I had some good news from the publisher this week. Proofs of my book and cover art are ready for my review. This happened so much quicker than I thought it would. My contract allowed a deadline of one year from the effective date in September. So I am really pleased at the speed at which everything was done.
My next order of business is to do a review of the "editing" and get all the little quirks, as many as possible, worked out and corrected. I am really pleased with the cover art. It really complements the theme of the story of Bailey Black. I will not describe it any further so you will have to wait until it is for sale to see it. I appreciate my little group of fans, and I hope you remain fans AFTER reading the story. Regardless, it was an adventure writing it, and it will be an even larger adventure as I go through the process of publishing and actually getting the book available in stores. It will of course be available on line as well.
I have not been able to blog for a few days due to some strange problems with the Internet service on the island. That is one of the drawbacks of living in paradise; as life is laid back, so are repairmen. I am not sure when it will actually be fixed. Tonight I am borrowing Internet the local hospital. So my blogging will be sporadic, and will coincide with the availability of free Internet, and the eventual repair of my home Internet service.
Again, I would like to express my appreciation for all of you who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Bailey Black. It should be fairly soon now!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The War in Mexico: Every Police Officer in Los Ramones Resigns After Firefight!
The news this morning was that the entire twenty-one member police force of Los Ramones resigned after the police station was attacked. None of the officers inside were injured, fortunately, through no fault of the attackers. At least two hand-grenades exploded, and all six police vehicles parked at the time were either blown up or riddled with bullets. Having myself been a police officer in the past, I cannot blame these men for quitting. I honestly don't know that I would return to work under the current conditions. As of this moment there has been no news as to whether any of the officers have been attacked in their homes.
The attack on the Los Ramones police facility was carried out by one or the other of the local drug cartels. I suppose it is not inconceivable that, just for a moment, the two cartels could drop their differences and attack the police in unison. Whether this was the case or not, the police were outgunned, and probably outnumbered. Whether or not the cartels acted separately, either of them could muster more than enough manpower to overwhelm the local police force. Unfortunately, the Los Ramones incident is not the first of its kind, nor will it be the last, as the drug war continues. No Mexican citizen is safe. Local police officers are virtually assured of imminent death if they continue to serve. Yet many of them do. The state and national police are not much safer, as was so tragically illustrated with the death of Commander Flores. In fact, the Mexican military forces are in the firing line as well, with near daily confrontations with drug cartels all across the Mexican nation.
I believe it is time for the United States to acknowledge what is going on in Mexico. There is three-cornered civil war underway that pits the drug cartels against the civil authority and against the people. The drug cartels are bent on destroying the legitimate government, indeed they are well on the way to meeting that objective. The military and police are clearly a weak corner of the triangle, barely able to hold their own against the criminal gangs' daily attacks on government forces. The weakest angle in the triangle is, of course, the honest residents of the various towns, cities, and countryside who are caught in the middle, and have been since at least 2006.
In 2006 the beloved President Calderon declared war on the the drug cartels. Since that time, over 30, 000 people have died in the conflict, including criminals, soldiers and police, and of course, the innocent (and mostly unarmed) citizens who happen to get caught in the crossfire. The emotional cost, of course, is incalculable. Not only are the Mexican people grieving their dead, they increasingly are forced to endure the further horror of knowing that their loved ones were tortured beyond endurance, their corpses then mutilated, many times beyond the point of recognition. I have deep sympathy for the Mexican people, and like I mentioned in my previous blog, a deep respect for those officials that courageously carry on with their duties in the face of overwhelming odds. The situation in Mexico is tragic and outrageous.
The situation in the United States at this time, while not nearly so tragic, as far as loss of life is concerned, is equally outrageous. I am speaking of two things: first, the almost total lack of current and informed coverage of the situation in Mexico; second, the total lack of response from the United States to the situation in Mexico. In tomorrow's blog I will address the latter, the lack of response on the part of the United States government to the Mexican civil war. Suffice for now to say that there is in fact a civil war raging in Mexico. That war has already spilled over the border into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and other locales north of the Rio Grande. It will only get worse as the government of Mexico falls further into chaos. In the face of this clear and present danger, President Barack Obama has failed to act to secure the safety of American citizens IN AMERICA. He has in fact snubbed the Texas governor, and by extension, the people of Texas, when the governor attempted to personally meet with Obama at the Austin airport. To me the President's lack of concern for the American people is outrageous. Obama's gross negligence toward the safety of the American people may well be the first tangible impeachable offense King Obama has committed to this point.
