Two relatively quick comments regarding two road based occurrences:
The Tour de France: So, for the 8th year in a row an American has won the Tour de France. I'm sure I don't need to tell you this annoys the French more than when people try to speak their language! You know what an American winning the Tour means, right? Allegations of drug use. That's right, it's in the fine print of the Tour rules: "If an American wins the tour, claim he cheated." Isn't that right, Lance?
Well, they've once again been able to enforce that rule. Floyd Landis has been accused of using a performance enhancing drug. What did they find in Landis' blood? Testosterone! Technically, the finding was a "high level of testosterone." 'Cuz that's hard. "Look, the American man had a higher level of testosterone than the French!" What a surprise!
The real joke about all this was that he was tested just before the 17th leg of the race; just after his collapse in the Alps. This was the day he had an amazing comeback to get within striking distance of the lead. The French are claiming that the testosterone is what gave him an edge during that part of the race. This is ludicrous!
He'd been tested three times before this leg of the race, all three times there was nothing found. Testosterone is like an anabolic steroid. It does not work like an upper. It takes months for testosterone to take effect, not hours. It's a strength builder, not an endurance builder. The French have again shown their desire to take back their race. But I can understand to a point. Imagine if the Aussies kept winning the America's Cup. We'd be pretty peeved, too.
The Big Dig: The Big Disgrace is more like it. Billions over budget and now we find they were cutting corners to save money? Where did that money go? Obviously not back into the project. Now it'll be millions more to fix what wasn't done right in the first place.
But I feel much safer now. Finally a politician is overseeing the project. Fwhew!
Yup, Mitt Romney ("in '08" should be following his name shortly) was able to oust Matthew Amorello (former head of the Turnpike Authority) because someone’s head has to be on a pike and Amorello already had the word in his job title!
I can't imagine how many "contributions" Romney got from the companies who dug this national embarrassment for him to go after the figurehead instead of the men actually taking the state's money!
Here's what needs to happen: The companies who made the tunnels need to fix the tunnels at their own cost. There was Federal money given to this project! Why should Joe Shmow metal working in Iowa have to pay for the greed and irresponsibility of fat cat Boston Big Dig Contract winner? After they've fixed them, they need to set up a payment plan to pay the American people back for their waste of time and money. The companies responsible need to pay back every cent they went over budget plus interest. That sounds crazy? How can they afford it? Why should Sue Blue the lunch lady be made to pay for it? The fault falls squarely on the contractors.
So while Mitt flies in as "savior" and Amorello is left holding the fake blame, the real culprits recline in their multimillion dollar houses with their indoor Jacuzzis sipping on daiquiris. Something's very wrong here.
(On a final note: several News stations have been covering the ceiling panel fall as the "Big Dig Collapse." Can we say sensationalism? The Big Dig did not collapse. That conjures images of massive cave ins and road blockages. It was a ceiling panel that fell at the wrong time of the day. Had it fallen at 4am this whole issue would be being handled quite differently.)
Where the rubber meets the road: (whatever that means) Just my opinion.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
Lebanon's Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's speech, full of "his-bull-ah"
In his recent speech, the Prime Minister of Lebanon whined that his nation was too weak to get Hezbollah under control. Boo Hoo. Woe is me. Please help. He acts as though he had no idea that they were in his country. There are six members in his Parliament!
So, just whose responsibility is Hezbollah? Lebanon's, that's who. I don't care how much he cries and whines. And if Lebanon can't control their own people? Israel has every right to protect themselves.
I see it like this: My neighbor has a dog. A big vicious dog that even my neighbor has become afraid of. The dog attacked me. First, I say to my neighbor, "Control your dog." When he fails, I take care of the dog. Now, in this fictional situation, the right thing to do is call the authorities and have them send in the animal control officer. I suppose in our real life situation, that would be the UN. We all know how effective the UN is, don't we?
Well, if the animal control officer is too chicken to do something about it, or if the officer comes out and announces that he will be withholding my neighbor's mail until he does something about the dog, I'm going in.
The problem with the "animal control officer" is that he knows everyone in town. And he has to listen to what they have to say. I think that for the "ACO" to be effective, if you have a rabid, dangerous animal on your property and most of the other people in town know about it, you no longer have a say in what the "ACO" does. Otherwise, the "ACO" is deadlocked and can't ever get anything done!
