I find it interesting that so many of those Americans anxious to overthrow the government by force because they feel their natural rights are being violated and that the government no longer is working to secure the safety and well being of the people it represents, do not offer up a plan to change things for the better after they toss out the current government. They promote violent overthrow because they feel put upon, but they are willing to force their personal beliefs as to the way to remedy this upon their fellow Americans, becoming as bad as the government they oppose. This makes them hypocrites.
Besides this, do these same folks advocating violent revolt really understand what such action would do to this country? Do they not see what civil revolt does to other countries? And are they so anxious to take up arms against their fellow Americans? Do they really understand the horror of this action? Do they really want more years in which various factions vie to control the form of our government, perhaps even using more violence? Do they want to see the economy truly destroyed? As bad as it is now would be nothing compared to what would happen. And what guarantee is there that we would ever restore the government to its Constitutional basis? Even the Declaration of Independence which says we have the right to overthrow the government, says it should not be done lightly but only in extreme cases.
My belief is that we have a natural right to completely change the government and we have the legal means to do so through impeachment of officials who deserve it, and through our vote. Now, this means we should be educated to understand BOTH or MULTIPLE sides to issues before we vote. We need to know and monitor our elected officials. It also means we should be voting for what is in the best interest of the entire country, not just our personal interests, or even regional interests.
And we need to start now.
I have to be honest. I think a lot of the people advocating violent overthrow are ignorant asses. They often are discontented with their own lives and want to put the blame everywhere but where it belongs---on themselves. Many are totally immature and think shooting off guns as well as their mouths make them tough, he-man type patriots. My daughter calls this type "Hatriots", which I think is a good term. Others are just ignorant and go along with any defiance of authority and often crow about it because somehow that makes them feel better about themselves. All authority is evil, they think. And by the way, if things are as bad as they say, how do they think their guns would hold up against the government tanks and weapons? And no, owning more and bigger guns is not the answer. Do they believe the entire military would refuse to follow orders and would not shoot their own people? I seem to recall the Prague Spring, Tiananmen Square, and numerous other places where the people who thought the army would not fire on its own people were quite surprised to learn otherwise. I would like to think our military would be different, and I do believe most, but not all, would refuse. But I could be wrong. Let us save our military for what it was intended and for what those honorable men and women serve to do---protect us from foreign enemies. (I thank them for every day I live in freedom.) And what other groups would be ready to jump into the fray if there was an armed rebellion? I can think of enemies both domestic and foreign who would love to take advantage of a civil revolt in the US. It could turn into a free for all.
I, too, think the current administration and the current number of liberals and of people wanting hand-outs and a nanny state is the most dangerous threat this country has faced since the Civil War. Political correctness, also espoused by these folks, has been taken to the point of idiocy, often flying in the face of common sense. I think many of these leftists are also dumb asses and every bit as dangerous as the folks on the far right that I just ripped apart. Plenty of them also should be called "Hatriots" because apparently they see little to like about the US, but consider themselves patriots even though they would like total change. I believe many want to totally change the government into a socialist state. They tend to think all big businesses and all business profit is inherently evil. I believe many think the state is their mammy and want it to take on what should be personal responsibilities. I detest the pseudo intellectuals, and those who think everyone is entitled to what everyone else has without working for it. They are enablers, finding excuses for poor choices and behaviors and laying blame on the haves for the have-nots. Others are idiotic dreamers and idealistic, thinking everyone would act for the common good if they had the opportunity. Some think terrorists are just like us, only frustrated. They disgust me.
I want many things changed and believe many members of the current administration should be impeached, including the Attorney General. I want less government where I believe it does not belong, but at the same time, I know we cannot and should not return to the days of the early republic when there were not necessary government services. One reason the government's role has grown so much is because there is a need for it . These needs should be for services only a government can effectively provide. However, there is also a line the government should never be allowed to cross, which is where free enterprise can thrive in a responsible way, and where individual responsibility takes over.
Yes, I see the need for change, but I am going to try to make change through my vote. I will vote for those I think can actually achieve the change I think needs to occur. I do not believe we should do this through a violent overthrow. If enough people who believe this would actually vote instead of just complaining and/or being ridiculous by advocating overthrow, we could bring about that change. I believe we outnumber the ones who are leading us down the path we are now following. So all we need to do is vote. And vote wisely. Vote for those who actually can win and can represent most of our wishes. There will never be anyone who can be all things to all people, who will mesh exactly with your personal priorities, but there are those who can match somewhat and who offer hope for change. At the same time, the majority in office has to look out for the minority but not become slave to it. Change may be slower this way, but it is the best way.
If you do not vote, then shut your damned mouths no matter what your beliefs. You gave up the right to speak up when you refused to vote, and to be an educated voter.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
I Made Him an Offer but He Refused
Dearly Beloved (DB) bought some Haagen Daz ice cream bars. He loves ice cream. Tonight, I just decided I wanted one so I went to the freezer to get one and there was only one left. I started to leave it for DB, but then decided to pig the ice cream for myself. At the time, I laughed and thought I would make up a story about a burglar breaking in and stealing the last ice cream bar. Har. Har. Then I just forgot about it all.
So hours later, DB came home from work, ate, and we were watching television when he got up and left the room. When he came back, he had a half full box of Nips caramels. He sat down and we continued watching the "Godfather". I made some comment about how someone in the film treated his wife. Then, very calmly and softly, DB said, "You know, I remember when I was little hearing a story about my mother and father. My father brought home a big piece of cheese. He told my mother that he was going out but when he got back he wanted a big pot of macaroni and cheese made with the cheese he had brought home. So he left but when he came home, there was no macaroni and cheese. My mother had eaten all the cheese. My father was so angry he chased her with a butcher knife." About this time I realized DB was alluding to the ice cream. I almost fell off the couch laughing. I tried my burglar story but for some reason he did not believe it.
Anyway, we continued watching the movie and eating Nips. Finally, I reached for one and there was only one Nips caramel left. Of course, I started laughing thinking about history repeating itself, so I told him I was saving the last one for him. Very quietly, he said it was too late and I could not make it up and said something about a butcher knife. And here I sit half an hour later still laughing me arse off as I write this post.
My grandson once told his first grade teacher that his grandfather was the funniest man in the world. I do think he was right.
So hours later, DB came home from work, ate, and we were watching television when he got up and left the room. When he came back, he had a half full box of Nips caramels. He sat down and we continued watching the "Godfather". I made some comment about how someone in the film treated his wife. Then, very calmly and softly, DB said, "You know, I remember when I was little hearing a story about my mother and father. My father brought home a big piece of cheese. He told my mother that he was going out but when he got back he wanted a big pot of macaroni and cheese made with the cheese he had brought home. So he left but when he came home, there was no macaroni and cheese. My mother had eaten all the cheese. My father was so angry he chased her with a butcher knife." About this time I realized DB was alluding to the ice cream. I almost fell off the couch laughing. I tried my burglar story but for some reason he did not believe it.
Anyway, we continued watching the movie and eating Nips. Finally, I reached for one and there was only one Nips caramel left. Of course, I started laughing thinking about history repeating itself, so I told him I was saving the last one for him. Very quietly, he said it was too late and I could not make it up and said something about a butcher knife. And here I sit half an hour later still laughing me arse off as I write this post.
My grandson once told his first grade teacher that his grandfather was the funniest man in the world. I do think he was right.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Thoughts on Quilting
As most of you know, I am what in the quilting world is known as a fabricholic. I am not alone in this addiction. We exist all over the globe, from the woman who sits on a dirt floor in India, piecing together tens of thousands of tiny scraps of fabric to make a beautiful and colorful quilt which she will sell for the equivalent of a couple of dollars and which will be resold for thousands or end up in a quilt museum somewhere, to those who have a $75,000 longarm programmable quilter and an embroidery machine that you program and walk away from, letting the machine do all the work.
We all, no matter how good or bad a craftsperson we are, no matter if we quilt by hand or machine, whether we are male or female, old or young, we all share a love of textiles that is an addiction just like alcohol or cocaine. How does this happen? The beauty of fabrics is like a balm to us on one hand and appeals to our creative urges on the other. I quilt in order to justify buying fabric. Truly. I love quilt design but in all truthfulness am not crazy about the actual sewing and quilting unless I am just trying to see if something can be done. I love vibrant colors, see art in each piece of fabric, and tend toward sort of wildly colored quilts although I can do traditional quilts too.
While going through a little book of memoirs I have been putting together for my grandchildren, in case they ever get curious about what their GG's life was like, I came across a couple of papers on quilts I wrote for a quilt project called a round robin that I did a few years back. I thought I might share these with you so perhaps you can understand how a quilter, at least this quilter, thinks. The second has a lot of quilting terms in it and you may understand some of it and some you may not understand. So any way, here goes:
While going through a little book of memoirs I have been putting together for my grandchildren, in case they ever get curious about what their GG's life was like, I came across a couple of papers on quilts I wrote for a quilt project called a round robin that I did a few years back. I thought I might share these with you so perhaps you can understand how a quilter, at least this quilter, thinks. The second has a lot of quilting terms in it and you may understand some of it and some you may not understand. So any way, here goes:
Reflections of a Fabricholic
by VG
My life is like a quilt
Some of my points don't match
And I am near to coming apart at a few of my seams.
