Trends come and go. Some slide in unannounced, and leave without a whimper of protest. Others slam in with a bang and persist despite an initial reaction of “What the ….?” (See “Rap” music. Or Elvis’s “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog.”)
A growing trend around the country involving the most precious of rights is taking hold … and grabbing attention.
Some companies, and even some schools, are requiring passwords to social network accounts – Facebook and Twitter, among others – so information posted and dialogues exchanged can be scrutinized.
A 12-year-old girl in Minnesota was called to the office and “forced” to give up her Facebook account password so an administrator could see what she had written about a specific hall monitor. The girl, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing the school, citing a concern that social media messaging is covered by the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution – free speech and freedom from illegal search.
The ACLU is right.
This case, and others like it, highly concerns about which private communications can be kept from those in authority.
The ACLU also recently forced the State of Maryland to stop requiring applications to provide their Facebook passwords when applying for jobs. The rationale for the requirement stemmed from the state wanting to “weed out applicants with links to gangs.”
Some universities, especially sports departments, have established guidelines to force athletes to allow coaches to view their “friends-only” Facebook accounts.
It is amazing that in this day and time that some folks in authority simply don’t understand the basic rights of Americans, specifically “freedom of speech” and “freedom from illegal search.”
Would executives of companies, governments or universities allow workers or students access to their private information?
As stated many times: Ignorance you can do something about; stupidity goes straight to the bone.
Showing posts with label Arkansas Footprints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arkansas Footprints. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Oh, my! The evils of politics
Herman Cain's brief flash of light on the national political arena will start ebbing quickly not that "they" have uncovered some dirt on the conservative GOPer.
"They." You know "them," right? Those nefarious nabobs who delight in digging up dirt on those that throw themselves on the alter of Super Political Power and strive for the gold ring of the presidency.
Well, "they" have let leak that two women have accused Cain of sexual harassment when he was in the private sector. Pshaw and bother! That can't be right, right? It's just the left leading with a right cross and trying to knock the current golden boy out of the Republican lead?
Without going into too many cliches -- smoke/fire and all that -- it is safe to assume that Cain, who has changed his story more times than Bill Clinton in his sex scandal days, did do something that was not aboveboard. Despite his pompous and absolute denial of any wrongdoing, and hasty subsequent retreats from those absolute denials, the association which which he was associated did give at least one woman a year's salary as a settlement. Smoke/fire. Remember?
Cain, like most self-important people who think they can do no wrong, and if they do wrong they can hide or run from it, has dug himself a hole full of gasoline.
And, he can only blame himself for lighting the match and trying to blame the mess on the match manufacturer.
"They." You know "them," right? Those nefarious nabobs who delight in digging up dirt on those that throw themselves on the alter of Super Political Power and strive for the gold ring of the presidency.
Well, "they" have let leak that two women have accused Cain of sexual harassment when he was in the private sector. Pshaw and bother! That can't be right, right? It's just the left leading with a right cross and trying to knock the current golden boy out of the Republican lead?
Without going into too many cliches -- smoke/fire and all that -- it is safe to assume that Cain, who has changed his story more times than Bill Clinton in his sex scandal days, did do something that was not aboveboard. Despite his pompous and absolute denial of any wrongdoing, and hasty subsequent retreats from those absolute denials, the association which which he was associated did give at least one woman a year's salary as a settlement. Smoke/fire. Remember?
Cain, like most self-important people who think they can do no wrong, and if they do wrong they can hide or run from it, has dug himself a hole full of gasoline.
And, he can only blame himself for lighting the match and trying to blame the mess on the match manufacturer.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sick days and vacation days
It’s a personal choice, really, this being proud of not missing work because of illness.
In the past five-plus years, I have missed work due to accident, illness, or Mondayitis exactly eight times. I have accrued more than 50 days in sick time, time which I probably will never use and most certainly will never be paid for the unused time.
The company for which I work does not pay for unused sick time. I understand company policies, rules, regulations, esoteric whims and human resource mandates.
What I don’t understand is why employees don’t take sick time when they’re sick and why, if employees don’t take sick time, companies don’t pay them for unused days? (Looking in the mirror and asking myself that question.)
It is estimated that billions of dollars remains in company coffers because workers don’t take allotted sick time, or companies don’t pay for unused time. Billions.
