My back to the wall
A victim of laughing chance
This is for me
The essence of true romance
Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind
Libations
Sensations
That stagger the mind - Steely Dan (Deacon Blues)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Contempt
|kənˈtem(p)t|
noun
the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn : he showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.
• disregard for something that should be taken into account : this action displays an arrogant contempt for the wishes of the majority.
John McCain holds that Barrack Obama is deserving scorn. His attack ads this week are full of anger. Pushing the idea that Senator Obama is arrogant is the new "weapons of mass destruction" argument of the Republican party, as they muddle their way through a lackluster campaign.
Lather, rinse, and repeat as needed.
Much like during the build up to the Iraqi war, bad intelligence is dissembled along with fear rhetoric, in order to build an illegitimate argument. All the while, so called legitimate news outlets (in chorus) repeat these assertions, showing once again that news agencies are less interested in presenting facts, than joining in with the kind of "group think" that led us into war with a nation that was a less than adequate threat.
All of this is should be considered politics, as normal. Not merely reserved for those on the top of a political ticket, this strategy of hand slights has oozed itself downward into seemingly mundane ballot races. Even those that many would consider immune from gotcha politics.
Setup's, and name calling are used in such a way as to bait undecided voters into their unsavory arguments. If straight forward issues are easy enough to wade through for the voters, mirror flashes, and puffs of smoke are employed with seeming ease in order to remedy already formed decisions on clear cut choices.
Suddenly the subject of law enforcement is quickly changed from questions of previous performance, and crime rates, to highly contentious subjects involving gun rights. Forced to the forefront, in a confrontational manner, for political gain, not because there was an overwhelming need for people to strap on a deadly weapon for self defense, but because the non-issue issue could be employed as a means of showing contempt for the opposing candidate.
Blowback
The missing part in all of this is the reaction by the citizens that are being prodded, and harassed, through the claims, and actions of the attacking candidates. While it has been proven these tactics work in the short term, without a continuous stream of valid attacks they tend to fizzle out.
Tomorrow we may well know if the short quick actions taken by Sheriff Dar's camp were effective. So late in the game it may have had it's intended effect.
Though, I doubt it.
There has been enough time for the citizens in this county to see how their quiet, if not murder free, environment has been made fun of for political gain. Seemingly parallel in action, the attacks on Senator Obama using a suddenly vibrant electorate in order to paint him as a "rock star" may miss the mark, and rile the anger of said electorate.
As well it should
For some time now, here on this blog, and others, the mocking of an apathetic electorate has been great sport. On the streets of the nation, excuses for not taking up ones civil duty are myriad.
noun
the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn : he showed his contempt for his job by doing it very badly.
• disregard for something that should be taken into account : this action displays an arrogant contempt for the wishes of the majority.
John McCain holds that Barrack Obama is deserving scorn. His attack ads this week are full of anger. Pushing the idea that Senator Obama is arrogant is the new "weapons of mass destruction" argument of the Republican party, as they muddle their way through a lackluster campaign.
Lather, rinse, and repeat as needed.
Much like during the build up to the Iraqi war, bad intelligence is dissembled along with fear rhetoric, in order to build an illegitimate argument. All the while, so called legitimate news outlets (in chorus) repeat these assertions, showing once again that news agencies are less interested in presenting facts, than joining in with the kind of "group think" that led us into war with a nation that was a less than adequate threat.
All of this is should be considered politics, as normal. Not merely reserved for those on the top of a political ticket, this strategy of hand slights has oozed itself downward into seemingly mundane ballot races. Even those that many would consider immune from gotcha politics.
Setup's, and name calling are used in such a way as to bait undecided voters into their unsavory arguments. If straight forward issues are easy enough to wade through for the voters, mirror flashes, and puffs of smoke are employed with seeming ease in order to remedy already formed decisions on clear cut choices.
Suddenly the subject of law enforcement is quickly changed from questions of previous performance, and crime rates, to highly contentious subjects involving gun rights. Forced to the forefront, in a confrontational manner, for political gain, not because there was an overwhelming need for people to strap on a deadly weapon for self defense, but because the non-issue issue could be employed as a means of showing contempt for the opposing candidate.
Blowback
The missing part in all of this is the reaction by the citizens that are being prodded, and harassed, through the claims, and actions of the attacking candidates. While it has been proven these tactics work in the short term, without a continuous stream of valid attacks they tend to fizzle out.
Tomorrow we may well know if the short quick actions taken by Sheriff Dar's camp were effective. So late in the game it may have had it's intended effect.
Though, I doubt it.
