Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told WCVB-TV the city needs "to rid the department of that cancer."
"An individual preaching hate has no place in our society," Menino told the local television station.
A young police officer quoted what has been determined to be a racial slur on an e-mail and has been suspended from his job. Majpr Menino seems to be on a witch hunt. I believe if I was a white police officer in MA, considering the attitude of the mayor and the President of the United States, I would be looking for a more secure line of employement.
Maybe the solution is to have two police departments: On staffed with white cops who can arrest only white people asnd one staffed by manority cops who can arrest anyone.
Now that would be dealing with the situation "stupidly"
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I actually shopped at Wal*Mart
Wal*Mart has great prices, lousy customer service, and bad benefits for employees (which, I admit, may still be better than what the Mom and Pops stores could have afforded to offer). Still, I have resisted shopping there for items I could get elsewhere, especially if shopping locally (from local vendors) was a viable option. But sometimes one just feels like they are being used and enough is enough.
It's not necessarily the fault of local retailers but sometimes operating at a loss is a necessary evil and I'm rather tired of being the one that costs get passed on to. The state wants to raise my taxes, airlines want to charge extra fees, employers want to reduce hours, and manufactures want to pass along cost increases or revenue declines to me.
What I purchased was fish food. I have a backyard water garden with a few fish in the pond. I have been buying Blue Ridge Koi food for years for three reasons. It is a quality food at a reasonable price, I have to shop local pet stores to get it, and it is made in Kernersville. Last year I bought the stuff at Williams Hardware for $7.95 for a three pound bag. I have seen it at other stores for that price to a dollar less but Williams was local. I went in to get some the other day and they wanted $10.99 for the three pound bag. I checked other retailers and found the food for $11.99 a bag.
I'm sure sales are down so the supplier is trying to stay in business at my expenses. I'm sorry but enough is enough. I purchased a 5 pound bag of Wardleys Koi food for $12.86 at Wal*Mart. Sorry guys, but I have to survive too.
Talking about surviving. The stock market fell from 12,000 to around 6,000 and many people lost a lot of money, including myself. But I stuck it out by continually telling myself I'm buying more stock at a cheaper price. My gamble payed off. At 9,000 I have recovered all my money and then some. Yea.
It's not necessarily the fault of local retailers but sometimes operating at a loss is a necessary evil and I'm rather tired of being the one that costs get passed on to. The state wants to raise my taxes, airlines want to charge extra fees, employers want to reduce hours, and manufactures want to pass along cost increases or revenue declines to me.
What I purchased was fish food. I have a backyard water garden with a few fish in the pond. I have been buying Blue Ridge Koi food for years for three reasons. It is a quality food at a reasonable price, I have to shop local pet stores to get it, and it is made in Kernersville. Last year I bought the stuff at Williams Hardware for $7.95 for a three pound bag. I have seen it at other stores for that price to a dollar less but Williams was local. I went in to get some the other day and they wanted $10.99 for the three pound bag. I checked other retailers and found the food for $11.99 a bag.
I'm sure sales are down so the supplier is trying to stay in business at my expenses. I'm sorry but enough is enough. I purchased a 5 pound bag of Wardleys Koi food for $12.86 at Wal*Mart. Sorry guys, but I have to survive too.
Talking about surviving. The stock market fell from 12,000 to around 6,000 and many people lost a lot of money, including myself. But I stuck it out by continually telling myself I'm buying more stock at a cheaper price. My gamble payed off. At 9,000 I have recovered all my money and then some. Yea.
Victimless crime
Of course everyone knows that self-medicating is a victimless crime. Tell that to the family of the young woman who was beaten to death because she couldn't get money for her kidnapper. Tell that to our soldiers who are fighting an enemy financed from drug money. Tell that to the young women walking the streets of our nation selling their bodies in order to get money for drugs.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
He's surprised?
“I have to say I’m surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement, because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don’t need to handcuff a guy — a middle-aged man who uses a cane who was in his own home,” Obama said in an ABC News interview Thursday night
And exactly how tall does one have to be to walk back into his house and get a gun and shoot someone? Police handcuff all suspects, male, female, white, black, old, young, and all other discriptions as a matter of policy. They even handcuff prisoners while they process the paperwork when the prisoner is being released.
So now, is Obama going to detate police procedures and make it improper to handcuff old people using a cane or just black college professor's? What if the professor had only been a part time teacher at Randolph cimmunity College? Would it have been proper to handcuff him then?
Maybe we just put healtj insurance reform legislation on hold while Obama works out all the details of who can and cannot be handcuffed. Maybe it would be better if all future burlary in process calls be ignored if the suspect is determined to be a black male.
