Archive for the ‘Good Grief’ Category

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Another National Civility Month is Done

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

I’d like to take this moment and note the rapidly passing recurrence of National Civility Month and play true confessions with the fact that my civility has taken a trouncing this year.

Don’t get me wrong, I certainly claim to be ever-scrappy and oh so willing and able to go into confrontational mode at the drop of a hat … but do so at the expense of that kinder, gentler Dave I also try to cultivate.

So although that profane aspect I don’t share with many raises it’s ugly head in the midst of my formal or perfunctory politeness the sad fact is that my tolerance took a beating at the hands of the likes of Adobe, various idiot drivers I encounter, the lying, cheating, thief, crook, tyrant Fred … and of course that ever-present dullard in my disdain, Susan.

Hopefully, I will do better over the coming months and attain that lofty nirvana known as a “courteous manner” that respects accepted social usage and cease being that slug who has to mindlessly swear merely as a valve from which that excess hot air contained within his carcass may escape.

So excuse me whilst I loose that impending flatulence called frustration and endeavor to be better — something oh so much more superior in quality, condition, and effect … tomorrow.

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Apology Not Accepted !

Friday, August 27th, 2010

More Political Whining about Alan Simpson

Two democrats and various women’s advocate whiner groups are calling on the President to dismiss former Senator Alan Simpson from the federal debt commission board he co chairs … claiming sexually charged language in an email where he compared Social Security to a “milk cow with 310 million tits” proves he is some sexist.

I told you the word was ‘teat’.

These individuals are the ones making the allegations appear sexually charged when in fact it was more of a barnyard comparison … Representative Raul Grijalva who is a democrat (of course) from Arizona — quick somebody check his papers — and four womens groups taking the notion upon themselves in a conference call today.

“This issue is not only about his sexist comments towards me.”

Ashley Carson
Executive Director,
National Older Womens League

That’s right it’s all about you. You’re the one comparing yourself to a cow.

Mr. Simpson was comparing Social Security to one. This is a prime example of the manipulative political interaction special interest groups put into the mix. Say one thing … it’s turned into something that suits that personal political undercurrent.

While his statement certainly didn’t say much for cows I don’t see where it exhibited a negative attitude towards women nor seniors.

Mr. Simpson himself is 78 or so …

Everybody has to place some formerly nonexistent spin on comments made by someone else to suit their underlying agenda.

If it’s not some democrat it’s some special interest group like the old biddies at OWL … who obviously can’t discern a sexist remark from a barnyard metaphor.

Oh, I’m offended. Doesn’t Alan Simpson know he can’t state his opinion if it offends me?

All I can say is “Moo” and shut up.

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The Evil We Do …

Friday, August 27th, 2010

One Michael Enright of Brewster, New York was transported from Rikers Island to Bellevue Thursday evening.

This college squirt accused of playing slasher on a Muslim taxi driver in New York has been placed in a Psych ward — probably where he belongs until he’s straightened out.

When I saw the picture of this kid he hardly looks the part of a hardened criminal; much less likely needing to become a bad man’s boyfriend in prison.

He was allegedly drunk and incoherent at the time of his arrest for attacking a Bangladeshi cab driver. He is said to have said some phrase in Arabic then stabbed the driver in the neck and face.

Police reports said that after arrest he was taken to a hospital for psych evaluation and is remanded to jail without bail on hate crime charges.

I wonder just what this guy’s story is.

While there is a segment of the Muslim population — namely Al Qaeda and the Taliban and certain other extremist elements which are barbaric brigands out to maim and murder in the name of Allah we simply cannot be a nation which permits everyone of the same religious persuasion to be held accountable for the crimes of 9/11 and the insurgency of war.

Those responsible for crimes against others should be brought to justice. The innocent are simply that: innocent. Religion has little to nothing to do with the crimes committed by the extremists.

Their primary complaint is meddling in the affairs of Muslim nations by US foreign policy.

This cabbie was simply trying to earn a living and live the same dream we all want for ourselves and our families.