There has been enough time for the citizens in this county to see how their quiet, if not murder free, environment has been made fun of for political gain. Seemingly parallel in action, the attacks on Senator Obama using a suddenly vibrant electorate in order to paint him as a "rock star" may miss the mark, and rile the anger of said electorate.
As well it should
For some time now, here on this blog, and others, the mocking of an apathetic electorate has been great sport. On the streets of the nation, excuses for not taking up ones civil duty are myriad.
"Why should I care?, They are all crooks!"
"I am voting for the "lesser of two evils"
"I am voting for the "lesser of two evils"
are but a couple of phrases used, in the call to non-action. I hear them more, and more as this election grows tired.
Tired, not because people have a choice that has a modicum of difference in platforms. To the contrary platforms have never been so different in intent. Tired because voters are being used as pawns in games of gotcha politics, and Voters themselves are being held in contempt by politicians.
Comments again at WMP
Comments again at WMP
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Paying taxes is patriotic
The need
With troops in foreign lands, and an economy in shambles, it seems to me the least patriotic thing someone could do is not pay their taxes. Complaining about tax rates, is as much a national past time as watching baseball, or eating hot dogs. But this nations need for capitol as we defend ourselves from both physical, and commercial warfare has never been more apparent. Some may complain that a majority of tax dollars may go to an unjust occupation in Iraq, and use this as an excuse to skim from their obligations. Others fight for different levels of taxation in search for what they claim to be fair. These arguments should be fought in the nations capitol, not in foreign tax shelters.
Turning the tide
The Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by (our own senator) Carl Levin, held a hearing Thursday on tax haven banks and U.S. tax compliance. The committee has produced a report on its six-month-long investigation.
In reviewing a variety of case histories, the investigation found that from at least 2000 to 2007, LGT and UBS employed banking practices that facilitated tax evasion by their U.S. clients, including assisting clients to open accounts in the names of offshore entities; advising clients on complex offshore structures to hide ownership of assets; using client code names; and disguising asset transfers into and from accounts."Senator Levin estimated offshore banks deprived the US Government of $US100 billion ($102 billion) a year in taxes. The report says US clients hold about 19,000 accounts at UBS in Switzerland with an estimated $US18-$US20 billion in assets not declared to tax authorities.
Using simple math it is clear to see that Senator Levin's target is not Ma, and Pa Sixpack hiding little Timmy's lawn mowing income from the mean ol' IRS man. The use of code names, in complex structures, implies that this is not a simple mess up on the 1040 form that many working people may struggle with every year, but a blatant disregard for the same laws every red blooded American citizen must follow.
Local impact
What is untold, is the amount of money that the state of Michigan, and others in equal need are loosing through these unpatriotic actions.
People with the means to pay are depriving their own states of the ability to pay for much needed services, and obligations. Bridge, and road repair, power lines that are past due for overhaul, better care for returning guard veterans, and workers retraining programs must now be taken care of with borrowed money, or put off to some elusive "time horizon".
We must pay our dues, while arguing their use in the ballot box.
Regardless of ones point of view on unjust wars, and levels of taxation, the money continues to be spent by our federal government. Every dollar withheld from U.S. coffers will be borrowed from outside sources. This will leave a larger debt for future generations, and a weakening U.S. economy.
What may begin as civil disobedience, will end in generational warfare.
comments available at WMP
With troops in foreign lands, and an economy in shambles, it seems to me the least patriotic thing someone could do is not pay their taxes. Complaining about tax rates, is as much a national past time as watching baseball, or eating hot dogs. But this nations need for capitol as we defend ourselves from both physical, and commercial warfare has never been more apparent. Some may complain that a majority of tax dollars may go to an unjust occupation in Iraq, and use this as an excuse to skim from their obligations. Others fight for different levels of taxation in search for what they claim to be fair. These arguments should be fought in the nations capitol, not in foreign tax shelters.
Turning the tide
The Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by (our own senator) Carl Levin, held a hearing Thursday on tax haven banks and U.S. tax compliance. The committee has produced a report on its six-month-long investigation.
In reviewing a variety of case histories, the investigation found that from at least 2000 to 2007, LGT and UBS employed banking practices that facilitated tax evasion by their U.S. clients, including assisting clients to open accounts in the names of offshore entities; advising clients on complex offshore structures to hide ownership of assets; using client code names; and disguising asset transfers into and from accounts."Senator Levin estimated offshore banks deprived the US Government of $US100 billion ($102 billion) a year in taxes. The report says US clients hold about 19,000 accounts at UBS in Switzerland with an estimated $US18-$US20 billion in assets not declared to tax authorities.
