Last night a little after 9:00 pm, there was a rolling reminder that living in California means I live in Earthquake Country.
It was one of those kind of quakes that was long and rolling. Not a jolt at all. It was enough to wake up the doggies (no, they did not warn us in advance!) and make Mrs. RVFTLC say a nice "Oh oh!"
I just sat in my recliner realizing it was not going to be much larger.
As it turned out, it was originally graded a 5.4 quake. About a half-hour later it was downgraded to a 5.1. And it did cause some damage and there were a lot of aftershocks. Most importantly, no one was killed.
But it is a stark reminder that pretty much the whole West coast of the United States, Canada and especially Alaska is part of the Pacific Ring Of Fire in which earthquakes and volcanoes are a regular part of life.
The fact is that at some point, possibly in my life time, there will be a severe and major earthquake that will hit in the Los Angeles area. It will be more than likely catastrophic. It will be the worst natural disaster to hit the United States. It could happen in San Diego. Or San Francisco. Possibly Portland, Oregon. A real doozy would be if it happened in or near Seattle.
But while there will be widespread carnage, mayhem, buildings collapsed, fires beyond control, water main breaks, gas lines exploded, and many dead and injured, many more will survive.
It is how we survive and what we can and should do to be prepared that I want to write about here.
While I will be emphasising earthquakes, much of this can be for any event such as a hurricane, tornado or any other natural and even non-natural calamity.
The most important thing to do is to always be familiar with your surroundings. A big quake could happen while you are at work or possibly at a sporting event whether at an indoor arena or outdoor stadium. But the overwhelming chances are that it will happen while you are at home.
So let's start with what to do for home preparedness.
This is very important but make sure that you know where your gas line is and turn it off immediately. Do the same for your water. If you are an apartment dweller, make sure that everyone knows where all of that important stuff is.
Since this is based on you and loved ones being at your abode, make sure all are accounted for and all right. Same thing for your pets. That is why it is preferable to keep your pets indoors.
Once you have done that, more than likely your power will be out. Again, we are talking WCS-worst case scenario. If it is at night, it is imperative to make sure to have both a big supply of candles and working flashlights. While you will have done steps one and two, now you must check to see if there is any structural damage. More than likely, you will have cracks in the walls at the very least. But your home could be off the foundation and that means get the hell out of Dodge. It is very much unsafe at that point. If you do an quick but thorough assessment and all is relatively OK, here is step four.
Find your Earthquake (or other disaster) Survival Kit.
It is very important to have your kit, or kits and I will explain kits in a bit, in an easily accessible place. You will need it or them quickly after disaster strikes.
So you ask, what do I need in my kit(s)? How long should I prepare for having no power, phone or gas services?
Here is what I recommend.
While this website does recommend to have food, supplies and water for at least 72 hours, I recommend at least one week. If you think that is too long, may I point out the disaster that was Hurricane Katrina? You are dealing with a WCS. All the government services will be stretched as soon as disaster strikes.
And I think that while there are excellent kits available at retailers and online, it is better to build your own kit.
So the Federal Emergency and Management Agency recommends to have at least these in your kit. I think that most of what is listed is all good to have. But some of it should be separated out.
I really recommend that you should have a separate pet kit. We have two dogs and both are healthy. But I think that if you have both people and dog emergency stuff in one bag, it creates more work than necessary. This is very helpful information provided by the ASPCA. The most important thing that is not on their list but the most obvious is food and water. Try to have a week's supply of their regular dog food and water, probably err on the side of more water and even food if necessary. They will be nervous because they will not be in their usual routine and dogs especially are creatures of habit.
So, what about that people kit? What about food and water for us? And what about our medications?
Let's start with the medicine first. Try to get your doctor and insurance company to provide at least an extra week's worth. If the insurance is informed that it is for emergency preparedness, that should not be a problem. But, here is something dicey. What if you have medicine that needs to be kept cool like insulin? In reality, you can keep insulin at room temperature for at least 28 days. So more than likely once the disaster happens and the power goes out, one of the last things to do is to check the fridge and get the kind of stuff like insulin out and put with the other medicines in your kit.
So the food that one should have is probably some freeze-dried, high protein food. Again, it should be enough to last at least a week. The infamous MREs or Meals Ready to Eat are available at Amazon.com. Also there is camping/freeze dried food usually available at a sporting goods store. Sports Chalet is a good one in the So Cal area. But if you don't mind a wait there is a fully prepared option available at Cheaper Than Dirt. I like this option because it covers at least a week and beyond.
That is why I believe building your own kit is best. Because you can tailor-make it to suit your needs.
And make sure to have at least water, enough for two weeks no matter what. And the same for the medical supplies portion.
Definitely have all different sizes of Band-aids, a couple of rolls of gauze, scissors, anti-biotic cream, wet-wipes that will clean an area where you may be cut. This is a good guide to build on or if you choose to buy.
I noted that you should have at least a kit for people and a kit for pets. But you should also have at least a rudimentary emergency kit in your car. That can be the 72 hour one. You can and should also have the pet stuff in that one. If you are all out in the car when disaster strikes, it may take quite a while to get home.
All of this is not meant to panic anyone. This is the reality of living in Earthquake Country. We all must be prepared. And we have to be realistic. That means do not count on the fire department, paramedics and or police and or National Guard to get to your area. And here is something to keep in mind. If you live in a higher-income area, that will be where they go. Also to the business districts. If you live in a lower-class area or Lower Slobovia, more than likely you already have the survival instinct in you. THAT is where people will survive. But long-term survival means adding supplies to make sure you are not a total victim.
Last night was a reminder that we all need to be prepared. This is a little reminder and a hope that someone will think about it and get ready.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Reason 3,242,951 Why Homeschooling Is Better
It seems like there is at least a story a day that makes me, a product of public education, reject that time-honored American institution and this story is no different.
Yes, it is the crime of the century what this nine-year old girl did.
She, she . . .shaved her head to support her friend who is battling cancer.
But the educrats, well the educrats have rules against any form of individuality. Even if it is in this case, to show love and support for a friend. It's not some new punker-chick look. It's showing solidarity.
Understand that Caprock Academy is a public charter school. This is not some private school that can implement rules willy-nilly. So this is the school dress code for the gals and the point of the transgression:
Ladies’ Hair: Should be neatly combed or styled. No shaved heads. Hair accessories must be red, white, navy, black or brown. Neat barrettes, headbands and “scrunchies” are permissible. Hair should not be arranged or colored so as to draw undue attention to the student. Hair must be natural looking and conservative in its color. Radical changes in hair color during the school year are unacceptable
I understand that the rules are in place for a reason. And yes, we can't make exceptions all the time. But I should think that in this case, the school should have not been so hard and in fact so punitive as to make her stand on the playground. Why that will teach her to do the most horrible, most horrible thing as to shave her head, with her parent's permission, to show love and support for a friend who is going through the most awful thing any nine-year old can go through.
When you read the whole mind-numbing rules for the gals, there is actually a simple approach that the school can take that would sort of make such an issue moot.
Just have a standard uniform.
Many private schools, especially Roman Catholic schools, and quite a few public schools do have school uniforms.
But that is another issue for another post.
This case owes the probable positive outcome to social media.
This story went viral and no doubt puts a great school in the most unpositive light.
Without a doubt, this would not have been an issue if the school did not dissmiss the fact that the mother of Kamryn (no last name provided) sent an e-mail that she did give permission and why it was done. A great deal of latitude was needed. But nooooo! The rules are the rules. No exceptions.
More than likely after a meeting of the school board today, they will make the exception and allow Kamryn to be in school and show solidarity with her friend, Delaney, who will be undergoing chemotherapy.
This is the madness of public education.
A set of rules are put in place for the students so that the overall educational experience will be good for the students, teachers, administrators and the parents.
But sometimes, situational awareness and good judgement needs to be used. This was one where that should have come in the picture.
The problem is that the rules are used to exonerate those in charge from having to actually think out of the box. Thus all that is given is "rules are rules and there are no exceptions" when a little investigating should have made this a non issue. In fact, in lefty, educratspeak, this should have been a teachable moment.
What is the teachable moment?
It is what Delaney said to the Fox 31 Denver reporter:
“I was really excited I would have somebody to support me and I wouldn’t be alone with people always laughing at me. I would at least have somebody to go through it all.”
Can you imagine that Delaney, all of nine-years old not only has to face the ravages of chemotherapy, but will be mocked at because of the hair loss that is connected with chemotherapy.
In reality, the school board should encourage other students, boys and girls, to show support if their parents allowed and they wanted to do so by shaving their heads.
