Shopping, now there is an activity that is fun. During a recent shopping trip to the local city, I noticed alot of human interactions that were interesting.
A fair number of people simply do not have time to stand in line. Wheather it be to pay for a purchase or to eat at a restaraunt. Sneaking in line ahead of others or voicing displeasure with the pace or length of lines is commonplace. I didn't treat shopping as a timed event. I understand others simply were there first.
Children are not controlled well. I especially enjoyed the little fellow standing on the counter at the fast food eatery. He didn't climb up there, his Mom put him there. Aparently it was easier to tell him No a couple hundred times if he was at face level. Everyone knows that children have short attention spans, so we bring them to the store to play with the merchandise. A number of these were too young to understand the word No. So, parents keep repeating themselves so that eventually these little nose pickers will learn. I also enjoy hearing these precious little cherubs scream at the top of their lungs for what seems like hours. Again, they haven't learned what stop or No mean. I was the odd ball parent. Taught my kids what no meant at an early age. Took them out of the public space when they were having a bad(loud) day. Come on parents, have a little respect for your surroundings.
Parking your vehicle is extremely competitive at the Mall. There are numerous drivers dashing through the parking lot looking for that one space closer to the door. Some even make space where there isn't any. I now know why horns were put in cars, its so you don't have to raise your middle finger to talk to your fellow drivers. Four-way stop signs are a competition. Those drivers with the least courtesy can pick up a few seconds by brazenly going out of turn. This allows them to possibly eliminate a few seconds of driving time and possibly that parking spot one car closer to the door. I have found that I am still able to walk the distance required to get into the Mall, after all, I have to walk around IN the Mall. I have survived numerous stops at the four-way even though I wait my turn. I still wouldn't know if my horn worked if I didn't honk when I picked someone up. But, I must admit, my middle finger still works.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Cliff...again
I found it interesting that our "lawmakers" decided to recess for the holidays without finishing work to prevent the "fiscal cliff". I understand there is still time, though. What pisses me off, well several things , there doesn't seem to be any urgengy applied to this (or any other problem). The primary concern seems to be winning between Republicans and Democrats. Its a game played with vast egos and apparently small minds. These people cannot seem to grasp the fact that they mismanage our country while they play these games. I watched a little of the channel on tv that shows the legislature. Several impassioned speeches were given that we should work together (we being R's and D's) to solve this problem or that problem.
Each speech seemed to end the same way, placing blame on the opposition party for not having solutions.
The Fiscal Cliff problem and solution seems to have become just two peoples issue. Obama and Behner (I probably didn't spell that right but what the heck he doesn't do much right either). That is a scary proposition given the fact that they were instrumental in digging us such a deep hole in the first place.
The fundamental solution is simple. Raise Taxes and curb spending. The details of that solution are not simple. I, for one, understand that I must pay for the stupidity of our leaders past decisions. I will pay my fair share to continue to live a good, free life. But, only if there is a plan to bring us back to solvency that is practical and obtainable in the short term. Lawmakers......get off your ass and start doing your job.
Each speech seemed to end the same way, placing blame on the opposition party for not having solutions.
The Fiscal Cliff problem and solution seems to have become just two peoples issue. Obama and Behner (I probably didn't spell that right but what the heck he doesn't do much right either). That is a scary proposition given the fact that they were instrumental in digging us such a deep hole in the first place.
The fundamental solution is simple. Raise Taxes and curb spending. The details of that solution are not simple. I, for one, understand that I must pay for the stupidity of our leaders past decisions. I will pay my fair share to continue to live a good, free life. But, only if there is a plan to bring us back to solvency that is practical and obtainable in the short term. Lawmakers......get off your ass and start doing your job.
New thoughts.
Just finished a couple of crazy weeks. Thanksgiving at my parents in Mena, Arkansas. Finishing up winterizing at the Marina. A brief hospital stay to get my Ticker repaired, Christmas and all the related activities. I am ready for some semblence of normalcy. Got lots of new thoughts to publish.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Cliff
In this country, we have a group of people that have been charged with taking care of important matters for the good of all citizens. Some are elected and some are appointed by those elected officials. These people are expected to make decisions based on their knowledge and wisdom that will be beneficial to all of us. This is not without cost to everyone. Most of us pay for these decisions with part of our hard earned money. Some of us pay for it with part of our lives and some pay with our life. All in all, not a bad price for the freedoms and general quality of life we enjoy. At least that is the general intent of our system.
