I had to take the time to write this blog, because every day I log onto my Facebook account and see the same things over and over again. No, not just the Farmville and Cityville requests...political statements that make absolutely no sense. I see a group of people who are so alike, yet are so far apart. It's like watching brothers and sisters playing "Marco Polo" but no one ever comes close to winning.
As many of you know, I am a conservative, but by no means am I textbook. I don't think there is anyone that fully fits an actual definition of a label to a "t". If they do, they're probably trying too hard to be the label and in the process they lose their true self. Most of the friends that I've made politically on Facebook have been conservatives (like-minded individuals tend to gravitate towards one another), but I do have some very liberal friends, as well as some who are very non-political. It's one reason why I refer to my timeline as a melting pot, because I have so many diverse viewpoints mixed together This blog, however, is mainly to my fellow conservatives. Right now, if the rest of the conservatives in this country act like the ones in my timeline, the liberals win again in 2012 and we will see a second term for President Obama.
It boils down to one simple fact: we conservatives can't agree on anything except the fact that we want conservatism to win. The problem is that no one really knows how to accomplish it. Take a look at the GOP candidates for President in 2012. Yes, I know not all Republicans are conservatives, but the two go hand-in-hand more often than not. Right now the front-runners are Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, and Herman Cain. Rumored to also enter are Mitt Romney, Allen West, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman and a host of others. But ask a handful of Republicans who they'd vote for and chances are you'll get different responses every time. Not one of the candidates in the field seems to be enough for everyone to agree on...and that's part of where the problem exists.
As everyone is fond of pointing out in this day and age, everyone is different and diversity is a good thing. I fully agree, but conservatives haven't quite figured this out. As soon as someone gets an idea that partially strays from the conservative playbook, they're dismissed. Everyone who runs for president as a conservative is automatically compared to Ronald Reagan. Not a bad person to compare to, especially since I consider him to be a great president, but you can't compare people like that. That would be like comparing me to one of you. We're all different and no two of us are exactly alike...just like snowflakes. So why do we put such emphasis on finding that ONE person who has EVERY view point the same as ours, when we know it will most likely only be possible in a Utopian world?
You see, this is where I feel liberals have an edge on us. Look at the last election and how quickly the Democrat field was narrowed down. In the end they were down to two candidates: Obama and Clinton, to which Clinton finally caved. I know it had to be killing her, knowing that she had HUGE support on the left and middle, but she bowed out for the good of her cause. Republicans and conservatives can't do this. If we don't like Romney because he had his own version of socialized medicine in Massachusetts, we can't back him, even though a lot of his other ideas are good for the country. We can't put support behind Palin because of her lack of political experience on a national level, as well as her "folksy" personality. Herman Cain is no good because he was once involved in the Federal Reserve. You see what I mean? We're quick to throw the baby out with the bath water just because of a couple of flaws. Instead, we should all be looking at who has the best shot of winning the election and promoting the great ideas that conservatism has to offer.
I hesitate to make this comparison for the possibility that it might be misunderstood, but I think everyone that reads this will understand its intent and realize the meaning is exactly as I have written here. When ratifying the Declaration of Independence, many Northerners (especially John Adams) were absolutely opposed at the idea of striking references to abolishing slavery, knowing how important the issue was. But slowly they realized that the first steps to be taken could not be huge leaps and that if they were to ever get slavery abolished, they must first get the Declaration in place, then work towards abolition and other goals. While some would argue that issues we face today are nowhere near the importance of the slavery issue, I feel we must do the same for the election. We must find a candidate with whom we agree on MOST issues, then once that candidate becomes president, we will work on the other issues which require fixing.
As I've said before and I will continue to say, all Americans should unite on those ideas where we agree, then work together to get closer on the ones where we don't. Specifically, thought, I think the Republican party and conservatives in particular would benefit from this if there is any hope of victory in 2012. Conservative Facebook and Twitter friends (and any others who may be reading this), I challenge you to take in all opinions and weigh all possibilities before you dismiss someone that may just be our best hope at getting a fellow conservative in the White House. If not, we're opening the door for another four years that may continue this country in a direction we can't afford in so many ways.
