I am here to confess. No, I am not Catholic, and I know you are not a priest, but I need to get this off my chest. I don’t know exactly how to say this – so here goes…I have a problem with lust. See, lately, I have been lusting over several new cars and it has turned into a problem. A little background is probably in order though.
I have been driving an old, ancient even, Toyota Corrolla for the past several years. The car is paid off and not having a monthly car payment has been the responsible financial decision. But I drive a lot and I need something a little nicer. And hey, I’m making pretty good money now, might as well enjoy some of it – right? So I have a list of cars that I am thinking about getting.
The problem though is that I now see them everywhere. They see me too and beckon for me - that saucy little “radiant silver” Infinity G35 with the inviting sun roof and sexy chrome wheels. I nearly drove off the road this morning as I was undressing its well shaped aluminum skin in my mind – thinking about what is under its hood. Oh my – please forgive me.
And just last week – that siren, that beautiful black Nubian princess little Nissan Altima with what appeared to be the premium package, with beige leather, Bose audio system and Bluetooth, was calling out to me: “Test drive me. Take me for a spin. Take me home for 36-months (with no money down)”.
I don’t know how to shake this. I can’t actually commit to any of these cars until bonus time – which is in April. And I feel so dirty. My poor little Corrolla. I can’t imagine how she feels after supporting me through all these years. I will get through this. I just need some help from my friends. If any of you are around me any time soon, and notice my eyes wondering off toward that IS350 in the right-hand lane – smack me.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Time
Darn it! Just when I thought I was going to start making time to post regularly life got in the way…again. Life is funny that way. You make a mental note, or even better, you make a physical reminder to do something and then something more important comes up. I had this grand plan to become this authoritative blogger that lots of people checked out at least once a week. I never got around to figuring out what exactly I was going to be an “authority” on, but never mind the details. Oh yeah. I was going to plug in a few RSS feeds, update my links section, and add some pictures and videos…the whole 9 yards. As you can see, it has been about a month since my last post and a month since those dreams crashed upon the rocky shores of Life Landing. So here I sit, trying to look back and what exactly it was that sidetracked me and I cannot for the life of me remember.
I suppose I could blame it on work. But then, I leave for work at 7 am and get home around 7 pm (12 hours gone) so what about the other 12 hours. Well from about 7pm to about 8pm (1 hour) I am usually eating and catching up with the wife. No problem, I still have about 11 hours to write. Then, from about 8 pm to about 10 pm I am usually playing with the boys or on a random night watching one of the few TV programs I watch (2 hours). So that leaves me 9 hours. Oh…wait. I forgot about sleep. Ok…from 10 pm - 5:30am I sleep (7.5 hours), and from 5:30-6am I read (usually the Good Book) and from 6 to 7 I get dressed. No more hours left!
Am I supposed to keep this up until I retire?! What happened to ALL of my time? It was just the other day that I had extra time to do things like write and read and work out and play a game or two. No more. When did I get so busy? Maybe one of these days I will have some free time. Of course, by then, I won’t have any idea what to do with that time.
I suppose I could blame it on work. But then, I leave for work at 7 am and get home around 7 pm (12 hours gone) so what about the other 12 hours. Well from about 7pm to about 8pm (1 hour) I am usually eating and catching up with the wife. No problem, I still have about 11 hours to write. Then, from about 8 pm to about 10 pm I am usually playing with the boys or on a random night watching one of the few TV programs I watch (2 hours). So that leaves me 9 hours. Oh…wait. I forgot about sleep. Ok…from 10 pm - 5:30am I sleep (7.5 hours), and from 5:30-6am I read (usually the Good Book) and from 6 to 7 I get dressed. No more hours left!
Am I supposed to keep this up until I retire?! What happened to ALL of my time? It was just the other day that I had extra time to do things like write and read and work out and play a game or two. No more. When did I get so busy? Maybe one of these days I will have some free time. Of course, by then, I won’t have any idea what to do with that time.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
"I support the troops but not the war"...Really?
Today I am going to attempt to wrap my mind around a topic – a difficult topic: “Supporting the troops but not their mission”. I am not for a second buying into the fact that the majority of the people who make this claim actually believe it – far from it. These people really don’t support the troops, the mission, or this country when it comes down to it – I am convinced of that. But taking them at their word for a moment let me tried to logically understand how someone could “support the troops” without supporting their mission.
On June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress adopted the New England army, which is officially recognized as the first United States army. On the same day it voted to raise 10 companies of riflemen to be the first directed enlistments into the Continental Army. The next day, June 15th, General George Washington took command and you should know the rest.
From the beginnings in 1775 to present day the United States has maintained an army (I use the term “army” to also represent the marines, navy, air force and coastguard) to do two things and two things only: (1) blow things up and kill people, and (2) threaten to blow things up and kill people. That simplifies it a bit, but at the end of the day, those are the two reasons we keep a fighting force.
So, having defined what the role of the army is, everyone knows what the role of the soldier (the “troops”) is. Sure, there are thousands of different specialists – from the electrical engineers, the supply coordinators, the medics, etc. - but they all have one thing in common…the electrical engineers keep the weapons systems going (blow things up), the supply engineers keep the bombs and ammo moving (kill people) and the medics keep the force in fighting shape (to blow things up and kill people).
Now that we have clearly defined the role of the army and the role of the troops – please explain to me how you can “support the troops” without “supporting” what it is that “troops” in general do? How can you say to a soldier: “I support you and all that you do” if you are against what it is that soldiers do? Could I go up to Dirk Nowitzki and say “Dirk – I support you in your bid to become the best basketball player ever. But I am totally against this sport called basketball…and will be protesting your upcoming game against the Spurs.” I suppose I could do that –what with free speech being what it is…but how utterly stupid would that sound?
Saying “I support the troops but not the war” is a catchy little phrase that helps liberals deflect attention away from their lack of understanding or their inability to develop any rational, fact based argument about war. “War kills”. No -Really? “War never solved anything”. Are you kidding me? Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism, and communism – you are right…war never solved anything.
There is no doubt that 95% of all Americans want every US soldier, sailor, marine and coasty home safe (I don’t say 100% because I am convinced there is a subversive element to society that truly wishes harm on the US and all it is associated with – while hypocritically reaping the bounty brought forth from living in the US…another story for another day). But here is the deal – Conservatives want the same thing too. Liberals don’t hold the copyrights to wishing all our soldiers safety. The difference is that conservatives want our troops home when they win. Liberals want our troops home ALWAYS – nothing is worth fighting for. They want them home no matter the cause, and if millions of Vietnamese or now Iraqis have to die as a result of the US leaving before finishing the job, well, so be it.
So, am I saying that in a time of war there can be no dissent as to the prosecution of the war? Of course not. I am saying that during a time of war, there should be no question as to whether or not the US will really “support the troops” by giving them the weapons, ammo, clothing, food, equipment, and rules of engagement they need to WIN. What they do not need is hollow lip service that smacks of dishonesty.
On June 14, 1775 the Continental Congress adopted the New England army, which is officially recognized as the first United States army. On the same day it voted to raise 10 companies of riflemen to be the first directed enlistments into the Continental Army. The next day, June 15th, General George Washington took command and you should know the rest.
From the beginnings in 1775 to present day the United States has maintained an army (I use the term “army” to also represent the marines, navy, air force and coastguard) to do two things and two things only: (1) blow things up and kill people, and (2) threaten to blow things up and kill people. That simplifies it a bit, but at the end of the day, those are the two reasons we keep a fighting force.
So, having defined what the role of the army is, everyone knows what the role of the soldier (the “troops”) is. Sure, there are thousands of different specialists – from the electrical engineers, the supply coordinators, the medics, etc. - but they all have one thing in common…the electrical engineers keep the weapons systems going (blow things up), the supply engineers keep the bombs and ammo moving (kill people) and the medics keep the force in fighting shape (to blow things up and kill people).
Now that we have clearly defined the role of the army and the role of the troops – please explain to me how you can “support the troops” without “supporting” what it is that “troops” in general do? How can you say to a soldier: “I support you and all that you do” if you are against what it is that soldiers do? Could I go up to Dirk Nowitzki and say “Dirk – I support you in your bid to become the best basketball player ever. But I am totally against this sport called basketball…and will be protesting your upcoming game against the Spurs.” I suppose I could do that –what with free speech being what it is…but how utterly stupid would that sound?
Saying “I support the troops but not the war” is a catchy little phrase that helps liberals deflect attention away from their lack of understanding or their inability to develop any rational, fact based argument about war. “War kills”. No -Really? “War never solved anything”. Are you kidding me? Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism, and communism – you are right…war never solved anything.