Same holds true for vacation days. It is estimated that Americans did not take vacation time in 2010 that valued at more than $60 billion. In this case, however, the vast majority of companies carry over the unused days or offer a buy-out for the leisure time spent on the job.
The policy differential seems a bit skewed … a worker earns vacation, does not take it and gets it accrued or gets paid the for unused days. The same worker earns X number of sick days a year, does not take them and ends up with … a bunch of sick days sitting on the corporate books.
Sounds like a congressional hearing topic from this angle.
Also sounds like some workers need to wise up and stay home when they are ill.(Looking in that mirror again.)
As a footnote: The average American worker got 18 days of vacation last year and took 14 days off. Workers in Great Britain received 28 days and took 25. French workers got 37 vacation days and took an average of 35.
Federal workers in the U.S. get more holidays than most companies care to give.
Fairness. Will it ever be in style?
In the past five-plus years, I have missed work due to accident, illness, or Mondayitis exactly eight times. I have accrued more than 50 days in sick time, time which I probably will never use and most certainly will never be paid for the unused time.
The company for which I work does not pay for unused sick time. I understand company policies, rules, regulations, esoteric whims and human resource mandates.
What I don’t understand is why employees don’t take sick time when they’re sick and why, if employees don’t take sick time, companies don’t pay them for unused days? (Looking in the mirror and asking myself that question.)
It is estimated that billions of dollars remains in company coffers because workers don’t take allotted sick time, or companies don’t pay for unused time. Billions.
Same holds true for vacation days. It is estimated that Americans did not take vacation time in 2010 that valued at more than $60 billion. In this case, however, the vast majority of companies carry over the unused days or offer a buy-out for the leisure time spent on the job.
The policy differential seems a bit skewed … a worker earns vacation, does not take it and gets it accrued or gets paid the for unused days. The same worker earns X number of sick days a year, does not take them and ends up with … a bunch of sick days sitting on the corporate books.
Sounds like a congressional hearing topic from this angle.
Also sounds like some workers need to wise up and stay home when they are ill.(Looking in that mirror again.)
As a footnote: The average American worker got 18 days of vacation last year and took 14 days off. Workers in Great Britain received 28 days and took 25. French workers got 37 vacation days and took an average of 35.
Federal workers in the U.S. get more holidays than most companies care to give.
Fairness. Will it ever be in style?
Hating hypocrites… and feeling good about it
If you are sick and tired of listening to congressmen pontificate about cutting the federal deficit, think … hypocrites.
Late last year, as the federal budget was floundering and the deficit was rising, members of Congress from both parties were giving bonuses to staff members.
House member gave more than $21.5 million more on their office payrolls for the last quarter of 2010 than they spent on average for the fourth quarter for the last three years.
Wait, it gets worse.
Defeated and retiring lawmakers paid an average bonus of about $4,000 to staff members. Returning lawmakers paid an average $2,300, according to LegiStorm, a Washington-on-the-Deficit watchdog group that tracks congressional pay.
The money came out of the average $1.5 million allocated to each office for expenses including salaries, travel and bottled water purchases — money that, if unspent at the end of the year, goes back to the Treasury, thus helping reduce the deficit
Topping the list was … want to hazard a guess which party, GOPer or Demogogue?
Chances are you guessed wrong. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) paid out more than $200,000 in bonuses. Rep. Doris Matsui of California paid her staff an average bonus of just under $9,000 and said “these are young people who are working very hard ta very moderate pay.”
The average staff members earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.
All together now: Elected officials just don’t get it.
Late last year, as the federal budget was floundering and the deficit was rising, members of Congress from both parties were giving bonuses to staff members.
House member gave more than $21.5 million more on their office payrolls for the last quarter of 2010 than they spent on average for the fourth quarter for the last three years.
Wait, it gets worse.
Defeated and retiring lawmakers paid an average bonus of about $4,000 to staff members. Returning lawmakers paid an average $2,300, according to LegiStorm, a Washington-on-the-Deficit watchdog group that tracks congressional pay.
The money came out of the average $1.5 million allocated to each office for expenses including salaries, travel and bottled water purchases — money that, if unspent at the end of the year, goes back to the Treasury, thus helping reduce the deficit
Topping the list was … want to hazard a guess which party, GOPer or Demogogue?