The venom spew concerning ground zero Mosques and other elements of Islamophobia — coupled with the very real in your face threats posed in public demonstrations are certainly a catalyst for this type of behavior. How consideration for a Mosque at the site of the New York atrocity could be posed is neither here nor there … we have an obligation that if there is any conquering to do we’ll do it thank you very much.

A Mosque at ground zero is an indication that the Islam extremists have conquered us. The very thought of such nonsense is enough to send anyone off the deep end.

I hope they help this kid.

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The Plight of the Urban Opossum

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

I’ve been encountering possums with increased frequency of late. These animals were not only frequently encountered when I was a kid in the country; but are becoming a commonplace fauna with which I am all to familiar since childhood here in the capitol city.

That coveted marsupial delicacy of the deep South. Looks somewhat reminiscent of a cat smothered in sweet potato wedges in the baking pan. This may be purely due to their similarity in size and general shape … or some occult association I made after beholding the sight as a child.

I must profess that my palate has not partaken … ever.

Opossum
aka Diedlphis virginiana
aka Virginia Opossum
aka “Possom”
aka North American opossum

These animals continue to inhabit the urban areas near my home. I was rather shocked to find a very large specimen of the roadkill variety right in front of Finlay Park only today.

I have been startled at my back door by various members of the species foraging in my own yard and living under my metal shed … as well as their progeny.

The problem is their while they are expanding their habitat toward the North and West in actuality it is shrinking even as they seek new areas in which to live.

This is bringing them into confrontation with people in increasing numbers as they seek to simply live.

I was surprised at the utter lack of fear and hissing upon my swatting of one with a broom late one evening.

The animal didn’t even bother to “play possom” — charging me in a most aggressive manner which had me retreating back into my door like a common pansy.

At least they aren’t rodents. I mean, squirrels pretty much amount to a bushy tailed tree rat and they are consumed with great relish in the more rural areas near me.

Food animals include these ‘possums which require a spate of captivity prior to being field dressed for consumption to allow some of the stuff they’ve eaten to be passed through their system.

Me … I’ll stick to sushi thank you. I’d rather risk the mercury than some toxic mess secondary to ingesting yet another creature which violates the levitical food laws.

Call me citified … but there will be no marsupial nor rodent on my plate thank you. Maybe in the post apocalyptic world toward which we are apparently heading. That place where feline and rodent alike become simply another source of protein.

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The Art of Extracting Blood from a Turnip

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Of Postings and Lawsuits and Damages OH MY !

There was a very informative article in the Nation section of the LA Times regarding lawsuits secondary to posts in the blogosphere.

It seems that there has been a surge in lawsuits from those claiming to be hurt defamed, or threatened by what they read.

Yes, our litigious society — always looking for a way to gain fundage without working … naturally gravitates toward hauling somebody’s butt into court over something in some blog post

… or how they interpreted it.

Now I pick my fair share of fights in my blog. I’m not one to take the first amendment lightly either. When somebody goes after me they may wish to consider a significant notion:

“The law of diminishing returns …”

When you sue a person for some exorbitant dollar amount thinking that you’ve got it made off some poor schmuck because some level of tort insanity, slander, libel, etc has placed you in a sue before you engage your brain mode consider:

  • does the respondent have those “resources” you seek to win as “damages” ?
  • can you win the sympathy of some jury?
  • could the respondent be psycho enough to enact revenge and make you or your loved ones (if you have any) regret the entire notion?
  • if you are just grubbing for cash could it be painfully obvious?
  • could the respondent’s lawyer beat up your lawyer?
  • could the respondent beat up you and your lawyer?
  • could you be capable of proving your case to the extent of applicable law?
  • could the respondent have some dark cadre of equally psycho friends who might take relentless issue with you?
  • how comfortable are you with your own intimate details becoming the fodder of gossip?
  • could you think everybody’s gonna lay down and just take it because you choose to give it to them?
  • would you regularly bring a stick to a gun fight?

There is playing fair. There is telling the truth. There is choosing not to be afraid just because some big bad attorney thinks he can make a haul.

Then there is that potential for regret secondary to incurring the absolute wrong wrath entirely.

A person should certainly know their limitations and more so — the possible consequences of engaging in certain behaviors.

