Ol’ Guy

Just go

2011-06-30T08:25:00.001-04:00

Georgia, do you agree with anything?

Do you approve of anything?

600 jobs, no matter how high paying they are, are 600 more jobs than there are now.

It's time for Georgia Hiller to go.

If it is possible to recall, I'll be the first to sign the petition.

Her constituents aren't being served by her constant 'No.'

Go, Georgia, Go.

Now.

And so it goes.

Makes perfect sense

2011-06-22T23:38:00.000-04:00

The airlines never cease to amaze.

They'll boot a football player off a flight because his pants are sagging enough to show his underwear
.
But this guy:

is allowed to fly wearing this getup no questions asked.

Now, I ask you, which guy would YOU rather sit next to?

(And personally, I don't think blue is his color).

And so it goes.

Another one bites the dust.

2011-04-12T21:43:00.000-04:00

And another Republican public official goes down in flames.

What is it with these self-righteous Republicans who want to tell everyone how to live a strong moral life while there's out there partying down?

And so it goes.

That's rich

2011-02-06T10:57:00.000-05:00

Just watched a lovely video from a 'Constitution Celebration' in Naples, sponsored by the Tea Party folks.

Interesting there was not one person of color in the entire assemblage. (Shock).

Interesting there was not one person under age 75 in the entire assemblage. (Shock).

Interesting there was not one person who ever had to worry about paying the rent or paying for groceries or wondering where they were gonna get health care in the entire assemblage. (Shock).

Just what is in those tea bags, anyway?

And why do they think they should tell me how I should live and what I should believe?

Old does not necessarily equal wise. Stupid is as stupid does.

And so it goes.

No comment necessary

2011-01-09T00:00:00.002-05:00

Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik ... blamed the vitriolic political rhetoric that has consumed the country, much of it occurring in Arizona.
“When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous,” he said. “And unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has become the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.”
Giffords expressed similar concern, even before the shooting. In an interview after her office was vandalized, she referred to the animosity against her by conservatives, including Sarah Palin’s decision to list Giffords’ seat as one of the top “targets” in the midterm elections.
“For example, we’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list, but the thing is, that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action,” Giffords said in an interview with MSNBC.
In the hours after the shooting, Palin issued a statement in which she expressed her “sincere condolences” to the family of Giffords and the other victims.
During his campaign effort to unseat Giffords in November, Republican challenger Jesse Kelly held fundraisers where he urged supporters to help remove Giffords from office by joining him to shoot a fully loaded M-16 rifle. Kelly is a former Marine who served in Iraq and was pictured on his website in military gear holding his automatic weapon and promoting the event.

And so it goes.

It's good to be the king

2011-01-04T16:24:00.000-05:00

I know that as one grows older, things get lost in the brain dustbin. Still.

I don't believe I have ever witnessed a statewide coronation more elaborate or unnecessary than that of King Rick Scott, first King of Florida.

Presidents don't make that big a deal about their inauguration.

But this wasn't an inauguration. It clearly was a coronation. Suppose if he makes such a big deal, people will forget about Shifty Rick's dubious past?

And so it goes.

Ya gotta have heart

2010-12-01T23:12:00.000-05:00

Ain't the GOP grand?

First:

WASHINGTON – House Republicans have temporarily blocked legislation to feed school meals to thousands more hungry children.
Republicans used a procedural maneuver Wednesday to try to amend the $4.5 billion bill, which would give more needy children the opportunity to eat free lunches at school and make those lunches healthier.

Then:

WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans threatened Wednesday to block virtually all legislation until expiring tax cuts are extended and a bill is passed to fund the federal government, vastly complicating Democratic attempts to leave their own stamp on the final days of the post-election Congress.

Let children starve. We rich Rupugnicants gotta get our tax cuts. Save a little money so we can head to Paris for dinner. Or a snack.

The tea baggers must be so proud.

And so it goes.

Life support?

2010-11-10T23:55:00.000-05:00

After noticing a number (in fact most) of my old favorite blogs haven't been updated in months, I'm forced to ask:

Are blogs dead?

Have they been replaced by social media like Facebook and Twitter?

Are blogs a thing of the 90s which has outlived its usefulness?

Does anyone care?

And so it goes.

Dis and dat

2010-11-03T00:22:00.002-04:00

Just a few election night observations

- Apparently being unqualified is a qualifying attribute to too many voters.

- A lot of good people got swept away in Tuesday's tea bag ignorance.

- Remember, in nearly every off-year election the party out of power makes gains. Usually at least one house of Congress changes hands.So don't go calling it a revolution, especially since the Dems kept the Senate.

- It makes me SO happy that we continue to have an absentee U.S. Representative. Wasn't aware that Southern California was in Collier County. Wonder if Connie even knows where Collier County is?

- Apparently many tea bags contain hallucinogens.

- An awful lot of voters seemed content to bring in garbage and throw out the quality.

- Could be that the upper class is taking back THEIR AMERICA, at the expense of the rest of us.

- Is the Florida governorship REALLY worth what, $50 million of your own money?

- Do any of you REALLY believe any of this is going to make any difference?

- Just drink your koolade and shut up, OK?

And so it goes.

Another cup of tea?

2010-10-19T16:11:00.002-04:00

A tea party candidate demonstrates her knowledge of the Constitution.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell of Delaware on Tuesday questioned whether the Constitution calls for a separation of church and state, appearing to disagree or not know that the First Amendment bars the government from establishing religion.
The exchange came in a debate before an audience of legal scholars and law students at Widener University Law School, as O'Donnell criticized Democratic nominee Chris Coons' position that teaching creationism in public school would violate the First Amendment by promoting religious doctrine.

And

"Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?" O'Donnell asked, a statement that drew laughter from the audience. When Coons returned to the topic a few minutes later, he said her comment "reveals her fundamental misunderstanding of what our Constitution is."
"The First Amendment establishes the separation, the fact that the federal government shall not establish religion," Coons said.
"The First Amendment does?" O'Donnell interrupted. "You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?"
When Coons summarized the amendment as saying government shall make no law establishing religion, O'Donnell interrupted again: "That's in the First Amendment?"

What surprises me is this doesn't really surprise me.

Just another example of tea party genius.

And so it goes.

Party of dumb

2010-10-02T22:55:00.000-04:00

I see a whole bunch of old rich white folks lined up along a street in Naples today to protest the government spending money on anything that doesn't directly impact them.

If you saw the pictures, you'll notice not a single person of color, either black or hispanic/latino, and not a single disabled person in the crowd. The only children are those that grandma has dragged along to hold a sign insulting President Obama. The kid doesn't know what the sign means, but it's kids who get their picture taken.

The protest, in effect, is that right now the government is not treating rich folks and rich corporations with the respect and deference they had come to expect from the previous administration.

The shame. I'm rich. Pander to me!

There's another undercurrent that the rich white folks know of but cannot speak about except in 'code.' They're appalled that there's a n*****r in the White House.

It's the Whirte House because, obviously it's reserved for whites.

Doncha know.

And so it goes.

YeeHaa!

2010-09-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

You really have to be kidding me:

Haven't they made flying uncomfortable enough already?

This looks like something you would find in a hemorrhoid treatment clinic.

Who thinks up this stuff?

Ouchie ouchie ouch.

And so it goes.

Hallo?

2010-09-15T09:47:00.000-04:00

Opponents of the Islamic Center in New York City near the 9/11 site say the area is 'hallowed ground' and therefore nothing Islamic should be built there.

In the same hallowed ground neighborhood as the proposed Islamic Center (NOT a mosque, by the way): a strip club and a betting parlor.

A strip club and a betting parlor.

Hallowed ground?

Hallo? Anyone out there?

And so it goes.

Apropo of absolutely nothing

2010-09-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the mind wanders. Probably where it shouldn't.

And that mind has decided with certainty that women as a human subspecies have no taste whatsoever.

It they did, the human race would have died out tens of thousands of years ago.

My thinking: The male portion of the human subspecies is, generally, pretty disgusting. Disgusting looking. Disgusting acting. Disgusting in every way possible. Pull my finger and laugh outrageously disgusting. Although I speak no language other than English, I'm betting that in languages with gender differentiation for words, disgusting is universally male.

And not just disgusting. As a group, we're just about universally ugly.

There may be a couple Brad Pitts and George Clooneys out there, but 99% of us are just ugly. No other way to state it.

Yet, somehow, for reasons I cannot fathom, women find men handsome, or cute or hot. Other than the few Brad Pitts and George Clooneys out there, I just don't see it. I have a mirror. I've been in a lot of locker rooms in my lifetime. Handsome, cute, good looking, hot generally ain't there.