Chances are you guessed wrong. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) paid out more than $200,000 in bonuses. Rep. Doris Matsui of California paid her staff an average bonus of just under $9,000 and said “these are young people who are working very hard ta very moderate pay.”
The average staff members earn between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.
All together now: Elected officials just don’t get it.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
New battle cry for Texas
In case you’ve been in a hole for the past month or so, the Texas House of Representatives did everything it could live up to the image of a bunch of nincompoops sitting in a pool of gasoline and playing with matches.
The House voted 138-0 to pass HB 1937 to make it a “criminal act for security personnel to touch a person’s private areas without probably cause as a condition of travel or as a condition of entry into a public place.” The bill was headed to the Senate where it was expected to breeze through without much comment or nay votes.
Without much hesitation, the federal government stepped in and said that it would cancel all flights in order to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The government basically did what it had to do to: 1) Keep airports open, and 2) ensure safety of travelers and airline employees.
Of course, the blustering from legislators was at nuclear-force levels. Rep. David Simpson’s staff said the Department of Justice had “thrown down the gauntlet” in using start language to oppose the bill.
Are passengers supposed to be thrilled at airport pat-downs and scans? Absolutely not. So far, have they proven effective in maintaining security and safety of travelers? Yes, definitely.
Simpson, who is either planning a run for a higher state office, or is a goofy as an addled barn rat, actually compared the battle against the feds to the Texas revolutionary war against Mexico.
Somehow “Save our genitals from pat downs!” just does not have the short-term and long-term visceral impact as does “Remember the Alamo!”
The House voted 138-0 to pass HB 1937 to make it a “criminal act for security personnel to touch a person’s private areas without probably cause as a condition of travel or as a condition of entry into a public place.” The bill was headed to the Senate where it was expected to breeze through without much comment or nay votes.
Without much hesitation, the federal government stepped in and said that it would cancel all flights in order to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The government basically did what it had to do to: 1) Keep airports open, and 2) ensure safety of travelers and airline employees.
Of course, the blustering from legislators was at nuclear-force levels. Rep. David Simpson’s staff said the Department of Justice had “thrown down the gauntlet” in using start language to oppose the bill.
Are passengers supposed to be thrilled at airport pat-downs and scans? Absolutely not. So far, have they proven effective in maintaining security and safety of travelers? Yes, definitely.
Simpson, who is either planning a run for a higher state office, or is a goofy as an addled barn rat, actually compared the battle against the feds to the Texas revolutionary war against Mexico.
Somehow “Save our genitals from pat downs!” just does not have the short-term and long-term visceral impact as does “Remember the Alamo!”
Who are these people? And why do we care?
Amy Childs.
I know I’m supposed to know who she is.
January Jones, too. And Imogene Thomas, Kelly Rowland, Katie Price, Eva Herzigova, Scotty McCeery, Johnny Rockett, Bethenny Frankel, Lauren Conrad, Kim Kardashian and Ashley Simpson.
But, People Magazine love a duck, I don’t know these people. Well, not quite true, I have heard of Kim Kardashian. She’s the daughter of the Kardashian lawyer fellow who was O.J. Simpson’s good friend and was one of the trial lawyers who helped set up the scenario that put the murderer back on the street.
But the question is: Why is his daughter considered a celebrity?
People, Us, Galmour, Sluts R Them – all of the top chick lit magazines – tell me page after page that some people I have never heard of are celebrities. Some names I know, some I think I made have heard of, but most I don’t.
I know Paris Hilton because she’s rich and slutty and has been arrested umpteen times for being rich and slutty. I know Lindsey Lohan because she too is rich and slutty; she’s also a druggie and has made headlines by making slutty and druggie her profession.
I’m supposed to know Jennifer Rovero too, but I don’t. A former friend chided me because I didn’t know Jennifer Rovero was once Hilton’s girlfriend. I had not a clue who she was until the friend owned up to the fact Rovero’s a former Playboy playmate. Oh! That Jennifer Rovero! Why didn’t you say so?
When I was recently ranting about non-celebrity celebrities, someone told me Keeping up with the Kardashians was a TV reality show. I threw up in the back of my throat and wanted to take John Prine’s advice and blow up my TV. But then I heard that the Head Fem Kardashian was married to Bruce Jenner, a childhood friend of mine. You know, Olympic champion, fella on a Wheatie’s box!