Now, let me suggest that if the girls were home schooled, this would never be an issue.
When we aggregate so many issues that occur in public schools all over the United States, it seems to solidify the case for homeschooling. Or at the very least private education alternatives.
Again, as a product of public education, it is painful to write such a thing. But so much has changed in the 32 years since I graduated Schurr High School in Montebello, California. And the changes strike me as not a positive thing.
School should not be like a prison. It should be where young people are taught not what to think but how to think. Not to fall back on rules when problem solving is sometimes more correct.
But in the modern Educrat Industrial Complex, rules are important at the expense of students. And that is why I keep leaning to homeschooling as a serious alternative.
Yes, it is the crime of the century what this nine-year old girl did.
She, she . . .shaved her head to support her friend who is battling cancer.
But the educrats, well the educrats have rules against any form of individuality. Even if it is in this case, to show love and support for a friend. It's not some new punker-chick look. It's showing solidarity.
Understand that Caprock Academy is a public charter school. This is not some private school that can implement rules willy-nilly. So this is the school dress code for the gals and the point of the transgression:
Ladies’ Hair: Should be neatly combed or styled. No shaved heads. Hair accessories must be red, white, navy, black or brown. Neat barrettes, headbands and “scrunchies” are permissible. Hair should not be arranged or colored so as to draw undue attention to the student. Hair must be natural looking and conservative in its color. Radical changes in hair color during the school year are unacceptable
I understand that the rules are in place for a reason. And yes, we can't make exceptions all the time. But I should think that in this case, the school should have not been so hard and in fact so punitive as to make her stand on the playground. Why that will teach her to do the most horrible, most horrible thing as to shave her head, with her parent's permission, to show love and support for a friend who is going through the most awful thing any nine-year old can go through.
When you read the whole mind-numbing rules for the gals, there is actually a simple approach that the school can take that would sort of make such an issue moot.
Just have a standard uniform.
Many private schools, especially Roman Catholic schools, and quite a few public schools do have school uniforms.
But that is another issue for another post.
This case owes the probable positive outcome to social media.
This story went viral and no doubt puts a great school in the most unpositive light.
Without a doubt, this would not have been an issue if the school did not dissmiss the fact that the mother of Kamryn (no last name provided) sent an e-mail that she did give permission and why it was done. A great deal of latitude was needed. But nooooo! The rules are the rules. No exceptions.
More than likely after a meeting of the school board today, they will make the exception and allow Kamryn to be in school and show solidarity with her friend, Delaney, who will be undergoing chemotherapy.
This is the madness of public education.
A set of rules are put in place for the students so that the overall educational experience will be good for the students, teachers, administrators and the parents.
But sometimes, situational awareness and good judgement needs to be used. This was one where that should have come in the picture.
The problem is that the rules are used to exonerate those in charge from having to actually think out of the box. Thus all that is given is "rules are rules and there are no exceptions" when a little investigating should have made this a non issue. In fact, in lefty, educratspeak, this should have been a teachable moment.
What is the teachable moment?
It is what Delaney said to the Fox 31 Denver reporter:
“I was really excited I would have somebody to support me and I wouldn’t be alone with people always laughing at me. I would at least have somebody to go through it all.”
Can you imagine that Delaney, all of nine-years old not only has to face the ravages of chemotherapy, but will be mocked at because of the hair loss that is connected with chemotherapy.
In reality, the school board should encourage other students, boys and girls, to show support if their parents allowed and they wanted to do so by shaving their heads.
Now, let me suggest that if the girls were home schooled, this would never be an issue.
When we aggregate so many issues that occur in public schools all over the United States, it seems to solidify the case for homeschooling. Or at the very least private education alternatives.
Again, as a product of public education, it is painful to write such a thing. But so much has changed in the 32 years since I graduated Schurr High School in Montebello, California. And the changes strike me as not a positive thing.
School should not be like a prison. It should be where young people are taught not what to think but how to think. Not to fall back on rules when problem solving is sometimes more correct.
But in the modern Educrat Industrial Complex, rules are important at the expense of students. And that is why I keep leaning to homeschooling as a serious alternative.
Another Reason Why I Love The Book Of Common Prayer
This past Sunday, I attended the early service at my church.
And by early, I mean 7:45am. Yes that is very early to me, but the two reasons I went is because that service is done in Rite I form. And because Mrs. RVFTLC was away on a church retreat, I went alone because I really like that service over the more contemporary service we both attend later on Sunday mornings.
Before I go one, a little Anglican/Episcopal primer.
The current BCP is known at the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. It all but has replaced the 1928 BCP. While I do not have objection to more contemporary language, I just find the 1928 BCP to speak to me more. In a compromise that probably will go the way of the buffalo in the next BCP revision in the Episcopal Church, and there will be one more than likely in my lifetime, A lot of the 1928 BCP was put in the 1979 BCP. Hence, there are two rites, Rite I and the contemporary Rite II.
Essentially the 1928 BCP is the last one that uses the traditional, Elizabethan language. It really does not fit in the Politically Correct modern Episcopal Church. But some, like my own parish, realize that there is still a significant number that love the old language and the overall flow of the service.
In the current 1979 BCP, as in the 1928 version, there is a prayer right before the congregation proceeds to the altar to receive the Holy Communion. It is known as the Prayer of Humble Access and this is it:
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our souls washed through his most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
It is totally Politically Incorrect.
Why is that?
Because it reminds the Christian that we can not and should not trust in our own ways but to trust God. It also is a stark reminder that even when one accepts Jesus Christ into their life, no matter what tradition, we are sinners.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.
Left to our own devices, the above is true. When we turn away from God, we are not worthy. But there is hope.
But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy.
Yes, God is merciful. And the point of the above prayer, as I come to understand it, is because of our own ways, we usually get into trouble of some kind. The opportunity is to ask God, through Jesus Christ, to have mercy. It is an invitation to repent of the bad things that we have done and or not done quite yet.
The Prayer of Humble Access is a reminder that we are sinners. And a reminder of my favorite Christian bumper sticker:
Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.
And it offers a chance of repentance before one partakes of the Holy Communion. To me it is serious stuff.
The sad part is that there is nothing quite like this in the Rite II forms. And of course it is by design. Because this prayer to many in charge even then, this kind of prayer is rather "judgemental". I mean, it basically tells us that we are not worthy to even eat the crumbs of bread from the altar. Yet what seems to be ignored is that the prayer is all about repentance and redemption. But without acknowledging our sinful nature, there can not be the chance for the communicant to repent and seek God's redemption.
It is sad that the current leadership in The Episcopal Church does not realize how powerful this prayer is and should be used, with contemporary language and not unisex, meaningless drivel, in all forms of the Holy Communion prayers.
As the current 1979 BCP still has some semblance of the appreciation of tradition and traditional language, there is always a chance to worship at a Rite I service and to say such a powerful prayer as the Prayer of Humble Access is. To fully appreciate the meaning of the Holy Communion, that is another reason that the Book of Common Prayer is the greatest Christian worship book ever written.
And by early, I mean 7:45am. Yes that is very early to me, but the two reasons I went is because that service is done in Rite I form. And because Mrs. RVFTLC was away on a church retreat, I went alone because I really like that service over the more contemporary service we both attend later on Sunday mornings.
Before I go one, a little Anglican/Episcopal primer.
The current BCP is known at the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. It all but has replaced the 1928 BCP. While I do not have objection to more contemporary language, I just find the 1928 BCP to speak to me more. In a compromise that probably will go the way of the buffalo in the next BCP revision in the Episcopal Church, and there will be one more than likely in my lifetime, A lot of the 1928 BCP was put in the 1979 BCP. Hence, there are two rites, Rite I and the contemporary Rite II.
Essentially the 1928 BCP is the last one that uses the traditional, Elizabethan language. It really does not fit in the Politically Correct modern Episcopal Church. But some, like my own parish, realize that there is still a significant number that love the old language and the overall flow of the service.
In the current 1979 BCP, as in the 1928 version, there is a prayer right before the congregation proceeds to the altar to receive the Holy Communion. It is known as the Prayer of Humble Access and this is it:
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our souls washed through his most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
It is totally Politically Incorrect.
Why is that?
Because it reminds the Christian that we can not and should not trust in our own ways but to trust God. It also is a stark reminder that even when one accepts Jesus Christ into their life, no matter what tradition, we are sinners.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.
Left to our own devices, the above is true. When we turn away from God, we are not worthy. But there is hope.
But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy.
Yes, God is merciful. And the point of the above prayer, as I come to understand it, is because of our own ways, we usually get into trouble of some kind. The opportunity is to ask God, through Jesus Christ, to have mercy. It is an invitation to repent of the bad things that we have done and or not done quite yet.