Ugly. Disgustingly ugly.

Even the junk we're so proud of, we must admit, is pretty disgusting junk.

But women, for some reason, like some of us. They like us enough to marry us. Make love to us. Make babies with us. Make lives with us.

It makes no sense. Except that using a male yardstick, women have questionable taste at best.

But I'm sure glad they do.

Viva la difference!

(I told you this had nothing to do with anything pertinent. Other than the fact that I just celebrated our 18th anniversary with the most wonderful woman in the world. I still cannot believe I'm allowed in the presence of such a beautiful soul.).

And so it goes.

Yeah, you

2010-09-10T08:37:00.006-04:00

God bless the Christian right, right?

AP Photo/Phil Sandlin Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center speaks to the media.

The Christian Right is not-so-slowly taking control of the GOP. Is this what we can expect more of in the future?

Religious intolerance has worked so well in Iran, Iraq ...

Why not here?

The GOP says it's gonna retake control of Congress.

THIS JUST IN: As you may have heard, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and Terry Jones (you know, the Gainesville, Fla., pastor who threatened to burn Korans on 9/11) graduated from the same high school in Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1969.

I grieve for America.

And so it goes.

Hmmmmm

2010-09-02T21:00:00.000-04:00

Has anyone noticed that since the Alaskan standup comedian Sarah Palin has arrived on the scene, no one has seen or heard from Dan Quayle?

Coincidence?

I think not.

The GOP always seems to have at least one irrelevant court jester around, don't they?

And so it goes.

Why not?

2010-09-02T07:45:00.001-04:00

I know, let's get all out political insights from a failed top-40 radio DJ who's willing to sell anything and everything for a profit.

Novelist Stephen King has referred to Glenn Beck as "Satan's mentally challenged younger brother."

King is too kind.

And so it goes.

I'm Free!

2010-08-25T12:58:00.000-04:00

I believe in freedom of religion.

It's in the Constitution, right?

So as an American, I believe.

JUST NOT FOR ANYONE WHO BELIEVES DIFFERENTLY THAN I DO!

Got that?

If they had proposed a new Presbyterian church two blocks from Ground Zero, do you think there would have been a conservative uproar?

Of course not.

They believe the same things I do.

But not a mosque. They're not American, are they? They shouldn't get freedom or religion.

Just my religion, right?

Hint: The first Europeans came to the New World in order to practice THEIR religion they way THEY wanted to. Because the government in the Old World said you have to worship the way WE say.

What, exactly, is the difference?

The Muslims own the property. They are allowed to build what they want on their property, right? Or do property rights only apply to good, Christian Americans?

Think about it, folks.

Does the Constitution apply to all Americans.

Or just the ones YOU approve of?

And so it goes.

Switching gears

2010-08-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

Let's assume that legal justice includes some kind of punishment for those found guilty.

Whether the punishment be in the form of a fine, loss of privileges, loss of freedom and/or other.

Then let us assume that punishment is, in fact, punishment, i.e. something the guilty party does NOT want.

The most heinous criminal I've heard about in many years is Messac Damas.

You remember him. He's the guy who is accused of (and has admitted to) killing his wife and their 5 children by stabbing them and slitting their throats.

Real fun guy. He admitted he committed the crime when a Naples Daily News reporter caught up with him in Haiti.

Last week Damas appeared in court as part of the ongoing process in which he will, no doubt, be found guilty. (Let us hope he doesn't use or get off on an insanity plea. He may be insane now, but he wasn't when he was executing his children.)

He begged the judge to 'throw the switch,' i.e. give him and enforce the death penalty.

He wishes the death penalty, he said in order to join his family in the afterlife.

Back to the top now.

Punishment means forcing someone to DO WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO.

In other words, Damas wants the death penalty. For him, he sees it as no penalty. He'll just be able to rejoin his family.

What justice would be served by fulfilling his wishes? Why allow him to 'join his family' in the afterlife.

DO NOT GIVE HIM WHAT HE WANTS.

Throw the book at him.

The incarceration book.

Give him life in prison without parole. Life in prison in solitary confinement.

Separate him from society permanently.

But don't give him what he wants.

That's not punishment.

And it's not justice.

And so it goes.

Cook 'em, Danno

2010-08-04T00:10:00.000-04:00

I am not a supporter of the death penalty.

I do not support corporal punishment.

For the most part, I eschew violence at every level and at any time.

However.

When some jerk does something like this, I begin to question myself.

A family left its small poodle mix in the car outside HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers on Monday and it died.

Maybe a couple hours in a hot, dark-colored car in the Florida sun would do this jerk a little good.

C'mon, guy. That's a little, essentially defensless animal, dependent on you for everything: food, drink, shelter, love.

And you cook it in a car.

When the dog was removed from the car, its temperature registered 115 degrees — the maximum temperature of the thermometer.

115 degrees! Or more!

Some people, some people ....

And so it goes.

Gov't 101

2010-07-30T07:32:00.004-04:00

Two letters to the editor in today's Naples Daily News almost had my chin dropping into my morning Cheerios.

To quote:

Reprehensible, that’s what it is. Why do we allow a handful of individuals functioning under the guise as county commissioners to act on the behalf of 300,000 citizens of Collier County?

And

The vote by the Collier County commissioners to bring Jackson Laboratory to our county equates to taxation without representation.

Folks, it's called representative government.
That's the way it's supposed to work.
We allow a handful of individuals functioning... for us, a handful of individuals we have hired, to to act on our behalf,

Representative government.

I guess it's only representative when my representatives act EXACTLY how I demand they act.
Otherwise, it's taxation without representation.
Figure it out, folks.
Would you have written the same letter if the decision had been different?
Of course not!

REP- RE-SENT-A-TIVE GOV-ERN-MENT.
Look it up.
Then shut up.

And so it goes.

Pathetic

2010-07-26T16:47:00.000-04:00

Some people have such a low opinion of themselves that they have to invent an 'underclass' from which to feel superior.

Hence the pathetic sign that showed up in my neighborhood over the weekend:

Although some sorry souls found this humorous, personally, I found it disgusting and pathetic.

And ugly.

If you think so little of yourself that you have to denigrate another human being, just what does that make you?

Sub-human?

Just gotta feel superior to someone/something, don't you?

Didn't work, did it?

And so it goes.

Not a happy sight

2010-07-22T17:07:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately, the news doesn't seem to be getting better. Too close; too close. At least they're not using the 'H' word yet.

And so it goes

Not yet, please

2010-07-20T23:31:00.000-04:00

I think we can do without this.

And so it goes.

Who?

2010-07-17T23:28:00.000-04:00

Florida's in the middle of campaign season (when isn't it?).

Problem is, I have yet to find a single candidate I want to vote for

I have, however, found a whole shitpotful of candidates I sure want to vote against.

I'm particularly suspicious of extremely wealthy men who seen to want to buy political offices.

In fact, I think perhaps the extreme wealth pretty much disqualifies them.

And so it goes.

Never a chance

2010-07-14T08:51:00.001-04:00

Dave Moulton never got it.

The Cubs were never gonna come to Naples.

Never. Never. Never.

All Naples was was a lever to extract more from Mesa.

And it worked.

And Dave, your latest column sounds like sour grapes.

Took lessons from the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, huh?

Wah. Wah. Wah.

And so it goes.

Cause and effect?

2010-07-06T15:35:00.001-04:00

Lets see, more people started playing bills online and using email because of the cost of stamps. So the Post Office started losing money.

To make up the difference, the Post office raised the price of stamps.

So more people started playing bills online and using email because of the cost of stamps.

To make up the difference, the Post Office raised the price of stamps again.

And more people started playing bills online and using email because of the cost of stamps.

So now, the Post Office is raising the price of stamps yet again.

Anyone else notice a trend here?

Think if, just maybe, the Post Office were to REDUCE the price of stamps, more people would go back to using mail?

Or is it too late?

And so it goes.

The north side Hoovers

2010-06-29T09:18:00.001-04:00

I have been a Cubs fan for a long time.

I expect I will be a staunch and loyal Cubs fan for the rest of my days.

I like being a Cubs fan. Really.

I expect that sometime in my lifetime the Cubs WILL win a World Series.

That being said:

This year's Cubs team sucks. Really sucks.

Sucks. Sucks. Sucks.

Sucks.

And so it goes.

Turn out the lights...

2010-06-26T22:32:00.000-04:00

The party's over....