Using simple math it is clear to see that Senator Levin's target is not Ma, and Pa Sixpack hiding little Timmy's lawn mowing income from the mean ol' IRS man. The use of code names, in complex structures, implies that this is not a simple mess up on the 1040 form that many working people may struggle with every year, but a blatant disregard for the same laws every red blooded American citizen must follow.
Local impact
What is untold, is the amount of money that the state of Michigan, and others in equal need are loosing through these unpatriotic actions.
People with the means to pay are depriving their own states of the ability to pay for much needed services, and obligations. Bridge, and road repair, power lines that are past due for overhaul, better care for returning guard veterans, and workers retraining programs must now be taken care of with borrowed money, or put off to some elusive "time horizon".
We must pay our dues, while arguing their use in the ballot box.
Regardless of ones point of view on unjust wars, and levels of taxation, the money continues to be spent by our federal government. Every dollar withheld from U.S. coffers will be borrowed from outside sources. This will leave a larger debt for future generations, and a weakening U.S. economy.
What may begin as civil disobedience, will end in generational warfare.
comments available at WMP
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Change of plans!
If in fact our present sheriff is behind this movement to allow people to walk willie nillie down the streets of Hastings with pistols at their hips, I will be voting against him.
I am not happy to be loosing a competent chief of police, but I will gladly give that up in order to squash the candidacy of someone so far out of the mainstream as to think that this is acceptable.
Sarver for sheriff!
I am not happy to be loosing a competent chief of police, but I will gladly give that up in order to squash the candidacy of someone so far out of the mainstream as to think that this is acceptable.
Sarver for sheriff!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
The APV
The Michigan "one state recession" mantra still has legs....For Republicans.
We don't hear the phrase as much now, in the face of what is likely to be a very cruel national economy for some time to come. False hopes that Americans will spend those ever faithful election year payoffs on brand new goods rather than paying bills, and buying gas, will likely be dashed. When I get mine it will be going into a new water heater, but that is only because it just started leaking. I would have bought one anyway, but at least now I will not be busting into the Agnosticrat Preservation Fund.
The APV is a small amount of money I have squirreled away for emergencies. It has taken me some time to save, and it would not come easy to me to part from it.
Let me continue by saying that I feel lucky to have any savings at all. With the advent of time payments, and multiple credit scams out there I have seen quite a few of my friends start down the road to being dirt poor the rest of their lives. Dirt poor I can handle, but dirt poor without options would likely be the death of me.
We don't hear the phrase as much now, in the face of what is likely to be a very cruel national economy for some time to come. False hopes that Americans will spend those ever faithful election year payoffs on brand new goods rather than paying bills, and buying gas, will likely be dashed. When I get mine it will be going into a new water heater, but that is only because it just started leaking. I would have bought one anyway, but at least now I will not be busting into the Agnosticrat Preservation Fund.
The APV is a small amount of money I have squirreled away for emergencies. It has taken me some time to save, and it would not come easy to me to part from it.
Let me continue by saying that I feel lucky to have any savings at all. With the advent of time payments, and multiple credit scams out there I have seen quite a few of my friends start down the road to being dirt poor the rest of their lives. Dirt poor I can handle, but dirt poor without options would likely be the death of me.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Party Plan
For years people talked about the housing bubble as the biggest looming crisis, and all McCain's party would offer were harsh words toward those that would dare point out the fallacy of the "free market". Lack of regulation has finally come home to roost, and eyes are finally open for one sector of the American economy.
Closer to your point here I am curious how many failings are looming in health care. We already know about lax inspection of food, and drugs, but how about failure of vital equipment, and infrastructure?
Right now both parties are hawking paperless record keeping as an answer to out of control costs.
The question I would pose to the American people is which party would you trust to put such a system online?
The party of Brownie, Rumsfeld, and Bremer?
Or the party of Gore, Edwards, and Obama?
Closer to your point here I am curious how many failings are looming in health care. We already know about lax inspection of food, and drugs, but how about failure of vital equipment, and infrastructure?
Right now both parties are hawking paperless record keeping as an answer to out of control costs.
The question I would pose to the American people is which party would you trust to put such a system online?
The party of Brownie, Rumsfeld, and Bremer?
Or the party of Gore, Edwards, and Obama?
Saturday, April 05, 2008
My parents always taught me that if something was meant to happen, it will. The lesson was not meant to be one of faith , as much as work, and planning. Without work, and planning involved, almost all of the outcomes we could hope for, would be lost from the beginning.
In short, nothing worthwhile is free.
