tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-908246392595494382024-03-05T05:09:29.282-05:00fencepost sitterstevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-11420866509185877802016-06-13T11:44:00.001-04:002016-06-13T18:05:09.037-04:00Donald Trump and the un-making of America amid the massacre in Orlando <div class="MsoNormal">
He had every opportunity to rise above his constant rants
and childish tantrums, but Donald Trump instead chose that moment to
congratulate himself for predicting the massacre in Orlando. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While bodies lay cold and gallons of blood were still
flowing across the nightclub floor, the presumptive Republican nominee showed
just how small he was by Tweeting, “Appreciate the congrats for being right on
radical Islamic terrorism.” Trump tweeted triumphantly mid-Sunday, “I don’t
want congrats, I want toughness and vigilance.” <i>(Politico/CNN)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Again, the FBI and Orlando police were still removing bodies
from the nightclub. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He could have taken a breath and shown due respect to those
killed and wounded, congratulated the Orlando police department, Sheriff's deputies, SWAT . . . anyone . . for saving
dozens of others trapped by the gunman inside the club, and held out a
sympathetic hand to the LGBT community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But no. The carnival barker couldn’t rise . . . couldn’t
bring himself to see the events as anything but a way to congratulate himself
and bark at Obama and Clinton. While gallons of blood were still flowing across the floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There were more than 300 people in Pulse, the popular gay
nightclub, when the shooter entered, engaging a uniformed Orlando policeman
working at the club. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The brave, the courageous and the supporters . . . That cop,
massively outgunned, saved dozens of lives. Cops rush in when we all
flee. Orlando police and Sheriff's deputies . . .The team that burst through the wall with their Bearcat armored vehicle and killed the
shooter in a hail of gunfire . . . The
hundreds and hundreds of people who lined up to give blood . . . The doctors,
nurses and first responders, as well as club goers, who saved lives . . . The outpouring of support
from around the country and the world . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
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But Trump was unable to see the big picture and modify his
usual antics, even hinting later in the day that Obama might be sympathetic to terrorists.
That little twist of words encourages Trump’s rabid supporters to think that
maybe Obama’s “Muslim” sympathies or even his “Muslim beliefs” were the reason
he avoids saying “radical Islamic terrorists,” even though many terrorism
experts believe that term inflames and divides. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“He could have appeared dignified, controlled, in-command,
following the time-tested presidential path blazed by George W. Bush in 2001
and Obama on Sunday. Instead, he bellowed like Ralph Kramden throwing an
I-told-you-so over his shoulder at passengers on his bus.” <i>(Politico)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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No matter whether or not one is a Trump supporter, his
blindness to large issues, and his inability to grasp even basic knowledge about
a wide range of topics is becoming more and more obvious. Even Trump enabler
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “. . . It’s pretty obvious he
(Trump) doesn’t know a lot about the issues. You see that in the debates in
which he’s participated.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet here we are, an ego maniac touting his "incredible
insight" into terrorism by bragging that he saw the Orlando attack coming. So
did everyone else, Donald. We all knew there would be other attacks, and we
also know that you insult the FBI and other law enforcement agencies by
saying “our security is terrible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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While he continued through the day with his
self-congratulatory Tweets, and attacks on his political opponents, he offered
not one solution to stop this type of lone wolf attack. Not one. Big, sweeping
rhetoric, but not one solution or idea offered that might actually stop a crazy
person from legally buying a couple of guns and unleashing hell in a nightclub.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps that’s because there are no easy solutions . . . As
I said, these types of attacks are nearly impossible to stop . . . There is no
communication between the potential shooter and anyone else, but only a cold
determination to go kill people. Cops will stop potential threats here and
there (As they did in Los Angeles over the weekend when they arrested a guy
with a car full of weapons and bomb-making supplies.) Potential attackers may
make mistakes that hit the law enforcement radar, but, as in the Orlando case,
they may not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Trump is unwinding the things that make our nation great.