The Prayer of Humble Access is a reminder that we are sinners. And a reminder of my favorite Christian bumper sticker:
Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.
And it offers a chance of repentance before one partakes of the Holy Communion. To me it is serious stuff.
The sad part is that there is nothing quite like this in the Rite II forms. And of course it is by design. Because this prayer to many in charge even then, this kind of prayer is rather "judgemental". I mean, it basically tells us that we are not worthy to even eat the crumbs of bread from the altar. Yet what seems to be ignored is that the prayer is all about repentance and redemption. But without acknowledging our sinful nature, there can not be the chance for the communicant to repent and seek God's redemption.
It is sad that the current leadership in The Episcopal Church does not realize how powerful this prayer is and should be used, with contemporary language and not unisex, meaningless drivel, in all forms of the Holy Communion prayers.
As the current 1979 BCP still has some semblance of the appreciation of tradition and traditional language, there is always a chance to worship at a Rite I service and to say such a powerful prayer as the Prayer of Humble Access is. To fully appreciate the meaning of the Holy Communion, that is another reason that the Book of Common Prayer is the greatest Christian worship book ever written.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
A Jolly Good Night In Florida
The first big electoral test for Republicans came Tuesday night in a special election for the Florida 13th congressional district and it was a success for the GOP.
Former congressional aide David Jolly won a very contested election to finish the term of the late Congressman C. W. Bill Young. Mr. Jolly defeated Democrat candidate Alex Sink in a close race. A race made closer by a Libertarian party spoiler candidate, Lucas Overby.
The results of the election were as follows:
Jolly (R) 89,099 48%
Sink (D) 85,642 47%
Overby (L) 8,893 5%
So what is the spin the Dems are putting on this loss?
First, a couple of things about this district.
It is a marginal Republican district. The late incumbent, Mr. Young, won the last election in 2012 with 58% of the vote. It was his second worst showing in his 42 years in congress. This same district voted for the Dear Leader, President Obama, in both 2008 and 2012. So it can at this point be called a swing district. In fact, the Democrat candidate, Jessica Erlich, ran 12 points better than the Democrat candidate in the 2010 mid-term election. So it can easily go Democrat at any point.
Now, for the unreal spin from the Democrats.
DNC chair, Congressman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, one of the dimmest bulbs to service in public office, tried to spin the loss this way:
“Republican special interest groups poured in millions to hold onto a Republican congressional district that they’ve comfortably held for nearly 60 years. Tonight, Republicans fell short of their normal margin in this district because the agenda they are offering voters has a singular focus – that a majority of voters oppose – repealing the Affordable Care Act that would return us to the same old broken health care system.”
OK. Sure, Dim Debbie, go with that.
Consider a few things before buying that spin.
The Democrat party in Florida and Washington D. C. forced a local Democrat pol out of the race so that Mrs. Sink could run. The party and outside groups spent $5,400,000 on the Sink campaign. This is a congressional district that went for the Dear Leader, President Obama, in both his presidential campaigns. Essentially the Democrats used the Obama formula to try to win this seat and they lost.
Oh yeah, Mrs. Sink ran for Florida governor in 2010 as a Democrat. She won this district in that race as well, Yet she also lost that race to the current governor, Rick Scott by a similar close margin.
I throw this out there for the public.
Is it possible that Mrs. Sink is an overrated candidate and she actually sucked here and in the governor's race?
Mr. Jolly was a lobbyist and an obscure aide to the late congressman, Mr. Young. He is going through a divorce and is dating a gal quite a bit younger than he is. Not really an ideal Republican candidate, right?
I would agree that he is not the best candidate in either party.
But guess what?
Mr. Jolly was relentless on one issue.
Obamacare, or as it is referred to on this blog as O-Care.
Mr. Jolly drove home the point that he wanted to vote to repeal O-Care and replace it.
And it worked.
For all the money that was spent by the Democrats and their allies in this race, Mrs. Sink only garnered 46% of the vote. And that is only a four-point gain over the previous election in which the Dear Leader, President Obama, won. And if we take out the Libertarian candidate and assume most of his votes, not all but most, would have been for Mr. Jolly, he probably would have gotten roughly about 53% of the vote.
The thing about these seemingly outlier elections is that there will be momentum for the party that wins these elections.
Take Texas.
They recently had their primaries and Republican voters outnumbered Democrat voters by a more than two-to-one margin. Yes, it is a pretty Red state. But there was the Democrat savior, state Senator Wendy Davis on the ballot. And her and her opponent did not manage more than about 600,000 votes. Republicans saw roughly about 1,600,000 for their primary.
That is reason alone to think that Republicans will have a good night the first Tuesday in November.
That will be a Jolly good night for the United States.
Former congressional aide David Jolly won a very contested election to finish the term of the late Congressman C. W. Bill Young. Mr. Jolly defeated Democrat candidate Alex Sink in a close race. A race made closer by a Libertarian party spoiler candidate, Lucas Overby.
The results of the election were as follows:
Jolly (R) 89,099 48%
Sink (D) 85,642 47%
Overby (L) 8,893 5%
So what is the spin the Dems are putting on this loss?
First, a couple of things about this district.
It is a marginal Republican district. The late incumbent, Mr. Young, won the last election in 2012 with 58% of the vote. It was his second worst showing in his 42 years in congress. This same district voted for the Dear Leader, President Obama, in both 2008 and 2012. So it can at this point be called a swing district. In fact, the Democrat candidate, Jessica Erlich, ran 12 points better than the Democrat candidate in the 2010 mid-term election. So it can easily go Democrat at any point.
Now, for the unreal spin from the Democrats.
DNC chair, Congressman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, one of the dimmest bulbs to service in public office, tried to spin the loss this way:
“Republican special interest groups poured in millions to hold onto a Republican congressional district that they’ve comfortably held for nearly 60 years. Tonight, Republicans fell short of their normal margin in this district because the agenda they are offering voters has a singular focus – that a majority of voters oppose – repealing the Affordable Care Act that would return us to the same old broken health care system.”
OK. Sure, Dim Debbie, go with that.
Consider a few things before buying that spin.
The Democrat party in Florida and Washington D. C. forced a local Democrat pol out of the race so that Mrs. Sink could run. The party and outside groups spent $5,400,000 on the Sink campaign. This is a congressional district that went for the Dear Leader, President Obama, in both his presidential campaigns. Essentially the Democrats used the Obama formula to try to win this seat and they lost.
Oh yeah, Mrs. Sink ran for Florida governor in 2010 as a Democrat. She won this district in that race as well, Yet she also lost that race to the current governor, Rick Scott by a similar close margin.
I throw this out there for the public.
Is it possible that Mrs. Sink is an overrated candidate and she actually sucked here and in the governor's race?
Mr. Jolly was a lobbyist and an obscure aide to the late congressman, Mr. Young. He is going through a divorce and is dating a gal quite a bit younger than he is. Not really an ideal Republican candidate, right?
I would agree that he is not the best candidate in either party.
But guess what?
Mr. Jolly was relentless on one issue.
Obamacare, or as it is referred to on this blog as O-Care.
Mr. Jolly drove home the point that he wanted to vote to repeal O-Care and replace it.
And it worked.
For all the money that was spent by the Democrats and their allies in this race, Mrs. Sink only garnered 46% of the vote. And that is only a four-point gain over the previous election in which the Dear Leader, President Obama, won. And if we take out the Libertarian candidate and assume most of his votes, not all but most, would have been for Mr. Jolly, he probably would have gotten roughly about 53% of the vote.
The thing about these seemingly outlier elections is that there will be momentum for the party that wins these elections.
Take Texas.
They recently had their primaries and Republican voters outnumbered Democrat voters by a more than two-to-one margin. Yes, it is a pretty Red state. But there was the Democrat savior, state Senator Wendy Davis on the ballot. And her and her opponent did not manage more than about 600,000 votes. Republicans saw roughly about 1,600,000 for their primary.
That is reason alone to think that Republicans will have a good night the first Tuesday in November.
That will be a Jolly good night for the United States.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
A Couple Of Reasons Why Americans Hate Politics AND Politicians
As if you did not realize it, the American political class really sucks these days.
There are numerous reasons why.
One is that the very people we elect to office at the multiple levels are becoming far removed from the people that they are supposed to serve.
There are two cases here of the political class suckage that is, at a level, just draining the ability of the average American voter to even care what happens in their cities, counties, states and the federal government.
Case number one is this special kind of stupid in the person of New York state assemblyman William Boyland, Jr.