There is no doubt that 95% of all Americans want every US soldier, sailor, marine and coasty home safe (I don’t say 100% because I am convinced there is a subversive element to society that truly wishes harm on the US and all it is associated with – while hypocritically reaping the bounty brought forth from living in the US…another story for another day). But here is the deal – Conservatives want the same thing too. Liberals don’t hold the copyrights to wishing all our soldiers safety. The difference is that conservatives want our troops home when they win. Liberals want our troops home ALWAYS – nothing is worth fighting for. They want them home no matter the cause, and if millions of Vietnamese or now Iraqis have to die as a result of the US leaving before finishing the job, well, so be it.
So, am I saying that in a time of war there can be no dissent as to the prosecution of the war? Of course not. I am saying that during a time of war, there should be no question as to whether or not the US will really “support the troops” by giving them the weapons, ammo, clothing, food, equipment, and rules of engagement they need to WIN. What they do not need is hollow lip service that smacks of dishonesty.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
School Choice
Why is it that the freedom to choose is good in all areas of our life but schools? We all agree that because I can choose between All State, Farmers, GEICO and others that I get a lower rate on my insurance. We agree that the ability for me to choose one out of a thousand mortgage lenders is going to ensure that I get the best interest rate possible. Can you imagine what the cost of an airline ticket from Dallas to Houston would be if only American Airlines operated flights – no more Southwest? Competition lowers prices, it foster innovation, and it adds quality. But for some reason, I am supposed to believe that all those three things that competition brings us are not at all applicable to schools?
I hear, by those opposed to school choice, that it will lead to massive overcrowding in the better performing schools. Let’s apply this same argument to my cable provider. Prior to last week, Grande Communication provided my internet, phone and cable service. Recently though, Verizon installed their cutting-edge fiber optics cables (FIOS) in my neighborhood – promising better service, content and reliability at a slightly lower price. So, even though in this case Grande wasn’t a terrible product, they were an underperformer when compared to FIOS – so I switched. But according to the “overcrowded argument” soon FIOS will be in BIG TROUBLE because “so many people will be switching to their service”. Can you imagine the executives at Verizon saying, “You know Bill - we really need this FIOS thing to work, but there better not be too many people wanting to use it.” Nonsense! If people en mass start switching what will Verizon do? They will expand their assets to accommodate. They will adapt. What will Grande do? They will do one of three things: (1) they will close the doors in profound sadness that they were not able to compete, (2) they will make no changes and sputter along financially, or (3) they will innovate and roll out a competing product at a competing price. As the Guinness Beer guys say – “Brilliant”!
And that my friend is what the schools will do too. The over performers will add space and add more outstanding teachers to an outstanding curriculum. The under performers will face the same three choices as Grande faces. They will close down the school and bus students elsewhere (not likely). They will keep underperforming, happy to lose the 15-20% of students who decided to leave, or they will innovate and bring in teachers who can teach a curriculum worth teaching in an environment conducive to learning.
I am also told that students will be bussed hours away from home and not get in until 6 at night. This confuses “school choice” with “mandatory integration”. Let us not forget the most important word in “school choice” – “choice”. I realize that some school districts force certain kids to be bussed to other districts due to arcane anti-segregation policies handed down by judges. This is not what school choice is. Parents should be able to “choose” whether or not the added benefit of getting a better education is worth it “to them” to put up with the challenges of transporting their child to that other district. It is a choice, not a mandate. This ties in with why I think the number of transferring students will always be low (I probably overshot earlier by even saying 15%). The challenge of transportation will prevent some, if not most, from leaving. Of course parents have the ultimate choice, they could move – as many do. But why should choice in public education be granted only to those who can afford addresses in Southlake Carroll or Highland Park? Remember, this is public education here. I make no argument that everyone deserves a private education – which in many cases is superior. I am only stating that public education should, for the most part, be standard regardless of how pricey your neighborhood is.
Frankly, I won’t rehash the other feeble arguments against school choice. They have something to do with “going back to segregation”, “forcing down standards in good schools”, etc, etc. It comes down to simple logic. Education is a service no different than any other. We pay an amount (through property taxes) and expect a certain product/service. When we don’t get the level of service we feel is needed we go somewhere else – it is that simple. Schools are in the business of education. When they don’t educate at the level we feel is adequate we should be able to go somewhere else.
I hear, by those opposed to school choice, that it will lead to massive overcrowding in the better performing schools. Let’s apply this same argument to my cable provider. Prior to last week, Grande Communication provided my internet, phone and cable service. Recently though, Verizon installed their cutting-edge fiber optics cables (FIOS) in my neighborhood – promising better service, content and reliability at a slightly lower price. So, even though in this case Grande wasn’t a terrible product, they were an underperformer when compared to FIOS – so I switched. But according to the “overcrowded argument” soon FIOS will be in BIG TROUBLE because “so many people will be switching to their service”. Can you imagine the executives at Verizon saying, “You know Bill - we really need this FIOS thing to work, but there better not be too many people wanting to use it.” Nonsense! If people en mass start switching what will Verizon do? They will expand their assets to accommodate. They will adapt. What will Grande do? They will do one of three things: (1) they will close the doors in profound sadness that they were not able to compete, (2) they will make no changes and sputter along financially, or (3) they will innovate and roll out a competing product at a competing price. As the Guinness Beer guys say – “Brilliant”!
And that my friend is what the schools will do too. The over performers will add space and add more outstanding teachers to an outstanding curriculum. The under performers will face the same three choices as Grande faces. They will close down the school and bus students elsewhere (not likely). They will keep underperforming, happy to lose the 15-20% of students who decided to leave, or they will innovate and bring in teachers who can teach a curriculum worth teaching in an environment conducive to learning.
I am also told that students will be bussed hours away from home and not get in until 6 at night. This confuses “school choice” with “mandatory integration”. Let us not forget the most important word in “school choice” – “choice”. I realize that some school districts force certain kids to be bussed to other districts due to arcane anti-segregation policies handed down by judges. This is not what school choice is. Parents should be able to “choose” whether or not the added benefit of getting a better education is worth it “to them” to put up with the challenges of transporting their child to that other district. It is a choice, not a mandate. This ties in with why I think the number of transferring students will always be low (I probably overshot earlier by even saying 15%). The challenge of transportation will prevent some, if not most, from leaving. Of course parents have the ultimate choice, they could move – as many do. But why should choice in public education be granted only to those who can afford addresses in Southlake Carroll or Highland Park? Remember, this is public education here. I make no argument that everyone deserves a private education – which in many cases is superior. I am only stating that public education should, for the most part, be standard regardless of how pricey your neighborhood is.
Frankly, I won’t rehash the other feeble arguments against school choice. They have something to do with “going back to segregation”, “forcing down standards in good schools”, etc, etc. It comes down to simple logic. Education is a service no different than any other. We pay an amount (through property taxes) and expect a certain product/service. When we don’t get the level of service we feel is needed we go somewhere else – it is that simple. Schools are in the business of education. When they don’t educate at the level we feel is adequate we should be able to go somewhere else.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Muzzle is Off
It has been some time since I was moved to write. Partly because I have grown weary of banging out my frustrations on the internet and partly because of lack of time. But no more. No more will I let those “who thinks nothing is worth fighting and dying for” hijack the public debate on the war effort.
I was at once moved to gratitude and sickened at the sight of several thousand anti-war peaceniks protesting at the Capital (and defacing it) this weekend. It brings me great pride to know that I live in a country where the most ignorant, un-American, spineless twits among us can legally assemble and protest the policies of this country. But I am sickened that these same people think that it is well within their “right” to spit on (literally) the soldiers who give them this freedom, who think it is their “right” to spray graffiti on the steps of the Capital, who equate the President with Adolf Hitler (Tim Robins). Who are lead in chorus by the most prejudiced among us (Jesse Jackson) and by a lady who wants to be your next President – a lady who in 2003 stated over and over to anyone who would listen how sure she was that invading Iraq was the right thing to do - now, she thinks “not so much”. Do you remember the hot water she was in with her “base” over her support of the war resolution? She assured her “base” of liberal supporters that Sadam was a serious threat. She had “done her homework” on this and realized there was “no other way.” This spineless Senator would now like us to believe she was duped.
The lack of spine in this country is astounding. This spinal malady is spread evenly among the hippies of the 60’s (who are now in their 60’s) and the spineless offspring they brought into this world. Their kids grew up with the amazing ability to see all of the world’s evil and know that America was to blame, but were unable to see any of America’s greatness. This blindness to reality, coupled with the lack of spine is truly a medical phenomenon that will be studied for years to come. I only hope and pray that there are still American’s left to study it. Will anyone really be surprised to see Jane Fonda put on a turban and stand next to Al-Sadr in solidarity against the “imperial devils”? Wait. It’s coming.
