The new found rich do not often find life better. The body of a man who won a lump sum of $17 million in Florida was found buried in the yard of a girlfriends boyfriend's backyard. He is believed to have been killed because of his money.
In another news story, a lady won some money in the lottery, purchased a set of wedding rings for herself and her new spouse, took him out to dinner, and then went to a bar to celebrate with some friends. She was ran over by a car just after leaving the bar and died at the scene.
Even some churches find that having received a large cash nonation from a lottery winner is not a good thing. It seems that a sudden influx of ill gotten gains indices the congregation to quit giving and once the large gift is gone, the church can no longer meet it's obligations.
It seems the newly rich can't seem to deal with that much money and end up worse than they were to begin with, or, in some cases, just plin dead.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Recall vote
California had one, Skip Alston threatedned to have another here in Greensboro, and maybe we should have one, or at least a do-over from the last Presidential election. If it were held today, who would win?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Obama on Bipartisianship
"We want the Republicans to work with us." Obama says.
Not "we want to work with the Republicans" or we want both parties to work together". No, he makes it clear he believes he is right and the party of the open mind is closed to Republican ideas. What Obama is really saying is if the Republicans do things his way, the he can control Congress and get his agenda passed.
Not "we want to work with the Republicans" or we want both parties to work together". No, he makes it clear he believes he is right and the party of the open mind is closed to Republican ideas. What Obama is really saying is if the Republicans do things his way, the he can control Congress and get his agenda passed.
It is what it is
The phrase "it is what it is" is one of the most overworked phrases of 2008 and one voted most irratating.
“But, remember this,” he (Obama) went on. “I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That’s just how it is.”
Or, it other words, it is what it is.
That's change we can believe in.
Yea, right.
“But, remember this,” he (Obama) went on. “I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That’s just how it is.”
Or, it other words, it is what it is.
That's change we can believe in.
Yea, right.
Exercise program
Several years ago I was diagnosed as diabetic. My blood pressure was high, normally around 165/72, trigycerides were over 600. chestrol well over 400, and I was almost 100 pounds overweight although I didn't think I was that fat.
I started visiting my doctor regularly and changed my eating habits. With my doctors help. I lost 30 pounds and all my numbers except for blood pressure and sugar were well within the normal range. Only after Christmas did my blood sugar climb to a level where i needed meds. After 3 months I would have it back under control.
The difference was that I love being outdoors and with digging my water pond, mowing the grass, planting trees and flower gardens, I got plenty of exercise. During the colder months I'm like a bear--I find a nice warm place to curl up in and stay put until it warms up outside.
This year to combat that problem my wife and I purchased a Wii. We use it daily, set goals for ourselves, and follow the exercise programs that cover the whole body. We do occasionally play one of the games--my wife likes bowling and I perfer golf.
She has done exceptionally well, losing 16 pounds in 48 days. I haven't done quite as well, but I have shrank pants size and people are always asking if Ihave lost weight.
She has better eating habits than I do and her schedule is steady. My changes from day to day. Some days I go to work at 5 am other days it might be 8, or 9, or 10, 0r 11, or 12, or one, and occasionally even as late as 2 o'clock. It is hard to maintain a rountine like this.
I must, however, do better.
I started visiting my doctor regularly and changed my eating habits. With my doctors help. I lost 30 pounds and all my numbers except for blood pressure and sugar were well within the normal range. Only after Christmas did my blood sugar climb to a level where i needed meds. After 3 months I would have it back under control.
The difference was that I love being outdoors and with digging my water pond, mowing the grass, planting trees and flower gardens, I got plenty of exercise. During the colder months I'm like a bear--I find a nice warm place to curl up in and stay put until it warms up outside.
This year to combat that problem my wife and I purchased a Wii. We use it daily, set goals for ourselves, and follow the exercise programs that cover the whole body. We do occasionally play one of the games--my wife likes bowling and I perfer golf.
She has done exceptionally well, losing 16 pounds in 48 days. I haven't done quite as well, but I have shrank pants size and people are always asking if Ihave lost weight.
She has better eating habits than I do and her schedule is steady. My changes from day to day. Some days I go to work at 5 am other days it might be 8, or 9, or 10, 0r 11, or 12, or one, and occasionally even as late as 2 o'clock. It is hard to maintain a rountine like this.