This is why my neighbors Lebanon, North Korea, Iran, France (just because), Sudan, Iraq (before Operation Iraqi Freedom), Syria, and Saudi Arabia should not be allowed to talk to the "ACO." Maybe then he could actually do something about the problems that are before him!
I wish the world would listen to just my opinion.
So, just whose responsibility is Hezbollah? Lebanon's, that's who. I don't care how much he cries and whines. And if Lebanon can't control their own people? Israel has every right to protect themselves.
I see it like this: My neighbor has a dog. A big vicious dog that even my neighbor has become afraid of. The dog attacked me. First, I say to my neighbor, "Control your dog." When he fails, I take care of the dog. Now, in this fictional situation, the right thing to do is call the authorities and have them send in the animal control officer. I suppose in our real life situation, that would be the UN. We all know how effective the UN is, don't we?
Well, if the animal control officer is too chicken to do something about it, or if the officer comes out and announces that he will be withholding my neighbor's mail until he does something about the dog, I'm going in.
The problem with the "animal control officer" is that he knows everyone in town. And he has to listen to what they have to say. I think that for the "ACO" to be effective, if you have a rabid, dangerous animal on your property and most of the other people in town know about it, you no longer have a say in what the "ACO" does. Otherwise, the "ACO" is deadlocked and can't ever get anything done!
This is why my neighbors Lebanon, North Korea, Iran, France (just because), Sudan, Iraq (before Operation Iraqi Freedom), Syria, and Saudi Arabia should not be allowed to talk to the "ACO." Maybe then he could actually do something about the problems that are before him!
I wish the world would listen to just my opinion.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Would you rather
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day and thought it might be fun to play a little "Would you rather" game with some current events. So please comment with which you'd rather for each of the following:
Would you rather:
1) Eat at Denny's or Stay at Motel 6?
2) Play for the Kansas City Royals (32-60) or warm the bench for the Detroit Tigers (62-30)?
3) Be the 2008 Presidential Campaign Manager for Al Gore or Hillary Clinton?
4) Drive through the I-90 tunnel or Beruit?
5) Be a bad guy with Batman after you or Superman?
Please comment with your opinion.
Would you rather:
1) Eat at Denny's or Stay at Motel 6?
2) Play for the Kansas City Royals (32-60) or warm the bench for the Detroit Tigers (62-30)?
3) Be the 2008 Presidential Campaign Manager for Al Gore or Hillary Clinton?
4) Drive through the I-90 tunnel or Beruit?
5) Be a bad guy with Batman after you or Superman?
Please comment with your opinion.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
A Congress full of cowards
I am so sickened by the "lawmakers" of Massachusetts. I put their title in quotes because they have not only allowed thier position to be usurped by the courts, but when they are given an opportunity to be the check and balance for that radical, power grabbing branch of the state government, they flee in terror!
For we've been waiting for them to vote on the Constitutional Amendment to ban same sex marriage in the state for quite some time. When the day finally arrived, they voted. They voted to postpone the vote.
Maybe they just needed more time. Maybe they wanted to find out what the people they were representing wanted. Maybe they were yellow.
They postponed the vote until just after the November elections! They didn't want to offend their constituents by actually voting on this issue! (A note to Janitors and the second half of Team Juloa: This is just another proof that the government is only out for self preservation. Why won't they vote on this? They want to get re-elected. They can say whatever they want to get the votes in November, then vote however they please right after. And they'll vote very soon after the elections so there is as much time between the vote and the next elections as possible. End Note) I don't even really care which way they vote! Look, put your Nikes (c) on and just to it!
Actually, if they listened to their constituents, they'd put the issue before the people of the state. Let the people decided if they want marriage to be defined as a union between one man and one woman or not. I mean if they are going to be cowards then they might as well chicken out all the way and not give the appearance that they are going to make a law. Put it on a ballot. Decide the law that way.
They've allowed the courts make laws, why not actually let the people make a few.
I am now announcing my voting plan for the upcoming elections. If your name has the term "Incumbent" next to it, you will not receive my vote. I encourage others to do the same. If this session of Congress is too afraid to vote, we'll be sure to replace them with people who aren't.
