In need of a semi-used jet? Citigroup has two for sale – $27 million is all it will cost you per plane. Seems they won’t need the aircraft after all.
On Monday, the company announced replacing them with a brand new $50 million Dassault Falcon 7X business jet. Now, up to 12 overpaid executives will enjoy a cruising range of 5,950 miles and luxurious seating. By Tuesday, under government pressure reaching all the way to the White House, Citigroup decided it would not be a prudent idea and decided to rescind the order.
This spending of our tax dollars should make even the calmest of you experience a rise in blood pressure. It was reported the order’s cancellation will result in heavy penalties to be paid to Dassault. It had to be cheaper than $50 million for the new plane, right? With million dollar bathrooms, $100,000 trash baskets and overpriced perks galore, what is next for Citigroup? Then, one could only expect this and other blatant misuse of our tax dollars when the faucet is broken and Joe the Plumber is nowhere to be found.
Citigroup is no stranger to controversy. More than 15 years ago, then Chairman John Reed abruptly fell in love with a flight attendant. This prompted the following quote and joke among Wall Street circles – when the company’s jets prepared for landing, passengers were advised, “Please buckle your seat belt, stow your tray table, and put your stewardess in an upright position.” Not really funny, but you have to find a bright spot in this bleak picture.
Each day, this blog is e-mailed to Senator Carl Levin. I doubt he reads it, but the blog is received. Senator Debbie Stabenow has set up her e-mail to reject it as an “unknown address” or “not coming from a real person.” Several times, I wrote to her explaining I am a person. Maybe she refuses to accept that little fact after she failed to receive my vote in her election.
On Monday, it was reported 71,400 people lost their jobs. That is 9,600 jobs less than have been lost in the Flint area from General Motors and their suppliers in the last 25 years
Unemployment figures are highly misleading. Only considered are the people collecting or filing for benefits. It does not take note there are countless millions who are without hope of work and have exhausted the benefits. These folks have become a non statistic, excluding them from the total count.
Even sadder is most of those people have abandoned all hope of finding gainful employment. You cannot survive with a family of four and one minimum wage job. Desperation sets in, and you either rely on government assistance or turn to crime.
Once again, I strongly urge all of you to please write, call or ambush your legislators with questions and express the outrage at this deplorable situation and abuse of America’s funds.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Trigger Finger
The Second Amendment reads: "a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Gun control and the liberals go hand in hand – just as members of the National Rifle Association are in partnership with the right wing conservatives. Debates as to how to curb the gun violence we experience daily in our society rages on and on.
The simple solution lies in the common sense of thinking clearly on the subject.
My personal knowledge of weapons began when I was seven with my first BB gun. It continues today with practice and hunting using weapons of my choice. Education now, as it was 50 years ago for me, is the answer.
The important education from my father, regarding the care and handling of my first firearm, was the best solution. Despite what the urbanites (all races) think, guns are not toys! My father was a stern task master, drilling into us once you pull the trigger, you can’t take it back. From a man who had experienced war and killing first hand, safety always was the first concern. My father-in-law taught his four boys the same values, setting up a range in their basement which instilled responsible respect for the handling of firearms.
One would think people carrying and using weapons, of every description, would learn from the war waged on each other on our streets. You never read stories about responsible gun owners, such as hunters and shooting enthusiasts/professionals misusing their own weapons. The training process can only begin at an early age. Kids, introduced to young hunter safety courses, are not the same children hanging out in school parking lots and our city streets, wielding deadly weapons as if they were water pistols.
The law enacted, known as “one with a gun will get you 10 in the pen,” has not had the slightest effect on the problem,nor has any of the so called gun control laws on the books. No, the satisfactory solution must start in the home. As with any endeavor, responsibility begins and ends with the parents. Right or wrong, I chose not to expose my children to guns. They never expressed an interest or fascination, which was prevalent during my youth.
One final thought: do you often wonder why a professional athlete feels the need to carry a weapon for personal protection? To my knowledge, no pro sports figure has ever been assassinated. One can only imagine what these so called “role models” are conveying to the kids who view them as some sort of god.
Guns in America will never disappear; however, the ignorance should.
Gun control and the liberals go hand in hand – just as members of the National Rifle Association are in partnership with the right wing conservatives. Debates as to how to curb the gun violence we experience daily in our society rages on and on.
The simple solution lies in the common sense of thinking clearly on the subject.
My personal knowledge of weapons began when I was seven with my first BB gun. It continues today with practice and hunting using weapons of my choice. Education now, as it was 50 years ago for me, is the answer.
The important education from my father, regarding the care and handling of my first firearm, was the best solution. Despite what the urbanites (all races) think, guns are not toys! My father was a stern task master, drilling into us once you pull the trigger, you can’t take it back. From a man who had experienced war and killing first hand, safety always was the first concern. My father-in-law taught his four boys the same values, setting up a range in their basement which instilled responsible respect for the handling of firearms.
One would think people carrying and using weapons, of every description, would learn from the war waged on each other on our streets. You never read stories about responsible gun owners, such as hunters and shooting enthusiasts/professionals misusing their own weapons. The training process can only begin at an early age. Kids, introduced to young hunter safety courses, are not the same children hanging out in school parking lots and our city streets, wielding deadly weapons as if they were water pistols.
The law enacted, known as “one with a gun will get you 10 in the pen,” has not had the slightest effect on the problem,nor has any of the so called gun control laws on the books. No, the satisfactory solution must start in the home. As with any endeavor, responsibility begins and ends with the parents. Right or wrong, I chose not to expose my children to guns. They never expressed an interest or fascination, which was prevalent during my youth.
One final thought: do you often wonder why a professional athlete feels the need to carry a weapon for personal protection? To my knowledge, no pro sports figure has ever been assassinated. One can only imagine what these so called “role models” are conveying to the kids who view them as some sort of god.
Guns in America will never disappear; however, the ignorance should.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Common Sense Discussion
Guest Blogger: Garrett Farmer
(January 7, 2009) To Craig,
There is no such thing as common sense. Common sense implies that everyone has some inherent shared knowledge. This cannot be true as we are not born with knowledge, and we have not all experienced the same things. Even in the event of a shared experience, we all react to things differently depending on our prior dispositions. We all add to our knowledge base separately. We are not a unified consciousness. Saying people lack common sense is silly.
(January 8, 2009) To Garrett,
I have been giving a magnanimous amount of thought to your idea that there is no such thing as common sense. I have to disagree, because if there is no common sense then we have can't have common ground, common bonds, common purposes, or anything else that falls under the disguise of being in common. Your argument will hold liquid only in the fact that everybody perceives things differently, however I use the term in relevance to people exerting good and sound judgment in all of their actions and decisions.
I am sure you have met people with this trait (maybe in your own family).
Hope I didn't make you mad with my warped logic --I seem to have that unique talent recently.
(January 23, 2009) To Craig,
We don't have common purposes and goals as a society. There are a multitude of goals and ideologies that people hold dear. That's why we have government. They listen to the ideas of different groups of people then act for those groups. If we all shared the same common beliefs and goals, there would be no need for government.
Logic. Reason. Judgment. "Good sense." These are not common attributes in people. Most people do not have a background in logic, reason, or good judgment because these things are not taught anywhere close to universally. Good sense is a term relevant to the person with or without it.
To use common sense in argument, as you have, is to make a poor argument. Although it may be true that most people have some "common sense" (it's a bad idea to stick one's hand in a fire), it is unfair to assume that people share common beliefs toward complex problems. For instance, you have no way of knowing how the common American feels about a GM bailout. I would guess that, since it has been such a huge topic of debate, there are many opinions.
Furthermore, even if a large majority did feel one way about a bailout, it is not a good idea to make policy based on that majority's opinion. Most people don't have a background in economics, business, etc. Why should they be trusted to make sound decisions in such matters? Let's say you're in the E.R. with a broken arm, and twenty patients said there was no way to repair the bone. They suggest you amputate it to save yourself from gangrene. There are also three doctors in the room. They say they can put your arm in a cast, and you'll be fine in a month. Whose opinion will you trust here? In the 60's a lot of people said it was common sense that black people were not people- they were animals that didn't deserve the same rights as whites. This was a commonly held belief among a lot of people. I'm glad we got past common sense and looked at the issue more thoroughly.
None of this is meant to say that we should blindly trust in our leaders- I am always of the opinion that we should be questioning the reasoning of government. We should question it based on solid logic and reasoning though- not on what we perceive to the publics’ "common sense."
Thanks again for writing the blog. I read it every other day or so. I enjoy listening to your views and stories.
(January 7, 2009) To Craig,
There is no such thing as common sense. Common sense implies that everyone has some inherent shared knowledge. This cannot be true as we are not born with knowledge, and we have not all experienced the same things. Even in the event of a shared experience, we all react to things differently depending on our prior dispositions. We all add to our knowledge base separately. We are not a unified consciousness. Saying people lack common sense is silly.
(January 8, 2009) To Garrett,
I have been giving a magnanimous amount of thought to your idea that there is no such thing as common sense. I have to disagree, because if there is no common sense then we have can't have common ground, common bonds, common purposes, or anything else that falls under the disguise of being in common. Your argument will hold liquid only in the fact that everybody perceives things differently, however I use the term in relevance to people exerting good and sound judgment in all of their actions and decisions.
I am sure you have met people with this trait (maybe in your own family).
Hope I didn't make you mad with my warped logic --I seem to have that unique talent recently.
(January 23, 2009) To Craig,
We don't have common purposes and goals as a society. There are a multitude of goals and ideologies that people hold dear. That's why we have government. They listen to the ideas of different groups of people then act for those groups. If we all shared the same common beliefs and goals, there would be no need for government.
Logic. Reason. Judgment. "Good sense." These are not common attributes in people. Most people do not have a background in logic, reason, or good judgment because these things are not taught anywhere close to universally. Good sense is a term relevant to the person with or without it.