I must, however, do better.
Obama at the State of the Union debacle
Looks gay, doesn't he? Not that there is anything wrong in being gay.
Is he serious?
Conan OBrian left the tonight show and Barrack Obama is campaigning for his old position or maybe for a prime time opening being vacated by Jay Leno. A pending freeze on federal programs that are currently at record deficit levels? Does that spending freeze prevent the government from enacting any more new programs for the next three years?
No? Then it really isn't a freeze, is it?
What is new and improved about a political leader spewing rhetoric that sounds good but contains no subsance of any value or promises that cannot be kept. And his only admission of failure was that he did a poor jopb of convincing me he was right?
Maybe he should realize he is trying to push me down a road I don't want to go on. He can't lead me anywhere because I don't trust him or any of his crappy promises. I haven't believed him since he said he was going to change business as usual in Washington. He knew and everyone else knows that just "ain't gonna happen" and yet a majority of people were motivated by empty rhetoric.
Bush, with all his faults, at least told things like they were. An example was when Obama appointed Bill Clinton and George Bush as a,bassador's to raise money for Haiti. Clinton gave this fance appeal. Bush said "I know you want to give water and blankets-just give cash' Uninspiring yes, but straigt and to the point.
What this country needs is less motivaltional and inspirational speeches and more truth and substance and real life, real time solutions.
No? Then it really isn't a freeze, is it?
What is new and improved about a political leader spewing rhetoric that sounds good but contains no subsance of any value or promises that cannot be kept. And his only admission of failure was that he did a poor jopb of convincing me he was right?
Maybe he should realize he is trying to push me down a road I don't want to go on. He can't lead me anywhere because I don't trust him or any of his crappy promises. I haven't believed him since he said he was going to change business as usual in Washington. He knew and everyone else knows that just "ain't gonna happen" and yet a majority of people were motivated by empty rhetoric.
Bush, with all his faults, at least told things like they were. An example was when Obama appointed Bill Clinton and George Bush as a,bassador's to raise money for Haiti. Clinton gave this fance appeal. Bush said "I know you want to give water and blankets-just give cash' Uninspiring yes, but straigt and to the point.
What this country needs is less motivaltional and inspirational speeches and more truth and substance and real life, real time solutions.
Toyota recall
My wife and her family are what one would call a Toyota family. Yjr one my wife owns and the one I drive is not part of the gas petal recall. It is a flinstone-type car. Miles per gallon depends on how much one has had to drink!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
My perpective on Obama
I did not vote for Obama so we can get that out in the open to begin with. I also was not a supporter of John McCain, and certainly my loyalties did not lie with the likes of John Edwards. I voted libertarian in the NC governors race. I voted for the people I believed could get the job done, whose views were closer to mine own, and whose motivations seemed to be more about principals or people than power.
I didn't back many winners this time.
The nation is still not doing well.
Maybe there is a connection.
Maybe not.
Did the fact that Obama is black play a part in my decision not to vote for him?
Yes, it did. So was the fact that Clinton was a female and John McCain couldn't lift his arms above his head. An insignificant part. Much more important to me was the candidates ability to get the job done. McCain appeared foolish while Obama remained cool, collected and arrogant as always.
I didn't hear the speech that got the Democrats so excited about Obama four years (five now) ago when Kerry ran. Obama put on a hell of a show at his convention and promised a new was of doing business in Washington and change I could believe in. Except I couldn't.
Washington is to set in its way for a brash young political neophyte to change it much if at all. I didn't believe he could change the way of doing business and so far he has proved me correct on that point.
I did believe he would try to redistribute the wealth-like Robin Hood, only legit-taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I was one of those poor that would be in on the receiving part. But the truth is, I'd rather make it own my own than have anyone give it to me. And if he was taking from the rich, that meant that the more he took to give to the poor the less motivation there was to become rich and the less motivation there was to quit being poor.
I didn't like that either.
John Kennedy was a good speech maker. Everyone wants to be a John Kennedy. He wasn't really a good President. He failed at the Bay of Pigs. failed in Vietnam. and would have been impeached if he had not been shot first. He just couldn't keep his pants on. The only Kennedy I liked was Robert.
Obama appears to me to be to filled up with himself, as if he really does believe that he walks on water. He is going to admit missteps during his upcoming speech. he took to long to get his agenda rammed down America's throat.