Personally I have encountered some black males who were too ready to accused me of being racists. One example occured when I worked at a convenience store. It was a slow day, a rare and welcomed event. A black male pulled up to pump number 5, inserted his credit card and proceeded to pump his gas. About a minute later a car pulled up to pump number nine (the pump most people choose if they are going to drive off without paying) A young woman (hot, may I add without being accused of being sexist)dressed only in a tiny bikini, started pumping gas without either using a credit or debit card or without prepaying.
Now who exactly do you think I was looking at (being a red blooded straight American male). Guess what happened? No, I didn't get a date with the girl but the man came into the store and accused me of watching him and of being a racist.
Another time while working at my regular job I was talking with a customer when a black male came up to the customer and accused him of being a racist and very upset because "you keep watching me without cause." I explainned to the man thast no one was watching him. The person I was talking to had no reason to watch him as he was just a customer.
I could cite example after example but I believe you have the proper picture. I'm not saying racist doesn't occur. I know it does. On my former blog I always posted stories of people, manly black men, who were released from prison after being wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.
I've heard the professors version and I've heard the officer's version and having watched hours and hours of cop shows, I would tend to believe the cop. I have seen instances of cops bullying suspects. A perfect example is on one episode, the sheriif's department in Davidson County was featured. There wasn't enough real crime so a prostitution sting was set up. The local cops grabbed a fat man and drug the dazed and confused man to the pavement and handcuffed him. I honestly believe they (the cops) were trying to act tough for the cameras. I also believe that if they has asked the man to step out of his vehicle, he would have done so. In most situations, the cops just issued the john a citation. There was no need for brute force just like there is no need for Obama to be running off at the mouth.
And exactly how tall does one have to be to walk back into his house and get a gun and shoot someone? Police handcuff all suspects, male, female, white, black, old, young, and all other discriptions as a matter of policy. They even handcuff prisoners while they process the paperwork when the prisoner is being released.
So now, is Obama going to detate police procedures and make it improper to handcuff old people using a cane or just black college professor's? What if the professor had only been a part time teacher at Randolph cimmunity College? Would it have been proper to handcuff him then?
Maybe we just put healtj insurance reform legislation on hold while Obama works out all the details of who can and cannot be handcuffed. Maybe it would be better if all future burlary in process calls be ignored if the suspect is determined to be a black male.
Personally I have encountered some black males who were too ready to accused me of being racists. One example occured when I worked at a convenience store. It was a slow day, a rare and welcomed event. A black male pulled up to pump number 5, inserted his credit card and proceeded to pump his gas. About a minute later a car pulled up to pump number nine (the pump most people choose if they are going to drive off without paying) A young woman (hot, may I add without being accused of being sexist)dressed only in a tiny bikini, started pumping gas without either using a credit or debit card or without prepaying.
Now who exactly do you think I was looking at (being a red blooded straight American male). Guess what happened? No, I didn't get a date with the girl but the man came into the store and accused me of watching him and of being a racist.
Another time while working at my regular job I was talking with a customer when a black male came up to the customer and accused him of being a racist and very upset because "you keep watching me without cause." I explainned to the man thast no one was watching him. The person I was talking to had no reason to watch him as he was just a customer.
I could cite example after example but I believe you have the proper picture. I'm not saying racist doesn't occur. I know it does. On my former blog I always posted stories of people, manly black men, who were released from prison after being wrongly accused and convicted of crimes.
I've heard the professors version and I've heard the officer's version and having watched hours and hours of cop shows, I would tend to believe the cop. I have seen instances of cops bullying suspects. A perfect example is on one episode, the sheriif's department in Davidson County was featured. There wasn't enough real crime so a prostitution sting was set up. The local cops grabbed a fat man and drug the dazed and confused man to the pavement and handcuffed him. I honestly believe they (the cops) were trying to act tough for the cameras. I also believe that if they has asked the man to step out of his vehicle, he would have done so. In most situations, the cops just issued the john a citation. There was no need for brute force just like there is no need for Obama to be running off at the mouth.
Master of Deception
When fishing in brown water, use brown colored bait. When fishing in green water, using green colored bait. The idea is not to stand out but to blend in, to disguise as much as possible the deception of free food for the fish.
I didn't like Obamas ideas when he was a candidate for his parties nomination, I didn't like his ideas when he was the Democratic choice, and I haven't cared at all for his ideas since taking office. After his "stupidly" comment, I'm beginning to dislike him personally. But still, I'll have to give him credit for being the best at what he does. He is the master of Deception.
He promised that under his administration pork barre ll legislation would be eliminated yet on one piece of legislation there were 55 add-ons for pet projects and the vast majority of them were requested by Barrack Obama himself. He said he would accept no new legislation that increased the national debt yet his own budget puts the USA into a $1.8 billion deficit in one year alone.
He proposed a August 1 deadline for passing his health care plan and yet on TV he claimed it wasn't his deadline but the deadline of the American people.
