograph after photograph of Barack Obama with the caption "President Obama", I cringe -- literally, I cringe!
I think all y'all probably know that I was not an Obama supporter. I was not a McCain supporter, either, which makes almost no sense whatsoever!
When I went to the polls to vote Tuesday -- and I did, altho I didn't want to! -- I had just a terrible time deciding who the devil I was going to vote for for President of the United States. I'm not kidding you here, I had a gawdawful time!
Once I checked that little box, tho, the rest was easy!!
I left the polling place feeling as tho I had 'done my duty'. That's about it. And, oh yes, I felt a great deal of pride in myself that I had done my civic duty in spite of how I felt about the candidates in general.
What I really want to carp about today is calling Barack Obama 'President' before he is!!!
He is, in actuality, the "President-elect" and is scheduled to be sworn in in January ... then you can justifiably call him "President Obama."
Please do not 'jinx' him by calling him 'President' before then ... PLEASE!!
I guess it's some of what little I have of a superstitious nature (and I do have some, obviously) coming out.
Possibly one of the most flagrant examples that keeps coming to mind (nothing whatsoever to do with politics, aren't you glad?) is when Purdue was playing SMU (football) in the late 60's, I think. Purdue was ranked very close to the top nationally, if not #1, and the 'homeboys' were gloating over Purdue's wide lead in the first half. "Well, this game is all but over" type of crap. Purdue lost, and continued on to have a mediocre season.
Similarly with the Oilers (and I have yet to write about my rabid years as a diehard Oilers' fan) ... remember the game in Buffalo? Oh, my!
I sincerely hope that Barack Obama continues to pursue as tenaciously (when inaugurated as President of the United States) his stated goals as when he was running for the highest office in our land.
I think all y'all probably know that I was not an Obama supporter. I was not a McCain supporter, either, which makes almost no sense whatsoever!
When I went to the polls to vote Tuesday -- and I did, altho I didn't want to! -- I had just a terrible time deciding who the devil I was going to vote for for President of the United States. I'm not kidding you here, I had a gawdawful time!
Once I checked that little box, tho, the rest was easy!!
I left the polling place feeling as tho I had 'done my duty'. That's about it. And, oh yes, I felt a great deal of pride in myself that I had done my civic duty in spite of how I felt about the candidates in general.
What I really want to carp about today is calling Barack Obama 'President' before he is!!!
He is, in actuality, the "President-elect" and is scheduled to be sworn in in January ... then you can justifiably call him "President Obama."
Please do not 'jinx' him by calling him 'President' before then ... PLEASE!!
I guess it's some of what little I have of a superstitious nature (and I do have some, obviously) coming out.
Possibly one of the most flagrant examples that keeps coming to mind (nothing whatsoever to do with politics, aren't you glad?) is when Purdue was playing SMU (football) in the late 60's, I think. Purdue was ranked very close to the top nationally, if not #1, and the 'homeboys' were gloating over Purdue's wide lead in the first half. "Well, this game is all but over" type of crap. Purdue lost, and continued on to have a mediocre season.
Similarly with the Oilers (and I have yet to write about my rabid years as a diehard Oilers' fan) ... remember the game in Buffalo? Oh, my!
I sincerely hope that Barack Obama continues to pursue as tenaciously (when inaugurated as President of the United States) his stated goals as when he was running for the highest office in our land.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fun on election day
"Whaat?!?" you say. "Yes," I say. "Let's have a little fun."
The following is from an e-mail I received months ago from a bridge friend of mine. I've been saving it for just such an occasion.
Do you like Robin Williams? (Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.) However, this one is definitely on my "I do" list.
Picture him wearing a t-shirt that says (in Arabic) "I love New York." (pause for you to get a mental picture) Ready? (Sure?) He's holding a microphone and addressing a crowd ... ...
"I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan:
1 - The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good ole boys'. We will never 'interfere' again.
2 - We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines. They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.
3 - All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of who or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.
4 - All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.
5 - No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.
6 - The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient, energy wise. This will include developing non-polluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.
7- Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)
8 - If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere'. They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides, most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.
9 - Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.
10 - All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH ... learn it ... or LEAVE ... Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?
The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses'. She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'You want a piece of me?'"
I haven't voted yet. Have you?? However, I must say that I have been inspired to get my 'you know what' off of this chair and get out there!
The following is from an e-mail I received months ago from a bridge friend of mine. I've been saving it for just such an occasion.
Do you like Robin Williams? (Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.) However, this one is definitely on my "I do" list.
Picture him wearing a t-shirt that says (in Arabic) "I love New York." (pause for you to get a mental picture) Ready? (Sure?) He's holding a microphone and addressing a crowd ... ...
"I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan:
1 - The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good ole boys'. We will never 'interfere' again.
2 - We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines. They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.
3 - All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of who or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.
4 - All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.
5 - No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.
6 - The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient, energy wise. This will include developing non-polluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.
7- Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)
8 - If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere'. They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides, most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.
9 - Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.
10 - All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH ... learn it ... or LEAVE ... Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?
The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses'. She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'You want a piece of me?'"
I haven't voted yet. Have you?? However, I must say that I have been inspired to get my 'you know what' off of this chair and get out there!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Bits & pieces
Honorable mentions ...
Steven honored me yesterday with a recommendation in his post. Seems he'd been "tagged" by a fellow blogger, but didn't want to follow all of the tagging rules, so I am under no obligation whatsoever to do the same. Goody! (I'm not real big on following all of the rules, either!)
I've recommended various of his posts from time to time and have been known to occasionally/frequently make comments. One of his really strong points (imo) is that he will usually respond, sometimes at great length. Makes me feel like my comments/opinions matter. I like that.
If you'd like to catch that particular post -- and let me prepare you for the facts that his capital letter key does not seem to be working and his 'favourite' spelling might look a bit odd -- here's the link.
Sunday morning ...
I almost didn't watch Charles Osgood's show this morning -- just 'knew' there would be a ton of political stuff on there -- but I'm so glad I did!
Have you ever heard of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky? I never had!
Well, it seems that they're having an election this coming Tuesday. "So what's new about that, Goldenrod?" you might well ask. "Ho hum."
What's "new" is that the only 'human' entered in their mayoral race has received a total of two (2) votes!! Quite a few dogs, one of which -- the 3-legged one -- is leading the vote tally with 1773 votes.
In a fairly close second is Lucy Lou, a Border collie, with 1660. Third place is held by Higgins, a miniature donkey, whose rallying cry can be heard far and wide ... ... "Why not vote for a jackass? You know you're going to have one in office, anyway!"
I smiled a whole lot during this segment of the show this morning, and then Googled some information for you. You can easily do the same for yourself. One site in particular, this one, you should probably catch in a hurry because they warn that the contents may change as the election approaches. (Then try it again tomorrow and again Tuesday and a third time Wednesday to see if charges of election fraud have been filed.)
What else is new about this election is that you can vote online. Note that online voting ends tomorrow night at 8pm EST. Only fair, I guess. Read more about the individual candidates here.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention that all of the candidates are flagrantly trying to buy your votes! Each vote costs $1, and all proceeds go to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.
Take that, Charlie Brown! ...
Tammy's latest venture into watercolors produced this magnificent pumpkin! Isn't it just great??
Steven honored me yesterday with a recommendation in his post. Seems he'd been "tagged" by a fellow blogger, but didn't want to follow all of the tagging rules, so I am under no obligation whatsoever to do the same. Goody! (I'm not real big on following all of the rules, either!)
I've recommended various of his posts from time to time and have been known to occasionally/frequently make comments. One of his really strong points (imo) is that he will usually respond, sometimes at great length. Makes me feel like my comments/opinions matter. I like that.
If you'd like to catch that particular post -- and let me prepare you for the facts that his capital letter key does not seem to be working and his 'favourite' spelling might look a bit odd -- here's the link.
Sunday morning ...
I almost didn't watch Charles Osgood's show this morning -- just 'knew' there would be a ton of political stuff on there -- but I'm so glad I did!
Have you ever heard of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky? I never had!
Well, it seems that they're having an election this coming Tuesday. "So what's new about that, Goldenrod?" you might well ask. "Ho hum."
What's "new" is that the only 'human' entered in their mayoral race has received a total of two (2) votes!! Quite a few dogs, one of which -- the 3-legged one -- is leading the vote tally with 1773 votes.
In a fairly close second is Lucy Lou, a Border collie, with 1660. Third place is held by Higgins, a miniature donkey, whose rallying cry can be heard far and wide ... ... "Why not vote for a jackass? You know you're going to have one in office, anyway!"
I smiled a whole lot during this segment of the show this morning, and then Googled some information for you. You can easily do the same for yourself. One site in particular, this one, you should probably catch in a hurry because they warn that the contents may change as the election approaches. (Then try it again tomorrow and again Tuesday and a third time Wednesday to see if charges of election fraud have been filed.)
What else is new about this election is that you can vote online. Note that online voting ends tomorrow night at 8pm EST. Only fair, I guess. Read more about the individual candidates here.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention that all of the candidates are flagrantly trying to buy your votes! Each vote costs $1, and all proceeds go to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.
Take that, Charlie Brown! ...
Tammy's latest venture into watercolors produced this magnificent pumpkin! Isn't it just great??