His ignorance, small-minded thoughts, twisted insinuations and petty personal
attacks are not making us great again, they are making us more divided,
fearful, petty and racially ignorant. Trump fans the worst flames of hate and
prejudice and congratulates himself for knowing what we all know, turning what
could have been a human moment into a day of self-loving. People died, Donald.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One man, two weapons and a slaughter in an Orlando
nightclub. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s take a minute to pray for those who died and those who
were wounded, as well as their families and friends. Let them be in our
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-56056390140157771012016-05-20T13:03:00.000-04:002016-05-20T15:01:57.817-04:00Sometimes it's a great meal . . . Other times it's a meal with great memories<div class="MsoNormal">
If we’re lucky, we have in our lifetime had great meals that
we will remember for a very long time. Perhaps a fancy restaurant, or a new
cuisine that opened a whole new direction in your foodie world. Maybe we can’t
remember the exact meal or circumstances years and years later, but those
special meals kind of rumble around in our heads, often popping to the
forefront when we repeat a similar experience or setting.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have indeed been very lucky. I traveled with my family to
Hawaii and through Asia when I was 12 years old, dining on new and strange
foods in strange settings. Of course that was strange (as in new) to a
12-year-old, but in reality, it was simply a new experience, a new view on not
only food, but the people who made that food. So we had new things, like sushi,
shark fin soup and various other things that, back then, sure were exotic to an
American kid. Of course, that kid, much to the chagrin of his father, ran his
fingers through the flames of candles in a Buddhist temple . . . One also
remembers enjoying a Japanese dinner and in the side room some of the
waitresses were enjoying their own meal . . . hamburgers . . . Really? Just
thought it was funny . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
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Certainly, my life has been a bit (or more) too food centric,
but food plays a role in a lot of the things we do, not only because of the
food itself, but because of the memories we have of the meal . . . food . . .
friends or family . . . an event.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes a great meal is made great not only by the food,
but the place . . . Think future son-in-law’s bachelor party at the Peter Lugar
steak temple, or several days in New Orleans with Lisa for a work event and dining
at places like Commander’s Palace, Paul Prudhomme’s K-Paul’s Louisana Kitchen,
or Pete Fountain’s jazz club.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While a product manager at E.F. Hutton, my assistant,
Nicola, and I made it a point to hold a staff meeting (there were only the two
of us) or a few at Nirvana, a wonderful restaurant overlooking Central Park in
New York City. Nicola always got us a table next to the window and helped me wade
through the menu filled with Indian delights . . . I had not much experience
with Indian food, so a guide was very needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A vendor took me and Lisa to Jezebel’s in New York City, a delightful
Creole/soul food/Southern restaurant decorated in an early 1900’s Louisiana plantation
style, with wrought iron furnishings, porch swings and fancy crystal chandeliers,
vintage posters and a warm, cozy atmosphere. We were hosted by a bank where
Hutton had a few millions dollars in precious metals stored. One of our hosts
was named Erin, which kind of steered us to that name for our Younger Child . .
. We thought it was pretty, Irish-ish and was better than anything else we had
come up with. Hey, Erin . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes, though, we have a meal that really isn’t all that
fancy of great in and of itself, but somehow sticks in our minds . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve enjoyed a burger alone at New Socials here in town . .
. Dinner with Rebecca at Common Man . . . prime rib with mashed potatoes the
last time (Fortunately she usually orders something I like . . . It’s a weird
dynamic.) . . . Lunch there, too, with Erin . . . Kristin’s wedding at Round
Hill . . . My two beautiful kids . . . Even just a sandwich here at home with
them . . . It’s all about time. We catch it when we can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lone Star with friends again and again . . .Breakfast omelets at home and hand delivered to me and
the Kilburns when Rebecca commandeered my kitchen on a visit . . . Or a special pizza
that’s become a favorite when she visits to check on me and make sure I’m still
breathing . . . (I am.) . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sushi is often a favorite of mine . . . Sushi alone and
enjoying the art on the plate, or with my sister and niece and enjoying the art
on the plate and the company . . . Sushi with my former accountant and <o:p></o:p></div>
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enjoying
the art, but not the sea urchin (sorry to all you lovers of the delicacy) . . .
With Erin (who once misjudged the height of my truck when we went to pick up a take-out
sushi order once) in New Jersey . . . Thanksgiving dinners, cooking the bird on
the grill . . . Both girls laughing as I opened the umbrella on the deck and
two bats fell out and flew away . . . I yelped like a little girl and
apparently they enjoyed that very much . . . They still do.<br />
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Summer picnics at the Shakespeare Theater in Connecticut . .