I'm sorry, I could go on and on but I'm getting nauseous.
I didn't like Obamas ideas when he was a candidate for his parties nomination, I didn't like his ideas when he was the Democratic choice, and I haven't cared at all for his ideas since taking office. After his "stupidly" comment, I'm beginning to dislike him personally. But still, I'll have to give him credit for being the best at what he does. He is the master of Deception.
He promised that under his administration pork barre ll legislation would be eliminated yet on one piece of legislation there were 55 add-ons for pet projects and the vast majority of them were requested by Barrack Obama himself. He said he would accept no new legislation that increased the national debt yet his own budget puts the USA into a $1.8 billion deficit in one year alone.
He proposed a August 1 deadline for passing his health care plan and yet on TV he claimed it wasn't his deadline but the deadline of the American people.
I'm sorry, I could go on and on but I'm getting nauseous.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Racial bias President
I am almost positive that the President of the United States has not received a detailed report of what happened between Officer Crowley and professor Gates and spoke how he felt in his heart and not from any special knowledge of the facts that is not know to the general public.
The President said what he meant when he called the Cambridge police stupidily acting and his aides attempt to "quailfy" what the President meant is just a sorry attempt of damage control of a racially charged, prejudical statement that clearly indicates he is not willing to give all races a fair shake.
The police have a tough enough time doing their job without the President of the United States indermining their ability to do their job. If Officer Crowley acted improperly then he should be dealt with in the appropriate manner but the President has no business jumping to conclusions about who was right or wrong or to offer up a blanket charge of stupidity against the entire police force.
Are we going to have to go the route of havng only black police officers arrest black people and white officers arrest only white people? Do we need to require police officers to take the word of everyone who may appear to be doing something wrong? Maybe we can hire only officers that can neither see nor hear so that they cannot tell whom they are arresting?
Or maybe we should elect people to the office of President of the United States that will back up our police officers and not judge the right or wrong of a situation based on the color of the officer's or victims skin.
The President said what he meant when he called the Cambridge police stupidily acting and his aides attempt to "quailfy" what the President meant is just a sorry attempt of damage control of a racially charged, prejudical statement that clearly indicates he is not willing to give all races a fair shake.
The police have a tough enough time doing their job without the President of the United States indermining their ability to do their job. If Officer Crowley acted improperly then he should be dealt with in the appropriate manner but the President has no business jumping to conclusions about who was right or wrong or to offer up a blanket charge of stupidity against the entire police force.
Are we going to have to go the route of havng only black police officers arrest black people and white officers arrest only white people? Do we need to require police officers to take the word of everyone who may appear to be doing something wrong? Maybe we can hire only officers that can neither see nor hear so that they cannot tell whom they are arresting?
Or maybe we should elect people to the office of President of the United States that will back up our police officers and not judge the right or wrong of a situation based on the color of the officer's or victims skin.
Racial profiling
A well know author speaking on a talk radio show made the comment that everyone was racist and if you denied that you were a liar. I, for one, totally disagree with that statement and I don;t believe that makes me a liar. I have stated many times that everyone is prejudiced and I will admit that I am but that doesn't make me a racist.
To me, predudice means that one has preconceived notions that may or not be true or one shows favoritism towards one over another. Racism means that one acts with malious towards another just because of that person's skin color.
In the case of the Harvard Professor, the Cambridge police officer was accused of being a racist or of racial profiling but I totally disagree with that assessment. First, the policement didn't stop the professor because he was black. The officer responded to a call by a neighbor to the resisdence of a possible breakin. Just because the professor was famous in certain circles doesn't mean that everyone knew who he was. I saw his picture posted and he looked just like many other people to be, no one that I would recognize. Even after seeing his picture, I still wouldn't know who he was if he walked into my work place.
Most people carry their ID with them so when the police officer asked him for his ID (which he should have-the officer doesn't know that he was the owner of the house-after all. a neighbor just claimed the man was breaking in) and he wanted to walk into another room to get his ID, the policeman has no idea what the man is really in search of. It could be an escape route, a weapon of some sort, or his ID. If you are in a dwelling with a man a neighbor just claimed was being broken into, would you trust the man that was there with your life?
To me, predudice means that one has preconceived notions that may or not be true or one shows favoritism towards one over another. Racism means that one acts with malious towards another just because of that person's skin color.
In the case of the Harvard Professor, the Cambridge police officer was accused of being a racist or of racial profiling but I totally disagree with that assessment. First, the policement didn't stop the professor because he was black. The officer responded to a call by a neighbor to the resisdence of a possible breakin. Just because the professor was famous in certain circles doesn't mean that everyone knew who he was. I saw his picture posted and he looked just like many other people to be, no one that I would recognize. Even after seeing his picture, I still wouldn't know who he was if he walked into my work place.