If you listen to the news you get a little different picture. Those "officials" have done little more than create a huge mess in our economy. Our country has become widely divided into factions that are vastly different in opinions. For the most part we have Republicans and Democrats and there appears to be no way that they can co-exist. Kinda like Hatfields and McCoys on a very large scale. Right and wrong have been lost in the frenzy to be the winner. All the while the people that rely on the knowledge and wisdom are left to wonder what is going on.
Everyone that holds office today IS and continues to be part of the problem reguardless of the blame game you hear. Our country simply cannot continue to spend more than we have. We borrow money to support other countries. We ransack entitlement coffers to create more debt. Some of the programs were intended to be a "savings account" for the good of the people that spent years and years investing in those programs. Because of poor practices on the part of those in control, those programs are in dissarray and foundering in a sea of uncertain life.
So, it apparently boils down to wheather or not we should raise taxes on the rich. If we do, we could probably loose their vote. If we don't, we will certainly loose the vote of those less fortunate. My-Oh-My, what is a politician to do!? My solution is clear and simple. Stop spending what we don't have. Raise all taxes a little at a time. Stop supporting countries that have no appreciation for our efforts and simply have come to expect financial aid for playing us like the dumb asses we are. Create import taxes that make forign products and manufacturers pay for our consumerism. That includes products made off shore by American companies. Stop spending money on PORK and start taking care of our aging infrastructure. Modify our entitlement programs to bring them up to current needs. Create National policies that benefit the working class and hold their feet to the fire to follow those policies.
If you hold office and cannot look past your personal agenda.........go ahead and jump off that cliff.
If you listen to the news you get a little different picture. Those "officials" have done little more than create a huge mess in our economy. Our country has become widely divided into factions that are vastly different in opinions. For the most part we have Republicans and Democrats and there appears to be no way that they can co-exist. Kinda like Hatfields and McCoys on a very large scale. Right and wrong have been lost in the frenzy to be the winner. All the while the people that rely on the knowledge and wisdom are left to wonder what is going on.
Everyone that holds office today IS and continues to be part of the problem reguardless of the blame game you hear. Our country simply cannot continue to spend more than we have. We borrow money to support other countries. We ransack entitlement coffers to create more debt. Some of the programs were intended to be a "savings account" for the good of the people that spent years and years investing in those programs. Because of poor practices on the part of those in control, those programs are in dissarray and foundering in a sea of uncertain life.
So, it apparently boils down to wheather or not we should raise taxes on the rich. If we do, we could probably loose their vote. If we don't, we will certainly loose the vote of those less fortunate. My-Oh-My, what is a politician to do!? My solution is clear and simple. Stop spending what we don't have. Raise all taxes a little at a time. Stop supporting countries that have no appreciation for our efforts and simply have come to expect financial aid for playing us like the dumb asses we are. Create import taxes that make forign products and manufacturers pay for our consumerism. That includes products made off shore by American companies. Stop spending money on PORK and start taking care of our aging infrastructure. Modify our entitlement programs to bring them up to current needs. Create National policies that benefit the working class and hold their feet to the fire to follow those policies.
If you hold office and cannot look past your personal agenda.........go ahead and jump off that cliff.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Loved ones
So, here I am in backwoods Arkansas. We came here for Thanksgiving to visit my Parents. Thats always a TRIP! Days are spent with eating, playing cards, doing little chores around the house and talks on all manner of subjects. If you have kept up you get an idea about the players. Dad is still Dad. Mom is well educated and well spoken. Brother is also well educated, read and spoken. Sister in law is the same as Brother. That leaves my wife and I which I will claim are well rounded as well.
The six of us definately have six different ways of looking at most subjects. Naturally the rest of the group has yet to learn that my view is always the correct one, so discussions get off track. Nevertheless, we have solved most of the worlds problems in a little less than a week. Now if we can just get the powers to be the message.
Card playing is another story. Although secretly we all assume the others cheat, we rarely speak those words out loud. Games are fast and fun. Euchre is the favored game and truth is everyone is probably even in the win/loss column. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we have already consumed enough to keep Biafra from starving for another year. We all love to eat.
Tomorrow we will attempt to call all of the Family that could not attend our little get together. We all miss those members of our Family. We, like so many others, miss Family at these Holiday times. We sit and recall amusing stories from the past, particurally about those missing in action. We can stretch the truth a little because they were not here for self defense. After we laugh ourselves silly at others expense, we settle back at the table to add back the lost weight from laughing.
