Emmy Port in the Storm

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I generally don't watch award shows. 25 years ago when "The Color Purple" was overlooked by Oscar, I was convinced that the award shows were more a high school popularity contest, than an actual acknowledgment of merit.

Also please note how many who have won acting Oscars, did so, not for the film they were in that year, but for previous performances. Most notably Liz Taylor comes to mind. She was amazing in "Cat on a Hot Tim Roof" in 1958, and she never gave a better performance 1959's "Suddenly Last Summer". But in 1960, Liz won the Academy award for "Butterfield 8; a good performance in a slightly better than average melodrama. Paul Newman won the award for best actor for his portrayal as Fast Eddie, in 1986's "Color of Money", chiefly because he deserved it for his portrayal of Fast Eddy, in 1961's"The Hustler".

In short, the shows don't usually reflect real merit for the present work. They're definitely more political. I don't respect The People's Choice award for the same reason pure democracy doesn't work.

Though I have no use for who won what, I did forget one fairly new trend; entertainment. Some of these award shows can be truly entertaining! Though I missed the Emmy's, I did catch this on Youtube, and I'm glad I did. I thought this opening was very entertaining and I enjoyed it; it's like buying Playboy for the articles. there really were some great articles.

Just The Facts Ma'am

I’ve been reading news items and blogs all day that are “covering “ The Restoring Honor Rally, held in Washington DC, today, and I want you to notice just one thing as you read along with me. The critics do not state a single FACT that could genuinely discredit these people or their movement. Nope, though there are lots of humorous jokes at their expense and patronizing observations made like statements of fact, I read nothing except unsubstantiated conclusions about how awful these people are, and how sad that so many are following this blather.

I DARE YOU to watch Glen Beck for two weeks to see for yourself what he is saying. If you find three falsehoods Beck is reporting, I will devote the next year of my resources, support and education toward your political ideology. You won’t find em, and if you find anything wrong, Glen will beat you to the punch on admitting them. I know it seems impossible but this guy seems to have genuine integrity. I can understand why you guffaw at a man like Glen Beck; integrity and politics? Not in my lifetime.

I was so distrustful of Mr Beck. I kept suspecting him of being like Andy Griffith’s character in 1957’s “A Face in The Crowd” about a likable common “every man” who comes to the new medium of television and becomes a megalomaniac, monster making it his job to shape and manipulate the hearts and choices of his adoring public.

Ultimately too many people whose opinions I respect spoke about Glen Beck as a courageous man who had the guts to tell the truth no matter how he’d be treated by the mainstream media. I watched him for two weeks and then “did my homework” (to investigate his claims researching with my own resources), as Mr Beck urges his viewers to do, and found him to be spot on accurate!

One more time, I urge you to read his detractors and see if they actually SAY anything factually or do they just infer their own distorted views of this man for their own purposes.

Glen has a red phone on his news set which he says the White House alone, has the number for, just in case they hear him report something incorrectly; funny, but no calls. No one from CNN was ever willing to respond to my questions about items that i believed were erroneous; I wonder why?

Just The Facts Ma'am

Is That My Left or Yours?

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I had a little epiphany today, as I was driving. I had to go about a 35 mile distance about 6:30AM. I took routes south, west, and then southwest. As I reached the end of my journey it occurred to me that the sun was facing all different directions because I was driving in different directions. Now don’t get me wrong I knew this before, but today I realized how easily recognizable it is and how explorers would have used these signs. Ok I know you may still be thinking, “What a dope.” That is precisely the point of my blog today. Not my being a dope, but on the subject of personal perspective.

The fact that human beings can be so similar and yet so different, like snowflakes, they seem to be endless in possible combinations, yet identical in makeup.

Now you might think that if I, at my advanced age hadn’t fully considered the placement of the sun to the direction of my travels, I might not be much of a thinker, but you’d be wrong. I have been called cerebral, daydreamer, romantic, among other adjectives, and they are pretty accurate. I probably spend more time thinking than I do in action, but I don’t perceive the practical universe around me as most seem to. In other words I have no common sense.

