Learning Another Language, Need a Vacuum, Final Spinal Injection Done

The women from Denmark just beat the US team in curling, good game, but it wasn't the game that struck me. Are we the only people in the world that don't speak multiple languages? The Danish women called a time out, their Canadian coach came over, explained what she wanted, in English. I thought to myself, they must understand well enough to get the main point? Joke was on me when they answered in better English than I speak! That does it, I'm learning another language, probably take me until March.

Need a new vacuum, our old one only lasted 25 years. We had an Electrolux, I'm such a sped, thinking maybe we should get something else. Yeah, if the new one lasts 25 years, I'll be at the point that I don't care about dusty floors! I did the same thing with the one care we had, a 4 cylinder Chevy Celebrity, my favorite car to drive. When the time came to replace it, said I'd never buy another 4 cylinder car, I know, superior brain pan.

Had my third and final, at least for now, spinal injection today. I feel pretty good, keep your fingers crossed it lasts. Now comes the tough part, getting into some kind of shape, other than round. Need to figure out what to do, something that won't put too much strain on my back, and doesn't wear me out. I've said it before, but I really do need to do it this time, not to help with the MS, to keep from exploding at the seems!

Multiple Sclerosis, Ball Busting Fatigue, and an American Hero Has His Day

What a life John Finn has led! He was 32 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A lot of men his age joined the service that day, but John didn't need to, he was already there. His heroism was well documented, and he was the first recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor from WWII. John was given the medal from Admiral Nimitz, he never got to meet FDR. John was in Washington today to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, and then met with the President at the White House. Finn is currently the oldest living recipient of the CMH, he will be 100 in July. Mr Finn is living history, and a true American hero!

I am tired all the time anymore. I go to bed that way, and I wake up that way too. It's a miserable feeling for anyone who has never experience severe fatigue. I just can't seem to catch up, naps don't help, going to bed early and sleeping late don't either. My weight is killing me, it's not easy dragging 300 lbs around under the best conditions, but it's even harder with shaky legs, and no energy. I'm still doing my physical therapy exercises, and walking with the stimulator, but I'm having a pity party today. Today wouldn't be a good day to borrow money from me, I'm tired, I'm numb, I'm fat, and I'm bored, but at least I got to smile seeing Mr Finn finally have his day.

Bernard Madoff, 50 Billion Reasons To Be In Jail, and a Wimpy System

What's the deal with Bernard Madoff? First of all, when a guy steals 50 billion dollars and they put him on a 10 million dollar bail, does that not make sense to anyone else? That's like when a football player making 20 million a year gets a $5,000 fine for his 5th drug violation, worthless! Madoff got in trouble for mailing $1million worth of property to relatives in violation of his bail. Why isn't he in jail yet? I read the one story and it said he surrendered his passport, that's good. There are 6 million people here illegally that got here without a passport and about 80 cents in their pocket, what makes them think this animal can't get out with 50 mil?

Madoff will die at home before he ever pays for what he did to those thousands of people. Who was supposed to be watching this joker? Why don't we lock him in a room with all the families he has destroyed, and let them take care of it. We could just send him to Rikers Island with its horrible conditions and overcrowding so he could be with his piers, the people who stole like he did. Oh yeah, we don't put people like him in jail, we put them in their multimillion dollar condos with an ankle bracelet and their promise to be good. I am officially discusted!

Look kids, if you steal big, you will be rewarded. The paparazzi follow him around like he is sleeping with Angelina, but he screwed a lot more people didn't he? I bet you if I stole 50 grand out of the local labor group pension I wouldn't end up here on home monitoring. People don't often get a chance to see how out of whack our criminal justice system is, but Bernard is going to show us all just how equal and level the playing field really is.

The Parade of Gold, Congratulations Michael Phelps

Wow, Michael Phelp's won like 100 medals or something, pretty impressive. Maybe the taxpayers will build him a swimming complex like they built Cal Ripken a baseball one? Sounds like quite a blast down at the old Fort McHenry, a good time had by all. It has to be a gala, Billy Bush is the emcee for Pete's sake! The County Executive for Baltimore threw Michael a big Blast the last time he came home, naming a street after him if I remember. They are also giving him a parade in Towson, Michael's hometown. Who is paying for this, by the way? Surely my state and local government aren't paying for it, meaning me?