I always look forward to your opinions, as long as they're presented in a respectful manner and with real thought behind them...or dripping with heavy sarcasm.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
The End?
After all this time, I think I may be done with politics.
Yes, you all heard me right...I may be done with politics. For those of you who really know me, this will be either a moment of shock or a "yeah right" moment. But really, truly, I may actually be done this time. Unfortunately it took a huge tragedy to force me to this point.
It's been a while since I've been able to listen to talk radio at my desk because of my current work situation (one of my bosses actually sits beside me now & I know for a fact he's not a fan of talk radio) & I can honestly say that I haven't missed it all that much. While I miss some of the entertainment & high-brow humor that you don't find really anywhere else, I find myself a lot less pissed off. Surprisingly enough I'm still able to keep up on my current events & understand what is happening in the world. If there is one thing talk radio has taught me, it's that you take whatever they present as news, from multiple sources if possible, then come to your own informed conclusion. This vacation from talk radio had started my exit from politics, but it wasn't until the tragic events of this weekend that I made the decision to try & walk away completely.
As you all know by now, a shooting took place in Arizona that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords gravely injured and six others dead, including an innocent nine-year-old girl. Immediately upon hearing this news, I saw multiple posts about the shooting on Facebook & Twitter. I was expecting to see "prayers & thoughts" for those involved & their families, which I did see, but the majority of the posts sickened me. Here was a senseless act done by an obviously mentally deranged person & people were trying to assign logic to it by entering politics into the equation. Before anyone starts more finger-pointing here, I saw it from BOTH sides of the political aisle, not just one side.
The comments I saw included the following (& since there were many, I will paraphrase here): "I wonder what his political affiliation was", "Sarah Palin should be held accountable", "Blame Obama", "If it weren't for all the illegals...", etc... The comments went on & on & on & on & on... No one was able to look at this situation from the outside, take politics out of the equation, & see this for what it was: a horrible tragedy that should never have happened. If anyone wants to place any blame, I will tell you who to blame, though you may not want to hear it.
If you have a bathroom, here is where I will ask you to walk to it, go inside & look at the big glass thing hanging above your sink. Recognize the face? We the American people are all responsible for tragedies like this. We have placed so much weight on who wins an election & who is on the right side of what issues that we have created these monsters. Instead of having the human reaction & mourning for the losses of life, we automatically try to assign blame to political parties, ideologies, & individuals. We try to apply a twisted type of logic that should not enter into the equation. I take politics very seriously & I love engaging in conversation, but I'm not willing to kill someone whose party affiliation differs from me. That's what I'm afraid American politics is becoming.
Many of the people I consider to be political opponents as well as friends will know that I always try to look at each situation with logic and compassion, trying to see a subject from both sides. To me there is no political topic that can't be discussed or debated civilly & some kind of compromise or agreement be reached. There is always some kind of common ground where we can stand. I fear that less & less people are seeing this as common ground, but instead as a piece of ground to be won & claimed. If it can't be won by topping someone in an argument, then violence comes into play. When someone feels that by killing a nine-year-old girl they'll get their point across to me, the original point ceases to be the focus of my concern.
I implore anyone who reads this to now go from looking at themselves in the mirror, to finding that person or those people who you hold most precious & tell them you love them. All of the philosophies, ideologies, opinions, facts, issues, debates, etc... mean absolutely nothing if there is no value assigned first to human life. When we use the loss of that precious life as a gain for an agenda or cause, that cause or agenda no longer has any substance. It ceases to be relevant.
One day I hope we can return to the point where politics can be debated in a healthy manner, competitive but not to the extent of forgetting what is most important. Until that happens, I'm not really interested in continuing any further with politics. I'm trying to put an end to the politics as it exists right now by saying it's The End for me before humanity & decency comes to an end from the politics.
PS: If you're reading this, chances are I know you personally or through one of the social media I use on a regular basis. If so, know that I cherish & appreciate your love & friendship. I hope that you take my words to heart & that you will come to the same conclusion I did.
Yes, you all heard me right...I may be done with politics. For those of you who really know me, this will be either a moment of shock or a "yeah right" moment. But really, truly, I may actually be done this time. Unfortunately it took a huge tragedy to force me to this point.
