Conflicted

I've got a problem.

I'm pretty much vehemently anti-smoking.

I'm also pretty much vehemently pro beach. That's one of the major reasons I live in Naples. I love the beach.

But for some reason, I really don't like the proposal by Naples to ban smoking on all beaches and surrounding areas.

Since moving here some time ago, I've noticed that a lot more people seem to smoke down here than did up north. I figure it has to do with the age of the population down here. The older generation, the WWII and Korean War folks, smokes. A lot. (Although they shouldn't.) Hell, back then, they were told it was good for them. Doctors endorsed certain brands.

It's the younger folks who are getting smarter and are quitting. Most of the smokers I see down here are of the retired variety. And there are a LOT of those retired types living in Naples. I hope to be one of them some day. (I hope to be retired, not a smoker.)

That said, when I go to the beach, I definitely do not want to sit next to a smoker and smell their nasty old smoke.

At the same time, I can't see denying the use of the beach to such a large part of our population. The beach should be for everyone. Even smokers. There's a lot of beach out there.

Can't we find some kind of compromise? Can't we say, smokers, you can go over here to this little bitty area and non-smokers, this great big area is for you? Or perhaps set aside an area in the 'defined perimeter' of the beach and say, OK smokers, if you need a weed, here's where you can light up. Here's where you can go in the great out-of-doors to smoke and not bother or offend non-smokers.

I fought hard for a smoking ban in my old community up north. But that was an indoor ban. And we won.

But the beaches, I've noticed, are outside.

It's not a right to smoke. And it's not appropriate to smoke anywhere where it could offend or harm the health of others.

But when it comes to our most prized possession - our beaches - can't we all just get along?

See my dilemma?

And so it goes.

Say Buh-Bye

It already is time for Superintendent Dennis Thompson to go.

His Royal Arrogance was on display last week when he declared himself and his fiefdom to be above the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I can't say it any better than NDN's Phil Lewis said, so read his Sunday column.
Apparently, Thompson thinks if he covers up bad news, it'll just go away. His excuse was that the media would disrupt the school. Bull. All it would have disrupted was his carefully-created facade of professionalism. We all now know for sure it's just a facade.

Resign, Dennis. Leave.

And take school board member (and chronic sexual harrasser) Richard Calabrese with you.

You both are disgraces to education.

And so it goes.

Listen up

Can you believe it?!?

The Collier County School Board, in a rare reversal of policy, actually listened to its constituency. You know, the people who put them in office (and were threatening to string them up).
At least temporarily, the board decided the bow to the will of the people, at least for one year.

The Collier County School Board agrees block scheduling should stay in Collier County high schools. For one more year. But whether to go from eight credits to seven in the 2009-10 school year was a little trickier. The School Board voted 4-1 Thursday night to keep the 4x4 block schedule for the 2008-09 school year.

This, of course, isn't to say that the board won't go into executive session in the next month or so and reverse itself.

But at least temporarily the will of the people has been heard.

Whoda thunk it?

And so it goes.

Northern Illinois University

And people still think we don't need stricter gun control.

In the 21st century, the only purpose of guns is to kill other people.

To argue otherwise is pure stupidity.

How many more?

And so it goes.

Just send money

Just got back from my weekly excursion to the grocery store. And I have one thing to say:
PLEASE, IS SEASON OVER SOON?
The antics of our seasonal guests never cease to amaze me. It is, after all about them.

ALL about them.

A gentleman stocking cereal was interrupted so he could help a well-dressed woman find a particular brand of cereal - that was right in front of her at eye level. And once she was handed the cereal and directed to her next shopping list item (can't look, gotta be waited on, after all) she proceeded to interrogate the stocker to make sure that the store continue to stock that item. (Which they have, the clerk said, for years...)

Another shopper grabbed onto a stocker and proceeded to have him guide her throughout the store to find all her items. Didn't know Publix had personal shoppers.

As I left the store (I did my own shopping, thank you) I was nearly run down by a Mercedes with a New York plate who decided those stop signs and painted crosswalks in front of the store couldn't possible be for him.

And finally, as I approached my vehicle, another woman (Ontario plate) finished loading her Lexus and left her cart directly behind my vehicle.

Yes, I know, our seasonal guests are a big boost to our economy. It's their money and presence that helps make our lifestyle so enjoyable.

But their attitude (it's all about ME) is really beginning to wear thin.

And this doesn't even begin to take into account the driving habits of our 'guests.' More on that later. I'm keeping a list.

Please, visitors, when you move south for the winter, bring your manners and a bit of common courtesy along. Please.

Better yet, stay home.

Just send the money.

And so it goes.