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Statistics
Years ago, when I was in the final stages of gathering all the judges' results and assimilating them into my own research for my master's thesis, I came upon what seemed to be an impossibility -- a statistical anomaly, as it were ... that there was a negative correlation between intelligence and creativity.
It blew my mind. It blew my major professor's mind. She referred me to one of her associates at Purdue who was an expert in statistics, and that led to an interesting addition to my thesis. (For those of you who might be curious, there is not a negative correlation!)
Generally speaking I am not preoccupied with statistics, but I wonder -- and I put the question to you today -- , "How much of television advertising revenues come from election campaigns?"
It has got to be just a humongous number/percentage!! Even more so in those areas/regions/states where the races are 'close'. The media thrives on stuff like this, you know. They love controversy!
You know, we hear all the time about how dependent retailers are on Christmas sales to meet their annual 'quotas'. (And, once again, I give a "Boo, Walmart!" shoutout for dragging out their Christmas displays this year almost before October had even begun.)
I'm sure there must be nearly a gazillion 'experts' in statistical analyses out there who are just salivating at the numbers. Do you have any idea what those numbers might be??
I, for one, will be very glad when November 5th dawns.
It blew my mind. It blew my major professor's mind. She referred me to one of her associates at Purdue who was an expert in statistics, and that led to an interesting addition to my thesis. (For those of you who might be curious, there is not a negative correlation!)
Generally speaking I am not preoccupied with statistics, but I wonder -- and I put the question to you today -- , "How much of television advertising revenues come from election campaigns?"
It has got to be just a humongous number/percentage!! Even more so in those areas/regions/states where the races are 'close'. The media thrives on stuff like this, you know. They love controversy!
You know, we hear all the time about how dependent retailers are on Christmas sales to meet their annual 'quotas'. (And, once again, I give a "Boo, Walmart!" shoutout for dragging out their Christmas displays this year almost before October had even begun.)
I'm sure there must be nearly a gazillion 'experts' in statistical analyses out there who are just salivating at the numbers. Do you have any idea what those numbers might be??
I, for one, will be very glad when November 5th dawns.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Jesus wept
I had to turn off the news just now.
The lead story was of a possible assassination attempt on Barack Obama's life.
I do not happen to be an 'Obama mama' (or even an 'Obama grandma', for that matter) ... I try to be independent in my thinking.
To tell you the truth, I really am not sure WHOM I will vote for a week from tomorrow.
There have been a couple of times in the past when I have written my own name in. I kid you not here! (This will not be one of those times, altho I am sorely tempted.)
But to try and assassinate a Presidential candidate??!!??
No! NO!! NO!!!
The lead story was of a possible assassination attempt on Barack Obama's life.
I do not happen to be an 'Obama mama' (or even an 'Obama grandma', for that matter) ... I try to be independent in my thinking.
To tell you the truth, I really am not sure WHOM I will vote for a week from tomorrow.
There have been a couple of times in the past when I have written my own name in. I kid you not here! (This will not be one of those times, altho I am sorely tempted.)
But to try and assassinate a Presidential candidate??!!??
No! NO!! NO!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hug hug, kiss kiss
Yesterday in Orlando, Florida, Barack and Hillary were all hugs, kisses, and smiles.
I had actually predicted such an event occurring on January 22nd this year in one of my comments on another blogsite.
The blog author had despaired of the Democratic party's fracturing itself beyond repair. I wrote, "... ... But, wait! We have the kiss & make up scenes at the convention to look forward to!"
Author had responded, "... ... I don't know that everybody's going to be willing to kiss and make up later."
Well, I was way off on the date, but not on the occurrence.
What a charade!
How about this as a fantasy?
I had actually predicted such an event occurring on January 22nd this year in one of my comments on another blogsite.
The blog author had despaired of the Democratic party's fracturing itself beyond repair. I wrote, "... ... But, wait! We have the kiss & make up scenes at the convention to look forward to!"
Author had responded, "... ... I don't know that everybody's going to be willing to kiss and make up later."
Well, I was way off on the date, but not on the occurrence.
What a charade!
How about this as a fantasy?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Here, there, and everywhere
This is my 300th post.
I thought it appropriate that it be a 'bits & pieces' or 'scattered thoughts' type of thing, as that is what "Goldenrod's thoughts" is all about ... there is no particular focus. I'm all over the place! So, with that in mind, here we go.
ACORN ...
Hardly a morning or evening national newscast can go by without some mention of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
Founded originally as a voice for low and moderate income families, I believe, it is getting some fairly widespread negative publicity due to questionable practices by some of its employees and volunteers associated with the organization in re voter registration.
Two examples, in particular, caught my eye these past couple of days: 1) Mickey Mouse and 2) the Dallas Cowboys offense all being signed up as registered voters.
Another example was a young man (don't remember the state) who filled out 73 (!) voter registration applications in exchange for $$ and cigarettes.
I don't think it makes any difference who wins this upcoming election. There are going to be charges of voter fraud and disenfranchisement. I wish that everything were always on the up and up, but it's not.
Nuclear plant expansion proposed ...
This one is located perhaps 100 miles to the south and just a touch west of Houston. There are two reactors currently, and the proposal is that they have four.
BTW, this particular facility is the reason I came to Houston in the first place! My husband, a specialist in soil mechanics, spent months in Bay City scoping out the site.
[He was even called upon, at one point, because he was pretty good with people, to approach the very last holdout landowner in the immediate area. She didn't want to sell. The property had been in her family for generations, and she was the last one left. "Couldn't they just let her stay until she died?"
Well, no, they couldn't. Either she could accept the state's offer or let them take it -- at a much reduced price. My husband said that was one of the worst assignments he ever had.]
This nuclear facility supplies electricity for almost 2,000,000 people in the South Texas area.
However, there is a problem and it's a big one!
Currently, they are 'storing' the nuclear waste. If the plant's capacity is doubled, they will run out of room to store it.
Question: Where does one dispose of nuclear waste?
Put out to stud ...
One of the premier race horses this year sustained a leg injury such that he will no longer be able to participate in racing. The news reporter sounded very sympathetic when he said that the horse would now 'have' to be put out to stud.
My reaction is, "Poor baby!"
Sports ...
Yawn! My Astros have long been gone from any thoughts of a post season. The Cubs and Brewers, both from the Central Division, which in my opinion was the strongest in baseball, were summarily removed by the Dodgers and Phillies. Who cares? I don't! And what the devil ever happened to the Angels, for crying out loud?
Just this past week, however, there was a 'warm fuzzy' feature on the "Whalers", a high school football team from Barrow, Alaska. (And boy, do they ever need warm fuzzies there!) Did you happen to catch it? If not, perhaps you can look it up on Yahoo. A neat neat story.
The Houston Texans finally won a game. Those who are in the habit of 'arriving late and leaving early' -- Why do people do that? Don't they want to get their money's worth? -- missed the winning touchdown.
That's it, folks! My ramblings for today. Catcha later.
I thought it appropriate that it be a 'bits & pieces' or 'scattered thoughts' type of thing, as that is what "Goldenrod's thoughts" is all about ... there is no particular focus. I'm all over the place! So, with that in mind, here we go.
ACORN ...
Hardly a morning or evening national newscast can go by without some mention of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
Founded originally as a voice for low and moderate income families, I believe, it is getting some fairly widespread negative publicity due to questionable practices by some of its employees and volunteers associated with the organization in re voter registration.
Two examples, in particular, caught my eye these past couple of days: 1) Mickey Mouse and 2) the Dallas Cowboys offense all being signed up as registered voters.
Another example was a young man (don't remember the state) who filled out 73 (!) voter registration applications in exchange for $$ and cigarettes.
I don't think it makes any difference who wins this upcoming election. There are going to be charges of voter fraud and disenfranchisement. I wish that everything were always on the up and up, but it's not.
Nuclear plant expansion proposed ...
This one is located perhaps 100 miles to the south and just a touch west of Houston. There are two reactors currently, and the proposal is that they have four.
BTW, this particular facility is the reason I came to Houston in the first place! My husband, a specialist in soil mechanics, spent months in Bay City scoping out the site.
[He was even called upon, at one point, because he was pretty good with people, to approach the very last holdout landowner in the immediate area. She didn't want to sell. The property had been in her family for generations, and she was the last one left. "Couldn't they just let her stay until she died?"
Well, no, they couldn't. Either she could accept the state's offer or let them take it -- at a much reduced price. My husband said that was one of the worst assignments he ever had.]
This nuclear facility supplies electricity for almost 2,000,000 people in the South Texas area.
However, there is a problem and it's a big one!
Currently, they are 'storing' the nuclear waste. If the plant's capacity is doubled, they will run out of room to store it.
Question: Where does one dispose of nuclear waste?
Put out to stud ...
One of the premier race horses this year sustained a leg injury such that he will no longer be able to participate in racing. The news reporter sounded very sympathetic when he said that the horse would now 'have' to be put out to stud.
My reaction is, "Poor baby!"
Sports ...
Yawn! My Astros have long been gone from any thoughts of a post season. The Cubs and Brewers, both from the Central Division, which in my opinion was the strongest in baseball, were summarily removed by the Dodgers and Phillies. Who cares? I don't! And what the devil ever happened to the Angels, for crying out loud?