It's been a while since I've been able to listen to talk radio at my desk because of my current work situation (one of my bosses actually sits beside me now & I know for a fact he's not a fan of talk radio) & I can honestly say that I haven't missed it all that much. While I miss some of the entertainment & high-brow humor that you don't find really anywhere else, I find myself a lot less pissed off. Surprisingly enough I'm still able to keep up on my current events & understand what is happening in the world. If there is one thing talk radio has taught me, it's that you take whatever they present as news, from multiple sources if possible, then come to your own informed conclusion. This vacation from talk radio had started my exit from politics, but it wasn't until the tragic events of this weekend that I made the decision to try & walk away completely.
As you all know by now, a shooting took place in Arizona that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords gravely injured and six others dead, including an innocent nine-year-old girl. Immediately upon hearing this news, I saw multiple posts about the shooting on Facebook & Twitter. I was expecting to see "prayers & thoughts" for those involved & their families, which I did see, but the majority of the posts sickened me. Here was a senseless act done by an obviously mentally deranged person & people were trying to assign logic to it by entering politics into the equation. Before anyone starts more finger-pointing here, I saw it from BOTH sides of the political aisle, not just one side.
The comments I saw included the following (& since there were many, I will paraphrase here): "I wonder what his political affiliation was", "Sarah Palin should be held accountable", "Blame Obama", "If it weren't for all the illegals...", etc... The comments went on & on & on & on & on... No one was able to look at this situation from the outside, take politics out of the equation, & see this for what it was: a horrible tragedy that should never have happened. If anyone wants to place any blame, I will tell you who to blame, though you may not want to hear it.
If you have a bathroom, here is where I will ask you to walk to it, go inside & look at the big glass thing hanging above your sink. Recognize the face? We the American people are all responsible for tragedies like this. We have placed so much weight on who wins an election & who is on the right side of what issues that we have created these monsters. Instead of having the human reaction & mourning for the losses of life, we automatically try to assign blame to political parties, ideologies, & individuals. We try to apply a twisted type of logic that should not enter into the equation. I take politics very seriously & I love engaging in conversation, but I'm not willing to kill someone whose party affiliation differs from me. That's what I'm afraid American politics is becoming.
Many of the people I consider to be political opponents as well as friends will know that I always try to look at each situation with logic and compassion, trying to see a subject from both sides. To me there is no political topic that can't be discussed or debated civilly & some kind of compromise or agreement be reached. There is always some kind of common ground where we can stand. I fear that less & less people are seeing this as common ground, but instead as a piece of ground to be won & claimed. If it can't be won by topping someone in an argument, then violence comes into play. When someone feels that by killing a nine-year-old girl they'll get their point across to me, the original point ceases to be the focus of my concern.
I implore anyone who reads this to now go from looking at themselves in the mirror, to finding that person or those people who you hold most precious & tell them you love them. All of the philosophies, ideologies, opinions, facts, issues, debates, etc... mean absolutely nothing if there is no value assigned first to human life. When we use the loss of that precious life as a gain for an agenda or cause, that cause or agenda no longer has any substance. It ceases to be relevant.
One day I hope we can return to the point where politics can be debated in a healthy manner, competitive but not to the extent of forgetting what is most important. Until that happens, I'm not really interested in continuing any further with politics. I'm trying to put an end to the politics as it exists right now by saying it's The End for me before humanity & decency comes to an end from the politics.
PS: If you're reading this, chances are I know you personally or through one of the social media I use on a regular basis. If so, know that I cherish & appreciate your love & friendship. I hope that you take my words to heart & that you will come to the same conclusion I did.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I'm Offended That You're Offended
If you've ever seen a movie or a TV show that shows the stereotypical auto repair shop or garage at a car dealership, you'll no doubt see calendars hanging up on the toolboxes of the mechanics/technicians or on the walls. Some have the types of cars the dealership sells, some will have antique autos of different body styles, and yet others will have pictures of a whole different kind of body...you know what I mean. Such a calendar hung at the back wall of the car dealership where I work, though it was nowhere near as risque as you might think. The tool companies that frequent the dealership will bring these calendars around yearly and distribute them to the techs that give them the most business. This particular calendar had beautiful women that were wearing revealing outfits, but could not be called scantily clad by any stretch of the imagination. Basically I've seen calendars that show a WHOLE lot more. Yet, on a recent walk-through by our insurance company, it was suggested to our owners that this calendar, in plain sight of customers, could be offensive and should be removed immediately. One of the owners immediately complied.