The attack on the Los Ramones police facility was carried out by one or the other of the local drug cartels. I suppose it is not inconceivable that, just for a moment, the two cartels could drop their differences and attack the police in unison. Whether this was the case or not, the police were outgunned, and probably outnumbered. Whether or not the cartels acted separately, either of them could muster more than enough manpower to overwhelm the local police force. Unfortunately, the Los Ramones incident is not the first of its kind, nor will it be the last, as the drug war continues. No Mexican citizen is safe. Local police officers are virtually assured of imminent death if they continue to serve. Yet many of them do. The state and national police are not much safer, as was so tragically illustrated with the death of Commander Flores. In fact, the Mexican military forces are in the firing line as well, with near daily confrontations with drug cartels all across the Mexican nation.
I believe it is time for the United States to acknowledge what is going on in Mexico. There is three-cornered civil war underway that pits the drug cartels against the civil authority and against the people. The drug cartels are bent on destroying the legitimate government, indeed they are well on the way to meeting that objective. The military and police are clearly a weak corner of the triangle, barely able to hold their own against the criminal gangs' daily attacks on government forces. The weakest angle in the triangle is, of course, the honest residents of the various towns, cities, and countryside who are caught in the middle, and have been since at least 2006.
In 2006 the beloved President Calderon declared war on the the drug cartels. Since that time, over 30, 000 people have died in the conflict, including criminals, soldiers and police, and of course, the innocent (and mostly unarmed) citizens who happen to get caught in the crossfire. The emotional cost, of course, is incalculable. Not only are the Mexican people grieving their dead, they increasingly are forced to endure the further horror of knowing that their loved ones were tortured beyond endurance, their corpses then mutilated, many times beyond the point of recognition. I have deep sympathy for the Mexican people, and like I mentioned in my previous blog, a deep respect for those officials that courageously carry on with their duties in the face of overwhelming odds. The situation in Mexico is tragic and outrageous.
The situation in the United States at this time, while not nearly so tragic, as far as loss of life is concerned, is equally outrageous. I am speaking of two things: first, the almost total lack of current and informed coverage of the situation in Mexico; second, the total lack of response from the United States to the situation in Mexico. In tomorrow's blog I will address the latter, the lack of response on the part of the United States government to the Mexican civil war. Suffice for now to say that there is in fact a civil war raging in Mexico. That war has already spilled over the border into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and other locales north of the Rio Grande. It will only get worse as the government of Mexico falls further into chaos. In the face of this clear and present danger, President Barack Obama has failed to act to secure the safety of American citizens IN AMERICA. He has in fact snubbed the Texas governor, and by extension, the people of Texas, when the governor attempted to personally meet with Obama at the Austin airport. To me the President's lack of concern for the American people is outrageous. Obama's gross negligence toward the safety of the American people may well be the first tangible impeachable offense King Obama has committed to this point.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Persistent Haze Over the Third Coast...and America
Even though the weather today is warmer than usual, in fact, record breaking for the area, there is a persistent haziness in the air that obscures a clear view of the ocean right up to the nearer surf. The oil derricks and passing ships were virtually invisible. I went about my business through the day, had a nice lunch, later picked up my wife at her work and raced back to the island. Unfortunately, when we arrived, the haze had not blown away. Anything more than a few feet off shore was effectively invisible.
As I looked into the haze, I realized that the political and economic view of our great nation is just as hazy and obscure. Our leaders at all levels seem to have purposely set aside the Constitution and the oath each of them took upon their election to public office. No, I am not singling out the current set of politicos, from the president on down to the local county commissioners. Much of the trouble started well before Obama took office, his coat tails overladen with the hangers on who would occupy the lesser offices. George H. W. Bush continued what has become tradition by initiating a war with Iraq that was, among other things, a war to retake oil for western nations at the cost of our American soldiers. The villains, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Ladin lived to fight another day. President Clinton, with all his antics here at home, failed to complete the task of catching Bin Ladin and dealing with Saddam. Both George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton continued to hack away, or support others who hacked away, at our great Constitution and our civil liberties.