To use common sense in argument, as you have, is to make a poor argument. Although it may be true that most people have some "common sense" (it's a bad idea to stick one's hand in a fire), it is unfair to assume that people share common beliefs toward complex problems. For instance, you have no way of knowing how the common American feels about a GM bailout. I would guess that, since it has been such a huge topic of debate, there are many opinions.
Furthermore, even if a large majority did feel one way about a bailout, it is not a good idea to make policy based on that majority's opinion. Most people don't have a background in economics, business, etc. Why should they be trusted to make sound decisions in such matters? Let's say you're in the E.R. with a broken arm, and twenty patients said there was no way to repair the bone. They suggest you amputate it to save yourself from gangrene. There are also three doctors in the room. They say they can put your arm in a cast, and you'll be fine in a month. Whose opinion will you trust here? In the 60's a lot of people said it was common sense that black people were not people- they were animals that didn't deserve the same rights as whites. This was a commonly held belief among a lot of people. I'm glad we got past common sense and looked at the issue more thoroughly.
None of this is meant to say that we should blindly trust in our leaders- I am always of the opinion that we should be questioning the reasoning of government. We should question it based on solid logic and reasoning though- not on what we perceive to the publics’ "common sense."
Thanks again for writing the blog. I read it every other day or so. I enjoy listening to your views and stories.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Army Politics: Left-Right, Left-Right
Today, I am going to tear apart two people – Rush Limbaugh and Keith Olberman.
Rush Limbaugh claims to be the conservative voice of America, and he has the audacity to call his show “Education in Broadcasting.” As you will read, it does not seem possible he remotely is qualified to educate anyone. However, conservatives eat his rhetoric like a diabetic craves candy. These people believe they can quote him chapter and verse.
A college dropout, Limbaugh was lucky enough to draw 175 as draft number, when only 125 birthdays were called during the Vietnam War in 1969. I am positive his 4-F rating, due to either a football knee injury or a diagnosis of Pilonidal disease, and high lottery number kept him from fleeing to Canada. He also was charged with doctor shopping – illegally obtaining prescription drugs hydrocodone and oxycodone in 2003.
This pompous and cowardly man, who sits in this studio, hid behind the microphone with the gall to say to his listeners, three days before the inauguration, “I hope Obama fails.” Thank God our nation gives him the right to say such a thing to a man who was yet to take the oath of office.
As a true, supportive American, who is granted the right to daily spout his nonsense, for three hours nationally, and earn $33 million a year to do so; Limbaugh can afford to be a conservative. A book should be written on all the stupid stuff he pulls out of his (oh, that’s right, I promised to keep this clean). Rush never gives his callers a chance. If he disagrees with their premise, he cuts them off with his constant pooh-poohing and babbling.
Limbaugh’s personal life also has been a mess with three failed marriages. However, he owns a really nice set of golf clubs and smokes quality cigars – two of his passions. In 2007, a survey was conducted, as results showed he held the worst approval rating, with a 2-1 margin against, among 18 talk show hosts. His only true radio competitor is now the junior Senator from Minnesota. Limbaugh should put his money where his mouth is, stand up and be counted, or at least get involved with more than his voice.
Keith Olberman is the polar opposite of Rush. A Cornell graduate, with a bachelor’s in communications, Olberman is liberal to the point of being fanatical. His nightly, thrice aired show on MSNBC is stated to be a “news show counting down the day’s top five stories.”
Of course, it is nothing of the sort. Olberman turns his chosen stories to pursue his own political platform. Also, he is into name calling – a popular theme among these types of political commentators. The other night, Olberman suggested President Obama should pursue charges against President Bush for abusing those who planned the Sept. 11 attacks. Olberman and Rush are given this privilege through the efforts of President Bush, as well as all men and women who have died to insure they maintain their freedom of speech.
Whenever possible, he seems to enjoy invoking history lessons to compare what the conservatives have done wrong and how things will turn out. He is quite fond of using the Nazis as an example. By the way, Olberman makes approximately $7 million a year, almost enough money to be a conservative.
He should get off his (oops almost did it again) and run for city council somewhere to learn the responsibilities involved in politics. At least Jerry Springer once served as Mayor of Cincinnati!
These two men are counter productive in our society and do nothing but stir their collective cauldrons with askewed views of the situations before them.
Think for yourselves people,draw your own conclusions, and use your brains and the good sense God gave all of us.
Rush Limbaugh claims to be the conservative voice of America, and he has the audacity to call his show “Education in Broadcasting.” As you will read, it does not seem possible he remotely is qualified to educate anyone. However, conservatives eat his rhetoric like a diabetic craves candy. These people believe they can quote him chapter and verse.
A college dropout, Limbaugh was lucky enough to draw 175 as draft number, when only 125 birthdays were called during the Vietnam War in 1969. I am positive his 4-F rating, due to either a football knee injury or a diagnosis of Pilonidal disease, and high lottery number kept him from fleeing to Canada. He also was charged with doctor shopping – illegally obtaining prescription drugs hydrocodone and oxycodone in 2003.
This pompous and cowardly man, who sits in this studio, hid behind the microphone with the gall to say to his listeners, three days before the inauguration, “I hope Obama fails.” Thank God our nation gives him the right to say such a thing to a man who was yet to take the oath of office.
As a true, supportive American, who is granted the right to daily spout his nonsense, for three hours nationally, and earn $33 million a year to do so; Limbaugh can afford to be a conservative. A book should be written on all the stupid stuff he pulls out of his (oh, that’s right, I promised to keep this clean). Rush never gives his callers a chance. If he disagrees with their premise, he cuts them off with his constant pooh-poohing and babbling.
Limbaugh’s personal life also has been a mess with three failed marriages. However, he owns a really nice set of golf clubs and smokes quality cigars – two of his passions. In 2007, a survey was conducted, as results showed he held the worst approval rating, with a 2-1 margin against, among 18 talk show hosts. His only true radio competitor is now the junior Senator from Minnesota. Limbaugh should put his money where his mouth is, stand up and be counted, or at least get involved with more than his voice.
Keith Olberman is the polar opposite of Rush. A Cornell graduate, with a bachelor’s in communications, Olberman is liberal to the point of being fanatical. His nightly, thrice aired show on MSNBC is stated to be a “news show counting down the day’s top five stories.”
Of course, it is nothing of the sort. Olberman turns his chosen stories to pursue his own political platform. Also, he is into name calling – a popular theme among these types of political commentators. The other night, Olberman suggested President Obama should pursue charges against President Bush for abusing those who planned the Sept. 11 attacks. Olberman and Rush are given this privilege through the efforts of President Bush, as well as all men and women who have died to insure they maintain their freedom of speech.
Whenever possible, he seems to enjoy invoking history lessons to compare what the conservatives have done wrong and how things will turn out. He is quite fond of using the Nazis as an example. By the way, Olberman makes approximately $7 million a year, almost enough money to be a conservative.
He should get off his (oops almost did it again) and run for city council somewhere to learn the responsibilities involved in politics. At least Jerry Springer once served as Mayor of Cincinnati!
These two men are counter productive in our society and do nothing but stir their collective cauldrons with askewed views of the situations before them.
Think for yourselves people,draw your own conclusions, and use your brains and the good sense God gave all of us.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Trickle Down Greed
The Latin phrase “carpe diem” translates to English as “making the most of present opportunities” or “seize the day!” This appears to be the case of the middle class over the last 10 years.
Middle class families, with annual incomes ranging from $50,000 to $120,000, were homeowners who were able to secure three and four mortgages on their houses and properties. Instead of paying off credit card debt or making improvements to add value to the homes, they foolishly spent the extra money on trips, cars and other luxuries.
They made the most of the opportunity provided by the housing bubble, taking advantage of inflated property values to secure these loans. Now that it’s time to “pay the piper,” they gather in large numbers before the federal government to seek a piece of the money pie – the old adage of what is good for the goose, etc.
You have to believe while engaging in these home equity loans, at the same time, these people were maxing out three or four credit cards. The concept of living within one’s own means has been lost by the generations of today. The “wants” of these people heavily outweigh the “needs” to a zealot extent.
Take no pity on these people and their situations – for they made the bed in which they now lie. Where was the common sense and foresight to know they would never be able to pay off the debts? My educated guess is the idea was spawn from a higher authority (and I don’t mean God).
Losing one’s job and the idea of losing a home because you have no money to pay off a mortgage is a different situation than the greed driven consumer who over burdened the system with their wants.
Please urge your State Representatives and Senators in Washington to help the needy and forget the greedy, for they deserve what awaits in their financial futures.
Seize the day!
Middle class families, with annual incomes ranging from $50,000 to $120,000, were homeowners who were able to secure three and four mortgages on their houses and properties. Instead of paying off credit card debt or making improvements to add value to the homes, they foolishly spent the extra money on trips, cars and other luxuries.
They made the most of the opportunity provided by the housing bubble, taking advantage of inflated property values to secure these loans. Now that it’s time to “pay the piper,” they gather in large numbers before the federal government to seek a piece of the money pie – the old adage of what is good for the goose, etc.
You have to believe while engaging in these home equity loans, at the same time, these people were maxing out three or four credit cards. The concept of living within one’s own means has been lost by the generations of today. The “wants” of these people heavily outweigh the “needs” to a zealot extent.
Take no pity on these people and their situations – for they made the bed in which they now lie. Where was the common sense and foresight to know they would never be able to pay off the debts? My educated guess is the idea was spawn from a higher authority (and I don’t mean God).
Losing one’s job and the idea of losing a home because you have no money to pay off a mortgage is a different situation than the greed driven consumer who over burdened the system with their wants.
Please urge your State Representatives and Senators in Washington to help the needy and forget the greedy, for they deserve what awaits in their financial futures.
Seize the day!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Friday’s Rambling
Last week, Circuit City Stores, Inc. announced it was closing all stores and relieving 30,000 employees of their jobs. This is not a remarkable fact, as several more companies probably will be doing the same in the coming year(s). What is surprising is what the company founder Samuel Wurtzel’s son, Alan Wurtzel, had said.