“No blood for oil” I am told. Yet I am also told that “the price of oil is too high”. I am told it is too high because “Bush started a war knowing it would drive the price up”. Well, which is it damn it?! Are we there stealing oil for nothing (which would depress the price) or are we there purposely disrupting the supply to drive it up? This lack of critical thinking by the left has me wondering how in the world they become college professors. Is this the critical thinking skills that are being taught on campuses nationwide? Sadam never attacked us? Yeah. Your right - but neither did Adolf Hitler. Huh? That’s right – it was the Imperial Japanese who attacked us and not Germany. We didn’t invade Iraq because they attacked us on 9/11. We invaded them so that would not be ABLE to attack us. Get in your time machine and go back to early December 1941. Would you think it wise to attack the Japanese fleet as they were steaming toward Hawaii?
“We should let diplomacy work.” Sure, just like it worked in Tehran for 444 days of hostage taking, just like it worked with the Kobar Towers, the USS Cole, the now nuclear North Korea and soon to be nuclear Iran. Ask Israel how diplomacy is working for them? Get back in the time machine and ask England how Chamberlin’s diplomacy worked for them. Take the machine back a little more ask George Washington how it worked for him…oh wait. It didn’t – and because he chose not to negotiate with King George and because of people like Thomas Paine (who indeed showed is strong spine by publishing Common Sense) we now have the greatest country ever in the history of ever. Diplomacy is only as effective as your military threat. You cannot have a military threat if you never use military action.
So, no – I am not advocating abridging the First Amendment just because I don’t like what is being said. I am advocating making my voice, and the voice of all those Americans who want victory, heard. This is the greatest country ever assembled. Its greatness preserved by the blood of patriots and by the voice of the patriotic. Patriotism is not manifested by blind support of the government. It is manifested in blind love of country. I dare say the act of spitting on a wounded soldier is the antithesis of patriotism – and I for one will not stand for it.
Disgusting act:
I was at once moved to gratitude and sickened at the sight of several thousand anti-war peaceniks protesting at the Capital (and defacing it) this weekend. It brings me great pride to know that I live in a country where the most ignorant, un-American, spineless twits among us can legally assemble and protest the policies of this country. But I am sickened that these same people think that it is well within their “right” to spit on (literally) the soldiers who give them this freedom, who think it is their “right” to spray graffiti on the steps of the Capital, who equate the President with Adolf Hitler (Tim Robins). Who are lead in chorus by the most prejudiced among us (Jesse Jackson) and by a lady who wants to be your next President – a lady who in 2003 stated over and over to anyone who would listen how sure she was that invading Iraq was the right thing to do - now, she thinks “not so much”. Do you remember the hot water she was in with her “base” over her support of the war resolution? She assured her “base” of liberal supporters that Sadam was a serious threat. She had “done her homework” on this and realized there was “no other way.” This spineless Senator would now like us to believe she was duped.
The lack of spine in this country is astounding. This spinal malady is spread evenly among the hippies of the 60’s (who are now in their 60’s) and the spineless offspring they brought into this world. Their kids grew up with the amazing ability to see all of the world’s evil and know that America was to blame, but were unable to see any of America’s greatness. This blindness to reality, coupled with the lack of spine is truly a medical phenomenon that will be studied for years to come. I only hope and pray that there are still American’s left to study it. Will anyone really be surprised to see Jane Fonda put on a turban and stand next to Al-Sadr in solidarity against the “imperial devils”? Wait. It’s coming.
“No blood for oil” I am told. Yet I am also told that “the price of oil is too high”. I am told it is too high because “Bush started a war knowing it would drive the price up”. Well, which is it damn it?! Are we there stealing oil for nothing (which would depress the price) or are we there purposely disrupting the supply to drive it up? This lack of critical thinking by the left has me wondering how in the world they become college professors. Is this the critical thinking skills that are being taught on campuses nationwide? Sadam never attacked us? Yeah. Your right - but neither did Adolf Hitler. Huh? That’s right – it was the Imperial Japanese who attacked us and not Germany. We didn’t invade Iraq because they attacked us on 9/11. We invaded them so that would not be ABLE to attack us. Get in your time machine and go back to early December 1941. Would you think it wise to attack the Japanese fleet as they were steaming toward Hawaii?
“We should let diplomacy work.” Sure, just like it worked in Tehran for 444 days of hostage taking, just like it worked with the Kobar Towers, the USS Cole, the now nuclear North Korea and soon to be nuclear Iran. Ask Israel how diplomacy is working for them? Get back in the time machine and ask England how Chamberlin’s diplomacy worked for them. Take the machine back a little more ask George Washington how it worked for him…oh wait. It didn’t – and because he chose not to negotiate with King George and because of people like Thomas Paine (who indeed showed is strong spine by publishing Common Sense) we now have the greatest country ever in the history of ever. Diplomacy is only as effective as your military threat. You cannot have a military threat if you never use military action.
So, no – I am not advocating abridging the First Amendment just because I don’t like what is being said. I am advocating making my voice, and the voice of all those Americans who want victory, heard. This is the greatest country ever assembled. Its greatness preserved by the blood of patriots and by the voice of the patriotic. Patriotism is not manifested by blind support of the government. It is manifested in blind love of country. I dare say the act of spitting on a wounded soldier is the antithesis of patriotism – and I for one will not stand for it.
Disgusting act:
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Here we go again
I will try my hardest not to rant about the meaning of Christmas and how commercialized it has become and how desensitized we are to the real reason we celebrate, blah, blah, blah. I do, however, want to point out one thing that has already ruffled my feathers this ehem…”Holiday Season”.
Every morning I walk 2 blocks from my parking garage to my office (ok…smarty pants…my cube. I was using “office” as a euphemism for “place of work”. But nooooo…you had to rub it in that after 6 years I am still in a cube!!). Anyways, I pass by the world famous Neiman Marcus each day, specifically, I pass by their large glass storefront displays. Neiman’s takes a lot of pride in their Christmas displays and their Christmas catalog. Even if you haven’t seen their storefront, you are certainly familiar with their Christmas catalogue…you know the one, with the $1MM submarine for sale or some such other extravagant item on that special someone’s wish list. Well, last week they had their grand unveiling of their Christmas displays. The best I can tell, this year’s theme is “gold”. All the manikins were wearing gold, driving a gold moped, and eating gold (ok - maybe not eating gold). And now here comes the ruffled feathers - front and center in the middle of the store, in front of a massive window is a giant 25 foot tall Christmas tree. Covering this beautiful tree (fake - no doubt - so as not to harm a real living tree) is wads and wads of….cash! That’s it! - A massive Christmas tree with no lights, no ornaments…just oversized $100 bills for decoration.
Spare me. I know the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol and has nothing to do with the actual birth of Christ. But just because the wise men didn’t bring pine trees doesn’t mean that it is a meaningless symbol. I know Nieman’s is in business to make money. They make money by selling high priced items. But couldn’t they just spare the Christmas tree and not bastardize it like they and others have done to the rest of Christmas? Wasn’t it enough that the nativity scene is no longer welcome in public and Christmas has been replaced by “Holiday”? Why did they have to go ahead and decorate the Christmas tree with nothing but cash? This is depressing. I have to fight that much harder to make sure my children know the meaning of Christmas. They sure as heck aren’t going to learn about it in school, or see any representation of it in the stores, or at the town square.
Here is another sign that the end is near – Chicago has banned the “Nativity Story” ads during their Christmas festival. Lord...forgive them for they know not what they do.
Every morning I walk 2 blocks from my parking garage to my office (ok…smarty pants…my cube. I was using “office” as a euphemism for “place of work”. But nooooo…you had to rub it in that after 6 years I am still in a cube!!). Anyways, I pass by the world famous Neiman Marcus each day, specifically, I pass by their large glass storefront displays. Neiman’s takes a lot of pride in their Christmas displays and their Christmas catalog. Even if you haven’t seen their storefront, you are certainly familiar with their Christmas catalogue…you know the one, with the $1MM submarine for sale or some such other extravagant item on that special someone’s wish list. Well, last week they had their grand unveiling of their Christmas displays. The best I can tell, this year’s theme is “gold”. All the manikins were wearing gold, driving a gold moped, and eating gold (ok - maybe not eating gold). And now here comes the ruffled feathers - front and center in the middle of the store, in front of a massive window is a giant 25 foot tall Christmas tree. Covering this beautiful tree (fake - no doubt - so as not to harm a real living tree) is wads and wads of….cash! That’s it! - A massive Christmas tree with no lights, no ornaments…just oversized $100 bills for decoration.