While some of my scraps are dull,
There are some that are joyously wild and colorful.
I am not too evenly stitched but
each piece of cloth is held together
by the strong threads of love and loyalty
for and from family, friends and country.
Every experience, those remembered and
Those long forgotten is a thread that has been
woven into the fabric of my being.
I am worn thin in some places, and too
lumpy in others, but I still can wrap
myself around my loved ones and help
keep them warm and comforted.
I am a quilt to be used.
To be sat on, tossed in the washer and dryer, and enjoyed.
No mere art quilt am I. I want to be a warm memory
of those I touch long after each of my threads has worn away.
My Thoughts on Quilters
by VG
- Quilters have been around the block a few times.
- Quilters keep UFOs in their homes.
- Quilters are on the square.
- Quilters put it together piece by piece.
- Quilters don't need the INS; they take care of their own borders.
- Quilters thoughts are sometimes biased.
- Quilters fabricate their world.
- Quilters have batts in their belfries.
- Quilters love Shakespearean plays; their favorite is "Measure for Measure".
- Quilters are like clothes horses; they are always buying new threads.
- Quilters have been known to cut corners.
- Quilters have wide backs.
- Quilters are artists by design.
- Quilters should belong to the National Audubon Society; they love Flying Geese and they are on the lookout for round robins.
- Crabby quilters sometimes make fussy cuts.
- Quilters sometimes go against the grain.
- Quilters are on the cutting edge---by a scant quarter inch, of course.
- Some quilters are like orangutans---they have longarms.
- Quilters love the company of men---Michael, Robert, Alexander and Kaffe.
- Quilters seam on the straight and narrow, but sometimes they zigzag.
- Quilters are a scrappy lot.
- Quilters know that cotton is a drug and they are all addicts.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Gun Control Lunacy
There are a lot of gun control lunatics out there on both sides of the issue. You have your idiots who think they should be allowed to carry a gun openly wherever they go and then you have your idiots who think that by totally disarming the populace, there will be less violence. I, being the voice of reason, of course, fall somewhere in between the two extremes, as I imagine the majority of the population does.
When our forefathers wrote the Second Amendment to the Constitution, they were trying to protect the citizenry from an oppressive government. Based upon their experiences with British rule, they wanted to be sure that a well armed militia could be maintained to defend the people from both foreign governments and our own government, should the need arise. This is stated quite clearly. Back then, states did not supply arms to the militias. Members supplied their own arms so they needed to be guaranteed the right to do so.
Also, as many people hunted in order to supply their families with food, I think the Founders assumed that people could keep arms for that purpose and for personal defense. So I do believe the Second Amendment gives us the right to own and bear arms.
But every right guaranteed us in the Constitution has limits. Everyone knows the old example that although we are guaranteed free speech, we cannot yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater if there is no fire lest we start a panic in which people may be harmed. And of course we can be held accountable for slander or libel. So, I think it reasonable that we have limits regarding gun ownership and usage. Convicted felons, minors, and people with a history of mental instability certainly should not be allowed to own guns. Of course there are criminals who do not have a record of felonies, and people who are mentally unstable but have no record or have not yet been identified who are running around out here . So they would slip through the cracks in gun control. I include minors because I believe that first, minors usually do not possess the judgment required that anyone owning a gun should have, and because in most cases, they cannot be held legally responsible for their acts. Further, I believe if a minor gets hold of a gun and commits a crime, the gun owner should also be held accountable as it is his responsibility to safeguard his weapon.
I am totally opposed to open carry, which to me is just an excuse for idiots to try to convince others of how tough they are and that they are standing up for their Second Amendment rights. Actually, it shows they are unstable enough that they are among those that should not own guns at all. Carrying a gun is no proof of manhood or toughness. Also, some of these open carry types use that right to intimidate others. It works. I would never go anywhere I saw people, other than legal authorities carrying guns and certainly would not want children there.
I believe in concealed carry but with restrictions. First, an in depth background check should be passed. Second, if a place prohibits firearms, not even concealed carry should be allowed except by legal authorities or in some cases by someone who is legally designated to do so (and who has passed certain checks in order to qualify). Third, I think there has to be a reasonable need to conceal carry.
I believe all guns should be registered. Of course, criminals will still have unregistered guns, but a registration will help identification of gun ownership in some crimes. Access to this information would require a writ.
I oppose most efforts at more gun legislation simply because I believe there are probably enough, more than enough, laws now but that the problem is lack of enforcement. Only if a state lacks a law or the people wish to change an existing law should new legislation be passed. I see this as a state issue but would like to see some uniformity in laws across state lines.
I do not think that gun legislation will prevent incidents like Sandy Hook. I see that as the fault of the mother who thought introducing an unstable child to guns was a good idea. And of course she was held accountable for this in a way commensurate with the crime her son committed with weapons she owned and to which he had access. He killed her.
I think if someone is determined to kill others, they will with or without a gun. The thing is a gun is often easier and more practical to get and use than say, a bomb. But that does not mean that a person who keeps a gun to defend himself in his home or business should be denied that right because some idiot decides to shoot up a school.
The key to this issue is enforcement. Make the consequence for committing a crime with a gun so severe it serves as a deterrent. Make punishment for allowing a minor access to guns that results in shootings, accidental or otherwise, severe and hold the gun owner equally responsible or at least strongly responsible for the minor's actions. Make gun safety training a requirement for gun ownership and registration. And narrow the definition of stand your ground laws.
So yes, I favor what I consider responsible gun control, but I do believe people have a right to own guns. I believe I have a right to shoot anyone illegally entering my home because I have to assume, armed or not, they are willing to do me or my family bodily harm. I would not hesitate to do so. To not assume this is downright foolish. However, I do not see the need for assault weapons or large caches of weapons by private owners.
I do not see everyone who favors gun ownership as a pawn of the NRA, a redneck, or threat. I think those opposed to guns do more to turn off people to control than not, when they try to paint all supporters of gun ownership this way. And truth is, most gun owners are responsible people.
And I do not give a damn about what statistics are in other countries. They are not the US and they have different forms of law enforcement and different cultural issues. Besides statistics can be jiggled to fit anyone's needs. For example, gun death statistics usually include suicides, but do not necessarily say so. In my opinion, a person who wants to kill himself, will do so, gun or no gun. Also, that should not be considered a crime anyway. It is a personal choice, a stupid one in most cases, but should not be considered a crime. Yet, it figures into crime statistics.
Well, that is my rant for the day. I really don't care whether you agree or not. My blog. My opinion.
When our forefathers wrote the Second Amendment to the Constitution, they were trying to protect the citizenry from an oppressive government. Based upon their experiences with British rule, they wanted to be sure that a well armed militia could be maintained to defend the people from both foreign governments and our own government, should the need arise. This is stated quite clearly. Back then, states did not supply arms to the militias. Members supplied their own arms so they needed to be guaranteed the right to do so.
Also, as many people hunted in order to supply their families with food, I think the Founders assumed that people could keep arms for that purpose and for personal defense. So I do believe the Second Amendment gives us the right to own and bear arms.
But every right guaranteed us in the Constitution has limits. Everyone knows the old example that although we are guaranteed free speech, we cannot yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater if there is no fire lest we start a panic in which people may be harmed. And of course we can be held accountable for slander or libel. So, I think it reasonable that we have limits regarding gun ownership and usage. Convicted felons, minors, and people with a history of mental instability certainly should not be allowed to own guns. Of course there are criminals who do not have a record of felonies, and people who are mentally unstable but have no record or have not yet been identified who are running around out here . So they would slip through the cracks in gun control. I include minors because I believe that first, minors usually do not possess the judgment required that anyone owning a gun should have, and because in most cases, they cannot be held legally responsible for their acts. Further, I believe if a minor gets hold of a gun and commits a crime, the gun owner should also be held accountable as it is his responsibility to safeguard his weapon.
I am totally opposed to open carry, which to me is just an excuse for idiots to try to convince others of how tough they are and that they are standing up for their Second Amendment rights. Actually, it shows they are unstable enough that they are among those that should not own guns at all. Carrying a gun is no proof of manhood or toughness. Also, some of these open carry types use that right to intimidate others. It works. I would never go anywhere I saw people, other than legal authorities carrying guns and certainly would not want children there.
I believe in concealed carry but with restrictions. First, an in depth background check should be passed. Second, if a place prohibits firearms, not even concealed carry should be allowed except by legal authorities or in some cases by someone who is legally designated to do so (and who has passed certain checks in order to qualify). Third, I think there has to be a reasonable need to conceal carry.
I believe all guns should be registered. Of course, criminals will still have unregistered guns, but a registration will help identification of gun ownership in some crimes. Access to this information would require a writ.
I oppose most efforts at more gun legislation simply because I believe there are probably enough, more than enough, laws now but that the problem is lack of enforcement. Only if a state lacks a law or the people wish to change an existing law should new legislation be passed. I see this as a state issue but would like to see some uniformity in laws across state lines.
I do not think that gun legislation will prevent incidents like Sandy Hook. I see that as the fault of the mother who thought introducing an unstable child to guns was a good idea. And of course she was held accountable for this in a way commensurate with the crime her son committed with weapons she owned and to which he had access. He killed her.