Well, the U.S. soccer (sorry, football) team bowed out of the World Cup with a weak whimper. Pathetic.

For being a team filled with 'stars' and lots of hope, they sure did disappoint. I'm certain some apologists will attempt to blame the officials for a couple questionable calls. Instead, they should blame the U.S. team for a questionable offense.

Not once in the World Cup did the U.S. lead any match.

But then again, it's only soccer.

Not like anyone on this continent really cares.

Well, maybe we will again for a couple weeks in four years.

In the mean time, let the baseball season continue.

And Cubs, you can start any time.

And so it goes.

Ghana have some fun now

2010-06-23T22:10:00.000-04:00

I'm trying really hard to care. I really am.

But any game that the only player who can use his hands is wearing Hamburger Helper gloves and more players flop than in a NBA game just doesn't hold a lot of thrill.

Then there's the matter of playing 4 or 5 hours (or so it seems) for a 1-0 win or an 0-0 tie, If you can at least get it to 15-14 or so, then MAYBE.

And don't forget the vuvuzelas.

Yawn.

And so it goes.

Shocking ... simply shocking

2010-06-22T18:58:00.000-04:00

Who would have thought this could happen in this day and age?

A federal judge in New Orleans on Tuesday sided with the oil industry, striking down the temporary moratorium on new offshore exploration and deepwater drilling the Obama administration imposed last month. That judge, it turns out, has in recent years had interests in Transocean—the world's largest offshore drilling company and the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig—as well as other energy companies engaged in offshore oil extraction.

According to the most recently available financial disclosure form for District Court Judge Martin Feldman, he had holdings of up to $15,000 in Transocean in 2008. He has also recently owned stock in offshore drilling or oilfield service providers Halliburton, Prospect Energy, Hercules Offshore, Parker Drilling Co., and ATP Oil & Gas. Feldman was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

Let's look at that. Appointed by Ronnie Reagan, owns stock in Halliburton and offshore drilling companies.

Yep, definite knee-jerk liberal, I'd say.

Anyone want to bet he's also good buddies with George W and all his oil bidness friends?

And so it goes.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2010-06-22T09:12:00.002-04:00

How in the world can you watch and enjoy soccer (football) if you spend the whole game blowing on those sent-from-hell vuvuzelas?

And so it goes.

Count on it

2010-06-17T07:48:00.000-04:00

Let's see ...

The Pac-10 has 12 but wants 16

The Big Ten has 12. And has had 11 for years.

The Big 12 now has 10. Or maybe 9 or 8.

Don't they teach simple addition and subtraction in college anymore?

And so it goes.

Wait 'til ... ?

2010-06-15T21:58:00.001-04:00

I know it's a long time until September (never mind October).

I know a team performing badly in April, May and early June can turn things around.

But these are the Cubs we're talking about.

As much of a positive fan as I am, it's getting a little depressing.

Aramis Ramirez is on the DL. Again. DLee is slumping. Again. Fukudome started strong and is fading. Again. Geovani is lost at the plate. Again. Alfonso started strong and is quickly falling back. As usual. Can't figure out Mr. Steady (Theriot), Seems like NO ONE can get that key hit. Lou went fishing last July and never came back.

And right now, our 'Ace' is Carlos Silva. That hurts.

All that said, LET'S GO, CUBS!

please

And so it goes.

Spare change

2010-06-03T21:36:00.005-04:00

On first impression, it would seem like a good idea for Baseball Commissioner Bud (used car salesman) Selig to change the umpire's ruling and award Armando Galarraga his perfect game.

After all, it was a blown call. Even the umpire who blew the call admitted after the fact that he had blown the call.

So why not give Galarraga the perfect game?

Why? Because it opens a whole new can of worms. If the commissioner can overrule this call, which others can/will he? And who decides? Selig used to own the Brewers. Would that mean he'd give them a little help on some questionable calls? Or bend over backwards to avoid being unfair?

If that call is overruled, why not a called third strike somewhere? A fair/foul call? The call to cancel a game because of rain?

Part of the charm of baseball is the human element. George Steinbrenner never understood that if he paid a player $1 million more, why couldn't he hit another 100 points higher. Doesn't work that way.

The game's made up of people and rules. People make mistakes. They strike out. They drop fly balls. Then they take the field the next day and try not to do that again. That's the way it should be.

I remember an old story, probably not true, of an umpire calling balls and strikes. After a pitch, the umpire pauses. The catcher says, 'Well, what is it, a ball or a strike? And the umpire responded, "It's nothing until I say it is.'

Umpires have to make 200-300 split-second decisions every game. Maybe more. Umpires are human.

Sometimes humans make mistakes. There's probably a misspelling somewhere in this post. I make mistakes, too.

All that being said, if you're the umpire responsible for saving or ending a perfect game, you'd better make damned sure the call is right. Even if you have to pause to be sure. And if there's a doubt, ... there are three other umpires on that field. Ask.

Umpires have a right to be wrong.

They also have a responsibility to try harder in more critical situations.

Umpires can't afford to be looking over their shoulder at Bud Selig on every call.

But they can be disciplined.

And occasionally, some should be.

And so it goes.

Left for dead

2010-05-27T00:07:00.001-04:00

Reports of Apple's death are, shall we say, a bit premature?
Now if I'd only been smart enough to buy stock.

And so it goes.

Shocked, I tell you

2010-05-22T18:42:00.003-04:00

Are you surprised that a Kentucky Republican can be a racist?
No more surprised, I suppose that the fact that GOP folks met to restate their support for the candidate and, in effect, for racism:

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Protesters carried signs outside Kentucky's Republican Party headquarters decrying U.S. Senate nominee Rand Paul's comments on civil rights Saturday while GOP leaders met inside to pledge their support for the candidate.

Hey, it's Kentucky. And it's the GOP. You expected anything less?

And so it goes.

Hmmmm

2010-05-04T15:57:00.003-04:00

Anyone else think it's just too convenient that Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott was in Times Square at the exact same time the car bomb was discovered?

Coincidence?

And so it goes.

Say what?

2010-05-01T16:25:00.001-04:00

How's that 'Drill, Baby, Drill' working out for you?

And so it goes.

Me, too

2010-04-15T15:56:00.004-04:00

Lotsa Tea Party protests around the country today.

A few observations.

--Funny how the majority appear to be older, well-off retirees. Poor young folks need not apply.
--Lots of signs denouncing Marxism and Socialism and Communism. From the wording, the sign bearers have no idea what any of those isms are. But they know they're BAD.
--There's a clear undercurrent of racism throughout the protests. Not an African-American face to be found. Or a Latino. Just your average White Anglo-Saxon Klansman.
--Seems like everyone is carrying a sign with a different agenda. Some want smaller government. Others want the government to fund just their cause. Some want the abolish the income tax. Others express fear of the VAT. Others are afraid of the Rush/Glen lies presented about the Health Care reform bills.
--It doesn't appear that any two baggers agree on anything, But they sure like to get together and scream. (As long as they get home in time for the early bird dinner specials).
--A lot of they seem to want to vote everyone out. No one seems to realize how unrealistic that is. What they mean is they want YOU to vote out YOUR representative, cuz mine is just fine. It cannot and will not happen. There are 435 congressional districts. Imagine convincing ALL the voters in all 435 districts to oust their incumbent. Dream on.
--I think they just like to scream.
--And show how upset they are that we have a BLACK president.

And so it goes.

Aha!

2010-04-08T12:32:00.003-04:00

Just figured out the health care argument.

If you're rich you can afford health care. You get to live long, healthy productive lives.

If you're poor you can't. You should die. Quickly.

And don't expect us to bury your poor, sorry ass, either. That would mean confiscating some of my justly-deserved wealth. That's socialistic!

Rot, poor folks. Rot.

(But rot out of my sight - and far enough away that I don't have to smell you. I've got another wine auction to go to. Don't ruin it for me.)

And so it goes.

It wasn't me

2010-04-07T18:26:00.002-04:00

I've argued against anonymous comments on newspaper web sites for some time.

No one has listened.

Now, someone has.

Amen.

And so it goes.

At last

2010-03-23T16:06:00.004-04:00

Finally, the U.S. has taken steps toward health care reform.

It's only a baby step, but it's a positive start.

Personally, I'd much rather have the government overseeing my health care than an insurance company whose only real job is to maximize profits for its shareholders at the expense of my health care.

I have been denied care because it's too expensive (for the insurance company). As have countless others.

And so it goes.

Makes perfect sense

2010-03-04T17:59:00.002-05:00

Just curious...