I think his mistake is in trying to get too much done, too fast, without giving us a chance to understand what was going on. Government did not put our health care insurance system together. Necessity and private enterprise did. It is a hodgepodge of business practices and state laws that is not always good for everyone or anyone. We don't need the US government to redone an entire system for us. We just need some tweaking to work out the kinks and make the system work better.
I never bought into the arguments that he should not be President because of his religion or country of origin or skin color. He has every right to be President as did George Washington and George Bush. I did not vote for him to we could have our first black President and prove to the world we are not prejudice any more than Clinton deserved my vote to prove we were a liberated people who gives equal create to mean and women. I didn't give my vote to John McCain because he was a war hero and deserved our sympathy or graditude.
For the first time in my life I didn't want either canidate to win. One had too. I'm not convinced we made the wrong choice among the two. But I am not convinced either, that we made the right choice.
I thought it interesting that Obama has been advised to stay the course and stick to his agenda and not do anything so radical as listening to the American people.
Wow! What advise for an American President to receive. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35094828/ns/politics-the_new_york_times
I didn't back many winners this time.
The nation is still not doing well.
Maybe there is a connection.
Maybe not.
Did the fact that Obama is black play a part in my decision not to vote for him?
Yes, it did. So was the fact that Clinton was a female and John McCain couldn't lift his arms above his head. An insignificant part. Much more important to me was the candidates ability to get the job done. McCain appeared foolish while Obama remained cool, collected and arrogant as always.
I didn't hear the speech that got the Democrats so excited about Obama four years (five now) ago when Kerry ran. Obama put on a hell of a show at his convention and promised a new was of doing business in Washington and change I could believe in. Except I couldn't.
Washington is to set in its way for a brash young political neophyte to change it much if at all. I didn't believe he could change the way of doing business and so far he has proved me correct on that point.
I did believe he would try to redistribute the wealth-like Robin Hood, only legit-taking from the rich and giving to the poor. I was one of those poor that would be in on the receiving part. But the truth is, I'd rather make it own my own than have anyone give it to me. And if he was taking from the rich, that meant that the more he took to give to the poor the less motivation there was to become rich and the less motivation there was to quit being poor.
I didn't like that either.
John Kennedy was a good speech maker. Everyone wants to be a John Kennedy. He wasn't really a good President. He failed at the Bay of Pigs. failed in Vietnam. and would have been impeached if he had not been shot first. He just couldn't keep his pants on. The only Kennedy I liked was Robert.
Obama appears to me to be to filled up with himself, as if he really does believe that he walks on water. He is going to admit missteps during his upcoming speech. he took to long to get his agenda rammed down America's throat.
I think his mistake is in trying to get too much done, too fast, without giving us a chance to understand what was going on. Government did not put our health care insurance system together. Necessity and private enterprise did. It is a hodgepodge of business practices and state laws that is not always good for everyone or anyone. We don't need the US government to redone an entire system for us. We just need some tweaking to work out the kinks and make the system work better.
I never bought into the arguments that he should not be President because of his religion or country of origin or skin color. He has every right to be President as did George Washington and George Bush. I did not vote for him to we could have our first black President and prove to the world we are not prejudice any more than Clinton deserved my vote to prove we were a liberated people who gives equal create to mean and women. I didn't give my vote to John McCain because he was a war hero and deserved our sympathy or graditude.
For the first time in my life I didn't want either canidate to win. One had too. I'm not convinced we made the wrong choice among the two. But I am not convinced either, that we made the right choice.
I thought it interesting that Obama has been advised to stay the course and stick to his agenda and not do anything so radical as listening to the American people.
Wow! What advise for an American President to receive. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35094828/ns/politics-the_new_york_times
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Another foot in mouth story
Bratt and Britt have a radio show. Yesterday they were talking about the recall of Toyota vehicles and remarked how unusual it was that a Japanese company made a defective product. One of them speculated that the defective cars had to have been made in American plants as if Americans were not capable of making anything of quality.
It does turn out that all of the recalled vehicles were made in American and Canadian plants but that is of no consequence as the problem is not one of material or workmanship but of design.
Suck on those smelly toes boys.
It does turn out that all of the recalled vehicles were made in American and Canadian plants but that is of no consequence as the problem is not one of material or workmanship but of design.