I think if someone is determined to kill others, they will with or without a gun. The thing is a gun is often easier and more practical to get and use than say, a bomb. But that does not mean that a person who keeps a gun to defend himself in his home or business should be denied that right because some idiot decides to shoot up a school.
The key to this issue is enforcement. Make the consequence for committing a crime with a gun so severe it serves as a deterrent. Make punishment for allowing a minor access to guns that results in shootings, accidental or otherwise, severe and hold the gun owner equally responsible or at least strongly responsible for the minor's actions. Make gun safety training a requirement for gun ownership and registration. And narrow the definition of stand your ground laws.
So yes, I favor what I consider responsible gun control, but I do believe people have a right to own guns. I believe I have a right to shoot anyone illegally entering my home because I have to assume, armed or not, they are willing to do me or my family bodily harm. I would not hesitate to do so. To not assume this is downright foolish. However, I do not see the need for assault weapons or large caches of weapons by private owners.
I do not see everyone who favors gun ownership as a pawn of the NRA, a redneck, or threat. I think those opposed to guns do more to turn off people to control than not, when they try to paint all supporters of gun ownership this way. And truth is, most gun owners are responsible people.
And I do not give a damn about what statistics are in other countries. They are not the US and they have different forms of law enforcement and different cultural issues. Besides statistics can be jiggled to fit anyone's needs. For example, gun death statistics usually include suicides, but do not necessarily say so. In my opinion, a person who wants to kill himself, will do so, gun or no gun. Also, that should not be considered a crime anyway. It is a personal choice, a stupid one in most cases, but should not be considered a crime. Yet, it figures into crime statistics.
Well, that is my rant for the day. I really don't care whether you agree or not. My blog. My opinion.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
My take on the Government Stand Off
Time for a rant. I am not going to proofread this because I know it will be long, so if you bother to read it at all, just assume all the misspellings, errors in grammar, etc. are due to my just plopping this down.
Hope those idiots on both sides, but especially the Dems and the idiot in the White House come to an agreement soon. There has to be a limit on our debt. And if the stock market drops because of this, we may see a depression that makes the Great Depression look like a mere recession. We cannot go on making temporary budgets. At the same time, now is not the time to increase the debt ceiling and institute a health program that will cost us all so much. (Yes, I know the Unaffordable Health Care Act is Law, but as such, it needs to apply to all or none. And it needs to be delayed while it is reviewed and some kinks are worked out. Of course, if Congress had actually read the act prior to passing it, and we had not allowed Congress to pass it just to push through a liberal agenda as quickly as possible, we would not be debating Obama Care now.) Common sense should tell us that is no way to run a personal or government budget. The only solution is to cut federal spending and to rigorously promote private sector jobs and get every able bodied person working. Everyone who can has to work to help enrich themselves and the economy.
Hope those idiots on both sides, but especially the Dems and the idiot in the White House come to an agreement soon. There has to be a limit on our debt. And if the stock market drops because of this, we may see a depression that makes the Great Depression look like a mere recession. We cannot go on making temporary budgets. At the same time, now is not the time to increase the debt ceiling and institute a health program that will cost us all so much. (Yes, I know the Unaffordable Health Care Act is Law, but as such, it needs to apply to all or none. And it needs to be delayed while it is reviewed and some kinks are worked out. Of course, if Congress had actually read the act prior to passing it, and we had not allowed Congress to pass it just to push through a liberal agenda as quickly as possible, we would not be debating Obama Care now.) Common sense should tell us that is no way to run a personal or government budget. The only solution is to cut federal spending and to rigorously promote private sector jobs and get every able bodied person working. Everyone who can has to work to help enrich themselves and the economy.
Almost all government, national and international issues work basically like personal issues, only on a grander scale. I do not know why people cannot figure out why more government and more government jobs does anything but hurt the economy. How does spending one's own money to pay workers grow one's wealth?? Well, the answer of course is it does not. And borrowing more money just increases one's debt. And borrowing from one' s enemy just gives the enemy a foothold in controlling your life. And when you are deeply in debt, you do not go and buy something that will not only increase that debt, but which your grandkids will have to help pay for most of their lives. And creating more money to cover this just devalues the money. Our creditors will not want to invest in us and our credit rating will nose dive. And we do not want to declare bankruptcy because that opens another can of worms which will necessitate even more cut backs and make us appear even more irresponsible (which we would be) and make it difficult to get the things we really need. This all seems simple to me. Admittedly, it is a bit more complex when applied to government, but basically the same. So if the average person of any intelligence can see this, why can't Congress and those advocates of the liberal economic agenda??
So who is to blame for all this mess? WE are. We are for demanding government provide us with everything. We are for confusing luxuries and non-essentials with necessities. We are for electing people who cannot balance a budget because they are more concerned about their positions of power than what is best for the country. We are for encouraging several generations who think the rest of us are responsible for giving them everything instead of their working for it and thereby shrinking the tax base needed to support necessary government programs. That is why we do not have the money to pay those who truly cannot help themselves, or those who are trying to work but cannot find jobs that pay enough for basic sustenance.
No one wants to see those who actually cannot take care of themselves, suffer. But the problem is spending on unneeded programs, supporting those who can support themselves, and enlarging government, just means in the end, everyone suffers. Socialism is for dreamers and not a practical solution. And who in their right mind wants more government control over their lives? Anytime you become dependent on someone or something else, you are giving up your own ability to be independent. If you allow your parents to buy your house, buy your food, buy your clothes, etc., your parents control your life. Isn't that one reason most kids can hardly wait to leave home when they grow up?? Same with the government.
A free society has to put independence from government control whenever possible as a priority. Of course there is a role for government. We want controls that enable us to travel more efficiently (roads, airlines, etc) and which protect business and commerce. We want enforcement of the Constitution so all US citizens (emphasis on CITIZENS and people here LEGALLY) get equal treatment and opportunity under the law. And we want equal opportunity. But even these things, as do all rights, come with limits. No one gets total independence and total rights. No society could be a society like that. But if we abrogate our personal responsibilities to the government, then we are at its mercy and lose choice and personal control over our lives. And no one wins.
I hear people point out European models. Well, guess what? Europeans pay enormously high taxes with little income left for discretionary spending. And having lived in Europe, it is my observation that they do not care about personal rights as much as Americans do. Perhaps because they have never had the personal freedoms we have. They are more pragmatic about government. That is okay. It is their choice. But personal freedoms are what has built this country into the leading nation it is. And, I for one, have no desire not to be on top of the heap among nations because that helps ensure that we can maintain our way of life and not be subject to other nations, such as the Chinese. That is why we must pay off our foreign debt and control the domestic debt.
Okay. I am done. If you disagree, you are just plain wrong, but you have the right to disagree. Except on my blog. Rant on your own blog.
Oh, and a postscript. Not everyone who opposes Obama Care is an ignorant redneck and wants to see people suffer. Not everyone who is opposed to responsible, sane people being allowed to own guns is a redneck baby killer. Not everyone in the South is uneducated. Not everyone who opposes the idiot in the White House is a racist (no need to be... there are plenty of legitimate reasons to think he is a total incompetent). Not every conservative is a far right narrow minded religious reactionary. In fact, not all Conservatives are religious at all. Favoring the Constitution over Sharia law is not racism. It just means we have our own laws which govern the land. (Besides, look how good Sharia law serves Islamic nations. That should scare the hell out of everyone.) Being opposed to ILLEGAL immigration does not make us racists. There is a vast difference between illegal immigration and legal immigration. Wanting a strong military does not make us want war. Just the opposite. And not all conservatives think abortion belongs as an issue in a Presidential and Congressional race, no matter which side of the issue you stand on. And most conservatives are not homophobes nor do they want to repress women or their reproductive rights. And questioning the theory that global warming, if it exists, is entirely a man made phenomenon and seeing the Kyoto Accords as a financial scam and Al Gore as a self serving idiot, does not mean we do not believe in science.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
We recently placed a carry out order at Applebee's for two burgers and two orders of onion rings. When we got home we found we each got exactly three small onion rings. The largest ring was about two inches in diameter. I wasn't expecting a blooming onion, but what the heck? And on top of that, the rings tasted like Sonics. Not good. What a rip off. This just rubbed me the wrong way. Someone had to fill that order and had to know what they put in it. So either they were negligent or the restaurant's serving is inadequate. I know they do not give big servings of onion rings at Applebee's because I have seen them delivered to other people's tables when I have been eating inside. But, this is ridiculous. I was so irked, I called the manager and complained and he just mumbled something, but no "sorry", no explanation, nothing. Then I wrote the corporate headquarters. (Told you I was mad!) This was Saturday night. Today I get a couldn't -be -sorrier letter from the manager of the local restaurant, offering free burgers and onion rings. Coincidence? I think not.
It is pathetic when you have to write a letter to corporate headquarters to get an appropriate, if most likely insincere, reaction from the manager. All I wanted was a decent sized order of onion rings the first time around. If they are only going to serve three small rings per order, they should print it on the menu. I do not think my expectations were unreasonable, especially at the price they want for onion rings. No wonder restaurants go out of business. Unfortunately, in our town, we do not have a decent restaurant...certainly not a good local one, and the chains are inferior to the ones elsewhere.