. Even canned chili for lunch at my parent’s house at Stratton . . . Those
lunches with friends at the top of the mountain and in the Base Lodge were also
fun. . . the bottles of Mateus didn’t hurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or how about those Spam sandwiches at canoeing camp in
Canada? We usually didn’t stop our daily travels to have a hot lunch, but Pete
Morningstar (yep) and out counselors decided to stop and start a fire for a
quick bite between long portages. That also lightened the loads we had to
carry, so getting rid of a few cans was nice . . . Spam cans. Pete (our guide) started
the fire and used a huge cast iron frying pans to cook slices of Spam . . . We
took those charred pieces and slapped them between a couple of pieces of white
bread and mustard . . . Damn were they good . . . We were tired, hot and sore
from the portages and the paddling. It was a bright sunny day . . . I’m not
sure I ever ate Spam after camp, but that day, whatever Spam is, tasted like
the best meal ever.</div>
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When I was a writer at E.F. Hutton a bit more than 100 years ago, we'd been working on a rather arduous project and two of us decided to head to the small (very) diner at the lower level of 26 Broadway while we awaited final exec sign off on the job (an often arduous and political process itself). My friend ordered a cream cheese and grape jelly sandwich on raisin toast with fries . . . I seconded that and a picture remains in my head . . . flashing back more than 30 years. Freezing the moment.</div>
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Finally . . . hot dogs at the World Trade Center. I worked
for Dean Witter for a couple of years and while we had a pretty good cafeteria,
every once in a while a couple of us made the journey down the 72 stories from
our offices to the street for some dirty water dogs from a vendor who also
offered good sausages and homemade sides . . . Guess that’ll never happen
again.</div>
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There are dozens of others . . .</div>
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I guess it often turns out that it’s not just the food, but
who we’re with that makes some meals special. A place and a time. Every once in
a while they get deeply etched in our heads. Time moves on . . . It’s
relentless, and before we know it, those moments are gone . . . </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-23156831500595673012016-04-28T06:15:00.003-04:002016-04-28T06:15:50.107-04:00In politics, generalities are easy . . . Maybe we should learn some specifics<div class="MsoNormal">
We all love talking in generalities about things we hear or
read in the news. We all do it, spit out our opinions based on what is going on
somewhere else and someplace else. The world is a big place, and we can say
whatever we wish from the comfort of our homes. But sometimes reality hits us
head on, makes us sit up and notice that there are real people involved in, and
affected by, all those laws and opinions we read about.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s the generality . . . We’re passing and threatening to
pass laws that will limit people coming into America based on their religion .
. . We are threatening to deport immigrants . . . We are passing laws that
allow businesses to aggressively discriminate against gays and put transgender
people in dangerous, confrontational places (bathrooms . . . which new laws
mandate can only be used by people “born” male or female and not by those who
identify as male or female).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are some realities . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
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A friend of mine has been married to her husband for 13
years. Together they have 3 children, he works, and she owns a business. They
own a home and 2 cars. He’s from Costa Rica. She’s American. For years he’s
worked here, legally, with a green card, but the recent political rhetoric has
caused them some concern. So much concern, that after some discussion, they
decided it might be best for him to become a U.S. citizen, something they
talked about in the past, but with a bit more urgency now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Their recent discussions focused on concern that, for
whatever reason, there might be a huge shift in immigration policy, a “reset”
that might lead to deportation of immigrants here legally, or a shift in
“legal” status that could also lead to deportations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The end result is that he ended up becoming a U.S. citizen,
passing the 100-question test that most of us couldn't pass. (Perhaps
politicians should be required to take and pass that test before they can take
office.) So the rhetoric makes immigrants, legal and undocumented, uneasy and
often fearful of the future. As a country of immigrants, that should make us
all anxious.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is estimated that more than 13 million Hispanics will vote this year, compared with less than 10 million in 2008. </div>
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Here’s another . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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You could be in a restaurant and the waitress asks if you’re
gay. Why? “Because we don’t serve gay people.” Do you answer? Tell her to bug
off or tell her indeed you are straight, but your friend is gay . . . or that
indeed you are gay, “Is that a problem?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Frankly, it’s none of her darn business, but these new laws
have created these situations. I would be livid if a friend of mine was ever
denied service . . . let alone fired from a job, not allowed to rent an apartment
or thrown out of a hospital because he or she was gay. Don’t laugh. There will
be tense confrontations and lawsuits, court challenges and screaming
politicians.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While children in America are going hungry, politicians are
focusing their legislative might on bathrooms and selling wedding cakes.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-5047185037425864602016-04-23T10:46:00.000-04:002016-04-23T10:51:39.063-04:00The awkward and hateful reality of "religious freedom " laws<div class="MsoNormal">
So how does one deal with these anti-gay “religious freedom”
laws?</div>
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Just how are they “enforced” or managed? How does a business “know” a
potential customer gay and, thus, shouldn’t be served because being gay offends
the owner’s religious beliefs? What happens if a business owner isn’t cowering
behind the “religious freedom” curtain, but a waitress in the business says her
beliefs prevent her from serving the gay couple at the corner table? Likewise, I would be angry if I tried to go into a shop with a Christian friend of mine and he or she wasn't allowed in.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Personally, I find the whole thing appalling and repulsive.