Suck on those smelly toes boys.
Sad day
It was a sad day for one of my co-workers. We started our jobs just a few days apart and have worked together for five years now. I am about to end my workiing career and she is just embarking on hers.
This morning her husbands parents were on their way to take their cat to the vets when the husband turned to say something to his wife. She didn't hear. She was dead. Suddenly, with no warning, no known problems, too young to die but gone just the same.
This morning her husbands parents were on their way to take their cat to the vets when the husband turned to say something to his wife. She didn't hear. She was dead. Suddenly, with no warning, no known problems, too young to die but gone just the same.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Update on Obama's Jury Duty
I certainly didn't mean to imply that I really believed Obama should actually sit in judgement of someone accused of a crime while he is President of the United States. I do believe that he should have been willing to do so and not made the excuse that he was too busy. That is an excuse so many people make because they either believe they are so important or do not have the proper respect for our system of justice.
I have been called to jury duty twice. The first time the prosecution was called away to another case and everyone on the next calendar pleaded guilty so there were no cases to be heard. The second was just after I moved from Guilford to Randolph County (and yes, one's IQ does actually drop when one leaves Greensboro) and I notified the court of my move but volunteered to serve anyway but that isn't legal.
Of course my experience has no bearing on the President of the United States but he is first a citizen and has an obligation to uphold it's laws and support it's legal system and not skirt his civic duties. I am not surprised he will not serve but disappointed he had to make an excuse to get out of jury duty.
I have been called to jury duty twice. The first time the prosecution was called away to another case and everyone on the next calendar pleaded guilty so there were no cases to be heard. The second was just after I moved from Guilford to Randolph County (and yes, one's IQ does actually drop when one leaves Greensboro) and I notified the court of my move but volunteered to serve anyway but that isn't legal.
Of course my experience has no bearing on the President of the United States but he is first a citizen and has an obligation to uphold it's laws and support it's legal system and not skirt his civic duties. I am not surprised he will not serve but disappointed he had to make an excuse to get out of jury duty.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
carried away
I was playing a game of tennis and was really into getting my double's partner into the game. In fact, I was so excited about one shot that I slammed the ball as hard as I could and connected with the entertainment center, injuring the ring finger on my right hand.
Nit god--not good at all.
Nit god--not good at all.
Well, Duh!
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - President Barack Obama will be skipping jury duty after being summoned in Illinois.
One doesn't really expect the President to honor his civic responsibilities, does one?
One doesn't really expect the President to honor his civic responsibilities, does one?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
News that isn't News
Number one on that list would be John Sleazy Edwards finally admitting he is the father of Miss Hunter's child.
Another item that isn't really news is the President claiming that anger at George Bush is why a Republican was elected to Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat with just a hind that there may be some unhappiness from the past year,
The last item I'll mention is a survey that says Wii Fit is an item one should not buy because studies show it doesn't help one get into shape. I have reported that my wife has lost 12 pounds and dropped a dress size while I have lost 10 pounds and now fit into smaller jeans--all in just six weeks of using Wii fit and during a time of year that I have always gained weight.
What role is China, Great Britian, Russia, and the Muslim masses playing in the disaster in Haiti to bring about relief and recovery?
Another item that isn't really news is the President claiming that anger at George Bush is why a Republican was elected to Ted Kennedy's former Senate seat with just a hind that there may be some unhappiness from the past year,
The last item I'll mention is a survey that says Wii Fit is an item one should not buy because studies show it doesn't help one get into shape. I have reported that my wife has lost 12 pounds and dropped a dress size while I have lost 10 pounds and now fit into smaller jeans--all in just six weeks of using Wii fit and during a time of year that I have always gained weight.
What role is China, Great Britian, Russia, and the Muslim masses playing in the disaster in Haiti to bring about relief and recovery?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
bad english
"The aftershock came as the U.S. military announced that is sending additional ships to help with earthquake recovery in Haiti, including one that could remove debris blocking the main port, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday."
The sentence above from an Associated Press story is becoming typical of writing in these modern times. It seems that at least one article I read every day has a wrong word used, the wrong tense, or a word just not there that should be there. Is it bad proofreading, bad writing, or just a bad typist?
Slate was the worst but now it is becoming much more common.