We also only have one theater, which is so filthy, we do not go to it. You can feel and hear your shoes sticking to the floor when you move your feet. I am afraid to put my purse or coat down. I fear I will bring home roaches or bedbugs or some other vermin. So we go elsewhere if we want to see the same movie that is playing about two miles from home. We drive 45-110 miles for dinner and a movie.
No wonder so many people from here go out of town for food and entertainment, putting tax money into communities other than our own and creating employment for those communities. We never have a night out in our own town and that is too bad. One should expect more in a town of 46,000 people.
So what is the problem? Lousy help? Lousy pay? Attitude? It may be a combination of things.
Worse yet, is our town is a medical hub for people in the north central and northwest part of the state. Some drive all the way from the far reaches of the panhandle to use our services. I cannot but wonder what they think of our restaurants and theater and general lack of amenities. Yes, I guess we probably have more than they have, but quantity does not equate with quality, apparently.
This town cannot keep good young professionals. Local kids have to leave to get ahead. Part of this is common to a lot of small towns, but I have been to smaller towns than ours that thrive and seem to offer so much more. We need to reinvent ourselves in many ways, not just in the field of entertainment offerings.
So this is the complaint. Not sure what the answer is, but I do know that if there is no change, the town will decline and die.
It is pathetic when you have to write a letter to corporate headquarters to get an appropriate, if most likely insincere, reaction from the manager. All I wanted was a decent sized order of onion rings the first time around. If they are only going to serve three small rings per order, they should print it on the menu. I do not think my expectations were unreasonable, especially at the price they want for onion rings. No wonder restaurants go out of business. Unfortunately, in our town, we do not have a decent restaurant...certainly not a good local one, and the chains are inferior to the ones elsewhere.
We also only have one theater, which is so filthy, we do not go to it. You can feel and hear your shoes sticking to the floor when you move your feet. I am afraid to put my purse or coat down. I fear I will bring home roaches or bedbugs or some other vermin. So we go elsewhere if we want to see the same movie that is playing about two miles from home. We drive 45-110 miles for dinner and a movie.
No wonder so many people from here go out of town for food and entertainment, putting tax money into communities other than our own and creating employment for those communities. We never have a night out in our own town and that is too bad. One should expect more in a town of 46,000 people.
So what is the problem? Lousy help? Lousy pay? Attitude? It may be a combination of things.
Worse yet, is our town is a medical hub for people in the north central and northwest part of the state. Some drive all the way from the far reaches of the panhandle to use our services. I cannot but wonder what they think of our restaurants and theater and general lack of amenities. Yes, I guess we probably have more than they have, but quantity does not equate with quality, apparently.
This town cannot keep good young professionals. Local kids have to leave to get ahead. Part of this is common to a lot of small towns, but I have been to smaller towns than ours that thrive and seem to offer so much more. We need to reinvent ourselves in many ways, not just in the field of entertainment offerings.
So this is the complaint. Not sure what the answer is, but I do know that if there is no change, the town will decline and die.
Monday, September 23, 2013
End of the Summer Whine
It has been a long time since I have written anything on this blog. The main reason I created it was just to learn to blog. But I think I may start posting to it again now that summer is beginning to fade and I am indoors a bit more.
Speaking of the fading of my favorite season, my summer plants are starting to look a bit scraggly so I have been trying to find plants that will do well in pots and stay green and bloom most of the winter here in my neck of the woods. That means they have to survive a couple of ice storms, some snow, and drought. I have come to the conclusion that instead of getting these plants at a nursery, perhaps a trip to Hobby Lobby would be better! Oh, how I dread fall and winter.
I think I will take the window coverings off in my sewing room to let in as much sunshine as possible this winter. Of course then, my neighbors would probably appreciate my not sewing in my underwear.
The table for the diy quilting table project I created for DB is on its way. I suppose that means I have to try to clean and make some order in the sewing room which is currently in a bit of disarray. One nice thing about having a small sewing room is it stays so crowded no one else ever wants to enter it. I can find my way through it in the dark without stubbing a toe or cracking a hip bone (good thing at my age), but few others, except maybe my granddaughters, want to venture in there.
I would think that for a small kid the room would be a wonder. No end of things to see and so many colors and textures. Small kid, nothing. That is what I love about it, too. Thanks to DB's handy work, it seems really fabulous to me, except for its size. But considering I, like most women, had to sew and quilt on the dining room table for years, I feel pretty lucky to have what I have...including DB, who has made so much what I have possible. And I am not just speaking about material (no pun intended) things.
I have decided DB should be cloned. If all kids had a dad like him, I have a feeling the world would be in much better shape. Alas, I refuse to let him set out to prove me right!!! That reminds me, I am getting ready to quilt a simple quilt I made him that consists of different fabrics with cheesecake pictures. I think I will name it (quilters always name their quilts) "Allowed to Sleep with Other Women" because those are the only other women DB is allowed to sleep with.
Speaking of the fading of my favorite season, my summer plants are starting to look a bit scraggly so I have been trying to find plants that will do well in pots and stay green and bloom most of the winter here in my neck of the woods. That means they have to survive a couple of ice storms, some snow, and drought. I have come to the conclusion that instead of getting these plants at a nursery, perhaps a trip to Hobby Lobby would be better! Oh, how I dread fall and winter.
I think I will take the window coverings off in my sewing room to let in as much sunshine as possible this winter. Of course then, my neighbors would probably appreciate my not sewing in my underwear.
The table for the diy quilting table project I created for DB is on its way. I suppose that means I have to try to clean and make some order in the sewing room which is currently in a bit of disarray. One nice thing about having a small sewing room is it stays so crowded no one else ever wants to enter it. I can find my way through it in the dark without stubbing a toe or cracking a hip bone (good thing at my age), but few others, except maybe my granddaughters, want to venture in there.
I would think that for a small kid the room would be a wonder. No end of things to see and so many colors and textures. Small kid, nothing. That is what I love about it, too. Thanks to DB's handy work, it seems really fabulous to me, except for its size. But considering I, like most women, had to sew and quilt on the dining room table for years, I feel pretty lucky to have what I have...including DB, who has made so much what I have possible. And I am not just speaking about material (no pun intended) things.
I have decided DB should be cloned. If all kids had a dad like him, I have a feeling the world would be in much better shape. Alas, I refuse to let him set out to prove me right!!! That reminds me, I am getting ready to quilt a simple quilt I made him that consists of different fabrics with cheesecake pictures. I think I will name it (quilters always name their quilts) "Allowed to Sleep with Other Women" because those are the only other women DB is allowed to sleep with.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Dual Citizenship, Dual Loyalties
I am a die hard BeeGees fan and with the tragedies the family has suffered, I have been thinking more about them lately. In fact, it was learning that Barry Gibb has dual citizenship (the US and England) that prompted this post. I have been thinking about dual citizenship. Dual citizenship is being the citizen of two countries at one time. Many countries allow this. The US has no laws specifically prohibiting dual citizenship. But I think it should have. Yes, I think Barry should have to give up his British citizenship if he wants to keep his US citizenship. He should choose one or the other, but should not be allowed both.
A person may be a citizen of the US and another country if his parents are US citizens and he is born in a foreign country. And if two foreign nationals have a kid in the US, that kid automatically gets US citizenship. (This should not be allowed if the parents are illegally in this country when the child is born!) Also a US citizen can obtain dual citizenship by marrying a foreign national. Only if a US citizen actually applies for citizenship somewhere else does he risk losing his US citizenship.
I see some real problems with dual citizenship. How can a person pledge allegiance to two countries and maintain such allegiance in the event the interests of those two countries should be in conflict? This is no place for fence straddling. You are either an American or you are not.
A person may be a citizen of the US and another country if his parents are US citizens and he is born in a foreign country. And if two foreign nationals have a kid in the US, that kid automatically gets US citizenship. (This should not be allowed if the parents are illegally in this country when the child is born!) Also a US citizen can obtain dual citizenship by marrying a foreign national. Only if a US citizen actually applies for citizenship somewhere else does he risk losing his US citizenship.
I see some real problems with dual citizenship. How can a person pledge allegiance to two countries and maintain such allegiance in the event the interests of those two countries should be in conflict? This is no place for fence straddling. You are either an American or you are not.
Play Ball
I just found out I have to pay a Spring Training and Cactus League baseball tax to rent a car in Arizona. This is about $8 bucks on a small car for five days. This merely adds to the already outrageous taxes on car rentals in AZ. Who does this ball tax benefit? The cost of a seat at a spring training or Cactus League game is pretty high for the average working schmuck. (I think I read it is now up to about thirty bucks to sit on the grass in some stadiums!) So he probably cannot afford to go anyway.
Okay, baseball brings in lots of money to the state and private businesses in AZ. Lots of tourists visit there to see games. But my guess is very little of that actually benefits most Arizonians. If a restaurant gets more business due to increased tourism, will it pay its waiter or other worker better? Are the tips he gets going to make a huge increase in his take home pay? Perhaps in some venues but certainly not in most, although I am sure the waiter can use anything extra he gets. Is the guy cleaning the stadiums going to make more money? I doubt it, although you might argue he would not have a job at all if there were no tourists to come to the games. That would not hold water, though because the tourists come to see the games and do not come because they benefit by the tax. In other words, the tourists would be there regardless of the tax and so the tax does not provide the person cleaning the stadium with a job. He would be needed anyway.
