Lets be honest for a moment. Rush Limbaugh is the most listened to talk show host on radio. Some would like to put him in a box and say that he is a mouth piece for the "Right", a quasi-politician or an arm of the " vast right wing conspiracy". When it is all said and done, he is none of these things. Republicans may listen to him but rarely do they follow his advice on matters of strategy or talking points. Independents and Democrats also listen to him for various reasons. So what is Rush? Rush is, first and foremost, an entertainer. He entertains his listeners with sarcasm, humor, wit and, I must admit, controversy. So, is anyone surprised that Rush has stirred the pot yet again?
On January 19th, during a segment of his radio show , Rush did an impersonation of Chinese president Hu Jintao. Rush complained that there was no English translation of the Chinese presidents speech and preceded to do his own version of a translation. Of course, not knowing the language, he improvised and, in so doing, has upset some American law makers with Asian ancestry. California State Senator Yee (D) San Francisco, has started a petition and possible boycott in order to get an apology from Mr. Limbaugh. Joining him are New York Assembly woman, Grace Meng (D) Queens, not to mention a host of other groups that have condemned the remarks including Chinese for Affirmative Action and National Organization for Women.
I don't know about you or the rest of America, but I have had enough of the hypersensitivity and political correctness that seems to be so prevalent in our society. Whats worse is that it seems that the only group who can't say anything about another group( joke or otherwise ) is Caucasians and if we do we are labeled a racist. Chris Rock or any other comedian/entertainer can stand up and say whatever they want about any group they want. Have a white comedian/entertainer do the same and see how long it takes for him/her to be labeled a racist. At what point did we decide that the only people who can possibly be racists or bigots are Caucasians? When was the last time a white person demanded an apology from an Asian, Black or Hispanic or, for that matter, organized a boycott because of a joke, skit or remark? I would like to know if Mr. Yee ever scolded a friend or comedian/entertainer for making fun of another race....or for that matter... has Mr. Yee or any of his coalition ever made a comment or a joke for which they should apologize? The thing is.. I don't want them to apologize. Some of the things said about my race are funny and make me laugh. For something to be funny, there has to be an element of truth to it, right? So why can't we laugh at and with others and ourselves anymore? Have we really forgotten how?
As it turns out, Mr Yee is going to be running for mayor! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Could it be that Mr Yee is generating name recognition by going after Mr. Limbaugh? What better way to get national press and to boost ones standing than to go after Mr. Limbaugh. Need I remind you that Mr Yee is a San Francisco Democrat? You do the math!
In any case, this is a situation in which political correctness, political ambition rule the day. It is to bad that we have allowed political correctness to rule our society, lives, words and thoughts. By doing so we have given in to those who will put the racist label on anyone so long as it isn't themselves.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
2nd grade....the end of Innocence
I can't remember 2nd grade or that year of my youth very well. What I can remember is that I don't think any kind of sex was at the top of my "To Do" list. I was more interested in Tonka trucks, Legos or Lincoln Logs. It was an age of innocence where the only thing of interest to me was playing with my toys, playing hide and seek, tag, or watching Warner Bros. cartoons.
So, with disgust, horror and disbelief, I read that some 2nd grade students were having oral sex. This wasn't happening in a sand box or in a bedroom or, for that matter, in any place at home. Nope! This took place in a classroom! A teacher was present and somehow didn't notice that this was happening or that there was an issue regarding behavior that needed to be addressed prior to the act. This is not an indictment of all teachers. I have some friends who are teachers and they are attentive and great at what they do. To me, something smells here. I won't make a judgement just yet as there is more to discover about how all this happened but I think it is safe to say that someone dropped the ball.
First, as always, we have to ask the question of how a 7 year old would know about oral sex? Where did they get this information? How responsible are we, as parents and a society, for allowing access to sexual content. After all, the first line of education starts at home, right? Parents have the responsibility to raise children with morals and ethics as well as regulating what they are exposed to and teaching the difference between right and wrong. Once they leave the house and walk onto the school grounds, we expect and trust the faculty of the school to educate, protect and see to the overall welfare of our children just as we would if we were the faculty ourselves.