So, I tuned in. Oh, my, Bruce! What have they done to ye? Someone should have told me that ol’ Bruce had died and the embalmer had messed up his face so badly it looks like the covering of a paper egg.
There comes a time when reality is no longer in my comfort zone and Bruce Jenner’s face proved to be my breaking point.
I cancelled my subscription to People. I took the refund and put it in my truck console. I only draw a little out time and again when I go to the supermarket and see that Us or People have a cover story on someone important … like Blanket Jackson.
He’s so cute!
I know I’m supposed to know who she is.
January Jones, too. And Imogene Thomas, Kelly Rowland, Katie Price, Eva Herzigova, Scotty McCeery, Johnny Rockett, Bethenny Frankel, Lauren Conrad, Kim Kardashian and Ashley Simpson.
But, People Magazine love a duck, I don’t know these people. Well, not quite true, I have heard of Kim Kardashian. She’s the daughter of the Kardashian lawyer fellow who was O.J. Simpson’s good friend and was one of the trial lawyers who helped set up the scenario that put the murderer back on the street.
But the question is: Why is his daughter considered a celebrity?
People, Us, Galmour, Sluts R Them – all of the top chick lit magazines – tell me page after page that some people I have never heard of are celebrities. Some names I know, some I think I made have heard of, but most I don’t.
I know Paris Hilton because she’s rich and slutty and has been arrested umpteen times for being rich and slutty. I know Lindsey Lohan because she too is rich and slutty; she’s also a druggie and has made headlines by making slutty and druggie her profession.
I’m supposed to know Jennifer Rovero too, but I don’t. A former friend chided me because I didn’t know Jennifer Rovero was once Hilton’s girlfriend. I had not a clue who she was until the friend owned up to the fact Rovero’s a former Playboy playmate. Oh! That Jennifer Rovero! Why didn’t you say so?
When I was recently ranting about non-celebrity celebrities, someone told me Keeping up with the Kardashians was a TV reality show. I threw up in the back of my throat and wanted to take John Prine’s advice and blow up my TV. But then I heard that the Head Fem Kardashian was married to Bruce Jenner, a childhood friend of mine. You know, Olympic champion, fella on a Wheatie’s box!
So, I tuned in. Oh, my, Bruce! What have they done to ye? Someone should have told me that ol’ Bruce had died and the embalmer had messed up his face so badly it looks like the covering of a paper egg.
There comes a time when reality is no longer in my comfort zone and Bruce Jenner’s face proved to be my breaking point.
I cancelled my subscription to People. I took the refund and put it in my truck console. I only draw a little out time and again when I go to the supermarket and see that Us or People have a cover story on someone important … like Blanket Jackson.
He’s so cute!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Let's talk 'stupid!'
To quote that philosopher Forrest Gump: Stupid is as stupid does.
On the International Abject Stupidity Scale (IASS), with 10 being Stephen Hawkings and 1 being a statement by the late Bubba June McClintock, who used to live just south of Marshall, who once said, “Hold my beer and watch this!”, there are a lot of folks in the 1 to 2 range.
To wit:
To all those folks that voted Bristol Palin as the best dancer on the newest version of “Dancing With the Stars,” a rousing, romping 1.
To all those hapless folks who pick up urban legend information from the Internet and pass it along as gospel, a single, solitary digit.
I don’t even have to tell you the score of the man who called the cops to complain about the performance … of the prostitute he hired to come to his hotel room.
To all those Democrats who think/thought Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi did a good job … aw, you know the score to that one.
To all voters who think that changing the makeup of the House of Representatives is going to do one single bit of good or make any significant positive change in the responsiveness of government … see the scoring of the item above.
The Federal Aviation official(s) who decided to approve “re-entry” into the earth’s atmosphere for planned commercial flights to outer space get a 1 and a big ol’ “DUH!” for that earth-shaking decision.
To the Transportation Security Authority screener who decided to pat down former presidential contender Ron Paul, who is so right-wing he can fly only in circles, and “touched his junk,” as the kids used to like to say, an incredulous .5.
But, then, there are some folks who score high on the scale.
Like the female passenger who recently decided to bypass the chance of a hard pat-down at the Los Angeles airport and went through security clad only in a black bikini.
It’s hard not to applaud the free-thinkers who circulate through our world who make the rest of us smile.
Oh, what the heck: Clapclapclapclapclap.