Once again, just my opinion.
For we've been waiting for them to vote on the Constitutional Amendment to ban same sex marriage in the state for quite some time. When the day finally arrived, they voted. They voted to postpone the vote.
Maybe they just needed more time. Maybe they wanted to find out what the people they were representing wanted. Maybe they were yellow.
They postponed the vote until just after the November elections! They didn't want to offend their constituents by actually voting on this issue! (A note to Janitors and the second half of Team Juloa: This is just another proof that the government is only out for self preservation. Why won't they vote on this? They want to get re-elected. They can say whatever they want to get the votes in November, then vote however they please right after. And they'll vote very soon after the elections so there is as much time between the vote and the next elections as possible. End Note) I don't even really care which way they vote! Look, put your Nikes (c) on and just to it!
Actually, if they listened to their constituents, they'd put the issue before the people of the state. Let the people decided if they want marriage to be defined as a union between one man and one woman or not. I mean if they are going to be cowards then they might as well chicken out all the way and not give the appearance that they are going to make a law. Put it on a ballot. Decide the law that way.
They've allowed the courts make laws, why not actually let the people make a few.
I am now announcing my voting plan for the upcoming elections. If your name has the term "Incumbent" next to it, you will not receive my vote. I encourage others to do the same. If this session of Congress is too afraid to vote, we'll be sure to replace them with people who aren't.
Once again, just my opinion.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The All Star game & the Patriot Act
"This time it counts!" What a joke the All Star game is. An exhibition game in the middle of the season with some fake meaning attached to it by giving the league (AL or NL) that wins the game home field advantage for the World Series. The players that don't make it use the three days as a vacation. The players that make it give it their all day in and day out and deserve the vacation more than the players that don't make it. This is why more and more players are saying "no thanks" to the All Star nod. They want the time off.
Another reason it's a joke is that the manager of the team gets to fill in the gaps. When a player is hurt or decides he doesn't want to play, the manager of the team (which is the manager of the team who represented the league in the World Series the previous year) gets to select the player who will take the place of the one not playing. Ozzie Guillen (Manager of the Chicago White Sox) had that honor this year. Did anyone else notice that there were about 9 White Sox in the All Star game? Wow, that must be some team! Either that or there's some homerism going on! I wonder which it could be...
So, my favorite moment of the All Star game was when there was a routine ground ball to the third baseman (A-Rod, who plays third everyday). The reigning MLB MVP booted it. He got a normal hop and booted it, he recovered and threw the ball toward first. He threw it in the dirt. The first baseman (David Ortiz, who plays first maybe 18 times a year) makes an amazing dig on the short hop to get the runner. The runner up MLB MVP saved the MVP from getting slammed with a big fat E5! Poetic justice if I've ever seen it.
Slammin' the right: I was catching bits and pieces of Law and Order last night. The story line had something to do with anthrax and murder. Well, turns out the Feds staged an anthrax scare at the Police station so they could evacuate it and steal all of the evidence and research. The police are allowed back into their building and are shocked at what's happened. Gasps of "They can't do this!" abound. One officer says, "They can do whatever the hell they please because of the stupid Patriot Act." Oh really? Excuse me, Mr. Detective, if they can do whatever they please why did they stage an anthrax scare? Why not just walk in and declare national security and all that jazz and take what they wanted? Because they can't.
This was a double slam on the right. First, it's that stupid Patriot Act. Apparently it allows for Carte Blanche for the CIA, FBI, NSA, etc. But not so much that they can do it in broad daylight; they have to get rid of some people first. Second: the people "enforcing" or "taking advantage of" the Patriot Act do in a slimy, despicable, dishonest way. What a load!
The police went to the Feds and tried to get their stuff back, and the Feds played the "National security," "You're not authorized," "Top Secret" crap. The Patriot Act is designed to increase communication between the Feds and local authorities, not sever it.
Of course, people who know little to nothing about it, save what they are spoon fed by NBC and the other networks, will just take that at face value and not question it. I wonder if NBC is contributing to the Democratic Party or if it's the other way around.
There you go: two completely unrelated examples of just my opinion.
