I don't blog all that much, and I'm not a great writer. I'm an engineer, and my brain is not wired to be a great man of words. It took me a long time for me to absorb all that happened at the invasion and mass murder of innocent school children and their teachers in Newtown, CT. First, I know this town, as I passed through it frequently when traveling to Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford from Binghamton, NY back in the late 1980's, and always found it to be a nice, if picturesque small New England town on the way to some of the crap holes along Long Island Sound, namely Stratford and Bridgeport.
After the initial shock wore off about this horrible crime against civilization I thought seriously about what we as a country can do to minimize these attacks again. I say minimize because, there is no way we can stop them completely, but I'm getting ahead of myself. First I thought about disturbed people who do not get proper diagnosis and treatment. I know "progressives" think that the solution is gun control. Sadly psychopaths don't care much about laws like this anymore than common criminals, and gun control laws will only take arms away from law abiding citizens who use then for protection, hunting or recreational use. No, mass murder does not require fire arms, it can be done with machetes, knives, and swords.
Then I thought that maybe it might be the culture of violence that America has not only become accustom to but celebrates. Well, the western movies were often violent, especially the Sam Peckinpaw flicks of the 60's and the 70's, along with the Sergio Leone Spaghetti westerns. Did they cause Charles Manson to go nuts and go on a killing spree? How about the Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry Movies? I don't think that John Wayne Gasey or Ted Bundy were affected by these.
Violence on TV and movies has been attacked by Liberals for a long time. Moe Howard from the Three Stooges lamented on the Mike Douglas Show a few years before he died, back in the early 1970's about the attack on the Stooges by the Cleveland area PTA, who successfully got the Stooges shorts banned from the airwaves there because they thought their comedy caused violent outbursts in the American youth. Moe was a man ahead of his time.
I've come to the conclusion that we can never stop crazy people, and evil people from doing these crazy and evil acts. All we can do is try to get these people who are mentally ill some treatment, and get the homeless people who have often been released from mental hospitals by do gooder progressives who think they are better off on the street, rather than in facilities that can help deal with their illness.
I've had some family losses over the past few years, and though not in such a horrific manner. I can really sympathize with with the families who lost their children, and my heart goes out to all of them. But please folks, don't let the gun grabbing leftists tell you that the problem is with guns. It's not, the problem is with the human condition. We as a nation have to figure out how we can prevent these tragic events from happening in the future. Politicians are not helping us in this conversation right now.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Joys of a Red Eye Airplane Flight
A few nights I got stuck on a red eye flight, coming home from a business trip to northern California. The folks who I contracted with provided the plane ticket (something I'll not let happen in the future) and stuck me on a discount carrier that seems to attract people who, on these late night flights would normally ride the Greyhound Bus. Thankfully they offered Business Class seats as an upgrade, something I gladly paid for on a 5 hour flight. Back in steerage coach the seat pitch is a tight 29" and the seats do not recline. I'd have no problem suffering that for a short flight, but not a transcontinental one.
Since I was sitting up front, we got boarded first and were given a drink and a bag of peanuts before the rest came on board. The parade of people I saw come past me turned out to be more entertaining as the process continued. Does anyone remember seeing videos of midnight Black Friday shoppers at an Arkansas Wal-Mart? Besides the road weary travelers, vacationers with little kids who were understandably tired and cranky, and airline employees getting a freebee, what I saw turned out to be an interesting circus parade. People came on board wearing pajamas, bathrobes, house coats hair up in curlers. Even though there was supposed to be a one carry-on bag limit that had to fit certain dimensions, it did not appear to be enforced. People were taking everything on board but the kitchen sink. One woman brought on 2 five foot pinatas she was taking to a family in Mexico.
Finally, there was a very large woman, carrying all her worldly possessions with her who came on board huffing and puffing, and plopped herself down in a business class seat (that she did not purchase) and decided that it was her seat, and whoever was supposed to be there could drag his narrow ass white ass to the back of the plane and sit in 37E for 5 hours. It took a pilot, flight attendant and customer service person to convince here that she couldn't sit there because she didn't pay for it. She kept on repeating that because she was an exceptionally large woman (400+ pounds is my guess), she is entitled to have a bigger seat. She obviously belongs to the entitlement class. She ended up wedging herself in row 37E and really could not fit in there without 2 seat belt extensions. The poor people unfortunate enough to sit next to here were in for a world of suffering.
I think I'll just say no to red eye flights on the el cheapo carriers, and even daytime ones on long flights.