Somehow it seems that all sides have failed in this instance. To what degree each is responsible for this travesty we will find with time and knowledge. There may be much more here than we could ever imagine. Lets hope that both parents and school faculty everywhere take notice on what is happening beneath our very noses and in front of our eyes.
It is past time that we start taking some responsibility for what we expose our children to. Be great parents, teachers and human beings by paying attention and thinking of potential consequences of what we display for kids to see and hear. Think about what you say and do. Think about what you watch or listen to on TV, movies or radio/music when they are present. Remember....it is not just your eyes, ears and brains that are watching, listening and absorbing the information.... it is also the little guy or girl next to you.
So, with disgust, horror and disbelief, I read that some 2nd grade students were having oral sex. This wasn't happening in a sand box or in a bedroom or, for that matter, in any place at home. Nope! This took place in a classroom! A teacher was present and somehow didn't notice that this was happening or that there was an issue regarding behavior that needed to be addressed prior to the act. This is not an indictment of all teachers. I have some friends who are teachers and they are attentive and great at what they do. To me, something smells here. I won't make a judgement just yet as there is more to discover about how all this happened but I think it is safe to say that someone dropped the ball.
First, as always, we have to ask the question of how a 7 year old would know about oral sex? Where did they get this information? How responsible are we, as parents and a society, for allowing access to sexual content. After all, the first line of education starts at home, right? Parents have the responsibility to raise children with morals and ethics as well as regulating what they are exposed to and teaching the difference between right and wrong. Once they leave the house and walk onto the school grounds, we expect and trust the faculty of the school to educate, protect and see to the overall welfare of our children just as we would if we were the faculty ourselves.
Somehow it seems that all sides have failed in this instance. To what degree each is responsible for this travesty we will find with time and knowledge. There may be much more here than we could ever imagine. Lets hope that both parents and school faculty everywhere take notice on what is happening beneath our very noses and in front of our eyes.
It is past time that we start taking some responsibility for what we expose our children to. Be great parents, teachers and human beings by paying attention and thinking of potential consequences of what we display for kids to see and hear. Think about what you say and do. Think about what you watch or listen to on TV, movies or radio/music when they are present. Remember....it is not just your eyes, ears and brains that are watching, listening and absorbing the information.... it is also the little guy or girl next to you.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Guns and Bullets
Welcome back and thank you for taking your valuable time to read my thoughts.... I really do appreciate it! The last few days I have been thinking about The Constitution and its amendments, gun laws, gun ownership, gun companies and technology. I am somewhat hesitant to speak on this subject as it is one of the most divisive and polarizing issues in our country but have decided that I need to present some questions and maybe some solutions. Some will read this and say I am a liberal and some will say I am a conservative. To both sides, you are both wrong and right. I am neither and I am both in regards to this issue, it just depends where you stand on this issue. Hopefully you read carefully and listen to all I ask and have to say.
First, some history, so you know who I am and what I have and continue to stand for. I consider myself a patriot. I have served our country, giving 4 years of my life to defend its people, way of life, and The Constitution. I have been a Democrat and later a Republican but am now an Independent. I am NOT a party parrot. I am a critical thinker and, in my opinion, that requires one to separate ones self from a pre-established platform. Only then, can one look at an issue with objectivity and clarity. I have held and fired a gun on numerous occasions and do not dislike guns or their owners. Quite the contrary. So now that you know me better, lets exchange thoughts and ideas.
I do believe that the current Supreme Court rulings accurately reflect the intent of our Founding Fathers. That we have a right to keep and bear arms and that this right is non negotiable. This right was designed and intended as a way for the citizenry to protect itself from a tyrannical government as well as to protect ones family and property. There is nothing quite so important as having the ability to defend ones family and home, wouldn't you agree? Currently 40% of all homes have guns of some kind. A great site for statistics of all kinds is http://justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp
Let me be clear about some things. Guns only act on the intent of the person holding them. The gun does not know if the intentions are good or bad. The gun only acts when the person holding it chooses to use it or misuse it. Guns are made for a single purpose and that purpose is to cause damage or death. Preferably, in defense of something noble, as in the protection of life.