Just this past week, however, there was a 'warm fuzzy' feature on the "Whalers", a high school football team from Barrow, Alaska. (And boy, do they ever need warm fuzzies there!) Did you happen to catch it? If not, perhaps you can look it up on Yahoo. A neat neat story.
The Houston Texans finally won a game. Those who are in the habit of 'arriving late and leaving early' -- Why do people do that? Don't they want to get their money's worth? -- missed the winning touchdown.
That's it, folks! My ramblings for today. Catcha later.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Voting, politics, and me
I told all y'all just a few days ago that I would be voting this year.
My reasons for doing so will be stated here, in rather an oblique way, via links to other posts and articles, with perhaps a comment or two here or there (you know me).
If you have questions and/or comments, I invite you (as always) to share them.
First, however, I'd like to ask each of you if you watched the debate last night? I did. What was your reaction?
Initially, prior to watching, my emotions were quite mixed. Would there be terrible faux pas committed? Would there be a 'free for all'?
I watched and listened closely, and began the hour and a half by taking extensive notes. About halfway through, I stopped taking notes and began simply enjoying the event. (Don't you think that's weird? I think that's weird!)
I have never been a good debater. (Not really good on the telephone, either!) I am much better writing. I have a chance to think about what I'd like to say, write it down, then go back and rewrite, etc. Doesn't make for a good debater.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night's debate. I thought the questions posed were excellent. I thought Joe Biden's answers were authoritative and informative. I thought Sarah Palin's responses were skillfully 'off the question' at times to illustrate a point she specifically wanted to get across. I thought there was a great deal of cordiality and respect. I very much enjoyed watching it!
In particular, I enjoyed flipping from channel to channel afterwards (five in all here in Houston) to get various commentors' non-plussed looks and (almost) stuttered responses to questions about how they thought the debate went.
And that's all I'm going to say about it.
All right. Let's move on to my oblique references for reasons to vote this year.
The first link I'd like to cite is Steven's, posted just a few days ago, wherein he copies -- almost verbatim -- an open letter to the Prime Minister of Canada. If you go to the link and read Steven's opening and closing remarks, in addition to those comments of each of ours following that post, I think that you will understand why I did it this way.
Secondly, I'd like you to know about this site. It appears ultra-conservative to me, and I have no intention of recommending it one way or another. I just wanted you to know about it because there are a whole lot of sites out there that are on the extreme other end of the pendulum. Fair is fair, I do believe.
The last site, which was first referred to me in an e-mail recently, is this one.
The e-mail was titled "Why women should vote" and speaks about the original suffragettes with passion. Phrases such as "innocent and defenseless", "guards wielding clubs", "beat and chained her hands to the cell bars and left her hanging for the night", "smashed her head against an iron bed", "only water came from an open pail", and "food infested with worms" can be found in this e-mail, which was only recently written to try and describe events in and surrounding the 'Night of Terror' on November 15, 1917.
It is not well-written (the e-mail), but is filled with great feeling. If you would like me to copy it to you as it was written, please let me know and I will do so.
Our (women's) right to vote was won at great cost. Please do not allow yourselves, at least those of you who are of the female persuasion, to be disenfranchised of that hard-won right!
Perhaps, when you get into the voting booth, you find that you can only bring yourself to vote for one or two (or whatever) candidates or propositions on the ballot. Whatever! (And I dislike that word as much as the next person.)
Vote ... please ... VOTE!
My reasons for doing so will be stated here, in rather an oblique way, via links to other posts and articles, with perhaps a comment or two here or there (you know me).
If you have questions and/or comments, I invite you (as always) to share them.
First, however, I'd like to ask each of you if you watched the debate last night? I did. What was your reaction?
Initially, prior to watching, my emotions were quite mixed. Would there be terrible faux pas committed? Would there be a 'free for all'?
I watched and listened closely, and began the hour and a half by taking extensive notes. About halfway through, I stopped taking notes and began simply enjoying the event. (Don't you think that's weird? I think that's weird!)
I have never been a good debater. (Not really good on the telephone, either!) I am much better writing. I have a chance to think about what I'd like to say, write it down, then go back and rewrite, etc. Doesn't make for a good debater.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night's debate. I thought the questions posed were excellent. I thought Joe Biden's answers were authoritative and informative. I thought Sarah Palin's responses were skillfully 'off the question' at times to illustrate a point she specifically wanted to get across. I thought there was a great deal of cordiality and respect. I very much enjoyed watching it!
In particular, I enjoyed flipping from channel to channel afterwards (five in all here in Houston) to get various commentors' non-plussed looks and (almost) stuttered responses to questions about how they thought the debate went.
And that's all I'm going to say about it.
All right. Let's move on to my oblique references for reasons to vote this year.
The first link I'd like to cite is Steven's, posted just a few days ago, wherein he copies -- almost verbatim -- an open letter to the Prime Minister of Canada. If you go to the link and read Steven's opening and closing remarks, in addition to those comments of each of ours following that post, I think that you will understand why I did it this way.
Secondly, I'd like you to know about this site. It appears ultra-conservative to me, and I have no intention of recommending it one way or another. I just wanted you to know about it because there are a whole lot of sites out there that are on the extreme other end of the pendulum. Fair is fair, I do believe.
The last site, which was first referred to me in an e-mail recently, is this one.
The e-mail was titled "Why women should vote" and speaks about the original suffragettes with passion. Phrases such as "innocent and defenseless", "guards wielding clubs", "beat and chained her hands to the cell bars and left her hanging for the night", "smashed her head against an iron bed", "only water came from an open pail", and "food infested with worms" can be found in this e-mail, which was only recently written to try and describe events in and surrounding the 'Night of Terror' on November 15, 1917.
It is not well-written (the e-mail), but is filled with great feeling. If you would like me to copy it to you as it was written, please let me know and I will do so.
Our (women's) right to vote was won at great cost. Please do not allow yourselves, at least those of you who are of the female persuasion, to be disenfranchised of that hard-won right!
Perhaps, when you get into the voting booth, you find that you can only bring yourself to vote for one or two (or whatever) candidates or propositions on the ballot. Whatever! (And I dislike that word as much as the next person.)
Vote ... please ... VOTE!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Politics and me
I have published 282 times this year (this will be the 283rd), 12 of which are labeled, "Politics". This will be the 13th.
I've said, over and over again, how much I dislike thinking, talking or writing about -- in fact, even being involved in at this point in my life -- politics. So why am I about to publish another on this subject?
The answer lies in yesterday's post -- or rather, in the comment section to that post --, where I included (from Charles Osgood's report) the fact that "those poor weary congressmen" had finally come up with a tentative agreement. I meant the 'poor weary' phrase to be of a facetious nature.
I have precious little sympathy for how tired they might have been. It's about time they started working on some of the more important problems in our country. That's pretty much how I felt when I wrote it.
I could have linked Polimom's post of the 22nd, titled "Throw the bums out!", but I didn't. I didn't want the focus to be on politics any more than absolutely necessary.
However, one of my readers and regular commentors picked up on the tentative agreement reached between the two major parties in re the 'bailout' of the banking and mortgage industry and "went out on a limb" (her words) to express her opinions.
I could have treated her comment in a couple or three ways: 1) Not responded at all. 2) Found some way to make a light, offhand response and let it go at that. 3) Taken it seriously (as she meant it) and responded in kind.
I chose door #3. Took me a while to compose my remarks. She has since added an extensive comment to which I have yet to reply. I will, but not until after this post is completely finished.
First, tho, I thought I should probably review all that I had written and published under the "Politics" label, and so I did. Less than 5% of my posts relate directly to politics, and I found some that I didn't even remember writing!
All of them are linked below, in chronological order, with a note or two accompanying each link. Ready? Here we go ... ...
Presidential election campaign, 2008 ... 1/29/08 ... includes some discussion of Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama and Obama's subsequent 'welcome with open arms'.
Getting involved ... 2/14/08 ... first-hand knowledge. Texas as a "grass roots" state. Written as a direct result of my daughter's wanting to 'get involved' and one of her reader's comments.
A child ... is an adult ... 2/26/08 ... about DD's voting record, and some history of ex-husband and me getting involved in politics when we lived in Indiana.
Random thoughts ... 3/22/08 ... included a comment or two on the very brief discussion a couple of my old-timey taxicab customers and I had on the NY governor's office 'stink' and background checks on candidates for high-powered positions in general.
Polls ... 3/26/08 ... "listen to your heart" was the message I was trying to get across.
Another rant ... 5/06/08 ... on school board elections.
What's currently going on in my life ... 5/07/08 ... the second section of that post is where I commented on a PBS documentary that I had watched and thoroughly enjoyed ... my remarks included the Bush presidents (#s 1 and 2), Ross Perot, and Bill Clinton.
A microcosm ... 6/25/08 ... Although this post began with the gawdawful floods in Iowa, the crux of my point was in the comments section (elaborated on in the post itself) ... the term "microcosm" was meant to illustrate, at least in part, how quick we seem to be in this country to place "blame" on someone/something/somewhere else.
POWS ... 8/27/08 ... latter part of this post refers to the Democratic National Convention ... four pretty good paragraphs in there, including another zap at Ted Kennedy, and an honorable mention for Joe Liebermann.
Scattered thoughts and comments ... 9/06/08 ... I had a lot to say about lobbying and lobbyists, and threw in a couple of comments about pork barrel spending and rewards.