That someone can deny service to another person because of his or her religious
beliefs fits not even a sliver of what should be. Nobody should be denied equal
rights for their sexual orientation . . . Why is this different from being
denied service because you’re black, or Asian, or a Muslim, or blonde?<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are a large country filled with an equally large
diversity of people . . . People of all colors and creeds, beliefs, lifestyles
and faiths. Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, atheists, and on and on,
fill America from coast the shining coast. (Let’s not even get into the variety
of beliefs within a faith . . .) </div>
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I fundamentally oppose legislation that
purposely and aggressively discriminates against any group of people. We need
sometimes to remind ourselves that we are not a “Christian” nation as some
would have us believe, but a nation founded on principals of fairness and
equality. And while a person’s faith needs to be protected (and is under our
Constitution), that faith should never be imposed on others, or used as a
weapon to discriminate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s easy and short-sighted to discriminate against other
people . . . Not so easy when you are the one being discriminated against. What
happens if a Muslim opens a restaurant and won’t serve Christians . . . ?
Imagine the outcry. Or maybe an atheist opens a bakery and won’t make wedding
cakes for people getting married in a church? Ouch . . . Hear the screams of
outrage . . . Turnabout is fair play, of course. Enjoy the comfort of you couch
while you watch equality dissolve into a bowl of muck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So if I go into one of these “protected” restaurants, say,
how do they know or not know I’m gay or straight? If I’m gay and they serve me,
is their God going to punish them somehow? A case of don’t ask, don’t tell? Do
they ask if I’m gay? I go in with a friend and she’s gay, but I’m not . . . Do
they serve me and not her? Again, how do
they “know” our sexual preferences? Do we pick up a letter at the hostess stand
. . . “H” for hetro . . . “G” for gay . . . “B” for bi-sexual . . . “U” for
undecided . . . or maybe “C” for celibate . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pin the letter on our shirts? How awkward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either you run a business for everyone or you get out of the
business. I don’t care. You make cakes . . . You serve sandwiches . . . You
sell books . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to go to your church and you don’t want to go
to mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These “religious freedom” laws are fakes. There’s no threat
to your religion because some random gay couple wants to buy a cake. People are
people, whether you like it or not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So-called “religious freedom” is just a high-profile part of
legislative discrimination. All people should receive the same protections
under the law . . . That means we don’t discriminate against people on jobs,
hotels, buying or renting real estate, visiting sick loved ones in hospitals,
or any other such nonsense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s wrong on the face of it and it’s wrong on every level
of exploration. Our politicians are creating false barriers and divisions that
pretend to raise people up because of their beliefs, while putting others down
because of their beliefs. If your religion prevents my friend from having lunch
with me, then fuck you, I don’t care.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-77737282858717626772016-03-14T09:03:00.000-04:002016-03-14T09:03:35.318-04:00With nary a fact in sight, Trump's carnival heads towards Cleveland<div class="MsoNormal">
It could all be over for the Republicans tomorrow, as
primary voters head to the polls in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and
Missouri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A growing majority of Republicans are hoping there will be
yet another chance to “stop Trump,” but their time has almost run out as the
party that created him wrings its hands as he marches to the nomination. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several things about Trump’s campaign are clear . . . The
first is that the party should have seen this coming months ago. They should
have seen this crisis in their ranks, the anger that Trump has been able to
fuel to the boiling point. The fear of people and countries they see as the
reasons for their anger and their job loss and their perception that nobody
cares about their plight except Donald Trump. He hears them clearly and has fed
each and every angry, fearful note possible . . . It’s all the fault of
Mexican, crappy politicians, Muslims and stupid incompetent politicians.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trump supporters cheer their champion’s outspoken,
politically incorrect rhetoric. They cheer is “difference” from the usual
rubber-stamped politics they see as ruining America. They see his fire and soak
up his words like an old dry sponge sitting inside the edge of a sink. They
love the fact that protesters “attacked” a Trump rally. They embrace his staged
anger and cheer his “punch him in the face” screeches, because that’s what they
want to do. In Trump, they receive the candy they so desperately didn’t get
from the Great Satan of Obama, the man they see as “ruining” America.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What rabid Trump supporters see, however, is vastly
different than what others see. Others see an ego manic fueling violence, hate
and divisiveness. They see a candidate who has appealed to the worst of human
nature. They see someone who has yet to outline any major policy positions,
instead relying on short bursts of, “We’ll make America great again” or “Mexico
will pay for the wall.” Ridiculous even on the face of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the simple fact is that Trump’s supporters just don’t
care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, the protests, some of which turned violent, will
continue, as Trump fans the flames more and more, simply because any protests
harden his supporters even more. This not a man, observers say, who has shown