Alan previously stated Circuit City didn’t take the threat of rival Best Buy Co. seriously enough and, at some point, were too focused on making a profit in the short term instead of building long-term value.
Very strange words from a man, as the family took the money for their company and ran all the way to the bank, leaving the common shareholders to twist in the wind with what will be worthless stock.
Knowing a former Circuit City employee and avid reader of this blog, I hope he feels vindicated in honestly answering customers’ concerns while employed, instead of taking said customers on the “Full Journey” – a term store managers were directed to drill into all employees.
Doesn’t it make your blood pressure boil just thinking about the corporations interested only in short-term gains with no foresight of what that mentality has wrought? Now, and in the future, they will be paying the price for the avarice ruling our economy for the last 20 years.
Speaking of greed, for any of you unlucky enough (such as myself) to own bank stocks, it’s getting close to the time when we are able to repaper the dining room walls. The equities in our financial institutions continue to plummet. Similar to the rest of you, I thought the $700 billion was supposed to fix this problem. It seems the problem was solved when the bank officials and wise fools on the hill needed to assure their wallets were fat enough to cushion the blow of the fall.
As the weekend is upon us, please remember to spend time with others, whether it is your family, friends or neighbors. Let’s hope and pray the key leaders in the new administration be guided with a modicum of wisdom and common sense.
Alan previously stated Circuit City didn’t take the threat of rival Best Buy Co. seriously enough and, at some point, were too focused on making a profit in the short term instead of building long-term value.
Very strange words from a man, as the family took the money for their company and ran all the way to the bank, leaving the common shareholders to twist in the wind with what will be worthless stock.
Knowing a former Circuit City employee and avid reader of this blog, I hope he feels vindicated in honestly answering customers’ concerns while employed, instead of taking said customers on the “Full Journey” – a term store managers were directed to drill into all employees.
Doesn’t it make your blood pressure boil just thinking about the corporations interested only in short-term gains with no foresight of what that mentality has wrought? Now, and in the future, they will be paying the price for the avarice ruling our economy for the last 20 years.
Speaking of greed, for any of you unlucky enough (such as myself) to own bank stocks, it’s getting close to the time when we are able to repaper the dining room walls. The equities in our financial institutions continue to plummet. Similar to the rest of you, I thought the $700 billion was supposed to fix this problem. It seems the problem was solved when the bank officials and wise fools on the hill needed to assure their wallets were fat enough to cushion the blow of the fall.
As the weekend is upon us, please remember to spend time with others, whether it is your family, friends or neighbors. Let’s hope and pray the key leaders in the new administration be guided with a modicum of wisdom and common sense.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sloppy Ears
It has been my good fortune to have been associated with three generations of Bassett Hounds.
The hound of my youth, Boompa Aloysius Miller; the hound of my son’s youth, Beauregard “Beau” Henry Miller; and the hound of my daughter’s youth, Generosity “Genny” Mae Miller – all of them proud members of the great organization known as the American Kennel Club.
Yes, they all had proper papers, and each of them were unique in their own way.
Boompa was an engaging animal to say the least. He would engage the leg of any unsuspecting stranger with a multitude of gyrations. He was the only Bassett we would take hunting. Funny dog, Boompa was not afraid of a 12-guage shotgun blast. However, he had the most peculiar hunting style. His method was to follow the last hunter, until he felt it was time to lie down. At which point, the hunter would unload the shotgun, pick up the dog, throw him over a shoulder and carry him home. Great canine instincts had taken over. By the time he was five years old, the only thing Boompa ever managed to flush were cars. This is until one day a van ran him over. My father took him to the veterinarian, and a half hour later, he was back to humping things. Boompa never again chased cars.
Beau was as gentle a soul as I have ever had the privilege to encounter. For the first couple of years, the poor hound was left in a basement all day until we could get home to play and let him outside. He continued to believe our unfinished basement was his personal bathroom the rest of his life, sneaking down there when he felt nobody was paying enough attention to him.
When Beau was two, our son was born. There never was a dog as loyal to a baby as Beau. He would guard him every second, while playing with him during his waking hours. Boy and dog became best of friends, spending many happy hours together. Did I mention I learned from the dog of my youth and had Beau fixed (no humping).
Without a doubt, Genny was the most cantankerous beast I have ever known. Before she was a year old and we had her fixed, she experienced false labor, beginning a life long habit of nesting. Genny was not dumb by any means. She taught herself tricks when mere mortals failed at all attempts. Come, sit, stay and heel were meaningless jabbering to her. She did manage to master opening all doors both inside and to the outdoors.
Funny thing about opening the outside door, she never taught her self the fine art of closing it. Genny easily was able to unwrap Christmas presents and open boxes containing all edible items. “No” was a foreign word to her, as it became to our growing daughter.
After viewing the movie “Marley and Me” the other day, I remembered one of the main reasons we decided to never get another dog. It’s the heartache on a child’s face, when the decision is made to have to put your pet – really a member of your family – to sleep.
In the case of Beau, my son and very young daughter said their goodbyes at the vet’s office. In Genny’s case, her unwrapping of things was her undoing, as she ate an entire $100,000 candy bar – wrapper and all. Her stomach twisted, at the age of 13; there was no chance of recovery. On a Christmas Day, at an emergency veterinary clinic, my son and I said goodbye to our last Bassett Hound.
Alas all is not lost, for we have two of the best Bassett's ever Spartacus and Peanut. They stand vigilant guard in our front yard, of course they are concrete and never need to be fed, walked, or cleaned up after.
After all has been written and said, whether you own dogs, cats, hamsters or turtles, pets are good lessons in life, for any age and generation.
Pressure Idling Nicely No Meds Needed
The hound of my youth, Boompa Aloysius Miller; the hound of my son’s youth, Beauregard “Beau” Henry Miller; and the hound of my daughter’s youth, Generosity “Genny” Mae Miller – all of them proud members of the great organization known as the American Kennel Club.
Yes, they all had proper papers, and each of them were unique in their own way.
Boompa was an engaging animal to say the least. He would engage the leg of any unsuspecting stranger with a multitude of gyrations. He was the only Bassett we would take hunting. Funny dog, Boompa was not afraid of a 12-guage shotgun blast. However, he had the most peculiar hunting style. His method was to follow the last hunter, until he felt it was time to lie down. At which point, the hunter would unload the shotgun, pick up the dog, throw him over a shoulder and carry him home. Great canine instincts had taken over. By the time he was five years old, the only thing Boompa ever managed to flush were cars. This is until one day a van ran him over. My father took him to the veterinarian, and a half hour later, he was back to humping things. Boompa never again chased cars.
Beau was as gentle a soul as I have ever had the privilege to encounter. For the first couple of years, the poor hound was left in a basement all day until we could get home to play and let him outside. He continued to believe our unfinished basement was his personal bathroom the rest of his life, sneaking down there when he felt nobody was paying enough attention to him.
When Beau was two, our son was born. There never was a dog as loyal to a baby as Beau. He would guard him every second, while playing with him during his waking hours. Boy and dog became best of friends, spending many happy hours together. Did I mention I learned from the dog of my youth and had Beau fixed (no humping).
Without a doubt, Genny was the most cantankerous beast I have ever known. Before she was a year old and we had her fixed, she experienced false labor, beginning a life long habit of nesting. Genny was not dumb by any means. She taught herself tricks when mere mortals failed at all attempts. Come, sit, stay and heel were meaningless jabbering to her. She did manage to master opening all doors both inside and to the outdoors.
Funny thing about opening the outside door, she never taught her self the fine art of closing it. Genny easily was able to unwrap Christmas presents and open boxes containing all edible items. “No” was a foreign word to her, as it became to our growing daughter.
After viewing the movie “Marley and Me” the other day, I remembered one of the main reasons we decided to never get another dog. It’s the heartache on a child’s face, when the decision is made to have to put your pet – really a member of your family – to sleep.
In the case of Beau, my son and very young daughter said their goodbyes at the vet’s office. In Genny’s case, her unwrapping of things was her undoing, as she ate an entire $100,000 candy bar – wrapper and all. Her stomach twisted, at the age of 13; there was no chance of recovery. On a Christmas Day, at an emergency veterinary clinic, my son and I said goodbye to our last Bassett Hound.
Alas all is not lost, for we have two of the best Bassett's ever Spartacus and Peanut. They stand vigilant guard in our front yard, of course they are concrete and never need to be fed, walked, or cleaned up after.
After all has been written and said, whether you own dogs, cats, hamsters or turtles, pets are good lessons in life, for any age and generation.
Pressure Idling Nicely No Meds Needed
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Missed Opportunity?
President Obama may have used all his verbal ammo too soon. His acceptance speech yesterday lacked that brain grabbing rhetoric of previous soliloquies. He could have addressed the masses with the phrase which would be echoed for millenniums to follow. Alas, I fear he wasted his best words along the campaign trail.
In no way am I condemning Obama’s valiant attempt. It is a necessity Americans can work as one, as pleaded by the new President. The vast majority of us walk in the middle of the road, looking for the traffic signals to guide us on our American journey. It’s the fervent hope all of us will come together in an effort to reunite toward a common goal.
MSNBC reporters laughed when the crowd chanted, “Na-na-na-na, hey- hey-hey, goodbye,” to President Bush's helicopter; and the right wing FOX News began criticizing President Obama before the man could even enjoy his first lunch. This is not the best way to help heal the wounds long suffered in this country.
We all plan to support our new President, just as we backed the men who preceded him. As Americans, that is our duty. We may have the right to disagree with decisions made, but we should resist the attempts to stifle our efforts to unite as one nation.
As Americans, we all have to share our heritages and beliefs, not contemplating what should or would have been the case if we had listened to the right and left wing zealots attempting to guide our thought processes. For the love of country, think for yourselves and do the common good thing for you and your neighbor(s), disregarding their race, creed or color.