The importance of all this revelatory blather regarding you, my reader? In our relationships we think we know what is acceptable for our relationships, but only according to the voices in our heads. Sentiments, like “They should have known better”, “They knew I didn’t want…” or “Couldn’t he see I was trying to….” are subjections that are usually unreasonable. I am not trying to excuse thoughtless behavior, but the #1 reason people don’t get along is because of misconceptions due to their personal perceptions. Their personal life plan/rule book is the ethical code & values they have been nurture with, experienced and come to regard as ‘truth’.

It’s easy to feel wounded when your life plan/rule book has been violated, but unless you’re Dr Phil, no one has read yours, and only the most fanatic people pleasers will ask you to publish one.

I am ambidextrous, but I am not disturbed because most of you aren’t. I have friends with radically different political (Left and Right) opinions and I can accept most easily. I have found the more tolerant (not to be confused with accepting) I am of others plan books, the better I sleep at night, and the fewer problems I have in my relationships.

Injustice Isn't Color Blind

Well this is going to be controversial, I imagine, but try though I might, I just can’t let it go. On August 24th at 2nd & 24th street, in Manhattan, Michael Enright, a 21 year old film student who’d been following American soldiers in Afghanistan recently, hopped in a cab and asked the driver if he was Muslim. Allegedly, after the driver affirmed he was a Muslim, Enright became verbally abusive and then attacked him with a knife. The cab driver sustained serious injuries and is still in the hospital. Michael Enright is being charged with second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime, first-degree assault as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon. If he is convicted of attempted murder, as a hate crime, it would carry a 25 year prison sentence, alone.

What happened to Ahmed Sharif, the cab driver is a tragedy and I don’t think the possibility of his assailant going to jail for 25 years is too extreme, if Enright is not mentally imbalanced. What I think is also a tragedy, however, is the possibility that he will do this time because he is white. A white guy attacking a Muslim guy in our present political atmosphere means that this white boy is going to the slaughter as an “example” and is not receiving true justice.

I believe justice is blind, but do you think this would be as widely reported if it were a Muslim who’d attacked a white driver? Quite unlikely.

Justice should be done for all, and I know that the internment camps where we put Japanese Americans in during World War 2 is wrong; I know that crimes committed more often by people of color are more harshly penalized than “white” crime, and that is wrong. These things anger me as much as anything!

We also need to be sensitive to some people’s inclination to be hateful towards anyone who resembles our enemies, and make it clear we won’t tolerate it. But two wrongs don’t make a right, and demonizing this kid (if he in fact is just messed up or suffering psychological damage as a result of his time in Afghanistan) isn’t the proper response as a society. It’s why the United States has a Republic and not a democracy, this smells of mob mentality.

I am saying stop making an example of people and let’s treat them as innocent until proven guilty…..remember that?

Rock Cats Rock

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I’m just not that into Sports, okay? But ya know, it wasn’t until I went to my first live baseball game that it hit me. The energy of the crowd, the expertise of the players, the passion they exude in play. This was exciting stuff. I still won’t watch games on TV and it’s a 100 miles to the closet pro-baseball game. But I found an amazing substitute and that is Rock Cats of New Britain, CT! They are a minor league team of the eastern division for the Minn. Twins. This is really exciting stuff, and at a price that remains competitive with almost every other form of entertainment.

It’s amazing to see these guys, hungry, motivated to be their best, looking for a shot to get into the major Leagues. It has all the spark of pro-league ball; this is not your nephews little league. These guys are just one step before entering the big show and they come to win!

Now the Rock cats are not having a great season admittedly, but ask any Cubs fan, and they’ll tell you it’s still a great time to watch ball and cheer for the home team. This is a little piece of Americana and it is a joy to watch. Come see for yourself, or go support your own triple A club!

Mr. President, How do You Spell Dignity?

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It was a gentle but unmistakable nudge President Obama gave Representative Charles B. Rangel recently, suggesting in an interview three weeks ago that Mr. Rangel, 80, should retire to “end his career with dignity.”
At a tense and sometimes fiery candidates’ forum Monday night, Mr. Rangel shot back that it was not his dignity the president should be worried about.
“Frankly, he has not been around long enough to determine what my dignity is,” Mr. Rangel said of the 49-year-old Mr. Obama. “For the next two years, I will be more likely to protect his dignity.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/nyregion/24rangel.html?nl=nyregion&emc=ura1

Wait a second, maybe I have the wrong definition of the word dignity. Let’s see: Dignity- according to the first two definitions from dictionary.reference.com says,
“1.bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
2.nobility or elevation of character; worthiness: dignity of sentiments.”