The question I have for you, ladies and gentlemen, is this: do I have any recourse that I may take for this action, which I deem to be offensive? Before you answer, I can already tell you the answer is no. I'm finding that in this day and age, especially in our country's current configuration, if you're offended by something someone says, does, thinks, etc... you immediately have the upper hand. Whatever ruling body in charge that can make a decision to pacify the offended party almost has no other choice but to give in to the demands. So by this choice, the offenders could now also become the offended, taking an offense to the offense felt by the original offended party (this really does make sense, people...if you need a program to follow, one is for sale). Back to my situation. Not that I looked at this calendar all that much, but it did have a certain beauty to it that was a change. Now, instead of taking a minute to look at this calendar, all I can see from my desk are the technicians...and believe me, this carnivore isn't into the sausage-fest.
I put it to you, ladies and gentlemen, that we as a people are getting too thin-skinned and sue-happy. Just because someone has a varying opinion from us or of us, we have to take offense to it. At the same time, we have to acquiesce to the needs of every individual, which is in all actuality impossible because we are all different. If that doesn't happen, it's time to get legal representation involved. Instead, why don't we just agree where we can but disagree if we must? I think we've got some work to do here in the country and this is just one of the areas that could use some help.
The question I have for you, ladies and gentlemen, is this: do I have any recourse that I may take for this action, which I deem to be offensive? Before you answer, I can already tell you the answer is no. I'm finding that in this day and age, especially in our country's current configuration, if you're offended by something someone says, does, thinks, etc... you immediately have the upper hand. Whatever ruling body in charge that can make a decision to pacify the offended party almost has no other choice but to give in to the demands. So by this choice, the offenders could now also become the offended, taking an offense to the offense felt by the original offended party (this really does make sense, people...if you need a program to follow, one is for sale). Back to my situation. Not that I looked at this calendar all that much, but it did have a certain beauty to it that was a change. Now, instead of taking a minute to look at this calendar, all I can see from my desk are the technicians...and believe me, this carnivore isn't into the sausage-fest.
I put it to you, ladies and gentlemen, that we as a people are getting too thin-skinned and sue-happy. Just because someone has a varying opinion from us or of us, we have to take offense to it. At the same time, we have to acquiesce to the needs of every individual, which is in all actuality impossible because we are all different. If that doesn't happen, it's time to get legal representation involved. Instead, why don't we just agree where we can but disagree if we must? I think we've got some work to do here in the country and this is just one of the areas that could use some help.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Building a Better Mosque Trap?
The late, great comedian Bill Hicks once said, "A lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see an f*****g cross? It's like going up to Jackie Onassis wearing a rifle pendant." I can't help but think that if he was living today, Bill would modify the last line to read, "It's like allowing the building of a mosque near Ground Zero". Although, maybe I'm wrong about him saying it...but at least he'd think it.
Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I'm a very tolerant person. I'm pretty well open-minded & I'm okay with whatever floats your boat. Black, white, red, yellow, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, straight, gay...it really makes no difference to me. But there are some things that when done blatantly cross the line. This whole mosque issue has done so. While I don't believe Islam to be a particularly peaceful religion, I understand Christianity has had a past which doesn't show its peaceful side either. Christians are attempting to change that and I would hope that many Muslims are trying to do the same for Islam. This is not fully why I have a problem with this mosque being built. My problem with it exists in the almost defiant nature that the proponents have in where the location must be. Why must it be built so close to Ground Zero?