Come on, are we that starved for celebrities that we need to spend the kind of money they are going to fork out? I'd probably go, but I can't afford the gas to get down there! I don't see any sponsors anywhere on the web page? They do have the County, City, and State seals at the end, does that mean it's there because it's their ball? Cool, the new economic plan has already worked in Baltimore! I'm glad to see we have taken care of all the people who need help, the ones who are having a hard time. We must have, we are giving welcome home parties to celebrities, that must come after, right?

Sadly, no it doesn't come first that we help people in need. Michael is an ambassador to China, we all know what that means. Wait, what does that mean? Is China going to fill all the empty business parks along Rte. 43? Because Michael lives here is China going to buy up more of our debt then they do say Florida? The city sure doesn't have anything more important then an "atta boy" for an Olympian. Am I the only one that doesn't get it? Is the rest of Maryland, nay the country, so enamored by famous people that it's anything goes? I suppose so, but anyway, way to go Mike!

Swank Day 8, Multiple Sclerosis, Elections

Man, my $1 crabs were out of this world last night, but the salt content made me feel like I had my period today! 285 and feeling good, but my body is still shaky. I don't know if other MSer's have the same effects when they try something new, but this is kicking my butt. I'm not sure if I feel good, or is it that I'm not sure what I'm feeling? Hm, good question me thinks, one I think I'm going to go with. This feeling is my body is healing itself, yeah, that's the ticket! Nothing to eat of note today, fruits, veggies, all good stuff, no tastykake pies, and just when the fall iced pies came out AND are on sale! It is a cruel world.

My LDN has been ordered, they are going to let me know how long it will take. It evidently isn't a drug that is kept in stock with many small pharmacies, so it has to be ordered in. I am really anxious to get started with it. I also realized today I need to finish up any narcotic meds I have laying around while they still work. Will they not work at all anymore? Will they work a little bit, it is only 3 mg I will be taking? Can anyone say binge?

Is it election day yet? Why can't we vote tomorrow and put an end to this fiasco? What is going to happen between now and November that is going to "decide" things for the people that aren't sure? Die hards are decided, party followers are decided. Right wingers are going to right wing, while left wingers are going to left wing. Abortion, no abortion. War, no war. Religious right, religious left. Are we going to have to hear about lipstick on pigs until the election, or are we smarter than that?

English Only For The LPGA

Can you make someone speak English, especially if they aren't, you know, English? The LPGA announced today that it's English or get the Hell out! I find that very interesting. I don't know how they are going to get away with it, but it should be fun to watch. The women have until next year to pass an English test, so they aren't rushing them or anything. We make everyone speak English in this country, right? Hey, wait a minute, no we don't!

What do I care if the chick that wins a LPGA tournament can speak English or not? It makes no difference to me one way or the other. Is it because the sponsor's don't like the gals not speaking English in the interviews after the match? The LPGA denies that, but what else can it be? It doesn't matter in baseball. Nobody seems to care they have guys in the NBA you can't understand. Who decided to make the female golfers the example of Americanism?

The guy that put on my parents front steps spoke nothing but Italian. We have friends who's father doesn't speak enough English to give an interview. We went to a Mexican restaurant the other day and I'm pretty sure only one person there spoke English. Even closer to home, the people behind us only speak Polish. The place I buy German sausage from speak only German, except for the cash register girl, she speaks English. The guy that used to be the head of Baltimore County schools got sent home the first day of school when he was a kid because he didn't speak English.

Who cares if any of them speak English, I don't care! I think the important thing here is how we handle the other parts of English, the written parts. As long as the guy putting the front steps on did his job, I don't care what language he speaks. Same goes for the sausage people, our neighbor, and our friends parents. They can speak pig Latin for all I care. Same goes for all the sports people. Speak Spanish, Korean, anything you want. Just know that we speak English. We don't need to have things in Spanish too. We didn't do it for the Italians, Polish, Germans or anyone else, and I don't know why we are doing it now.

Multiple Sclerosis, Crime And The Elections

Ever had one of those days when you can't concentrate on one thing for too long? I have them all the time. Instead of fighting it, I've decided to go with the flow. I contacted the guy who has the crime blog for the Baltimore Sun. I asked him if the murder map was in fact correct. He didn't know what I meant, so I explained there are only 2 white people murdered in Baltimore City this year, according to the map on the Sun crime page. He assured me he, or someone would look into, and fix the problem. He also told me that some of the murders they may not have known the race of the victim. Maybe they should leave the comparison map out if there is nothing to compare?