Another reason it's a joke is that the manager of the team gets to fill in the gaps. When a player is hurt or decides he doesn't want to play, the manager of the team (which is the manager of the team who represented the league in the World Series the previous year) gets to select the player who will take the place of the one not playing. Ozzie Guillen (Manager of the Chicago White Sox) had that honor this year. Did anyone else notice that there were about 9 White Sox in the All Star game? Wow, that must be some team! Either that or there's some homerism going on! I wonder which it could be...
So, my favorite moment of the All Star game was when there was a routine ground ball to the third baseman (A-Rod, who plays third everyday). The reigning MLB MVP booted it. He got a normal hop and booted it, he recovered and threw the ball toward first. He threw it in the dirt. The first baseman (David Ortiz, who plays first maybe 18 times a year) makes an amazing dig on the short hop to get the runner. The runner up MLB MVP saved the MVP from getting slammed with a big fat E5! Poetic justice if I've ever seen it.
Slammin' the right: I was catching bits and pieces of Law and Order last night. The story line had something to do with anthrax and murder. Well, turns out the Feds staged an anthrax scare at the Police station so they could evacuate it and steal all of the evidence and research. The police are allowed back into their building and are shocked at what's happened. Gasps of "They can't do this!" abound. One officer says, "They can do whatever the hell they please because of the stupid Patriot Act." Oh really? Excuse me, Mr. Detective, if they can do whatever they please why did they stage an anthrax scare? Why not just walk in and declare national security and all that jazz and take what they wanted? Because they can't.
This was a double slam on the right. First, it's that stupid Patriot Act. Apparently it allows for Carte Blanche for the CIA, FBI, NSA, etc. But not so much that they can do it in broad daylight; they have to get rid of some people first. Second: the people "enforcing" or "taking advantage of" the Patriot Act do in a slimy, despicable, dishonest way. What a load!
The police went to the Feds and tried to get their stuff back, and the Feds played the "National security," "You're not authorized," "Top Secret" crap. The Patriot Act is designed to increase communication between the Feds and local authorities, not sever it.
Of course, people who know little to nothing about it, save what they are spoon fed by NBC and the other networks, will just take that at face value and not question it. I wonder if NBC is contributing to the Democratic Party or if it's the other way around.
There you go: two completely unrelated examples of just my opinion.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
The 4th of July
Ooo, Ahh, the Fourth of July. There's nothing like a big "Up Yours" to Britain to bring the nation together!
"Hey Britain, tax this!"
Think about it: What is this holiday all about? We are free from being under "big brother's" thumb! Like an arrogant teenager we loudly celebrate the day we moved out.
And look how we celebrate it: We go all out for this holiday! For which other "American" holiday do we universally get the day off of work, gather with other family, barbeque all day, families get together in the center of town, clad in red white and blue, and watch explosive devices in celebration. (Not to mention that nearly every town in the United States has its own fireworks display.) On top of all of this, we toss in some parades, block parties, and tons of live music! Do we do it for Flag Day? Memorial Day? Veteran's Day? D-Day? V-Day? V-J Day? Nope, no, nah, nyet, nine, and no.
It's just one big national middle finger to our "friend across the pond."
Of course, we aren't the only ones to celebrate our independence day. Here are a few others:
January 1st, Australia from England
March 6th, Ghana from England
May 31st, South Africa from England
(Anyone see a pattern?)
July 4th, United States from England
July 5th, Algeria from France
July 6th, Malawi from England
July 9th, Argentina from Spain
August 15th, India from England
August 19th, Afghanistan from England
September 7th, Brazil from Portugal
September 16th, Mexico from Spain
October 24th, Zambia from England
December 24th, Libya from Italy
Ok, so they weren't all from England...
In fact if you visit Earth Calendar you can flip through the holidays celebrated all over the world and you'll find that there are surprisingly few days that do not have a nation's "Independence Day" listed. I think we should name it something else, though. Some thoughts I've had: "Up Yours Day," "We Don't Need You (Unless We're Attacked By Someone) Day," "Nah Na Nah Na Nah Na Day," or "Pffpt Day."
A little trivia: We share our Independence Day with another nation. Which nation is that?