Mr. Boyland was convicted last week of openly soliciting bribes for political favors. There were 21 counts and he was found guilty on all of them. Why he is so stupid, the judge would not even wait to sentence him. Federal judge Sandra Townes remanded him immediately as he was texting witnesses and lying about his whereabouts.
Nice.
The jurors on this case heard some of the most immortal words spoken by a politician regarding his $79,500 annual salary. Here they are:
“How the hell are you gonna live off of that?”
Good Lord in heaven!
How can he say that with a straight face?
Maybe he should not have made his comment in a well-known Manhattan steakhouse. Keen's Steakhouse to be exact. Now I link the menu because you should take a peek at the prices. Maybe he could live on $79,500 if he wasn't eating at such a place on the taxpayer's dime. I'm not saying he should be dining at McDonald's, but for crying out loud, is there nothing in between? And he does represent a Brooklyn district. Maybe, just maybe he could find decent dinning in his actual district.
But, Mr. Boyland explains that his paltry salary barely pays for his son's tuition and gas. Again, in the fateful words of our special kind of stupid:
“What the hell. That’s maybe my son’s tuition and maybe I pay for some gas, you know?
So, again, how can he eat even lunch at Keen's Steakhouse?
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Let's see, according to Empire Center, a New York state assembly member makes that $79,500 annual salary and a $171 per day per diem when the assembly is in session and $61 for a half day. And New York state is a full-time legislature. Most states have part-time legislatures. But not New York.
I will concede that the cost of living is higher in the Metro New York City area. But really, Mr. Boyland can't live on that?
Hmm, let's see if one breaks down Mr. Boyland's salary to an hourly rate, he would be making $41.41c an hour in an eight-hour day.
Maybe if Mr. Boyland did a little something called financial planning, he could afford his son's tuition. The article does not indicate if the son is in college or secondary school.
Needless to say, Mr. Boyland is a Democrat. When it comes to these kind of corruption cases, it usually involves a Democrat. For some reason, big-city Dems have the market on corruption. Not to say that the long arm of corruption does not extend to Republicans. It sure does. One of the most infamous cases involves former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Cal.). To me, he was the GOP version of this Boyland dude. Creepy from the get-go. And Mr. Boyland is not a rookie to all of this. His father and uncle served in the state assembly and a sister is on the New York City city council.
The disease known as greed is why some people get involved in politics in the first place. With all the anti-corruption laws in place throughout the United States, somehow there are a boat load of pols that seek ways to get around them and become a William Boyland, Jr.
The second case of annoying and or corrupt politicians leads to one of my favs, Sen. John "F--- You" McCain and his stirring defense of the GOP trifecta of losing presidential candidates. That trifecta is former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), Sen. "F--- You" McCain himself and the 2012 loser, former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romeny.
Last week at the annual Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) was explaining that he thought three out of the last four Republican presidential candidates did not do such a great job in their runs for the White House. In Sen. Cruz' comments, he said that they were not really conservative enough and seemed too squishy for his taste.
So, Sen. "F--- You" McCain did not like that Sen. Cruz mentioned his friend, former Sen. Dole. Fine, whatever. But here is where Sen. "F--- You" McCain saved his venom, as he often does, for fellow Republicans. Here ya go:
I wonder if he thinks that Bob Dole stood for principle on that hilltop in Italy when he was so gravely wounded and left part of his body there fighting for our country?
Now as Allahpundit over at Hotair.com notes, Sen. Cruz said that all three were good and decent men. And they are. And especially former Sen. Dole.
But the cheap shot from Sen. "F--- You" McCain is to indicate that one cannot criticize anyone who served their nation in war time. Before I continue, here is Sen. Cruz entire speech to CPAC:
I would say to watch for yourself and see if Sen. Cruz is somehow criticizing former Sen. Dole for his service to our nation. He is not. And Allahpundit is spot on about how, especially in the cases of both former Sen. Dole and Sen "F--- You" McCain, they totally ran their campaigns on their biography which included their war service. When it came to articulating the differences they had with their respected Democrat opponents, they did have a hard time. No question that their handlers, as well as Mr. Romney's, were going to not get into the weeds about the differences in ideology. That is a fact.
And what Sen. Cruz was saying is without a contrast, voters were going to vote for the incumbent or the other guy. Again a fact.
I think that Sen. Cruz needs to really turn his attention from fellow Republicans to Democrats especially with the mid-term elections coming in November.
But this is standard fare for Sen. "F--- You" McCain.
Wonder why he is known here as Sen. "F--- You" McCain?
I have explained before, but new readers probably do not know.
During the heat of the 2007 debate over so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx) objected to Sen. McCain trying to ram the bill through. The dialogue went like this:
"Wait a second here. I've been sitting in here for all of these negotiations and you just parachute in here on the last day. You're out of line," to which McCain replied, "Fuck you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room."
Charming.
The problem that Sen. Cruz does not want to have hanging on him is that he saves his venom for fellow Republicans. That is what has happened over the years with Sen. "F--- You" McCain.
Why do I loathe Sen. "F--- You" McCain, even though I voted for the 2008 GOP presidential candidate?
Because he has been a congressman and senator since 1986. He will have spent 30 years in Washington by the time his current senate term ends in 2016. He is a creature of Washington. He speaks Washingtonese.He himself almost became embroiled in the Keating Five scandal of the late 1980s. He was lucky that he came out of it relatively unscathed. He talks about the earmarks that almost all congressmen do as if most Americans understand what that means. It is something that is barely a full one percent of the federal budget. It makes him seem to be a hawk on government spending. He talks about all the pals he has in the senate. And his intransigent stand on foreign military endeavors and so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform do remove him from those that elected him time and time again.
That is what Sen. Cruz was articulating. That one should stick to what they believe and not get caught up in the Washington Beltway nonsense. Clearly over the years, former Sen. Dole and Sen. "F--- You" McCain became Washington.
What do these two things have to do with each other?
One pol thinks that he should find illegal ways for additional income because he can't live like, well probably most of his constituents.
The other gets caught up in the years he has spent in government and forgets why he claimed to run in the first place.
Both feel a certain sense of entitlement because they are politicians. They have made a career of politics.
The Founding Father's intent was that people would run for office and serve in a part-time capacity. That they would go back when they weren't legislating to their careers and be part of the people that they serve.
But now, politics has become a career. It is truly bipartisan. Does not matter if one is a Republican or a Democrat. They see themselves as an entitled class and the voters as saps to vote for them in the first place.
These are but two reasons why a lot of the American people hate politics and politicians.
There are numerous reasons why.
One is that the very people we elect to office at the multiple levels are becoming far removed from the people that they are supposed to serve.
There are two cases here of the political class suckage that is, at a level, just draining the ability of the average American voter to even care what happens in their cities, counties, states and the federal government.
Case number one is this special kind of stupid in the person of New York state assemblyman William Boyland, Jr.
Mr. Boyland was convicted last week of openly soliciting bribes for political favors. There were 21 counts and he was found guilty on all of them. Why he is so stupid, the judge would not even wait to sentence him. Federal judge Sandra Townes remanded him immediately as he was texting witnesses and lying about his whereabouts.
Nice.
The jurors on this case heard some of the most immortal words spoken by a politician regarding his $79,500 annual salary. Here they are:
“How the hell are you gonna live off of that?”
Good Lord in heaven!
How can he say that with a straight face?
Maybe he should not have made his comment in a well-known Manhattan steakhouse. Keen's Steakhouse to be exact. Now I link the menu because you should take a peek at the prices. Maybe he could live on $79,500 if he wasn't eating at such a place on the taxpayer's dime. I'm not saying he should be dining at McDonald's, but for crying out loud, is there nothing in between? And he does represent a Brooklyn district. Maybe, just maybe he could find decent dinning in his actual district.
But, Mr. Boyland explains that his paltry salary barely pays for his son's tuition and gas. Again, in the fateful words of our special kind of stupid:
“What the hell. That’s maybe my son’s tuition and maybe I pay for some gas, you know?
So, again, how can he eat even lunch at Keen's Steakhouse?
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Let's see, according to Empire Center, a New York state assembly member makes that $79,500 annual salary and a $171 per day per diem when the assembly is in session and $61 for a half day. And New York state is a full-time legislature. Most states have part-time legislatures. But not New York.
I will concede that the cost of living is higher in the Metro New York City area. But really, Mr. Boyland can't live on that?
Hmm, let's see if one breaks down Mr. Boyland's salary to an hourly rate, he would be making $41.41c an hour in an eight-hour day.
Maybe if Mr. Boyland did a little something called financial planning, he could afford his son's tuition. The article does not indicate if the son is in college or secondary school.