Regardless of political views, please say a prayer for Senator Ted Kennedy. Cancer is a hideous disease. I speak from personal family experience – prayers are all some patients have to hang their hats on.
God Bless and protect President Obama and all those who serve America!
In no way am I condemning Obama’s valiant attempt. It is a necessity Americans can work as one, as pleaded by the new President. The vast majority of us walk in the middle of the road, looking for the traffic signals to guide us on our American journey. It’s the fervent hope all of us will come together in an effort to reunite toward a common goal.
MSNBC reporters laughed when the crowd chanted, “Na-na-na-na, hey- hey-hey, goodbye,” to President Bush's helicopter; and the right wing FOX News began criticizing President Obama before the man could even enjoy his first lunch. This is not the best way to help heal the wounds long suffered in this country.
We all plan to support our new President, just as we backed the men who preceded him. As Americans, that is our duty. We may have the right to disagree with decisions made, but we should resist the attempts to stifle our efforts to unite as one nation.
As Americans, we all have to share our heritages and beliefs, not contemplating what should or would have been the case if we had listened to the right and left wing zealots attempting to guide our thought processes. For the love of country, think for yourselves and do the common good thing for you and your neighbor(s), disregarding their race, creed or color.
Regardless of political views, please say a prayer for Senator Ted Kennedy. Cancer is a hideous disease. I speak from personal family experience – prayers are all some patients have to hang their hats on.
God Bless and protect President Obama and all those who serve America!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Coffee Break
While out on an early mission of mercy Friday morning, I observed a police convention in progress.
What a sight to behold. In the Mount Morris Township Speedway station, located at the Elms and Pierson Road intersection, were: two Mount Morris Township cruisers; two Flushing City Police vehicles; a Flushing Township Police car; and one Genesee County Sheriff’s patrol car.
The mass of law enforcement vehicles were lined up (maybe preparing for a parade?), as the officers were inside imbibing in life’s simple nectars known as coffee and soda. Amazingly, the parked vehicles were still running. There was no thought to save gas, or heaven forbid, the officers might be late for an actual crime because it only takes a nanosecond to reach over and start a car.
As a law-abiding, City of Flushing and Genesee County taxpayer, one would think these law officials can and should make better use of their time.
Please do not misunderstand this tirade as a denouncement of the police. Just consider it a friendly reminder that citizens overall desire their law enforcers remain awake and on the job, not discussing the merits of a nine millimeter over a 357 Magnum or the girl in her undergarments hanging upside down out of the kitchen window.
Surely, the discussions entertained war stories regarding last night’s drunk drivers, abusive husbands and possibly the occasional stray puppy – which falls under the jurisdiction of animal control.
None of this helped the encounter I experienced with one individual speeding 47 mph in a 35 mph zone or the driver who made a left turn where it clearly was marked “Don’t Do That!”
Having known many police officers, it requires a certain mentality to perform the job duties. Some men and women, especially at a younger age, live the life 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They do seem to mellow with age or promotion.
All of us would feel better, if only they would show some common sense. By the way, you will be pleased to know that particular Speedway Station did not have one drive off or shoplifting incident that morning.
What a sight to behold. In the Mount Morris Township Speedway station, located at the Elms and Pierson Road intersection, were: two Mount Morris Township cruisers; two Flushing City Police vehicles; a Flushing Township Police car; and one Genesee County Sheriff’s patrol car.
The mass of law enforcement vehicles were lined up (maybe preparing for a parade?), as the officers were inside imbibing in life’s simple nectars known as coffee and soda. Amazingly, the parked vehicles were still running. There was no thought to save gas, or heaven forbid, the officers might be late for an actual crime because it only takes a nanosecond to reach over and start a car.
As a law-abiding, City of Flushing and Genesee County taxpayer, one would think these law officials can and should make better use of their time.
Please do not misunderstand this tirade as a denouncement of the police. Just consider it a friendly reminder that citizens overall desire their law enforcers remain awake and on the job, not discussing the merits of a nine millimeter over a 357 Magnum or the girl in her undergarments hanging upside down out of the kitchen window.
Surely, the discussions entertained war stories regarding last night’s drunk drivers, abusive husbands and possibly the occasional stray puppy – which falls under the jurisdiction of animal control.
None of this helped the encounter I experienced with one individual speeding 47 mph in a 35 mph zone or the driver who made a left turn where it clearly was marked “Don’t Do That!”
Having known many police officers, it requires a certain mentality to perform the job duties. Some men and women, especially at a younger age, live the life 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They do seem to mellow with age or promotion.
All of us would feel better, if only they would show some common sense. By the way, you will be pleased to know that particular Speedway Station did not have one drive off or shoplifting incident that morning.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Loyal To The End
Drive anywhere in Genesee County, Mich., and look closely at the vehicles traveling in your vicinity. Notice that eight out of 10 are Detroit products. This County and the City of Flint are loyal beyond reason to American made automotive products.
The same cannot be said for other parts of the country. While traveling in South Florida, I observed the opposite numbers held true. The roads are loaded with Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Lexus and BMW products.
Surely, this is the case in other parts of the United States, where the Big Three (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) have not sustained a manufacturing base. In addition, people and their communities never have had to rely on the tax base these facilities provide to fund the municipal operations of towns and counties where they reside.
Retail operations in other states, where the automobile plants are not located, find the customers from other walks of life. Why should people living in these areas worry or care what brand of car they drive?
Why has General Motors not been equally loyal to us? In one week, they announced batteries for new vehicles will now be produced by a Korean company, LG Chem, and the gasoline engines, which were to be made in Flint, will be produced in Austria.
Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors, who has worked for Chrysler, Ford and BMW, said, “You cannot keep importing everything we use and not produce a thing that benefits American workers.” He also stated, “So what if you can buy a DVD player for $19.95, but in the long run, who will buy the product if it’s not produced here in the United States?”
Many people will argue the foreign automobiles simply are superior in quality and overall performance. I would only ask them to strap in and put their foot into a 396 Big Block,426 Hemi, or a 351 c.i. Cleveland to feel what living the American Dream really is like!
Long live the Big Three! My father and others said it best: “What's good for the American Automobile industry is good for America!”
The same cannot be said for other parts of the country. While traveling in South Florida, I observed the opposite numbers held true. The roads are loaded with Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Lexus and BMW products.
Surely, this is the case in other parts of the United States, where the Big Three (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) have not sustained a manufacturing base. In addition, people and their communities never have had to rely on the tax base these facilities provide to fund the municipal operations of towns and counties where they reside.
Retail operations in other states, where the automobile plants are not located, find the customers from other walks of life. Why should people living in these areas worry or care what brand of car they drive?
Why has General Motors not been equally loyal to us? In one week, they announced batteries for new vehicles will now be produced by a Korean company, LG Chem, and the gasoline engines, which were to be made in Flint, will be produced in Austria.
Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of General Motors, who has worked for Chrysler, Ford and BMW, said, “You cannot keep importing everything we use and not produce a thing that benefits American workers.” He also stated, “So what if you can buy a DVD player for $19.95, but in the long run, who will buy the product if it’s not produced here in the United States?”
Many people will argue the foreign automobiles simply are superior in quality and overall performance. I would only ask them to strap in and put their foot into a 396 Big Block,426 Hemi, or a 351 c.i. Cleveland to feel what living the American Dream really is like!
Long live the Big Three! My father and others said it best: “What's good for the American Automobile industry is good for America!”
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday’s Rambling
In a follow up to the blog published Monday, Jan. 5, titled “Crooks in the Backyard,” I have chronicled incidents that have taken place in the last seven days.
It appears Sheriff Greg Bartlett, in Morgan County, Ala., withheld $210,000 earmarked for food purchases for county lockup inmates. Is this what is meant by “living off the fat of the land?”
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted for accepting illegal gifts while serving on both the City Council and during her tenure as Mayor. She allegedly used travel vouchers, fur coats and gift cards intended for the poor to engage in a personal shopping spree. Why would the poor need fur coats? She, like all good politicians, claims ignorance and total innocence.
Flint Interim Plice Chief David Dicks was indicted in federal court for receiveing $46,000 while working for a private security firm connected wiith Career Alliance, I guess being able to be in two places at one time earns you a trip to the federal money buffet.
In other news, President Elect Obama is learning the words to the Ernie K- Doe song “Mother-In-Law.” After it was announced First Lady Elect Michelle's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, will be moving into the White House with them.
Courtesy of Simon and Garfunkel:
“Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)”
At least the Obamas will save themselves some babysitting costs.
The American automotive manufacturers, otherwise known as the Big Three, are singing the old Rolling Stones hit “You Can't Always Get What You Want.” On the other hand, the financial institutions are whistling “We're in the Money,” while the American middle class families are reprising the old depression song (with a new twist) “Brother Can You Spare a Buck.”
Retired General Colin Powell proposed that people should work on Monday, which just happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He then stated a majority of the population plans to take off Inauguration Day, which is Tuesday. Why waste a holiday, when people were already skipping work the following day. Do you really think government employees, post office workers, etc. are willing to give up a paid holiday?
I have the impression a lot of folks will utilize the entire week to celebrate. Of course, that pertains to people still gainfully employed.
It appears Sheriff Greg Bartlett, in Morgan County, Ala., withheld $210,000 earmarked for food purchases for county lockup inmates. Is this what is meant by “living off the fat of the land?”
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted for accepting illegal gifts while serving on both the City Council and during her tenure as Mayor. She allegedly used travel vouchers, fur coats and gift cards intended for the poor to engage in a personal shopping spree. Why would the poor need fur coats? She, like all good politicians, claims ignorance and total innocence.
Flint Interim Plice Chief David Dicks was indicted in federal court for receiveing $46,000 while working for a private security firm connected wiith Career Alliance, I guess being able to be in two places at one time earns you a trip to the federal money buffet.