When September 11th, 2001 occurred it put a bad taste in the mouths of many people around the world concerning Islam. While most, including me, understand that not all people who practice Islam are hateful murderers, there is a large section that is FULL of them & they are the ones who we constantly see in the news as spokespeople for their religion. Some of those extremists are the ones who hijacked the airplanes that caused such devastation nine years ago. Knowing this to be the case, why would the people in favor of this building be so gung-ho for it to be built near Ground Zero? It's as if they purposefully want to poke and prod a still-healing wound while pouring salt into it. I've also played enough strategy games like Warcraft to know that there is nothing more satisfying than placing your flag on enemy turf to boost your morale and destroy your enemy's at the same time. PERHAPS it is truly a gesture of peaceful Muslims trying to bridge a gap of understanding by getting people more familiar with their faith. If this is the reason, then I regretfully inform those people that they are going about it the wrong way. It is too soon to be attempting something like this.
So, I'd like to deliver some messages to some people about this issue, even though they will never read them, but at least I'll feel better getting it off my chest.
Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I'm a very tolerant person. I'm pretty well open-minded & I'm okay with whatever floats your boat. Black, white, red, yellow, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, straight, gay...it really makes no difference to me. But there are some things that when done blatantly cross the line. This whole mosque issue has done so. While I don't believe Islam to be a particularly peaceful religion, I understand Christianity has had a past which doesn't show its peaceful side either. Christians are attempting to change that and I would hope that many Muslims are trying to do the same for Islam. This is not fully why I have a problem with this mosque being built. My problem with it exists in the almost defiant nature that the proponents have in where the location must be. Why must it be built so close to Ground Zero?
When September 11th, 2001 occurred it put a bad taste in the mouths of many people around the world concerning Islam. While most, including me, understand that not all people who practice Islam are hateful murderers, there is a large section that is FULL of them & they are the ones who we constantly see in the news as spokespeople for their religion. Some of those extremists are the ones who hijacked the airplanes that caused such devastation nine years ago. Knowing this to be the case, why would the people in favor of this building be so gung-ho for it to be built near Ground Zero? It's as if they purposefully want to poke and prod a still-healing wound while pouring salt into it. I've also played enough strategy games like Warcraft to know that there is nothing more satisfying than placing your flag on enemy turf to boost your morale and destroy your enemy's at the same time. PERHAPS it is truly a gesture of peaceful Muslims trying to bridge a gap of understanding by getting people more familiar with their faith. If this is the reason, then I regretfully inform those people that they are going about it the wrong way. It is too soon to be attempting something like this.
So, I'd like to deliver some messages to some people about this issue, even though they will never read them, but at least I'll feel better getting it off my chest.
- To Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Patterson, President Obama & all other politicians in favor of this building: I don't know what your kickback is for supporting the mosque, but you are seriously endangering your own careers and your credibility for any other agenda you'd like to ram down our throats. Listen to your constituents and KNOW that the majority is NOT in favor of the mosque. Heed the warning or you'll be in the unemployment line.
- To the peaceful Muslims in favor of this mosque: I appreciate your efforts, but please go about this a different way. I would love nothing more than to have peace with your people, but this isn't going to work. Let's work on a different way. Oh, by the way, flush out the extremists from your religion so it'll make things easier.
- To the Muslim extremists: your efforts will NOT be successful and you will NEVER destroy America. If you plan on using this mosque as a launch pad, you will fail in one way or another. The American people will never allow you to succeed.
- To the American people: stay strong and diligent. Question with boldness. Investigate everything yourself and make informed decisions. Embrace honesty and sincerity, but be cautious of deception.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Beating a Dead (Dark) Horse
It seems that no matter where I go, I can't get away from him.
News print, best seller lists, Internet, talk radio, News TV, and now on every awards show imaginable, there he is.
I am, of course, referring to media darling and former Vice-President, Al Gore.
Now I know that there are those of you out in this vast expanse of cyberspace that hope Al dusts off the proverbial hat and throws it ever so gingerly into the political ring for President this year, but unless he can find a way to hold up Obama and Clinton for the money already given to them, I doubt he'll find the scratch. Oh sure, he'd get close and with some well-placed Chinese donations, he might attain it, but I doubt you'll see him enter, no matter how tempting it is right now. I must admit that I don't see any front runners in either party right now and it might be that fact that would act as blood in the water for the Gore shark.