Cutting through the B.S. on Sarah ... 9/19/08 ... a verbatim account of an e-mail I received. I stated, in my response to a comment, "... IF McCain is elected President, she will almost completely disappear from the picture entirely!"
Yesterday's post was the 12th. I'll be adding a response somewhat later in the comment section to that post. Just now, tho, I'd like to take a little breather.
One added note before I finally finish and publish this post. If you have taken the time to follow any or all of the above links and read (or reread) them, you might have noticed that I said, more than once, I didn't think I would be voting this year.
I have changed my mind. I WILL be voting this year. I will be publishing, probably within the next week or two, my reasons.
I've said, over and over again, how much I dislike thinking, talking or writing about -- in fact, even being involved in at this point in my life -- politics. So why am I about to publish another on this subject?
The answer lies in yesterday's post -- or rather, in the comment section to that post --, where I included (from Charles Osgood's report) the fact that "those poor weary congressmen" had finally come up with a tentative agreement. I meant the 'poor weary' phrase to be of a facetious nature.
I have precious little sympathy for how tired they might have been. It's about time they started working on some of the more important problems in our country. That's pretty much how I felt when I wrote it.
I could have linked Polimom's post of the 22nd, titled "Throw the bums out!", but I didn't. I didn't want the focus to be on politics any more than absolutely necessary.
However, one of my readers and regular commentors picked up on the tentative agreement reached between the two major parties in re the 'bailout' of the banking and mortgage industry and "went out on a limb" (her words) to express her opinions.
I could have treated her comment in a couple or three ways: 1) Not responded at all. 2) Found some way to make a light, offhand response and let it go at that. 3) Taken it seriously (as she meant it) and responded in kind.
I chose door #3. Took me a while to compose my remarks. She has since added an extensive comment to which I have yet to reply. I will, but not until after this post is completely finished.
First, tho, I thought I should probably review all that I had written and published under the "Politics" label, and so I did. Less than 5% of my posts relate directly to politics, and I found some that I didn't even remember writing!
All of them are linked below, in chronological order, with a note or two accompanying each link. Ready? Here we go ... ...
Presidential election campaign, 2008 ... 1/29/08 ... includes some discussion of Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama and Obama's subsequent 'welcome with open arms'.
Getting involved ... 2/14/08 ... first-hand knowledge. Texas as a "grass roots" state. Written as a direct result of my daughter's wanting to 'get involved' and one of her reader's comments.
A child ... is an adult ... 2/26/08 ... about DD's voting record, and some history of ex-husband and me getting involved in politics when we lived in Indiana.
Random thoughts ... 3/22/08 ... included a comment or two on the very brief discussion a couple of my old-timey taxicab customers and I had on the NY governor's office 'stink' and background checks on candidates for high-powered positions in general.
Polls ... 3/26/08 ... "listen to your heart" was the message I was trying to get across.
Another rant ... 5/06/08 ... on school board elections.
What's currently going on in my life ... 5/07/08 ... the second section of that post is where I commented on a PBS documentary that I had watched and thoroughly enjoyed ... my remarks included the Bush presidents (#s 1 and 2), Ross Perot, and Bill Clinton.
A microcosm ... 6/25/08 ... Although this post began with the gawdawful floods in Iowa, the crux of my point was in the comments section (elaborated on in the post itself) ... the term "microcosm" was meant to illustrate, at least in part, how quick we seem to be in this country to place "blame" on someone/something/somewhere else.
POWS ... 8/27/08 ... latter part of this post refers to the Democratic National Convention ... four pretty good paragraphs in there, including another zap at Ted Kennedy, and an honorable mention for Joe Liebermann.
Scattered thoughts and comments ... 9/06/08 ... I had a lot to say about lobbying and lobbyists, and threw in a couple of comments about pork barrel spending and rewards.
Cutting through the B.S. on Sarah ... 9/19/08 ... a verbatim account of an e-mail I received. I stated, in my response to a comment, "... IF McCain is elected President, she will almost completely disappear from the picture entirely!"
Yesterday's post was the 12th. I'll be adding a response somewhat later in the comment section to that post. Just now, tho, I'd like to take a little breather.
One added note before I finally finish and publish this post. If you have taken the time to follow any or all of the above links and read (or reread) them, you might have noticed that I said, more than once, I didn't think I would be voting this year.
I have changed my mind. I WILL be voting this year. I will be publishing, probably within the next week or two, my reasons.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday morning
It's early. I've been up for an hour or so, filing papers and checking out my "Favorites", making notes and comments, etc. Thought I'd start this before Charles Osgood comes on in another hour or so and then add to it later.
I imagine he'll be doing an extended feature on Paul Newman, whom we lost this past week. I'm looking forward to what all else he might want to include this morning. I hope he doesn't talk about the 'great debate' on Friday night -- or, if he does, I hope it's something interesting. I really don't like discussing politics.
Chuck, in his post of 9/26, talks about various things that Ellen and he are doing while in Fayetteville, AR.
Scroll down just a tad until you come to the second picture, which shows Ellen 'rescuing' a small turtle. I love stories like these!
I rescued a turtle once. It was while driving a taxicab. A Sunday morning. No traffic. I was in the Galleria area, driving down Post Oak Boulevard, when I noticed a fairly large object in the road ahead.
I stopped the car, set the brake, and put my flashers on before getting out of the car to see what it was. It was a humongous turtle, very much alive and unhurt, inching its way towards the busy freeway and away from the man-made ponds behind him. What could he have been thinking?!? What an idiot!!
I gingerly picked him by the sides of his shell -- he must have been 18" across -- and carried him over to near the edge of one of the ponds, where I set him down, pointed in the right direction. Last I saw, he was inching his way towards the pond.
Now that I look back on it, however, he may have been wanting to commit suicide. Well, mightn't he? What was I thinking?!? What an idiot!!
You know, turtles live for a long long time. I wonder if they have memories to equal their longevity. He might still be mad at me!
The next picture shows an armadillo that she was too late to rescue. So sad.
My father was quite intrigued by the armadillo. You do know that the armadillo is our state bird, don't you?
One Christmas I received a brass "Armadillo Crossing" sign on a little easel that currently sits in front of my fireplace alongside a stuffed armadillo that has seen much better days, same donor.
(Later, after Charles Osgood and a nap)
Well, he had quite a bit to say about Paul Newman, actually. Very nice. Two different segments ... one a commentary, with a quote that I'll include in a post down the road that I've been thinking of doing.
What's your favorite Paul Newman film? My all time favorite is The Sting. Good through and through. From Exodus, I love the part where he's asking Peter Lawford, who hates Jews -- "You can even smell them", to look closely into his eye to see what might possibly have lodged there.
And who could ever forget the "What we have here is a failure to communicate" line from Cool Hand Luke? Gorgeous hunk of a man! Sexy lips. (Down, Goldenrod, down!)
Let's get the politics over with right now, so I can end with something pleasant. How's that sound?
It seems like those poor weary congressmen had to stay up until the very wee hours this morning to finally reach a tentative agreement (not in writing yet, so we'll see) in re the $700 billion bailout.
The Republicans got their wish by including a clause that would force banks and other such institutions to buy insurance (from the gov't, natch!) against future defaults, and the Democrats theirs by limiting executive packages.
Actually, I like both stipulations. (Something's wrong here, self!)
I did not realize when I wrote my banking post yesterday that the federal government had first seized Washington Mutual and then sold it to JP Morgan Chase. Must not have been listening the first time around.
I don't recall ever hearing about Dewey, the cat who lived in a library in Spencer, Iowa. Had you?
He first appeared in the dead of winter. Somehow or another, he managed to climb up and then get into the book drop, where he was found the next morning, shivering and shaking. When people started oohing and aahing over him, this loud purr emerged. That did it!
Anyway, it seems that over the years Dewey (so-called as the result of a contest), inspired the "Library Cat Membership Society", and developed quite a following in the community and over the internet.
When he died on November 29, 2006, at the ripe old age of 19, lots and lots of obituaries -- 270 in all -- were written on various websites ... 89,400 'hits'. Rrvit!
I have no idea why Charles chose to include that segment in this morning's telecast, but I'm so glad he did.
I imagine he'll be doing an extended feature on Paul Newman, whom we lost this past week. I'm looking forward to what all else he might want to include this morning. I hope he doesn't talk about the 'great debate' on Friday night -- or, if he does, I hope it's something interesting. I really don't like discussing politics.
Chuck, in his post of 9/26, talks about various things that Ellen and he are doing while in Fayetteville, AR.
Scroll down just a tad until you come to the second picture, which shows Ellen 'rescuing' a small turtle. I love stories like these!
I rescued a turtle once. It was while driving a taxicab. A Sunday morning. No traffic. I was in the Galleria area, driving down Post Oak Boulevard, when I noticed a fairly large object in the road ahead.
I stopped the car, set the brake, and put my flashers on before getting out of the car to see what it was. It was a humongous turtle, very much alive and unhurt, inching its way towards the busy freeway and away from the man-made ponds behind him. What could he have been thinking?!? What an idiot!!
I gingerly picked him by the sides of his shell -- he must have been 18" across -- and carried him over to near the edge of one of the ponds, where I set him down, pointed in the right direction. Last I saw, he was inching his way towards the pond.
Now that I look back on it, however, he may have been wanting to commit suicide. Well, mightn't he? What was I thinking?!? What an idiot!!