Spare me. I know the Christmas tree is a pagan symbol and has nothing to do with the actual birth of Christ. But just because the wise men didn’t bring pine trees doesn’t mean that it is a meaningless symbol. I know Nieman’s is in business to make money. They make money by selling high priced items. But couldn’t they just spare the Christmas tree and not bastardize it like they and others have done to the rest of Christmas? Wasn’t it enough that the nativity scene is no longer welcome in public and Christmas has been replaced by “Holiday”? Why did they have to go ahead and decorate the Christmas tree with nothing but cash? This is depressing. I have to fight that much harder to make sure my children know the meaning of Christmas. They sure as heck aren’t going to learn about it in school, or see any representation of it in the stores, or at the town square.
Here is another sign that the end is near – Chicago has banned the “Nativity Story” ads during their Christmas festival. Lord...forgive them for they know not what they do.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Higher Minimum Wage - Bad Idea
Here is a real-world example of what happens when government tries to interfere in business (from the Economist.com):
Referring to the riots in Tonga: “Agitation by civil servants forced the government to raise public-sector pay by a massive 60-80% last year. But this placed unsustainable pressure on the government's finances, eventually requiring the administration to counter the pay rise by cutting the number of civil-service jobs.”
When you force wages to go higher than the market dictates this is what you get – higher unemployment. Why is this such a difficult concept to understand?
When you include tip income, less than 1.1% of all workers earn the minimum wage or below. Without tip income, it increases slightly to about 1.5%. Those earning only the minimum wage tend to be young. According to the Department of Labor, 53% of those minimum wage earners are between the age of 16 and 24. The picture of the typical minimum wage earner is something like this: white, female, working part-time, family earns about twice that of the poverty line. But to hear the Democrats tell it, raising the minimum wage will wipe out poverty or some such – ridiculous!
Referring to the riots in Tonga: “Agitation by civil servants forced the government to raise public-sector pay by a massive 60-80% last year. But this placed unsustainable pressure on the government's finances, eventually requiring the administration to counter the pay rise by cutting the number of civil-service jobs.”
When you force wages to go higher than the market dictates this is what you get – higher unemployment. Why is this such a difficult concept to understand?
When you include tip income, less than 1.1% of all workers earn the minimum wage or below. Without tip income, it increases slightly to about 1.5%. Those earning only the minimum wage tend to be young. According to the Department of Labor, 53% of those minimum wage earners are between the age of 16 and 24. The picture of the typical minimum wage earner is something like this: white, female, working part-time, family earns about twice that of the poverty line. But to hear the Democrats tell it, raising the minimum wage will wipe out poverty or some such – ridiculous!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Which Way?
I am in the midst of making a life changing decision, one that will alter my work life, my friendships, my family, everything. I wish I could tell you what it is, but I can’t. The decision isn’t really mine to make – yet. But all signs are leading to that point. I ask that you keep me in my family in your prayers and ask God to continue to give me guidance.
How about this analogy: Do you remember when you were younger and you wanted to be somebody really bad? Perhaps you wanted to be a super hero, but as you got older you realized that there were not any super heroes - just mere mortals. But then, what if when you were older you find out that yes, there are super heroes and the super hero department found out you wanted to join them and they are considered you for their team. Unfortunately though, they tell you that the super heroes don’t really work and live where you live, and they don’t really get paid much, and they don’t get to tell anyone that they are really Clark Kent. What would you do? Well, I choose to pray. I pray that even though I may want to be a super hero, God may have a different plan for my life. And even though lots of people want to be super heroes and that the fact that the super hero department only calls on a select few…just because you get that call doesn’t mean that is the right choice for me, or you or anyone. That is where divine guidance comes in. So I ask that those of you who read this blog, and who are the praying types, please ask God to show me the way. Does “the way” lead to a cape, a web, and a mask or does it lead somewhere else?
Oh yeah…while your at it. Ask God to show the Republicans in Congress the error of their ways so that we can take back the House and Senate in 2008.
How about this analogy: Do you remember when you were younger and you wanted to be somebody really bad? Perhaps you wanted to be a super hero, but as you got older you realized that there were not any super heroes - just mere mortals. But then, what if when you were older you find out that yes, there are super heroes and the super hero department found out you wanted to join them and they are considered you for their team. Unfortunately though, they tell you that the super heroes don’t really work and live where you live, and they don’t really get paid much, and they don’t get to tell anyone that they are really Clark Kent. What would you do? Well, I choose to pray. I pray that even though I may want to be a super hero, God may have a different plan for my life. And even though lots of people want to be super heroes and that the fact that the super hero department only calls on a select few…just because you get that call doesn’t mean that is the right choice for me, or you or anyone. That is where divine guidance comes in. So I ask that those of you who read this blog, and who are the praying types, please ask God to show me the way. Does “the way” lead to a cape, a web, and a mask or does it lead somewhere else?
Oh yeah…while your at it. Ask God to show the Republicans in Congress the error of their ways so that we can take back the House and Senate in 2008.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
"..not a war to win.."
This just in from the new Speaker of House, “It’s not a war to win, it’s a situation to be solved.” - Pelosi
The video here. From Hot Air / Michelle Malkin
As one soldier responded upon hearing this statement, “My M1 Abrams has a lot of problem solving skills.”
Ladies and gentleman – you who voted to “send the Republicans a message”, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when you hand the defense and security of this nation over to liberals like Pelosi! Where is the trash can…I am about to be sick!
The video here. From Hot Air / Michelle Malkin
As one soldier responded upon hearing this statement, “My M1 Abrams has a lot of problem solving skills.”
Ladies and gentleman – you who voted to “send the Republicans a message”, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when you hand the defense and security of this nation over to liberals like Pelosi! Where is the trash can…I am about to be sick!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Rummy out
So Rumsfeld is gone. The timing of this is terrible! He should have stepped down two weeks ago and given those Republicans who are pro-war but against the way it has been prosecuted a reason to vote, or a reason not to switch parties (as if there was a real reason to switch parties in the first place). This really ticks me off now that I think about it. I know why he left today. It has nothing to do with his ability or lack of to handle the war effort. It has to do with the Dems owning both houses and him knowing that his coming days were going to be filled with witch hunts, subpoenas and all manner of liberal bashing. And given that, his ability to lead would be seriously damaged. But come on! The writing has been on the wall for a month now (regarding Dem takeover). If he wasn’t going to tough it out he should have stepped aside earlier! And now we get an Aggie running the show! Let the jokes begin. In all seriousness though, I think Gates may do well. He gets mixed reviews for his time at CIA, but he is fresh in a sense that he has been away from Washington for a while. Maybe that’s good, maybe not.
Just another day
I woke up this morning the same way I always do…to my son’s pointy elbow planted squarely in the small of my back (note: the fact that my four year old still sleeps in our bed is a topic for another day – feedback on getting him to his own bed greatly appreciated though). Despite the loss of the House and likely the Senate the world still goes ‘round. I will need to start planning though for the Democratic agenda.
First thing I will do is increase my savings rate this next year to cover the increase in taxes that will take effect when the Democrats raise them by expiring the Bush tax cuts. Oh…you didn’t know they were going to do that? Interesting that remarks by Charlie Rangle were not widely publicized when he said that there is not one of the Bush tax cuts that will continue when he becomes Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. So, that’s first – save for the higher taxes I get to pay.
Second thing I will do is purchase stock in the major agriculture corporations. As disappointed as conservatives have been about the Republican efforts to control the border, the Democrats will do even less. Most Democrats have voted against every major border security bill this past year. They are in favor of near blanket amnesty and the liberal wing of the party (redundant) is in favor of an open border policy. So who benefits? The big business types who live off the below market wages paid to the millions of illegal’s crossing our border. I might as well hedge my bets and ride the corporate profits on up. I will need those extra dividends to cover the increasing cost of medical care, education, etc that results from the burden that illegal immigrants place on the system.