What I don't think he realizes is that he's getting the ego-stroking of his life by all media outlets in order to make him think about running. For example, I'm watching the Emmys tonight and he accepted an award for Interactive media with TV (forgive me for not knowing the exact name) for his Current TV. Haven't seen it? Surprise, neither have I, nor have many other people. To paint an accurate picture, picture YouTube for a TV audience, although with less shots to the groin, beer pong tournaments, or rare 80's music videos. As a matter of fact, forget all of those and add small shorts sent in by people with a liberal bias talking about the government, the war, and other topics. Sounds like something I need to watch right now! So, factor in that no one watches this channel, add in that no one knows how things get Emmy nominated, and also the largest fact that this category never existed before, and you get Hollywood trying to get Al Gore in the spotlight again.
Personally, I hope Al finally sets these people straight and tells them that, once and for all, he is not running for office anymore. Unfortunately these people haven't gotten over the "inconvenient truth" that Al Gore lost the election in 2000 and a majority of the American people are smart enough to never vote him in as President ever. Hopefully Al wises up soon, realizes he's being pandered, and tells the left once and for all that he's done running. Then we'll see the sad puppy dog faces and tails between the legs as they scurry off, looking for the next best thing. Fortunately for me and this country, I don't think the next best thing is a liberal agenda.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments!!
PS: It's been 3 years since I posted here last, so if I'm a little rusty, take that into account.
News print, best seller lists, Internet, talk radio, News TV, and now on every awards show imaginable, there he is.
I am, of course, referring to media darling and former Vice-President, Al Gore.
Now I know that there are those of you out in this vast expanse of cyberspace that hope Al dusts off the proverbial hat and throws it ever so gingerly into the political ring for President this year, but unless he can find a way to hold up Obama and Clinton for the money already given to them, I doubt he'll find the scratch. Oh sure, he'd get close and with some well-placed Chinese donations, he might attain it, but I doubt you'll see him enter, no matter how tempting it is right now. I must admit that I don't see any front runners in either party right now and it might be that fact that would act as blood in the water for the Gore shark.
What I don't think he realizes is that he's getting the ego-stroking of his life by all media outlets in order to make him think about running. For example, I'm watching the Emmys tonight and he accepted an award for Interactive media with TV (forgive me for not knowing the exact name) for his Current TV. Haven't seen it? Surprise, neither have I, nor have many other people. To paint an accurate picture, picture YouTube for a TV audience, although with less shots to the groin, beer pong tournaments, or rare 80's music videos. As a matter of fact, forget all of those and add small shorts sent in by people with a liberal bias talking about the government, the war, and other topics. Sounds like something I need to watch right now! So, factor in that no one watches this channel, add in that no one knows how things get Emmy nominated, and also the largest fact that this category never existed before, and you get Hollywood trying to get Al Gore in the spotlight again.
Personally, I hope Al finally sets these people straight and tells them that, once and for all, he is not running for office anymore. Unfortunately these people haven't gotten over the "inconvenient truth" that Al Gore lost the election in 2000 and a majority of the American people are smart enough to never vote him in as President ever. Hopefully Al wises up soon, realizes he's being pandered, and tells the left once and for all that he's done running. Then we'll see the sad puppy dog faces and tails between the legs as they scurry off, looking for the next best thing. Fortunately for me and this country, I don't think the next best thing is a liberal agenda.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments!!
PS: It's been 3 years since I posted here last, so if I'm a little rusty, take that into account.
Sunday, September 19, 2004
State of emergency? Grab your tofu...
All of this recent weather fluctuation we've had up here in South Central Pennsylvania because of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan have left me thinking about the ritual dash to the supermarket which occurs before a major weather event, such as a snowstorm is scheduled to hit. It was always bread and milk that were cleared off the shelves due to some preconceived
notion that these staples would be enough for someone to survive, even in a nuclear crisis. I'm just wondering, though, if recent trends won't put a halt to this. It seems like everyone is now on a health kick or diet fad system, such as the ever-popular Atkins diet. Will bread and milk be replaced by Slim-Fast and bacon? Or perhaps spring water and wheat grass? I know this much...if I'm in a crisis state, all diets are off. I'm eating whatever food I can find, no matter how many carbs it has or how high its fat content is. If I need food and I can get my hands on it, I'm eating it. Not that it's really any different than how I live my life anyway...