I have always wondered about safety and training. I know it is out there and one can sign up for it. I believe that it should be mandatory for all gun purchases. Look, I am not saying that you have to get a license ( although I am not opposed to that ) but shouldn't anyone who buys a fire arm have to take a safety course or, at least, a short training class on that particular gun. After all, a .44 magnum isn't the same as a Glock and those are not the same as a long gun. This may be a requirement in some areas but it should be nationwide.
For the last decade or two there has been discussion of so called "smart guns", a weapon that will only respond to the owner of the weapon. Colt has even been doing research and prototype work as are other companies. There have been those against it on both sides of the debate. Anti gun activists claim it will increase the number of guns bought and give a false sense of safety. On the other side, pro gun folks say that it is just one more slip down an already slippery slope. I disagree with both positions. Last year, in Riverside Ca., a young policeman was killed with his own gun after a man he was chasing wrestled it away from him and shot him multiple times as he begged for his life. Had that weapon been a " smart gun " that peace officer would still be protecting us and going home at the end of his shift each day!
This is what I don't understand. I have a cell phone that has more computing power than the Apollo space craft. Does the gun industry really want to argue that the technology hasn't caught up yet? I refuse to believe that we can't develop a gun that will read my fingerprint in a nanosecond and unlock the weapon. I have heard that the battery life and charging are issues. I have a tray that I set my phone on as well as all my other battery powered devices and it charges them. Am I to believe that we can't make a box that has this pad inside it so that the gun can be charged at all times? Look...all I am trying to say is that we are a nation of inventors and such. If we really want this, we can make it happen.
There are many more issues to consider and this only scratches the surface of this subject. I look forward to comments... but lets keep this discussion civil and intelligent. An exchange of ideas and debate does not have to turn into a nasty and disrespectful argument provided that we are reasonable, thoughtful and respectful of one another.
Thank you again for your time. Be well, be safe!
First, some history, so you know who I am and what I have and continue to stand for. I consider myself a patriot. I have served our country, giving 4 years of my life to defend its people, way of life, and The Constitution. I have been a Democrat and later a Republican but am now an Independent. I am NOT a party parrot. I am a critical thinker and, in my opinion, that requires one to separate ones self from a pre-established platform. Only then, can one look at an issue with objectivity and clarity. I have held and fired a gun on numerous occasions and do not dislike guns or their owners. Quite the contrary. So now that you know me better, lets exchange thoughts and ideas.
I do believe that the current Supreme Court rulings accurately reflect the intent of our Founding Fathers. That we have a right to keep and bear arms and that this right is non negotiable. This right was designed and intended as a way for the citizenry to protect itself from a tyrannical government as well as to protect ones family and property. There is nothing quite so important as having the ability to defend ones family and home, wouldn't you agree? Currently 40% of all homes have guns of some kind. A great site for statistics of all kinds is http://justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp
Let me be clear about some things. Guns only act on the intent of the person holding them. The gun does not know if the intentions are good or bad. The gun only acts when the person holding it chooses to use it or misuse it. Guns are made for a single purpose and that purpose is to cause damage or death. Preferably, in defense of something noble, as in the protection of life.
I have always wondered about safety and training. I know it is out there and one can sign up for it. I believe that it should be mandatory for all gun purchases. Look, I am not saying that you have to get a license ( although I am not opposed to that ) but shouldn't anyone who buys a fire arm have to take a safety course or, at least, a short training class on that particular gun. After all, a .44 magnum isn't the same as a Glock and those are not the same as a long gun. This may be a requirement in some areas but it should be nationwide.