The third thing I will do is pray. I will pray that the liberal leadership will not carry through with their cut and run strategy in Iraq. I will pray that they do not stop funding the war effort like they did in Vietnam. I pray that they do not force our troops to come home with their tale between their legs like they did in Vietnam and more recently in Somalia. UBL knows this is our history. He has called our military a “paper tiger” based on the Somalia “Black Hawk Down” conflict. An early withdrawal will be another piece of reinforcing evidence to this idea. The Democrats are controlled by the Kennedy, Kerry, Murtha, Pelosi, Schumer, Durbin wing (I could list about 50 more) who see no problem with leaving the Iraq people to fend for themselves against anti-democracy forces. Forces who think nothing of stoning women for being raped; who execute those who are Christian, who don’t allow women to be educated, much less drive a car. Forces who have not only vowed destruction to America, but to anyone who dares question their extremist religious views. This is no longer about whether or not we should have gone to war in Iraq. We are there now. It is about winning. It is about doing what is right – now. Do I have confidence that the Democrats will honor our commitment to Iraq and to our troops? No, not really. They bath mouth our soldiers and equate them to Nazi (Durbin), terrorist (Kerry), and “managers or rape rooms” (Kennedy). Why should they be trusted with our military?
Conservatives didn’t lose the elections last night – Republicans did. Republicans have two years to decide if they are going to come back to the party of Ronald Reagan or if they are going to be nothing more than democrats who happen to be strong on defense.
I have plenty more to say, especially concerning the voters who were anti-abortion prior to election night and miraculously decided to all the sudden become pro-abortion. More later…but life goes on.
First thing I will do is increase my savings rate this next year to cover the increase in taxes that will take effect when the Democrats raise them by expiring the Bush tax cuts. Oh…you didn’t know they were going to do that? Interesting that remarks by Charlie Rangle were not widely publicized when he said that there is not one of the Bush tax cuts that will continue when he becomes Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. So, that’s first – save for the higher taxes I get to pay.
Second thing I will do is purchase stock in the major agriculture corporations. As disappointed as conservatives have been about the Republican efforts to control the border, the Democrats will do even less. Most Democrats have voted against every major border security bill this past year. They are in favor of near blanket amnesty and the liberal wing of the party (redundant) is in favor of an open border policy. So who benefits? The big business types who live off the below market wages paid to the millions of illegal’s crossing our border. I might as well hedge my bets and ride the corporate profits on up. I will need those extra dividends to cover the increasing cost of medical care, education, etc that results from the burden that illegal immigrants place on the system.
The third thing I will do is pray. I will pray that the liberal leadership will not carry through with their cut and run strategy in Iraq. I will pray that they do not stop funding the war effort like they did in Vietnam. I pray that they do not force our troops to come home with their tale between their legs like they did in Vietnam and more recently in Somalia. UBL knows this is our history. He has called our military a “paper tiger” based on the Somalia “Black Hawk Down” conflict. An early withdrawal will be another piece of reinforcing evidence to this idea. The Democrats are controlled by the Kennedy, Kerry, Murtha, Pelosi, Schumer, Durbin wing (I could list about 50 more) who see no problem with leaving the Iraq people to fend for themselves against anti-democracy forces. Forces who think nothing of stoning women for being raped; who execute those who are Christian, who don’t allow women to be educated, much less drive a car. Forces who have not only vowed destruction to America, but to anyone who dares question their extremist religious views. This is no longer about whether or not we should have gone to war in Iraq. We are there now. It is about winning. It is about doing what is right – now. Do I have confidence that the Democrats will honor our commitment to Iraq and to our troops? No, not really. They bath mouth our soldiers and equate them to Nazi (Durbin), terrorist (Kerry), and “managers or rape rooms” (Kennedy). Why should they be trusted with our military?
Conservatives didn’t lose the elections last night – Republicans did. Republicans have two years to decide if they are going to come back to the party of Ronald Reagan or if they are going to be nothing more than democrats who happen to be strong on defense.
I have plenty more to say, especially concerning the voters who were anti-abortion prior to election night and miraculously decided to all the sudden become pro-abortion. More later…but life goes on.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
I'm awake now
I have been awoken from my blogging slumber by the sound of disrespect for America’s finest. My last post was around two months ago. My hiatus was brought on by a combination of burn-out, busy work schedule, and a shift in my interests from politics to foreign policy. I have spent the last several months engrossed in foreign policy study and am quite certain that out of the four people who read this blog, only maybe one is interest in foreign policy – so why bother. But, I suppose the real reason for this blog is not for others, but for me to hone my writing skills; so in that regard, I suppose I have let myself down? Not that this is a political blog either as I have posted other light-hearted things as well…..I digress.
So what was the alarm clock that ended the hibernation? I wouldn’t do it justice if I paraphrased it, so here it is in its unedited form:
“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” – John F. Kerry, (D) Massachusetts
And that ladies and gentleman, is the “October Surprise”, coming on the last day of October to be precise.
The delusional Senator from Mass. was speaking to a group of college students in California as part of a campaign boost to the Democratic candidate for California Governor. According to a reporter who was there, upon making this elitist statement, some laughed while others gasped. Folks, when a room full of liberal Democrats “gasp”, you know that statement must be bad. Of course, Kerry goes on the offensive after being called on the carpet for this saying that he was really trying to insult the President and not the troops. He said it was a “botched joke”. I recall that the President had a slightly better GPA at Yale than did Kerry and also has an MBA from Harvard. How was Kerry attempting to discredit the President’s education? He wasn’t. His disdain for the military came through yet again. As if his 1970’s anti-American, anti-soldier statements were not enough. As if his 2005 Meet The Press statements referring to our soldiers in Iraq as terrorists wasn’t enough – he opens his mouth once again and defames those in our all volunteer, highly educated armed forces.
Currently, 99.9% of enlisted forces have a high school education, 49.2% have advanced or professional degrees, 39.4% have masters and 1.3% have doctorates. All of this is lost on Kerry and other Democrats who want to portray our armed service as a place of last resort for those with no other options. Watch me as I reach into my back pocket and pull out the B.S flag and throw it onto the field!
Congratulations Democrats. You just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory – or so it seems.
Now its time for me to hit snooze and get back to more important things. You can count on one thing though, and that is I am guaranteed to write something on November 8th – one way or another. Til then…..
So what was the alarm clock that ended the hibernation? I wouldn’t do it justice if I paraphrased it, so here it is in its unedited form:
“You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.” – John F. Kerry, (D) Massachusetts
And that ladies and gentleman, is the “October Surprise”, coming on the last day of October to be precise.
The delusional Senator from Mass. was speaking to a group of college students in California as part of a campaign boost to the Democratic candidate for California Governor. According to a reporter who was there, upon making this elitist statement, some laughed while others gasped. Folks, when a room full of liberal Democrats “gasp”, you know that statement must be bad. Of course, Kerry goes on the offensive after being called on the carpet for this saying that he was really trying to insult the President and not the troops. He said it was a “botched joke”. I recall that the President had a slightly better GPA at Yale than did Kerry and also has an MBA from Harvard. How was Kerry attempting to discredit the President’s education? He wasn’t. His disdain for the military came through yet again. As if his 1970’s anti-American, anti-soldier statements were not enough. As if his 2005 Meet The Press statements referring to our soldiers in Iraq as terrorists wasn’t enough – he opens his mouth once again and defames those in our all volunteer, highly educated armed forces.
Currently, 99.9% of enlisted forces have a high school education, 49.2% have advanced or professional degrees, 39.4% have masters and 1.3% have doctorates. All of this is lost on Kerry and other Democrats who want to portray our armed service as a place of last resort for those with no other options. Watch me as I reach into my back pocket and pull out the B.S flag and throw it onto the field!
Congratulations Democrats. You just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory – or so it seems.
Now its time for me to hit snooze and get back to more important things. You can count on one thing though, and that is I am guaranteed to write something on November 8th – one way or another. Til then…..
Thursday, August 24, 2006
When is it too much?
I don’t look old. I don’t feel old. I don’t think old. But evidentially I am old. Case in point – I was walking through the living room and noticed that the wife was watching something on MTV called “My Super Sweat 16” - and here is where I get old.
The kids these days!
I have never seen such gross, embarrassing show of shallow materialism on display in all my life. Here is the show’s premise; an MTV crew documents the 16th birthday party of a kid who was “fortunate” enough to be born to parents of massive wealth. This aint no pin the tail on the donkey, swing the piñata, and open up present type of party I remember. This is a fully catered, ballroom rented out party complete with exotic animals and exotic cars. A party where the birthday boy is carried in on a camel while African tribal people dance among him playing drums and chanting his praises. This is a party where every kid in attendance talked only about “how cool” this guy was because he was “so loaded”. I never heard one person say anything of substance about this kid’s character or about how he did anything worthy of this praise. At the end of the party, this kid gets a $60,000 car as a present! Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind gives a 16 year-old a $60,000 car?
Maybe I am getting old. But I can’t recall this type of materiality worship when I was this age. I remember thinking how lucky I was just to get these really cool “platform shoes” that were suppose to make me jump like Michael Jordan. I never felt less of a person because I didn’t get a new car or didn’t have 300 of my “closest friends” chanting my name.