Speaking of a big flip off to other nations, has anyone thought about what North Korea is doing? Testing missiles on our Independence Day around the same time as our space shuttle launch? Is this Kim Jong il guy nuts or what? Some of the largest, strongest nations have said that if he tests these missiles they would regard that action as a serious provocation. He's like a five year old whose mother just said "no" that he can't have a cookie. He looks up at her and slowly reaches his arm over to take a cookie. Like she's not going to notice.
But we have nothing to worry about. The UN is on the case. The mighty UN who showed Iraq that they were serious about their resolutions. The fearless UN who has taken such an active role in the Sudan. The powerful UN who has caused Iran to reconsider their nuclear programs. The awesome UN who is... what? Out of missile range? Oh, well never mind then.
What's the solution? I think a type of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). MAD is a dinosaur from the Cold War era. Here's the difference. We tell Kim Jong that if he launches a single nuclear warhead and his nation suddenly ceases to exist. No boots on the ground, no invasion, just a few MOABs (Mother of All Bombs - a non nuclear multi-ton reign of destruction). So it's just be AD or perhaps N-KAD.
So happy ""Nah Na Nah Na Nah Na Day" to my fellow Americans.
Thanks for reading that which is just my opinion.
"Hey Britain, tax this!"
Think about it: What is this holiday all about? We are free from being under "big brother's" thumb! Like an arrogant teenager we loudly celebrate the day we moved out.
And look how we celebrate it: We go all out for this holiday! For which other "American" holiday do we universally get the day off of work, gather with other family, barbeque all day, families get together in the center of town, clad in red white and blue, and watch explosive devices in celebration. (Not to mention that nearly every town in the United States has its own fireworks display.) On top of all of this, we toss in some parades, block parties, and tons of live music! Do we do it for Flag Day? Memorial Day? Veteran's Day? D-Day? V-Day? V-J Day? Nope, no, nah, nyet, nine, and no.
It's just one big national middle finger to our "friend across the pond."
Of course, we aren't the only ones to celebrate our independence day. Here are a few others:
January 1st, Australia from England
March 6th, Ghana from England
May 31st, South Africa from England
(Anyone see a pattern?)
July 4th, United States from England
July 5th, Algeria from France
July 6th, Malawi from England
July 9th, Argentina from Spain
August 15th, India from England
August 19th, Afghanistan from England
September 7th, Brazil from Portugal
September 16th, Mexico from Spain
October 24th, Zambia from England
December 24th, Libya from Italy
Ok, so they weren't all from England...
In fact if you visit Earth Calendar you can flip through the holidays celebrated all over the world and you'll find that there are surprisingly few days that do not have a nation's "Independence Day" listed. I think we should name it something else, though. Some thoughts I've had: "Up Yours Day," "We Don't Need You (Unless We're Attacked By Someone) Day," "Nah Na Nah Na Nah Na Day," or "Pffpt Day."
A little trivia: We share our Independence Day with another nation. Which nation is that?
Speaking of a big flip off to other nations, has anyone thought about what North Korea is doing? Testing missiles on our Independence Day around the same time as our space shuttle launch? Is this Kim Jong il guy nuts or what? Some of the largest, strongest nations have said that if he tests these missiles they would regard that action as a serious provocation. He's like a five year old whose mother just said "no" that he can't have a cookie. He looks up at her and slowly reaches his arm over to take a cookie. Like she's not going to notice.
But we have nothing to worry about. The UN is on the case. The mighty UN who showed Iraq that they were serious about their resolutions. The fearless UN who has taken such an active role in the Sudan. The powerful UN who has caused Iran to reconsider their nuclear programs. The awesome UN who is... what? Out of missile range? Oh, well never mind then.
What's the solution? I think a type of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). MAD is a dinosaur from the Cold War era. Here's the difference. We tell Kim Jong that if he launches a single nuclear warhead and his nation suddenly ceases to exist. No boots on the ground, no invasion, just a few MOABs (Mother of All Bombs - a non nuclear multi-ton reign of destruction). So it's just be AD or perhaps N-KAD.
So happy ""Nah Na Nah Na Nah Na Day" to my fellow Americans.
Thanks for reading that which is just my opinion.
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