You know, turtles live for a long long time. I wonder if they have memories to equal their longevity. He might still be mad at me!
The next picture shows an armadillo that she was too late to rescue. So sad.
My father was quite intrigued by the armadillo. You do know that the armadillo is our state bird, don't you?
One Christmas I received a brass "Armadillo Crossing" sign on a little easel that currently sits in front of my fireplace alongside a stuffed armadillo that has seen much better days, same donor.
(Later, after Charles Osgood and a nap)
Well, he had quite a bit to say about Paul Newman, actually. Very nice. Two different segments ... one a commentary, with a quote that I'll include in a post down the road that I've been thinking of doing.
What's your favorite Paul Newman film? My all time favorite is The Sting. Good through and through. From Exodus, I love the part where he's asking Peter Lawford, who hates Jews -- "You can even smell them", to look closely into his eye to see what might possibly have lodged there.
And who could ever forget the "What we have here is a failure to communicate" line from Cool Hand Luke? Gorgeous hunk of a man! Sexy lips. (Down, Goldenrod, down!)
Let's get the politics over with right now, so I can end with something pleasant. How's that sound?
It seems like those poor weary congressmen had to stay up until the very wee hours this morning to finally reach a tentative agreement (not in writing yet, so we'll see) in re the $700 billion bailout.
The Republicans got their wish by including a clause that would force banks and other such institutions to buy insurance (from the gov't, natch!) against future defaults, and the Democrats theirs by limiting executive packages.
Actually, I like both stipulations. (Something's wrong here, self!)
I did not realize when I wrote my banking post yesterday that the federal government had first seized Washington Mutual and then sold it to JP Morgan Chase. Must not have been listening the first time around.
I don't recall ever hearing about Dewey, the cat who lived in a library in Spencer, Iowa. Had you?
He first appeared in the dead of winter. Somehow or another, he managed to climb up and then get into the book drop, where he was found the next morning, shivering and shaking. When people started oohing and aahing over him, this loud purr emerged. That did it!
Anyway, it seems that over the years Dewey (so-called as the result of a contest), inspired the "Library Cat Membership Society", and developed quite a following in the community and over the internet.
When he died on November 29, 2006, at the ripe old age of 19, lots and lots of obituaries -- 270 in all -- were written on various websites ... 89,400 'hits'. Rrvit!
I have no idea why Charles chose to include that segment in this morning's telecast, but I'm so glad he did.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Cutting through the B.S. on Sarah
I have to do something to take my mind off of Ike and the terrible aftermath of his visit through our area. Maybe this will help.
I received this e-mail last week from a friend who received it from her mother who received it from a friend of hers who received it from ... ... ... ... who originally received it from an old Air America buddy in Alaska.
It's verbatim, so be prepared to see some words I don't usually use in my posts.
And from an Alaska man who is a very serious cynic about all things political, here is my take on Sarah.
I first met and spoke with Sarah Palin about two years ago at our downtown Park Strip. It is a place for walking, carnivals, political outdoor things, and such. She was cooking hotdogs at a fund raiser and introducing herself to the public as a Governor hopeful.
She came by and said the usual, "Hi, I'm Sarah Palin and I am running for Governor." I expected her to keep on to the next person, but she asked me who I was and what I did in Alaska and we ended up talking for 15 minutes about me, Air America (she was all agog!) and my career in the Army and AAM. She is a pilot (Super Cub), I'm told, although all she told me about was that she loved flying.
As I watched her over the next six months as she successfully ran for Governor, I was really impressed. I was impressed greatly even before that after she resigned a good position (Alaska Gas and Oil Regulatory Commission) because a fellow Commission member (Chair of the Alaska Republican Party) misused their office and position. He was using the FAX, computers, printing room, and all to promote the Republican endeavors while in a State job. That is a huge no-no in any government employment position.
She resigned and made her point, and within weeks Randy Ruderich (the above bad guy) found his ass out on the street. A subsequent investigation found him guilty and he was fined $12,000. Small change, actually, but a giant point was made.
Next she went after our most horrible Governor ever, Governor Murkowski, and damned if she didn't beat him! All of us here in Alaska, except the Democrats, are sick of our State's corruption. That fact was shouted to the heavens after she was elected with an overwhelming point spread.
After she got into office she started after corrupt legislators and with the FBI's help we've put four of them in prison, indicted six more and the "Corrupt Bastard's Club", as they arrogantly called themselves (even had hats made with CBC on the front!), suddenly found it no fun anymore. Club membership is now in the toilet!
The current flap, which has cost her a ten point loss of popularity (she's still 82%!), was over firing a popular Commissioner of Public Safety who is responsible for our Alaska State Troopers. She fired him for no STATED reason which was her prerogative as the Governor. He served entirely at her option.
She and her whole family had a bad, bad experience with a rogue Trooper who was married to Sarah's sister. His name is Trooper Wooten. This dimwit Trooper had threatened Sarah's father (death threat!), threatened Sarah ("I'll get you, too"), tasered his 12-year-old stepson, drove drunk in his AST cruiser, got a pass by a fellow Trooper who stopped him for erratic driving a second time while in civvies and just a host of other things not yet released to the public. He got away with it and got another pass by the Commissioner's appointed AST Trooper Internal Affairs investigator with a tiny slap on the wrist. Five days off without pay to be exact!
This maverick Trooper is still on the payroll but only just. The Union intervening saved his malcontent ass. He'll yet get his I'm sure. Incredible heat is being heaped on the Troopers. Public heat, not the Governor's office.
The Democrats had the audacity to appoint an obviously biased investigator, Rep. "Gunny" French (so-called because he lied about being in the USMC while running for the Legislature), who is a staunch liberal and under the orders of Senate President Lyda Green who hates Sarah. She hates Sarah because after being elected Governor, Sarah told the whole Legislature in one of her first meetings with them that, quote: "All of you here need some Adult Supervision!"
Sarah was seriously pissed and not afraid of anyone there. That played wonderfully well with Alaskans after all of our corruption and after all of her successful battles against a seriously entrenched corrupt government here in Alaska. It pissed off the whole Legislature, though! They have stayed pissed but are also afraid of her because of her popularity.
She reminds me personally of our Alaska wolverine which will fight anything in its path if it sees fit to do so. No respect at all for size or position. Wife Cindy is in this category, too. Unfortunately.
In closing I must tell you that she is the best, most moral and most focused leader I've seen since President Reagan. I feel, really strongly, that like Alaska the rest of our country will love her within a few weeks.
Put simply, she represents middle America like NO leader we've ever had. I think McCain made a totally brilliant move in choosing her. She's a maverick who is probably tougher and more focused than McCain himself ... and she won't be a total "Yes Man" or more appropriately, woman. McCain will love her.
In 2012 she will be President.
My best to all of you in the hurricane belt. I hope you are all OK. We just had another mini Air America reunion here in beautiful Soldotna, Alaska along the Kenai river. We'll be doing this every year now, I guess. Like our Flying Tiger pals before us, there are not that many Air America guys left. I'm 71 myself this September 16. Where the hell did the years go so fast?
My best to you old buddy
Semper Fi,
George W. Murray
The title of the e-mail is the title of this post. I lay no claim as to the authenticity (or lack thereof) of any "facts" contained therein. Certainly it represents one man's opinion and perspective.
I include it now for a couple of reasons: 1) People (myself included) have been asking, "Who's Sarah Palin?" Well, this should give you at least a bit more info than you might have already had. 2) As I said, I wanted to try and get my mind off of Ike. Mission accomplished, however briefly.
I received this e-mail last week from a friend who received it from her mother who received it from a friend of hers who received it from ... ... ... ... who originally received it from an old Air America buddy in Alaska.
It's verbatim, so be prepared to see some words I don't usually use in my posts.
And from an Alaska man who is a very serious cynic about all things political, here is my take on Sarah.
I first met and spoke with Sarah Palin about two years ago at our downtown Park Strip. It is a place for walking, carnivals, political outdoor things, and such. She was cooking hotdogs at a fund raiser and introducing herself to the public as a Governor hopeful.
She came by and said the usual, "Hi, I'm Sarah Palin and I am running for Governor." I expected her to keep on to the next person, but she asked me who I was and what I did in Alaska and we ended up talking for 15 minutes about me, Air America (she was all agog!) and my career in the Army and AAM. She is a pilot (Super Cub), I'm told, although all she told me about was that she loved flying.
As I watched her over the next six months as she successfully ran for Governor, I was really impressed. I was impressed greatly even before that after she resigned a good position (Alaska Gas and Oil Regulatory Commission) because a fellow Commission member (Chair of the Alaska Republican Party) misused their office and position. He was using the FAX, computers, printing room, and all to promote the Republican endeavors while in a State job. That is a huge no-no in any government employment position.
She resigned and made her point, and within weeks Randy Ruderich (the above bad guy) found his ass out on the street. A subsequent investigation found him guilty and he was fined $12,000. Small change, actually, but a giant point was made.
Next she went after our most horrible Governor ever, Governor Murkowski, and damned if she didn't beat him! All of us here in Alaska, except the Democrats, are sick of our State's corruption. That fact was shouted to the heavens after she was elected with an overwhelming point spread.