Since I was sitting up front, we got boarded first and were given a drink and a bag of peanuts before the rest came on board. The parade of people I saw come past me turned out to be more entertaining as the process continued. Does anyone remember seeing videos of midnight Black Friday shoppers at an Arkansas Wal-Mart? Besides the road weary travelers, vacationers with little kids who were understandably tired and cranky, and airline employees getting a freebee, what I saw turned out to be an interesting circus parade. People came on board wearing pajamas, bathrobes, house coats hair up in curlers. Even though there was supposed to be a one carry-on bag limit that had to fit certain dimensions, it did not appear to be enforced. People were taking everything on board but the kitchen sink. One woman brought on 2 five foot pinatas she was taking to a family in Mexico.
Finally, there was a very large woman, carrying all her worldly possessions with her who came on board huffing and puffing, and plopped herself down in a business class seat (that she did not purchase) and decided that it was her seat, and whoever was supposed to be there could drag his narrow ass white ass to the back of the plane and sit in 37E for 5 hours. It took a pilot, flight attendant and customer service person to convince here that she couldn't sit there because she didn't pay for it. She kept on repeating that because she was an exceptionally large woman (400+ pounds is my guess), she is entitled to have a bigger seat. She obviously belongs to the entitlement class. She ended up wedging herself in row 37E and really could not fit in there without 2 seat belt extensions. The poor people unfortunate enough to sit next to here were in for a world of suffering.
I think I'll just say no to red eye flights on the el cheapo carriers, and even daytime ones on long flights.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Are we going the way of Rome?
Rome did not die in a day, it took hundreds of years, but in the modern age it doesn't take so long. We as country are less than 250 years old, and most of our young citizens do not know either the history of our country, or the history of the country of their ancestors. Credit that to our schools who teach social studies rather than history or geography. We have a lot of young people who are being taught in schools that the European settlers were imperialists and came to kill everyone who got in their way,
We have a new generation, indoctrinated by "teachers" who are liberals at best and Marxists at worst. When I was a kid, we gave the pledge to the flag, and had a silent prayer every morning. Now that that no longer exists, except Muslim children are excused to pray to Allah, 5 times a day.
Liberals hate what we Christian conservatives hold sacred, God, country, personal liberty and responsibility, and ignore the real enemy of Jeffersonian democracy, radical Islam.
Americans haven't woken up to the fact that we are in a battle for our existence. The socialists, Marxists, and communists are here right now and in power, and the Islamists are waiting in the wings. We are not done yet, but unless America wakes up and smells the mess that we are in, we will go the way of Rome, sooner than later.
We have a new generation, indoctrinated by "teachers" who are liberals at best and Marxists at worst. When I was a kid, we gave the pledge to the flag, and had a silent prayer every morning. Now that that no longer exists, except Muslim children are excused to pray to Allah, 5 times a day.
Liberals hate what we Christian conservatives hold sacred, God, country, personal liberty and responsibility, and ignore the real enemy of Jeffersonian democracy, radical Islam.
Americans haven't woken up to the fact that we are in a battle for our existence. The socialists, Marxists, and communists are here right now and in power, and the Islamists are waiting in the wings. We are not done yet, but unless America wakes up and smells the mess that we are in, we will go the way of Rome, sooner than later.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
What now?
We are all trying to understand what happened on Tuesday. It has taken me a few days, and a bit of alcohol to get over it. We'll survive in the short run. We are not all going to die short of the Mayan calender being right that the world ends on Dec. 21 or SMOD comes crashing down on us.
Take a deep breath, we can get through this, but it may get worse before it gets better. The majority of tf the American electorate has voted for continuation of President Obama's policies, bigger government, higher taxes, and war on business, not to mention war on Christians, but I'll get to that later.
There has been a realignment of the American electorate that has historically been center-right, to a decidedly leftist view. There are a lot of factors here, the youth vote, immigrants, and an increasingly non-white population. Young people voted for "free stuff" that they feel entitled to just because they are here. We have a lot of new voters who are new citizens from foreign countries who bring their culture here, both good and bad, and want the government to do more for them. We have gays, women's rights agitators, race baiters, anti-capitalism Marxists, socialists, and anarchists demanding special rights, and some "occupying" places illegally, with only a shrug of the American people.
