Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Offense
A local High School, Goshen, just decided to drop its mascot to appease a few people that considered it offensive. I find that offensive. That we have become a society that bends to a minority that claim offense at tradition makes me uneasy. I find the two party system, weak system of punishment for criminals, the word politician, tomatoes, and just about a zillion other things offensive. To attempt to eliminate all things offensive to all people would be just OFFENSIVE.
We can make anything offensive if we seek to do so. Look for the other side of the subject. Over a hundred years ago the School board at Goshen did not sit down and say "Ah yes, lets call ourselves REDSKINS because that is the most vile thing we can think of". I would rather imagin that the thinking was more to the tune that the Native Americans were a proud people with good values.
Where is the offense?
We can make anything offensive if we seek to do so. Look for the other side of the subject. Over a hundred years ago the School board at Goshen did not sit down and say "Ah yes, lets call ourselves REDSKINS because that is the most vile thing we can think of". I would rather imagin that the thinking was more to the tune that the Native Americans were a proud people with good values.
Where is the offense?
Character
Ramping up to yet another exciting election. I say that with tongue-in-cheek.
Already we have Donald Trump, the ultimate showman, making a mockery of the political establishment. His "tell it like he see's it " rhetoric is making the establishment very nervous, but, is down right entertaining. He has said some things that are touching nerves within the party he has chosen to be part of. Naturally, others in the realm of candidates for president have begun the much anticipated attacks. After all that is how the system works. Discredit the opponent, but, don't discuss any real issues or offer any solutions.
Speaking of political attacks.......how about the continued attempts to assassinate Mrs. Clintons character. She is the ultimate politician and probably the most qualified candidate to become President. I say this because she is adept at politicking and that is the primary requirement for ascending to our highest office. At this time the Donkey party has no alternative. The Pachyderm party has the modern version of Barnum and Bailey leading in the polls. Both leading candidates are adept at saying a lot without saying anything. Both are spending most of their time explaining what they said or did and backtracking. Lets embrace the fact that they are the front runners and engage them with worthwhile discussions about how they would solve some of our major problems. Lets start with how we pull ourselves out of Trillions of dollars of debt. Then lets tackle a crumbling infrastructure. Lets talk about how to reshape our pathetic wimpy foreign relations. Lets start restructuring our political system so we are more effective at solving problems in the best interest of all Americans. How about how we can deal with real threats to the world (ISIS) and not how we can prevent something that has yet to happen (Iran and the Bomb). Stop the bullshit about gun control and toughen up on crime and PUNISHMENT. How about an actual war on drugs. National health care that really is affordable. ETC....
What the heck........I think I will throw my hat in the ring. I would be a good President. I have no political or special interest ties. I am a pretty good problem solver. I have been called a character.... thats close to having character!!!!
Already we have Donald Trump, the ultimate showman, making a mockery of the political establishment. His "tell it like he see's it " rhetoric is making the establishment very nervous, but, is down right entertaining. He has said some things that are touching nerves within the party he has chosen to be part of. Naturally, others in the realm of candidates for president have begun the much anticipated attacks. After all that is how the system works. Discredit the opponent, but, don't discuss any real issues or offer any solutions.
Speaking of political attacks.......how about the continued attempts to assassinate Mrs. Clintons character. She is the ultimate politician and probably the most qualified candidate to become President. I say this because she is adept at politicking and that is the primary requirement for ascending to our highest office. At this time the Donkey party has no alternative. The Pachyderm party has the modern version of Barnum and Bailey leading in the polls. Both leading candidates are adept at saying a lot without saying anything. Both are spending most of their time explaining what they said or did and backtracking. Lets embrace the fact that they are the front runners and engage them with worthwhile discussions about how they would solve some of our major problems. Lets start with how we pull ourselves out of Trillions of dollars of debt. Then lets tackle a crumbling infrastructure. Lets talk about how to reshape our pathetic wimpy foreign relations. Lets start restructuring our political system so we are more effective at solving problems in the best interest of all Americans. How about how we can deal with real threats to the world (ISIS) and not how we can prevent something that has yet to happen (Iran and the Bomb). Stop the bullshit about gun control and toughen up on crime and PUNISHMENT. How about an actual war on drugs. National health care that really is affordable. ETC....
What the heck........I think I will throw my hat in the ring. I would be a good President. I have no political or special interest ties. I am a pretty good problem solver. I have been called a character.... thats close to having character!!!!
Saturday, May 16, 2015
golden
So I am nearing the end of my 64th year. I am a good 20 pounds over weight........well, 30 pounds is more like it...........ok, maybe 40 pounds.........thats a lie, 50 is close to the actual truth. I have coronary artery disease that progresses annually. I can't breathe as well as I used to, etc.
I miss things like ...being able to run, playing basketball, swimming ( most forms of physical activities). I don't remember as well as in the past. I am sure that I have forgotten more than I currently know. My body has aches that never go away. My aches are sore from aching.
I look at the younger generations with the same lack of understanding that my parents had with my generation. Do they really consider that noise as music? Why don't boys wear belts so their pants aren't held up by their knees? Why are baseball caps worn backward even when it isn't raining? Every young person has a phone that costs plenty, but, cannot afford pants without holes. Girls wear winter boots in the summer. What has happened to paisley, bell-bottoms, blouses that actually reach pants top, underwear that is actually under another garment? I kinda miss those things also.