On the International Abject Stupidity Scale (IASS), with 10 being Stephen Hawkings and 1 being a statement by the late Bubba June McClintock, who used to live just south of Marshall, who once said, “Hold my beer and watch this!”, there are a lot of folks in the 1 to 2 range.
To wit:
To all those folks that voted Bristol Palin as the best dancer on the newest version of “Dancing With the Stars,” a rousing, romping 1.
To all those hapless folks who pick up urban legend information from the Internet and pass it along as gospel, a single, solitary digit.
I don’t even have to tell you the score of the man who called the cops to complain about the performance … of the prostitute he hired to come to his hotel room.
To all those Democrats who think/thought Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi did a good job … aw, you know the score to that one.
To all voters who think that changing the makeup of the House of Representatives is going to do one single bit of good or make any significant positive change in the responsiveness of government … see the scoring of the item above.
The Federal Aviation official(s) who decided to approve “re-entry” into the earth’s atmosphere for planned commercial flights to outer space get a 1 and a big ol’ “DUH!” for that earth-shaking decision.
To the Transportation Security Authority screener who decided to pat down former presidential contender Ron Paul, who is so right-wing he can fly only in circles, and “touched his junk,” as the kids used to like to say, an incredulous .5.
But, then, there are some folks who score high on the scale.
Like the female passenger who recently decided to bypass the chance of a hard pat-down at the Los Angeles airport and went through security clad only in a black bikini.
It’s hard not to applaud the free-thinkers who circulate through our world who make the rest of us smile.
Oh, what the heck: Clapclapclapclapclap.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Mayoral repeat is best alternative
Back in the day when I was writing a weekly column for the Cabot Star Herald, I gave then-Mayor Stubby Stumbaugh a lot of grief. And, even with years of hindsight, much of the criticism was richly deserved.
But, this time around, Stumbaugh, eagle tattoos and all, is the best alternative in the upcoming runoff election.
After losing a city council race, and getting his ears pinned back in a run for Congress, Stumbaugh has something to prove: He truly wants to make a name for himself in his hometown.
As most folks know who follow politics, power can be used for good or evil. Stumbaugh, who has been vilified for his bombastic nature and control-freak attitude, can change his image and do some good for Cabot.
There is no doubt he wants to be remembered for accomplishments which enhance Cabot.
With that attitude, and with the victory from a tight race as his foundation, he can be a positive change in our community.
But, this time around, Stumbaugh, eagle tattoos and all, is the best alternative in the upcoming runoff election.
After losing a city council race, and getting his ears pinned back in a run for Congress, Stumbaugh has something to prove: He truly wants to make a name for himself in his hometown.
As most folks know who follow politics, power can be used for good or evil. Stumbaugh, who has been vilified for his bombastic nature and control-freak attitude, can change his image and do some good for Cabot.
There is no doubt he wants to be remembered for accomplishments which enhance Cabot.
With that attitude, and with the victory from a tight race as his foundation, he can be a positive change in our community.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Poor, pitiful us
It’s a simple, complex sentence, really.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Okay, we all understand all that. It’s the law and … well, big whoop.
But what about another “Congress shall make no law …” that the Constitution framers forgot.
Congress shall make no law that affects the citizenry that does not equally affect the elected members of Congress, and all elected and appointed officials of the federal government.
Where’s that law, huh?
And,
Congress shall pass no law that uses taxpayer money to enrich its members, relying on the goodwill and fairness of the American people to set salaries for elected officials.
Elected officials think, nay, believe, they are better than average citizens and they prove it every time they pass a law that benefits them and excludes the citizens.
For example: Congress is not governed by the Social Security laws. If they were, do you think there would be a problem with Social Security?
Congress passes laws in virtually every session that binds the country’s citizens to the will and whim of the elected, but excludes the elected from the boundaries of those very same law.
Why do they think they can do that? Because they can and the people allow it. And, those that we put in office will continue to do so because the people of this country have become a pack of sheep, dutifully, blindly, following the bell sheep to the slaughter pens.
It is amazing to think that there are people out there who truly and honestly believe that slashing the Democratic majority in Congress will change one single thing in the way government is run.
It won’t. It will change the faces and positions of the main power brokers, but it will not change the way members of Congress enriches themselves on the backs of the taxpayers.
This is a trick question, now, so pay attention: Can you name one politician who went to Washington and returned home with less money than they went there with? Forget ending a sentence with a preposition! This is serious and grammar rules be damned.