For the last decade or two there has been discussion of so called "smart guns", a weapon that will only respond to the owner of the weapon. Colt has even been doing research and prototype work as are other companies. There have been those against it on both sides of the debate. Anti gun activists claim it will increase the number of guns bought and give a false sense of safety. On the other side, pro gun folks say that it is just one more slip down an already slippery slope. I disagree with both positions. Last year, in Riverside Ca., a young policeman was killed with his own gun after a man he was chasing wrestled it away from him and shot him multiple times as he begged for his life. Had that weapon been a " smart gun " that peace officer would still be protecting us and going home at the end of his shift each day!
This is what I don't understand. I have a cell phone that has more computing power than the Apollo space craft. Does the gun industry really want to argue that the technology hasn't caught up yet? I refuse to believe that we can't develop a gun that will read my fingerprint in a nanosecond and unlock the weapon. I have heard that the battery life and charging are issues. I have a tray that I set my phone on as well as all my other battery powered devices and it charges them. Am I to believe that we can't make a box that has this pad inside it so that the gun can be charged at all times? Look...all I am trying to say is that we are a nation of inventors and such. If we really want this, we can make it happen.
There are many more issues to consider and this only scratches the surface of this subject. I look forward to comments... but lets keep this discussion civil and intelligent. An exchange of ideas and debate does not have to turn into a nasty and disrespectful argument provided that we are reasonable, thoughtful and respectful of one another.
Thank you again for your time. Be well, be safe!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Media
"And yet we come here, knowing the rules: that our enemies don't simply want to beat us, but destroy us. That anyone close to us is fair game for a media which has no limits. We know that, and still we enter politics." Richard North Patterson, Balance of Power.
As I read this passage this morning, I couldn't help but think of the events of the last week. Of how a young man made a choice to raise a firearm and take the lives of people whom he did not know. Of how immediate speculation, not fact, took over those who we rely upon to inform us. Of how their speculations were both wrong and irresponsible. Of how these editors, producers, newscasters and political pundits allowed speculation to override the need of the readers and viewers, of us, to have the facts and only the facts.
Due to the speculative and irresponsible reporting, some people have been making death threats against those who had the media pointing fingers at them. I would hope that the media take notice and apologize for the inaccuracies of their speculative and inflammatory reporting thereby diffusing this situation but I won't hold my breath. They owe an apology to the Palin family and to talk radio hosts for pointing the finger at them and putting them in harms way. No matter what you think of Sarah Palin, she is a human being, a daughter, wife and mother and an American. She and her family shouldn't have to live in fear just as you and I shouldn't have to live in fear because of what we say or believe. The same applies for talk radio hosts. They too, have families and should be free of threats to themselves or families due to non factual reporting.
The sad part of all this is that because a "no limits" media says and does what it wants without regard to the truth or consequence, someone may be gravely harmed or even die. This is not just a national politics issue. It has happened on the local level as well with the reporting of court trials and crime scene reporting. I, personally, can't think of a newscast in which I didn't see the reporter speculate or let the person being interviewed speculate with no facts to back the speculation. And , yet, we never hold these news organizations accountable, or demand that they only report what can be proven by facts.
While I understand and am proud that this is America and we have the freedom to say what we want, when we want, due to our Constitution and Bill of Rights, we also have a responsibility to be correct in what we say when it comes to the description of others and their actions. The freedom of speech may very well be our most important freedom and as such should be traeted with the care and respect it commands.
There is a quote that I have always loved:
"There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true - where a man is free to do what he ought." Charles Kingsley
As I read this passage this morning, I couldn't help but think of the events of the last week. Of how a young man made a choice to raise a firearm and take the lives of people whom he did not know. Of how immediate speculation, not fact, took over those who we rely upon to inform us. Of how their speculations were both wrong and irresponsible. Of how these editors, producers, newscasters and political pundits allowed speculation to override the need of the readers and viewers, of us, to have the facts and only the facts.