So tourists are picking up the tab for a private enterprise--Major League Baseball in AZ. How is this tax levied? Is it just on certain items like car rentals, or is it included on most things? Is everyone paying it or mostly just tourists and people visiting AZ on business? I don't know. I like baseball but think it should pay for itself like most businesses have to do. The Cactus League clubs, like most other major league clubs, seem intent on pricing themselves out of reach of the average person. Who, besides players, owners and investors benefit from that extra money? I have a feeling it is not anyone I know. But of course, this is private enterprise so whatever people are willing to pay determines price. But for the state to add a tax to an already too high cost of a game charged by the clubs, seems like gouging. Just where does the income earned by the state via this tax go? It may be that it is put to really good use, say, education or securing the border. That would certainly make the tax seem less odious. If anyone can tell me, I would like to know. It seems to me there could be other ways to encourage baseball in AZ besides this tax. I realize you have to spend money to make money and I have no problem with that as long as everyone who spends it is also making it.
Here is a article on another aspect of baseball and taxes: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-jock-tax/
Okay, baseball brings in lots of money to the state and private businesses in AZ. Lots of tourists visit there to see games. But my guess is very little of that actually benefits most Arizonians. If a restaurant gets more business due to increased tourism, will it pay its waiter or other worker better? Are the tips he gets going to make a huge increase in his take home pay? Perhaps in some venues but certainly not in most, although I am sure the waiter can use anything extra he gets. Is the guy cleaning the stadiums going to make more money? I doubt it, although you might argue he would not have a job at all if there were no tourists to come to the games. That would not hold water, though because the tourists come to see the games and do not come because they benefit by the tax. In other words, the tourists would be there regardless of the tax and so the tax does not provide the person cleaning the stadium with a job. He would be needed anyway.
So tourists are picking up the tab for a private enterprise--Major League Baseball in AZ. How is this tax levied? Is it just on certain items like car rentals, or is it included on most things? Is everyone paying it or mostly just tourists and people visiting AZ on business? I don't know. I like baseball but think it should pay for itself like most businesses have to do. The Cactus League clubs, like most other major league clubs, seem intent on pricing themselves out of reach of the average person. Who, besides players, owners and investors benefit from that extra money? I have a feeling it is not anyone I know. But of course, this is private enterprise so whatever people are willing to pay determines price. But for the state to add a tax to an already too high cost of a game charged by the clubs, seems like gouging. Just where does the income earned by the state via this tax go? It may be that it is put to really good use, say, education or securing the border. That would certainly make the tax seem less odious. If anyone can tell me, I would like to know. It seems to me there could be other ways to encourage baseball in AZ besides this tax. I realize you have to spend money to make money and I have no problem with that as long as everyone who spends it is also making it.
Here is a article on another aspect of baseball and taxes: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-jock-tax/
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Reading a friend's Facebook post reminded me there will be some disappointed kiddies who will not be able to trick or treat tomorrow due to the weather or flooding in areas hit by the big storm. This may seem minor to us adults, considering all the damage and loss of lives caused by Hurricane Sandy, but most little ones will not be looking at the big picture. I hope the places where the weather or flooding makes it impractical for the little ones to go out, have made other arrangements. I know that to me as a child, and to my grandkids, Halloween is one of the most fun things of the year.
I am sure the damage to property will have longer term affects and will also ruin the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for many people. The holidays are probably the least of their worries if their homes or places of business have been damaged or destroyed. That is obvious. But, still, it is another disruption of usual family life and one that perhaps the little ones will notice most.
For all U.S. citizens registered and intending to vote, there remains the question of whether or not people in the affected areas will be able to cast their ballots a week from today. States depend upon electronic voting and some areas may still be without electric power Tuesday or transportation my be impossible due to flooding, fallen trees or wires, road damage, snow, etc. caused by Hurricane Sandy. And yet U.S. law based upon constitutional and other issues, determines voting day. To change it, even temporarily, would require Congressional action. And we know how quickly and efficiently Congress acts. But if problems from the storm keep large groups of people from being able to participate in voting, something should and must be done to rectify that situation. So here is hoping one of two things happen: either road and power conditions do not present obstacles to the vast majority of people in areas affected by the storm, or Congress has in place a plan which it will put immediately into action if the need arises.
I also have been considering how mail will be affected by Sandy. Despite the old Postal Service motto, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.", it is logical to assume mail delivery, not just in the areas hit by the storm, will be interrupted. As mail originates as well as gets delivered to the storm area, surely we shall be affected nationwide by interruptions.
Also transportation of needed goods across the country will be affected. This could conceivably impact just about everything from food on grocery shelves to manufacturing. The extent of the effect will depend on how quickly things get back to normal in the areas of the storm. And already, flights in and out of some major airports have been cancelled. I can only imagine how that will affect many people. Just think how many things depend upon meeting deadlines and reaching destinations.
I am sure there will be books, television shows and at least one movie about "The Great Storm of The Century"--or at least let's hope this is the storm of the century and it is not outranked by another. One thing is for sure, there will be millions of stories about the storm and there will be many lives forever changed by it. I realize most people have it within them to overcome monumental adversity. But, all the same, my heart goes out to those who suffer because of this latest disaster. And I am grateful my family and friends appear to be coming through it pretty much unscathed.
I am sure the damage to property will have longer term affects and will also ruin the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for many people. The holidays are probably the least of their worries if their homes or places of business have been damaged or destroyed. That is obvious. But, still, it is another disruption of usual family life and one that perhaps the little ones will notice most.
For all U.S. citizens registered and intending to vote, there remains the question of whether or not people in the affected areas will be able to cast their ballots a week from today. States depend upon electronic voting and some areas may still be without electric power Tuesday or transportation my be impossible due to flooding, fallen trees or wires, road damage, snow, etc. caused by Hurricane Sandy. And yet U.S. law based upon constitutional and other issues, determines voting day. To change it, even temporarily, would require Congressional action. And we know how quickly and efficiently Congress acts. But if problems from the storm keep large groups of people from being able to participate in voting, something should and must be done to rectify that situation. So here is hoping one of two things happen: either road and power conditions do not present obstacles to the vast majority of people in areas affected by the storm, or Congress has in place a plan which it will put immediately into action if the need arises.
I also have been considering how mail will be affected by Sandy. Despite the old Postal Service motto, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.", it is logical to assume mail delivery, not just in the areas hit by the storm, will be interrupted. As mail originates as well as gets delivered to the storm area, surely we shall be affected nationwide by interruptions.
Also transportation of needed goods across the country will be affected. This could conceivably impact just about everything from food on grocery shelves to manufacturing. The extent of the effect will depend on how quickly things get back to normal in the areas of the storm. And already, flights in and out of some major airports have been cancelled. I can only imagine how that will affect many people. Just think how many things depend upon meeting deadlines and reaching destinations.
I am sure there will be books, television shows and at least one movie about "The Great Storm of The Century"--or at least let's hope this is the storm of the century and it is not outranked by another. One thing is for sure, there will be millions of stories about the storm and there will be many lives forever changed by it. I realize most people have it within them to overcome monumental adversity. But, all the same, my heart goes out to those who suffer because of this latest disaster. And I am grateful my family and friends appear to be coming through it pretty much unscathed.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Trying to Type a Post for a Blog
I have noticed that for some reason, what I input here does not always read the same when published. For example, if I use an ampersand, it appears followed by "amp;" and then the next word. And sometimes I will see obvious typos or parts of things I wrote and deleted even though I have gone back and edited and eliminated them. Now I am not saying I never make typos, leave out words, etc. But it would be nice if what I write appeared the way I wrote it and if editing worked. I think this problem is related to the same thing that caused a bunch of posts to disappear from my blog. I wrote about that problem earlier. Apparently Google has issues here as it does with FaceBook. FB is so unstable. As large as Google is, you would think they would have people who could fix these problems.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Good morning, Starshine
My husband, who I fondly refer to as DB (Dearly Beloved), has the most remarkable ability to come out of a dead sleep in a cheerful mood. He often wakes up joking. In fact, once, coming out of an anesthetic after surgery, the first words out of his mouth were a joke. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the joke, I just remember the nurse being surprised by it.
I have been sleeping with him within the bounds of holy wedlock for almost forty-six years. In all that time, I have only known him to wake up in a grumpy mood once. And once is enough. There is nothing pleasant about a big, burly guy waking up in a bad mood and growling at you.
Many times his morning disposition has served to change my morning mood from blah to good. I have never heard of anything like it. He will be sound asleep and perhaps my moving around the room will awaken him and he immediately, without skipping a beat, makes some joke.
This carries over into other times also. Just yesterday, he was in the shower and I went in to tell him I was going to the gym. I opened the shower door without saying a word, and without missing a beat he spits a mouthful of shower water at me!! Of course, I quickly shut and reopened the door only to be spattered once again by another mouthful of shower water.
My oldest grandchild once told his teacher that his grandfather was the funniest man in the world. I have to say I tend to agree with him. Perhaps that is how we have stayed married all these years. I know that it is one reason I am still crazy about him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw3oxJvSRj0
I have been sleeping with him within the bounds of holy wedlock for almost forty-six years. In all that time, I have only known him to wake up in a grumpy mood once. And once is enough. There is nothing pleasant about a big, burly guy waking up in a bad mood and growling at you.