Needless to say, Mr. Boyland is a Democrat. When it comes to these kind of corruption cases, it usually involves a Democrat. For some reason, big-city Dems have the market on corruption. Not to say that the long arm of corruption does not extend to Republicans. It sure does. One of the most infamous cases involves former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Cal.). To me, he was the GOP version of this Boyland dude. Creepy from the get-go. And Mr. Boyland is not a rookie to all of this. His father and uncle served in the state assembly and a sister is on the New York City city council.
The disease known as greed is why some people get involved in politics in the first place. With all the anti-corruption laws in place throughout the United States, somehow there are a boat load of pols that seek ways to get around them and become a William Boyland, Jr.
The second case of annoying and or corrupt politicians leads to one of my favs, Sen. John "F--- You" McCain and his stirring defense of the GOP trifecta of losing presidential candidates. That trifecta is former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), Sen. "F--- You" McCain himself and the 2012 loser, former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romeny.
Last week at the annual Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) was explaining that he thought three out of the last four Republican presidential candidates did not do such a great job in their runs for the White House. In Sen. Cruz' comments, he said that they were not really conservative enough and seemed too squishy for his taste.
So, Sen. "F--- You" McCain did not like that Sen. Cruz mentioned his friend, former Sen. Dole. Fine, whatever. But here is where Sen. "F--- You" McCain saved his venom, as he often does, for fellow Republicans. Here ya go:
I wonder if he thinks that Bob Dole stood for principle on that hilltop in Italy when he was so gravely wounded and left part of his body there fighting for our country?
Now as Allahpundit over at Hotair.com notes, Sen. Cruz said that all three were good and decent men. And they are. And especially former Sen. Dole.
But the cheap shot from Sen. "F--- You" McCain is to indicate that one cannot criticize anyone who served their nation in war time. Before I continue, here is Sen. Cruz entire speech to CPAC:
I would say to watch for yourself and see if Sen. Cruz is somehow criticizing former Sen. Dole for his service to our nation. He is not. And Allahpundit is spot on about how, especially in the cases of both former Sen. Dole and Sen "F--- You" McCain, they totally ran their campaigns on their biography which included their war service. When it came to articulating the differences they had with their respected Democrat opponents, they did have a hard time. No question that their handlers, as well as Mr. Romney's, were going to not get into the weeds about the differences in ideology. That is a fact.
And what Sen. Cruz was saying is without a contrast, voters were going to vote for the incumbent or the other guy. Again a fact.
I think that Sen. Cruz needs to really turn his attention from fellow Republicans to Democrats especially with the mid-term elections coming in November.
But this is standard fare for Sen. "F--- You" McCain.
Wonder why he is known here as Sen. "F--- You" McCain?
I have explained before, but new readers probably do not know.
During the heat of the 2007 debate over so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx) objected to Sen. McCain trying to ram the bill through. The dialogue went like this:
"Wait a second here. I've been sitting in here for all of these negotiations and you just parachute in here on the last day. You're out of line," to which McCain replied, "Fuck you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room."
Charming.
The problem that Sen. Cruz does not want to have hanging on him is that he saves his venom for fellow Republicans. That is what has happened over the years with Sen. "F--- You" McCain.
Why do I loathe Sen. "F--- You" McCain, even though I voted for the 2008 GOP presidential candidate?
Because he has been a congressman and senator since 1986. He will have spent 30 years in Washington by the time his current senate term ends in 2016. He is a creature of Washington. He speaks Washingtonese.He himself almost became embroiled in the Keating Five scandal of the late 1980s. He was lucky that he came out of it relatively unscathed. He talks about the earmarks that almost all congressmen do as if most Americans understand what that means. It is something that is barely a full one percent of the federal budget. It makes him seem to be a hawk on government spending. He talks about all the pals he has in the senate. And his intransigent stand on foreign military endeavors and so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform do remove him from those that elected him time and time again.
That is what Sen. Cruz was articulating. That one should stick to what they believe and not get caught up in the Washington Beltway nonsense. Clearly over the years, former Sen. Dole and Sen. "F--- You" McCain became Washington.
What do these two things have to do with each other?
One pol thinks that he should find illegal ways for additional income because he can't live like, well probably most of his constituents.
The other gets caught up in the years he has spent in government and forgets why he claimed to run in the first place.
Both feel a certain sense of entitlement because they are politicians. They have made a career of politics.
The Founding Father's intent was that people would run for office and serve in a part-time capacity. That they would go back when they weren't legislating to their careers and be part of the people that they serve.
But now, politics has become a career. It is truly bipartisan. Does not matter if one is a Republican or a Democrat. They see themselves as an entitled class and the voters as saps to vote for them in the first place.
These are but two reasons why a lot of the American people hate politics and politicians.
The Mystery Of Malaysian Air Flight MH370
Yes it is a mystery that an airliner seemingly disappear into thick air.
It is a mystery how Malaysian Air flight MH370 just went off the radar screens last Friday evening on a flight from Kuala Lumpar to Beijing.
But let's get some things out of the way.
Unless this is Stephen King's The Langoliers, the plane crashed. When I keep hearing the media of all stripes refer to this as a disaperince, it is beyond foolish. But the problem is that there is at this writing no wreckage to be found. So there is this meme that the plane disappeared. But, there was the case of Air France Flight 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009. It took five days to find the plane wreckage over the Atlantic ocean. But it took two years to find the Black Box that contains the flight data recorder. The subsequent investigation essentially said that the crash was due to an accident.
Well of course all kinds of theories are out there as to what happened.
Of course the most logical explanation is that there was some kind of malfunction that caused the plane to crash. In fact, that is what my pal believes over at Social Extinction. He totally rules out a possible terrorist plot that went off.
But there is the possibility of terrorism. Of course that would most likely be Islamofacist terrorism. But then again, if it is terrorism, it is possible a local terrorist group. Or something of the here-to-fore unknown variety.
Of course the paranormal crowd is getting into the mix.
One of my friends on Facebook gave his thoughts on the possibility of something out of this world occurring. I'm sure that it is burning up the nighttime airwaves on Coast To Coast AM.
In the 24/7 media world, there is the "We want answers and we need them now!" mentality. However, because of where the plane went down, apparently in a deep body of water (although this late report in The Daily Telegraph indicates it was 200 miles off course which raises the possibility that it may have crashed on land in a remote area), it makes it difficult to ascertain where the wreckage possibly is.
I remind all that it took five days to find the Air France flight 447 wreckage on the Atlantic ocean.
Until then, yes it is a mystery but will be solved at least in the sense wreckage will be found. The families of the 227 passengers will have some kind of closure. But the reminder is how fragile our lives really are.
It is a mystery how Malaysian Air flight MH370 just went off the radar screens last Friday evening on a flight from Kuala Lumpar to Beijing.
But let's get some things out of the way.
Unless this is Stephen King's The Langoliers, the plane crashed. When I keep hearing the media of all stripes refer to this as a disaperince, it is beyond foolish. But the problem is that there is at this writing no wreckage to be found. So there is this meme that the plane disappeared. But, there was the case of Air France Flight 447 flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009. It took five days to find the plane wreckage over the Atlantic ocean. But it took two years to find the Black Box that contains the flight data recorder. The subsequent investigation essentially said that the crash was due to an accident.
Well of course all kinds of theories are out there as to what happened.
Of course the most logical explanation is that there was some kind of malfunction that caused the plane to crash. In fact, that is what my pal believes over at Social Extinction. He totally rules out a possible terrorist plot that went off.
But there is the possibility of terrorism. Of course that would most likely be Islamofacist terrorism. But then again, if it is terrorism, it is possible a local terrorist group. Or something of the here-to-fore unknown variety.
Of course the paranormal crowd is getting into the mix.
One of my friends on Facebook gave his thoughts on the possibility of something out of this world occurring. I'm sure that it is burning up the nighttime airwaves on Coast To Coast AM.
In the 24/7 media world, there is the "We want answers and we need them now!" mentality. However, because of where the plane went down, apparently in a deep body of water (although this late report in The Daily Telegraph indicates it was 200 miles off course which raises the possibility that it may have crashed on land in a remote area), it makes it difficult to ascertain where the wreckage possibly is.
I remind all that it took five days to find the Air France flight 447 wreckage on the Atlantic ocean.
Until then, yes it is a mystery but will be solved at least in the sense wreckage will be found. The families of the 227 passengers will have some kind of closure. But the reminder is how fragile our lives really are.
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Tattoo Culture Has Gone To The Dogs
Oh no, really the tattoo culture I have written about here and a variation of here has gone to the dogs.
If you don't believe me, meet Zion from New York City.