Due to the speculative and irresponsible reporting, some people have been making death threats against those who had the media pointing fingers at them. I would hope that the media take notice and apologize for the inaccuracies of their speculative and inflammatory reporting thereby diffusing this situation but I won't hold my breath. They owe an apology to the Palin family and to talk radio hosts for pointing the finger at them and putting them in harms way. No matter what you think of Sarah Palin, she is a human being, a daughter, wife and mother and an American. She and her family shouldn't have to live in fear just as you and I shouldn't have to live in fear because of what we say or believe. The same applies for talk radio hosts. They too, have families and should be free of threats to themselves or families due to non factual reporting.
The sad part of all this is that because a "no limits" media says and does what it wants without regard to the truth or consequence, someone may be gravely harmed or even die. This is not just a national politics issue. It has happened on the local level as well with the reporting of court trials and crime scene reporting. I, personally, can't think of a newscast in which I didn't see the reporter speculate or let the person being interviewed speculate with no facts to back the speculation. And , yet, we never hold these news organizations accountable, or demand that they only report what can be proven by facts.
While I understand and am proud that this is America and we have the freedom to say what we want, when we want, due to our Constitution and Bill of Rights, we also have a responsibility to be correct in what we say when it comes to the description of others and their actions. The freedom of speech may very well be our most important freedom and as such should be traeted with the care and respect it commands.
There is a quote that I have always loved:
"There are two freedoms - the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true - where a man is free to do what he ought." Charles Kingsley
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Taxes and our Military
I was watching TV tonight and an ad appeared for one of the tax preparation companies. Within the ad was a mention that our service men and women get to prepare their taxes for free. This , of course, started my mind spinning. I began wondering why it is that we make our military personnel pay income and other taxes? After all, do they not already give their country the ultimate payment?
There are benefits to serving our country such as medical, dental, education and other benefits provided by the G.I bill. There are also tax breaks and exemptions for service that vary upon state residing in. I applaud our government for coming this far in recognition of their sacrifice. The pay that our service people receive is insufficient to raise a family and many servicemen and women work second jobs when not deployed to help support their families. This results in even more time spent away from the home and the family. When they are deployed that extra income is no longer there and the family suffers.
What should a grateful nation do for these volunteers? Should we have to establish charities to help them make ends meet? Should we say" well they knew what they were getting when they signed up"? Should we say that "only those who support our troops should donate money and time to help them"? Of course not! All Americans enjoy the fruits of their protection, patriotism, service, honor, sense of duty and sacrifice. It is time...time for a grateful nation to reward these exceptional Americans.
When one considers the totality of their service and sacrifice, one can not help wonder why it is that we make these patriotic, selfless and brave people pay taxes on top of the payment they already make through their service. I would like to see our government, our nation pass a law making those who serve our country, in an active duty status, tax exempt. As for the reserves, they should be tax exempt when activated and deployed. We owe this to them and they deserve it.
There are benefits to serving our country such as medical, dental, education and other benefits provided by the G.I bill. There are also tax breaks and exemptions for service that vary upon state residing in. I applaud our government for coming this far in recognition of their sacrifice. The pay that our service people receive is insufficient to raise a family and many servicemen and women work second jobs when not deployed to help support their families. This results in even more time spent away from the home and the family. When they are deployed that extra income is no longer there and the family suffers.
What should a grateful nation do for these volunteers? Should we have to establish charities to help them make ends meet? Should we say" well they knew what they were getting when they signed up"? Should we say that "only those who support our troops should donate money and time to help them"? Of course not! All Americans enjoy the fruits of their protection, patriotism, service, honor, sense of duty and sacrifice. It is time...time for a grateful nation to reward these exceptional Americans.
When one considers the totality of their service and sacrifice, one can not help wonder why it is that we make these patriotic, selfless and brave people pay taxes on top of the payment they already make through their service. I would like to see our government, our nation pass a law making those who serve our country, in an active duty status, tax exempt. As for the reserves, they should be tax exempt when activated and deployed. We owe this to them and they deserve it.
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