I am not exactly sure when the "golden years" actually start, but I hope it's soon. I am afraid I won't be able to deal with them physically or remember what they are.
I miss things like ...being able to run, playing basketball, swimming ( most forms of physical activities). I don't remember as well as in the past. I am sure that I have forgotten more than I currently know. My body has aches that never go away. My aches are sore from aching.
I look at the younger generations with the same lack of understanding that my parents had with my generation. Do they really consider that noise as music? Why don't boys wear belts so their pants aren't held up by their knees? Why are baseball caps worn backward even when it isn't raining? Every young person has a phone that costs plenty, but, cannot afford pants without holes. Girls wear winter boots in the summer. What has happened to paisley, bell-bottoms, blouses that actually reach pants top, underwear that is actually under another garment? I kinda miss those things also.
I am not exactly sure when the "golden years" actually start, but I hope it's soon. I am afraid I won't be able to deal with them physically or remember what they are.
Monday, February 16, 2015
watch
Leave Brian Williams alone, I like his reporting. A little embellishment is a common thing these days. Heck, the News is an embellishment of the truth. If it's boring, we won't watch.
Take a look at all the self promoting "journalists" out there and tell me society doesn't like a showman. Brian's transgressions were minor.
Shut up and watch the news.
Take a look at all the self promoting "journalists" out there and tell me society doesn't like a showman. Brian's transgressions were minor.
Shut up and watch the news.
Affordable?
Another deadline to sign up for "O'bama Care" has passed. Again I have failed to sign up. Health Insurance has cost us up to $1200.00 per month. After visiting the Healthcare Website, I determined that $400.00 per month premiums and a $13,000.00 deductible was not a savings to me. If I can still do math, I calculate that as a cost of $17,800.00 annually before I can take advantage of "Insurance".
That is a significant increase over the cost of our last insurance. That premium did include a significant government subsidy. Where is the advantage to this National Healthcare?
I will find it easier to pay the $600.00 "fine". I am not sure what the answer to affordable Health Care is, but I haven't found it yet.
That is a significant increase over the cost of our last insurance. That premium did include a significant government subsidy. Where is the advantage to this National Healthcare?
I will find it easier to pay the $600.00 "fine". I am not sure what the answer to affordable Health Care is, but I haven't found it yet.
Play Ball
Basketball season is drawing to an end. State tournaments have started. Soon it will be college tournament time and after that professional league time.
I love a good basketball game. Just last week, in our local "sectional", the opening round of the state tournament, there were a number of good games. This was girls high school basketball at its finest. Close games, overtime games, enjoyable individual efforts and teams celebrating successes. The perennial favorite was upset in a fabulous double overtime game. The bottom two teams thrilled us with runs from behind, last second shots and overtime play.
At the High School level, I always have feelings for those seniors that we watch play their last game. I have a different set of feelings as I watch others celebrate winning and moving on to play another game. It is enjoyable to watch young people grow over the years, weather on the street or on the playing field. If you follow sports of any kind you get that chance.
Soon, it will be college time for tournaments. To me the most pure basketball to see is Women's college Basketball. It has not been as tainted by individual "look at me" behavior. The fact that women's athleticism is less than men's keeps the art of the pass, shoot and rebound much more important than on the men's side. I love that about the game. I am not a fan of the show-off nature of other leagues. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good dunk, but, I prefer a good pass/ assist, a well executed pick, blocking out, and a demeanor that celebrates without degrading an opponent.
Men's basketball has evolved into too much" look at me" and showing off. I used to love watching the NBA, but can no longer stand the show. Lack of defense and personal showboating have ruined the game for me. I liken it to Professional Wrestling, not a lot of substance left in the game.
Play Ball.
I love a good basketball game. Just last week, in our local "sectional", the opening round of the state tournament, there were a number of good games. This was girls high school basketball at its finest. Close games, overtime games, enjoyable individual efforts and teams celebrating successes. The perennial favorite was upset in a fabulous double overtime game. The bottom two teams thrilled us with runs from behind, last second shots and overtime play.
At the High School level, I always have feelings for those seniors that we watch play their last game. I have a different set of feelings as I watch others celebrate winning and moving on to play another game. It is enjoyable to watch young people grow over the years, weather on the street or on the playing field. If you follow sports of any kind you get that chance.
Soon, it will be college time for tournaments. To me the most pure basketball to see is Women's college Basketball. It has not been as tainted by individual "look at me" behavior. The fact that women's athleticism is less than men's keeps the art of the pass, shoot and rebound much more important than on the men's side. I love that about the game. I am not a fan of the show-off nature of other leagues. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good dunk, but, I prefer a good pass/ assist, a well executed pick, blocking out, and a demeanor that celebrates without degrading an opponent.
Men's basketball has evolved into too much" look at me" and showing off. I used to love watching the NBA, but can no longer stand the show. Lack of defense and personal showboating have ruined the game for me. I liken it to Professional Wrestling, not a lot of substance left in the game.
Play Ball.
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