even a sliver of presidential stature. So growing protests at what Trump calls
his “shows” may embolden his supporters, they are causing earthquakes within
the Republican Party.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ted Cruz, who many see as an even more “dangerous” candidate
than Trump, runs in second place, his far-right views alienating voters on a
national level, but proving popular among a fairly wide swath of Republican primary
voters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rubio? If he doesn’t take Florida,
his home state, he’s done, his campaign turning into not much more than a large
flash in the pan that never gained the traction it needed to excite voters and push
through Trump’s circus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kasich must take his home state of
Ohio or he’s done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though any predictions are probably
at the least a dicey endeavor, there seems to be no reason to think that Trump
can unify the party, let alone the nation. If he’s the nominee each and every
word he has uttered is ammo for his opponent. While his primary opponents haven’t
been able to dent the Trump tank, I’m not so sure that will be the case when we’re
faced with the prospect of a Trump White House. Thus not only do republicans
face the prospect of losing the presidential election, but also of losing its
Senate majority, and possibly the House as well. At the least, the party will
be seriously wounded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Trump doesn’t evolve into a
person willing to take responsibility for his words (Can you imagine the outcry
if Obama has said, “Punch him in the face” . . . ?) and threats to build a
Mexico-financed walls, ban Muslims from entering the country, deport all
illegal immigrants, eliminate a free press and a warped sense of first
amendment rights that Trump feels only applies to him and not those who might
disagree with him. (Please note that if you’re a Muslim already here . . . and
a citizen who happens to be a Muslim . . . Trump wants to take away all your
Constitutional rights. That, my friends is a war on religion.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here we are. It’s a process, and
Trump has proved time and time again that a carnival barker can capture a large
crowd with his barking if he’s barking what they want to hear. That’s the way
it is, and we’ll see what happens not only tomorrow, but to the Republican
convention. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Trump fails to get the delegates
needed for the nomination, there will be a floor fight, from which Trump will
probably not emerge the winner. It’s a numbers game . . . and Trump’s opponents
are playing prevent defense, hoping they can go into the convention with some delegates
and come out as the nominee after a political cage fight. It’ll be an uphill
battle from there . . . </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Trump is currently polling at 40 percent, remember that
is 40 percent of a party that now claims about one-third of registered voters.
That’s 40 percent of one-third. That’s not close to a majority, and despite
Clinton’s high negatives, I’m not convinced that a Republican candidate can
beat her, let alone Sanders, in a national contest. Part of the ammo for Democrats
will be Trump’s words throughout the primary campaign as evidence of where
Republicans stand on some issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We march on.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-88520681013212885832016-02-15T18:42:00.000-05:002016-02-15T18:42:47.034-05:00We need to fire politicians who want to eliminate environmental protections <div class="MsoNormal">
I guess I'm just an ignorant dummy . . . I don't understand
the inner workings of a politician's mind. I always felt that one of the first
goals of politics and government is to protect people. Kind of like a doctor’s
goal of “do no harm.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
How then do some politicians rationalize that by trying to
eliminate laws that make polluting the air and water and the very land upon
which we live? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I hear and read the arguments . . . These regulations are
too restrictive . . . too costly . . . too much government over-reach . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
But those arguments focus on the short-term, not the long
term. They ignore the big picture. Often that big picture means easing
regulations now, usually to help and “unencumber” businesses. Does that make
sense? If we lift restrictions, say on how drilling companies handle their
fracking waste water, a toxic blend of water and chemicals, and companies can
dispose of it however they please, then what’s to protect people in that area
from being poisoned? Often companies will take the path of least resistance if
they can, and that means they’ll dispose of waste as inexpensively and quickly
as possible, as an example. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
That’s because companies, as they should, are supposed to
make money. Doing things cheaply, without being “encumbered” by regulations,
means more money can fall to the bottom line. Fine. Unfortunately, it can mean
the long-term cost of those business practices may not only be costly to the
company, but to the air . . . or water . . . or land. If that happens, as we’re
seeing with fracking, ground water gets polluted and that means people who once
lived with good water now can drink or even bathe in what’s coming out of their
faucets. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
So while companies should, of course, make money, they also
should bear the responsibility of their actions and policies. They don’t need
to be handed freebies by government, or bailed out by taxpayers when they make
errors, or when their businesses cause damage. BP and Transocean could have
used a better and safer pump/well safety valve, but didn’t . . . That decision
cost them tens of billions of dollars and killed 11 people. The blowout
preventer valve they used had failed just prior to installation on the deep water
well in the Gulf. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Similar, though not as devastating, accidents or failures
happen every day . . . leaks and runoffs into streams, rivers and lakes . . .