If you think that your eyes deceive you, they do not.
Poor Zion has a tattoo on his right front leg.
That is courtesy of a certifiable douchebrain "Mistah Metro" who according to this article is also known as Alex and also known as Orangutan Joe.
First, this dude needs to get his damn name straight.
While I commented about this clear case of animal abuse on my Facebook page, a friend of mine thought it was no big deal.
So this is a part of why I think that this was not only animal abuse but something that can extend to children and even babies.
Of course I find it abhorrent that someone would not just do this, but do this while the poor dog was sedated for the removal of it's spleen.
What the hell is up with a veterinarian to let this whatever his name is tatt his dog up while he has already endured a serious operation?
According to the article, that is indeed what happened.
But apparently tatting an animal after an operation is done. But according to an unidentified spokesman for the local ASPCA, it is minimal and simply an identifier.
“It helps animal-welfare professionals clearly identify animals that have been altered . . . The incident in question is not at all comparable. ”
No kidding it is not comparable.
As I point out in my Facebook thread, it is one thing for human beings with the capacity to understand to decide whether or not to get a tatt. But a dog or any other animal, they do not have a choice.
Oh, I know, someone will ask about branding cattle.
Again, that is not for some kind of sick pleasure but to identify cattle for the purposes of the possibility of getting off the land, stolen or anything of that nature. It is not for being cool.
And whatever his name is believes that his dog is now sooo cool.
Here is what the douchebrain wrote on his now deleted Instagram account:
“My dog is cooler than yours!”
If you define being cool as being tatted against his will, sure. But he is not cool because of your own way over sized ego.
If you thought it was something so cool, why didn't you tatt him up when he was not under anesthesia and just had a serious operation?
And why, pray tel, if you are not proud did you delete all of your social media sites? Huh? We who find this disgusting want to know the answers.
Oh, I just thought of another question.
What does Mel, your wife, think of this?
I alluded to the possibility of parents deciding one day, hey lets tatt our baby. Do you not think it will not happen? If it has not happened already?
I sure do.
People that do not think this have their heads buried very, very deep in the sand.
One of the problems I have with tatt fiends is that they get their body full of tatts. They fill them up so much that in many cases they run out of room for anymore. It is odd to see someone walking from a distance and they look like they are wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Get a little closer and it is not a long sleeve shirt but two arms full of tatts.
What I suspect is that whats his name looks pretty much like that. Probably Mel, the wife, too. So they probably look at their dog as some kind of accessory rather than a best companion/friend. And that is the problem. No doubt in my mind is that they would look at a child in the same way.
I do believe that whats his name needs to be prosecuted but so should the vet that allowed it to happen. It is animal abuse and can not be tolerated.
The sad reality is that tattoo culture has gone to the dogs.
If you don't believe me, meet Zion from New York City.
Poor Zion has a tattoo on his right front leg.
That is courtesy of a certifiable douchebrain "Mistah Metro" who according to this article is also known as Alex and also known as Orangutan Joe.
First, this dude needs to get his damn name straight.
While I commented about this clear case of animal abuse on my Facebook page, a friend of mine thought it was no big deal.
So this is a part of why I think that this was not only animal abuse but something that can extend to children and even babies.
Of course I find it abhorrent that someone would not just do this, but do this while the poor dog was sedated for the removal of it's spleen.
What the hell is up with a veterinarian to let this whatever his name is tatt his dog up while he has already endured a serious operation?
According to the article, that is indeed what happened.
But apparently tatting an animal after an operation is done. But according to an unidentified spokesman for the local ASPCA, it is minimal and simply an identifier.
“It helps animal-welfare professionals clearly identify animals that have been altered . . . The incident in question is not at all comparable. ”
No kidding it is not comparable.
As I point out in my Facebook thread, it is one thing for human beings with the capacity to understand to decide whether or not to get a tatt. But a dog or any other animal, they do not have a choice.
Oh, I know, someone will ask about branding cattle.
Again, that is not for some kind of sick pleasure but to identify cattle for the purposes of the possibility of getting off the land, stolen or anything of that nature. It is not for being cool.
And whatever his name is believes that his dog is now sooo cool.
Here is what the douchebrain wrote on his now deleted Instagram account:
“My dog is cooler than yours!”
If you define being cool as being tatted against his will, sure. But he is not cool because of your own way over sized ego.
If you thought it was something so cool, why didn't you tatt him up when he was not under anesthesia and just had a serious operation?
And why, pray tel, if you are not proud did you delete all of your social media sites? Huh? We who find this disgusting want to know the answers.
Oh, I just thought of another question.
What does Mel, your wife, think of this?
I alluded to the possibility of parents deciding one day, hey lets tatt our baby. Do you not think it will not happen? If it has not happened already?
I sure do.
People that do not think this have their heads buried very, very deep in the sand.
One of the problems I have with tatt fiends is that they get their body full of tatts. They fill them up so much that in many cases they run out of room for anymore. It is odd to see someone walking from a distance and they look like they are wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Get a little closer and it is not a long sleeve shirt but two arms full of tatts.
What I suspect is that whats his name looks pretty much like that. Probably Mel, the wife, too. So they probably look at their dog as some kind of accessory rather than a best companion/friend. And that is the problem. No doubt in my mind is that they would look at a child in the same way.
I do believe that whats his name needs to be prosecuted but so should the vet that allowed it to happen. It is animal abuse and can not be tolerated.
The sad reality is that tattoo culture has gone to the dogs.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
A New Front On The Indian Mascot Wars
Take a good look at the photo of the hat below.
Look at the hat really close.
It is . . .it is . . .an INDIAN head! And worse, and Indian with a feather sticking from the back of his head.
Meet the logo of the Cleveland Indians.
His name is Chief Wahoo.
He has been the logo of the Cleveland Indians baseball team for over 60 years. And there have been different variations of Chief Wahoo. Below is the original look of Chief Wahoo.
OK, I will admit, the original Chief Wahoo, by today's standards, does look like a horrible charicture Ad like anything else, it had been updated to what it looks like today.
The reason that this is an issue is that the local Cleveland fish wrap, The Plain Dealer, wrote a recent editorial saying that the Chief Wahoo logo, well it is time to go.
So brave of them.
The usual canard reason was given.
That it is offensive to Indians. Or if others want to be politically correct, Native Americans. I am not politically correct, so I refer to them as Indians.
And at the end of the day, that is what this boils down to.
Political correctness.
Understand that this is the logo of a team named Indians. What else can they use? The current Chief Wahoo is supposed to be fun. Not insulting to Indians. It is a smiling Indian, not a menacing one say as the Washington Redskins logo. Which is also an Indian head.
Here is the part of the editorial that you will not read.
That if they were to get rid of the logo, what about the team name? They did not address that because I believe the answer is obvious.
Today, Chief Wahoo. Tomorrow the nickname.
Because in the politically correct world, the Indian Victim Industrial Complex will not rest until all, and yes all, Indian nicknamed sports teams are banished.
The fallacy of those self-appointed "leaders" is that these nicknames are all so demeaning to the Indian. They will give some wild examples of teams named after Blacks. Asians. Jews. Name the group, I suppose.
It is the demeaning nature of these names, if I understand that right, hurts the Indians. Makes them feel less than human. And believe me, the top of the bad list is the Washington Redskins.
What I would like to ask is this.
Can anyone name a situation when an Indian claimed that the demeaning nature of some sports team nicknames is the cause of their alcoholism? Drug addiction? Lack of education? The inability to leave the Indian reservations?
The crickets will chirp until the end of time and after on that one.
These self-appointed leaders have made many Indians feel that they have to take the armor of victim hood rather than lay blame for many of the problems they have on the backs of the same "leaders".
Back to Chief Wahoo.
The logo and the team name, the Indians, is not meant to demean Indians but to suggest that they do have a fighting spirit. Many teams choose to adopt different types of names. Indians, Braves, Redskins, Black Hawks, Fighting Sioux to name some Indian-themed nicknames. They are meant to strike some sort of fear. Not literal, but in the sense of competitive sports. The Chief Wahoo logo is different from when it first came out in 1947. In fact there is the logo below.
It is . . .it is . . .an INDIAN head! And worse, and Indian with a feather sticking from the back of his head.
Meet the logo of the Cleveland Indians.
His name is Chief Wahoo.
He has been the logo of the Cleveland Indians baseball team for over 60 years. And there have been different variations of Chief Wahoo. Below is the original look of Chief Wahoo.
The reason that this is an issue is that the local Cleveland fish wrap, The Plain Dealer, wrote a recent editorial saying that the Chief Wahoo logo, well it is time to go.