If the print product of a media company is subsidizing the online ventures, why would you jeopardize the print product by pushing all your efforts to online?

If the print product goes under (or is rendered so irrelevant as to be useless), just what is the online division planning on putting online?

And if the online product is so embarrassingly unedited, inaccurate and inept, does that in itself reflect poorly and eventually continue the downfall of the print product?

Finally, why are accountants running media companies when it's obvious none of those accountants pay any attention to the news and have no idea how it's produced?

And so it goes.

Told ya

2010-01-22T05:46:00.001-05:00

$2 fiddle.

And so it goes.

Leverage

2010-01-19T23:37:00.004-05:00

An awful lot of folks hereabouts have been thinking the Cubs just might, yeah they might, yeah I think they're gonna, oh, yeah they're gonna for sure move from Mesa, AZ to Naples, FL.

Ain't gonna happen folks.

Never was gonna happen.

It was all a leverage play. All along.

The Cubs wanted concessions from Mesa. Complacent Mesa. Mesa which has really really become used to having the Cubs there, for like 57 years.

In order to get those concessions, the Cubs had to manufacture a scenario that indicated they JUST MIGHT leave.

Worked. Like a charm.

Scared the stuffings out of Mesa folks.

Concessions are on the way.

Just the way the Cubs knew they were gonna be.

And Naples. We were played like a $2 fiddle.

We never were in the running because truth be told there never was any running.

The Cubs wouldn't have moved. Even without Mesa's cooperation.

They just wanted some new toys.

And they're gonna get them. The Cubs knew they would.

And so, Mesa gets the elevator and Naples, predictably, gets the shaft.

And so it goes.

Vote 'em out

2010-01-05T12:02:00.003-05:00

I keep reading in the NDN's letters to the editor that we should vote out all the members of Congress.

Fine.

Just how are you gonna go about that?

You only get one vote for one House member. What about the other 434?

You only get two votes for U.S. Senator, one every 6 years. How you gonna vote 100 Senators out that way?

Besides, odds are, you LIKE YOUR Senator and Rep.

So, what you mean is that EVERYONE ELSE should vote THEIR senator and rep out, right?

Just how are you gonna accomplish that?

Think people.

Stupid is contagious. Just read the letters to the editor.

And so it goes.

Stop it!

2009-12-08T09:10:00.003-05:00

Can someone please tell me why Snowbirds seem compelled to hit the brakes at green lights?

Yeah, I know, 'It just might turn red.'

Or not.

And so it goes.

I think

2009-11-29T16:57:00.002-05:00

--I think Christmas is coming way too fast.

--I think Florida used cars should be sold for more than those from other states because the turn signals have never been used.

--I think Repugnicants sure have short memories when talking about big government, wars and deficits.

--I think the Swine Flu emergency has been WAY overblown. And I suspect drug manufacturers, who are making a bundle, are fueling it.

--I think health care reform is absolutely necessary now. And I think the insurance companies will spend billions to block it. Because they'd rather control health care than return control to doctors.

--I think blaming the local economy's ills on 'illegals' is a cop-out. When half your economy is based on home sales and resales, and home sales are in the dumpster, how is that the illegals' fault?

--I think assuming that anyone with a hispanic surname is illegal is ignorant, racist and simple minded. Ignorant, racist and simple minded describes a majority of the non-hispanic population of SW Florida.

--I think I'm done - for now.

And so it goes.

Aaaargh!

2009-11-16T16:33:00.003-05:00

They're back.

The streets are crowded. With slow drivers. With no turn signals. And with no clue. Braking at green lights. Changing lanes at random. Living in the left lane at 35 miles per hour.

The grocery store is packed. With octo-couples. Wandering around looking in vain for the Cream of Wheat. And reading the ingredients like Campbell's soup contains plutonium. It's the same soup as you buy up north, folks. We just get fresher plutonium. One of the perks of Florida.

The restaurants are packed. With octo-early birds. Having dinner at 4:30 p.m. to save 10 percent. So they can have another mojito at an extended happy hour.

And I noticed a decided shortage of beer and wine at the local Publix. Look out for tipsy granny and gramps.

Must be season.

The money's welcome.

It's the 'serve me NOW' attitude I could do without.

And so it goes

Sore losers

2009-10-13T21:47:00.003-04:00

The GOP is saying the Nobel Peace Prize has become irrelevant. Because it was awarded to a Democrat, President Barack Obama.

The backlash has become so polarized (and so utterly ridiculous) that the Nobel Prize Jury felt compelled to defend its choice. Quite eloquently and successfully, I might add.

To those who say a Nobel is too much too soon in Obama's young presidency, "We simply disagree ... He got the prize for what he has done," committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland told The Associated Press by telephone from Strasbourg, France, where he was attending meetings of the Council of Europe.

Jagland singled out Obama's efforts to heal the divide between the West and the Muslim world and scale down a Bush-era proposal for an anti-missile shield in Europe.

"All these things have contributed to — I wouldn't say a safer world — but a world with less tension," he said.

The Jury went on to report that the vote was unanimous. Which they said is a rarity. But of course, our Repugnicant Party isn't gonna take that lying down. There's no issue that they can't play politics with and drag through their slime.

The Nobel Prize went to a Democrat. So it's irrelevant.
If it were to be awarded to a Republican (pretend for a moment that a worthy one could be found), that Republican would turn the award down. Because it's irrelevant, right? Wait, if it were to be awarded to a Republican, then it wouldn't be irrelevant, you say? NOW I understand.

The Nobel Jury explains it far better than I can:

"Alfred Nobel wrote that the prize should go to the person who has contributed most to the development of peace in the previous year," Jagland said.

"Who has done more for that than Barack Obama?"

Who indeed?

Iowa proud

2009-08-12T22:55:00.002-04:00

How to tell that there's not much to do in Iowa:

This is the Iowa State Fair parade in Des Moines, Iowa.

Really.

And so it goes.

Whose health?

2009-08-08T11:19:00.004-04:00

Gotta love the GOP and conservative hate radio.

They say they want an honest dialogue about health care reform. But when it comes, they shout it down instead of talking.

Yeah, that's the American way. There are no ideas but my ideas.

And of course the GOP haters insist it's all a grassroots movement:

“Become a part of the mob!” said a banner posted Friday on the Web site of the talk show host Sean Hannity. “Attend an Obama Care Townhall near you!” The exhortations do not advocate violence, but some urge opponents to be disruptive.

“Pack the hall,” said a strategy memo circulated by the Web site Tea Party Patriots that instructed, “Yell out and challenge the Rep’s statements early.”

And the hate mongerers continue to insist it's all an innocent grassroots movement.

Some of the protesters told local reporters they had been urged to come by a local activist group promoted by the conservative radio and television host Glenn Beck. Others said they had received e-mail messages from the Hillsborough County Republican Party that urged people to speak out against the plan and offered talking points.

Apparently, no tactic is too low for the conservative demagogues.

The tenor of some of the debates has become extreme. Ms. Pelosi has accused people at recent protests of carrying signs associating the Democratic plan with Nazi swastikas and SS symbols, and some photographs showing such signs have been posted on the Web.

On Thursday, the talk show host Rush Limbaugh said the administration’s health care logo was itself similar to a Nazi symbol.

On Friday, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League released statements criticizing the comparison.

“It is preposterous to try and make a connection between the president’s health care logo and the Nazi Party symbol, the Reichsadler,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the founder and dean of the Wiesenthal center.

Yeah, that's the way to have an informed discussion.

Makes me proud.

And so it goes.

No quitter

2009-07-07T23:17:00.004-04:00

Still chuckling about Sarah Palin's announcement that she's quitting as governor of Alaska.

Her largely incoherent resignation speech indicates she doesn't have the heart (or smarts) to run a state as complicated as Alaska.

Plus, while she was quitting, she had the guts to say she's no quitter.

Oh, really.

Speculation is that she's trying to set herself up for a presidential run in 2012.

Setting herself up by quitting the only major elected post (mayor of Wasilla really can't count) she's ever held (and managed rather poorly)? If she gets a little heat and quits in Alaska, what could happen if she ever were to set foot in the White House?

She lasted 16 months in Alaska.

Could she last 16 days in the White House?

Doubtful.

Once a quitter, always a quitter.

Thanks, Sarah, for clearing that up.

And so it goes.

Beyond the weird

2009-06-26T22:01:00.005-04:00

As weird as it sounds, I think I'll miss Michael Jackson.

Most of what MJ was I pretty much detested. His lifestyle, his playing with little boys, his crotch-grabbing, his showing off 'his' babies and hanging them over balconies. His obsession with plastic surgery. His desire to change from a black man to a white woman. His overall bizarreness.