waste from fracking and landfills . . . chemical
dumps . . . air pollution from plants, and even runoff from farms and private
homes. It all goes into the land, air or water and that means it goes into the
things we eat, drink and breathe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
So while I understand some of regulations of these things
might be considered by some to be “burdensome,” history shows that is political
sword rattling, and doesn’t prove to be a challenge overwhelming or damaging to
most businesses and business profits. Companies predictably complain that any “restraints”
on their ability to do business as they wish will create a business environment
that will destroy them. Businesses adapt, and adapt quickly. They need to do
that to survive and prosper. Government change tends to be glacially slow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
So why do politicians continually challenge environmental
oversight? As I said, I am at something of a loss. It’s one thing to be
pro-business, but not anti-people. If politicians make laws that strip people
of basic protections, like clean water and air, then what’s left? What’s
happening in Flint, Michigan, is an example, except this time it’s the government
that made bad decisions, overlooked and trivialized complaints and concerns
from residents for well over a year, poisoning thousands of residents with high
levels of lead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Keeping people safe should be a primary focus of government
at all levels. There need not be a conflict between the needs of business and
the safety of the population at large. When I turn on my faucet, I should
expect the water coming out to be safe to drink. The plant in town should throw
stuff into the air that makes it unsafe to breathe, and the factory that just
cl0sed should leave a chemical footprint that lasts for decades and costs
millions of dollars to clean. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
If politicians can’t keep us safe, then they should find new
jobs. It’s up to us to make sure they don’t stay in office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-46700526827032067382016-02-08T05:28:00.000-05:002016-02-08T05:28:12.387-05:00Medicare needs nips and tucks, then a roll out to everyone<div class="MsoNormal">
Medicare, the government’s insurance program
for people 65 years old and older, as well as younger people with disabilities,
sets the standards for virtually all private insurance, but there are several big
challenges within the system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With some 50 million people on Medicare, a system they paid
into when they worked, it’s a huge ($200 billion-plus) program. But it is far
from perfect. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, it doesn’t cover all medical costs. It generally
covers 80 percent of allowed charges, though discounts often reduce the billed
amount to less than that. Some things, like dental, are not covered. Prescriptions
require a separate drug plan (Plan D), which is an additional monthly cost. Perhaps most importantly,
there is no limit on out-of-pocket costs, so someone in the hospital for weeks,
say, could easily have to pay $20,000 on a $100,000 hospital bill . . . and up
and up. Most private insurance caps out-of-pocket costs yearly, often at around
$5,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, each state has a supplemental insurance lrigram, which is
designed to cover (in varying amounts depending on the plan selected) that gap
between what Medicare pays and what an individual pays out of pocket. Unfortunately, each
state has different companies offering the supplemental insurance and
different requirements,, though the plans (Plans G, N F, etc.) are virtual the
same (that’s mandated). In general, when one first goes on to Medicare, he or
she can sign up for supplemental insurance and not be denied that coverage
(usually offered by several companies all of whom offer the same overall
coverage benefits). However, if one doesn’t add the supplemental coverage right
away, then each state has a different set of rules and qualifications for the
added insurance, so the rules change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some states allow all people to buy supplemental insurance,
some require an underwriting approval (which generally eliminates anyone with
health issues), and some offer a combination of both. New Hampshire only has
one company offering supplemental insurance without an underwriting hurdle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s expensive for those of us under age 65, but drops to half the monthly cost
on the most complete plan after age 65. As with many of these programs, many
companies (AARP/United Healthcare for instance), is not offered. As someone who
is under 65 and disabled following an amputation (which is why I qualified for
Medicare), it’s virtually impossible to make it through the underwriting
process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A national program would eliminate these
state-to-state-differences, which would be a good thing for many reasons. First,
it would offer the widest selection of supplemental insurance to the widest
number of people and eliminate states that waffle on trying to legislate health
care options within their borders. It would also prevent insurance companies
from cherry picking from the 50 states and ignoring some states. So a national
program would level the playing field.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If everyone was offered the same supplemental insurance
programs no matter where they lived, it would level costs and slow increases.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Medicare for all?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Talk of a national health insurance program, often referred
to as “Medicare for all” is clearly where we are headed, and it is, with
slightly different approaches, where the rest of the world is as well. While we
have the world’s most expensive health care system, our overall care falls
somewhere in the middle of the pack. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
National health care coverage without a state by state process
would eliminate companies from cherry picking some states and ignoring others. (New
Hampshire has stumbled since the beginning, initially launching a state