The sentence above from an Associated Press story is becoming typical of writing in these modern times. It seems that at least one article I read every day has a wrong word used, the wrong tense, or a word just not there that should be there. Is it bad proofreading, bad writing, or just a bad typist?
Slate was the worst but now it is becoming much more common.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Animals
Took a stroll through the zoo yesterday. I'm sharing some zoo pictures and some from my back yard.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Say what?
I was listenting to the radio yesterday and a lady was describing her life's work. Whe works with the homeless in Greensboro and was telling about her enteractions with one particular man. She said when she first met him he was half drunk and spent his time sitting on a milk crate outside the little neighborhood convenience/grocery type store.
After gainning his trust she got him to move into the back of a van and then eventually into an apartment. Now, she said, he is half sober.
So exactly what is the differemce between half drunk and half sober? I don't get it?
Another thing I don't understand is why the younger generation seems to be getting more and more carefree about their litter. I work in one of the premiere shopping centers in the nation and shoppers there tend to be families with money and yet they don't seem to be any more respectful of God's green earth than the common working man. The poor homeless guy pushing the shopping cart spends his day picking up stuff that the good citizens throw out of their cars.
After gainning his trust she got him to move into the back of a van and then eventually into an apartment. Now, she said, he is half sober.
So exactly what is the differemce between half drunk and half sober? I don't get it?
Another thing I don't understand is why the younger generation seems to be getting more and more carefree about their litter. I work in one of the premiere shopping centers in the nation and shoppers there tend to be families with money and yet they don't seem to be any more respectful of God's green earth than the common working man. The poor homeless guy pushing the shopping cart spends his day picking up stuff that the good citizens throw out of their cars.
A healtier Asheboro
It strikes me as funny that a town that just went from dry to wet is now concerned about the health of its citizens. It also strikes me as pathetic that the home of the NC Zoo claims it has no place for people to go to to walk. I know, it isn't free, and joggers and walkers don't want to pay. They want the city to build them a nice place.
Another thing that strikes me as funny is that the computer and TV get the blame for Americans being in the shape (round) that we are in but actually that is just another example of us transferring blame for our own actions, or in actions in this case, to someone or something else. We can choose to use the TV and/or computer for our benefit.
I have a Wii and have been working out daily on it for about six weeks and I have been getting comments from people about how much weight I have lost. The truth is, I haven't lost but just a couple of pounds but I have slimmed down considerably. It's not boring, nor am I affected by the weather, nor do I need friends to keep me motivated and I am not out in public exposing myself to the dangers posed by thieves and other dregs of society and crazy drivers who seem to be getting more and more aggressive.
I'm not a saleman for Wii and I'm sure that most people would rather play games that work-out with it. All I am saying is that it is a great way to take responsibility for yourself and stop having to depend on others to motivate you or shame you into taking a positive step.
I find the desire of the city to be a healtier place to live commendasble but I am still suspicious of the motives behind it. It is the same people who pushed for the town becoming wet and appointed one of their own to run the ABC store, a lucritive position with little responisbility, now want to convince you that the town now needs to take the lead in encouraging you to get healtier. Guilty conscience or profit-motive?
Another thing that strikes me as funny is that the computer and TV get the blame for Americans being in the shape (round) that we are in but actually that is just another example of us transferring blame for our own actions, or in actions in this case, to someone or something else. We can choose to use the TV and/or computer for our benefit.
I have a Wii and have been working out daily on it for about six weeks and I have been getting comments from people about how much weight I have lost. The truth is, I haven't lost but just a couple of pounds but I have slimmed down considerably. It's not boring, nor am I affected by the weather, nor do I need friends to keep me motivated and I am not out in public exposing myself to the dangers posed by thieves and other dregs of society and crazy drivers who seem to be getting more and more aggressive.
I'm not a saleman for Wii and I'm sure that most people would rather play games that work-out with it. All I am saying is that it is a great way to take responsibility for yourself and stop having to depend on others to motivate you or shame you into taking a positive step.
I find the desire of the city to be a healtier place to live commendasble but I am still suspicious of the motives behind it. It is the same people who pushed for the town becoming wet and appointed one of their own to run the ABC store, a lucritive position with little responisbility, now want to convince you that the town now needs to take the lead in encouraging you to get healtier. Guilty conscience or profit-motive?
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