But dammit, beyond that, I liked a lot of his music. You hear Thriller or Billie Jean on the radio and don't find yourself singing along or having it run through you mind, you may not be normal.

Beyond all the bizarreness, he was a fine musician.

On the other hand, just try to imagine Jackson as a 70-year-old man/woman/whatever.

It does not compute.

His music (some of it at least) will persevere.

And so it goes.

A trend?

2009-06-25T07:41:00.001-04:00

Secretly, it sounds to me like the GOP is actually relieved to find that its latest sex scandals have been heterosexual affairs.

After all, the Repugnicants are the party of family values. And gays aren't invited to GOP parties.

Whatever happened to Toe-Tapping Larry Craig, anyway?

And so it goes.

I Ran?

2009-06-23T16:07:00.002-04:00

Been trying to put together a blog on Iran's election uprising and the U.S. response but I haven't been able to get it together.

And it kinda feels like the U.S. as a whole hasn't, either.

Congressional Republicans, of course, want Pres. Obama to be much more hard-line. Wave a few swords, rattle a few cages.

I really don't see the point in that or what good that might do. If you wave enough swords, sooner or later, someone's gonna challenge you to use them.

And I'm not all to sure we need another war/war front in the Middle East right about now. We've got our hands full with an illegal war in Iraq, a defensible but repugnant war in Afghanistan and I suspect a clandestine action in Pakistan. We're spread pretty thin.

That leaves a measured but firm denouncing of the election and the repression in Iran. That's been Obama's stance so far.

Still, as bad as it is over there, I still end up wondering 'Can't we somehow do more?'

I doubt it, but it is a totally repugnant situation with no real way for outside interests to intervene.

What to do, what to do?

I told you, I can't quite get it together. Sounds like out administration can't either.

And so it goes.

W-obbly

2009-06-17T21:51:00.003-04:00

Just saw a photo of the ol' W.

He looks like he's been on about a 6-month bender.

Then why to I feel like the rest of the country's got the hangover? And it's a doozy!

And so it goes.

Rushing to judgment

2009-05-27T14:04:00.002-04:00

As long as Rush Limberger is the head of the Repugnicant Party, the Democrats have NOTHING to fear.

Keep talking, Rush.

Conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh called Sotomayor a "reverse racist" on his show. Limbaugh, who is known for stirring up controversy, said he hopes Obama's nominee fails.

"Do I want her to fail? Yeah. Do I want her to fail to get on the court? Yes. She'd be a disaster on the court," he said. "Do I still want to Obama to fail as president? Yeah. ... He's going to fail anyway, but the sooner the better here so that as little damage can be done to the country."

Now there's a TRUE American.
Now, does anyone else want to take their political opinions from an ignorant, pill-popping disc jockey?

Keep talking, Rush. The Democrats will stay in the White House two more years every time you stick your head up your arse and start talking like that.

And so it goes.

Call 911! Call 911!

2009-05-18T20:36:00.002-04:00

Methinks there are a few more problems here than just a messy bedroom. 28 years old, a school board member and still living with daddy?

Things that make you go Hmmmm.

And so it goes.

Work in progress

2009-04-29T09:01:00.003-04:00

Can't quite figure it out.

It took 8 years for Bushie to totally fuck up this country. To a degree never before approached or even imagined.

Why in hell would anyone think Pres. Barack Obama could fix everything in 100 days?

Just because he's 10 times the man Bushy is doesn't mean he can fix things 10 times as fast.

It's gonna work. Just not today, OK?

And so it goes.

Light 'em up

2009-04-23T18:02:00.003-04:00

This ' n' that:

--Drivers still are running scared about the new red-light cameras. Why? Don't run a red light, don't get a ticket. Don't want to get rear-ended, don't drive 15 mph over the limit so the person behind won't and you both can stop safely. Remember folks, driving isn't a right, it's a privilege. By getting behind the wheel, you're agreeing to obey the laws. ALL the laws.

--Bloggers on the NDN site are up in arms because a study says Hispanics and Latinos, even Hispanic/Latino U.S. citizens and legal residents are profiled and discriminated against. Want proof. The bloggers comments are all the evidence you need to know that the study is valid. Such racism and stupidity. Also reads like a sad indictment of our school system.

-- Rep. Connie Mack criticizing anyone about anything is always worth a chuckle. Glass houses, Mr. California Rep., glass houses.

-- Republicans still are bitching that their Tea Party Protest wasn't covered as a great nationwide non-political groundswell movement. It wasn't covered as such because it wasn't. Just a bunch of rich Obama-haters getting together to act angry because there's a N****r in the White House who is gonna tax their millions.

It's always interesting.

Think I'll go to the beach instead.

And so it goes.

Thrilling

2009-04-16T09:26:00.003-04:00

Unless you lived under a rock somewhere, you've by now heard of Susan Boyle, the 47-year-old singer who wowed the audience of Britain's Got Talent.

In case you missed it, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

I've watched it a half-dozen times and I'm still amazed. And thrilled.

You really can't judge a book by its cover.

Why isn't she on Broadway?

And so it goes.

He

2009-04-12T11:04:00.000-04:00

is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

'Bout time

2009-04-07T13:37:00.002-04:00

I see in the paper that Collier County is ready to start installing cameras at intersections to catch red light runners.

Good.

It's about time.

Too many drivers around here seem to think a red light means 'two more drivers can sneak through. Maybe three.'

They make driving a hazard to my health.

I also see that a lot of scared drivers are raising a ruckus about the cameras. Saying things like it's taking away our rights and it's an invasion of our privacy and it's just another example of Big Brother taking over.

Bull!

There is no constitutional right to drive. It's a privilege. And the moment you get behind the wheel you are agreeing to obey the traffic laws of the area where you will be driving.

No, it's not an invasion of privacy. The moment you step outside your front door, you have placed yourself in the public domain. ANYONE can take your picture and use it for any non-commercial purpose (including news) that they want.

Big Brother? Give me a break. The cameras are taking pictures of vehicles breaking only one very specific law. The cameras can't search for drugs or check for valid drivers licenses or even discover if you're driving without pants. The cameras catch vehicles running red lights. Period. You want our limited number of law enforcement officers parked at intersections ticketing red light runners? Or you want then out solving crimes and going after actual criminals? You constitutional types: They might even have time to track down one of your feared illegals or two. How about that?

And finally, folks, NO, the courts have NOT found them to be unconstitutional. Just the opposite. And no, none of those schemes to hide your license plates work. But if you want to give scam artists your money, you just go ahead.

Me, I'm gonna try to refrain from running any red lights.

Anything else, and any other argument (any anyone making that argument) is just plain stupid.

And so it goes.

A little of this ... and some of that

2009-04-02T18:53:00.003-04:00

-- I've been getting a good laugh about the rich folks on Marco Island trying to start their own high school. They're calling it an 'exemplary' high school, I think. Well, I guess that's better than calling it the Marco Island High School for the Rich, White Privileged Few. The fact that the Collier County superintendent and school board has said no way isn't deterring them one bit. After all, they're RICH, right?
If they want to fund it out of their own pockets, find a place for it (not public property) and charge for it themselves, i.e., make it a private school, it may work. Otherwise, it ain't gonna happen. Thankfully.

-- Unless you refuse to collect your Social Security payments and reject your Medicare insurance, quit complaining about how our country's becoming 'socialist.' You're about 70 years too late. And about half a load over the limit of stupid.

-- Given the character of the man at the top, why is anyone surprised at all the problems and resignations within the Lee County Sheriff's Office? If the Sheriff doesn't know and refuses to follow the law, why should any of the other officers?

-- I applaud the Naples City Council for repeatedly rejecting clubs' plans for having entertainment and live music after 10 p.m. in the downtown area. After all, you wouldn't want businesses in the city to actually survive, would you? Then again, poverty is pretty quiet, isn't it? It's so peaceful when every business is out of business. Maintains our tropical quality of life. What?

And so it goes.

Because I can

2009-03-20T23:16:00.003-04:00

Funny ain't so funny right now.

And so it goes.

Humbly waiting

2009-03-02T22:32:00.002-05:00

At the risk of offending the delicate sensibilities of our visitors from the north:

The two seasons in Southwest Florida ARE NOT 'Waiting to Humbly Serve You' and 'Humbly Serving You'

While we do like your money, it'd be just fine with most of us if you left your damned entitled attitude in the north next year.

You ARE NOT entitled to be treated like royalty. You are NOT royalty.