Swank or no Swank? I have to tell you, I am having a hard time accepting that cutting out fat could possibly make me tap dance again. Logic tells me that a healthier lifestyle leads to a healthier life. I've been smoke and alcohol free for 20 months. I think that may be the last time I felt good, my last smoke? If I was able to give up the smokes for my health, I'll be able to follow Swank, it just doesn't seem as big a deal as smoking. On the website about taking control of your MS they take it one step further. No dairy products along with the beef, no egg yokes, cakes, pies and donuts! Can't I just cut out Brussels sprouts? Oh yeah, I like them too, but I'm hoping that's part of why I can pull this off.

Is this election crap ever going to be over? They have been running for President for 2 years! I have decided it no longer matters who wins. Both sides have lied so much to cover their own asses they wouldn't know the truth without their special interest groups input. Who cares how many houses either one of them own? They are both rich and neither of them care what happens to me. Both sides are going to spend shameful amounts on their conventions and they mean absolutely nothing. We know who is getting nominated, so what's the point? It blows my mind how much has been spent on the election. We need to revamp the system, and we need to do it quick. It's taking longer, costing more, and we don't have a viable choice to pick.

I'm trying to stay on my feet, literally, and I'm supposed to care who's getting killed in the city, about eating a steak, or who's running for President? I don't. I have had my fill. I am going to do what I have to do, but I'm not confident, and I'm not excited. I will take something that hasn't been very fun and make it even more unfunner. It sure would be easier if the crime rate shrank, beef and cake was good for me, and Reagan was running for President again, but I know that not to be the case. In a perfect world I'd spend a few days kicking back at my mountain cabin, drink a few beers, have a smoke, and enjoy things without any worries, or thinking about what I'm going to eat!

Naval Academy To Seek Out Minorities

I can't believe sometimes the reasons given for why groups do something. The United State Naval Academy has decided there are not enough minorities at the Annapolis institution. Are they currently being excluded? If so, are they the most qualified? They are changing the way they sound, so they say. No more stern male voice on there recruitment video. Is it that the voice was male, or was it that it was a white voice? They replaced the voice with a gospel choir. Do all minorities like gospel music? I thought I read that Hispanics are the largest minority in the US? If they aren't, they soon will be. Does the ad get redone to include salsa music next?

What's a summer seminar program? Do all plebes attend one of those classes? Half of the 83 blacks attending this years freshman class went to one. The total number of minorities this year is 351, a new record. Did half of them, or half of the total 1250 go to a summer seminar? How many blacks applied for the Academy this year? What was the race of the other 268 minorities? Do we need to trim some of them to make the numbers jibe? Who decides this kind of stuff? Isn't that kind of like a quota when you plan on increasing the numbers of one race at the expense of at least one other?

It looks like the current application process is a 10 step one, very impressive. Will that be replaced with one question, race? Are they going to take their new recruiting film to black schools and try to talk them into going? I thought if they wanted to go, they applied? How do I get someone to tailor a program that they seek out 40 something, handicapped white guys, because they aren't applying in high enough numbers? I have to admit, I'm confused. Is the AFL-CLO running the Navy now? How much did it cost us to redo the new films, posters, letters? Who wrote the new novel, yeah, they wrote a novel aimed at minorities. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Sorry Dr King, evidently we aren't there yet!

Loss Of A Real American Hero

Do we even know what a hero is anymore? I checked the local news and they did their usual dance around what they are feeding us as important. Gene Upshaw died. I remember him as a tough football player for the Oakland Raiders. Where are the Raiders now? The last 25 or so years Upshaw has been a big wig with the NFL players union. Though it's sad whenever anyone dies, I'd hardly consider Mr Upshaw's passing front page news in Baltimore. It was however on all the news channels and in the Sun.

I see Michael Phelp's and his family are home from China, what a show he put on. Anyone would be impressed with his record setting performance, but who cares that his mother went back to work today? They all covered it though, even told the story of his estranged father. I for one truly do not care! Everyone else in Baltimore, Phelp's hometown, must be starved for someone to look up to, he and his mom are all we see!