After she got into office she started after corrupt legislators and with the FBI's help we've put four of them in prison, indicted six more and the "Corrupt Bastard's Club", as they arrogantly called themselves (even had hats made with CBC on the front!), suddenly found it no fun anymore. Club membership is now in the toilet!
The current flap, which has cost her a ten point loss of popularity (she's still 82%!), was over firing a popular Commissioner of Public Safety who is responsible for our Alaska State Troopers. She fired him for no STATED reason which was her prerogative as the Governor. He served entirely at her option.
She and her whole family had a bad, bad experience with a rogue Trooper who was married to Sarah's sister. His name is Trooper Wooten. This dimwit Trooper had threatened Sarah's father (death threat!), threatened Sarah ("I'll get you, too"), tasered his 12-year-old stepson, drove drunk in his AST cruiser, got a pass by a fellow Trooper who stopped him for erratic driving a second time while in civvies and just a host of other things not yet released to the public. He got away with it and got another pass by the Commissioner's appointed AST Trooper Internal Affairs investigator with a tiny slap on the wrist. Five days off without pay to be exact!
This maverick Trooper is still on the payroll but only just. The Union intervening saved his malcontent ass. He'll yet get his I'm sure. Incredible heat is being heaped on the Troopers. Public heat, not the Governor's office.
The Democrats had the audacity to appoint an obviously biased investigator, Rep. "Gunny" French (so-called because he lied about being in the USMC while running for the Legislature), who is a staunch liberal and under the orders of Senate President Lyda Green who hates Sarah. She hates Sarah because after being elected Governor, Sarah told the whole Legislature in one of her first meetings with them that, quote: "All of you here need some Adult Supervision!"
Sarah was seriously pissed and not afraid of anyone there. That played wonderfully well with Alaskans after all of our corruption and after all of her successful battles against a seriously entrenched corrupt government here in Alaska. It pissed off the whole Legislature, though! They have stayed pissed but are also afraid of her because of her popularity.
She reminds me personally of our Alaska wolverine which will fight anything in its path if it sees fit to do so. No respect at all for size or position. Wife Cindy is in this category, too. Unfortunately.
In closing I must tell you that she is the best, most moral and most focused leader I've seen since President Reagan. I feel, really strongly, that like Alaska the rest of our country will love her within a few weeks.
Put simply, she represents middle America like NO leader we've ever had. I think McCain made a totally brilliant move in choosing her. She's a maverick who is probably tougher and more focused than McCain himself ... and she won't be a total "Yes Man" or more appropriately, woman. McCain will love her.
In 2012 she will be President.
My best to all of you in the hurricane belt. I hope you are all OK. We just had another mini Air America reunion here in beautiful Soldotna, Alaska along the Kenai river. We'll be doing this every year now, I guess. Like our Flying Tiger pals before us, there are not that many Air America guys left. I'm 71 myself this September 16. Where the hell did the years go so fast?
My best to you old buddy
Semper Fi,
George W. Murray
The title of the e-mail is the title of this post. I lay no claim as to the authenticity (or lack thereof) of any "facts" contained therein. Certainly it represents one man's opinion and perspective.
I include it now for a couple of reasons: 1) People (myself included) have been asking, "Who's Sarah Palin?" Well, this should give you at least a bit more info than you might have already had. 2) As I said, I wanted to try and get my mind off of Ike. Mission accomplished, however briefly.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Scattered thoughts and comments
Astros ...
We lost last night to the Rockies, our first loss in nine games. It was a combination of Moeller (starting pitcher) not being at his best and a lack of timely hitting with runners (and there weren't that many) in scoring position.
Everyone else above us in the wild card race lost, as well, except for the Brewers, who pulled their game out in the 11th inning. So, we didn't lose any ground, but time is of the essence.
Lobbying ...
(Definition ... to promote or secure the passage of [as legislation] by influencing public officials; to attempt to influence or sway [as a public official] toward a desired action.)
I guess the first time I was even vaguely aware of such a concept was when I was in undergraduate school at Northern Michigan University in the late 1950's. Dr. Hardin was appointed as the new President of the University. He was appointed over other candidates because it was thought that he could influence the state legislature to appropriate significantly more monies Northern's way. 'They' were correct. He did.
One of the main problems I have with lobbyists is that they have to be paid, and their paycheck comes out of whatever funds they have been lobbying for! Kind of defeats the purpose, it seems to me.
Then we get into 'agents' and 'special interest groups' ... all synonyms for lobbyists, I think.
How about 'pork barrel' spending? These are nothing but bribes, in my opinion, to get a specific legislator to vote a certain way on a bill. "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" type of thinking.
What about federal subsidies to farmers to 'reward' them for not growing corn, to cite just one example? I shudder to think of the millions (billions?) being 'thrown around' here!
And speaking of 'lobbying', how about all of the amateur lobbyists who cried out for various school closings because Gustav might strike their area?!?
When I was teaching in the far north, we had 'x' days of classes scheduled during the school year, 'x' number of which allowed for 'snow days'. Anything beyond that, we had to extend the school year.
You'll have to keep in mind, now, that we never actually even started school until the day after Labor Day. So, the last day of school, depending on how many 'snow days' we'd had, could have been well into the third week of June if not later!
Politics ...
Both conventions are now history. (Thank you, Lord, for all -- even the littlest -- blessings!)
However, there is now, undoubtedly, added interest in this year's presidential election. An 'unknown' has been thrown into the fray. If this weren't so terribly serious, I'd be falling onto the floor and roaring with incessant laughter!
Sarah Palin in a bikini? (If she can still wear a bikini and look good all at the same time, more power to her, I say!) I wonder if Joe Biden would deign to appear in a like pose? (Actually, to my mind, any of such pix are completely irrelevant and should have no application whatsoever to a presidential campaign. Accordingly, they should be summarily dismissed and even disregarded for the sexism that they portray!)
My granddaughter's comment, upon realizing that there were some problems in Mrs. Palin's family, said (something like), "Well, I guess that's not a 'cookie cutter' family." Out of the mouths of babes, right? (This is a 12-yr-old 'babe'.)
Of course that's not a cookie cutter family! (And you know what? Even if it were, the powers that be would still be looking for **** to fuel their vitiocity.)
All of you who have been reading my posts for any period of time know how much I enjoy originality in phrasing of words, and I'd like to share with you this one, posted as a comment within the past week or so on another blogsite.
Somewhat encapsulated, it goes, " ... the epidemic of foot-in-mouth-after-stepping-in-cowpile disease ... still plagues our political discourse ... "
Taken entirely out of context, of course, but I wanted that quote to stand on its own. That man needs an agent/lobbyist!
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody ...
Can you believe that these two very cute kids have their own website? (Or perhaps their agents/lobbyists have.)
I found it 'cruising the net', what else? However, I just tried to update it, and it remained the same. Anyhoo, for what it's worth, here's the link.
Good luck!
We lost last night to the Rockies, our first loss in nine games. It was a combination of Moeller (starting pitcher) not being at his best and a lack of timely hitting with runners (and there weren't that many) in scoring position.
Everyone else above us in the wild card race lost, as well, except for the Brewers, who pulled their game out in the 11th inning. So, we didn't lose any ground, but time is of the essence.
Lobbying ...
(Definition ... to promote or secure the passage of [as legislation] by influencing public officials; to attempt to influence or sway [as a public official] toward a desired action.)
I guess the first time I was even vaguely aware of such a concept was when I was in undergraduate school at Northern Michigan University in the late 1950's. Dr. Hardin was appointed as the new President of the University. He was appointed over other candidates because it was thought that he could influence the state legislature to appropriate significantly more monies Northern's way. 'They' were correct. He did.
One of the main problems I have with lobbyists is that they have to be paid, and their paycheck comes out of whatever funds they have been lobbying for! Kind of defeats the purpose, it seems to me.
Then we get into 'agents' and 'special interest groups' ... all synonyms for lobbyists, I think.
How about 'pork barrel' spending? These are nothing but bribes, in my opinion, to get a specific legislator to vote a certain way on a bill. "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" type of thinking.
What about federal subsidies to farmers to 'reward' them for not growing corn, to cite just one example? I shudder to think of the millions (billions?) being 'thrown around' here!
And speaking of 'lobbying', how about all of the amateur lobbyists who cried out for various school closings because Gustav might strike their area?!?
When I was teaching in the far north, we had 'x' days of classes scheduled during the school year, 'x' number of which allowed for 'snow days'. Anything beyond that, we had to extend the school year.
You'll have to keep in mind, now, that we never actually even started school until the day after Labor Day. So, the last day of school, depending on how many 'snow days' we'd had, could have been well into the third week of June if not later!
Politics ...
Both conventions are now history. (Thank you, Lord, for all -- even the littlest -- blessings!)
However, there is now, undoubtedly, added interest in this year's presidential election. An 'unknown' has been thrown into the fray. If this weren't so terribly serious, I'd be falling onto the floor and roaring with incessant laughter!
Sarah Palin in a bikini? (If she can still wear a bikini and look good all at the same time, more power to her, I say!) I wonder if Joe Biden would deign to appear in a like pose? (Actually, to my mind, any of such pix are completely irrelevant and should have no application whatsoever to a presidential campaign. Accordingly, they should be summarily dismissed and even disregarded for the sexism that they portray!)
My granddaughter's comment, upon realizing that there were some problems in Mrs. Palin's family, said (something like), "Well, I guess that's not a 'cookie cutter' family." Out of the mouths of babes, right? (This is a 12-yr-old 'babe'.)