The system – Demogogues, Republicrats, TeaHee Partiers … they are all the same, all spouting political pabulum and selling it as steak. And we keep paying steak prices for gruel.
Poor, ignorant, misguided, bamboozled … us.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Okay, we all understand all that. It’s the law and … well, big whoop.
But what about another “Congress shall make no law …” that the Constitution framers forgot.
Congress shall make no law that affects the citizenry that does not equally affect the elected members of Congress, and all elected and appointed officials of the federal government.
Where’s that law, huh?
And,
Congress shall pass no law that uses taxpayer money to enrich its members, relying on the goodwill and fairness of the American people to set salaries for elected officials.
Elected officials think, nay, believe, they are better than average citizens and they prove it every time they pass a law that benefits them and excludes the citizens.
For example: Congress is not governed by the Social Security laws. If they were, do you think there would be a problem with Social Security?
Congress passes laws in virtually every session that binds the country’s citizens to the will and whim of the elected, but excludes the elected from the boundaries of those very same law.
Why do they think they can do that? Because they can and the people allow it. And, those that we put in office will continue to do so because the people of this country have become a pack of sheep, dutifully, blindly, following the bell sheep to the slaughter pens.
It is amazing to think that there are people out there who truly and honestly believe that slashing the Democratic majority in Congress will change one single thing in the way government is run.
It won’t. It will change the faces and positions of the main power brokers, but it will not change the way members of Congress enriches themselves on the backs of the taxpayers.
This is a trick question, now, so pay attention: Can you name one politician who went to Washington and returned home with less money than they went there with? Forget ending a sentence with a preposition! This is serious and grammar rules be damned.
The system – Demogogues, Republicrats, TeaHee Partiers … they are all the same, all spouting political pabulum and selling it as steak. And we keep paying steak prices for gruel.
Poor, ignorant, misguided, bamboozled … us.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Say it ain't so!
It’s a common theme, but that doesn’t make it any less true: Abject stupidity has no boundaries.
Oh, the Colonel’s shame
Kentucky Fried Chicken, the folks that one time brought its customers the “side breast” in a cluck bucket (which was half a breast and part of the back), now has a new gimmick – Bunless Double Down sandwiches.
Of course, their marketing gurus had to come up with a catchy, memorable campaign. These marketing geniuses are paying college students to wear fitted sweatpants with “Double Down” in large letters across the posterior.
You guessed it! All of the students are female and comely, as my grandmother used to refer to as girls who were “pretty as all get-out.”
If this New Age marketing ploy works, look for the Colonel to be handing out halter tops to promote the company’s “Big, Bigger, Biggest Breasts” promotion.
Politicos expound
All you can see and hear these days are the words of would be politicians wanting to stay in Congress or go to Congress claiming they are for change for change’s sake. Change is needed, they decry in everything from health care to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to the welfare system to immigration to Social Security.
All most people want is for a politician to run on a single plank of an important platform: Congress shall pass no law that does not apply to members of the federal government, and make retroactive any laws which subvert the intent of this law.
Period.
Now, go forth and find someone running for election who will 1) Promise to support such a law, and 2) introduce such a bill and push it vigorously.
Good luck on finding any takers.
And, finally …
The way it now stands, the GOPers will regain control of the House, and possibly the Senate.
That will not solve a single problem plaguing this nation.
The Grand Opulent Partiers will only perpetuate the divisive culture of the House and Senate as party politics become even more prevalent and more ingrained in the political arena.
The Demagogues have the most ineffective leadership of any party in recent history. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are empty suits who have the political social skills of warthogs.
The GOP leadership – Mitch McConnell and his Cast of Incompetents – is no better.
Clean sweep and start over?
Anybody?
Everybody?
Oh, the Colonel’s shame
Kentucky Fried Chicken, the folks that one time brought its customers the “side breast” in a cluck bucket (which was half a breast and part of the back), now has a new gimmick – Bunless Double Down sandwiches.
Of course, their marketing gurus had to come up with a catchy, memorable campaign. These marketing geniuses are paying college students to wear fitted sweatpants with “Double Down” in large letters across the posterior.
You guessed it! All of the students are female and comely, as my grandmother used to refer to as girls who were “pretty as all get-out.”