Yeah that sounds about right to me. Please explain to me how you can use the word dignity with a politician of Rangel’s stature? Rangel, a man “in the know” suggested he would have to protect the president’s dignity…makes sense to me.

What doesn’t make sense is how the American public keeps lowering its expectations and standards for its elected representatives. It like some parents who say they can’t handle their children like someone else is responsible for their bad behavior.

Our president believes that this man wrapped in ethical and financial scandals can end his political career in dignity? That sure speaks about the level of playing field that Washington adheres to. Where is the self respect that should make politicians caught in lies, step down because they understand the importance, or gravity of public office? Blagojevich, are you getting this?

Mr. Rangel is a disgrace, and he has been connected with scandal and unsavory behavior many times in his 20 terms in office. He could be the poster boy for term limits in fact. Come on New Yorkers, wake up, get some guts, and instead of looking for government to take care of you-you take care of the government by cleaning house this next election!

Integrity on Wheels

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I was playing mall rat with a boy I mentor, whose only wholesome interest is skateboarding. I think he actually aspires to the skater’s lifestyle more than the actual sport itself.

We entered Zoomeez (forgive me for misspelling-funny it didn’t appear in my dictionary) a “skater’s” clothing and equipment store, when we met the young man pictured, named Jeff DuPaul. Jeff was really friendly in a non-mall-salesman kind of way and we struck up a conversation.

Jeff is a BMX-er who has performed professionally in tournaments and some ESPN televised exhibitions. As we continued to talk, Jeff mentioned recovering from a recent injury while participating in this extreme sport. I asked him about the earning potential for BMX riders, and he smiled and said it is almost nonexistent. He explained that those who sought the opportunity to make this sport part of a financial career were looked down upon as prostituting themselves and forsaking the integrity and passion for the sport itself.

I found myself battling alternate views on Jeff’s explanation. The dad within me said, “What, are you crazy? You injure yourself in this sport, you won’t be physically able to do in less than 10 years, but you don’t want to make money doing it? You’re working retail in a mall for God’s sake!” The romantic artist within was screaming, “Bravo! You have integrity; my God hold onto it, and to your passion, rather than chasing the almighty buck. The trophy is looking yourself in the mirror and knowing you didn’t make your choice to sell out, but rather for the passion of your craft.”

The thing is I think both opinions are really valid and true. Life isn’t simple enough to throw away either point of view. On the one hand Jeff has probably done some permanent damage to his body for the love of the game. Shouldn’t he be seeking financial retribution for his contribution to the sport? Isn’t it also true that most professional sports have been ruined by mercenaries who are strictly chasing the cheddar, with only a few true passionate players who would do it for nothing?

There is no easy answer, but I will tell you that this young man has character to spare and he makes me hopeful. We are not completely in the toilet as a society while we still have guys like Jeff DuPaul around.

After Humpty Dumpty Fell- Who Cares if He was a Muslim

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This amusing and well spoken man points out clearly that if Obama is a Muslim, he is a lousy one, and though several jokes come to mind, I'll leave that to the professionals.

The point, besides offering you conspiracy-fiends (I count myself among your rank btw) an amusing education, is to point out this reminds me of the Woody Allen joke, comparing life to a restaurant review: "The food was horrible, and the portions were so small."

Who cares at this point what religious affiliations this man may have; he is running our country into the ground. Why don't we focus awhile on that.

Let's stop beating up people and criticizing them and instead let's make a change while we still can. This is a critical time in history, and our country is slipping away from us; if Obama lied about being a Muslim or not won't matter if his administration takes away your civil rights!

Don't believe ANYONE. Look and see for yourself, or it really will be too late. We are literally following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire and Humpty is getting closer to falling! You can't put him back together, but you CAN prevent his falling. start right where you are and get going!

Hot Searches with Lotsa Cold Leads

Computers can be amazing time savers, but sometimes they’re like spending three years and a billion dollars to buy Xerox corporation so you can make free copies.

As I have mentioned before, I will check on Google.com Trends to see what’s hot to talk about on the blog. Today, in the top ten searches overnight, I saw three references to a famous historical event; Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Tombstone, all the major components of the famous gunfight at the OK Corral

Now this is great, but I wondered, why was this a hot topic? Several of the sites referred to listed the 1994 film, starring Kevin Costner, as Wyatt Earp. Well, Costner is still alive and the actual gunfight happened on October 26, 1881, so I couldn’t figure out the relevance.