Many times his morning disposition has served to change my morning mood from blah to good. I have never heard of anything like it. He will be sound asleep and perhaps my moving around the room will awaken him and he immediately, without skipping a beat, makes some joke.
This carries over into other times also. Just yesterday, he was in the shower and I went in to tell him I was going to the gym. I opened the shower door without saying a word, and without missing a beat he spits a mouthful of shower water at me!! Of course, I quickly shut and reopened the door only to be spattered once again by another mouthful of shower water.
My oldest grandchild once told his teacher that his grandfather was the funniest man in the world. I have to say I tend to agree with him. Perhaps that is how we have stayed married all these years. I know that it is one reason I am still crazy about him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw3oxJvSRj0
Justified
DB and I are enjoying season 2 of "Justified". Timothy Olyphant does a "bang up" job as Raylan Givens, but Walton Goggins (Boyd Crowder) does amazing work. I have seen him before in bit parts and never paid much attention, but he really is good. Actually all the actors do a good job. Margo Martindale's character, Mags Bennett, was introduced in an episode we viewed last night and she stole the show. We had never heard of the show before a friend gave us these discs. Now we are hooked.
I am sure the locale of the story adds to its appeal to us. The stories center mostly around Harlan, Kentucky. My parents were born in Woodbine, KY and raised in Corbin, KY. When I was a kid and my family used to drive from Cincinnati to Florida, my dad would always talk about how rough Harlan and Jellico were. He said a lot of folks there would just as soon kill you as not. With my mother and aunt now living in Corbin, we are pretty familiar with the area, but I have always avoided Harlan and Jellico . So it is fun when the show refers to places we know. So many movies take place in big cities like LA, NYC or Chicago. I wonder if residents of those cities say things like, "Oh, I know that place!" when they watch movies which are set in their city, or does it become old hat.
I think a few years back Corbin voted to allow liquor to be sold by the drink. It sits within two dry counties (Whitley and Knox)--three if you count North Corbin which is in Laurel County, also dry--well, moist now. Corbin just this year voted to allow retail liquor sales. About time. For a dry city, Corbin always had its share of drunks and I doubt they all left Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties to get their booze. Harlan County is a moist county. No wonder moonshine was so popular. Anyway, the alcohol situation in the area adds to the story line of "Justified". Besides illegal liquor, the series covers just about every other type of crimes. In fact, "Justified" often features stories about the illegal drug trade in the area. For quite a few years, Kentucky's number one crop was marijuana, not tobacco. Now other illegal drugs, especially oxycodone (oxycontin) outsell marijuana there, I think. It is a huge problem.
This series has sex, violence, drugs, and bad language along with interesting characters and story lines, as well as fine acting. I even like the catchy music that is played, but not overdone, as the theme to the series.
I am sure the locale of the story adds to its appeal to us. The stories center mostly around Harlan, Kentucky. My parents were born in Woodbine, KY and raised in Corbin, KY. When I was a kid and my family used to drive from Cincinnati to Florida, my dad would always talk about how rough Harlan and Jellico were. He said a lot of folks there would just as soon kill you as not. With my mother and aunt now living in Corbin, we are pretty familiar with the area, but I have always avoided Harlan and Jellico . So it is fun when the show refers to places we know. So many movies take place in big cities like LA, NYC or Chicago. I wonder if residents of those cities say things like, "Oh, I know that place!" when they watch movies which are set in their city, or does it become old hat.
I think a few years back Corbin voted to allow liquor to be sold by the drink. It sits within two dry counties (Whitley and Knox)--three if you count North Corbin which is in Laurel County, also dry--well, moist now. Corbin just this year voted to allow retail liquor sales. About time. For a dry city, Corbin always had its share of drunks and I doubt they all left Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties to get their booze. Harlan County is a moist county. No wonder moonshine was so popular. Anyway, the alcohol situation in the area adds to the story line of "Justified". Besides illegal liquor, the series covers just about every other type of crimes. In fact, "Justified" often features stories about the illegal drug trade in the area. For quite a few years, Kentucky's number one crop was marijuana, not tobacco. Now other illegal drugs, especially oxycodone (oxycontin) outsell marijuana there, I think. It is a huge problem.
This series has sex, violence, drugs, and bad language along with interesting characters and story lines, as well as fine acting. I even like the catchy music that is played, but not overdone, as the theme to the series.
Friday, October 19, 2012
I am sorry if my political posts offend any of my FB friends and others. If you want, unfriend me. Or do not read my blog. I will still like you personally even if I do not agree with your politics. You have the right to your opinions and I have the right to mine.
I believe we are at a very critical time in our nation's history. We are at a crossroads and stand to lose much of what has made us a world leader and great country. Not that the country is perfect but it has always been the best the world has known. I think the time has come for me to speak out a bit more about the damage that has been done by this President. I fear for the future of the country if we do not get rid of Obama and his cohorts. Not that I think Romney is a great choice, but he is a far cry better than Obama (which is not saying much) and would be a step closer to bringing us back to where we should be as a country, and farther from the socialist nanny state Obama is trying to create. On the other hand, I do not want the government to be run by far right religious zealots who I think are as screwy as left wing liberals. I still want to mainly use this blog and FB for other, non-political reasons but no longer care about being PC (some would argue I have never been PC). If I want to say how I feel, I will. I will try to refrain from doing so on your blog or FB wall but not mine. I also will exercise my right to eliminate anything you say that I might not want to see on my blog or FB wall. You, I assume will do the same with my posts you do not like.
I created this blog as a place to put down my thoughts on many things. And so, this morning I am thinking about many things,such as Libya, the economy, etc.. You know, how Obama and the Dems have screwed things up and want to screw things up even more. The first thing I thought about was the liberal move to deprive the military of an early vote and/or absentee voting. What kind of people would do this? Ungrateful, selfish bastards is who. If anyone should have the right to vote absentee or early, it is our military members. They alone have earned that right. We all have the right to select our form of government and elect our representatives. That is a natural right. But the military have earned the right and privilege to absentee and early voting above any other people. This effort to eliminate their early vote was a ploy by the left who know the majority of military members are conservatives. Just like during the Gore-Bush election, they claimed absentee ballots from military members aboard military ships could not count because they lacked a zipcode. Never mind those ballots were from the state in which the military member was registered so could easily be counted. This also shows just how little esteem the left really has for the very people who protect their rights to be such assholes. And probably many of them would never be willing to serve in the military themselves.
My second beef today is with Obamacare. This is also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. There is a reason most people do not know it by the latter title. That is because it neither protects patients and is anything but affordable or caring. The Government Accounting Office even says it will drain Medicare and do away with Tri Care, which is the best coverage the military has ever had. This will be done over time and options seniors and the military now have about their health care will be eliminated as we move to a one-size-fits none type of health care system. If you think defense is costly, just wait. This will be a ball breaker. Not to mention it probably is unconstitutional. But then, Obama is well practiced at circumventing the Constitution.
My biggest irritation today concerns Libya again. Copies of communications between Ambassador Chris Stevens and the State Department have been disclosed (http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/10/19/documents-newly-released-information-reveals-ambassador-stevens-worried-about-security-threats-in-libya-prior-to-terror-attack/). In these the late Ambassador talks about the organized attacks on Western targets in Libya, including an attempted bombing of the embassy. He states the need for more security. Repeatedly. Even on the day he died he was still laying out the situation in clear terms to the State Department. These communications, along with intelligence on the ground in Libya, along with the coming of the 9/11/2001 anniversary, should have warranted an effort to beef up the protection of our embassy personnel all over the world, not just in Benghazi. Anyone with common sense would have known what could and did happen at the embassy in Libya on 9/11/2012. But our State Dept., under the leadership of Hilary Clinton, failed to act. And then, after the death of four Americans in Libya, she and our dearly beloved President, played the blame shifting game for days on end, blaming some guy who produced some lame video. (The guy obviously was an idiot but not responsible for the planned attack on the embassy.) Once again, we heard Obama laying the blame for a terrorist attack on the US, reminiscent of his apology tour of Europe early in his administration. I am sure that after the public airing of the communications sent by Stevens, the administration will come up with another scape goat. That is the one thing they are good at---not accepting responsibility. If indeed, neither Obama nor Clinton knew about the situation in Libya before the attack, then they are at the very least, totally incompetent. It is Obama's responsibility to know and Clinton's responsibility to know and to keep the President informed. Any embassy can come under attack and if attacked by enough terrorists, there would likely be injury and/or death. But to have all the clear signs that an attack is likely and to fail to act to prevent it is gross negligence. I have absolutely no confidence in Obama as far as our security is concerned. He takes credit for finding Osama Bin Laden, but indeed, Bin Laden was found due to efforts by our military and intelligence that were put into place by George Bush. Of course, Obama had to approve the mission. What President would not? Well, maybe Bill Clinton.
These things, along with the Fast and Furious cover up, the pouring of taxpayer money into failing green companies(http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2012/10/updated-list-of-obamas-green-energy-failures-36-of-them-2506484.html ), the Acorn scandal, the unemployment rate, the pouring of money into other failing industries and the unions, the state of the economy (especially our debt to China), his policies on illegal immigration (including the lie he told about AZ law during the debate), are just a few of the reasons to dump the incompetent and dangerous Obama.