If this New Age marketing ploy works, look for the Colonel to be handing out halter tops to promote the company’s “Big, Bigger, Biggest Breasts” promotion.
Politicos expound
All you can see and hear these days are the words of would be politicians wanting to stay in Congress or go to Congress claiming they are for change for change’s sake. Change is needed, they decry in everything from health care to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to the welfare system to immigration to Social Security.
All most people want is for a politician to run on a single plank of an important platform: Congress shall pass no law that does not apply to members of the federal government, and make retroactive any laws which subvert the intent of this law.
Period.
Now, go forth and find someone running for election who will 1) Promise to support such a law, and 2) introduce such a bill and push it vigorously.
Good luck on finding any takers.
And, finally …
The way it now stands, the GOPers will regain control of the House, and possibly the Senate.
That will not solve a single problem plaguing this nation.
The Grand Opulent Partiers will only perpetuate the divisive culture of the House and Senate as party politics become even more prevalent and more ingrained in the political arena.
The Demagogues have the most ineffective leadership of any party in recent history. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are empty suits who have the political social skills of warthogs.
The GOP leadership – Mitch McConnell and his Cast of Incompetents – is no better.
Clean sweep and start over?
Anybody?
Everybody?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Celebrities? Pshaw!
Somebody please explain to me how we changed from a country whose citizens embraced “heroes” to one who drools spittle after “celebrities?”
On second thought, never mind. The thought of Nimrod No. 1 trying to explain this cultural phenomenon to Nimrod No. 2 gives me a migraine.
Let me see if I can get this straight: Paris Hilton in a celebrity because:
A) She’s richer than a Saudi prince.
B) She’s pretty in an Anorexia Calendar pinup sort of way.
C) She can walk a red carpet for anything from the Oscars to Emmys to Charity Event for the Venetian Blind without turning her ankle in her four-inch heels.
D) All of the above.
Paris Hilton is an airhead with money. Yet, millions of Americans and members of the world community follow her every movement like she was a tennis ball at Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Just recently, she was found with cocaine in her purse, which she said wasn’t her purse, but was borrowed. She was arrested and used the photo opportunity at the police station to “vamp” it up.
Earlier photos of her show her carrying the exact same purse, so she admitted she lied. She finally ‘fessed up and pleaded guilty and received a year’s probation.
A few weeks later she flew to Japan and after six hours of questioning by immigration officials, she was denied entry into the country because of her drug conviction.
Yea! for Japan. At least one country has guts and brains when dealing with celebrity druggies.
Hilton is 29 years old and thinks the world owes her homage. She is the picture-perfect example of bimbo, and to show she is one, she doesn’t care what all the little people think of her.
She is not just a bimbo, however. She has so much money, a new term needs to be coined (pun intended) for her ilk: $imbo.
Speaking of celebrities …
Lindsay Lohan is a druggie alcoholic who used to be cute and could, quite literally, act herself out of a paper bag.
She’s had two DWI convictions and three visits to drug rehabilitation centers. Now, she’s going to jail because he cannot raise above her spoiled-brat persona and proved it by busting her probation requirements.
Lady Gaga is a female doofus who does a bad Madonna knockoff in her singing and stage presence. Her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Forbes magazine listed her as fourth on the list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world.
Yikes! Even Forbes has bought into the celebrity-is-everything myth.
Just think: Celebrities wouldn’t be celebrities if everyone would just ignore them.
On second thought, never mind. The thought of Nimrod No. 1 trying to explain this cultural phenomenon to Nimrod No. 2 gives me a migraine.
Let me see if I can get this straight: Paris Hilton in a celebrity because:
A) She’s richer than a Saudi prince.
B) She’s pretty in an Anorexia Calendar pinup sort of way.
C) She can walk a red carpet for anything from the Oscars to Emmys to Charity Event for the Venetian Blind without turning her ankle in her four-inch heels.
D) All of the above.
Paris Hilton is an airhead with money. Yet, millions of Americans and members of the world community follow her every movement like she was a tennis ball at Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Just recently, she was found with cocaine in her purse, which she said wasn’t her purse, but was borrowed. She was arrested and used the photo opportunity at the police station to “vamp” it up.
Earlier photos of her show her carrying the exact same purse, so she admitted she lied. She finally ‘fessed up and pleaded guilty and received a year’s probation.
A few weeks later she flew to Japan and after six hours of questioning by immigration officials, she was denied entry into the country because of her drug conviction.