In 2002, George W. Bush, no doubt feeling great pressure to act, ordered the invasion of Iraq (again) with the goal of capturing Hussein. That was accomplished, but now, ten years later, that war rages on, AND we have a new (old) war in Afghanistan that we obligingly took over from the failed Soviet Union. At the same time, George W. Bush also continued the tradition of hacking away at the Constitution by supporting, and signing into law, the infamous PATRIOT Act, one of the most serious attacks on our civil liberties in the history of the United States. Now, Barack Obama, whose patriotism was questionable BEFORE his election, doubly so now, continues to wage the endless wars initiated by his successors, and continues to use his power and influence to dismantle our Constitution at an alarming rate. And we cannot forget the outrageous way King and Queen Obama are frittering away our tax dollars for the largest, most extravagant, most bizarre series of state trips of all time.
As the national assault on our Constitution continues on one front, other issues are tearing this nation apart as well. The never ending wars that our forces are fighting around the world continue. The seemingly endless trillion dollar bailouts (read your money and mine lost instead of that of the criminal bank board members and auto executives), with more on the way. Our "representatives," meantime, are busy passing such Constitution stomping measures as the DISCLOSE Act, the blatant attempt to curtail Internet freedom, the equally blatant attempt to silence the voice of small organizations and political action committees at election time while leaving the huge companies, organizations, and special interest groups free to shout out loud right up to the front doors of the local polling place. One especially outrageous bill (among the many) is a bill that would call for unionization of all public service agencies throughout the United States, effectively taking local control out of the hands of elected city councilmen and county commissioners, and placing command of these agencies in the hand of union leaders (which of course includes members of five certain Families). Do you think you have no control over your police and other public servants now? Just wait till that law passes. And you should know that this very bill will be voted on AFTER the coming election. Those legislators who were afraid to pass these bills BEFORE the elections will have no incentive at all not to trample the Constitution by passing these laws in the "lame suck" session upcoming. These politicians have nothing to lose...BUT YOU AND I HAVE OUR NATION TO LOSE!
Do you love President Obama and the things for which he stands? Do you support Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Leiberman? That is of course your business and your right. But do not allow your support for our first black president and these other power hungry politicians to blind you to our Constitution and the DUTY of our elected officials to UPHOLD it. The current politicians, as well as many of those now out of office, HAVE NOT AND ARE NOT UPHOLDING OUR CONSTITUTION, which is the LAW OF OUR LAND. The United States Constitution is the document that embodies the things that set us apart from most other nations of the world. This same Constitution is being ripped apart at the seams before out very eyes!
You should support those politicians who are truly representing you. But if these same politicians are tearing apart our Constitution and our nation, and you STILL support them, perhaps YOU need to review the Constitution for yourself. Many men and women have fought and died to preserve the rights embodied in that great document, but it appears that the people most hellbent on destroying it (AND YOUR LIBERTIES WITH IT) are our very own elected congressmen and senators. We do not have to let this happen. This is still after all, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is STILL OURS!
As I looked into the haze, I realized that the political and economic view of our great nation is just as hazy and obscure. Our leaders at all levels seem to have purposely set aside the Constitution and the oath each of them took upon their election to public office. No, I am not singling out the current set of politicos, from the president on down to the local county commissioners. Much of the trouble started well before Obama took office, his coat tails overladen with the hangers on who would occupy the lesser offices. George H. W. Bush continued what has become tradition by initiating a war with Iraq that was, among other things, a war to retake oil for western nations at the cost of our American soldiers. The villains, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Ladin lived to fight another day. President Clinton, with all his antics here at home, failed to complete the task of catching Bin Ladin and dealing with Saddam. Both George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton continued to hack away, or support others who hacked away, at our great Constitution and our civil liberties.
In 2002, George W. Bush, no doubt feeling great pressure to act, ordered the invasion of Iraq (again) with the goal of capturing Hussein. That was accomplished, but now, ten years later, that war rages on, AND we have a new (old) war in Afghanistan that we obligingly took over from the failed Soviet Union. At the same time, George W. Bush also continued the tradition of hacking away at the Constitution by supporting, and signing into law, the infamous PATRIOT Act, one of the most serious attacks on our civil liberties in the history of the United States. Now, Barack Obama, whose patriotism was questionable BEFORE his election, doubly so now, continues to wage the endless wars initiated by his successors, and continues to use his power and influence to dismantle our Constitution at an alarming rate. And we cannot forget the outrageous way King and Queen Obama are frittering away our tax dollars for the largest, most extravagant, most bizarre series of state trips of all time.