I believe we are at a very critical time in our nation's history. We are at a crossroads and stand to lose much of what has made us a world leader and great country. Not that the country is perfect but it has always been the best the world has known. I think the time has come for me to speak out a bit more about the damage that has been done by this President. I fear for the future of the country if we do not get rid of Obama and his cohorts. Not that I think Romney is a great choice, but he is a far cry better than Obama (which is not saying much) and would be a step closer to bringing us back to where we should be as a country, and farther from the socialist nanny state Obama is trying to create. On the other hand, I do not want the government to be run by far right religious zealots who I think are as screwy as left wing liberals. I still want to mainly use this blog and FB for other, non-political reasons but no longer care about being PC (some would argue I have never been PC). If I want to say how I feel, I will. I will try to refrain from doing so on your blog or FB wall but not mine. I also will exercise my right to eliminate anything you say that I might not want to see on my blog or FB wall. You, I assume will do the same with my posts you do not like.
I created this blog as a place to put down my thoughts on many things. And so, this morning I am thinking about many things,such as Libya, the economy, etc.. You know, how Obama and the Dems have screwed things up and want to screw things up even more. The first thing I thought about was the liberal move to deprive the military of an early vote and/or absentee voting. What kind of people would do this? Ungrateful, selfish bastards is who. If anyone should have the right to vote absentee or early, it is our military members. They alone have earned that right. We all have the right to select our form of government and elect our representatives. That is a natural right. But the military have earned the right and privilege to absentee and early voting above any other people. This effort to eliminate their early vote was a ploy by the left who know the majority of military members are conservatives. Just like during the Gore-Bush election, they claimed absentee ballots from military members aboard military ships could not count because they lacked a zipcode. Never mind those ballots were from the state in which the military member was registered so could easily be counted. This also shows just how little esteem the left really has for the very people who protect their rights to be such assholes. And probably many of them would never be willing to serve in the military themselves.
My second beef today is with Obamacare. This is also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. There is a reason most people do not know it by the latter title. That is because it neither protects patients and is anything but affordable or caring. The Government Accounting Office even says it will drain Medicare and do away with Tri Care, which is the best coverage the military has ever had. This will be done over time and options seniors and the military now have about their health care will be eliminated as we move to a one-size-fits none type of health care system. If you think defense is costly, just wait. This will be a ball breaker. Not to mention it probably is unconstitutional. But then, Obama is well practiced at circumventing the Constitution.
My biggest irritation today concerns Libya again. Copies of communications between Ambassador Chris Stevens and the State Department have been disclosed (http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/10/19/documents-newly-released-information-reveals-ambassador-stevens-worried-about-security-threats-in-libya-prior-to-terror-attack/). In these the late Ambassador talks about the organized attacks on Western targets in Libya, including an attempted bombing of the embassy. He states the need for more security. Repeatedly. Even on the day he died he was still laying out the situation in clear terms to the State Department. These communications, along with intelligence on the ground in Libya, along with the coming of the 9/11/2001 anniversary, should have warranted an effort to beef up the protection of our embassy personnel all over the world, not just in Benghazi. Anyone with common sense would have known what could and did happen at the embassy in Libya on 9/11/2012. But our State Dept., under the leadership of Hilary Clinton, failed to act. And then, after the death of four Americans in Libya, she and our dearly beloved President, played the blame shifting game for days on end, blaming some guy who produced some lame video. (The guy obviously was an idiot but not responsible for the planned attack on the embassy.) Once again, we heard Obama laying the blame for a terrorist attack on the US, reminiscent of his apology tour of Europe early in his administration. I am sure that after the public airing of the communications sent by Stevens, the administration will come up with another scape goat. That is the one thing they are good at---not accepting responsibility. If indeed, neither Obama nor Clinton knew about the situation in Libya before the attack, then they are at the very least, totally incompetent. It is Obama's responsibility to know and Clinton's responsibility to know and to keep the President informed. Any embassy can come under attack and if attacked by enough terrorists, there would likely be injury and/or death. But to have all the clear signs that an attack is likely and to fail to act to prevent it is gross negligence. I have absolutely no confidence in Obama as far as our security is concerned. He takes credit for finding Osama Bin Laden, but indeed, Bin Laden was found due to efforts by our military and intelligence that were put into place by George Bush. Of course, Obama had to approve the mission. What President would not? Well, maybe Bill Clinton.
These things, along with the Fast and Furious cover up, the pouring of taxpayer money into failing green companies(http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2012/10/updated-list-of-obamas-green-energy-failures-36-of-them-2506484.html ), the Acorn scandal, the unemployment rate, the pouring of money into other failing industries and the unions, the state of the economy (especially our debt to China), his policies on illegal immigration (including the lie he told about AZ law during the debate), are just a few of the reasons to dump the incompetent and dangerous Obama.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
School Days
I thought I would share this story just in case any of you have ever been embarrassed by your parents as a child. DB and I were saying we were glad our grandkids liked school because neither of us ever looked forward to the start of school. He said one reason he disliked school was he was often humiliated by some of his teachers. He was a poor kid who just happened to fall into a school district full of children from well-to-do families. And some of his teachers seemed to enjoy embarrassing him. I don't know why I disliked school. Most of my teachers, with a few exceptions, were fine. Anyway, we eventually got around to most embarrassing moments in grade school. Here is mine:
My mother was always a very practical person. She was a product of the Great Depression. At Christmas, while we usually received a toy, and always received oranges, nuts and candy canes in our stockings plus a box of chocolate covered cherries and some hard candies, mostly we got pajamas, underwear and things we needed rather than anything we necessarily wanted. (The one exception to this being my microscope kit.) And she also was the world's worst secret keeper so she always managed to blab what our gifts were, taking the fun of surprise out of receiving gifts. She was loving and kind hearted but just terrible when it came to understanding certain things about kids and gifts. So one year, when I was in about the fourth or fifth grade, our class had a gift exchange and everyone had to buy a gift for someone else of the same sex. The price limit was a fifty cents or a dollar, I cannot remember exactly.
Well, my mother bought a gift for me to take. I must have known what it was ahead of time because I am sure I probably wrapped it. I always wrapped my own gifts, so it is doubtful my mother wrapped this one. It was in a flat white box like women's handkerchiefs used to come in. The significance of the gift apparently did not dawn on me ahead of time because I do not remember worrying about it until the time of the gift exchange.
The exchange took place and everyone opened their gift. I do not remember what I received but will never forget what I gave. I gave two pairs of nylon panties! I have no clue as to how the recipient reacted, because I was too busy trying to survive my own embarrassment over this gift which my mother, no doubt, thought was a pretty and practical present. She would have had no clue as to the embarrassment such a gift would cause.
This is the same lady who hung her own just laundered underwear in the basement to dry rather than have everyone in the neighborhood see them on the clothes line. Our backyard abutted a woods, so I am not sure who she thought would see them. I suppose only adults were allowed to be embarrassed over someone seeing their undies.
Yes, some things your parents do you remember for a long time. In retrospect, I know at least my parents were good people; did not abuse us; did not drink or act in inappropriate ways, so this was not such an awful thing. But you would never have convinced me of that during the gift exchange or for quite a few years while the gift exchange was part of a recurring dream.
My mother was always a very practical person. She was a product of the Great Depression. At Christmas, while we usually received a toy, and always received oranges, nuts and candy canes in our stockings plus a box of chocolate covered cherries and some hard candies, mostly we got pajamas, underwear and things we needed rather than anything we necessarily wanted. (The one exception to this being my microscope kit.) And she also was the world's worst secret keeper so she always managed to blab what our gifts were, taking the fun of surprise out of receiving gifts. She was loving and kind hearted but just terrible when it came to understanding certain things about kids and gifts. So one year, when I was in about the fourth or fifth grade, our class had a gift exchange and everyone had to buy a gift for someone else of the same sex. The price limit was a fifty cents or a dollar, I cannot remember exactly.
Well, my mother bought a gift for me to take. I must have known what it was ahead of time because I am sure I probably wrapped it. I always wrapped my own gifts, so it is doubtful my mother wrapped this one. It was in a flat white box like women's handkerchiefs used to come in. The significance of the gift apparently did not dawn on me ahead of time because I do not remember worrying about it until the time of the gift exchange.
The exchange took place and everyone opened their gift. I do not remember what I received but will never forget what I gave. I gave two pairs of nylon panties! I have no clue as to how the recipient reacted, because I was too busy trying to survive my own embarrassment over this gift which my mother, no doubt, thought was a pretty and practical present. She would have had no clue as to the embarrassment such a gift would cause.
This is the same lady who hung her own just laundered underwear in the basement to dry rather than have everyone in the neighborhood see them on the clothes line. Our backyard abutted a woods, so I am not sure who she thought would see them. I suppose only adults were allowed to be embarrassed over someone seeing their undies.
Yes, some things your parents do you remember for a long time. In retrospect, I know at least my parents were good people; did not abuse us; did not drink or act in inappropriate ways, so this was not such an awful thing. But you would never have convinced me of that during the gift exchange or for quite a few years while the gift exchange was part of a recurring dream.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Oh,No! Not Another Rant!