My wife tells me the previous episode showed an equally insane party, but this time the girl didn’t get a $60,000 car – she got two! TWO!?! Do these parents think they are doing their kids a favor by lavishing them with these gifts? What happens when they are on their own – or is the plan to never make them go on their own. I’m not sure which is worse - the slap in the face by reality when they are forced to fend for themselves in the real world…or the pathetic life that awaits those who are never faced with that reality slap and instead remain tied to their parents umbilical cord of wealth their entire life.
This isn’t a poor mans diatribe against those of wealth. I realize that it is a natural expectation that those who make more money will spend more money. I know that the gifts I buy my kids are more expensive than the gifts some of my nieces and nephews get. I also know the price tag is not representative of the amount of love behind those gifts. But that doesn’t mean the expenditure slope is linear – always increasing with no logical cap. I mean, at some point, don’t you draw a line between making sure your kids get what they need as opposed to what they want. And if you are fortunate enough to have the ability to give them what they want, don’t you have a responsibility to teach them what is reasonable and what is not? I would love to hear the “responsibility” argument from the parents who bought their teenage daughter two cars.
The trickledown effect is that ever kid in America watching this show now has to try and live up to this standard. MTV is one of the worst influences on our youth today. And, yes, I realize that by saying that – it does in fact mean that I am old!
The kids these days!
I have never seen such gross, embarrassing show of shallow materialism on display in all my life. Here is the show’s premise; an MTV crew documents the 16th birthday party of a kid who was “fortunate” enough to be born to parents of massive wealth. This aint no pin the tail on the donkey, swing the piñata, and open up present type of party I remember. This is a fully catered, ballroom rented out party complete with exotic animals and exotic cars. A party where the birthday boy is carried in on a camel while African tribal people dance among him playing drums and chanting his praises. This is a party where every kid in attendance talked only about “how cool” this guy was because he was “so loaded”. I never heard one person say anything of substance about this kid’s character or about how he did anything worthy of this praise. At the end of the party, this kid gets a $60,000 car as a present! Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind gives a 16 year-old a $60,000 car?
Maybe I am getting old. But I can’t recall this type of materiality worship when I was this age. I remember thinking how lucky I was just to get these really cool “platform shoes” that were suppose to make me jump like Michael Jordan. I never felt less of a person because I didn’t get a new car or didn’t have 300 of my “closest friends” chanting my name.
My wife tells me the previous episode showed an equally insane party, but this time the girl didn’t get a $60,000 car – she got two! TWO!?! Do these parents think they are doing their kids a favor by lavishing them with these gifts? What happens when they are on their own – or is the plan to never make them go on their own. I’m not sure which is worse - the slap in the face by reality when they are forced to fend for themselves in the real world…or the pathetic life that awaits those who are never faced with that reality slap and instead remain tied to their parents umbilical cord of wealth their entire life.
This isn’t a poor mans diatribe against those of wealth. I realize that it is a natural expectation that those who make more money will spend more money. I know that the gifts I buy my kids are more expensive than the gifts some of my nieces and nephews get. I also know the price tag is not representative of the amount of love behind those gifts. But that doesn’t mean the expenditure slope is linear – always increasing with no logical cap. I mean, at some point, don’t you draw a line between making sure your kids get what they need as opposed to what they want. And if you are fortunate enough to have the ability to give them what they want, don’t you have a responsibility to teach them what is reasonable and what is not? I would love to hear the “responsibility” argument from the parents who bought their teenage daughter two cars.
The trickledown effect is that ever kid in America watching this show now has to try and live up to this standard. MTV is one of the worst influences on our youth today. And, yes, I realize that by saying that – it does in fact mean that I am old!
Friday, August 18, 2006
The AJ Crowd
Here lately, I have attempted to expand my daily reading regiment - diversify if you will. In addition to the daily stop down at Powerlineblog.com, BlackFive.net, CounterTerrorismblog.com, Drudge and others, I have added BBC.com and AlJazeera.com to the list. It is the Al Jazeera website that has me so amused.
AJ has a unique format among major media outlets (and let there be no doubt that they are the biggest in that region) in that after most of their “news” stories they allow the posting of comments. This gives their website “blog-like” characteristics, while still maintaining a news reporting format. The comments are the main reason I visit AJ. The news pieces are heavily anti-Israel, anti-American, but provide enough unfiltered facts to be somewhat useful. The comments provide something more useful – a look into the mindset of the Middle Eastern “street”.
Regardless of the topic of the story – everything, and I do mean everything, is the fault of Zionists or Americans. This mentality permeates their entire being – it defines who they are. From the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it appears that every bad thing that has happened to Muslims is of no fault of their own. It is the ultimate victim mentality. The blame game also morphs into the conspiracy theory game. Their theories will put even the Michael Moore/Soros crowd to shame. A sample of comments includes ideas such as: 9/11 was planned by Israel, the Holocaust never happened, the recent London bombing plot is made up – conveniently timed to give neocons a lift in the upcoming elections, and lots more.
I realize a lot of this has to do with their lack of open and free news sources. Although, I have to think that if they have access to the internet and AJ, surely than can check out CNN for Fox News – cant they? Not that they would if they could – they think the US media is in bed with the President – aint that rich! The US MEDIA, a secret supporter of THIS administration?! That might be the best kept secret ever.
I will continue to read the comments and post well reasoned replies. I have been successful so far about 50% of the time in getting my comments past the screener and posted to their website. Hopefully I can add a little sanity to an otherwise insane world.
AJ has a unique format among major media outlets (and let there be no doubt that they are the biggest in that region) in that after most of their “news” stories they allow the posting of comments. This gives their website “blog-like” characteristics, while still maintaining a news reporting format. The comments are the main reason I visit AJ. The news pieces are heavily anti-Israel, anti-American, but provide enough unfiltered facts to be somewhat useful. The comments provide something more useful – a look into the mindset of the Middle Eastern “street”.
Regardless of the topic of the story – everything, and I do mean everything, is the fault of Zionists or Americans. This mentality permeates their entire being – it defines who they are. From the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it appears that every bad thing that has happened to Muslims is of no fault of their own. It is the ultimate victim mentality. The blame game also morphs into the conspiracy theory game. Their theories will put even the Michael Moore/Soros crowd to shame. A sample of comments includes ideas such as: 9/11 was planned by Israel, the Holocaust never happened, the recent London bombing plot is made up – conveniently timed to give neocons a lift in the upcoming elections, and lots more.
I realize a lot of this has to do with their lack of open and free news sources. Although, I have to think that if they have access to the internet and AJ, surely than can check out CNN for Fox News – cant they? Not that they would if they could – they think the US media is in bed with the President – aint that rich! The US MEDIA, a secret supporter of THIS administration?! That might be the best kept secret ever.
I will continue to read the comments and post well reasoned replies. I have been successful so far about 50% of the time in getting my comments past the screener and posted to their website. Hopefully I can add a little sanity to an otherwise insane world.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Profiling update
As a follow-up to my earlier post on terrorist profiling – it seems like England is much, much less concerned over hurting the feelings of a group of people than we here in the States are. Strangely enough, they would rather take the extra steps needed to increase airline safety, even if that comes at the expense of…gasp…making someone of Middle Eastern decent answer a couple of extra questions! The nerve of those Brits!!
Who will Sacrifice?
We are engaged in a war – though most of us are in complete denial. The “Global War on Terror” (GWOT) is a phrased that is tossed about so often these days that I believe it has lost its meaning. We all know what “global” means; this is a “global economy”, the “global markets” and even “global warming”. We recognize the word “terror” and know how to identify terrorism and terrorist acts. But what we have failed to completely wrap our mind around the word “war”.
The word war is used to convey that this is not a one sided struggle. This is not a police action, this is not a single battle - this is a war. Webster’s defines war as: “A state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties.”
In the past, both Republican and Democratic leadership alike has treated the threat of terrorism as a nagging concern, as a police action. We appeared more concerned about being able to prosecute the terrorist in a court of law once they were caught, than we were eliminating them entirely. But this is not the Global “Conflict” with Terror – this is the “War” on Terror. We are in a “state of open, armed and (to be sure) prolonged conflict.”
In other wars throughout history, Americans have been asked to make sacrifices for the good of the country. Not a single person living in the Colonies during the Revolution was untouched by that war. Durable goods like steel and rubber as well as the juice that makes the world go ‘round, oil, gas were heavily rationed during WWI and WWII. Women left their role as stay at home moms during WWII to work a shift at the factory making airplanes that would bomb Germany into submission. During Vietnam, the draft ensured that many able bodied men would serve in some capacity to help defeat the spread of communism – they sacrificed as did their families left behind. What is our sacrifice today? What are we, who are not called Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine doing? Are we making sacrifices in our daily life? If not us, who?