Most people carry their ID with them so when the police officer asked him for his ID (which he should have-the officer doesn't know that he was the owner of the house-after all. a neighbor just claimed the man was breaking in) and he wanted to walk into another room to get his ID, the policeman has no idea what the man is really in search of. It could be an escape route, a weapon of some sort, or his ID. If you are in a dwelling with a man a neighbor just claimed was being broken into, would you trust the man that was there with your life?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Black Mountain
There is a nice nostalgic article in "Our State" magazine, August, 2009, issue on Black Mountain. If anyone happens to read the article or has visited that area and has an urge to build a mountain home near there Iknow where an acre of land is for sale. You can call David Patneaude for details or visit his website.
The land includes a portion of a nice creek and has a section of a nice deck built near the creek.
David Patneaude
828 442 8316
david@catawbaproperties.com
The land includes a portion of a nice creek and has a section of a nice deck built near the creek.
David Patneaude
828 442 8316
david@catawbaproperties.com
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Increasing taxes, fees, etc is cerainly fair
I am just a poor working man doing the best I can to psy my bills, obey the laws, keep my home and yard clean, neat, and presentable, and maybe put s little aside for emergency and old age. Life is tough and it's hard to save. I could do okay if others would just be responsible too.
Would not it be nice if we had the same control over our financies that the government has over thiers and some businesses have? Next time I pay a bill, I'd like to be able to only pay 97.5% of it since my employer is working me 39 hours per week instead of 40. Wouldn;t it have been nie to have charged your boss a fuel surcharge to come to work when gas prices shot up to over $4.00 per gallon?
Airlines are charging fees for things that once were free, government is placing taxes on things that once were tax free, and companies are reducing work hours and/or benefits that once were taken for granted.
Government officials, needing money for pet projects, take money from social security and leave an IOU. If a company set up a retirement benefit fund for its employees and then raided that account for special projects it would be considered illegal.
Maybe it is time we change the way our government operates and give it a stedy job with a steady income like most people have. If the government has a predetermined income every year then it would be forced to live within that budget, just like you and I do. There has to be a way to stop the madness that is the US government.
Would not it be nice if we had the same control over our financies that the government has over thiers and some businesses have? Next time I pay a bill, I'd like to be able to only pay 97.5% of it since my employer is working me 39 hours per week instead of 40. Wouldn;t it have been nie to have charged your boss a fuel surcharge to come to work when gas prices shot up to over $4.00 per gallon?
Airlines are charging fees for things that once were free, government is placing taxes on things that once were tax free, and companies are reducing work hours and/or benefits that once were taken for granted.
Government officials, needing money for pet projects, take money from social security and leave an IOU. If a company set up a retirement benefit fund for its employees and then raided that account for special projects it would be considered illegal.
Maybe it is time we change the way our government operates and give it a stedy job with a steady income like most people have. If the government has a predetermined income every year then it would be forced to live within that budget, just like you and I do. There has to be a way to stop the madness that is the US government.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Courier law log
Yes, I am a subscriper to the Asheboro paper. I read the law log every morning at breakfast as I like to know the bad stuff that is happening in real life that could affect me but more than that, I have been looking for the time my neighbor's name would appear.
Today was the day! I thought maybe it would be for larceny, shoplifting, or b & e but it was for drugs: three felony counts.
Working on my book Queen of Southgate (now just Southgate available at Lulu.com ) has given me a sixth sense about certain kinds of people. I had that feeling about my neighbor.
Today was the day! I thought maybe it would be for larceny, shoplifting, or b & e but it was for drugs: three felony counts.
Working on my book Queen of Southgate (now just Southgate available at Lulu.com ) has given me a sixth sense about certain kinds of people. I had that feeling about my neighbor.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Not for the common man
I just finished an article on work place etiquette which of course centered on behaviour at the office. What if I don't work in an office? Million of people work in retail and in manufacturing. Are we not important enough to write about? I work with a few that sure could benefit from some good work place etiquette (or if the writer thinks we aren't smart enough to understand that word, just call it common sense manners).
How about a good article for the poor fellow whose struggling in everyday life at the factory and hasn't a clue how to invest that $10,000 nest egg in his 401K.
I would write those articles myself but no one reads my stuff.
How about a good article for the poor fellow whose struggling in everyday life at the factory and hasn't a clue how to invest that $10,000 nest egg in his 401K.
I would write those articles myself but no one reads my stuff.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
first 150 days
Observations of the President's 1st Five Months..............
He has.....
1. Offended the Queen of England .
2. Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia .
3. Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4. Kissed Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5. Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
6. Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions.
7. Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
8. Expanded the bailouts.
9. Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
10. Doubled our national debt..
11. Announced a termination of the space defense system the day after the North Koreans launched an ICBM.
12. Despite the urgings of his own CIA director and the prior 4 CIA directors, released information on intelligence gathering.