Of course that's not a cookie cutter family! (And you know what? Even if it were, the powers that be would still be looking for **** to fuel their vitiocity.)
All of you who have been reading my posts for any period of time know how much I enjoy originality in phrasing of words, and I'd like to share with you this one, posted as a comment within the past week or so on another blogsite.
Somewhat encapsulated, it goes, " ... the epidemic of foot-in-mouth-after-stepping-in-cowpile disease ... still plagues our political discourse ... "
Taken entirely out of context, of course, but I wanted that quote to stand on its own. That man needs an agent/lobbyist!
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody ...
Can you believe that these two very cute kids have their own website? (Or perhaps their agents/lobbyists have.)
I found it 'cruising the net', what else? However, I just tried to update it, and it remained the same. Anyhoo, for what it's worth, here's the link.
Good luck!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
POWS
What's that, you say? Well, it's Post Olympics Withdrawal Syndrome, and I have been afflicted with it for the past couple of days now. You might have heard it referred to as Post Olympics Depression, or POD.
So, what am I doing about it? For one thing, I'm complaining about it in this post ... always somewhat cathartic. I'm playing some bridge. I got my teeth cleaned this morning. My neighbor came over to look at some of my dead branches, first mentioned here, and he advised me to wait until spring. (Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow type of thing?)
Maybe Gustav will take care of some of them, whadaya think? This one I don't think is going to miss us. It looks like he'll be entering the Gulf of Mexico plenty early enough to easily become a Category 3 (or more) hurricane before he hits landfall again. My personal prediction -- and I'm not a meteorologist -- is that he will strike the Texas coast (upper, not lower, as Dolly did), perhaps on Labor Day, as a major Category 4 hurricane.
Meanwhile, the sun is shining. I actually did quite a bit of yardwork the other evening, and then took a long hot bubble bath afterwards to try and ward off future aching muscles. It worked!
I'm going to have to go back to smashing calcium pills with a hammer for a few days, and getting my supplements that way! This Viactiv that I've been taking for the past month or two has almost sworn me off forever from chocolate!!
There is absolutely NOTHING on major network television but the Democratic National Convention! Ick and yuk!! If you're enthralled with politics and the Democrat's presumptive nominee, you are in 'seventh heaven' with this week's programming. If you're not, like me, you're carping loudly.
Don't get me wrong here. I don't intend to watch all the political 'crap' that will be going on next week, either! In fact, this coming November will probably not see me in a voting booth for the first time since -- I really don't remember the last time I did not vote!! I'm not bragging. Actually, this makes me kind of sad. I'm just so sick of all the empty promises, the lies, innuendoes, slurs, etc., etc., etc.
I must admit that I was impressed that Ted Kennedy was able to show up. Isn't it fascinating how he is almost deified, now that he is very ill? Not wanting to put that illness down (and certainly would not have 'wished it' on him, no matter how much I might have disliked the man), by any means, but does anyone remember what happened many years ago? How that one incident, still lingering in many people's minds, permanently derailed any thoughts he might have had -- and indeed, he had them! --about becoming President of the United States?
Personally, I have a great deal of regard for Joe Liebermann. I see him as a man of integrity and personal conviction. Now, if McCain were to choose him as his running mate, I might get interested. But he won't -- and even if he did, I don't think Mr. Liebermann would accept.
So, what will I be doing the rest of today, this week, and the next? Well, I'll be watching "Fantasy Island" (coming up shortly), for one thing. Tomorrow night, I'll be watching my favorite 'hunk' in "Smallville". I'll be listening to the Astros try and play some good baseball, maybe even winning a game or two. AND, I'll probably be writing and publishing some more posts.
Hope none of you is suffering from POWS or POD -- but if you are, DO take some positive steps to try and get yourselves out of it, OK?
So, what am I doing about it? For one thing, I'm complaining about it in this post ... always somewhat cathartic. I'm playing some bridge. I got my teeth cleaned this morning. My neighbor came over to look at some of my dead branches, first mentioned here, and he advised me to wait until spring. (Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow type of thing?)
Maybe Gustav will take care of some of them, whadaya think? This one I don't think is going to miss us. It looks like he'll be entering the Gulf of Mexico plenty early enough to easily become a Category 3 (or more) hurricane before he hits landfall again. My personal prediction -- and I'm not a meteorologist -- is that he will strike the Texas coast (upper, not lower, as Dolly did), perhaps on Labor Day, as a major Category 4 hurricane.
Meanwhile, the sun is shining. I actually did quite a bit of yardwork the other evening, and then took a long hot bubble bath afterwards to try and ward off future aching muscles. It worked!
I'm going to have to go back to smashing calcium pills with a hammer for a few days, and getting my supplements that way! This Viactiv that I've been taking for the past month or two has almost sworn me off forever from chocolate!!
There is absolutely NOTHING on major network television but the Democratic National Convention! Ick and yuk!! If you're enthralled with politics and the Democrat's presumptive nominee, you are in 'seventh heaven' with this week's programming. If you're not, like me, you're carping loudly.
Don't get me wrong here. I don't intend to watch all the political 'crap' that will be going on next week, either! In fact, this coming November will probably not see me in a voting booth for the first time since -- I really don't remember the last time I did not vote!! I'm not bragging. Actually, this makes me kind of sad. I'm just so sick of all the empty promises, the lies, innuendoes, slurs, etc., etc., etc.
I must admit that I was impressed that Ted Kennedy was able to show up. Isn't it fascinating how he is almost deified, now that he is very ill? Not wanting to put that illness down (and certainly would not have 'wished it' on him, no matter how much I might have disliked the man), by any means, but does anyone remember what happened many years ago? How that one incident, still lingering in many people's minds, permanently derailed any thoughts he might have had -- and indeed, he had them! --about becoming President of the United States?
Personally, I have a great deal of regard for Joe Liebermann. I see him as a man of integrity and personal conviction. Now, if McCain were to choose him as his running mate, I might get interested. But he won't -- and even if he did, I don't think Mr. Liebermann would accept.
So, what will I be doing the rest of today, this week, and the next? Well, I'll be watching "Fantasy Island" (coming up shortly), for one thing. Tomorrow night, I'll be watching my favorite 'hunk' in "Smallville". I'll be listening to the Astros try and play some good baseball, maybe even winning a game or two. AND, I'll probably be writing and publishing some more posts.
Hope none of you is suffering from POWS or POD -- but if you are, DO take some positive steps to try and get yourselves out of it, OK?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A microcosm
If ever there was a true definition of the word "microcosm", it can be found -- but you have to have a pretty good-sized set of waders in order to try and plow through all of them and not have your eyeballs permanently cross with all of the misspellings and a LOT of free time -- encapsulated in the more than 450 (!!?!?!!) comments in response to a set of 16 pictures posted here.
A friend of mine sent me an e-mail this morning with this site referenced. Initially I thought, "OK. I'll look at some more flooding photos of Iowa." I didn't want to. I mean, I've thought about and prayed for these people so many times, I really didn't want to look at their suffering again. But, I did.
These are no ordinary photographs, by the way. Some I thought were just kind of so-so, but most were really quite extraordinary. Remarkably different from those posted on your local news stations.
When I came to the last of the 16 photos, making a few notes along the way as to what I wanted to include in a response to my friend, the "Comments" section began.
I thought I would read just a few. So I did. And then I kept reading, my jaw dropping MANY times as I did so. Does no commentor ever read what has been said before? Are we all so fascinated with our own viewpoint that we cannot/will not bother to listen to or read what another person has to say?
Commentors' opinions ranged from A-ZZZ, let me tell you. Shocking! Appalling!!
Global warming ... Bush ... Race ... Police ... Government ... Katrina comparisons ... The end is coming! ... Sue-happy ... US is being punished ... Blame
You name an opinion, it's there.
I'd like to cite just a few of the commentors, altho you're certainly welcome to go through them all, as I did.
#282 ... Refers to the first picture of the 16, and involves snopes.com (Who else?).
#?? ... Extremely insulting and thoughtless. Says, "Anyone want to go swimming?"
#72 ... Talks about how the US supports (darned near) the whole rest of the world in their time of need ("for political advancements, of course", he says, which I find to be repugnant) with no reciprocation. This particular comment reminded me of a recorded essay that I have heard many times, but to which I have as of this writing been unable to find the exact cite. When/if I do, I will come back and edit, OK?
#90 ... My notes say "Idiot". (I'll go back to it and try and find out why I said that.) I did. My opinion stands.
#125 ... "Scary" in my notes. (I just reread it. Should have said 'damn' scary!)
#156 ... "Hilarious" in notes. (Doesn't sound right, does it? I'll reread.) I reread. Not hilarious, but there were so many other comments on 'blame', I guess I found this one kind of a breath of fresh air.
#435 ... "Thoughtful" in notes. (Still agree.)
Get this! After you have survived all the rough commentors' waters, perhaps you might like to add a comment? The "Comment" site says, "This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it." Are you kidding me?!? Four hundred fifty some comments and the blogger is reviewing each one? I don't think so! (And no, I didn't try and post a comment.)
Shoot! I was all set to hit the "Publish Post" button when I remembered that I had not recommended that you at least hit the link to see the photographs. DO so, OK?