In order for the recent terror plot in London to have been disrupted, think about the sacrifices that were made. Someone had to leave their family at night to make contacts with sources of intelligence. Their family ate dinner alone while they were roaming the underground for clues. Someone had to spend hours at the office going through the raw intelligence that was being collected. Someone missed their brother’s birthday because they were following a suspected terrorist across the globe. Someone was manning a listening terminal for 24 hours straight when they intercepted a key terrorist phone call. Someone was called away from their son’s school play because they had to lead the team that was to arrest these terrorist within the hour to prevent the loss of life. And think about those family members left behind while their husband, wife, son was away doing these things. Think about their sacrifice, about their waiting up all night not knowing what they were doing or even sometimes where they were.
But think about the 3,000 people who were to be on those 10 planes who now get to go home to their son’s play, or their mother’s birthday. Think about the young man flying that day from London to New York who was going to see his fiancé after being gone on business for the last week. Think about the surgeon returning from that London conference who can now save hundreds of lives back at home.
So what sacrifices are we making to ensure this way of life? This life that is so hated by a group of people that they will stop at nothing to snuff it out. This is a war. And if we are given the opportunity to serve this country – no matter how big or small – who are we to say “no thanks – I’m too comfortable to help out” or “I cant afford to take that pay cut and go join the army” or “I don’t want to be separated from my family right now”. There were 3,000 people in New York on 9/11 that was separated from their family – forever. And then there are 3,000 people flying from London to the U.S. who were not – because of the sacrifices made along the way.
What sacrifices are you ready to make? Or is your life just too comfortable right now and this is just not your problem? We can’t all be soldiers, but we can all be something. We can all send that care package, or donate to that military support group – we can all do something.
The word war is used to convey that this is not a one sided struggle. This is not a police action, this is not a single battle - this is a war. Webster’s defines war as: “A state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties.”
In the past, both Republican and Democratic leadership alike has treated the threat of terrorism as a nagging concern, as a police action. We appeared more concerned about being able to prosecute the terrorist in a court of law once they were caught, than we were eliminating them entirely. But this is not the Global “Conflict” with Terror – this is the “War” on Terror. We are in a “state of open, armed and (to be sure) prolonged conflict.”
In other wars throughout history, Americans have been asked to make sacrifices for the good of the country. Not a single person living in the Colonies during the Revolution was untouched by that war. Durable goods like steel and rubber as well as the juice that makes the world go ‘round, oil, gas were heavily rationed during WWI and WWII. Women left their role as stay at home moms during WWII to work a shift at the factory making airplanes that would bomb Germany into submission. During Vietnam, the draft ensured that many able bodied men would serve in some capacity to help defeat the spread of communism – they sacrificed as did their families left behind. What is our sacrifice today? What are we, who are not called Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine doing? Are we making sacrifices in our daily life? If not us, who?
In order for the recent terror plot in London to have been disrupted, think about the sacrifices that were made. Someone had to leave their family at night to make contacts with sources of intelligence. Their family ate dinner alone while they were roaming the underground for clues. Someone had to spend hours at the office going through the raw intelligence that was being collected. Someone missed their brother’s birthday because they were following a suspected terrorist across the globe. Someone was manning a listening terminal for 24 hours straight when they intercepted a key terrorist phone call. Someone was called away from their son’s school play because they had to lead the team that was to arrest these terrorist within the hour to prevent the loss of life. And think about those family members left behind while their husband, wife, son was away doing these things. Think about their sacrifice, about their waiting up all night not knowing what they were doing or even sometimes where they were.
But think about the 3,000 people who were to be on those 10 planes who now get to go home to their son’s play, or their mother’s birthday. Think about the young man flying that day from London to New York who was going to see his fiancé after being gone on business for the last week. Think about the surgeon returning from that London conference who can now save hundreds of lives back at home.
So what sacrifices are we making to ensure this way of life? This life that is so hated by a group of people that they will stop at nothing to snuff it out. This is a war. And if we are given the opportunity to serve this country – no matter how big or small – who are we to say “no thanks – I’m too comfortable to help out” or “I cant afford to take that pay cut and go join the army” or “I don’t want to be separated from my family right now”. There were 3,000 people in New York on 9/11 that was separated from their family – forever. And then there are 3,000 people flying from London to the U.S. who were not – because of the sacrifices made along the way.
What sacrifices are you ready to make? Or is your life just too comfortable right now and this is just not your problem? We can’t all be soldiers, but we can all be something. We can all send that care package, or donate to that military support group – we can all do something.
Friday, August 11, 2006
How to make money in the airline business
Simply. Be the only airline to promise that you will use profiling to ensure the safety of that flight. That is the airline I want to fly!!
For more on "profiling" the likely terrorist threat.....full article found here
Let's pause a moment and review....
In 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by: (a) A salesman from Utah (b) An construction worker (c) A college student on Spring Break (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1972, 11 Israeli athletes were killed at the Munich Olympics
by: (a) Your grandmother (b) A Midwest auto-parts dealer (c) A mom and her 6-year-old son visiting from Indiana (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1979, the U.S. embassy in Iran was taken over by: (a) A bluegrass band (b) Dallas Cowboy fans (c) A tour group of 80-year-old women (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
During the 1980's numerous Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon
by: (a) A family on their way to Disney World (b) Jesse Ventura
(c) A Boy Scout Troop (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1983, the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by: (a) A pizza delivery boy (b) The UPS guy (c) Geraldo Rivera making up for a slow news day (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked, and a 70-year-old disabled American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard by: (a) A girls' choir (b) A hardware store owner (c) A secretary (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of
17 and 40.
In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a U.S. Navy diver was murdered by: (a) A Marine officer with two weeks leave
(b) A plumber going to visit his mom (c) A Catholic nun (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by: (a) A college-bound freshman (b) A cardiac surgeon on his way to Houston (c) A waitress (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
For more on "profiling" the likely terrorist threat.....full article found here
Let's pause a moment and review....
In 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by: (a) A salesman from Utah (b) An construction worker (c) A college student on Spring Break (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1972, 11 Israeli athletes were killed at the Munich Olympics
by: (a) Your grandmother (b) A Midwest auto-parts dealer (c) A mom and her 6-year-old son visiting from Indiana (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1979, the U.S. embassy in Iran was taken over by: (a) A bluegrass band (b) Dallas Cowboy fans (c) A tour group of 80-year-old women (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
During the 1980's numerous Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon
by: (a) A family on their way to Disney World (b) Jesse Ventura
(c) A Boy Scout Troop (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1983, the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by: (a) A pizza delivery boy (b) The UPS guy (c) Geraldo Rivera making up for a slow news day (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked, and a 70-year-old disabled American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard by: (a) A girls' choir (b) A hardware store owner (c) A secretary (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of
17 and 40.
In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a U.S. Navy diver was murdered by: (a) A Marine officer with two weeks leave
(b) A plumber going to visit his mom (c) A Catholic nun (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by: (a) A college-bound freshman (b) A cardiac surgeon on his way to Houston (c) A waitress (d) Middle Eastern Islamist males between the ages of 17 and 40.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Bonding
What we in Texas call a “cold front” this time a year is a brief respite from the 100+ heat to something more manageable, like say 90. It was during one such recent cold front that I took some time to sit outside and have a talk with my youngest son. The oldest was out with his cousin for a few hours, so I headed out back and asked Jacob to come on out and help me with the grill (cooked up some nice stuffed chicken breasts).
The evening was perfect. The sun was down behind the house and the temperature was down in the mid 80’s with a nice breeze floating through; nothing big, just enough to ruffle the leaves of the big oak just beyond the fence. The pair of red birds that hang out back in the creek were there that night, like clockwork. As I shut the lid to the grill, I pulled up one of the bar chairs outside and sat down, motioned for my son to come sit down next to me in the other chair.
It was the ideal setting – the two of us, just sitting there, enjoying the weather, enjoying the smell of chicken cooking on the grill. I would ask his opinion on the current political climate, about the trouble in the Middle East and about how to handle Iran. He would just sit there, not saying much. I even talked to him about the birds (but not the “bees”) flying over head and about aviation, and cars. He really speaks volumes through his silence.
After a while I realized that he wasn’t really saying much at all – regardless of the topic, but I could clearly tell he was listening to me. Like when I said something about the planes flying overhead, and how they might be bringing back some of America’s heroes from Iraq, he pointed up and mumbled something unintelligible. But, at least I knew he and I were on the same wave-length.