13. Accepted without public comment the fact that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two others withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
14. Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who quickly identified as "dangers to the nation", groups including veterans of the military, and opponents to abortion on demand, and who ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used but instead referred to such acts as "man made disasters".
15. Circled the globe so he could openly apologize for America's greatness.
16. Told Mexicans the violence in their country was because of us.
17. Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from its Department of Commerce origins..
18. Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion from America to Cuba of a nine-year old whose mother died trying to bring him to a life of freedom in the United States and approved the pardon of Marc Rich so Clinton could let the felon go free.
19. Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration will likely stand trial for "torturing" a terrorist, who had played a part in killing 3000 Americans, by pouring water up their nose.
20. Flew Air Force One over New York City causing panic at a cost of $400,000 to get a photo you can make with Photo Shop for less than a dollar.
21. Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure Europe that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims
22.Began the process of nationalizing the Auto Industry and the Insurance industry.
23 Announced that for intent and purposes the Health Insurance Industry will be nationalized.
24 Sided with Hugo Chavez instead of the Rule of Law as Honduras legally deposed Zelaya and installed Roberto Micheletti as President. It must be noted that the army did so following a lawful order of the Honduras Supreme Court.
He has.....
1. Offended the Queen of England .
2. Bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia .
3. Praised the Marxist Daniel Ortega.
4. Kissed Hugo Chavez on the cheek.
5. Endorsed the Socialist Evo Morales of Bolivia .
6. Announced we would meet with Iranians with no pre-conditions.
7. Gave away billions to AIG also without pre-conditions.
8. Expanded the bailouts.
9. Insulted everyone who has ever loved a Special Olympian.
10. Doubled our national debt..
11. Announced a termination of the space defense system the day after the North Koreans launched an ICBM.
12. Despite the urgings of his own CIA director and the prior 4 CIA directors, released information on intelligence gathering.
13. Accepted without public comment the fact that five of his cabinet members cheated on their taxes and two others withdrew after they couldn't take the heat.
14. Appointed a Homeland Security Chief who quickly identified as "dangers to the nation", groups including veterans of the military, and opponents to abortion on demand, and who ordered that the word "terrorism" no longer be used but instead referred to such acts as "man made disasters".
15. Circled the globe so he could openly apologize for America's greatness.
16. Told Mexicans the violence in their country was because of us.
17. Politicized the census by moving it into the White House from its Department of Commerce origins..
18. Appointed as Attorney General the man who orchestrated the forced removal and expulsion from America to Cuba of a nine-year old whose mother died trying to bring him to a life of freedom in the United States and approved the pardon of Marc Rich so Clinton could let the felon go free.
19. Salutes as heroes three Navy SEALS who took down three terrorists who threatened one American life and the next day announces members of the Bush administration will likely stand trial for "torturing" a terrorist, who had played a part in killing 3000 Americans, by pouring water up their nose.
20. Flew Air Force One over New York City causing panic at a cost of $400,000 to get a photo you can make with Photo Shop for less than a dollar.
21. Sent his National Defense Advisor to Europe to assure Europe that the US will no longer treat Israel in a special manner and they might be on their own with the Muslims
22.Began the process of nationalizing the Auto Industry and the Insurance industry.
23 Announced that for intent and purposes the Health Insurance Industry will be nationalized.
24 Sided with Hugo Chavez instead of the Rule of Law as Honduras legally deposed Zelaya and installed Roberto Micheletti as President. It must be noted that the army did so following a lawful order of the Honduras Supreme Court.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Joyce DeWitt a k a Janet Wood
Joyce Dewitt played Janet Wood on "Three's Company". She was the perky dark-hairred cutie. Now 60, she looked anything but cute after her DUI arrest. 
fixing health care
All I wanted from this broken health care system of ours is a requirement that if I lost my job (even if I quit) that I would be entitled to carry my existing health coverage at the same rate until I was employed again. I don't want to pay for the health care of people to lazy to work or to cheap to provide for their family memebers even if my paying came by hidden taxes. After all, I'm already paying to feed them, house them, and to fix the damage they cause when they wreck uninsured motor vehicles.
I certainly don't believe that the US government will be able to pay for it either and not make me pay for it as Obama said would be the case. Cigarettes already cost more than a dollar more a pack (which could be a good thing except that it is proof of a lie).
Obama's personal stimulus of $13.00 a week is a joke. One has to have a job to get it and 1 in 10 workers no longer have a job and the thirteen dollars a week for those who do go to pay tax increases from local, state and federal governments, and for increased cost of goods from struggling businesses.