In other news, President Elect Obama is learning the words to the Ernie K- Doe song “Mother-In-Law.” After it was announced First Lady Elect Michelle's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, will be moving into the White House with them.
Courtesy of Simon and Garfunkel:
“Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)”
At least the Obamas will save themselves some babysitting costs.
The American automotive manufacturers, otherwise known as the Big Three, are singing the old Rolling Stones hit “You Can't Always Get What You Want.” On the other hand, the financial institutions are whistling “We're in the Money,” while the American middle class families are reprising the old depression song (with a new twist) “Brother Can You Spare a Buck.”
Retired General Colin Powell proposed that people should work on Monday, which just happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He then stated a majority of the population plans to take off Inauguration Day, which is Tuesday. Why waste a holiday, when people were already skipping work the following day. Do you really think government employees, post office workers, etc. are willing to give up a paid holiday?
I have the impression a lot of folks will utilize the entire week to celebrate. Of course, that pertains to people still gainfully employed.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
News from the Backyard
Flint Mayor Don Williamson has bought the farm.
That's correct, he has let yet another of his minutia filled ideas go up in smoke. Formed in August of 2008, the Political Action Committee (PAC), designed to stop local political corruption, has faced a whimpering death.
The Committee to Stop Corrupt Government, which The Don stated he would sink $8-$10 million of his own money to ferret out corrupt local politicos, is over. Mayor Williamson sought local donations to support his cause. However, the only money ever recorded was the $500 which Williamson contributed himself.
What appears to be the case is “Donald in Wonderland” discovered the Looking Glass – boom, end of search, corruption found.
No one really expected anything else. Williamson promised the PAC would provide up to 20 jobs involving lawyers, secretaries and various law officials. He managed to produce: a Web site (www.thecorruptionmustend.com); some really nice red, white and blue signs; and a large “Elect Mayor Williamson for Governor” sign adorning the headquarters’ front window.
This fiasco of brainless wisdom comes on the heels of what may have been one of the Don’s better ideas – “The Dragstrip,” located by the old Chevy in the Hole on Bluff Street, also known to some as “turn left on blind man's Bluff Street.” The only problem is Williamson used City of Flint funding to repave the one eight-mile strip and install the guard rails.
One can only believe voters will likely recall the Mayor, but don't lose any sleep. He is sure to appear in the news with his next great midnight reform innovation.
On a sad note, Archie Bailey, a man who I have had a personal distaste for nearly 40 years, announced Monday he has chronic leukemia. Personal feelings aside, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
That's correct, he has let yet another of his minutia filled ideas go up in smoke. Formed in August of 2008, the Political Action Committee (PAC), designed to stop local political corruption, has faced a whimpering death.
The Committee to Stop Corrupt Government, which The Don stated he would sink $8-$10 million of his own money to ferret out corrupt local politicos, is over. Mayor Williamson sought local donations to support his cause. However, the only money ever recorded was the $500 which Williamson contributed himself.
What appears to be the case is “Donald in Wonderland” discovered the Looking Glass – boom, end of search, corruption found.
No one really expected anything else. Williamson promised the PAC would provide up to 20 jobs involving lawyers, secretaries and various law officials. He managed to produce: a Web site (www.thecorruptionmustend.com); some really nice red, white and blue signs; and a large “Elect Mayor Williamson for Governor” sign adorning the headquarters’ front window.
This fiasco of brainless wisdom comes on the heels of what may have been one of the Don’s better ideas – “The Dragstrip,” located by the old Chevy in the Hole on Bluff Street, also known to some as “turn left on blind man's Bluff Street.” The only problem is Williamson used City of Flint funding to repave the one eight-mile strip and install the guard rails.
One can only believe voters will likely recall the Mayor, but don't lose any sleep. He is sure to appear in the news with his next great midnight reform innovation.
On a sad note, Archie Bailey, a man who I have had a personal distaste for nearly 40 years, announced Monday he has chronic leukemia. Personal feelings aside, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Internal Combustible
Lord Mr. Ford, you would be pleased the company you started did not feed from the federal money buffet!
It seems there are restrictions galore attached to the funds granted to General Motors and Chrysler Corporations. The Treasury and Congress (aka The Fools on the Hill) finally decided it would be a wise to try and make somebody accountable for billions of dollars.
It appears the liberal slanted Congress created the stipulation – if the UAW goes on any sort of strike, bankruptcy will result in very short order. Does it sound as though they are trying to break the union with such a rule of spending?
Where was the accounting of the $350 billion doled in shovels full to the financial institutions?
Congress has all but tied up the automotive industry this country mostly has relied on for the last 100 years by setting almost unachievable standards to meet in such a short amount of time. Three months is just an impossible time frame to turn around an industry, which despite having made mistakes is still a great manufacturing and job resource in our nation.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger stated he is willing to bargain wages and benefits, which according to the government, are not even close to being in line with similar foreign auto manufacturing working standards.
The CEO's have agreed to do whatever it takes to stay competitive in the world market.
If only the money hungry banks were this closely scrutinized, they would not be at a loss for words when asked, where did it go and who has it now!?
I warned Michigan Senator Carl Levin that when he and fellow conspirators opened the federal wallets, people would come out of the woodwork. Not only the woodwork, but they came from rat holes at the bottom of the walls. Larry Flynt and the Girls Gone Wild franchise jets headed for Washington looking for a $5 billion feast from the buffet.
When the economy continues to decline, the first things to flourish are peoples’ bad habits (yeah, I guess porn might be a bad habit). But drinking, smoking and drug use will increase as the country looks for temporary relief!
One final note, State Lottery sales all over the country have shown a dramatic increase over the last months,this will not solve your financial woes or augment your retirement fund.
It seems there are restrictions galore attached to the funds granted to General Motors and Chrysler Corporations. The Treasury and Congress (aka The Fools on the Hill) finally decided it would be a wise to try and make somebody accountable for billions of dollars.
It appears the liberal slanted Congress created the stipulation – if the UAW goes on any sort of strike, bankruptcy will result in very short order. Does it sound as though they are trying to break the union with such a rule of spending?
Where was the accounting of the $350 billion doled in shovels full to the financial institutions?
Congress has all but tied up the automotive industry this country mostly has relied on for the last 100 years by setting almost unachievable standards to meet in such a short amount of time. Three months is just an impossible time frame to turn around an industry, which despite having made mistakes is still a great manufacturing and job resource in our nation.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger stated he is willing to bargain wages and benefits, which according to the government, are not even close to being in line with similar foreign auto manufacturing working standards.
The CEO's have agreed to do whatever it takes to stay competitive in the world market.
If only the money hungry banks were this closely scrutinized, they would not be at a loss for words when asked, where did it go and who has it now!?
I warned Michigan Senator Carl Levin that when he and fellow conspirators opened the federal wallets, people would come out of the woodwork. Not only the woodwork, but they came from rat holes at the bottom of the walls. Larry Flynt and the Girls Gone Wild franchise jets headed for Washington looking for a $5 billion feast from the buffet.
When the economy continues to decline, the first things to flourish are peoples’ bad habits (yeah, I guess porn might be a bad habit). But drinking, smoking and drug use will increase as the country looks for temporary relief!
One final note, State Lottery sales all over the country have shown a dramatic increase over the last months,this will not solve your financial woes or augment your retirement fund.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Learned Addiction
This tome is solely based on personal experiences, and in no way is intended as a “how to live your life” guideline. The truth learned, from growing and maturing over the last 56 years, is that addicion is an acquired trait, not a genetic inheritance.
Observations to this end are numerous. Let’s begin with alcohol abuse. This and other addictive habits are gained from two main sources – our families and the peer groups we choose to associate with.
Within our family, it was a common practice to be allowed, even encouraged to enjoy some wine, beer or crème de menthe (on crushed ice) during the holidays. This led to experimentation with alcohol, on our own accord, without parental supervision and at a fairly young age. When you grow up in a home that features the abuse of such beverages, to a point of passing out 2-3 nights a week, you naturally think this an acceptable behavior pattern.
Other people learned alcohol abuse at a much later stage in life, such as during their teen and college years when binge drinking on campuses around the Country is accepted as the norm.
My personal knowledge of substance abuse, in the form of drugs, solely came from my peers. While I may not have stayed a babe in the woods forever, it would have required a greater push to find these illegal drugs on my own. One substance being abused caused a thought process of “why not try this, then some of those sound like a good idea.”
From a sober point of view, for more than 10+ years, some people can handle all that life throws at them without becoming addicted to a substance. The best example I can think of is the person who is able to have two drinks, while the rest of the weak folks (such as myself) get swallowed up in the pure pleasure of self destruction.
Having attempted a rehab treatment session 25 years ago, I observed everyone couldn’t wait for the session to end, so they could go out and score from each other. When directed to the counselor, he stated, “Well we have to try something.” The person also singled me out to inform me, “You cannot do it by yourself.” Thank God proving him wrong for the chosen substance turned out to be the correct move on my behalf.
Nicotine was the greatest challenge faced when confronting personal demons. However, similar to everything else in life, you can succeed if you establish a goal to do so.
I have great compassion for smokers, having been one for more than 30 years. In no way should they be classified as second rate citizens or should their integrity or fortitude be questioned. The pleasure they derive from the habit is a true enjoyment which nonsmokers may never understand. To this day, the want of a cigarette, with a cup of coffee or after a meal, still lingers in the deep recesses where no one should travel.
In conclusion, I tip my hat to the people who are able to enjoy a social drink. I pity those people who believe there is such a thing as a “social” drug user. Finally, best wishes in your endeavor to any smokers who are trying to quit.
Observations to this end are numerous. Let’s begin with alcohol abuse. This and other addictive habits are gained from two main sources – our families and the peer groups we choose to associate with.
Within our family, it was a common practice to be allowed, even encouraged to enjoy some wine, beer or crème de menthe (on crushed ice) during the holidays. This led to experimentation with alcohol, on our own accord, without parental supervision and at a fairly young age. When you grow up in a home that features the abuse of such beverages, to a point of passing out 2-3 nights a week, you naturally think this an acceptable behavior pattern.