Ed Freeman passed away. I didn't see anything on the local news, or in the paper. He must not rate up with the swimmers mom going back to work. Mr Upshaw's funeral will probably be in the news days after he is in the ground. Mr Freeman probably is done being in the news, I'm sure his funeral won't be covered in the local news, maybe not even in the national news again. I don't know if Mr Freeman could swim very fast, or if he was much of a pulling guard in football, but he must have been one hell of a chopper pilot! They don't just give The Congressional Medal Of Honor to anyone, now do they?

The passing of Mr Freeman leaves only 101 living MOH winners still living. Mr Freeman was a Captain, U.S. Army, Alpha Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Viet Nam. Captain Freeman took his unarmed chopper in to resupply stranded soldiers and then flew 14 rescue missions into an area that had been closed and other pilots refused to enter. Countless lives were saved by his bravery, and he was awarded Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism. The fact that these other "heroes" are front page news, and Mr Ed Freeman barely got a mention is the reason why we are making public service announcements for our buses. We put honor at the feet of the wrong people, and I for one shed a tear over it. Thank you Mr Freeman, and the other 101 brave souls.

Abell Report Calls Someone Racist, But Who?

Do you ever get tired of being treated like a child? Remember when you were school and the teacher said that if one more child talked, the whole class faced going in the chokie? Unfortunately that type of treatment doesn't end in grade school. The Abell Foundations says there is a huge difference in the number of convictions in Baltimore City and 3 of the surrounding counties. Abell must be some kind of blue ribbon panel that analyzes things. They say it is difficult to convict people in the city. But why you may ask? Good question, but what are they accusing?

The report says that the top charge in the city is only proven 2% of the time, while defendants are found guilty 63% of the time in the counties on the top count. Wow, that's a big difference. Are they saying the city prosecutor isn't doing a good job? Are the police doing a better job investigating in the counties? What are they saying? Abell evidently hired a second company, Choice Research Associate, to do the study. So did the city hire Abell to do the study, or is this just a group that likes looking into things for other people?

A regional Jury pool is what's needed to fix this problem. Oh, so in a left handed way, this report is calling the jurors racists, but they tiptoe around it, never quite saying so. They say the city jurors don't trust the criminal justice system, or they are a lower economic group, or less advantaged. Let me get this right. They aren't proposing any ideas to make those things better, they are calling for a pool to dilute the problem. You piss on my shoes and I know it, but if you take a leak in my pool I won't have to acknowledge it.

Let's talk turkey. Blacks in the city aren't convicting at the same rate as whites in the counties. Maybe if Abell hires a third company they will be able to say what they mean. Did we pay for this study? Did we need this study? Couldn't one of those smart 5th graders have done this study in a day if you gave them the numbers? Are they saying I'm to blame because I've done something to keep the city down. Are the city convictions a higher number of whites and the counties a higher number of blacks? Don't jury pools from a region of people you have nothing in common with go against that thingy about a jury of ones peers? What do you say we pretend everyone is adult enough to get rid of the political correctness and say what we mean.

Are There Really Dead Zones In Our Oceans?

Global warming, wars all over the world, violence in our cities, and now I read about dead zones in our oceans. Dead zones? Sounds like something Stephen King should write about. Do they exist? How should I know? I don't have a dead zone test kit from Acme. All I can do is decide which of the 2 sides I choose to believe. Like most things the 2 sides are diverse in their opinions of if it exists, why it exists, and who is to blame for it. I sure wish I could believe our leaders, but you know.

So these said dead zones, why are they there? Are they a naturally occurring phenomenon, caused by plant life and small animals, martians who are waiting to colonize the earth, or is it runoff from our crops? Once again, it depends on who you talk to, or listen to. Did we have this problem back in the 50's, and did the government tell us truth about it then, or cover it up like they do now? How are we supposed to decide for ourselves? Should I believe what I'm told blindly because we have a Republican or Democrat in the White House, or in charge of Congress? Please, get real!

Are our fish and crabs going to be gone soon? Is it safe to eat what's left? Is it global warming making the farmers put nitrates into the water? Why don't we send Consumer Reports Magazine in to investigate, they are totally non biased, right? Can it be fixed? How much will it cost to not only stop it, but then to fix it and make it all better? Wow, I'm confused, and just a bit fed up. Do I need to make up some buttons demanding farms are forced out of business? Hm, that means no food, and that's a bad thing. If we can't trust the government, then who do we turn to?