What I find so really bizarre is any kind of tax increase during a recession. Too bad individuals can't do what government and busisnesses can do. Wouldn't it be nice to go to the grocery store and buy $150.00 and give the cashier %145.50 and said that because of increaed cost to live, you are forced to tax the store on your purchases or to tell your boss that you will be charging $18.50 an hour instead of the $17.25 you had been making because your ARM just increased.
We can't do that. All we can do is vote. Pay attention and vote wisely next election.
I certainly don't believe that the US government will be able to pay for it either and not make me pay for it as Obama said would be the case. Cigarettes already cost more than a dollar more a pack (which could be a good thing except that it is proof of a lie).
Obama's personal stimulus of $13.00 a week is a joke. One has to have a job to get it and 1 in 10 workers no longer have a job and the thirteen dollars a week for those who do go to pay tax increases from local, state and federal governments, and for increased cost of goods from struggling businesses.
What I find so really bizarre is any kind of tax increase during a recession. Too bad individuals can't do what government and busisnesses can do. Wouldn't it be nice to go to the grocery store and buy $150.00 and give the cashier %145.50 and said that because of increaed cost to live, you are forced to tax the store on your purchases or to tell your boss that you will be charging $18.50 an hour instead of the $17.25 you had been making because your ARM just increased.
We can't do that. All we can do is vote. Pay attention and vote wisely next election.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Child's play
Teacher sorry for mock wedding to 4th grader
Parents at Maine school raise concerns over playground ceremony
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updated 11:06 a.m. ET, Tues., July 7, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine - A fourth-grade teacher has apologized for playing the groom in a mock wedding to a student.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Paul Rosenblum agreed to participate after the girl proposed and his class at the Plummer-Motz School in Falmouth, Maine, cajoled him.
At the brief playground ceremony, Rosenblum wore a black graduation gown and a clown tie. The girl had a sheet draped around her clothes for a gown.
Story continues below ↓
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There was no kiss but the newspaper reported the teacher took the student's hand and they ran down a gazebo ramp at the end of the ceremony.
The school later received several phone calls about it.
'Sick with regret'
In a letter sent to parents, Rosenblum said he was only intending to indulge "a little girl's game of dress-up and make-believe." He said he is remorseful and "sick with regret."
"The fact that an adult would consent to 'marry' one of his students, however light the intended context, shows a serious lapse in judgment," he added.
Superintendent Barbara Powers wouldn't say whether any disciplinary action was taken.
"I think it was just lots of class joking around — and crushes and things like that — and the kids thinking it would be a cheerful, fun thing to do for the end of the year," Powers told the newspaper. "The teacher agreed to go along with it, just not thinking it through."
I see nothing to get upset about. If this had been a scene in a movie, I think the audience would have been moved in a positive way.
Parents at Maine school raise concerns over playground ceremony
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
updated 11:06 a.m. ET, Tues., July 7, 2009
PORTLAND, Maine - A fourth-grade teacher has apologized for playing the groom in a mock wedding to a student.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Paul Rosenblum agreed to participate after the girl proposed and his class at the Plummer-Motz School in Falmouth, Maine, cajoled him.
At the brief playground ceremony, Rosenblum wore a black graduation gown and a clown tie. The girl had a sheet draped around her clothes for a gown.
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There was no kiss but the newspaper reported the teacher took the student's hand and they ran down a gazebo ramp at the end of the ceremony.
The school later received several phone calls about it.
'Sick with regret'
In a letter sent to parents, Rosenblum said he was only intending to indulge "a little girl's game of dress-up and make-believe." He said he is remorseful and "sick with regret."
"The fact that an adult would consent to 'marry' one of his students, however light the intended context, shows a serious lapse in judgment," he added.
Superintendent Barbara Powers wouldn't say whether any disciplinary action was taken.
"I think it was just lots of class joking around — and crushes and things like that — and the kids thinking it would be a cheerful, fun thing to do for the end of the year," Powers told the newspaper. "The teacher agreed to go along with it, just not thinking it through."
I see nothing to get upset about. If this had been a scene in a movie, I think the audience would have been moved in a positive way.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Queen of Southgate
The shorter version of The Queen of Southgate, entitled simply "Southgate" is available on Lulu.com for $6.96.
Bold, Riveting, and Compelling, November 24, 2006
By Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Queen of Southgate (Paperback)
This is a story of homeless people, prostitutes, pimps, dealers, and hustlers. Sperling asks the tough questions: How do these people survive? How do they avoid arrest? And, how do we prevent the next child from becoming one of the street people?
After reading a newspaper account of a local fire, in which three year old Tyler suffocated, Dale Sperling became consumed with the question of what really happened. As he researched news reports and internet records of the three adults sleeping in the house, at the time of the fire, he found himself drawn into to a tangled web of deceit, crime, and the human drama of life on the streets of the Southgate District.