Other people learned alcohol abuse at a much later stage in life, such as during their teen and college years when binge drinking on campuses around the Country is accepted as the norm.
My personal knowledge of substance abuse, in the form of drugs, solely came from my peers. While I may not have stayed a babe in the woods forever, it would have required a greater push to find these illegal drugs on my own. One substance being abused caused a thought process of “why not try this, then some of those sound like a good idea.”
From a sober point of view, for more than 10+ years, some people can handle all that life throws at them without becoming addicted to a substance. The best example I can think of is the person who is able to have two drinks, while the rest of the weak folks (such as myself) get swallowed up in the pure pleasure of self destruction.
Having attempted a rehab treatment session 25 years ago, I observed everyone couldn’t wait for the session to end, so they could go out and score from each other. When directed to the counselor, he stated, “Well we have to try something.” The person also singled me out to inform me, “You cannot do it by yourself.” Thank God proving him wrong for the chosen substance turned out to be the correct move on my behalf.
Nicotine was the greatest challenge faced when confronting personal demons. However, similar to everything else in life, you can succeed if you establish a goal to do so.
I have great compassion for smokers, having been one for more than 30 years. In no way should they be classified as second rate citizens or should their integrity or fortitude be questioned. The pleasure they derive from the habit is a true enjoyment which nonsmokers may never understand. To this day, the want of a cigarette, with a cup of coffee or after a meal, still lingers in the deep recesses where no one should travel.
In conclusion, I tip my hat to the people who are able to enjoy a social drink. I pity those people who believe there is such a thing as a “social” drug user. Finally, best wishes in your endeavor to any smokers who are trying to quit.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Traveling Medicine Show
Have you ever been in an office surrounded by people who appear like they just arrived from an inbound flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport? They are young, very well-dressed people toting roll-around carry-on type bags.
There usually is a cell phone glued to one ear with a pen and pad attached firmly to the other appendage. Reality – you are not in an airport. Rather, you are in your physician’s office.
These people are the hip upwardly mobile drug pushers of today. In a recent visit to my urologist’s office, there were four patients and three drug representatives (hereby known as drug reps). The doctor was an hour late, and all four patients claimed the same 9 a.m. appointment. We all had our flow checked and filled the required specimen cups, while the drug reps passed out donuts and chocolate to the staff.
On another occasion, I was one of two patients in my personal doctor’s office, while there were four drug reps waiting. What was amazing regarding this occurrence is the doctor chose to see two of the reps before the patients.
These drug reps push their wares utilizing a multitude of gimmicks, including pens, calendars, wall posters, pads of sticky notes and the biggest prize of all, “The Free Lunch” for physicians and staff members. The only benefit to the average patient is the free sample drugs which are left for trial purposes (saves some people hundreds of dollars).
The price of these over prescribed medicines is astronomic. Research proved that a 30-day supply of the drug Lipitor priced out at $203 - assuming you only take one pill per day. Some of these “wonder” drugs will cost you upwards of $400-$600 for a 90-day supply (the recommended way to have your prescription filled). A majority of health plans only allow the purchase of 100 pills at a time. Therefore, if your prescription calls for three a day, you must travel back and provide the co-pay every four weeks.
Understanding research and development on new medicine is an extremely time consuming and costly process. There is something wrong with the system – allowing these representatives an open expense account for the purpose to wine and dine doctors to use their products.
Of course, this is only just one of a multitude of issues with our current health care nightmare. In the coming months, I will examine several facets of the problem.
”And up through the veins came a bubbling crude – blood pressure that is!”
There usually is a cell phone glued to one ear with a pen and pad attached firmly to the other appendage. Reality – you are not in an airport. Rather, you are in your physician’s office.
These people are the hip upwardly mobile drug pushers of today. In a recent visit to my urologist’s office, there were four patients and three drug representatives (hereby known as drug reps). The doctor was an hour late, and all four patients claimed the same 9 a.m. appointment. We all had our flow checked and filled the required specimen cups, while the drug reps passed out donuts and chocolate to the staff.
On another occasion, I was one of two patients in my personal doctor’s office, while there were four drug reps waiting. What was amazing regarding this occurrence is the doctor chose to see two of the reps before the patients.
These drug reps push their wares utilizing a multitude of gimmicks, including pens, calendars, wall posters, pads of sticky notes and the biggest prize of all, “The Free Lunch” for physicians and staff members. The only benefit to the average patient is the free sample drugs which are left for trial purposes (saves some people hundreds of dollars).
The price of these over prescribed medicines is astronomic. Research proved that a 30-day supply of the drug Lipitor priced out at $203 - assuming you only take one pill per day. Some of these “wonder” drugs will cost you upwards of $400-$600 for a 90-day supply (the recommended way to have your prescription filled). A majority of health plans only allow the purchase of 100 pills at a time. Therefore, if your prescription calls for three a day, you must travel back and provide the co-pay every four weeks.
Understanding research and development on new medicine is an extremely time consuming and costly process. There is something wrong with the system – allowing these representatives an open expense account for the purpose to wine and dine doctors to use their products.
Of course, this is only just one of a multitude of issues with our current health care nightmare. In the coming months, I will examine several facets of the problem.
”And up through the veins came a bubbling crude – blood pressure that is!”
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday’s Rambling
A friend and avid reader of this blog recently gave me a Rick Edelman book titled “The Lies About Money.” This book, which I had the pleasure reading, is filled with a variety of common sense tips regarding your finances. Now, having stated that fact, I must confess reading economic-related books is not easy for me.
A majority of the time, it reads similar to how the teacher sounds on the Charlie Brown cartoons, “WaWah Wah Wa Wah.” I highly urge you to read this no-nonsense, easy to understand book about your money and how it should be working for you.
Have you noticed the biggest rip-off in this country is not Bernie Madoff. However, it’s what happens at the gas pumps every time the world is in a tizzy. How that translates into raising prices, of already paid for gasoline in the tanks under each station, by as much as $.40 per gallon overnight, is a true scam.
You can understand why traders become nervous, which causes oil and gas futures (that’s the keyword) to rise. Can the American middle class catch a break? Congress should form a million dollar panel to investigate this scam, instead of squandering millions (billions) on other non entities.
Speaking of uneasy moments in time, there are reports that Saudi Arabia is one of the major contributors to Hamas. You remember Hamas – the terrorist organization which takes pleasure in blowing up things, people and property in the name of religious freedom. My wonderment comes from the fact that Saudi Arabia is heavily involved with the financial support. I’ll give you one guess as to where the Saudis acquired all that money from (Mmmm).
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank radio personality Mr. Dave Elliot, a close friend who graciously posted my blog site on his FM Talk Show site. Dave and I go back further than either one wants to admit. You can stream his show live, daily from 3-6 p.m., at (www.daveontheair.com). That’s 98.9 WGUF if you are traveling in the Naples, Fla. Area. Give him a buzz; his show is always topical and well-informed.
Way to go GATORS!
Next week – medical issues from my point of view.
Blood Pressure Normal
A majority of the time, it reads similar to how the teacher sounds on the Charlie Brown cartoons, “WaWah Wah Wa Wah.” I highly urge you to read this no-nonsense, easy to understand book about your money and how it should be working for you.
Have you noticed the biggest rip-off in this country is not Bernie Madoff. However, it’s what happens at the gas pumps every time the world is in a tizzy. How that translates into raising prices, of already paid for gasoline in the tanks under each station, by as much as $.40 per gallon overnight, is a true scam.
You can understand why traders become nervous, which causes oil and gas futures (that’s the keyword) to rise. Can the American middle class catch a break? Congress should form a million dollar panel to investigate this scam, instead of squandering millions (billions) on other non entities.
Speaking of uneasy moments in time, there are reports that Saudi Arabia is one of the major contributors to Hamas. You remember Hamas – the terrorist organization which takes pleasure in blowing up things, people and property in the name of religious freedom. My wonderment comes from the fact that Saudi Arabia is heavily involved with the financial support. I’ll give you one guess as to where the Saudis acquired all that money from (Mmmm).
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank radio personality Mr. Dave Elliot, a close friend who graciously posted my blog site on his FM Talk Show site. Dave and I go back further than either one wants to admit. You can stream his show live, daily from 3-6 p.m., at (www.daveontheair.com). That’s 98.9 WGUF if you are traveling in the Naples, Fla. Area. Give him a buzz; his show is always topical and well-informed.
Way to go GATORS!
Next week – medical issues from my point of view.
Blood Pressure Normal
Thursday, January 8, 2009
House Husbands Unite
As a House Husband, I must comment on the job . Unless you live in a roommate situation,like college or bachelorhood, it appears nothing you ever accomplish is correct in the eyes and mind of your spouse. On paper, the job seems simple enough, with mundane tasks of cleaning, cooking, shopping, paying and mailing bills and the impossible chore – doing the wash.
Let's start with the wash. It seems that wash and wear does not apply to women’s clothing. Delicates must be treated like an endangered species – without proper treatment they will be become extinct. Shopping for new items will soon ensue. Based on experience, bras never, and I mean never, get put in the dryer, and other undergarment articles are unable to stand being in there for too long either (seems the radiation is just to much for them).
Women’s “Wash and Wear” is a different matter altogether. You stand sentry over the dryer and snatch the offended items of clothing before they wilt to an unmanageable mess. I can only imagine what rules of behavior ironing would bring.
Heaven help the man who hasn't a clue to what detergents, fabric softeners, presoaks and dryer sheets to use. Personally, I have given up all hope of trying to perform this task.
Cleaning the house presents its own unique challenge. The Do's: wash the dishes; vacuum; dust; make the beds; clean the tile floors; and swab out the bathrooms, including sinks, tubs and showers.