In short, nothing worthwhile is free.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's about damned time!
I have always been one to encourage people to log their dissent, but it is not helpful to merely post meandering comments on others blogs, in threads that have nothing to do with your subject. I for one would never go onto a blog with a post about the life cycle of worms, and question the blogger about crimes against democracy.
I frequent many blogs and have never found one that finds this kind of action is considered anything but rude. Likewise I find that responding to such comments are merely a way of giving trolls a larger soapbox to stand on. But there comes a time when they should be TOLD!
I frequent many blogs and have never found one that finds this kind of action is considered anything but rude. Likewise I find that responding to such comments are merely a way of giving trolls a larger soapbox to stand on. But there comes a time when they should be TOLD!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Eyes
The empty facial expression of cult members as they used to wander the terminals of airports and subways was intentional. You may argue that not all of them wore a sullen mask, and indeed you would be right. But I feel as though it would be worth pointing out that a awkward (sometimes forced) smile is not exactly an invite to share in the warm emotions of the person handing you flowers, and bidding peace to your journey.
Maybe it's the blank stare?
I haven't been around a lot of cult members, and much of what I can tell you of the subject comes from viewing what one would call over simplified characterisations of them on television, and in film. There is no one thing that will give a clue about someones psyche like that of the eyes. Someone once said they were the window to the soul, and if they said it I believe the directors of the world believed it and used it as a rule.
"It's his eyes..they look weird" exclaimed my grandmother during a discussion of one of her favorite detective shows. "I could tell it from his eyes that he was the killer". I was certain that my grandmother knew she was watching a fictional program, but she was also certain that the actor had to be guilty of something.
My grandmother was a wise woman, and using her wisdom I have always been considerate of the eyes when about in the world. I have till this day been vigilant of people with "weird eyes", or at least the kind of eyes that a good actor would have if portraying a killer. You cannot do this on the internet. Except possibly here where the eyes are in the title bar.
Please don't think me a killer based on the appearance of the child's eyes used in my graphic.
Maybe it's the blank stare?
I haven't been around a lot of cult members, and much of what I can tell you of the subject comes from viewing what one would call over simplified characterisations of them on television, and in film. There is no one thing that will give a clue about someones psyche like that of the eyes. Someone once said they were the window to the soul, and if they said it I believe the directors of the world believed it and used it as a rule.
"It's his eyes..they look weird" exclaimed my grandmother during a discussion of one of her favorite detective shows. "I could tell it from his eyes that he was the killer". I was certain that my grandmother knew she was watching a fictional program, but she was also certain that the actor had to be guilty of something.
My grandmother was a wise woman, and using her wisdom I have always been considerate of the eyes when about in the world. I have till this day been vigilant of people with "weird eyes", or at least the kind of eyes that a good actor would have if portraying a killer. You cannot do this on the internet. Except possibly here where the eyes are in the title bar.
Please don't think me a killer based on the appearance of the child's eyes used in my graphic.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Consistency is not one of my strong suits.
My message here is just as likely to show up next week, as it is next month.
I have written, but for whatever reason toward the end I pick through my meanderings and find fault with the way I have chosen to explain the premise I began writing about. I worry that the actual meaning of my words are lost sometimes in the way I phrase them, and eventually give in to slogans or known phrases that come close to the feeling I am trying to convey. But they are unacceptable to me, and I end up leaving well enough alone and keeping silent.
I have to force myself to post what I mean, in the simplest terms I can, without using old rhetoric that others have misused.
I have written, but for whatever reason toward the end I pick through my meanderings and find fault with the way I have chosen to explain the premise I began writing about. I worry that the actual meaning of my words are lost sometimes in the way I phrase them, and eventually give in to slogans or known phrases that come close to the feeling I am trying to convey. But they are unacceptable to me, and I end up leaving well enough alone and keeping silent.
I have to force myself to post what I mean, in the simplest terms I can, without using old rhetoric that others have misused.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
While having my picture taken...
While having my drivers license picture taken at the secretary of states office, over and over again the same thought rolled around in my head.
"Try not to look ...Islamic"
More later
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Who are we stimulating?
I want to borrow money from the Chinese, and give it to you, so you can buy more Chinese goods!
Who comes up with this stuff?
Who comes up with this stuff?
"Bush spoke with congressional leaders as top House aides worked on an economic rescue package that included more money for food stamp recipients and the unemployed as well as tax rebates and cuts."Obviously someone is trying to buy a better poll rating!
"While 66% of Americans disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job overall, 71% of Americans say they disapprove of the way Bush is handling the economy according to the latest survey from the American Research Group."
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