I continued to search sites only to find 3 of them giving this eloquent explanation:

“Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp:Huntington :After Thursday night practice, Joan C. Edwards stadium lights and the moon up Huntington, Marshall University football team returned to work Friday start morning . Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington light and the moon up.”

This is an exact quote found on 3 separate websites. Terrific reporting, kids. I wonder what language they really speak?

Just as I was beginning to think that Kevin Costner and Google were in cahoots to waste my time I finally found out what it’s all about. Marshall University hired a new football coach named Holliday. Yes, this is why the three most popular searches on Google were about gunslingers from the old west. And it only took me 35 minutes to figure it out.

IMHOToday, I wonder why, with technology so sophisticated that it can pick key words out of my email and then list related advertisements on my email page for weeks, why can't they weed out nonsensical results like the gibberish listed above or the obscure references like 16 year old movies and show you the relevant results?

Greer is a Great Get in Gear Steer

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It’s fascinating, the things that pop up as most searched items on Google.com/trends. When I saw the name Madame Curie, I was flabbergasted, since she is a far cry from the typical Paris Hilton type search I find most often.

I believe this search may have come about as a result of TCM’s airing of “Madame Curie” starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Coincidentally, last night I watched 1941’s “Blossoms in the Dust” starring the same leading actors.

In both of these movies a very talented actress plays a real life woman’s selflessness in her contributions to mankind.

It’s encouraging to discover that this type of entertainment can still spark enough interest to show up on Google’s search rankings. With Reality TV shows like “Big Brother” and “Jersey Shore” that glorify the worst in human nature it seems unlikely anyone could enjoy something that is admittedly a bit Pollyanna-esque (don’t ask).

It seems that “Reality” in the 21st century has come to mean depravity. The base instinctual manner of human kind is celebrated and these shows’ influence on our culture goes pretty much unobserved. So much in entertainment and advertising promotes the hypothesis that because it is natural, it is acceptable, even admirable. Flatulence is natural, but so far there is no reality show to celebrate it yet. Rage is quite natural to many of us but unchecked, it can also be quite illegal.

To see something wholesome and inspiring, such as “Madame Curie” or “Mrs. Miniver” (another great Greer Garson-Walter Pidgeon pairing) is like a fresh breath through a 60 year old breeze. The things we mediate on are the things that color and shape our decisions and lives.

A constant diet of Jerry Springer can’t, not affect your perspective. IMHOToday, decide who you want to be and then feed your mind the stuff that will bring you to that end.

This Charlie May Yet Run The Wonka Factory

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I am employed to do several tasks that require my time on the internet, and one of my "duties" is surfing You Tube, which I've come to realize is quite symbolic of mankind him/herself. You Tube is as beautiful, and wonderful, and crass and brilliant, and brutal, and ugly as Mankind can be.

Being an appreciator of art I am always on the look out for artists of all kind. I was on Nate Pinky’s You Tube channel, which is a must see; the thinking man’s “Three Stooges”, and I was going through some of the people Nate has subscribed to. The above young man is one of them.

Charlie, at first take may seem like a poster boy for adolescent girls, a pretty, nonthreatening adolescent, with a British accent. The thing is Charlie does have something to say and he says it in a genuine voice. It is often silliness, but it’s intelligent silliness, and quite entertaining.

More than a few times I have watched his channel and spent the odd moments in the day considering his comments and wondering how his talents will progress when he comes to an age with truly important things to say. By the way, Charlie is NOT a twin, he is doing both parts of the duet in the video. Haley Mills has nothing on this guy!

In His most recent pod, Charlie speak to the future; a thirty year old version of himself, and reminds this man of how he feels now, with some wandering wonderments of his imaginations about this yet to be Charlie-man. As a full grown adult it touched me and gave me hope that, though there is still much ugliness and brutality in the world, we are still in the business of producing people like Charlie.

The Incredible, though Possibly Poisonous Egg

We have yet another in a long line of recalls, this one strikes fear in the coops of America; the innocent little egg. Well, maybe not so innocent since the Wright County Egg Company, just recalled 228 million eggs because of reports of salmonella outbreaks out on the west coast. Don’t get too comfy east coasters, they distributes to wholesalers and are sold all over the country.