A friend of mine sent me an e-mail this morning with this site referenced. Initially I thought, "OK. I'll look at some more flooding photos of Iowa." I didn't want to. I mean, I've thought about and prayed for these people so many times, I really didn't want to look at their suffering again. But, I did.
These are no ordinary photographs, by the way. Some I thought were just kind of so-so, but most were really quite extraordinary. Remarkably different from those posted on your local news stations.
When I came to the last of the 16 photos, making a few notes along the way as to what I wanted to include in a response to my friend, the "Comments" section began.
I thought I would read just a few. So I did. And then I kept reading, my jaw dropping MANY times as I did so. Does no commentor ever read what has been said before? Are we all so fascinated with our own viewpoint that we cannot/will not bother to listen to or read what another person has to say?
Commentors' opinions ranged from A-ZZZ, let me tell you. Shocking! Appalling!!
Global warming ... Bush ... Race ... Police ... Government ... Katrina comparisons ... The end is coming! ... Sue-happy ... US is being punished ... Blame
You name an opinion, it's there.
I'd like to cite just a few of the commentors, altho you're certainly welcome to go through them all, as I did.
#282 ... Refers to the first picture of the 16, and involves snopes.com (Who else?).
#?? ... Extremely insulting and thoughtless. Says, "Anyone want to go swimming?"
#72 ... Talks about how the US supports (darned near) the whole rest of the world in their time of need ("for political advancements, of course", he says, which I find to be repugnant) with no reciprocation. This particular comment reminded me of a recorded essay that I have heard many times, but to which I have as of this writing been unable to find the exact cite. When/if I do, I will come back and edit, OK?
#90 ... My notes say "Idiot". (I'll go back to it and try and find out why I said that.) I did. My opinion stands.
#125 ... "Scary" in my notes. (I just reread it. Should have said 'damn' scary!)
#156 ... "Hilarious" in notes. (Doesn't sound right, does it? I'll reread.) I reread. Not hilarious, but there were so many other comments on 'blame', I guess I found this one kind of a breath of fresh air.
#435 ... "Thoughtful" in notes. (Still agree.)
Get this! After you have survived all the rough commentors' waters, perhaps you might like to add a comment? The "Comment" site says, "This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it." Are you kidding me?!? Four hundred fifty some comments and the blogger is reviewing each one? I don't think so! (And no, I didn't try and post a comment.)
Shoot! I was all set to hit the "Publish Post" button when I remembered that I had not recommended that you at least hit the link to see the photographs. DO so, OK?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
What's currently going on in my life
Well, #1 is that I was supposed to be attending a "job fair" today in the Galleria area. So, in preparation for that, I spent a good part of yesterday and even early this morning updating resumes, making copies of same, etc.
Then, I reread what was 'required' to attend. Altho the job fair was free and no pre-registration was required, resumes (countless numbers, no doubt!) were to be readily available and 'business attire' was to be worn.
The last dealiepop, that of business attire, threw me for a loop!
Well, needless to say, guess who is still at home?? However, her resumes have been updated and she's ready to face another day!
I'll latch onto something neat (or they'll latch onto me, one or the other) in the very near future, I really DO feel sure. I'm READY!!
#2. I took the time to watch PBS' two-part series on George Herbert Walker Bush.
I have a great deal of regard for the Bush family, I really do, but I fear that "W" may not have been up to the task of being President of the United States of America.
I am CERTAIN that, if GHWB had been re-elected, this country would be in a much better position at home (economically), and -- most definitely -- world-wide! I blame that little pipsqueak, Ross Perot, for Clinton's getting into office initially.
For eight long years, I hung my head and was embarrassed to say that I was an American, and that's the truth.
I really dislike political blogs, and am somewhat apologetic for putting this one out there.
Then, I reread what was 'required' to attend. Altho the job fair was free and no pre-registration was required, resumes (countless numbers, no doubt!) were to be readily available and 'business attire' was to be worn.
The last dealiepop, that of business attire, threw me for a loop!
Well, needless to say, guess who is still at home?? However, her resumes have been updated and she's ready to face another day!
I'll latch onto something neat (or they'll latch onto me, one or the other) in the very near future, I really DO feel sure. I'm READY!!
#2. I took the time to watch PBS' two-part series on George Herbert Walker Bush.
I have a great deal of regard for the Bush family, I really do, but I fear that "W" may not have been up to the task of being President of the United States of America.
I am CERTAIN that, if GHWB had been re-elected, this country would be in a much better position at home (economically), and -- most definitely -- world-wide! I blame that little pipsqueak, Ross Perot, for Clinton's getting into office initially.
For eight long years, I hung my head and was embarrassed to say that I was an American, and that's the truth.
I really dislike political blogs, and am somewhat apologetic for putting this one out there.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Another rant
Two days in a row? What's going on here, anyway?!?
Well, I had the car radio on, that's what happened. Why was I in the car? Well, I took another set of customers to the airport, that's why.
All might have been OK if it hadn't been for the fact that all of the sports stations were discussing basketball, which is WAY down the totem pole on my list of interests. So, I started channel surfing and happened to catch the Laura Ingraham show.
A guest host, and what he had to say wasn't too obnoxious, so I thought, "What the hey! This might be semi-interesting, and perhaps not so mind-numbing that I would be tempted to take a nap while driving back to the house." I stayed tuned.
The main topic of conversation was, of course, the primaries being held today in North Carolina and Indiana. Some interviews were conducted, opinions expressed, etc., and then a commercial came on. (You know how the volume always seems to be louder during commercials? It not only 'seems to be', it IS!! Supposedly illegal, but everyone [and his/her proverbial aunt and uncle] does it.)
So what's got my dander up today?
The darned commercial, that's what!! (In retrospect, I guess I should have just listened to some good music -- I've got a bunch of my "Favorites" programmed in -- , but I didn't, and here we are.)
The commercial was about the school board elections coming up in Katy (a pretty good-sized city just west of Houston) this Saturday. "... ... if you vote for these three candidates, the Katy ISD will have a Republican majority for the first time in twenty years ... ... good old conservative values, against big government, lowering taxes ... ..."
NOwhere in this commercial did I hear anything about the candidates' qualifications other than their affiliation with a political party. Disgraceful, in my opinion!! I couldn't wait to get home to get started on this post.
Some 22-23 years ago, I was asked to run for the Alief (That's where I live. It's a MUCH smaller community just southwest of Houston.) ISD school board. I declined. I knew that I was fully-qualified, but I had so many other things going on in my life at that time that I didn't think I could handle one more.
I don't know if I would have had to declare a political affiliation to run. If that had been the case -- and, if I could not have stated 'Independent' on my application -- I would have declined simply out of principle.
It is my firm belief that politics -- as in 'Republican', 'Democrat', whatever -- should have absolutely NO role whatsoever in education!! I'll stand by that statement until I am unable to utter another word.
I cannot even begin to tell you how distressed I was by that commercial. It made me want to go out and run an ad! (And certainly, if I were a Katy voter, I would look at all of the candidates very carefully. The ad even makes me wonder if ANY of them are 'qualified'?!?)
Well, I had the car radio on, that's what happened. Why was I in the car? Well, I took another set of customers to the airport, that's why.
All might have been OK if it hadn't been for the fact that all of the sports stations were discussing basketball, which is WAY down the totem pole on my list of interests. So, I started channel surfing and happened to catch the Laura Ingraham show.
A guest host, and what he had to say wasn't too obnoxious, so I thought, "What the hey! This might be semi-interesting, and perhaps not so mind-numbing that I would be tempted to take a nap while driving back to the house." I stayed tuned.
The main topic of conversation was, of course, the primaries being held today in North Carolina and Indiana. Some interviews were conducted, opinions expressed, etc., and then a commercial came on. (You know how the volume always seems to be louder during commercials? It not only 'seems to be', it IS!! Supposedly illegal, but everyone [and his/her proverbial aunt and uncle] does it.)
So what's got my dander up today?
The darned commercial, that's what!! (In retrospect, I guess I should have just listened to some good music -- I've got a bunch of my "Favorites" programmed in -- , but I didn't, and here we are.)
The commercial was about the school board elections coming up in Katy (a pretty good-sized city just west of Houston) this Saturday. "... ... if you vote for these three candidates, the Katy ISD will have a Republican majority for the first time in twenty years ... ... good old conservative values, against big government, lowering taxes ... ..."
NOwhere in this commercial did I hear anything about the candidates' qualifications other than their affiliation with a political party. Disgraceful, in my opinion!! I couldn't wait to get home to get started on this post.
Some 22-23 years ago, I was asked to run for the Alief (That's where I live. It's a MUCH smaller community just southwest of Houston.) ISD school board. I declined. I knew that I was fully-qualified, but I had so many other things going on in my life at that time that I didn't think I could handle one more.
I don't know if I would have had to declare a political affiliation to run. If that had been the case -- and, if I could not have stated 'Independent' on my application -- I would have declined simply out of principle.
It is my firm belief that politics -- as in 'Republican', 'Democrat', whatever -- should have absolutely NO role whatsoever in education!! I'll stand by that statement until I am unable to utter another word.
I cannot even begin to tell you how distressed I was by that commercial. It made me want to go out and run an ad! (And certainly, if I were a Katy voter, I would look at all of the candidates very carefully. The ad even makes me wonder if ANY of them are 'qualified'?!?)
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