Originally posted on my Facebook page:
Okay, here I go ticking off people again. But I am going to rant anyway and this time I am not full of meds and it is not the middle of the night. I am not angry, I am just stating how I feel. This rant is the result of a couple recent posts and emails (emails from people I know but do not care for, by the way. People, in I my opinion, who live in a narrow little world even if they do get around a lot.
I hate messages that imply or outright state that if I do not repost them, somehow I either am heartless, ignorant, agree with the opposition or am guilty of a myriad of other things. I do not repost. I do not repost. I do not repost. If you want to do so, fine. That is your prerogative. But the quickest way to turn me off is to not only ask me to repost but to act like I must disagree with your message or assign some other negative, nefarious motivation to my not reposting.
If I want to use my feed as a sounding board for any cause, I will do so. I do not need anyone's help. I do not want to promote or support any organization or group on my newsfeed. (I am speaking of political, religious, business or social organizations. I do and always will openly support our military members. I do not think of them as a "group" for the purposes of this post.) I have been around the block a few times and know that not all groups are what they seem and supporting them publicly may come back and bite me on the ass. So I will do my own promoting of causes or not. Now if these are on your feed and I visit your page, I see what I see. But I really hate having these things sent to me. Email is the same. And by the way, I hate Obama and everything he stands for but when conservatives post stupid, inaccurate things about the man, they do all conservatives a disservice. There are plenty of reasons to find him the worst thing to happen to this country since the Civil War. Please do not make up crap. It just lessens your credibility. Leave that to the liberals. Check out your facts before passing stuff along.
I apologize to my liberal friends and relatives for this showing up on your newsfeed. Go ahead and delete this post. I probably would delete yours if you were praising Obama. Also, to my liberal friends and relatives, you can be just as guilty of ignorant actions as the rest of us. Stop saying "Tea Party" as if it is a political party. It is not. It is not a monolithic, racist, reactionary group. Conservatives are just as intelligent and as ignorant as liberals. We just approach things from opposite viewpoints. There are plenty of idiots on both sides. No one side has the monopoly on ignorance and bigotry.
This certainly holds for religion. If you are an atheist, you may be just as guilty of pushing your ideas and being blind to anyone else's views as a religious person. I get fed up with both the religious right and those who act like anyone who is religious has to be stupid. You can both be bigots. I am not a Christian and do not wish to be converted. But that does not mean I totally dismiss Christianity or any other religious views out of hand. If religion does not explain all the mysteries of the universe, neither does science. I do not pretend to know the answers to the creation and no one else does, either. Or if anyone does, he isn't talking, at least in this dimension. But I think there is room for both believers and non believers. I don't want either side pushing their beliefs on me. And quite honestly, if all you do is talk about your religion or lack thereof, I have to wonder who you are really trying to convince. The most truly religious people I have known in my 66 years really do not talk about it much, but do live it. And the most truly intelligent atheists I have known admit they do not know all the answers anymore than the religious zealots think they do. I don't like receiving emails that make out non believers as evil or religious people as ignorant. Keep these to yourself or whatever, but do not send them to me.
Now for my final rant---for those of you still reading, which I imagine is an exclusive group consisting of ---ME! Although most people I personally know are not guilty of this, sometimes I see stuff that is downright racist. Sometimes it is racist in general, and sometimes about Obama. Fortunately most people I know are not concerned about skin color. That is good because there are plenty of racists, of all colors, to go around. Everyone wants someone to look down upon, it seems. Blacks, browns, reds, yellows, whites, greens, blues, polka dotted, it does not matter. All groups are guilty. Sometimes I think people do not even understand what they post or email is racist. If it promotes hatred or denigration based on skin color it is racist. Same with ethnicity. Simple. So, think before you forward it in email or repost it. No one needs that crap. I don't want it. I delete it immediately if I see it and then think you are a dumbass. If you want to dislike a group, come up with a better reason for it than skin color. It makes you seem like an idiot. And yes, there are groups I detest. I dislike a lot of people and groups as a matter of fact. I am not bias free by any means. But I like to think I detest them for more important reasons than their skin color, who they are screwing, or what language they speak. If I speak against them it is because of their actions and beliefs. We all do that. It is called using judgment, not prejudice. We are supposed to use judgment. We do it all day long in many different ways. And no, this is not just me trying to excuse my own actions and beliefs as non-racist. I admit that occasionally I have racist thoughts, and then I try to take a look at what I am thinking and analyze it and if it is racist, I try to change it. If I can justify my thoughts based on facts and experience, I feel okay. Okay. End of rant. Again, you may feel free to disagree but that does not mean I want to hear about it. I probably should save my rants for my blog from now on. And will. Or will try to.
Okay, here I go ticking off people again. But I am going to rant anyway and this time I am not full of meds and it is not the middle of the night. I am not angry, I am just stating how I feel. This rant is the result of a couple recent posts and emails (emails from people I know but do not care for, by the way. People, in I my opinion, who live in a narrow little world even if they do get around a lot.
I hate messages that imply or outright state that if I do not repost them, somehow I either am heartless, ignorant, agree with the opposition or am guilty of a myriad of other things. I do not repost. I do not repost. I do not repost. If you want to do so, fine. That is your prerogative. But the quickest way to turn me off is to not only ask me to repost but to act like I must disagree with your message or assign some other negative, nefarious motivation to my not reposting.
If I want to use my feed as a sounding board for any cause, I will do so. I do not need anyone's help. I do not want to promote or support any organization or group on my newsfeed. (I am speaking of political, religious, business or social organizations. I do and always will openly support our military members. I do not think of them as a "group" for the purposes of this post.) I have been around the block a few times and know that not all groups are what they seem and supporting them publicly may come back and bite me on the ass. So I will do my own promoting of causes or not. Now if these are on your feed and I visit your page, I see what I see. But I really hate having these things sent to me. Email is the same. And by the way, I hate Obama and everything he stands for but when conservatives post stupid, inaccurate things about the man, they do all conservatives a disservice. There are plenty of reasons to find him the worst thing to happen to this country since the Civil War. Please do not make up crap. It just lessens your credibility. Leave that to the liberals. Check out your facts before passing stuff along.
I apologize to my liberal friends and relatives for this showing up on your newsfeed. Go ahead and delete this post. I probably would delete yours if you were praising Obama. Also, to my liberal friends and relatives, you can be just as guilty of ignorant actions as the rest of us. Stop saying "Tea Party" as if it is a political party. It is not. It is not a monolithic, racist, reactionary group. Conservatives are just as intelligent and as ignorant as liberals. We just approach things from opposite viewpoints. There are plenty of idiots on both sides. No one side has the monopoly on ignorance and bigotry.
This certainly holds for religion. If you are an atheist, you may be just as guilty of pushing your ideas and being blind to anyone else's views as a religious person. I get fed up with both the religious right and those who act like anyone who is religious has to be stupid. You can both be bigots. I am not a Christian and do not wish to be converted. But that does not mean I totally dismiss Christianity or any other religious views out of hand. If religion does not explain all the mysteries of the universe, neither does science. I do not pretend to know the answers to the creation and no one else does, either. Or if anyone does, he isn't talking, at least in this dimension. But I think there is room for both believers and non believers. I don't want either side pushing their beliefs on me. And quite honestly, if all you do is talk about your religion or lack thereof, I have to wonder who you are really trying to convince. The most truly religious people I have known in my 66 years really do not talk about it much, but do live it. And the most truly intelligent atheists I have known admit they do not know all the answers anymore than the religious zealots think they do. I don't like receiving emails that make out non believers as evil or religious people as ignorant. Keep these to yourself or whatever, but do not send them to me.
Now for my final rant---for those of you still reading, which I imagine is an exclusive group consisting of ---ME! Although most people I personally know are not guilty of this, sometimes I see stuff that is downright racist. Sometimes it is racist in general, and sometimes about Obama. Fortunately most people I know are not concerned about skin color. That is good because there are plenty of racists, of all colors, to go around. Everyone wants someone to look down upon, it seems. Blacks, browns, reds, yellows, whites, greens, blues, polka dotted, it does not matter. All groups are guilty. Sometimes I think people do not even understand what they post or email is racist. If it promotes hatred or denigration based on skin color it is racist. Same with ethnicity. Simple. So, think before you forward it in email or repost it. No one needs that crap. I don't want it. I delete it immediately if I see it and then think you are a dumbass. If you want to dislike a group, come up with a better reason for it than skin color. It makes you seem like an idiot. And yes, there are groups I detest. I dislike a lot of people and groups as a matter of fact. I am not bias free by any means. But I like to think I detest them for more important reasons than their skin color, who they are screwing, or what language they speak. If I speak against them it is because of their actions and beliefs. We all do that. It is called using judgment, not prejudice. We are supposed to use judgment. We do it all day long in many different ways. And no, this is not just me trying to excuse my own actions and beliefs as non-racist. I admit that occasionally I have racist thoughts, and then I try to take a look at what I am thinking and analyze it and if it is racist, I try to change it. If I can justify my thoughts based on facts and experience, I feel okay. Okay. End of rant. Again, you may feel free to disagree but that does not mean I want to hear about it. I probably should save my rants for my blog from now on. And will. Or will try to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)