I say we all start growing our own food. They want to make me responsible for my own social security, why not my own food. How much land do I need for my own food? Give each one of us a parcel of land to farm, if I do it wrong and it pollutes, I don't eat. OK, that doesn't make sense, but how about we make the people responsible follow the rules. Farmers have to do what they need to do to fix the problem. Builders can't build right on the water, no matter how nice the houses are. That means for everyone, even the rich. We stop polluting our streams. No more fines, you pollute, you go to jail. There, I came up with a couple of ideas, now it's your turn. Tell me what else we can do, make a comment to help us all.

What's The Truth About Global Warming?

Can anyone tell me what is actually going on with global warming? Does global warming actually exist, and if it does, are humans responsible for it? I hope you can get a more concise answer than I could find. Like so many things in our society, global warming is split along political lines. One side claims it's the liberal hippies on the the left forcing their way of life on everyone. The other side says it's the Facist right wing conservatives trying to keep their cash cow producing milk. Hey Lucy, you got some splainin to do!

Anti global warming says it is the science community lying so as not to loose funding for further research. Wow! Do they have a cure for MS, cancer, and diabetes but would loose too much money if they told us about it? Does that mean there isn't one conservative member of the religious right, driving a 3 mile/ SUV, listening to Jerry Falwell that believes in global warming? That's impossible! I read one page that said not using fossil fuels was the cause of global warming. Yep, if we use more fuel, the sun can't get through the smog! Makes sense in a twisted sort of way.

Pro global warming says we humans are releasing so much Co2 into the air that we will all be dead in a few weeks. I guess it doesn't matter if we have MS, cancer, or diabetes, we are dead anyway! So not one long haired, pot smoking, gay, left winged liberal riding a bicycle thinks it's all a shame? Not very likely. I like those commercials that say the world is saved if we all stop eating meat and live a vegetarian lifestyle.

It seems I can't get the jiggy on what's actually going on. There seems to be no one who will tell us the truth. Desperate times call for desperate measures! Ask any old person you know, any old person you see what they think. My parents walked to school all year long, up hill in the snow, both ways! Things are getting warmer! It used to snow like the beJesus here in Baltimore, but me and the boy wear shorts year round now! We had record snows in the Northeast last winter, or did we? I didn't see them! Man this is serious! OK, OK, OK, I'm OK. I'm not sure if I realized everything will work out, or if it was the tranquilizer dart I was hit with, but I'm OK. I forgot, the elections are this year, one of the 2 candidates ...OH CRAP!

Washer Toss Championship

I guess it may have to do with the Olympics, but I'm pretty sure I could qualify for the U.S. washer toss team. I played it today for the first time and I was awesome! I played against people that I'm pretty sure have played professionally, or at least have hustled for money? It was a cut throat match lineup, but my partner and I destroyed all comers. My partner was an anchor around my neck, but like I said, I was awesome!

We beat all the teams at the Westminster washer toss complex on a gorgeous day. I was able to perfect my left hand saucer toss. Most people have to throw an end over end washer, it's not too pretty, but it's adequate. I used to throw right handed, but that hand, along with my right leg, aren't worth a whole lot anymore. Luckily I'm amphibious, you know, I can use either hand, so I made the adjustment like a pro! It was scads of fun, at least for us winners, and an important historical event for everyone, even the losers!

Michael Phelps called me to say congratulations on my toss efforts, we are both Baltimore boys. I told Michael he had a good day too, beating the loud mouth frogs who only came to the games to beat the Americans. How's that plan working for you now Frenchies? Did the French see how high the gold medal signs were? Well our boys sure did! Way to go fellas, USA, USA, USA!

The WATG competition BBQ team faired pretty good. They scored a 5th place for pork, 15th ribs, and 19th brisket. They had a tough time with the chicken placing 40th out of I think 50 teams. I think there was a bone to pick with WATG from the judges, The food looked great, smelled great, was presented great. It was just great! Better luck next time guys, if you need any tips, feel free to ask me, my butt rub is known around venues nation wide as making a difference on butts, thighs, or even breasts. Just let me know, If I picked up the washer toss that fast, chicken thighs should only take me a few minutes! Viva Americanos!

Bush Thinks He's The Sheriff of Baltimore County!

I remember one time when the Sheriff of Baltimore County tried to push through a bill that would have eliminated one of his supervisory positions. That part was buried deep inside the wording of the bill. When asked about it he said, "Wow, how did that get in there?" It looks like the same thing is happening at the national level, but not with eliminating a position, but trying to cover ones derriere.