You ARE NOT entitled to go to the front of any line, to butt into queues or to be waited on first. We are not here just to serve you. To cater to you. To kowtow you and worship you.

No, we're not gonna change the rules for you.

You expect us to be polite. How about being polite in return?

I know you're lost while driving most of the time. Could you manage to be not lost at something more than 20 mph? Or how about pulling over, looking at a map and then proceeding at the prevailing speed?

Because, face it, folks, no matter how much damned money you have or how much you spend down her, IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU.

If you want to know the truth, the two seasons in Southwest Florida are: 'Enjoying our Lifestyle Without the Snowbirds Around' and 'Waiting for the Snowbirds to Leave.'

We are well into the latter. Can't wait.

Spend all you want folks, just don't think it makes you royalty. Unless you mean a royal pain in the ass.

And so it goes.

Curious

2009-02-13T15:42:00.004-05:00

Isn't it funny that the Republicans are suddenly concerned about 'our children' having to pay for the economic stimulus package (less than a trillion dollars, no matter what they claim), but they sure didn't seem to worry much about the $5 trillion-plus deficit Bushie and his co-conspirators ran up when the GOP was in control.

Wonder who's supposed to pay for that?

Hypocrites?

Could be.

And so it goes.

Damn

2009-02-03T08:59:00.002-05:00

President Barack Obama hasn't managed in 14 days to turn around a country and an economy that took George W. Imbecile and co-conspirators only 8 years to royally fuck up.

What a failure!

And so it goes.

Scenic, ain't it?

2009-01-28T22:08:00.001-05:00

This is the beach at Santa Barbara, CA.

Naples, is this what you want your beaches to look like?

And so it goes.

Wow!

2009-01-20T18:27:00.001-05:00

We have a new president.

Congratulations President Barack H. Obama!

Thrilling beyond words.

And so it goes.

1 week

2009-01-13T13:38:00.004-05:00

Just seven days from today, Barack Obama will become President of the United States.

Exciting!

There are a lot of feelings wrapped up in this transition.

So, in no particular order:
--I'm thrilled that we will have an educated and smart and composed individual in the White House. One that won't embarass us abroad and at home.
--I'm almost beside myself with happiness that we've finally broken through and elected a person of color to the white House.
--I'm just as thrilled that we again will have children in the White House. What a blessing.
--I'm thankful we have a Christian in the White House who doesn't have to wear his religion as a badge and keep reminding everyone of his Christianity. Christianity isn't a suit you wear, it is personal; simply, personal faith in God. If you have to keep reminding everyone, it's kind of like the person who says he's gonna tell a 'funny joke.' If you have to tell me it's funny, odd are it's not.
--Worry. Obama is inheriting one heck of a mess, economically, domestically, militarily and internationally. His predecessor left the country in the worst shape of my lifetime. Perhaps the worst shape in the history of this country. People are gonna expect immediate results. Yet it took 8 years for the Bush Administration to fuck it up to this degree.
--Fear. Fear that no one is up to the immediate task of bailing out our country. Obama has acknowledged it is going to take time. It's gonna take effort. But people are going to want immediate results. That likely is not possible. If he can't turn things around in a reasonable amount of time (and I'm praying constantly it can be turned around and people allow a reasonable amount of time) the country may not elect another person of color or a person of intelligence for another generation.
--Relief that the corrupt, criminal and failed Bush administration finally is gome.

Please. Say a prayer for Barack Obama and for our Country. We need it.

And so it goes.

Too bad

2009-01-09T07:27:00.001-05:00

It's amazing,

There are folks (read Republicants) who already are declaring the Obama Administration a failure. And only 2 weeks before he actually takes office.

What took you folks so long?

And so it goes.

And dwelled among us...

2008-12-24T08:02:00.000-05:00

Luke 2) In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.
5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And so it goes.

Whew ...

2008-12-10T13:56:00.004-05:00

At this point, I thank God I no longer live in Illinois.

Finally. I got a break.

Now, a show of hands, how many Illinoisans are really surprised at Blago's fall? Thought so.

Although the blatant way he went about trying to sell the Senate seat is really over the top, even for Illinois politics.

Illinois political corruption is usually a bit more, uh, discrete.

Florida politics is none too clean, mind you.

But it sure ain't Illinois.

And so it goes.

Done and done

2008-12-04T18:52:00.003-05:00

Been getting a kick out of all the protesters against the leasing of Alligator Alley to some foreign investors.

Not that I don't oppose the leasing,. It's a bad idea for Florida and Florida's taxpayers. Really really bad idea. Stupid.

It should never have been considered.

But what's amusing me is the protesters seem to believe that anyone in Tallahassee is listening.

The hearings are simply pro forma.

The leasing was a done deal long before it was made public. And long long before they started having hearings.

It's gonna happen. Perhaps it's already happened. They just haven't announced it yet.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. (or leased?)

That's the way GOP politicians work.

Didn't you know that?

And so it goes.

They're everywhere, they're everywhere

2008-11-21T14:02:00.002-05:00

Season is here! The snowbirds have arrived.

Life is suddenly less comfortable, less convenient and more crowded. More crowded by self-absorbed well-to-do retirees here to use our sunshine and look upon us locals as their personal servants.

Whee!

Sure I like their money. And I recognize this area wouldn't be nearly as prosperous and beautiful without them. And I like their money, did I mention that?

But damn.

A few hints, snowbirdies:

--It isn't all about you.

--I would still exist down here without your money. Not, perhaps as prosperously, but I'd be here. And just maybe prices would be a bit lower so I could survive just as well. You have to know that the reason prices here are so high is YOU. Gas is around $1.65 in Missouri. It's still over $2.00 here. Why? Because YOU'RE willing to pay that price. Maybe a few Maserati, Buggati, Mercedes, Bentley and Ferrari dealerships wouldn't exist if you weren't here, but those car salesmen won't let me near those cars anyway.

--It isn't all about you.

--I know you're gonna drive slowly in your big fancy car. OK, I get it, you're either lost or, being retired, you don't really have to be anywhere any time soon. OK, drive slow. Just do it in the right lane. Leave the left lane open for those of us who have to get to work (so we can serve you...)

--It isn't all about you.

--It is not necessary to brake at green lights. Yeah, I know, they MIGHT turn red. But right now, they're not. You can go right through, OK? I really don't need to get THAT close to your bumper to read your AAA sticker.

--It isn't all about you.

--Likewise, it isn't necessary to come to a complete stop before making a right turn.

--It isn't all about you.

--Turn signals can be turned off. Try it, you might like it. (I'd like to convince you that it'd save gas, but that doesn't matter to Caddy drivers, does it?)

--It isn't all about you.

--I know you like to go to movies. I know you also (many of you) are a bit hard of hearing. But that doesn't mean that you have to explain every damned scene to Mildred sitting next to you at the top of your lungs.

--It isn't all about you.

--At the grocery store, I know some of you aren't as speedy as you once were. Fine, I'm patient. But when you spend 5 minutes studying the ingredients in a can of olives (olives, juice) while completely blocking the entire aisle, you're becoming the ugly snowbird.

--It isn't all about you.

--That stop sight in front of the grocery story means you, too. You like it when others stop when the grocery boy wheels the groceries out for you. Stop for me, too. I'm not as quick as I was either.

--It isn't all about you.

--When you're in a restaurant, believe the menu. When you order your 5 p.m. early-bird senior citizen dinner, don't then insist they change the vegetables, change the potatoes, cook the entree a different way, and can I get that in a half-portion? What's the point in going out for dinner if you order exactly the same thing every time, no matter what the menu says?

And finally,

--Did I mention, it's not all about you.

Thanks for your patience. (And patience is something I have to relearn every Season.)

And so it goes.

Jes' a Few Good 'ol BoysTalkin'

2008-11-14T20:15:00.003-05:00

Think the election of Barack Obama pretty much ended overt racism in the United States?

How naive you are. Seems there are more threats against Obama since the election than have been investigated against any other president elect. And these arent just simple Kill Him! threats. Race is all over the threats.

Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama's name and the offer of a "free public hanging." In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus.

And in a Maine convenience store, an Associated Press reporter saw a sign inviting customers to join a betting pool on when Obama might fall victim to an assassin. The sign solicited $1 entries into "The Osama Obama Shotgun Pool," saying the money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Obama was attacked. "Let's hope we have a winner," said the sign, since taken down.

Kinda makes you proud to be an Amuhrrikun, don't it, Billy-Bob?
And that's not all, nor is it the end of the racist blather.