So brave of them.
The usual canard reason was given.
That it is offensive to Indians. Or if others want to be politically correct, Native Americans. I am not politically correct, so I refer to them as Indians.
And at the end of the day, that is what this boils down to.
Political correctness.
Understand that this is the logo of a team named Indians. What else can they use? The current Chief Wahoo is supposed to be fun. Not insulting to Indians. It is a smiling Indian, not a menacing one say as the Washington Redskins logo. Which is also an Indian head.
Here is the part of the editorial that you will not read.
That if they were to get rid of the logo, what about the team name? They did not address that because I believe the answer is obvious.
Today, Chief Wahoo. Tomorrow the nickname.
Because in the politically correct world, the Indian Victim Industrial Complex will not rest until all, and yes all, Indian nicknamed sports teams are banished.
The fallacy of those self-appointed "leaders" is that these nicknames are all so demeaning to the Indian. They will give some wild examples of teams named after Blacks. Asians. Jews. Name the group, I suppose.
It is the demeaning nature of these names, if I understand that right, hurts the Indians. Makes them feel less than human. And believe me, the top of the bad list is the Washington Redskins.
What I would like to ask is this.
Can anyone name a situation when an Indian claimed that the demeaning nature of some sports team nicknames is the cause of their alcoholism? Drug addiction? Lack of education? The inability to leave the Indian reservations?
The crickets will chirp until the end of time and after on that one.
These self-appointed leaders have made many Indians feel that they have to take the armor of victim hood rather than lay blame for many of the problems they have on the backs of the same "leaders".
Back to Chief Wahoo.
The logo and the team name, the Indians, is not meant to demean Indians but to suggest that they do have a fighting spirit. Many teams choose to adopt different types of names. Indians, Braves, Redskins, Black Hawks, Fighting Sioux to name some Indian-themed nicknames. They are meant to strike some sort of fear. Not literal, but in the sense of competitive sports. The Chief Wahoo logo is different from when it first came out in 1947. In fact there is the logo below.
The above is the swinging Chief Wahoo that once was part of the sign in the old Cleveland Stadium. What I like is that he is swinging the bat. It clearly shows that he is a baseball player.
Some say that the whole thing is a caricature. But isn't that what all sports nicknames are at one level?
I think that this is one more of those "causes" that make some self-appointed "leaders" and their White Guilt allies feel that they are "doing something" even if it is nonsensical.
I made the point that the Chief Wahoo logo is very popular. I live in a very multicultural part of California. Many of the people that I see wearing the Indians Chief Wahoo baseball hat are Hispanic. Probably Mestizo. And Mestizo's trace their heritage back to being Indians. Since I don't think that they are really thinking all that much about it, is wearing that hat a variation of self-hate? I don't think so. I think it is just that most people either like it, hate it or have no real opinion of it.
I think that The Plain Dealer is wrong on this. I don't think that it would do any good to drop the Chief Wahoo logo. Certainly not good to force a team nickname change. And it would do the self-appointed Indian "leaders" stirring this up to actually do something real and genuine to improve conditions on the Indian reservations.
Monday, March 03, 2014
Matthew McConaughey, God And Hollywood
I continued my Academy Award hate and did not watch the 86th installment of the secular bacchanalia.
I am sorry, however, to have missed this speech by the Best Actor, Matthew McConaughey in which he started off by thanking not his agent, not his family, or the adoring fans.
Matthew McConaughey thanked GOD for his achievement.
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Below is the actual short, yet heartfelt acceptance speech.
I am sorry, however, to have missed this speech by the Best Actor, Matthew McConaughey in which he started off by thanking not his agent, not his family, or the adoring fans.
Matthew McConaughey thanked GOD for his achievement.
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Below is the actual short, yet heartfelt acceptance speech.
It's not the first time that an actor or actress has thanked God for the accomplishments he or she has had in their acting career. If memory serves me right, and it is not from watching but reading and watching news reports about it, Denzel Washington was pretty quick to thank God for winning a Best Actor award a few years ago. But Mr. Washington is Black and I guess the secular crowd that is Hollywood thought it was OK. You know, a Black American Christian. Maybe he attends something like the Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago, the former home church of our Dear Leader, President Obama.
But a regular White guy? Not just thanking God but realizing that while he has grown in his profession, the gift of his acting is a gift from Almighty God?
Watch the video because it is striking what gets the biggest cheer from the audience. Let's just stipulate it is not thanking God. Or his daddy. Or his mom. Or his wife. It's only about two minutes and thirty-three seconds long.
Many good people get involved in acting and or entertainment. But there is just something that seems to happen when they make it big.
Some shed the thing that made them pursue acting and or entertaining.
That is their belief in God.
I can only imagine how bad that can be for an actual Christian believer. So many that do spout off about religion in general and Christianity in general show abject ignorance. And downright hatred towards religion.
I suspect that the secular crowd that dominates every aspect of Hollywood are insular enough not to know many, if any, Christian believers. like any thing else, we are not all the same. The talents and gifts that God gives us takes us the time to understand. Some of them are direct spiritual gifts, as Paul addressed here in 1 Corinthians: 12. I'm not sure if Mr. McConaughey's acting falls into particular spiritual gifts, but I must admit I usually enjoy the movies that I see him in. But that he thanked God for where he is shows that he gets the overall Christian message in this respect.
That all we do, good or bad, is from God. Whether we understand that or not is a lifelong journey.
But back to the Hollywood secularists.
My feeling is that their "knowledge" of Christians is probably the Fred Phelps' types and the Westboro Baptist "Church". Or some of the more silly comments made by such evangelists as the Rev. Pat Robertson. In other words, they will look at the extreme, more fundamentalist people in Christianity and think, that is what it's all about.
Too bad that the Hollywood secular crowd does not look at such Christians as the Rev. Billy Graham, his son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, and the wonderful work of Samaritan's Purse. Or how about the Salvation Army and all the good that they have done? Nah, in the closed minds of Hollywood secularists, most Christians are no good and really, they want nothing to do with them.
How sad.
For all the talk of diversity and thought, when it comes to religion in general, and Christianity in particular, the Hollywood secularist mind closes tighter than a vise.
Take the new movie Non Stop starring Liam Neeson.
Skip the next paragraph if you do not want to know anything about the plot. You have been warned!
See, Hollywood thinks that a family member of a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks would get some military dude to essentially hijack a plane, electronically, and that one of the heroes of the flight is an Islamic doctor, dressed in full garb and bearded.
Islam is not Christian and it is picked on and misunderstood. And really, if they do bad things it is probably the fault of the United States and especially Christianity. And don't forget them there Crusades.
So I do believe that when Hollywood is exposed to a person like Matthew McConaughey, they are essentially left speechless. They do not get that people really, really believe that there is something bigger than what is in this world. That God is important enough to thank more than anything shows an amazing thing that Mr. McConaughey probably did not think much about because he spoke from his heart. And his heart is with God.
Hollywood needs to free its secular mind and welcome Christian believers and not seek to change them into soulless secularists. Learn from them. Learn that they are not a threat but a person that believes in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). And that if they share with you, just be open, not dismissive.
Many Christians, myself and Mrs. RVFTLC, like movies. I am more discriminating than Mrs. RVFTLC. Or in her mind, not so much. We pay money to see movies. We don't like to feel unwelcome but some in Hollywood are so narrow that they comment derisively on what we believe without any real knowledge of us.
I am thankful that Matthew McConaughey spoke so eloquently last night. Hollywood should listen to all that he said.
Saturday, March 01, 2014
Michelle Obama To America's Food Shopping Moms: You're Stupid!
Well how else can one take what Mrs. Dear Leader, First Lady Michelle Obama, is saying in this article?
First, I would like to speak for all the food shopping dads out there and point out how sexist this whole presentation is. I mean, men do food shopping. I do. Most of the time with Mrs. RVFTLC, but in the past I have done all the shopping.
But the condescending approach that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama takes to justify the now big-print nutrition information is so, so maddening. I can't believe that an American shopping mom would buy into this crap.
But trust me, they do.
Here is a short video of the announcement. Watch if you so choose.
But here is a question for those who advocate nutrition labels in the first place.
How did we, as a society, live to good, ripe old ages without the big hand of the government giving us all this information in the first place?
I think that for most of us, we did quite alright, thank you very much. Like anything else, some nutritional guidelines have changed over the years and that is important to know. And one of the positives of the labels, yes there are, is that someone like Mrs. RVFTLC can figure out how to adjust her insulin pump with the carbohydrate information provided.