I had to learn the lesson called “consequences” the hard way. It’s a lesson I’ve remembered over the years.

I don’t just mess with anybody anymore. Professionals for hire are many and varied. I prefer that “live and let live” philosophy over running, being afraid, and the unending pursuit of someone out solely to teach me my place by any means necessary because it has become their only focus in life.

Though they may get their own revenge, the courts can’t always save you. That law of diminishing returns will bite you in the butt if you let it. It’s the ultimate counter suit.

Peace be with you.

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Christine Chubbuck Could Have Been 66 Today

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

Sarasota Broadcast Newscaster Christine Chubbuck August 24, 1944 – July 15, 1974 took her own life in 1971 on a live television news segment; apparently the culmination of depressive aspects she construed were encroaching on her existence without semblance of optimism or hope.

She had related a lengthy struggle with depression which included suicidal ideation in the presence of various family members who failed to recognize the significance of those thoughts in the absence of a specified intent …

Relationships were said to be a driving element in this depression within the context of a love interest in her coworker whom she found to be previously involved with another.

Just before pulling out the pistol then firing it into her own head, she reported several news stories including a local restaurant shooting. The station tried to show footage from the restaurant story, but experienced technical difficulties and then …

“In keeping with Channel 40′s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see another first—attempted suicide.”

Christine Chubbuck
Final Statement, Live Television

whereby she shot herself behind the ear with a .38 caliber revolver.

The station ran Gentle Ben reruns in place of her program for a while afterward.

The “collective current” of French Sociologist Emile Durkheim gave indications that the social pressures of living in society will suppress the will of an individual to commit suicide in the presence of “larger social forces” which may overcome those psychological variables such as depression that may predispose one toward that inclination.

The moral of the tragedy of Christine Chubbuck is the actions by her significant others were inadequate to help her. Even worse, the imbalance imparted by social integration and moral regulation reek havoc on a person already the picture of human misery. Unfortunately all too many tragedies of human existence culminating in the will to end it all occur in a time and place where there is supposedly both someone for everybody and a solution for all problems.

Christine Chubbuck did not feel that she fit into that scheme to which her life had evolved. It wasn’t that she didn’t reach out for help. The help was merely inadequate, misinterpreted, or otherwise preoccupied with other matters of reality to enable adequate intervention. Too many of us end up this way. Sometimes despite our best efforts and intentions we simply cannot provide what is needed or endure the continuing consequences of who and what we have become.

Rest in peace Christine Chubbuck. I was once in that awful place where you stood — but things turned out quite differently.

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The Perils of Marrying a Dirtbag

Friday, August 20th, 2010

It seems that one Spencer Pratt, estranged soon to be ex of another one Heidi Montag is looking for a buyer for a ‘sex tape’ he allegedly has for sale.

It would appear that he is in negotiations with the porn industry for purchase of said film and that he has been making such films since the seventh grade and considers himself evolved to “director” status in this type of endeavor.

He also is reported as stating he has a “tell all” book in the works regarding their relationship …

Not surprising given his exceedingly rude televised interactions with talk show personalities and generally boorish, crude, and socially unacceptable public persona.

Now then … it’s certainly none of my business but I would surely be inclined to attempt some modicum of better taste in the selection of consorts were I Miss Montag.

The age of this young lady is quite tender. Mr. Pratt is 27 and doesn’t get nearly the slack I would cut her.

Those who “kiss and tell” and betray their spouses either before or after the fact — particularly for profit — exhibit that distinct lack of raising one would expect from a profane rude mouthy young man who simply couldn’t be “all that” or he would exhibit a demeanor a few clicks above the swine he habitually chooses to portray.

As for Miss Montag; girl you could certainly use a lesson in good taste. Most everything you got is most likely about to go on sale. I hope your relationship with Mr. Pratt has been a worthwhile endeavor because you’ve asked for it and now he’s totally going to give it to you.

Public and messy … just like his ill-mannered socially inept behavior.

I am curious as to the type of person who would hire this man or even support his career after the repeated spectacle of that worn, shabby, and unkempt squalor embodied in his personality.

Speidi indeed.

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