Those of us who still pay taxes, go to church or temple, and do actual volunteer work to help the community where we live are in for a rough ride. The takers are in charge now. The House still has a GOP majority, but without a major chance of leadership, we are screwed. The party is run by big government establishment republicans like John Boehner and in the Senate Mitch McConnell. They have to be sent to the back bench and now. If we are not principled, and put up candidates who can say NO to expanding government, and are basically Democrat-Lite, we will continue to lose. If you put up a Democrat against a Democrat-Lite, people will vote for the Democrat.
ObamaCare is here to stay for foreseeable future. This is bad news to all Americans, whether they know it or not. It's already costing jobs, and it is killing pensions for senior citizens and disabled people. Medical care will get worse, and rationed, much like it is in the UK and Canada. There is a reason that there is a huge medical center in Plattsburgh, NY just south of Montreal. I've already been informed that my disability insurance will be terminated in 2014.
So lock and load, make sure you are armed, normal people, the barbarians are at the gate. The "free stuff" won't last much longer, and when it ends, there is nobody to bail us out. It might get really ugly when people who are used to getting free ObamaDollars and free ObamaPhone, and free ObamaCare, when the money runs out and the unwashed masses revolt.
I wish I could be more optimistic, but today I just can not. Take care of yourselves and family, hope and pray for the best, but prepare for the worst. American socialism is not going to end well.
Take a deep breath, we can get through this, but it may get worse before it gets better. The majority of tf the American electorate has voted for continuation of President Obama's policies, bigger government, higher taxes, and war on business, not to mention war on Christians, but I'll get to that later.
There has been a realignment of the American electorate that has historically been center-right, to a decidedly leftist view. There are a lot of factors here, the youth vote, immigrants, and an increasingly non-white population. Young people voted for "free stuff" that they feel entitled to just because they are here. We have a lot of new voters who are new citizens from foreign countries who bring their culture here, both good and bad, and want the government to do more for them. We have gays, women's rights agitators, race baiters, anti-capitalism Marxists, socialists, and anarchists demanding special rights, and some "occupying" places illegally, with only a shrug of the American people.
Those of us who still pay taxes, go to church or temple, and do actual volunteer work to help the community where we live are in for a rough ride. The takers are in charge now. The House still has a GOP majority, but without a major chance of leadership, we are screwed. The party is run by big government establishment republicans like John Boehner and in the Senate Mitch McConnell. They have to be sent to the back bench and now. If we are not principled, and put up candidates who can say NO to expanding government, and are basically Democrat-Lite, we will continue to lose. If you put up a Democrat against a Democrat-Lite, people will vote for the Democrat.
ObamaCare is here to stay for foreseeable future. This is bad news to all Americans, whether they know it or not. It's already costing jobs, and it is killing pensions for senior citizens and disabled people. Medical care will get worse, and rationed, much like it is in the UK and Canada. There is a reason that there is a huge medical center in Plattsburgh, NY just south of Montreal. I've already been informed that my disability insurance will be terminated in 2014.
So lock and load, make sure you are armed, normal people, the barbarians are at the gate. The "free stuff" won't last much longer, and when it ends, there is nobody to bail us out. It might get really ugly when people who are used to getting free ObamaDollars and free ObamaPhone, and free ObamaCare, when the money runs out and the unwashed masses revolt.
I wish I could be more optimistic, but today I just can not. Take care of yourselves and family, hope and pray for the best, but prepare for the worst. American socialism is not going to end well.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Who do you trust when disaster strikes?
I'm seeing a lot of my friends posting support for the Red Cross, after the Hurricane Sandy slammed New Jersey and New York City. I'm not such a fan. The Salvation Army is a far more effective organization, without all the bureaucracy that the Red Cross has, and the money you donate does not get sucked up in administrative fees. Catholic Charities also does a far better job than the Red Cross domestically.
For international disasters, I would never give a penny to the Red Cross, because it gets funneled through the IRCC, a hyper political organization that has made it a point to condemn Israel, and criticize American foreign policy.
If the spirit moves you to help the people who have been displaced and affected by Sandy, go to the Salvation Army's website and give generously. These are our friends and neighbors, and God forbid, we may all need their help sometime in the future.
UPDATE: The Salvation Army has far less overhead than the Red Cross. Things to consider when you donate.
For international disasters, I would never give a penny to the Red Cross, because it gets funneled through the IRCC, a hyper political organization that has made it a point to condemn Israel, and criticize American foreign policy.
If the spirit moves you to help the people who have been displaced and affected by Sandy, go to the Salvation Army's website and give generously. These are our friends and neighbors, and God forbid, we may all need their help sometime in the future.