But read this and tell me that the average American mom doing the weekly shopping really does this:
"So there you stood, alone in some aisle in a store, the clock ticking away at the precious little time remaining to complete your weekly grocery shopping, and all you could do was scratch your head, confused and bewildered, and wonder, is there too much sugar in this product? Is 50 percent of the daily allowance of riboflavin a good thing or a bad thing? And how on Earth could this teeny little package contain five whole servings?"
The only thing that I agree with Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, is about the servings. I believe that pygmy people were used to figure that serving count.
Sorry for the digression.
Yes you gals, you are all alone in that aisle at the local Ralph's or Vons supermarket. And especially alone at any given Costco. And that clock, no not the biological one, but the clock on the wall, is ticking away. You have an item in your hand and you are, you are scratching your head in confusion. OMG! Is there too much sugar?! What, what about that riboflavin?! What is the right amount?! Are they kidding about the serving amount?!
Are you serious Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama? Have you ever, ever done that in your life as a human being?
I'm just gonna say it.
Hell no!
Oh but ladies, it goes on:
"This stream of questions and worries running through your head when all you really wanted to know was, should I be eating this or not? Is this good for my kids or not? And if it is healthy, how much of it should I be eating? But unless you had a thesaurus, a calculator, a microscope, or a degree in nutrition, you were out of luck. So you felt defeated, and you just gave up and went back to buying the same stuff you always buy."
Yes Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, all most people want to know is whether or not any given food item is good, and hopefully good for you. And the whole damn point of the nutrition information WAS to make life supposedly easier for the American food shopping mom. For in her world, dads never shop. Sexist! And most gals that do the weekly family shopping feel defeated because of what they are buying as much as how damn expensive it is!
But ladies, please don't think that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama is done. Of course not! She goes on:
"And that's a familiar scenario for far too many families and parents trying to do the right thing for their kids -- and it's simply not acceptable."
What is not acceptable? That some gals don't know how to shop?
I know that it has been 32 years-OUCH!-since I left high school, but I remember that it was required that both the boys and girls had to take an home economics class. In fact, I had to take one called Contemporary Living. More like Contemptible Living. Hell, I even had to be married and if memory serves me right, we even had a child. Anyhow, in home ec, we learned something called shopping for food and how to do so on a budget and even how to get healthy food on that budget. Amazingly, that can be done and one can even attain such items at the 99c Store.
So, have high schools across the United States given up on that? Seriously, I want to know. Because if that is the case, then no wonder there are problems with obesity in the United States.
Good Lord, this woman never stops because WAIT! There's more:
"As consumers and as parents, we have a right to understand what's in the food we're feeding our families. Because that's really the only way that we can make informed choices -- by having clear, accurate information."
Oddly, I am in agreement with Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, on that one. Yes we do need to have that information. And most people can actually figure that out. Really, they can.
As I pointed out, Mrs. RVFTLC is a type I diabetic. She really, really has to watch what she eats. And as I noted she has to be especially careful about carbs. The whole concept of the nutrition label is for someone like her. And amazingly, she does not have a problem figuring all of that out.
Unlike our First Lady, I really give people more credit than she does. I think that most of those that do the family shopping can figure the nutrition label information out. And yes, it is really up to parents to deal with portion control. They should not base it on a label but on their children and there ability to maintain healthy eating and the ability to burn off excess metabolism.
I mean, updating aspects of the label is probably a good thing. Really on the servings. But leave it to the First Lady to make a possible good thing a way to insult and needlessly lecture the moms (and dads even if she won't say it!) and make them sound brain dead.
I don't think that it is a bad thing being done, but be positive about it, Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama. Don't make a time to make us all sound like yokels. Just point out that it is something to update and allow for revision where it has been needed.
But no, not at all.
For this is what the Obama's live for.
To make it seem like life in these United States is sooooo bad that the heavy hand of government is always needed as a way to make something, something in our dreadful lives easier.
I'm cutting through the crap to let you gals and guys know that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, thinks you are stupid!
First, I would like to speak for all the food shopping dads out there and point out how sexist this whole presentation is. I mean, men do food shopping. I do. Most of the time with Mrs. RVFTLC, but in the past I have done all the shopping.
But the condescending approach that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama takes to justify the now big-print nutrition information is so, so maddening. I can't believe that an American shopping mom would buy into this crap.
But trust me, they do.
But here is a question for those who advocate nutrition labels in the first place.
How did we, as a society, live to good, ripe old ages without the big hand of the government giving us all this information in the first place?
I think that for most of us, we did quite alright, thank you very much. Like anything else, some nutritional guidelines have changed over the years and that is important to know. And one of the positives of the labels, yes there are, is that someone like Mrs. RVFTLC can figure out how to adjust her insulin pump with the carbohydrate information provided.
But read this and tell me that the average American mom doing the weekly shopping really does this:
"So there you stood, alone in some aisle in a store, the clock ticking away at the precious little time remaining to complete your weekly grocery shopping, and all you could do was scratch your head, confused and bewildered, and wonder, is there too much sugar in this product? Is 50 percent of the daily allowance of riboflavin a good thing or a bad thing? And how on Earth could this teeny little package contain five whole servings?"
The only thing that I agree with Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, is about the servings. I believe that pygmy people were used to figure that serving count.
Sorry for the digression.
Yes you gals, you are all alone in that aisle at the local Ralph's or Vons supermarket. And especially alone at any given Costco. And that clock, no not the biological one, but the clock on the wall, is ticking away. You have an item in your hand and you are, you are scratching your head in confusion. OMG! Is there too much sugar?! What, what about that riboflavin?! What is the right amount?! Are they kidding about the serving amount?!
Are you serious Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama? Have you ever, ever done that in your life as a human being?
I'm just gonna say it.
Hell no!
Oh but ladies, it goes on:
"This stream of questions and worries running through your head when all you really wanted to know was, should I be eating this or not? Is this good for my kids or not? And if it is healthy, how much of it should I be eating? But unless you had a thesaurus, a calculator, a microscope, or a degree in nutrition, you were out of luck. So you felt defeated, and you just gave up and went back to buying the same stuff you always buy."
Yes Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, all most people want to know is whether or not any given food item is good, and hopefully good for you. And the whole damn point of the nutrition information WAS to make life supposedly easier for the American food shopping mom. For in her world, dads never shop. Sexist! And most gals that do the weekly family shopping feel defeated because of what they are buying as much as how damn expensive it is!
But ladies, please don't think that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama is done. Of course not! She goes on:
"And that's a familiar scenario for far too many families and parents trying to do the right thing for their kids -- and it's simply not acceptable."
What is not acceptable? That some gals don't know how to shop?
I know that it has been 32 years-OUCH!-since I left high school, but I remember that it was required that both the boys and girls had to take an home economics class. In fact, I had to take one called Contemporary Living. More like Contemptible Living. Hell, I even had to be married and if memory serves me right, we even had a child. Anyhow, in home ec, we learned something called shopping for food and how to do so on a budget and even how to get healthy food on that budget. Amazingly, that can be done and one can even attain such items at the 99c Store.
So, have high schools across the United States given up on that? Seriously, I want to know. Because if that is the case, then no wonder there are problems with obesity in the United States.
Good Lord, this woman never stops because WAIT! There's more:
"As consumers and as parents, we have a right to understand what's in the food we're feeding our families. Because that's really the only way that we can make informed choices -- by having clear, accurate information."
Oddly, I am in agreement with Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, on that one. Yes we do need to have that information. And most people can actually figure that out. Really, they can.
As I pointed out, Mrs. RVFTLC is a type I diabetic. She really, really has to watch what she eats. And as I noted she has to be especially careful about carbs. The whole concept of the nutrition label is for someone like her. And amazingly, she does not have a problem figuring all of that out.
Unlike our First Lady, I really give people more credit than she does. I think that most of those that do the family shopping can figure the nutrition label information out. And yes, it is really up to parents to deal with portion control. They should not base it on a label but on their children and there ability to maintain healthy eating and the ability to burn off excess metabolism.
I mean, updating aspects of the label is probably a good thing. Really on the servings. But leave it to the First Lady to make a possible good thing a way to insult and needlessly lecture the moms (and dads even if she won't say it!) and make them sound brain dead.
I don't think that it is a bad thing being done, but be positive about it, Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama. Don't make a time to make us all sound like yokels. Just point out that it is something to update and allow for revision where it has been needed.
But no, not at all.
For this is what the Obama's live for.
To make it seem like life in these United States is sooooo bad that the heavy hand of government is always needed as a way to make something, something in our dreadful lives easier.
I'm cutting through the crap to let you gals and guys know that Mrs. Dear Leader, Mrs. Obama, thinks you are stupid!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)