Dale decided to find an individual who had experienced drug and alcohol abuse, prostituted their body, and risen above this life to choose personal growth and fulfillment. He then wanted to write their story. Tammy James (TJ) was approached to become the "success" of his book. The book, and Tammy James, became a passion as Dale interviewed dozens of street people, dealers, and prostitutes. He soon became involved in an unusual, intricate relationship with Tammy as friend, protector, and benefactor.
As he traces the steps of Tammy's spiraling descent into the use of crack cocaine Sperling describes in detail the risks of street life. He shows profound insights into Tammy's personality. "I was beginning to understand her motivation better now. TJ wanted the same things we all want: acceptance, friendship, and respect. She also wanted her independence and the chance to express herself. At Southgate, she had all, that she felt, she needed to be happy."
"The more I learned, the more I came to realize that I could not help Tammy. To seek recovery was a decision she had to make on her own. I became an observer and expanded my research to include the total environment."
The environment, pleasure and values of a person influence the risk of addiction. As Dale continued to write he concluded that being a street prostitute was not all about money, nor was it all about drugs. "There was something far more sinister at work in these women's lives."
As work on the book progressed, Sperling continued the focus of alerting others to the dangers caused by using illegal drugs, abusing alcohol and of the effect this has on others, family, friends, and relationships. He reiterates how your influence on others impacts the direction of their lives. This thought provoking account is haunting and heartbreaking. It is a reminder that the choices we make have long range consequences.
Sperling demonstrated spiritual understanding and compassion as he sacrificed of himself to bring this story to fruition. It is a remarkable work well worth reading and passing along to others facing these issues personally or through loved ones caught up in a web of crime and degradation.
Bold, Riveting, and Compelling, November 24, 2006
By Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Queen of Southgate (Paperback)
This is a story of homeless people, prostitutes, pimps, dealers, and hustlers. Sperling asks the tough questions: How do these people survive? How do they avoid arrest? And, how do we prevent the next child from becoming one of the street people?
After reading a newspaper account of a local fire, in which three year old Tyler suffocated, Dale Sperling became consumed with the question of what really happened. As he researched news reports and internet records of the three adults sleeping in the house, at the time of the fire, he found himself drawn into to a tangled web of deceit, crime, and the human drama of life on the streets of the Southgate District.
Dale decided to find an individual who had experienced drug and alcohol abuse, prostituted their body, and risen above this life to choose personal growth and fulfillment. He then wanted to write their story. Tammy James (TJ) was approached to become the "success" of his book. The book, and Tammy James, became a passion as Dale interviewed dozens of street people, dealers, and prostitutes. He soon became involved in an unusual, intricate relationship with Tammy as friend, protector, and benefactor.
As he traces the steps of Tammy's spiraling descent into the use of crack cocaine Sperling describes in detail the risks of street life. He shows profound insights into Tammy's personality. "I was beginning to understand her motivation better now. TJ wanted the same things we all want: acceptance, friendship, and respect. She also wanted her independence and the chance to express herself. At Southgate, she had all, that she felt, she needed to be happy."
"The more I learned, the more I came to realize that I could not help Tammy. To seek recovery was a decision she had to make on her own. I became an observer and expanded my research to include the total environment."
The environment, pleasure and values of a person influence the risk of addiction. As Dale continued to write he concluded that being a street prostitute was not all about money, nor was it all about drugs. "There was something far more sinister at work in these women's lives."
As work on the book progressed, Sperling continued the focus of alerting others to the dangers caused by using illegal drugs, abusing alcohol and of the effect this has on others, family, friends, and relationships. He reiterates how your influence on others impacts the direction of their lives. This thought provoking account is haunting and heartbreaking. It is a reminder that the choices we make have long range consequences.
Sperling demonstrated spiritual understanding and compassion as he sacrificed of himself to bring this story to fruition. It is a remarkable work well worth reading and passing along to others facing these issues personally or through loved ones caught up in a web of crime and degradation.
Credit card myth
If a family has $125.00 per month left over after paying all necessary bills and living expenses and they find they want a new big screen TV, chances are they will purchase that TV using a credit card. The week after they purchase said TV they have car trouble and are forced to charge that repair bill on their credit card.
Now, and forever they no longer have $125.00 a month left over and will be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. A layoff or even a couple of short weeks at work can force that family into homelessness. Now had they chose to save and/or invest that $125.00 per month, they would have had to do without that big screen TV for four or five months but even after purchasing it, they would still have had enough to cover the emergency repair bill and would have still had the $125.00 or month left over at the end of each month.
If they never had to touch that savings, in twenty years they would have saved $30,000 but would have accrued interest on that. They then could have withdrawn $125.00 a month forever without ever touching the money that had been saved.
Credit cards only stimulate the economy by the amount of debt a family racks up using them and willcause the economy to shrink by at least that amount when a user cannot pay.