As the national assault on our Constitution continues on one front, other issues are tearing this nation apart as well. The never ending wars that our forces are fighting around the world continue. The seemingly endless trillion dollar bailouts (read your money and mine lost instead of that of the criminal bank board members and auto executives), with more on the way. Our "representatives," meantime, are busy passing such Constitution stomping measures as the DISCLOSE Act, the blatant attempt to curtail Internet freedom, the equally blatant attempt to silence the voice of small organizations and political action committees at election time while leaving the huge companies, organizations, and special interest groups free to shout out loud right up to the front doors of the local polling place. One especially outrageous bill (among the many) is a bill that would call for unionization of all public service agencies throughout the United States, effectively taking local control out of the hands of elected city councilmen and county commissioners, and placing command of these agencies in the hand of union leaders (which of course includes members of five certain Families). Do you think you have no control over your police and other public servants now? Just wait till that law passes. And you should know that this very bill will be voted on AFTER the coming election. Those legislators who were afraid to pass these bills BEFORE the elections will have no incentive at all not to trample the Constitution by passing these laws in the "lame suck" session upcoming. These politicians have nothing to lose...BUT YOU AND I HAVE OUR NATION TO LOSE!
Do you love President Obama and the things for which he stands? Do you support Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Leiberman? That is of course your business and your right. But do not allow your support for our first black president and these other power hungry politicians to blind you to our Constitution and the DUTY of our elected officials to UPHOLD it. The current politicians, as well as many of those now out of office, HAVE NOT AND ARE NOT UPHOLDING OUR CONSTITUTION, which is the LAW OF OUR LAND. The United States Constitution is the document that embodies the things that set us apart from most other nations of the world. This same Constitution is being ripped apart at the seams before out very eyes!
You should support those politicians who are truly representing you. But if these same politicians are tearing apart our Constitution and our nation, and you STILL support them, perhaps YOU need to review the Constitution for yourself. Many men and women have fought and died to preserve the rights embodied in that great document, but it appears that the people most hellbent on destroying it (AND YOUR LIBERTIES WITH IT) are our very own elected congressmen and senators. We do not have to let this happen. This is still after all, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is STILL OURS!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
King Barack and Queen Michelle
Are you outraged yet! If not, how much more will it take? We have an elected King and an UNELECTED Queen in the White House now. I can almost hear echoes of "Let them eat cake" ringing through that hallowed building.
First Lady Obama took that now infamous trip to Spain, in which she took scores of relatives with her, at taxpayers' expense, of course. An entire hotel was rented for this debacle, at of course, taxpayers' expense. That was an outrage, as none of those relatives had any business travelling at taxpayer expense. They were free to travel to Spain, but they should have paid for this themselves. Of course, they could not have gone under those circumstances. WE (the PEOPLE) should not have been charged ONE DIME for this. And I can assure you the Obamas will not reimburse the People. There was appropriate anger in the media, and Michelle, the darling of the press, had to fade a little heat.
But that was not enough for the Obamas...
Now King, er, President Obama is planning a trip that, among other places, will take the Obamas to India. Did you know that for this two day stop, the Obama entourage has reserved the entire Taj Mahal. This reservation includes over 500 rooms. This at first seemed outrageous, but let us look at it with cool heads. There is a major security problem in many places overseas, even for a beloved leader like President Obama. The idea that our president could be in danger may come as a shock to some; nevertheless, that is indeed the case. So I can grudgingly admit to the strategic wisdom of renting this entire facility and basically turning it into a fortress, even if it is for only two days. This is not a big point of contention with me, after all.
Where I must take departure, and spit nails out of anger, is to the fact that two other hotels were reserved (in their ENTIRETY) for "the staff." Why were two other facilities needed? Remember, 590 rooms were reserved at Taj Mahal. I wonder why the President's family, his staff, and the rest of the entourage could not get by with only 590 rooms? That is only ONE stop along the trip. How many other "Indias" will there be on this particular trip? How many more outrages like this will the Obamas perpetrate before the end of his His Majesty's term?