I am beginning to get a bit jaded and wonder if this constant stream of recalls isn’t just about keeping us distracted from our hell in a hand basket itinerary courtesy of the fine folk who brought you the trillion dollar shell game (is that how the eggs got tainted?-sorry).

I decided to take a peak and see how the recall game is going, so I logged onto the FDA’s website to see if they had a list of recently recalled stuff. It was too funny to be true:

August 18, 2010 - Glow Industries, Inc. Issues Nationwide Recall of Mr. Magic Male Enhancer from Don Wands Amended

Yes , the fine people of Don Wands voluntarily recalled their product after being informed that the stuff they are selling, a combo of two main ingredients for E.D. prescriptions. Together, however they constitute a new drug and therefore are entering an unexplored world of , uh, enhancement.

August 3, 2010 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is … recall(ing) .. 10 oz "Beef Filet Squares for Dogs …because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products.

Can’t we also get salmonella from handling raw chicken? I feed my dog raw chicken, by the way, as advised by my dog’s veterinarian. When I questioned him, he asked me, “Ever see an animal in the wild with a crock pot?”

Hey I am happy there are watch dogs keeping us safe, I just wonder if those dogs may be infected with mad cow disease from eating from the government’s raw, poorly handled information

Ground Zero Mosque Idea has Zero Integrity

Just when I am sure this world can't be anymore preposterous than it already is I hear they are proposing the building of a Muslim Community Center, including a mosque.

Can anyone be that "politically correct"that they can't see this quite clearly for what it really is? An Islamic slap i n the face.

This Mosque has to be built in the financial district of Manhattan? Come on, there's literally thousands of spaces in New York City that would be far more appropriate than so close to the most disgraceful thing that has been done on American soil since the Civil War, and by Islamic terrorists. It's like being forced to invite the school yard bully to your house for a sleep over.

This goes beyond insensitive and straight to insulting to the people who died and to those who remain behind. I strongly believe in religious freedom, but this isn't about freedom, it's about a kick square in the crotch.

Let them build all the mosques they desire, but let them be elsewhere. Let's keep this place sacred for the memory of those who had to die because some Islamic worshipers believe all of us should be wiped out.

President Obama thinks we should be tolerant. Wow, no kidding. Whose behind this campaign to build this mosque? I'll bet a dollar someone happy to rub our noses in what's happened at Ground Zero.

Raise Up Kids-Don't Give Them Excuses

This just gets my blood boiling!

Hunter College High School, considered one of the most academically brilliant schools left in USA, is under fire for not having enough students of color in its ranks. The criticism stems from a single written test as being the main criteria for getting in. The faculty making the most noise believe there should be interview and other processes so that children of color will have a better chance of getting in. They say in part, that this is unfair because many of the students are prepared by professional services to do well on the test. This leaves affluent kids, mostly white at a distinct advantage to get in.

I am here to say that there is no reason to expect less from anyone, but to prepare all kids better. Our education system has slipped well below the global average. Let’s raise everyone’s quality of education by going back to true education and not the warehousing of kids nobody has bothered to raise.

I worked for five years in an inner city school, junior high level classes, and most of my kids came with no learning skills and sub standard test scores. Because parents were required to take part in their child’s education (e.g. we would speak to a parent every single time a child came to school without homework completed), these kids were able to advan ce grade levels within a couple of semesters. They were expected and encouraged to work at their top game and most kids genuinely came to love it. We gave them all the tools and support they needed to acheive greatness and they lived up to the occasion!

When our school closed due to lack of finances, our kids literally cried. But most went on to be at the very top of their classes because we gave them the tools to learn.

When you make an excuse as to why a child shouldn't have to meet the highest standards they will never attempt to achieve them. Let's leave raising the kids to the parents (& hold them accountable if they don't) and let's find ways to teach every child to reach their true potential!

Heroes Come in Flesh & Blood Real Life

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Today marks the second anniversary of my dad’s death, and I miss him so much. Bertrand Cote was the second born of 12 kids, the black sheep of the family. Back in the 1930’s, children were to be seen but not heard; so for a loud mischievous kid like Bert, he was considered a problem and not much more.