• In Denver, a group of men with guns and bulletproof vests made racist threats against Obama and sparked fears of an assassination plot during the Democratic National Convention in August.

• Just before the election, two skinheads in Tennessee were charged with plotting to behead blacks across the country and assassinate Obama while wearing white top hats and tuxedos.

In both cases, authorities determined the men were not capable of carrying out their plots.

In Milwaukee, police officials found a poster of Obama with a bullet going toward his head — discovered on a table in a police station.

Chatter among white supremacists on the Internet has increased throughout the campaign and since Election Day.

One of the most popular white supremacist Web sites got more than 2,000 new members the day after the election, compared with 91 new members on Election Day, according to an AP count. The site, stormfront.org, was temporarily off-line Nov. 5 because of the overwhelming amount of activity it received after Election Day. On Saturday, one Stormfront poster, identified as Dalderian Germanicus, of North Las Vegas, said, "I want the SOB laid out in a box to see how 'messiahs' come to rest. God has abandoned us, this country is doomed."

The election of Obama may have started something in America, but it sure hasn't ended all the problems.

Has it, Bubba?

And so it goes.

Dressed in rags and hand-me-downs

2008-11-10T16:46:00.004-05:00

Oh, poor Sarah. Whatever will she wear? And how will she decide?

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spent part of the weekend going through her clothing to determine what belongs to the Republican Party after it spent $150,000-plus on a wardrobe for the vice presidential nominee, according to Palin's father.
Palin and John McCain's campaign faced a storm of criticism over the tens of thousands of dollars spent at such high-end stores as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus to dress the nominee. Republican National Committee lawyers are still trying to determine exactly what clothing was bought for Palin, what was returned and what has become of the rest.

Here's a hint, Sarah: If the label says Saks or Nieman Marcus, it isn't yours. If it says Wasilla Costco or WalMart, you can keep it. OK?

But apparently, it's harder than that

"She was just frantically ... trying to sort stuff out," Heath [Palin's father] said. "That's the problem, you know, the kids lose underwear, and everything has to be accounted for."

Let me get this straight, Mr. Heath. Your daughter LOST HER UNDERWEAR? May I suggest, then, looking on eBay? Craigslist?

And this is the lady who was almost one defibrillated heartbeat away from the button.

And so it goes.

Landslide

2008-11-05T00:38:00.000-05:00

Huzzah!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!

And so it goes.

Do it. Now!

2008-11-04T08:32:00.001-05:00

Go vote, dammit.
NOW!

And so it goes.

Just so you know

2008-10-29T23:55:00.002-04:00

Sarah Palin pals around with convicted felons. (Sen. Ted Stevens).

And so it goes.

His name is mud

2008-10-27T08:51:00.002-04:00

And so it goes.

Too late

2008-10-21T08:30:00.003-04:00

After reading all the idiocy on the Naples Daily News web site from bloggers outraged at the NDN's endorsement of Barack Obama, I had a thought:
I think I'll create a political party for all the racists and morons to join.

Then I realized: I'm describing the current Republican Party.

And so it goes.

Hey, big spender...

2008-10-17T20:35:00.003-04:00

To get off the subject (the election) for a moment, could someone explain:

In my neighborhood, there are two gas stations exactly a block apart.

The Shell station has gas at $3.19.9 per gallon. One block away, 7-11 is selling gas for $2.94.9 per gallon.

The way I figure it, that's a difference of 25 cents a gallon. With a 20-gallon tank that's $5.00.

Yet whenever I drive past, the Shell station seems to be doing great business.

Do people really like throwing their money away? Do they have so much that it doesn't matter?

Please explain.

And so it goes.

Because I can

2008-10-17T12:27:00.003-04:00

And so it goes.

You had to ask?

2008-10-16T15:49:00.002-04:00

Turns out that John McSame's Joe the Plumber isn't exactly what McBush presented him as. But since when has truth been a part of McSame's campaign anyway?

HOLLAND, Ohio — Joe the Plumber said Thursday he doesn't have a license and doesn't need one. Joe Wurzelbacher, better known as Joe the Plumber, the nickname Republican John McCain bestowed on him during Wednesday's presidential debate, said he works for a small plumbing company that does residential work. Because he works for someone else, he doesn't need a license, he said.

But the county Wurzelbacher and his employer live in, Lucas County, requires plumbers to have licenses. Neither Wurzelbacher nor his employer are licensed there, said Cheryl Schimming of Lucas County Building Regulations, which handles plumber licenses in parts of the county outside Toledo.
Wurzelbacher, who voted in the Republican primary and indicated he backed McCain, was cited by the GOP presidential candidate as an example of someone who wants to buy a plumbing business but would be hurt by Democrat Barack Obama's tax plans. Wurzelbacher said he was surprised that his name was mentioned so many other times.

"That bothered me. I wished that they had talked more about issues that are important to Americans," he told reporters gathered outside his home.

Wurzelbacher, 34, said he doesn't have a good plan put together on how he would buy Newell Plumbing and Heating in nearby Toledo.

He said the business consists of owner Al Newell and him. Wurzelbacher said he's worked there for six years and that the two have talked about his taking it over at some point.

"There's a lot I've got to learn," he said.

Isn't that typical of the doddering, drooling, confused, angry old man?

And so it goes.

Any questions?

2008-10-15T23:20:00.002-04:00

And so it goes.

The sarah we all know and ...

2008-10-12T19:06:00.009-04:00

And you thought she was just a political gimmick.

NOTE: It appears Youtube is having something of a meltdown. At times it may take up to 10 minutes for the video to load. Sorry.

And so it goes.

Terrorized

2008-10-09T20:30:00.002-04:00

Curious.

Barack Obama and William Ayers served on the same Annenberg Challenge [education] Project in Chicago in 1995. Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground 40 years ago but now is a respected professor at UIC.

The GOP says the connection between Obama, Ayers and the Annenberg Foundation makes Obama some kind of a terrorist.

One of the largest contributors to the McCain campaign is Mrs. Annenberg.

What does that make McCain?

A hypocrite?

And so it goes.

Just a pair of mavericks

2008-10-08T21:57:00.002-04:00

In case anyone has forgotten...

And so it goes.

Fun at the ol' town hall

2008-10-08T08:40:00.002-04:00

Last night's presidential debate was just tons of fun. It was particularly entertaining to see an old man pretty much melt down in front of a national TV audience.

Poor John McSame had nothing new to say, had nothing he could pin on Barack Obama and had nothing that could rescue his campaign from further spiraling down the commode.

The most fun we had watching was to see how many times McBush said 'My Friends' during the debate. We got into double figures, although admittedly we didn't start counting until he was well into his My Friends routine. Apparently, some of his handlers had told him he wasn't coming across as friendly enough. So, My Friends, he had to go out and be friendly.

Didn't work.

He still came across an a crochetedy, grumpy old man who deserves the presidency because, By God, I'm a Hero. (For being shot down and surviving in a Viet Cong prison camp by giving classified information to the enemy.) He acted like he hasn't had a crap in a week.

He looked uncomfortable, unhappy and just plain old. Not in the least presidential.

Meanwile, Obama was calm, thoughtful and, frankly, presidential. (Check out the photo below. It just about tells it all.)

Folks who watched gave the debate overwhelmingly to Obama. They used words like home run, slam dunk.

Every poll I have been able to dig up gave the debate by a wide margin to Obama:

A national poll of debate watchers suggests that Sen. Barack Obama won the second presidential debate.
Fifty-four percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey conducted after the debate ended said that Obama did the best job in the debate, with 30 percent saying Sen. John McCain performed better.
According to the poll, 64 percent had a favorable opinion of Obama after the debate, up four points from before the event. Fifty-one percent of those polled had a favorable opinion of McCain after the debate unchanged from before its start.

That's 54 percent to 30 percent. Even the shills over at Fox News (you know, the Bush Broadcasting Corp.) were conceeding that McSame didn't do anything to help himself.

McSame's goal was to show himself as a leader, the man ready to come in and take the reins of power. Anyone who watched knows he failed miserably.

A majority said Obama seemed to be the stronger leader during the debate, 54 percent to 43 percent, and by a more than two to one margin -- 65 percent to 28 percent -- viewers thought Obama was more likable during the debate.

Frankly, it looked to me like McSame was channeling H. Ross Perot. It was not pretty.

In fact, if McSame had a chance before the debate, now, his campaign is pretty much dead in the water.