On the particular trip in question, of course Air Force One and supporting aircraft will be utilized. I have no problems with that. Probably Air Force Two will be kept somewhere in the wings. I have no problem with that, either. But I have a problem with TWO MORE large jets being utilized to carry who knows whom as well as press and staff. This situation, along with the King Louis XIV-like burning of OUR TAX DOLLARS by the Chief Executive, is positively revolting, outraging, and unacceptable to me. Can you say ONE TERM PRESIDENT. I hope so!
Does anyone else...Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Communist...whatever...feel this same outrage that I do? I have no reason to doubt that Mr. and Mrs. Obama will run up the biggest travel bill in the history of the United States presidency. So far as I can determine, the waste of taxpayer money by the President and his spouse is not an impeachable offense. I hope we can correct this situation in the future, but for now, BOHICA!
First Lady Obama took that now infamous trip to Spain, in which she took scores of relatives with her, at taxpayers' expense, of course. An entire hotel was rented for this debacle, at of course, taxpayers' expense. That was an outrage, as none of those relatives had any business travelling at taxpayer expense. They were free to travel to Spain, but they should have paid for this themselves. Of course, they could not have gone under those circumstances. WE (the PEOPLE) should not have been charged ONE DIME for this. And I can assure you the Obamas will not reimburse the People. There was appropriate anger in the media, and Michelle, the darling of the press, had to fade a little heat.
But that was not enough for the Obamas...
Now King, er, President Obama is planning a trip that, among other places, will take the Obamas to India. Did you know that for this two day stop, the Obama entourage has reserved the entire Taj Mahal. This reservation includes over 500 rooms. This at first seemed outrageous, but let us look at it with cool heads. There is a major security problem in many places overseas, even for a beloved leader like President Obama. The idea that our president could be in danger may come as a shock to some; nevertheless, that is indeed the case. So I can grudgingly admit to the strategic wisdom of renting this entire facility and basically turning it into a fortress, even if it is for only two days. This is not a big point of contention with me, after all.
Where I must take departure, and spit nails out of anger, is to the fact that two other hotels were reserved (in their ENTIRETY) for "the staff." Why were two other facilities needed? Remember, 590 rooms were reserved at Taj Mahal. I wonder why the President's family, his staff, and the rest of the entourage could not get by with only 590 rooms? That is only ONE stop along the trip. How many other "Indias" will there be on this particular trip? How many more outrages like this will the Obamas perpetrate before the end of his His Majesty's term?
On the particular trip in question, of course Air Force One and supporting aircraft will be utilized. I have no problems with that. Probably Air Force Two will be kept somewhere in the wings. I have no problem with that, either. But I have a problem with TWO MORE large jets being utilized to carry who knows whom as well as press and staff. This situation, along with the King Louis XIV-like burning of OUR TAX DOLLARS by the Chief Executive, is positively revolting, outraging, and unacceptable to me. Can you say ONE TERM PRESIDENT. I hope so!
Does anyone else...Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Communist...whatever...feel this same outrage that I do? I have no reason to doubt that Mr. and Mrs. Obama will run up the biggest travel bill in the history of the United States presidency. So far as I can determine, the waste of taxpayer money by the President and his spouse is not an impeachable offense. I hope we can correct this situation in the future, but for now, BOHICA!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Change is the Only Certainty
Change is the only certainty.
Don't you get tired of hearing it. I have heard this sentiment expressed, in one form or another, all of my life. "Yep, son, the change is the only thing that will stay the same." One of my uncle's favorite sayings was "the only thing you can be sure of is death and income taxes." Or how about "the more things change, the more they stay the same." (If you figure that one out, let me know!) I am sure that change will continue, in fact major change for me will occur in a few days. Major change for me means major change for my wife as well.
Once again I will be leaving home to take a job all the way across Texas. It was only two years ago that I left Midland to take a job here (Houston). I thought then that I was through with the desert and that the sea coast would be my home forever, or at least until the next hurricane hit the beach and wiped out the island. But one should never say "never," nor should anyone really say "always." Changes happen, many times by our choice, more often by conditions beyond our control. Also very often, the changes in one person's life will have a profound effect on others. My spouse will readjust (again) to having me out of the house. My poor children (Child A and Child B) will have to readjust to having me within an easy drive of their abodes. On the positive side, I will be able to have lunch or dinner with one or both children when it is agreeable to all.