So goes our week of Thanksgiving. What a wonderful way to spend a week. Wirth loved ones.
The six of us definately have six different ways of looking at most subjects. Naturally the rest of the group has yet to learn that my view is always the correct one, so discussions get off track. Nevertheless, we have solved most of the worlds problems in a little less than a week. Now if we can just get the powers to be the message.
Card playing is another story. Although secretly we all assume the others cheat, we rarely speak those words out loud. Games are fast and fun. Euchre is the favored game and truth is everyone is probably even in the win/loss column. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we have already consumed enough to keep Biafra from starving for another year. We all love to eat.
Tomorrow we will attempt to call all of the Family that could not attend our little get together. We all miss those members of our Family. We, like so many others, miss Family at these Holiday times. We sit and recall amusing stories from the past, particurally about those missing in action. We can stretch the truth a little because they were not here for self defense. After we laugh ourselves silly at others expense, we settle back at the table to add back the lost weight from laughing.
So goes our week of Thanksgiving. What a wonderful way to spend a week. Wirth loved ones.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Chinese food
I have been busy.
So, here's my take on the recent Elections. I was surprised at the re-election of Mr. Obama, as I guess roughly half of the population was. I am guessing that continuation of the known is more acceptable than the unknown that comes with new. I for one would have considered a new approach, even if uncertain, would be acceptable given the past four years and the lack of progress on issues that are stiffling this country. That does not mean in any way that I am enamored with Mr. Romney, simply that I think something different is required. Are we so gullible as to beleive that the last four years were just "set-up" for the real solutions?
At all levels of Government we have been bombarded with hollow promises for the past 18 months or so. We were informed less about real plans for correcting our nations problems than we were about candidates shortcomings as human beings and politicians. Yet we somehow managed to cast our votes for those repugnant candidates and entrusted them with our fate yet again.
Again, i would suggest that our entire system requires a complete overhaul. Even though newly elected officials have now begun bantying about ideas such as bi-partisan efforts, I will crap and fall back in it if there is any real effort to do such an outlandish thing. Admitting that the opposition party may in fact hold some ideas of value is counter to all that our present political system holds dear to them.
The next political person that claims to be able to reduce taxes when our debt has passed 16 Trillion dollars should be jacketed (AS IN Straight). Every taxpayer should be willing to pay their fair share. I am simply tired of paying for worthless crap, forign economic assists, long ago lost military causes, etc... Lets get our house in order before ordering Chinese is in fact ordering national foods.
So, here's my take on the recent Elections. I was surprised at the re-election of Mr. Obama, as I guess roughly half of the population was. I am guessing that continuation of the known is more acceptable than the unknown that comes with new. I for one would have considered a new approach, even if uncertain, would be acceptable given the past four years and the lack of progress on issues that are stiffling this country. That does not mean in any way that I am enamored with Mr. Romney, simply that I think something different is required. Are we so gullible as to beleive that the last four years were just "set-up" for the real solutions?
At all levels of Government we have been bombarded with hollow promises for the past 18 months or so. We were informed less about real plans for correcting our nations problems than we were about candidates shortcomings as human beings and politicians. Yet we somehow managed to cast our votes for those repugnant candidates and entrusted them with our fate yet again.
Again, i would suggest that our entire system requires a complete overhaul. Even though newly elected officials have now begun bantying about ideas such as bi-partisan efforts, I will crap and fall back in it if there is any real effort to do such an outlandish thing. Admitting that the opposition party may in fact hold some ideas of value is counter to all that our present political system holds dear to them.
The next political person that claims to be able to reduce taxes when our debt has passed 16 Trillion dollars should be jacketed (AS IN Straight). Every taxpayer should be willing to pay their fair share. I am simply tired of paying for worthless crap, forign economic assists, long ago lost military causes, etc... Lets get our house in order before ordering Chinese is in fact ordering national foods.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Look Out!
As I drove to work today, I saw a young man standing alongside the road. It was obvious that he saw me approaching. As I drew near, while looking directly at me, this young man walked into the road. I could tell by the look in his eye that he was doing this just to be cute. He assumed that he would make me put the brakes on and he would derive some twisted pleasure from his little game.
Now, I still feel like a pretty good driver. So, I did not slow down, instead I kept my pace and moved to the right just enough to leave a couple inches between him and my 4000 pound vehicle. In my mirror I could see his eyes (about the size of pie plates) and a look of disbelief. I think it was clear to him that he had just been stupid. I was expecting the BIRD.