Can someone pardon themselves, other then when they pass a foul odor? A Bill was just passed in the House redefining the treatment of detainees, the Senate is expected to do the same. Buried deep inside of the bill is a get out of jail card for Bush and his administration, pardoning them of any crimes as to torture of said detainees. Interesting. Doesn't seem like something you would do when you are a man of conviction and true beliefs. Maybe there is hope for my stem cells! It just makes me chuckle, if nothing was done wrong, why would you do that? "Me thinks he doth protest too much?" Ah, solidarity, bipartisan, or collusion? Either way, it's wrong.

Top News Sells Out To Fluff!

I don't even know where to start? My heart goes out to families of the 9 soldiers killed in Afghanistan. I can not even imagine their grief at not only having lost a loved one, but at the legitimate media not having enough respect not to put them on the same headline page as the release of "Hellboy II" and the birth of a Hollywood couples twins. It was a nice they got a place of honor above the story of the gay Bishop, nice touch.

Do they report on what some of the brighter minds in our country think may be a way to end this war? No, that doesn't keep you locked in the same way a review of the movie with the bat and the young guy that died because his life was so busy. I need more information about that, I feel left out of the loop. Try to put yourself in these families positions. You go looking for information and you find that the info was given by someone who couldn't be identified because the families hadn't been notified. Didn't stop them from telling it, or the newsies from reporting it. Ah, people of honor!

How many years do we watch our people die before we demand some answers? We aren't going to get them from the news, that's for sure. They weren't just on the band wagon over the war, they were the band wagon. That's back when it was the thing to do. If there aren't deaths in the 2 wars, they don't even mention it anymore. Instead they talk about what famous athlete is sleeping with what famous singer. Is there no integrity left in journalism? Don't look at me, I am looking for my own answers.

I watch very little television anymore. Nothing to watch. There is a new dog reality show coming out, I suppose that does it for some people. You can't read the newspaper in Baltimore anymore, you don't get the same effect with only one paper. We have a generation getting their "news" off of shows on the comedy channel. That's good. We have nowhere to turn anymore. I'm not sure we ever did, but it sure did feel that we did. I suppose I should just except that this is the way it goes, it's just hard to do when you know there are so many in pain and the newsies are talking about the premier of last weekends movies set new all time highs.

How Much Does It Cost To Be President?

Man, they have sunk some coin into the quest to be the next President of the United States. How much does it cost to buy, I mean to win that gig? They have been running for 3 years, haven't they? I can't remember another election that has taken so long. Did they start earlier this time? They haven't even gotten started with the real nasty things yet! Both sides are guilty, so don't give me any of that my team is better then your team crap!

I saw that McCain raised 22 million dollars last month. May ask for what? In a month? If he needs to spend all that money to win, he is going to have a hard time being on a budget! Everything is so specialized now. Don't you wish we could go back to a time when you could just go someplace like Tate & McMann and have their ad guru, a guy name Stevens, throw a snappy ad together to woo public opinion your way. The problem is that now we have specialist that can figure these things out for us. I think what they specialize in is taking money! How much went to ads, and how much went to strategists?

I can hear the Democrats snickering about that, but they are not any better. They spent a ton of money in their primary, it did go down to the wire. Did they announce how much was spent up to this point? Why do I have a feeling I don't want to know? Can poor people run for office anymore? It is grotesque how much has been spent, and how much they will spend yet. Obama ask his people if they would give money to pay off Clinton's debt. He reminded them that if he hadn't won, he would have debt. Whaaaa? They spent millions on their campaigns they didn't have? Sounds like they both already thought they WERE President!

Isn't there something that can be done? Can't someone put a cap on how much is spent, and how long this whole mess goes on? The Spaniards have a good idea. They give the candidates a time frame to campaign, and a lump of cash to spend. I likes it! I see the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the men and women that are trying to convince me that they offer what I need. Let me tell ya what I need. I need someone to make my hall bathroom handicap accessible. I need a new side porch, but I need one that can be changed at a later date if I need a ramp. Unless either of these guys can offer me those things, I'm not terribly sure I have confidence in either one!