Did I say "on the positive side?"
Most of the time change is just what it is...a different set of circumstances. Change can be good, change can be bad. Most of the time, however, change is what we make of it, our attitude towards the new or the unknown. My significant other would probably be surprised to hear me say that we should have a positive outlook for change in our lives. I DO BELIEVE that, I just sometimes don't practice it. What was that? All the time? (Silence, SO, this is MY blog!) I will admit it. There have been a few times that I have not, shall we say, embraced change in my life with open arms. There, SO, I said it!
In the following week or so, I will more than likely make my way back to the Permian Basin. Both SO and I have come to the agreement that we will accept this change and roll with the flow. Yes we will be separated again, but I know it will not be for long. SO will be back with me in just a few weeks or so...that is our hope, anyway. Regardless, we are both honing our positive attitudes (SO has more than enough POSITIVE energy for the two of us). I will miss this place, and I will especially miss my spouse, but I know it is temporary. At the same time, I will be in the same town with the children again.
Another new thing will be the job itself. I have started several new jobs with more stress than excitement and eagerness. Not this time. I believe this job is tailor-made for me, and there is great opportunity. My spouse thinks so, too. I had the best job interview I have ever participated in. The new employers are eager for me to start. The job involves a lot of day travel, but very few, if any, overnight stays. The work is something I have never really done before, but I am eager to start. Change, once again, but change - manageable. If change is inevitable, it can at least be embraced in a positive way...so, here's to the change!
Don't you get tired of hearing it. I have heard this sentiment expressed, in one form or another, all of my life. "Yep, son, the change is the only thing that will stay the same." One of my uncle's favorite sayings was "the only thing you can be sure of is death and income taxes." Or how about "the more things change, the more they stay the same." (If you figure that one out, let me know!) I am sure that change will continue, in fact major change for me will occur in a few days. Major change for me means major change for my wife as well.
Once again I will be leaving home to take a job all the way across Texas. It was only two years ago that I left Midland to take a job here (Houston). I thought then that I was through with the desert and that the sea coast would be my home forever, or at least until the next hurricane hit the beach and wiped out the island. But one should never say "never," nor should anyone really say "always." Changes happen, many times by our choice, more often by conditions beyond our control. Also very often, the changes in one person's life will have a profound effect on others. My spouse will readjust (again) to having me out of the house. My poor children (Child A and Child B) will have to readjust to having me within an easy drive of their abodes. On the positive side, I will be able to have lunch or dinner with one or both children when it is agreeable to all.
Did I say "on the positive side?"
Most of the time change is just what it is...a different set of circumstances. Change can be good, change can be bad. Most of the time, however, change is what we make of it, our attitude towards the new or the unknown. My significant other would probably be surprised to hear me say that we should have a positive outlook for change in our lives. I DO BELIEVE that, I just sometimes don't practice it. What was that? All the time? (Silence, SO, this is MY blog!) I will admit it. There have been a few times that I have not, shall we say, embraced change in my life with open arms. There, SO, I said it!
In the following week or so, I will more than likely make my way back to the Permian Basin. Both SO and I have come to the agreement that we will accept this change and roll with the flow. Yes we will be separated again, but I know it will not be for long. SO will be back with me in just a few weeks or so...that is our hope, anyway. Regardless, we are both honing our positive attitudes (SO has more than enough POSITIVE energy for the two of us). I will miss this place, and I will especially miss my spouse, but I know it is temporary. At the same time, I will be in the same town with the children again.
Another new thing will be the job itself. I have started several new jobs with more stress than excitement and eagerness. Not this time. I believe this job is tailor-made for me, and there is great opportunity. My spouse thinks so, too. I had the best job interview I have ever participated in. The new employers are eager for me to start. The job involves a lot of day travel, but very few, if any, overnight stays. The work is something I have never really done before, but I am eager to start. Change, once again, but change - manageable. If change is inevitable, it can at least be embraced in a positive way...so, here's to the change!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
National Public Radio is Not "Tolerant"
I have to admit I was wondering what to blog about today when the topic of this particular post was handed to me by National Public Radio. The national organization fired a ten-year veteran reporter/contributor for his terrible and bigoted remarks he made concerning Muslims. This newsman, Juan Williams, has a long record of civil rights commentary and activism. As far as his politics, he would certainly be perceived as being to the "left" of moderate and conservative thinking. I believe this left-leaning is more or less prerequisite to employment as an NPR reporter, and certainly necessary for someone, such as Mr. Williams, to move up the ladder within NPR radio. Yet for one single comment Mr. Williams was fired with no opportunity to either recant or to "clarify" his statement and possibly save his job.