Side question: Where did the name "tofu" come from? Doesn't sound too appetizing, does it? Those marketing wizards need to go back to the drawing board.
notion that these staples would be enough for someone to survive, even in a nuclear crisis. I'm just wondering, though, if recent trends won't put a halt to this. It seems like everyone is now on a health kick or diet fad system, such as the ever-popular Atkins diet. Will bread and milk be replaced by Slim-Fast and bacon? Or perhaps spring water and wheat grass? I know this much...if I'm in a crisis state, all diets are off. I'm eating whatever food I can find, no matter how many carbs it has or how high its fat content is. If I need food and I can get my hands on it, I'm eating it. Not that it's really any different than how I live my life anyway...
Side question: Where did the name "tofu" come from? Doesn't sound too appetizing, does it? Those marketing wizards need to go back to the drawing board.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season...
A line from a Jimmy Buffett song just went through my head, which is the above-stated title of my third blog in an endless series that really have nothing to do with one another, except they sprang forth from my twisted mind.
The other day at work, some of my fellow Rahal employees wondered what would happen when whoever it is that names the newest tropical storms and hurricanes (wow, what a job that must be) runs out of names, what will they do? I mean, I'm sure it will take a while to run through every spelling of a name (i.e. Shaun, Sean, Shawn, etc...), but eventually it could happen. What next? I believe I may have the solution...
Corporate sponsorship of the hurricanes. Hey, if ball parks & stadiums around the country can do it, why not sponsor a deadly storm? It makes every news page & will most assuredly be front page at one point or another. But even that could get silly...just picture if Denzel Washington's movie from a few years back of a wrongly-imprisoned boxer were to sponsor the storm, it would be a hurricane brought to us by "The Hurricane". People would get confused.
At the opposite end of the spectrum (or should I say Wachovia Center, for those of you familiar with Philadelphia), a perfect sponsor would be the University of Miami, whose team name happens to be the Hurricanes. It would be very fitting and I'm sure some t-shirts with catchy slogans would be hot sellers for a few weeks at the student store.
Maybe, though, companies don't try to profit from these storms because they ultimately result in a loss of human life, which would rule out MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, or any such life insurance provider due to conflict of interest. But, I do see that newspapers across the country will shout news of war, violence, murder, and all other such pleasant happenings in order to sell copies. To them, a hurricane would be an easy sell...as long as they get the exclusives.
Just something else for everyone to think about. As always, I'm open to comments.
The other day at work, some of my fellow Rahal employees wondered what would happen when whoever it is that names the newest tropical storms and hurricanes (wow, what a job that must be) runs out of names, what will they do? I mean, I'm sure it will take a while to run through every spelling of a name (i.e. Shaun, Sean, Shawn, etc...), but eventually it could happen. What next? I believe I may have the solution...
Corporate sponsorship of the hurricanes. Hey, if ball parks & stadiums around the country can do it, why not sponsor a deadly storm? It makes every news page & will most assuredly be front page at one point or another. But even that could get silly...just picture if Denzel Washington's movie from a few years back of a wrongly-imprisoned boxer were to sponsor the storm, it would be a hurricane brought to us by "The Hurricane". People would get confused.
At the opposite end of the spectrum (or should I say Wachovia Center, for those of you familiar with Philadelphia), a perfect sponsor would be the University of Miami, whose team name happens to be the Hurricanes. It would be very fitting and I'm sure some t-shirts with catchy slogans would be hot sellers for a few weeks at the student store.
Maybe, though, companies don't try to profit from these storms because they ultimately result in a loss of human life, which would rule out MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, or any such life insurance provider due to conflict of interest. But, I do see that newspapers across the country will shout news of war, violence, murder, and all other such pleasant happenings in order to sell copies. To them, a hurricane would be an easy sell...as long as they get the exclusives.
Just something else for everyone to think about. As always, I'm open to comments.