insurance exchange with just one company, trying to move Medicaid to private
companies and then killing that system before it got off the ground but well
after people had signed up.) Make supplemental insurance options with coverage
similar to what it is now. Some people might not need the supplemental
insurance, for instance higher-income people who can afford the 20 percent
uncovered by standard Medicare.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Add supplemental . . . add foreign coverage . . . add maybe
long term care . . . limit of say $1 million and can add to increase
that. Add dental . . . All can be “supplemental-type” add-ons to
any national coverage . . . That’s much the way people buy private insurance
now and very much like the way corporate insurance and benefit programs are
presented to employees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
That way people get basic coverage but can add what they
want and need and can afford.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Some type of national program is coming . . . It’s
inevitable because the piecemeal system we have now allows to too many care and
cost variations and leaves too many people uninsured, which means they often
enter the system through the emergency room, the most expensive door for
“regular” care. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
We’ll see more merger in the health care industry as
corporations jockey for dominant positions in their fields . . . hospitals,
pharmacies, and doctors . . . but don’t buy into talk about corporations
suffering through ll of this. They won’t. That talk is like a coach talking to
officials about a player on the other team . . . he’s just trying to set up the
game to lean towards his team a bit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
By giving people more control over their health care and
leveling the field nationally, all the while mandating coverage and acceptance
of pre-existing conditions (one of the most important features of the
Affordable Care Act) we can all rest a bit easier that we can pay for the
health care we need and that paying for it won’t bankrupt us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-50690990446192343832016-02-05T03:56:00.000-05:002016-02-05T03:56:24.771-05:00Beware the politicians who claim to embrace the Constitution, but only when it's convenient for them<div class="MsoNormal">
Beware the anti-Constitutionalists, for they shall bend the
truth to suit themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our democracy is difficult. It requires us to let people
with whom we disagree rise up and scream ridiculous stuff we hate. Our
Constitution tells us that’s what we need to do. Our Constitution tells us that
no matter what your religious beliefs (or non-beliefs), we have to respect that
and our government needs to be free of religious encumbrances. Our Constitution
tells us “a militia” can have guns, but does that mean we can buy as many guns
as we want without any restrictions?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In today’s world, politicians love to throw around the
“Constitution,” as in Obama ignores the Constitution . . . or people talking
about background checks are violating our Constitution . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes, politicians who claim to embrace the Constitution
are the first to ignore it . . . Let’s ban Muslims . . . We’ve taken God out of
our government . . . Gay people should be executed, or a marriage is only
between a man and a woman . . . It’s OK to discriminate against people with
whom we disagree . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now . . . with the caucuses and primaries starting, we’re
hearing a lot of rhetoric, much of it hateful and spiteful and fearful, but not
much about how that talk is often at odds with our Constitution. I guess that
shows how fast some people are to embrace tough talk even if it violates our
basic rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are we really willing to keep people from entering America
based on their religion? Do we really want to continually monitor and surveil places
of worship? Do you want your church constantly under surveillance? Again, we're talking about American citizens who happen to have a different faith than you have. Citizens . . . Citizens who should be protected from such intrusion and bigotry by our Constitution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turn it up a notch by saying that Mexicans entering the
country (illegally) are all murderers, rapists and criminals? What’s impact of saying that on Mexicans (or
other immigrants) here legally . . . or even U.S. citizens who came from other
lands? (Gee that sounds like most of us . . . though our ancestors got in
pretty much without restrictions.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The right to bear arms? The Supreme Court has ruled that the
right belongs to individuals, while also ruling that the right is not unlimited
and does not prohibit all regulation of either firearms or similar
devices. State and local government are limited to the same extent as the federal
government from infringing this right per the incorporation of the Bill of
Rights. (Wiki)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1939, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal
government and the states could limit any weapon types not having a
"reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a
well-regulated militia.” (Wiki) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So any talk of “restrictions” on gun ownership as being “anti-Second
Amendment” just really isn’t true, but I’m guessing that most people who shout
about the Second Amendment haven’t read it or aren’t interested in finding out
more about it. It always sounds better just to shout stuff nowadays and see
what sticks. Fear sticks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Constitution, in effect, tells us how to act as a
nation. Combined with our other chief historic documents, like the Bill of
Rights and the Declaration of Independence, we have a framework created by our
founding fathers for a new nation emerging from under the wing of a dominant
power. A power we rebelled against in our fight for independence that cost
thousands of lives. But we still managed to defeat and forge a new country.