I see this behavior all too often. Young people are oblivious to their surroundings. They walk on the wrong side of the road and never glance back at approaching traffic. They test you with deliberate crossings in front of oncoming traffic. In general, they show a complete lack of respect for others. Unfortunatly, some one will not be paying attention or will have stayed at the watering hole just a little too long and one of these brave (read..stupid) kids will learn how destructive 4000 pounds of metal can be.
My Parents took the time to teach me how to survive while on foot, or on a bicycle for that matter. Walk facing the traffic and give way. You cannot win a match of Chicken with something that out weighs you by a couple tons. If riding, go with the traffic flow, but, constantly check behind you for overtaking machinery. Not only is this respectful, it is prudent to your own survival.
While my manuevering around the young man was probably stupid in itself, maybe he got the message that not everyone on he road is willing to play.
Now, I still feel like a pretty good driver. So, I did not slow down, instead I kept my pace and moved to the right just enough to leave a couple inches between him and my 4000 pound vehicle. In my mirror I could see his eyes (about the size of pie plates) and a look of disbelief. I think it was clear to him that he had just been stupid. I was expecting the BIRD.
I see this behavior all too often. Young people are oblivious to their surroundings. They walk on the wrong side of the road and never glance back at approaching traffic. They test you with deliberate crossings in front of oncoming traffic. In general, they show a complete lack of respect for others. Unfortunatly, some one will not be paying attention or will have stayed at the watering hole just a little too long and one of these brave (read..stupid) kids will learn how destructive 4000 pounds of metal can be.
My Parents took the time to teach me how to survive while on foot, or on a bicycle for that matter. Walk facing the traffic and give way. You cannot win a match of Chicken with something that out weighs you by a couple tons. If riding, go with the traffic flow, but, constantly check behind you for overtaking machinery. Not only is this respectful, it is prudent to your own survival.
While my manuevering around the young man was probably stupid in itself, maybe he got the message that not everyone on he road is willing to play.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Drinking
I have missed both Presidential debates and unfortunately the Vice-Presidential debate as well. Missed is not correct, I abstained from watching. Over the past several months, the constant bombardment of negativity has completely erased any interest I may have had in the upcoming election. Now I just want it to go away.
Based on the information given by the candidates, parties and contributors over the past months, it is clear to me that there is not one single candidate worth voting for. No one running for office has done anything worthwhile that would help the citizenry. Each candidate, no matter the office they are campaigning for, has done the most despicable deeds while in prior office or in public life.
That begs the question, at least to me, where have all the good people gone and why won't they run for office? Has our system deteriorated to the point that honest, trustworthy and concerned citizens simply are not interested or capable of getting in the system and championing change? Or have we become a nation that is more concerned with the game of politics than the actual labor of politics. We are infatuated with dissecting each sound bite and drawing meaning from it rather than forcing clear and concise dialogue about actual problems that face the country we live in.
I have no doubt that many candidates are decent people. What I have real doubt about is their motives for running for office. I think there is a certain credibility to the notion of drunk with power.
Stop drinking and start doing the job you were elected for.
Based on the information given by the candidates, parties and contributors over the past months, it is clear to me that there is not one single candidate worth voting for. No one running for office has done anything worthwhile that would help the citizenry. Each candidate, no matter the office they are campaigning for, has done the most despicable deeds while in prior office or in public life.
That begs the question, at least to me, where have all the good people gone and why won't they run for office? Has our system deteriorated to the point that honest, trustworthy and concerned citizens simply are not interested or capable of getting in the system and championing change? Or have we become a nation that is more concerned with the game of politics than the actual labor of politics. We are infatuated with dissecting each sound bite and drawing meaning from it rather than forcing clear and concise dialogue about actual problems that face the country we live in.
I have no doubt that many candidates are decent people. What I have real doubt about is their motives for running for office. I think there is a certain credibility to the notion of drunk with power.
Stop drinking and start doing the job you were elected for.
BEHAVE!
So, I am having trouble with my computer. Once again it is demonstrating that it has a mind of its own. Little does it know, I have the ultimate power.....I am capable of hurtling it at least 20 feet into the street. It better learn to behave!
Just kidding
Just a little over two weeks until the big election................................I can hardly wait!!!!!!
Just kidding, I am sick of the crap we have endured lately.
Just kidding, I am sick of the crap we have endured lately.
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