Blackwater

What does 1.25 billion dollars buy these days? It looks like since 2000 it has been able to buy a private army. Blackwater just got their contract renewed. Does anyone know what it is they do exactly? I'm not talking about being pretty sure, or almost certain. Does anyone know for sure, and can anyone stand and say with certainty what they do? It doesn't seem that anyone can. US Commanders in Iraq have complained they have no idea who Blackwater is, and where and when they are operating.

The State Department has control over Blackwater, but what does that mean? Richard Griffin resigned when he couldn't answers questions about Blackwater. He resigned but his 2 aids that had oversight were promoted on the same day. Way to go Condie! Do you know anyone who has a job that has no checks and balances? Garbage me are more accountable than these guys! Where did Griffin go when he retired? Did anyone check to see if he went on Blackwater's payroll? Was he already on their payroll? Hmm, I wonder?

So Blackwater made 1.25 bil guarding and driving diplomats in Iraq. How many diplomats are there in Iraq? Are they guarding our diplomats or theirs? The State Department says they guard these diplomats, and drive them when they leave the green zone. Why are they leaving the green zone? Are they going to keggers off campus? How often do they leave the zone? What percentage of the 1.25 bil is earned while said diplomats are tucked safely in the green zone? Who guards them whilst hunkered down in the craddle?

I thought the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces were there securing the green zone? Why do we have mercenaries, ones paid by our government, doing jobs the soldiers are there to perform? Who do I call to tell them I'd like Blackwater out of Iraq? I have that right, don't I? Our elected officials are their to do what we ask of them right? Isn't it majority rules? If enough of us write, call, drop in to see our officials, they put things in motion to do what we want. I am a constituent! I want action!

Who decided to send these 1.25 bil private guards to Iraq? Was there a vote? A discussion? Did anyone offer a whatta ya think? How do I get in on a gig like that where nobody knows what you're up to? Did anyone actually ask, or was this another of those no bid, hush hush deals that our current administration loves so much. They are the ones that keep telling us we don't support the troops if we are against the war. What does it say to the troops when their own government brings in private muscle to protect the diplomats?

Crazy Weather

What is up with the weather? Is it finished raining along the Mississippi? Maybe a better question would be is the river finished rising yet? Those earthen levees aren't quite enough to hold back that much water. It was good to see today on TV the people in that area working together. Some of them from miles away, not in the flood zone. They came just to help their fellow Americans. As far as that goes, it was a good day! Here's to hoping FEMA does a better job with this levee breach, but I doubt it.

I was reading today that FEMA agreed to release something like 65 million dollars worth of supplies they were trying to sell as surplus. The problem is there are aid groups in Louisiana who are still waiting for those same supplies! Is possible they didn't know they still had that much stored up? What exactly are the supplies that FEMA still has stockpiled? Did they know they had it? How much space does 65 mil worth of anything take up? Where was it being stored? Better yet, who is getting paid to store that much stuff?

What ever happened to those trailers FEMA bought? They bought 147,000 of them, are there any left? Oh yeah, there are. They have them stored all over the country. It was a bargain too, we only paid 2.7 billion for them in a no bid contract. Sweet! I guess some must have gone to the people in Arkansas that lost their homes, and their town, to tornadoes in February? Surely the President declared the area a disaster so FEMA could step in and work their magic? No, I don't think he did? Never mind, they are probably better off without that kind of help. By the way, FEMA has sold 41,000 of the trailers at 40 cents on the dollar, so we got that going for us, which is nice!

The President has asked for over a billion bucks to lend a helping hand to flood victims, and that's a good thing, right? I mean I know Brownie is gone from FEMA, but I'm sure he has a cute name for the current dude, something like Pauley, or the Paulster. Has he talked to him about the trailers? What about the "extra" supplies from Katrina, wherever they may be? Somebody does know where all this crap is, right? The Dems are in charge of Congress now, right? What are they doing? Tell me they are doing something! No, the Dems have just postured like the Reps did before them and done nothing.

Tell me there is someone in a position of power that has a bead on all this. Where is that guy from the movie "Dave"? You know the one I'm talking about. He was Dave's friend and he was an accountant or something. He stepped in and made decisions that made sense. Never mind, we are talking about the government, there is no room for sense. Who do I write to and ask for a breakdown of who got paid, how much they got paid, where the stuff went, and where is the surplus? There is someone who knows the answers to those questions I hope.