The Don'ts: excessively run the water or use too much detergent while doing dishes. In addition, what ever you do, forget about air drying (they must appear back in their respective “homes,” pronto).
Cooking is an area where a man can excell,as long as he is outdoors burning food on the grill while learning to singe the hair from his arms, eyebrows and nostrils.
When running the vacuum, you are instructed the hose “thingy” works just like the big “thingy” with wheels. Do not be afraid of unhooking it from the holster to clean along wall edges and in the furniture.
Dusting can never be done to a woman’s satisfaction. You dust the tops of all the wood furniture, and she will point out the edges of the drawers and legs also need dusting. Once you've mastered this activity, she will ask, “why didn't you dust the baseboards, and the tops of door sills have an edge on them?”
If that isn't enough for you to call the committee man, than she will politely explain the plastic flowers are as dusty as a country road. I think plastic flowers should come under the “doing the wash” heading!
Bathroom maintenance takes a college degree in sanitation. The bachelor days of swishing the toilet with a brush once a month are over. You start with dumping a couple dozen toxic, fume-emitting chemicals in every orifice in sight. Then, commence the process of scrubbing, rubbing and rinsing all surfaces until they gleam and smell strangely like a hospital.
The making of the beds process is just never quite to her satisfaction. This is evident when she arrives for inspection. Women always tend to tug and straighten one of our faux pas.
Paying and mailing of the bills manage to create dilemmas of their own. After all the housework is finished, how can a man think straight? The best advice is to stay far, far away from checkbooks, envelopes, stamps and most of all, the dreaded 3-inch calculator, which your fingers are unable work anyway.
Good luck, you are on your own!
Let's start with the wash. It seems that wash and wear does not apply to women’s clothing. Delicates must be treated like an endangered species – without proper treatment they will be become extinct. Shopping for new items will soon ensue. Based on experience, bras never, and I mean never, get put in the dryer, and other undergarment articles are unable to stand being in there for too long either (seems the radiation is just to much for them).
Women’s “Wash and Wear” is a different matter altogether. You stand sentry over the dryer and snatch the offended items of clothing before they wilt to an unmanageable mess. I can only imagine what rules of behavior ironing would bring.
Heaven help the man who hasn't a clue to what detergents, fabric softeners, presoaks and dryer sheets to use. Personally, I have given up all hope of trying to perform this task.
Cleaning the house presents its own unique challenge. The Do's: wash the dishes; vacuum; dust; make the beds; clean the tile floors; and swab out the bathrooms, including sinks, tubs and showers.
The Don'ts: excessively run the water or use too much detergent while doing dishes. In addition, what ever you do, forget about air drying (they must appear back in their respective “homes,” pronto).
Cooking is an area where a man can excell,as long as he is outdoors burning food on the grill while learning to singe the hair from his arms, eyebrows and nostrils.
When running the vacuum, you are instructed the hose “thingy” works just like the big “thingy” with wheels. Do not be afraid of unhooking it from the holster to clean along wall edges and in the furniture.
Dusting can never be done to a woman’s satisfaction. You dust the tops of all the wood furniture, and she will point out the edges of the drawers and legs also need dusting. Once you've mastered this activity, she will ask, “why didn't you dust the baseboards, and the tops of door sills have an edge on them?”
If that isn't enough for you to call the committee man, than she will politely explain the plastic flowers are as dusty as a country road. I think plastic flowers should come under the “doing the wash” heading!
Bathroom maintenance takes a college degree in sanitation. The bachelor days of swishing the toilet with a brush once a month are over. You start with dumping a couple dozen toxic, fume-emitting chemicals in every orifice in sight. Then, commence the process of scrubbing, rubbing and rinsing all surfaces until they gleam and smell strangely like a hospital.
The making of the beds process is just never quite to her satisfaction. This is evident when she arrives for inspection. Women always tend to tug and straighten one of our faux pas.
Paying and mailing of the bills manage to create dilemmas of their own. After all the housework is finished, how can a man think straight? The best advice is to stay far, far away from checkbooks, envelopes, stamps and most of all, the dreaded 3-inch calculator, which your fingers are unable work anyway.
Good luck, you are on your own!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Love Thy Neighbor
In today’s broadcast and print media, there is an air of unrest that has never before existed. The more well-known personalities reporting to us and our children are just plain rude and obnoxious. They place themselves on a pedestal and make judgments that are to be followed, or else we the listener are wrong.
Let ‘s examine a few of these top professionals violating our thought process. One of the worst offenders is Keith Olberman. Nightly, at 8 p.m., on MSNBC, Olberman rails against the right wing and Republicans by the score, this of itself would be okay. However, Mr. Olberman deems it necessary to resort to name calling when his opinions would suffice. Constantly referring to the conservative point of view represented on Fox as those “talking heads,” and attacks Bill O 'Reilly as “Billo the Clown.”
Olberman’s tagline is “Saving the Democracy.” Honestly, he is tearing it down, instead of praising the concept for giving him the opportunity to do so.
O 'Reilly, while being a seasoned, well-traveled journalist, is just as bad, conferring his own brand of “Fair and Unbiased” reporting by calling the people on the left “Pinheads.” Almost nightly, he will single out one of the liberals and pick them to pieces in the name of good journalism. O'Reilly will go as far as to invite comedian Dennis Miller on air to report. Miller, while being a good actor and an intelligent person, also resorts to name calling at every corner of his interview.
What happened to reporters who had the integrity and the fortitude to refer to each other as colleagues? You never heard David Brinkley or Walter Cronkite call each other let alone other people names. They were able to concentrate on the news itself. While it may be true the times have changed, the rules of good manners and etiquette have remained the same. Political commentators, such as Olberman and O’Reilly, are no more than glorified versions of Jerry Springer.
Is there anything in the news coverage today considered unbiased under the pressure of either politicians, or big business feeding the information directly to the mouths of the press? The dollar always rules over the common sense exhibited.
This is not to say there are no hard working, honest reporters in the field. It’s just those practicing this brand of “yellow” journalism only improve ratings and bring in more advertising revenues.
The problem we are witnessing today is the examples being taught to young people who watch and care about the news. College students in this country can only believe this is the way journalists should behave. I only hope, in our universities, broadcast and print journalism professors are teaching their students the important values of reporting an event, instead of introducing their personal political leanings to the story in hand.
There should be an effort made to lead us down the path of being good Americans and not people who want or need to call each other names. As Red Green (Steve Smith) says, “Hang in there we're all in this together.”
Can we all just get along?
Let ‘s examine a few of these top professionals violating our thought process. One of the worst offenders is Keith Olberman. Nightly, at 8 p.m., on MSNBC, Olberman rails against the right wing and Republicans by the score, this of itself would be okay. However, Mr. Olberman deems it necessary to resort to name calling when his opinions would suffice. Constantly referring to the conservative point of view represented on Fox as those “talking heads,” and attacks Bill O 'Reilly as “Billo the Clown.”
Olberman’s tagline is “Saving the Democracy.” Honestly, he is tearing it down, instead of praising the concept for giving him the opportunity to do so.
O 'Reilly, while being a seasoned, well-traveled journalist, is just as bad, conferring his own brand of “Fair and Unbiased” reporting by calling the people on the left “Pinheads.” Almost nightly, he will single out one of the liberals and pick them to pieces in the name of good journalism. O'Reilly will go as far as to invite comedian Dennis Miller on air to report. Miller, while being a good actor and an intelligent person, also resorts to name calling at every corner of his interview.
What happened to reporters who had the integrity and the fortitude to refer to each other as colleagues? You never heard David Brinkley or Walter Cronkite call each other let alone other people names. They were able to concentrate on the news itself. While it may be true the times have changed, the rules of good manners and etiquette have remained the same. Political commentators, such as Olberman and O’Reilly, are no more than glorified versions of Jerry Springer.
Is there anything in the news coverage today considered unbiased under the pressure of either politicians, or big business feeding the information directly to the mouths of the press? The dollar always rules over the common sense exhibited.
This is not to say there are no hard working, honest reporters in the field. It’s just those practicing this brand of “yellow” journalism only improve ratings and bring in more advertising revenues.
The problem we are witnessing today is the examples being taught to young people who watch and care about the news. College students in this country can only believe this is the way journalists should behave. I only hope, in our universities, broadcast and print journalism professors are teaching their students the important values of reporting an event, instead of introducing their personal political leanings to the story in hand.
There should be an effort made to lead us down the path of being good Americans and not people who want or need to call each other names. As Red Green (Steve Smith) says, “Hang in there we're all in this together.”
Can we all just get along?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jinxed
Burger Chef
Cornerstone Engineering and Surveying
Dawn Donuts
Flint Candy and Tobacco
Hamady Brothers
Helmac Products Corporation
Krogers (before it came back in the 1990’s):Remember Krogers pulled out of Flint when workers tried to unionize
Leisure Time Products
Mr Gibbys Inn & Restaurant
Save a Child Foundation
The Holiday Inn Downtown Flint
The Sheraton Motor Inn
The Voyager Inn
The Warwick Inn
Vehicle City Truck Works
You may be asking, “What do these companies have in common?” Well, they are all out of business. I have had the good fortune of being employed by every one of them! Yes, if you need your business to fail, just pick up the phone or e-mail me. I am willing and ready for the job!
Helmac is a little different. The company is still in business. However, it has changed names to The Evercare Company. In case you are not familiar with the original name, formerly Helmac is the world’s largest producers of lint rollers.
It was located in Flint, where Nick McKay, Sr. and his wife, Helen, started the company in 1958. Helmac blossomed from a family-run, garage/basement operation to a multi million dollar enterprise. In 1998, McKay, Sr. decided it was time to retire.
He then sold the company to his son, Nick McKay, Jr. and a consortium of investors. The elder McKay made a bundle. To announce this momentous switch of power, and his good fortune, he hosted a party at Flint's Gateway Holiday Inn. During the event, McKay, Sr. shared the wealth by giving every employee a bonus check. Being a supervisor paid off handsomely that day.