UPDATE: The Salvation Army has far less overhead than the Red Cross. Things to consider when you donate.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Survivor Philippines
I had an interesting twitter exchange with some people who like, respect and often disagree with. It started out as a silly tweet about the awful CBS series Survivor. This Year is is Survivor Philippines. What really bothers me about is not the location, it is a truly beautiful country with some of the nicest people in the world. What really bothers me is that these attention whores looking for attention are living in luxury on a private island and not amongst the real Filipinos. My idea for "Survivor Philippines" would be somewhat more realistic. Make 2 teams. One gets dumped with 1000 pesos in a squatter camp on the Pasig River in Manila, and the other gets to live on the Islamist terrorist overrun Jolo Island working as a Christian missionary.
Of course I'm not too serious with these proposals, but the problem with these "reality shows" is there is no reality there. It is all contrived in a sterile environment. You want to see the wold as it is, travel with me. We can go places that nobody has been to, and not play stupid games for media whores. I like to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. That is real tourism.
Of course I'm not too serious with these proposals, but the problem with these "reality shows" is there is no reality there. It is all contrived in a sterile environment. You want to see the wold as it is, travel with me. We can go places that nobody has been to, and not play stupid games for media whores. I like to see the good, the bad, and the ugly. That is real tourism.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
An Interesting Day Out
This morning I took a group of Boy
Scouts out to the local nature center to do some upkeep on the
place. They were a good bunch of kids, and the older ones did a great
job keeping the younger ones focused. I ran the chipper and
occasionally a chain saw. I promised the kids that if they did a good
job we would go to a place that has a pizza buffet afterwords, and that
was a bit of a motivator. Well this morning one of the parents called
me and was alarmed that I would take their precious vegan child to a
pizza parlor, and said that it was totally unacceptable.
They do not approve of any meat or animal product in their diet, and expect their 11 year old kid to do the same. This snotty woman insisted that I cancel my plan to treat the kids for an afternoon's hard work because of her lifestyle. I (in a nice way), told her to go to hell and I'm taking them for pizza and if she didn't want him to go, she should show up at 3PM and pick up her son.
Well, she did, made a huge scene, threatened me to sue for discrimination (how Orwellian is that?) and grabbed the poor kid, loaded him (who was in tears) in the SUV and drove out. Of course her bumper was loaded with Earth First, Meat Is Murder (does that mean that fish is rape?) and the usual Coexist stickers. The other boys were speechless, and when we were at the pizza joint, Gary, the 17 year old said that was the strangest thing he ever saw. Well, this awful woman was a buzz kill for everyone, and I feel sorry for her kid having such an awful mother. What is wrong with these people? Unless something changes this kid is going to grow all messed up.
I suspect today may have made for some interesting dinner time conversation at the kids' table. I already had 2 parents call me wanting to know what the hell happened. I explained, and of course there was relief, since we all know this fanatical woman.
Of course there was a Obama-Biden 2008 bumper sticker right below the Obama-Biden 2012 just below.
Mother Gaia is more important than the social development of a child I guess. Liberalism is a mental disorder.
They do not approve of any meat or animal product in their diet, and expect their 11 year old kid to do the same. This snotty woman insisted that I cancel my plan to treat the kids for an afternoon's hard work because of her lifestyle. I (in a nice way), told her to go to hell and I'm taking them for pizza and if she didn't want him to go, she should show up at 3PM and pick up her son.
Well, she did, made a huge scene, threatened me to sue for discrimination (how Orwellian is that?) and grabbed the poor kid, loaded him (who was in tears) in the SUV and drove out. Of course her bumper was loaded with Earth First, Meat Is Murder (does that mean that fish is rape?) and the usual Coexist stickers. The other boys were speechless, and when we were at the pizza joint, Gary, the 17 year old said that was the strangest thing he ever saw. Well, this awful woman was a buzz kill for everyone, and I feel sorry for her kid having such an awful mother. What is wrong with these people? Unless something changes this kid is going to grow all messed up.
I suspect today may have made for some interesting dinner time conversation at the kids' table. I already had 2 parents call me wanting to know what the hell happened. I explained, and of course there was relief, since we all know this fanatical woman.
Of course there was a Obama-Biden 2008 bumper sticker right below the Obama-Biden 2012 just below.
Mother Gaia is more important than the social development of a child I guess. Liberalism is a mental disorder.
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