Friday, August 13, 2004
The 2004 Summer Olympics
Well, my wife & I are about ready to settle in & watch the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics, which has me thinking...
To be in the Olympics, you must train, train, train, in order to be at the level where you can compete. I'm sure this takes up a lot of time & you hear constantly about people who do nothing but train. My question is this: HOW DO THEY MAKE MONEY??
Sure, your biggest stars are going to have endorsement deals & such, commercials, etc... where they make money, but what about the little guys? The supporting cast...the backups...the middle guys on the relay teams...the lesser known gymnasts. I think you get my point.
I have barely enough time to fold laundry, let alone train for a grueling physical sporting event on which my very country's pride could rest. I could see being someone on the Olympic basketball team who gets paid professional money anyway & would probably be out on a yacht somewhere if it wouldn't be for the Olympics giving them something to do. But your normal, everyday athlete trying to just medal, nevermind trying for a gold, has to struggle with paying the bills. Unless they're a bunch of rich kids who live off of "Mummy & Daddy", but I doubt that's true. Anyone know the answer to this? Enlighten me...
To be in the Olympics, you must train, train, train, in order to be at the level where you can compete. I'm sure this takes up a lot of time & you hear constantly about people who do nothing but train. My question is this: HOW DO THEY MAKE MONEY??
Sure, your biggest stars are going to have endorsement deals & such, commercials, etc... where they make money, but what about the little guys? The supporting cast...the backups...the middle guys on the relay teams...the lesser known gymnasts. I think you get my point.
I have barely enough time to fold laundry, let alone train for a grueling physical sporting event on which my very country's pride could rest. I could see being someone on the Olympic basketball team who gets paid professional money anyway & would probably be out on a yacht somewhere if it wouldn't be for the Olympics giving them something to do. But your normal, everyday athlete trying to just medal, nevermind trying for a gold, has to struggle with paying the bills. Unless they're a bunch of rich kids who live off of "Mummy & Daddy", but I doubt that's true. Anyone know the answer to this? Enlighten me...
Monday, August 09, 2004
Remember wrestling in 1996-1997?
This may be a weird way to start blogging, but it's something that's fresh on my mind. Anyone who was a wrestling fan back in 1996 or 1997 will remember that it was like opening a Christmas present every Monday because you never knew what was going to happen. You knew for sure that it would be something you didn't expect & something you'd enjoy greatly, but you weren't sure exactly what. Then on Tuesday you could be talking to a group of 5 people & chances are that 3 out of those 5 people knew exactly what you were talking about. Nowadays, that number has diminished to where you may be the only person who knows what happened. I blame this on many things. First off, the Internet has taken away what guessing game there was in wrestling. Now you know about someone's character turn or someone's debut sometimes a couple months in advance. It's as if someone took those Christmas presents every Monday (and now every Thursday) & ran them through an X-ray machine to show you what you were getting. Next, I blame age. Had I not gotten older & been expected to take on so many responsibilities, I would enjoy wrestling much more. Third, I blame Vince McMahon. While I proclaim him to be a genius, he missed the truck when he bought WCW & decided to make it public. Competition made him even more of a genius & now he is complacent without it. Last, but certainly not least, I blame that section of fans that came into power back in 1998 or so when wrestling was still at its height of popularity. These are the same people that when WCW was bought out, they started to leave the WWF (now WWE) behind. Had they stuck with it even through the tough times, even just to complain to those that would listen week to week about how bad the product is, we may not be in this wallowing pit of despair we're in right now. True, this may only be a lull in the action temporarily and I do see a light ahead in the tunnel, but we're pretty low right now as wrestling fans can go. This makes me even more nostalgic so that when Jason calls me & tells me he found some tapes of old Nitros and Raws, it makes me smile, but can almost bring a tear to my eye to know those times are gone & we may never see those again. Let's hope I'm wrong...
Note: Not all of my blogs will be about wrestling, but they will be about things which I care deeply for. If this doesn't interest you, you may have "taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque", to paraphrase Bugs Bunny.
Note: Not all of my blogs will be about wrestling, but they will be about things which I care deeply for. If this doesn't interest you, you may have "taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque", to paraphrase Bugs Bunny.
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