"McCain's advantage on leadership shrunk from 19 points in September to just five points this weekend," Holland said. "If Obama can use this debate to convince Americans that he is a stronger leader than McCain, he may be difficult to defeat."
A majority of debate watchers polled thought Obama was more intelligent, by a 57 percent to 25 percent margin over McCain. Debate watchers also thought Obama more clearly expressed his views by a two to one margin, 60 percent to 30 percent.

Sad, ain't it.

heh heh heh.

And so it goes.

Just sayin'

2008-10-03T10:42:00.002-04:00

To all those blind GOPpers still orgasming over the moose-slaying Weatherchick:
Not making a complete ass of yourself is not the same as winning a debate.
And fortunately for America, voters are beginning to understand that

Two quick polls indicated that Biden fared better in the debate. A CBS News/Knowledge Networks Poll found that 46 percent of uncommitted voters who watched the debate thought Biden won, with 21 percent siding with Palin. A CNN poll found respondents judging Biden the winner by a margin of 51 percent to 39 percent.

To be fair, the Weatherchick did provide a few highlights

Palin tried to portray the Democrats as obsessed with the failures of President Bush even as she acknowledged his Republican administration was responsible for "huge blunders" in the war and elsewhere.

Uh, Sarah, you're still running on the Repugnicant ticket, 'member?
It became apparent early that Weatherchick's strategy was that no matter what the question, she was gonna repeat the lines the McSame handlers had forced her to memorize, whether or not they were relevant.

Palin also sidestepped certain questions, pivoting at times to talking points and generalities.
Asked by moderator Gwen Ifill if she would support legislation allowing debt-strapped mortgage holders to file for bankruptcy to get out from under that debt, Palin said yes but avoided details, quickly steering the focus back to a more general discussion of the "toxic mess" in the financial industry.

And asked how she as vice president would help reduce partisanship in Washington, she said, "Let's commit ourselves just every day American people, Joe Six Pack, hockey moms across the nation, I think we need to band together and say never again."

Wonder if she believes any of those hand-fed sound bites she spouted?

Wonder is she understands them?

And so it goes.

Why Johnny can't run

2008-09-30T08:30:00.003-04:00

I don't claim to be a financial wizard. In truth, I really don't understand our country's financial meltdown. Except that I understand it is serious. Very serious.

So I was surprised when House Repugnicants shot down their Pres-idiot's bailout plan Monday. Despite his impassioned plea to pass the plan.

Was it a good plan? Don't know. Was it a bad plan? Don't know.

Nevertheless, at least two people were seriously injured in the fallout from the vote.

Unless he had any doubts before, the White House W-imbecile is officially and irrevocably irrelevant. Beyond a lame duck. Wheelchair bound.

And the Repugnicants' new standard bearer, John McSame, is limping badly.

McSame had hitched his wagon to the bailout star. It was, he was proud to state, a plan he'd brokered personally. He was gonna save the union. He put his campaign on hold (yeah, right) to wade in and save the country.

Right, John.

One problem. His own party abandoned him.

And now where's John at?

Republican John McCain has maneuvered himself into a political dead end and has five weeks to find his way out.
Last Wednesday, McCain suspended his presidential campaign to insert himself into a $700 billion effort to rescue America's crumbling financial structure. In so doing, he tied himself far more tightly to the bill than did his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama.

Then, as the bailout plan appeared ready for passage Monday in the House, McCain bragged that he was an action-oriented Teddy Roosevelt Republican who did not sit on the sidelines at a moment of crisis.
The implication: that he played a critical role in building bipartisan support for the unprecedented bailout.

"I went to Washington last week to make sure that the taxpayers of Ohio and across this great country were not left footing the bill for mistakes made on Wall Street and in Washington," McCain said at a campaign rally in the swing state of Ohio.

Problem was, John, your fellow Repugnicants weren't buying. Set yourself up as a maverick, even against your own party, and now you're hard-pressed to find a constituency, huh? Now who do you blame? Who else?

Initially, McCain went silent, choosing instead to send his chief economic adviser out with a statement that blamed Obama, claiming that the first-term Illinois senator had put his political ambitions ahead of the good of the country.
"This bill failed because Barack Obama and the Democrats put politics ahead of country," McCain senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin said.

It wasn't long, however, before McCain told reporters in Iowa: "Now is not the time to fix the blame, it's time to fix the problem."

Even YOU couldn't buy that, could you, Johnny?

So where does that leave McSame?

If the congressional impasse leads to a credit crisis, "it's not going to be good for McCain," veteran Republican consultant John Feehery said.

Toooo bad.

You went into the campaign admitting you didn't know much about the economy. Sure proved that, didn't you?

All you know is how to play dirty.

Let's see you sling enough mud to get out of this one, Johnny.

And so it goes.

Winnah!

2008-09-27T13:30:00.003-04:00

I thought it was close, but close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades and drive-in movies.

So, the winner of Friday night's debate was: Barack Obama!

A national poll of people who watched the first presidential debate suggests that Barack Obama came out on top, but there was overwhelming agreement that both Obama and John McCain would be able to handle the job of president if elected.
Fifty-one percent of those polled thought Obama did the better job in Friday night's debate, while 38 percent said John McCain did better.

Going in, I kinda figured if it was a draw, then you had to go with Obama. Since McCain obviously has more foreign policy exprience, if Obama held his own, then he won. He more than held his own.

McCain apparently failed to get the "game changer" he needed to reverse his deficit in the polls, Silverleib said.
Both candidates appeared to exceed expectations. McCain did better than expected in the minds of 60 percent, while 57 percent said Obama did a better job in the debate than they expected. Twenty percent said both candidates did worse than expected.

Personally, I thought the debate was duller than watching paint dry, but maybe that's just me.

Anyway. I'm glad it's over

And I'm glad Obama won.

And so it goes.

Suspended?

2008-09-25T00:12:00.002-04:00

Or throwing in the towel?

Looks to me like, given rapidly sliding poll numbers...

Plus a fear of facing Obama in a debate.

Add in a fear of sending the Weatherchick out on her own.

John McSame is just kinda giving up.

First time he's done the right thing all campaign.

And so it goes.

Change ... his Depends

2008-09-18T12:44:00.004-04:00

It's heartening to see that voters aren't as dumb as we sometimes think (despite those women rushing out to buy $500 Sara 'Weatherchick' Palin-style glasses). How shallow. But so is she.

Seems most voters have figured John McSame out after all:

Despite an intense effort to distance himself from the way his party has done business in Washington, Senator John McCain is seen by voters as far less likely to bring change to Washington than Senator Barack Obama. He is widely viewed as a “typical Republican” who would continue or expand President Bush’s policies, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

The voters even have seemed to cool to the weather chick's temporary popularity:

Polls taken after the Republican convention suggested that Mr. McCain had enjoyed a surge of support — particularly among white women after his selection of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate — but the latest poll indicates “the Palin effect” was, at least so far, a limited burst of interest.

All in all, it's pretty heartening:

Among other groups, Mr. Obama had a slight edge among independents, and a 16-percentage-point lead among voters ages 18 to 44. Mr. McCain was leading by 17 points among white men and by the same margin among voters 65 and over. Before the convention, voters 65 and older were closely divided. In the latest poll, middle-age voters, 45 to 64, were almost evenly divided between the two.

The Weatherchick isn't giving the GOP the boost it fantasized about.

This poll found evidence of concern about Ms. Palin’s qualifications to be president, particularly compared with Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, Mr. Obama’s running mate. More than 6 in 10 said they would be concerned if Mr. McCain could not finish his term and Ms. Palin had to take over. In contrast, two-thirds of voters surveyed said Mr. Biden would be qualified to take over for Mr. Obama, a figure that cut across party lines. And 75 percent said they thought Mr. McCain had picked Ms. Palin more to help him win the election than because he thought that she was well qualified to be president. ...

Of course, the GOP will claim that the poll is skewed because it says NYT on it. That's the way the GOP works; can't contradict the message, blame the messenger.

To put it another way: 'As a Republican, I only believe those news reports which affirm my already formed predjudices.'

And so it goes.

I didn't write it ... but I like it

2008-09-15T14:39:00.000-04:00

I'm a little confused.

Let me see if I have this straight... (I hope I'm not offending anyone)

If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'

Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, you're a quintessential American story.

If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

But if you name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.

Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that
registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor,
spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with fewer than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive (and according to the actuarial tables, you have a greater than 30% chance of succeeding the president during your first term).

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your un-wed teen daughter
ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community,
then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

If your husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now! Whew!!! Boy...I was worried there for a minute.

And so it goes.

Lotsa bull here

2008-09-14T08:58:00.002-04:00

And so it goes.