Pop Quiz

Alright readers, here is today's 'pop quiz:' (multiple choice)

Which words and / or phrases best describe Kanye West:
(A). Obnoxious
(B). Starved for attention
(C). Rude
(D). Sad
(E). Can strut while sitting
(F). Is a legend in his own mind
(G). All of the above

"Stupid is what stupid does," Forrest Gump

In many school districts across the nation, your kid could not bring a peanut-butter & jelly lunch-sandwich to school because the kid sitting next to him in the cafeteria may be allergic to peanuts. Of course, that school district may permit a large percent of its students, who are NOT vaccinated,  to sit next to YOUR kid thus putting your child at disease risk....makes absolutely no sense.

These shameful politicians straddle the line with disingenuous poppycock and wishy-washy comments as they pander to social misinformation seeking voters.

Two questions: (1) Do parents have the right to make irresponsible decisions concerning their children's' health? (2) Do some parents have the right to make irresponsible decisions that ultimately endanger your children's' health?
For all those folks who are constantly bitching about too much government; here is a situation where government needs to step in and issue edicts because ignorant and uninformed people left to their own choices will jeopardize the masses.
  

A Fools Explanation

I watched an interview conducted by NBC Today host, Matt Lauer with Seattle 'Seahawk's coach, Pete Carroll. Of course, Lauer asked 'THE' question, "Why did you pass on the second down with perhaps a yard to go for your second Super Bowl championship?" Carroll said, "The call would have been a great call if we catch it."  Right Coach and peanut butter would taste like garlic if it wasn't peanut butter.

I was in old Sportsman Park May 2, 1954, the day Stan Musial hit five (5) home runs in a double header against the New York Giants. In Musial's final at bat, he lead off the ninth inning and hit a very high pop fly to the first baseman. Coach Carroll had Musial struck the ball an eighth of an inch lower on the bat, he would have hit six home runs that day.

Hey Pete, here's a couple of more coulda-woulda-shoulda. Molly Ringwald turned down the movie role in 'Pretty Woman.' And how about John Travolta passing on 'Forrest Gump?'
I prefer people to be honest with explanations...like saying, I would do the exact thing over again or I wish I could do it over, I'd try some thing else.

Say What a You a Mean & Mean a What You Say

President FDR was quick to speak to the American people shortly after the sneak bombing attack on Pear Harbor. That's what American presidents do in the midst of national crisis, threats or uncertainties; they play the role of the reassuring parent telling the children to be not afraid, we are going to be okay. President Lincoln picked moments to calm the civil war storms with words of promise and hope.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christy even got into hot water with his Republican counterparts when he gave kudos to President Obama for his responsiveness to the New Jersey needs during the aftermath destruction caused by hurricane Sandy. And how could we forget the reassurance offered by President George W. when he visited the New Orleans devastation caused by hurricane Katrina..."Brownie, you're  doin' a heckava job."

In two years, our nation will elect a new President. The potential candidates are lining up. Now hear me out. The following scares the crap out of me. We have a threat of a measles outbreak in American. The cause of this once arrested disease resurfacing is due to many parents refusing to vaccinate their children because they latched onto erroneous reports that vaccinations can cause autism. Of course, these American debates boil down to 'rights' as perceived by folks.

The 2016 presidential hopefuls are politicians that, for the past several years have laid in the bushes and bushwhacked the current President at every opportunity. These wannabe Presidents must weigh-in on such topics and appear to be reassuring leaders.
 As I listen to the candidates' attempt to sound presidential, I wonder when the stand at a urinal and whizz if the back of their trousers get wet.

Rome Re-visited ?

Americans worry considerably about the 'loss of freedoms' and often times we target and identify external factors as the threatening forces. The list of evil forces seem endless. The 'evil-of-the-day' often changes with the current political winds. Russia, China, Iran, ISIS, Al Qaeda, North Korea, etc. lead a parade of people we must fear as threats to our beloved freedoms. I do not doubt the  seriousness the aforementioned pose. I think however, there is a much better possibility that America will destroy itself from within before any evil 'outside' force defeats us.
We Americans are consumed by materialistic greed, corporate and political corruption, governing impotence (driven by political divisiveness), Internet consumption, which erodes both physical health and workplace efficiency. Our people's social skills are being compromised through our fascination with electronic gadgets. We are a people fascinated by explicate sexual presentations and explotations. We are a Nation that embraces the concepts of 'I am entitled' and 'more is better.'

From within, Rome fell because of greed and selfishness. Can we as a (American) people stem the tide?

Some Rewards Better a Than Others

I appreciated the times an organization acknowledged my efforts with some recognition and/or extrinsic award. Many of those awards found a mantle or wall space; I suppose many of the things which adorn our walls speak volumes about our past. Those times that I was held up for such accolades, I no doubt delighted in the moment.
Today, I glance at those 'prizes' and recall relationships that were part of the history. I do understand that one day my children will face a perplexing moment when they ask the question of one another, 'Does anyone want this?'
The truly great feel good moments have nothing to do with tangible awards, I.e., trophies, plaques and medals. Just the other day, my wife and I stopped at a interstate gas station. As we pulled into the parking area, we noticed a young man standing by an auto which had nosedived into a ditch. The lad was waiting for a tow truck. My wife discovered that the young driver had just purchased the auto two-hours earlier. When my wife walked back to the young driver and handed him a twenty-dollar bill, I cannot capture with words my heart-felt joy as I watched the young lad hug my wife. I wish I could 'hang' that moment on my wall.

Ah, for Intellectual Honesty

The movie, 'American Sniper' has stirred up old controversies. The pro and anti war folks enjoy lining up and tossing their own ammunition at one another. Personally, I am one individual who is most appreciative of our military who sacrifice to protect our country and its people. I suppose my biggest bitch about our military is the fact that the 'poor' are the ones who essentially fight our wars. I say bring back the military draft and watch a 'new' attitude emerge regarding 'quick-to-the-draw.'

Back to the movie, American Sniper. One position advanced by pro war folks is the notion that any measures necessary (snipers / water boarding etc.) must be taken to protect American lives. I agree in principle minus the torture shit.

Movie director, Clint Eastwood was intellectually negligent presenting the American Sniper storyline. (You all remember Clint; he was the fella who talked to an empty chair pretending President Obama was sitting in the chair). Clint, my good man, in the American Sniper movie, you left out a major Iraq War fact. Since the 'Mission Accomplished' sign was hoisted, 4347 Americans died as the result of that unwarranted, illegal and immoral war. That should have been included in your movie, Mr. Eastwood! The next time you do the cute empty chair shtick use two chairs; the second chair would be occupied by an invisible George W. You could ask him some very poignant questions about 'protecting' American lives, which seemed to be your American Sniper movie theme.