Ironically, National Public Radio is of course one of the loudest voices in the media for "tolerance" and for freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Obviously NPR is very hypocritical both in their application of "tolerance" and their application of freedom of speech as concerns their employees. You may say the national organization of National Public Radio is not a "government agency," but I say NPR would be out of business immediately the government ceased its support. But I will play nice; let's concede that the NPR is not a per se government agency, and as such, is not bound to guaranty freedom of speech to its employees, as the Constitution binds the "government," not individuals. In other words, the government cannot legally interfere with a person's freedom of speech; however, businesses do not have to guarantee freedom of speech, and in fact, may fire an employee who speaks contrary to what the business would have that employee to say. So, NPR was certainly within its rights and authority to fire Mr. Williams. But it certainly flies in the face of NPR's constant railing and ranting that Americans need to be "tolerant" and that Americans should be free to say what they like without fear. In reality, if an NPR reporter says something that shows "intolerance," that person is subject to swift and extreme discipline.
Well, what did Juan Williams say that caused such a furor, that branded him a bigot, a racist, and dare I say (Dare! Dare!) intolerant! Here, readers, as that terrible statement:
"Look, Bill. I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I've got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
There is the vilifying statement in its entirety. Juan Williams, unlike many Americans, was willing to tell the truth, to tell his beliefs and fears as an American who must fly the airlines in post-911 America. He voiced what many Americans think, what many Americans believe, and what many Americans are afraid to say out loud for fear of reprisal, as illustrated by Mr. Williams' situation.
I commend Juan Williams for his courage in expressing his fears. National Public Radio should be ashamed of their actions, but of course, the firing of Juan Williams for speaking his mind and telling what he truly believes is perfectly in line with NPR's hypocrisy of demanding that Americans (read anyone of non-Middle Eastern or other third world descent or nationality - and yes, I will say it, particularly conservative Americans) be "tolerant" of almost ANYTHING except traditional values and constitutional government.
Ironically, National Public Radio is of course one of the loudest voices in the media for "tolerance" and for freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Obviously NPR is very hypocritical both in their application of "tolerance" and their application of freedom of speech as concerns their employees. You may say the national organization of National Public Radio is not a "government agency," but I say NPR would be out of business immediately the government ceased its support. But I will play nice; let's concede that the NPR is not a per se government agency, and as such, is not bound to guaranty freedom of speech to its employees, as the Constitution binds the "government," not individuals. In other words, the government cannot legally interfere with a person's freedom of speech; however, businesses do not have to guarantee freedom of speech, and in fact, may fire an employee who speaks contrary to what the business would have that employee to say. So, NPR was certainly within its rights and authority to fire Mr. Williams. But it certainly flies in the face of NPR's constant railing and ranting that Americans need to be "tolerant" and that Americans should be free to say what they like without fear. In reality, if an NPR reporter says something that shows "intolerance," that person is subject to swift and extreme discipline.
Well, what did Juan Williams say that caused such a furor, that branded him a bigot, a racist, and dare I say (Dare! Dare!) intolerant! Here, readers, as that terrible statement:
"Look, Bill. I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I've got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."
There is the vilifying statement in its entirety. Juan Williams, unlike many Americans, was willing to tell the truth, to tell his beliefs and fears as an American who must fly the airlines in post-911 America. He voiced what many Americans think, what many Americans believe, and what many Americans are afraid to say out loud for fear of reprisal, as illustrated by Mr. Williams' situation.