He ran away from home at 13, and a year or so later ran into his own dad when he went looking for work in a lumber jack camp. They worked together and when my grandfather moved to the United States, my dad came along, a hard working, well trained assistant who didn’t keep his own paycheck.

All through our lives I saw my dad work hard to be kind and helpful to his parents, going the extra mile, perhaps in part to secure the love they always withheld for his older brother.

This colored my dad’s whole life, and in turn colored mine too. Desperately desiring to be loved, but also distant, afraid love would be turned against him, or worse, withheld, my dad spent years in our home aloof and unknown; a stranger in a strange land.

As a kid, thinking that everything happened because of me, I was convinced my dad’s distant behavior was for character flaws he saw in me. This hurt my self-esteem which left me desperately desiring to be loved, but fearful to show my need or weakness.

For the last 25 years, my dad and I built a great relationship. Time mellowed my dad, which along with his relationship with God, really healed his wounds. He could show and express love, and not be fearful to receive it.

My dad was very smart; gifted in many ways though his education was limited. He worked as hard as any man I have ever seen. He cared about excellence, and “putting your money where your mouth is” kind of integrity. He was generous to a fault and didn’t waste his energy gossiping or maligning anyone. He was far from perfect, with his share of human frailties, but he was a man I was proud to know, and I’m grateful I had his character to measure my own manhood to.

I have at times been mocked about being a goody two-shoes, or a phony nice guy, cause “no one is like that in real life”, and I would have believed them if I hadn’t known my dad.

Careful Dog, you might be replaced by Nao

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We already have forsaken real relationships for the more convenient, more easily monitored and controlled internet relationships, so it isn't as far fetched as it used to be to imagine robots providing us with emotional interactions.

The implications are so Orwellian, that it verges on the paranoiac to logically think this through to its reasonable conclusion. For instance you can't give a social disease to a robot. You see where I'm going with this?

But for better or worse, this is the next step in the social isolation we continue to develop for our society and when they make the Michelle Pfeiffer robot, I will probably be standing in line.

Take This Job & Slide Away From It, Steven Slater

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This is classic, and I have to admit it appeals to my,'rebel w/o responsi-bilities' side. Steve Slater, former flight attendant for JetBlue, ended his 28 year career in flamboyant style. When a lady stood up to remove her suitcase while everyone was supposed to remain seated, she hit Slater on the head with the suitcase, and then told him to go off in a sexual manner. Our go-boy got on the intercom and gave the lady a few choice words, grabbed 2 beers and his flight bag and then opened the emergency hatch and went sliding down the inflatable ramp.

The police arrested this desperate criminal at his home and he is facing up to 7 years in prison for this daring feat. First time murderers generally get 3 years, but that’s for another blog.

IMHOToday, this type of tale is so American; a guy pushed too far just makes his statement as an individual and fights against the establishment. It’s Batman, it’s the Lone Ranger, it’s the Alamo; the little guy fighting against the evils of the world; in this case the fat spoiled customers of our blessed, bloated country.

We are not an easy bunch to please, I want you to know. Our lives verge on opulence and decadence unknown by royalty living just a generation ago. We’ve all watched “Dynasty”, or “Gossip Girl” (they’re rich, right?) and decided this is our birthright; not the opportunity to pursue happiness, but to be made happy. There is a big difference.

I have been both a ridiculously demanding consumer, and a purveyor of customer services, and I can tell you that we are so spoiled we don’t begin to understand what reasonable service is all about.

I wish the TV show, “Undercover Boss”, would use hidden cameras because not only would we see how employees really behave (the worst employee is going to be his best when there is a camera man standing two feet away) but we could see the kind of nonsense people who serve the public have to deal with.

Remember the person serving you has had to deal with the worst jerks in your life; give em a break, or eventually watch them make a brake for it.

Plutonomy is NOT the Enemy We have to Worry About

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"Who cares how the rich spend their money?

Well, perhaps everyone should these days. Consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product, or the value of all goods and services produced in the nation. And spending by the rich now accounts for the largest share of consumer outlays in at least 20 years.

According to new research from Moody’s Analytics, the top 5% of Americans by income account for 37% of all consumer outlays. Outlays include consumer spending, interest payments on installment debt and transfer payments.

By contrast, the bottom 80% by income account for 39.5% of all consumer outlays."

http://sanhati.com/tweet/2636/

It’s funny how you can twist things to fit your agenda, isn’t it? Numbers can be manipulated to prove the point you want to prove.