That afternoon, the new owners, along with the company executives, presented speeches concerning Helmac’s future. McKay, Jr. ended the program by fielding questions from employees.
Naturally, the only supervisor to ask a question was yours truly. The query posed was, “Nick are you and Helmac committed to staying in Flint?” Nick, Jr. assured me, as well as the other employees, that the answer was a definite yes! All to no avail, former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley had offered tax break opportunities of a lifetime for the continuation of this operation and the jobs it provided.
Three months later, Helmac announced it would be relocating all operations to Georgia, with manufacturing, shipping and receiving to be located in Waynesboro and corporate offices in Augusta (suppose someone desperately wanted to play Augusta National Golf Club).
It was revealed, after the fact, that the proper paperwork already had been signed to move the company, when I asked the committed to Flint question. Let’s play the old TV game show " Who do you trust"!
Please remember, if your business in on the verge in Genesee County, I can help push it over the edge.
Level Pressure Readings
Cornerstone Engineering and Surveying
Dawn Donuts
Flint Candy and Tobacco
Hamady Brothers
Helmac Products Corporation
Krogers (before it came back in the 1990’s):Remember Krogers pulled out of Flint when workers tried to unionize
Leisure Time Products
Mr Gibbys Inn & Restaurant
Save a Child Foundation
The Holiday Inn Downtown Flint
The Sheraton Motor Inn
The Voyager Inn
The Warwick Inn
Vehicle City Truck Works
You may be asking, “What do these companies have in common?” Well, they are all out of business. I have had the good fortune of being employed by every one of them! Yes, if you need your business to fail, just pick up the phone or e-mail me. I am willing and ready for the job!
Helmac is a little different. The company is still in business. However, it has changed names to The Evercare Company. In case you are not familiar with the original name, formerly Helmac is the world’s largest producers of lint rollers.
It was located in Flint, where Nick McKay, Sr. and his wife, Helen, started the company in 1958. Helmac blossomed from a family-run, garage/basement operation to a multi million dollar enterprise. In 1998, McKay, Sr. decided it was time to retire.
He then sold the company to his son, Nick McKay, Jr. and a consortium of investors. The elder McKay made a bundle. To announce this momentous switch of power, and his good fortune, he hosted a party at Flint's Gateway Holiday Inn. During the event, McKay, Sr. shared the wealth by giving every employee a bonus check. Being a supervisor paid off handsomely that day.
That afternoon, the new owners, along with the company executives, presented speeches concerning Helmac’s future. McKay, Jr. ended the program by fielding questions from employees.
Naturally, the only supervisor to ask a question was yours truly. The query posed was, “Nick are you and Helmac committed to staying in Flint?” Nick, Jr. assured me, as well as the other employees, that the answer was a definite yes! All to no avail, former Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley had offered tax break opportunities of a lifetime for the continuation of this operation and the jobs it provided.
Three months later, Helmac announced it would be relocating all operations to Georgia, with manufacturing, shipping and receiving to be located in Waynesboro and corporate offices in Augusta (suppose someone desperately wanted to play Augusta National Golf Club).
It was revealed, after the fact, that the proper paperwork already had been signed to move the company, when I asked the committed to Flint question. Let’s play the old TV game show " Who do you trust"!
Please remember, if your business in on the verge in Genesee County, I can help push it over the edge.
Level Pressure Readings
Monday, January 5, 2009
Crooks in the Backyard
The American’s patience is wearing thin with all the corruption discovered on a daily basis.
In Flint, MI, you don't have to gaze far to find the inmates running the asylum. Mayor Don Williamson, a convicted felon in 1962, currently is running the show. The “Don” served a little over three years in prison for writing bad checks and purchasing items that were never paid for.
Mr. Williamson has managed to run the City similar to a crime boss with an attitude of “my way or the highway.” Heaven help the people who have tried to block his path. They have been publicly scorned and left to blow dry in the wind by the Mayor.
Williamson’s criminal past has never been expunged. As a result, under the law, he has lost these rights:
1.The right to bear arms
2.The right to vote
3.The right to serve on a jury
Keep in mind, in the State of Michigan, a convicted felon’s rights to vote are restored once his or her prison sentence is completed.
Does it make sense that when you have lost these basic freedoms, you also should lose the right to hold public office? When elected, officials have moral obligations to the citizens who have elected them. With the current status of our Country, the right for convicted felons to hold public office, at any level, should also be rescinded.
The Don has made his millions riding the coattails of General Motors, under the disguise of his cheerleader wife, Patsy Lou, as well as his company Colonel, Inc.
Over the last 35 years, Williamson’s hair brained schemes, to win favor, have never come to fruition. Examples of these include a plan to convert the old (now demolished) Winchester Hospital into a Veterans Center and open the great Casino/Racetrack complex to be located at I-75 and Mt. Morris Road (now an aggregate producing site).
Now that the Mayor is facing a recall election on February 24, 2009, he is plastering his goodwill throughout the media. One means is by appearing in full-page ads in The Flint Journal (a publication he once vowed he would never spend another cent with) twice a week. Each solicitation informs Flint’s residents how Patsy Lou plans to keep jobs in the area by residents purchasing vehicles from her dealerships.
For those of you not residing in the Flint area or in Michigan, I am assured, you have read or heard stories of corrupt elected officials in your own backyards. The corruption may not involve a mayor. It may have featured a school board member, a council person or an elected law official. The point is – these incidents occur at all levels of government.
I leave you with one burning question. Have you ever filled out an application for employment or been offered a job that asked if you were a convicted felon, had a criminal past or were subject to a criminal background check? Should our public officials be held to the same standards of a person working for Mac Donalds?
Our beloved Mayor will,in the near future, make the perfect candidate for Governor of Michigan!
In Flint, MI, you don't have to gaze far to find the inmates running the asylum. Mayor Don Williamson, a convicted felon in 1962, currently is running the show. The “Don” served a little over three years in prison for writing bad checks and purchasing items that were never paid for.
Mr. Williamson has managed to run the City similar to a crime boss with an attitude of “my way or the highway.” Heaven help the people who have tried to block his path. They have been publicly scorned and left to blow dry in the wind by the Mayor.
Williamson’s criminal past has never been expunged. As a result, under the law, he has lost these rights:
1.The right to bear arms
2.The right to vote
3.The right to serve on a jury
Keep in mind, in the State of Michigan, a convicted felon’s rights to vote are restored once his or her prison sentence is completed.
Does it make sense that when you have lost these basic freedoms, you also should lose the right to hold public office? When elected, officials have moral obligations to the citizens who have elected them. With the current status of our Country, the right for convicted felons to hold public office, at any level, should also be rescinded.
The Don has made his millions riding the coattails of General Motors, under the disguise of his cheerleader wife, Patsy Lou, as well as his company Colonel, Inc.
Over the last 35 years, Williamson’s hair brained schemes, to win favor, have never come to fruition. Examples of these include a plan to convert the old (now demolished) Winchester Hospital into a Veterans Center and open the great Casino/Racetrack complex to be located at I-75 and Mt. Morris Road (now an aggregate producing site).
Now that the Mayor is facing a recall election on February 24, 2009, he is plastering his goodwill throughout the media. One means is by appearing in full-page ads in The Flint Journal (a publication he once vowed he would never spend another cent with) twice a week. Each solicitation informs Flint’s residents how Patsy Lou plans to keep jobs in the area by residents purchasing vehicles from her dealerships.
For those of you not residing in the Flint area or in Michigan, I am assured, you have read or heard stories of corrupt elected officials in your own backyards. The corruption may not involve a mayor. It may have featured a school board member, a council person or an elected law official. The point is – these incidents occur at all levels of government.
I leave you with one burning question. Have you ever filled out an application for employment or been offered a job that asked if you were a convicted felon, had a criminal past or were subject to a criminal background check? Should our public officials be held to the same standards of a person working for Mac Donalds?
Our beloved Mayor will,in the near future, make the perfect candidate for Governor of Michigan!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Fridays Rambling
Blood Pressure needing a relief valve, In an Associated Press article in today's newspaper, a 15 member government panel urges a 50% fuel tax increase to fix Americas roads.The panel named The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing( bet that coming up with that name cost a half of million dollars) urged an increase of 10 cents a gallon for gasoline and a 24.4 cent a gallon for diesel fuel.
In the article there is a picture of Highway 225 in Deer Park Tx,in the background is a large Shell Oil Refinery. Wouldn't it make more sense to tax the oil companies ,that made billions in profit last year, rather than saddle the American public with more of the burden.
The Rolling Stones sang what we all should feel-
"I'll never be your Beast of Burden"
It was announced today that two of your tax dollar backed acquisitions were completed.
Bank of America Corp. spent $19.4 billion in its all stock purchase of Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo & Co. finished spending $12.7 billion in its purchase of Wachovia Corp.Can't you feel the credit relief spreading through your wallets and pocketbooks?
Every able finger and hand should be writing or calling your "Lawmakers" and thanking them for this no accountable spending of your tax dollars.Is this constitutionally legal?
Time to visit the doctor for an injection of large quantities of Blood Pressure
medication!
In the article there is a picture of Highway 225 in Deer Park Tx,in the background is a large Shell Oil Refinery. Wouldn't it make more sense to tax the oil companies ,that made billions in profit last year, rather than saddle the American public with more of the burden.
The Rolling Stones sang what we all should feel-
"I'll never be your Beast of Burden"
It was announced today that two of your tax dollar backed acquisitions were completed.
Bank of America Corp. spent $19.4 billion in its all stock purchase of Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo & Co. finished spending $12.7 billion in its purchase of Wachovia Corp.Can't you feel the credit relief spreading through your wallets and pocketbooks?
Every able finger and hand should be writing or calling your "Lawmakers" and thanking them for this no accountable spending of your tax dollars.Is this constitutionally legal?
Time to visit the doctor for an injection of large quantities of Blood Pressure
medication!
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