Yea! for Japan. At least one country has guts and brains when dealing with celebrity druggies.
Hilton is 29 years old and thinks the world owes her homage. She is the picture-perfect example of bimbo, and to show she is one, she doesn’t care what all the little people think of her.
She is not just a bimbo, however. She has so much money, a new term needs to be coined (pun intended) for her ilk: $imbo.
Speaking of celebrities …
Lindsay Lohan is a druggie alcoholic who used to be cute and could, quite literally, act herself out of a paper bag.
She’s had two DWI convictions and three visits to drug rehabilitation centers. Now, she’s going to jail because he cannot raise above her spoiled-brat persona and proved it by busting her probation requirements.
Lady Gaga is a female doofus who does a bad Madonna knockoff in her singing and stage presence. Her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Forbes magazine listed her as fourth on the list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential celebrities in the world.
Yikes! Even Forbes has bought into the celebrity-is-everything myth.
Just think: Celebrities wouldn’t be celebrities if everyone would just ignore them.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Small-town thinking certainly not confined to small towns
It is a fact of STA (small-town American) that a few people run most local government or public entities – school districts, communities, counties. It is a truism with few exceptions.
Lonoke County and some of the towns that are included in it are perfect examples of how the intellectual gene pools have been drained to the point of single digit IQs making major decisions.
For years Lonoke County has been wrestling with trying to mesh the need for a new jail with incoming revenues. Finally, a couple of years ago, the county Quorum Court buckled down and approved the construction of a new jail.
That jail is scheduled to open in February 2011. Maybe.
The “maybe” comes as a result of small-brain / small-town thinking.
The county is building the jail, but apparently the cost of operating it – an estimated $1.3 million a year – was never fully considered nor explored.
The citizens of Lonoke County have elected officials – County Judge Charlie Troutman, Sheriff Jim Roberson, and Justices of the peace Mike Dolan, Mark Edwards, H.L. Lang, Tim Lemons, Roger Lynch, Alexis Malham, Jeannette Minton, Larry Odom, Bill Ryker, Adam Sims, Jodie Troutman, Barry Weathers and Sony Moery – that are supposed to be looking out after the interests of the citizens.
In this case, somebody – everybody! – apparently went to sleep.
It is the county judge’s primary responsibility to be the planner, organizer, coordinator and budget overseer for the county. The judge, running for re-election, apparently didn’t do his homework and advise the JPs on what would be needed. Neither did Roberson and neither did anyone else.
Where to come up with the money?
The county budget committee will have to solve that thorny problem. But it would behoove the county judge and the county sheriff and all the JPs to start thinking … and quit assuming.
A (quote) state-of-the-at jail (end quote) with insufficient money to operate it.
What a maroon of a situation!
Lonoke County and some of the towns that are included in it are perfect examples of how the intellectual gene pools have been drained to the point of single digit IQs making major decisions.
For years Lonoke County has been wrestling with trying to mesh the need for a new jail with incoming revenues. Finally, a couple of years ago, the county Quorum Court buckled down and approved the construction of a new jail.
That jail is scheduled to open in February 2011. Maybe.
The “maybe” comes as a result of small-brain / small-town thinking.
The county is building the jail, but apparently the cost of operating it – an estimated $1.3 million a year – was never fully considered nor explored.
The citizens of Lonoke County have elected officials – County Judge Charlie Troutman, Sheriff Jim Roberson, and Justices of the peace Mike Dolan, Mark Edwards, H.L. Lang, Tim Lemons, Roger Lynch, Alexis Malham, Jeannette Minton, Larry Odom, Bill Ryker, Adam Sims, Jodie Troutman, Barry Weathers and Sony Moery – that are supposed to be looking out after the interests of the citizens.
In this case, somebody – everybody! – apparently went to sleep.
It is the county judge’s primary responsibility to be the planner, organizer, coordinator and budget overseer for the county. The judge, running for re-election, apparently didn’t do his homework and advise the JPs on what would be needed. Neither did Roberson and neither did anyone else.
Where to come up with the money?
The county budget committee will have to solve that thorny problem. But it would behoove the county judge and the county sheriff and all the JPs to start thinking … and quit assuming.
A (quote) state-of-the-at jail (end quote) with insufficient money to operate it.
What a maroon of a situation!
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