“Spending by the rich now accounts for the largest share of consumer outlays in at least 20 years” What exactly does this mean? For the first time in 20 years the rich have outspent the rest of us? Not likely. Does it mean it’s been this way for 20 years? I’ll bet longer than that. Is there a shock that the rich would have more expendable income?

Also notice that it doesn’t show you the percentage of what the middle class have to spend, but rather the bottom 80%. This includes the people living under bridges and the elderly who live in convalescent homes who long ago forfeited all their wealth..

My point is that the origins of these “facts” have a veiled axe to grind. The title of the article is “US is Becoming a Plutonomy” Plutonomy is defined as “Economic growth that is powered and consumed by the wealthiest upper class of society. Plutonomy refers to a society where the majority of the wealth is controlled by an ever-shrinking minority; as such, the economic growth of that society becomes dependent on the fortunes of that same wealthy minority.”

Clearly this is the counterattack to the ever growing sentiment that the US government is shifting into socialism. The funny thing is take the definition for Plutonomy and replace the word ‘power’ where they refer to money and you will have a good definition for fascism.

Fascism is socialism controlled by the ever shrinking group that used to be checked and balanced by equally distributed power. Sound familiar?

Hiroshima; Lesson Learned?

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65 years ago Hiroshima was the target for the first atomic bomb, and we evil Americans did it, or at least that’s the bent you’ll get on it these days.

On August 6, at 8:15AM, Hiroshima was the first target; it was believed to have ultimately killed 140,000 people. Three Days later at Nagasaki another atomic bomb resulted in an estimated 70,000 deaths.

It is devastating to think that over 200,000 people, most of them civilians, had to die this horrible death.

For the first time in history, the United States, Britain, and France, all allies in World War 2, were present at the ceremonies in Hiroshima, remembering these events, supposedly to signify a mutual desire end to weapons of mass destruction.

I would like to point out one obvious fact. 60 million people died in this war. It was estimated that millions more would die in a ground assault of Japan, who admit they literally ignored our final treaty; they used the term to “kill it by silence”.

Before the final bomb landed, American aircraft were showering leaflets all over Japan informing its people that "We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man.” Our purpose? To end the war; to prevent the killing of millions more. It was done at the cost of 200,000 lives.

It was estimated that well over a million American soldiers would lose their lives invading Japan. That’s not including the number of Japanese that would have certainly died as well. To quote General Sherman, “War is Hell”. Man’s savage cruelty to man still doesn’t cease to amaze me fifty years into my personal parade of humanity, but there is a practical side to civilization. If you try to harm me I will most certainly try to (if there is no avoidable alternative) harm you before you succeed. If I know you are on the way to harm me and I can ambush you before you get close enough to do so, it may appear cruel of me, but I will do it.

This is not to say that America is guiltless; that we were pure in all our motives and actions. God knows there is no such creature walking this earth. But what is the message for today? While we “good guys” disarm, who’s gonna stop the “bad guys” from harming us? A 5th grader should be able to figure that out.

Jersey Shore Must be Infectious-It’s Spreading

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Okay, honestly I have never watched “Jersey Shore”, but I’ve also never had black plague and yet I feel the liberty to comment that both have the same contribution to society. The video above is proof that many aspire to “rise” to the trash levels they see.

I tried to read about the Season 2 opener but couldn’t keep my eyes open. I know this is like going to the freak show at the circus, but the circus only came to town once a year. Anybody consider what this is doing to the fabric of our society? Anybody aware that there are many vulnerable people who believe everything they see on TV is okay to do? Do the producers of this sewage know that people will presume that seeing these people survive (at least for now) the outcome of their stupid decisions will prod other idiots to follow suit?

Look I really don’t believe in censorship as a rule. I believe artist should be allowed to express themselves. I believe in freedom of speech. But “Jersey Shore” is art like screaming “Fire” in a crowded theater is freedom of speech. It just poisons our collective consciousness a little bit more.

I guess I wouldn’t be as disturbed by this nonsense if it didn’t present itself as “Reality.” As it is, there doesn’t seem to be enough real reality to go around in America’s 2010!

They have moved to Miami? Terrific, I’m thinking it’s a short ride into deep waters. Please before more jokers like the “men” in the video multiply.