Do any of our decision makers have personal checking accounts? Do they know how to balance them? I sure as hell hope they know there are people that are depending on them. The presidential candidates have spent millions, and will spend millions more to try and get the job. I hope the folks that are there now remember that they work for us take care of those of us that really need it. Good work people of the flooded areas! Keep up the good work and continue to help each other, there may not be anyone else coming to the rescue!

Guinea Pigs

Britney Spears is selling her house? I hope everything is OK? Man I hate seeing bad things happen to good people. Did you see how excited Kevin Garnett of the Celtics was last night? I didn't know he was bilingual? What was that language he was speaking, minus the parts they had to bleep out? Ya wanna know what I really hate? I hate it when mindless stories, such as these, compete, and usually top stories about the mistreatment of our veterans. Most of the time the major news groups seem to opt out on reporting on the war they helped promote.

So let me get this straight. The federal government has decided to test new stop smoking drugs on veterans who are home suffering from PTSD. It seems they didn't tell the Vets there was a chance of violent psychotic tendencies and suicide. Why would you test anything on these people, haven't they already done their share? Who makes these decisions? How come we don't hear about these things until something goes wrong? We don't hear because you don't announce when you're doing something that is underhanded and wrong.

Why don't we use the people in prisons to test drugs out on? Let's go to the detention centers and load "THEM" up on experimental drugs without their permission. Can you see the outcry from the government? You can't do that to people without asking them, unless they are Vets. Does the government own them? Do they think they can do anything they want to these men and women? It sure looks like it.

No matter what you think of the government, the reasons for going to war, or the war itself, it is disgraceful the way we treat our returning soldiers. With over 4,000 dead and 30,000 + wounded, they have done their part! It's now time we step up and say enough is enough, this must not continue. Isn't it bad enough we let our people go to war with inadequate equipment to do the job? Do you remember the stories of parents sending body armor and other supplies to their children in hopes of protecting them? Can't we at least take care of the troops if they come back broken and not treat them like lab rats?

As far as the news organizations go, how about giving us a way to get the real news. Let us know about the things and people that really matter, like our veterans and our neighbors who are in distress. If I want to know about Mel Gibson and Britney Spears having coffee, I'll buy a copy of Tiger Beat!

The Death of Civility

People tend to remember where they were when big events in their lives happen. Everyone knows where they were when JFK was shot and when the Cuban missile crisis ended. I was in a marina when Elvis died and in the student union of Essex community college when Reagan was shot, although that wasn't too hard to remember, that's the only part of the college I ever saw! I don't recall though where I was when civility died?

Why are we no longer civil to each other? Did Congress pass a law that said from this day forward we shall no longer be nice to each other? What about manners? Was that mandated out of society at some point, possibly while I was mourning the passing of the King? It must have happened that way, because it is as dead as our founding fathers.

It was definitely a generational death. The members of the "Greatest" generation still keep it alive. You hear 85 year old men say thank you in a store while the 20 year old clerk barks "NEXT"! When is the last time you saw an elderly man not hold the door for someone? My generation, the baby boomers, we let civility die because it was easier then trying to save it. Yes, I made the tail end of the boomer generation, where is my AARP card? We don't always say thank you, excuse me, and please. I had training in my job that told me not to open doors for the opposite sex, that was sexual harassment. Generation X is too busy texting about who slept with who on one of the reality shows to do much talking. When they do talk , most of the time it's so wrought with poor grammar and expletives, you could hardly confuse it with civility.

So who is to blame for this murder? Let's blame it on the kids, that's nice and easy. The old people don't like us because we're young, it's their fault! It certainly isn't my fault! I've got news for you Sunshine, we all did it. The elderly still do it, so they didn't let it die, right? Wait a minute, who didn't teach the boomers? The X'ers did it! We tried to teach them, they refused! Remember when you got you first job, probably retail or McDonald's, or something along those lines. You were expected to know how to be polite, how to be appropriate, both in apperance and actions. Do they still expect that? Do we still teach that?

I for one refuse to go quietly into that good night! Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Nay I say! I learned from parents, who to this day appreciate good manners and kindness, and both practice same. Although I choose to not partake of much of the world, I do know to conduct myself in a courteous, polite way, and do so always. My children have been taught the same things I was, and they had better do the things we expect of them. So far they have and we are very proud of them. They say charity begins at home, so does the teaching and use of manners. Stop being a rude moron and do what is expected of you and the world will be a better place for us all!

Please?