The problem most people have is their inability to save their disposable income. People will purchase the most car they can based on their income or buy the biggest house, or the best clothes they think they can afford. If they would pay themselves first, and then spent the rest, they would discover that life would be so much easier and in the long run they will have a much better life that the Joneses ever dreamed of having.
Now, and forever they no longer have $125.00 a month left over and will be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. A layoff or even a couple of short weeks at work can force that family into homelessness. Now had they chose to save and/or invest that $125.00 per month, they would have had to do without that big screen TV for four or five months but even after purchasing it, they would still have had enough to cover the emergency repair bill and would have still had the $125.00 or month left over at the end of each month.
If they never had to touch that savings, in twenty years they would have saved $30,000 but would have accrued interest on that. They then could have withdrawn $125.00 a month forever without ever touching the money that had been saved.
Credit cards only stimulate the economy by the amount of debt a family racks up using them and willcause the economy to shrink by at least that amount when a user cannot pay.
The problem most people have is their inability to save their disposable income. People will purchase the most car they can based on their income or buy the biggest house, or the best clothes they think they can afford. If they would pay themselves first, and then spent the rest, they would discover that life would be so much easier and in the long run they will have a much better life that the Joneses ever dreamed of having.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Change you don't recognize
The President ran for office with the slogan "Change you can believe in>' I have no idea what that was supposed to mean but many people embraced it. But as time goes by, what is changing is more than most people recognize. Obama has proven to be a man of action on the home front even as he remains clueless on foreign policy. Unfortunately, to date none of his actions have produced any good fruit.
What I fear is that when is all said and done by this administration we will have been lead down a path to no where and one from which we will find it impossible to reverse course or to espcape from.
What I fear is that when is all said and done by this administration we will have been lead down a path to no where and one from which we will find it impossible to reverse course or to espcape from.
Friday, July 03, 2009
What's to think about?
"Lawyer: Rowe deciding whether to seek custody"
July 2, 2009, 3:27 PM EST
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer, I suppose (I can't say for sure since I never saw any of his work) but he was weird. A grown man living in a place he called "Neverland" hanging out with pre-teen kids, particularly boys, sharing his bed with them, and getting himself sued and arrested over the practice. And if that wasn't bad enough, he proved himself to be an equally weird father what with dangling his baby over the railings while standing on a balcony.
So given his less than normal behaviour with children, including his own, what mother in her right mind would have her child raised by such a man and what court would have given him custody? And now the mother of two od his children has to "think" about trying to gain custody of her children now that Jackson has died. If she has to think about it then she should be denied from the get-go. The time to have thought about whether or not to raise your children was before you had them , lady. Afterwards, it should be a lifetime commitment.
I don't have much power or influence in this world but I do have my principles and if the way a person lives their life violates my strongest principles then I will not support that person. An actor was caught on tape having sex with a minor. Even though he is a great actor and has done several films I would have liked to have seen, I will not view them. Call me passive-agressive but it is just my way of dealing with people who engage in criminal or disgusting behaviour.
Perhaps the only principals Miss Rowe is exercising in trying to decide whether to seek custody of her children are monetary ones. If it will cost her more to gain custody of her children and raise them than she will gain from having them she will no seek custody but if she stands to make a handsome profit, she'll go forward with the custody suit. It's apparent she isn't motivated by a mother's love.
July 2, 2009, 3:27 PM EST
Michael Jackson was a great entertainer, I suppose (I can't say for sure since I never saw any of his work) but he was weird. A grown man living in a place he called "Neverland" hanging out with pre-teen kids, particularly boys, sharing his bed with them, and getting himself sued and arrested over the practice. And if that wasn't bad enough, he proved himself to be an equally weird father what with dangling his baby over the railings while standing on a balcony.
So given his less than normal behaviour with children, including his own, what mother in her right mind would have her child raised by such a man and what court would have given him custody? And now the mother of two od his children has to "think" about trying to gain custody of her children now that Jackson has died. If she has to think about it then she should be denied from the get-go. The time to have thought about whether or not to raise your children was before you had them , lady. Afterwards, it should be a lifetime commitment.
I don't have much power or influence in this world but I do have my principles and if the way a person lives their life violates my strongest principles then I will not support that person. An actor was caught on tape having sex with a minor. Even though he is a great actor and has done several films I would have liked to have seen, I will not view them. Call me passive-agressive but it is just my way of dealing with people who engage in criminal or disgusting behaviour.
Perhaps the only principals Miss Rowe is exercising in trying to decide whether to seek custody of her children are monetary ones. If it will cost her more to gain custody of her children and raise them than she will gain from having them she will no seek custody but if she stands to make a handsome profit, she'll go forward with the custody suit. It's apparent she isn't motivated by a mother's love.
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