After about 30 minutes of father-son bonding, the chicken was ready and so was my stomach. Only one thing left to do before heading inside – needed to take the sucker out of my son’s mouth, wash his hands and change his wet diaper. For the life of me – I can’t understand why 1.5 year olds are so helpless.
The evening was perfect. The sun was down behind the house and the temperature was down in the mid 80’s with a nice breeze floating through; nothing big, just enough to ruffle the leaves of the big oak just beyond the fence. The pair of red birds that hang out back in the creek were there that night, like clockwork. As I shut the lid to the grill, I pulled up one of the bar chairs outside and sat down, motioned for my son to come sit down next to me in the other chair.
It was the ideal setting – the two of us, just sitting there, enjoying the weather, enjoying the smell of chicken cooking on the grill. I would ask his opinion on the current political climate, about the trouble in the Middle East and about how to handle Iran. He would just sit there, not saying much. I even talked to him about the birds (but not the “bees”) flying over head and about aviation, and cars. He really speaks volumes through his silence.
After a while I realized that he wasn’t really saying much at all – regardless of the topic, but I could clearly tell he was listening to me. Like when I said something about the planes flying overhead, and how they might be bringing back some of America’s heroes from Iraq, he pointed up and mumbled something unintelligible. But, at least I knew he and I were on the same wave-length.
After about 30 minutes of father-son bonding, the chicken was ready and so was my stomach. Only one thing left to do before heading inside – needed to take the sucker out of my son’s mouth, wash his hands and change his wet diaper. For the life of me – I can’t understand why 1.5 year olds are so helpless.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Three cheers for fiscal responsibility
“Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses…and we will give you a medical bill as long as my arm…you no good mooching rascals!”
Ok, not quite the historical quote you had in mind – but I can imagine the Parkland Hospital power players uttering something like this in one of their recent strategy meetings – and who can blame them?
First, a couple of weeks ago, Parkland scored major political points with many by stating that the hospital would be sending medical bills to Mexico (and other foreign countries) for the cost of treating their citizens. This also includes sending bills to surrounding counties for treating their citizens as well (Collin County…you know who you are).
Parkland Hospital is a Dallas County hospital – and once you get past the structured chaos of the emergency waiting room, it happens to be one of the best trauma centers in the world. I venture to say that the indigent of Dallas County receive better care than some of the well-to-do citizens of other areas. But here is the problem – people outside of Dallas County know this. People know that they can get treatment, top treatment, for free or reduced price at Parkland simply by lying about their residency or income. And after years of don’t ask don’t tell policy toward treating illegal immigrants (they don’t ask if you are hear legally and you don’t dare tell them you aren’t) Parkland has finally decided to drop the political correctness stance and send those countries (and counties) a bill.
I say bravo Parkland. And bravo for the latest development – going after those who lied about their income in order to qualify for reduced/free treatment. To those who can afford to pay – make em pay. For those who can afford something – pay “something”. We (tax payers in Dallas County) are then left footing the bill for the poorest of the poor and not the “poorest of the rich”. I know there is the whole HMO, cost of drugs, malpractice insurance issue the weighs heavily on the cost of healthcare, but so does the cost of treating for free all those who don’t really “deserve” free treatment. It’s the same reason my car insurance costs so much, part of my premium goes to cover those who don’t have insurance.
In practice, Parkland won’t see a single dime from Mexico. They are in business to export their poor to the U.S. If they were going to take care of their population they would be doing it in Mexico. I do think they can have some success collecting from the surrounding counties and from those dead-beat’s who lied about the income. “Yeah, I know my company offers insurance…but the deductible is just too high to participate…I would rather just get free treatment from Parkland”. And this quote or something like it comes from the mid-level manager who can afford daily $3 mochas, a $150 cell phone bill and a $6 six pack on the weekends – but cant “afford” to carry insurance.
Hopefully Parkland will collect some back due money and enhance their already top-notch services. And if for some reason I am injured on the way home from work today…I live in Dallas and I only make $5/hour!
Ok, not quite the historical quote you had in mind – but I can imagine the Parkland Hospital power players uttering something like this in one of their recent strategy meetings – and who can blame them?
First, a couple of weeks ago, Parkland scored major political points with many by stating that the hospital would be sending medical bills to Mexico (and other foreign countries) for the cost of treating their citizens. This also includes sending bills to surrounding counties for treating their citizens as well (Collin County…you know who you are).
Parkland Hospital is a Dallas County hospital – and once you get past the structured chaos of the emergency waiting room, it happens to be one of the best trauma centers in the world. I venture to say that the indigent of Dallas County receive better care than some of the well-to-do citizens of other areas. But here is the problem – people outside of Dallas County know this. People know that they can get treatment, top treatment, for free or reduced price at Parkland simply by lying about their residency or income. And after years of don’t ask don’t tell policy toward treating illegal immigrants (they don’t ask if you are hear legally and you don’t dare tell them you aren’t) Parkland has finally decided to drop the political correctness stance and send those countries (and counties) a bill.
I say bravo Parkland. And bravo for the latest development – going after those who lied about their income in order to qualify for reduced/free treatment. To those who can afford to pay – make em pay. For those who can afford something – pay “something”. We (tax payers in Dallas County) are then left footing the bill for the poorest of the poor and not the “poorest of the rich”. I know there is the whole HMO, cost of drugs, malpractice insurance issue the weighs heavily on the cost of healthcare, but so does the cost of treating for free all those who don’t really “deserve” free treatment. It’s the same reason my car insurance costs so much, part of my premium goes to cover those who don’t have insurance.
In practice, Parkland won’t see a single dime from Mexico. They are in business to export their poor to the U.S. If they were going to take care of their population they would be doing it in Mexico. I do think they can have some success collecting from the surrounding counties and from those dead-beat’s who lied about the income. “Yeah, I know my company offers insurance…but the deductible is just too high to participate…I would rather just get free treatment from Parkland”. And this quote or something like it comes from the mid-level manager who can afford daily $3 mochas, a $150 cell phone bill and a $6 six pack on the weekends – but cant “afford” to carry insurance.
Hopefully Parkland will collect some back due money and enhance their already top-notch services. And if for some reason I am injured on the way home from work today…I live in Dallas and I only make $5/hour!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Magic...sort of
I occasionally get these odd-ball gifts from other companies trying to curry favor with me, as if I have the ability to decide who my company does business with. The gifts usually take the shape of some type of “squeeze ball” which I suppose it to help relieve stress. Funny thing, they actually work better when you paint a picture of your boss or Dwayne Wade on the ball and then proceed to SQUEEZ!
But I digress. The last two gifts have been pretty cool. This one company from the northeast specializing in corporate restructuring sent me last month a first aid kit (to tie into their marketing idea that they “don’t just provide a band-aid solution”). But my favorite is what they sent me last week – the Magic Eight Ball.
You know what I’m talking about - the big black ball with the number 8 on it. You turn it upside down and it tells you the answer to the question you are asking. Since I don’t believe in all that psychic crap, I play a slightly different game with it. I turn it upside down and see the answer and THEN make up a question.
Answer: “Ask me again”
Question: “What does my wife have to do to get me to take out the trash?”
Answer: “Very doubtful”
Question: “Will I ever get to sleep in just one morning between now and when the kids are out of the house?”
Answer: “Without a doubt”
Question: “Will I get yelled at for always having my wife ‘ask me again’ to take the trash out?”
This Magic Eight Ball is a lot of fun. Of course, I have no idea how this ties in to their marketing, but I guess should I ever need to restructure my corporation then I will know who to call.
But I digress. The last two gifts have been pretty cool. This one company from the northeast specializing in corporate restructuring sent me last month a first aid kit (to tie into their marketing idea that they “don’t just provide a band-aid solution”). But my favorite is what they sent me last week – the Magic Eight Ball.
You know what I’m talking about - the big black ball with the number 8 on it. You turn it upside down and it tells you the answer to the question you are asking. Since I don’t believe in all that psychic crap, I play a slightly different game with it. I turn it upside down and see the answer and THEN make up a question.
Answer: “Ask me again”
Question: “What does my wife have to do to get me to take out the trash?”
Answer: “Very doubtful”
Question: “Will I ever get to sleep in just one morning between now and when the kids are out of the house?”
Answer: “Without a doubt”
Question: “Will I get yelled at for always having my wife ‘ask me again’ to take the trash out?”
This Magic Eight Ball is a lot of fun. Of course, I have no idea how this ties in to their marketing, but I guess should I ever need to restructure my corporation then I will know who to call.
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