I commend Juan Williams for his courage in expressing his fears. National Public Radio should be ashamed of their actions, but of course, the firing of Juan Williams for speaking his mind and telling what he truly believes is perfectly in line with NPR's hypocrisy of demanding that Americans (read anyone of non-Middle Eastern or other third world descent or nationality - and yes, I will say it, particularly conservative Americans) be "tolerant" of almost ANYTHING except traditional values and constitutional government.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Looking Like Santa Is Advantageous
I have to say that I am dismayed at being totally gray before my fiftieth birthday. By the way, if you want to show sympathy for me, it is okay to refer to my hair as "silver." I am REALLY UPSET at being both gray AND BALD before said birthday anniversary. You see, I made my mind up in high school that I would not do either of these things before I was seventy.
(Here is where my wife punches me and lets me know I was "balding" in high school. She is so kind, but most unsympathetic.)
But back to advantageous...
Looking like a somewhat thinner-than-standard Santa Claus has had its rewards. For instance, I have met at least one kid who believed I really WAS Santa. That was not really an advantage, but it was sort of cute. But to the advantage side, I can actually walk into a mall (particularly this time of year) and be hired as "Santa" in less than fifteen minutes (it takes about that long for the criminal background check to return). Should I ever opt to go that route during the holiday season, I just know I could get all the gifts on Child A and B's wish list, as well is that of my lovely spouse. I have also given a new meaning to the term "white Christmas," although every day with me is more or less white from the chin up.
Another advantage of looking like Ol' Saint Nick is the frequency with which I am offered "senior" discounts when I go out to dinner, particularly at the local CiCi's Pizza. The young ladies in particular are convinced that I have reached my golden years. By the way, why are those years called the golden years when most men are either gray, bald, or both? Anyway, not only do the young misses at the counter feel that I have surpassed my prime, they also frequently leave their duty posts to come over and assist me with the door or help me carry my tray to the table. So far I have saved over forty dollars in "Senior Discounts" and I am not even a member of AARP!
Oh, yes...there is one other reward that goes with being a Santa lookalike in the local mall. I have noticed that many older "children," that is women over forty (and a few younger) would love to sit in Santa's lap and tell him their Christmas lists, because this particular Santa vaguely reminds them of another oldster, Sean Connery. He is REALLY OLD, but from what I garner, he is still popular with many ladies. Hmmm...keep this one quiet. The spouse is nearby!
Yes, I have finally accepted (grudgingly) that I will go into my fifties resembling the Santa Claus who resembles Sean Connery. After all, with discounted pizza, young girls assisting me down the aisle, and older girls confusing me with one of my favorite movie stars, I really can't see the down side. Oh wait, I don't have my glasses.......
(Here is where my wife punches me and lets me know I was "balding" in high school. She is so kind, but most unsympathetic.)
But back to advantageous...
Looking like a somewhat thinner-than-standard Santa Claus has had its rewards. For instance, I have met at least one kid who believed I really WAS Santa. That was not really an advantage, but it was sort of cute. But to the advantage side, I can actually walk into a mall (particularly this time of year) and be hired as "Santa" in less than fifteen minutes (it takes about that long for the criminal background check to return). Should I ever opt to go that route during the holiday season, I just know I could get all the gifts on Child A and B's wish list, as well is that of my lovely spouse. I have also given a new meaning to the term "white Christmas," although every day with me is more or less white from the chin up.
Another advantage of looking like Ol' Saint Nick is the frequency with which I am offered "senior" discounts when I go out to dinner, particularly at the local CiCi's Pizza. The young ladies in particular are convinced that I have reached my golden years. By the way, why are those years called the golden years when most men are either gray, bald, or both? Anyway, not only do the young misses at the counter feel that I have surpassed my prime, they also frequently leave their duty posts to come over and assist me with the door or help me carry my tray to the table. So far I have saved over forty dollars in "Senior Discounts" and I am not even a member of AARP!
Oh, yes...there is one other reward that goes with being a Santa lookalike in the local mall. I have noticed that many older "children," that is women over forty (and a few younger) would love to sit in Santa's lap and tell him their Christmas lists, because this particular Santa vaguely reminds them of another oldster, Sean Connery. He is REALLY OLD, but from what I garner, he is still popular with many ladies. Hmmm...keep this one quiet. The spouse is nearby!
Yes, I have finally accepted (grudgingly) that I will go into my fifties resembling the Santa Claus who resembles Sean Connery. After all, with discounted pizza, young girls assisting me down the aisle, and older girls confusing me with one of my favorite movie stars, I really can't see the down side. Oh wait, I don't have my glasses.......
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