Those documents don’t necessarily make things easier for us, and maybe with
some things in an ever-changing world, they make it tougher.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we can’t afford to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Despite all the current political talk, we are a great nation because of our
Constitution and the people that forged it. We speak freely, worship as we
wish, elect people to represent us at every level of government, buy and sell
property and change jobs if we wish, and even manage, at least in theory, to
treat all people equally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of that’s taking a beating now, and we’d best remember
that, too, since it’s easy to discriminate against things and people different
than we are, but we like to think nobody will ever treat us that way. Unless,
of course, we feel it’s in our best interest to claim we’re victims of one sort
or another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s far from a perfect system and we have shown time and
time again that we are anything but a perfect people. We’re all in the same
boat, though, and while we sometimes like to think we’re special, everyone in
that boat matters, and we all do better when we’re rowing in the same direction
. . . as free, equal and thoughtful people willing to understand our history
and not throw it out the window when it becomes inconvenient.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-86205289257932650812016-02-02T07:13:00.000-05:002016-02-02T07:13:33.373-05:00Cruz whacks Trump in Iowa, and Bernie rattles Clinton <div class="MsoNormal">
Ted Cruz takes Iowa in what some are calling an upset, but
insiders say was perfectly called by the Cruz staff based on their solid ground
game and a successful campaign model tailored after Barack Obama’s 2008 run
(which took much of its framework from the George W Bush run in 2000).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Iowa is hardly reflective of the nation at large,
clearly Cruz and his well-managed campaign picks up tons of momentum heading
into the New Hampshire primary, where polls show Donald Trump still holds a
commanding lead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders locked in a virtual
tie with Hillary Clinton after lagging by as much as 50 points a few months
ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Republicans showed up in record numbers, which was supposed
to help Trump, but instead turned out to benefit Cruz. Democrats didn’t pull
record numbers (Obama did that in 2008), but it was enough to pull Sanders even
with the establishment party favorite. While a win would have added to Sanders’
“rolling thunder” enthusiasm, one still has to wonder just how strong Clinton’s
campaign is once one scrapes away the high-profile surface support. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As has been noted in the press, Iowa may be a launching pad
for many campaigns, its population doesn’t reflect the nation as a whole, nor
does it in any way guarantee a presidential win. Only three non-incumbent
politicians won Iowa and went on the win the presidential election . . . Jimmy
Carter (who actually came in second to “undecided”) in 1976, George W. Bush in
2000 and Barack Obama in 2008.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Iowa is pretty vanilla, with a population that is 5.6
percent Hispanic, 3.4 percent black and 2.2 percent Asian (the U.S. as a whole
is 17.4% Hispanic,
13.2% black and 5.4% Asian), the Cruz win will set the tone for the “extreme”
conservative wing of the GOP. Whether that will play to a more diversified
population remains to be seen. It hasn’t in the past. <i>(LA Times)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marco
Rubio’s third-place finish gives some hope to the GOP establishment, but his
flip-flops and dicey finances make him vulnerable to attacks both from members
of his own party as well as Democrats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just
how tough a game is politics? Remember that in 2008, Mike Huckabee took Iowa
with 34 percent of the Republican caucuses (last night he got just 1 percent
and ended his campaign) . . . Rick Santorum took first on the GOP side in 2008
(tied with Mitt Romney), but managed just 1 percent Monday . . . <i>(Wiki)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m
not sure Cruz will close the gap on Trump in New Hampshire. Trump’s WWE-like campaign
(as David Brooks of <i>The New York Times </i>calls
it) has garnered a lot of support here, but will the rise of Cruz and Rubio
steal votes from him. Remember, too, that in New Hampshire, Independent (or
undeclared) voters can vote in either party primary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s
New Hampshire, with the hot lights of massive media coverage and a Town
Hall-based campaign process that will push candidates forward into upcoming
primaries . . . and deliver the kill shot to other campaigns. Chris Christie
and John Kasich need strong showings here to have any chance of moving up the
GOP ladder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It
will all become a bit clearer February 9.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-7041193015774069172016-01-29T19:48:00.002-05:002016-01-29T19:48:28.601-05:00If the candidates were your family, here's who they would be . . . Drink up<div class="MsoNormal">
If the current flock of candidates were family members,
here’s who’d they’d be . . . (Fortunately, I don’t have any family like this,
but I just know you do.) Gather ‘round the table for a
family feast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Donald Trump</i> is
that loud obnoxious uncle who arrives at parties 15 minutes late, wants a
Scotch and soda, but only if you have J&B. “Four cubes,.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Bernie Sanders</i>
always arrives early, asks for a sherry and then sits on the couch telling your
kids stories of his wild days at Berkley, “When everyone was a hippie.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cousin <i>Jeb Bush</i> quietly
sits in that corner chair talking to your college-age kid and encouraging him
to study business because, “That’s where it is today. Not like when I was a kid
and political science was the thing.” He’s a professor now at a small liberal
arts college nestled in the hills of upstate New York.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Hillary Clinton</i> is
the aunt who never got married, never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend and you
used to wonder why, until one day a couple of Thanksgivings ago she laid into
your Dad for “Caring more about your old dog when you got married in 1976 than
you cared about me.” She holds a grudge and is scary, so now you guess why you
never met a boyfriend or a girlfriend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nephew <i>Marco Rubio</i> sips
his Cosmo and brags about how he just “told off” the local selectman at a local
planning and zoning hearing for complaining about a company he consulted with
for wanted to building a plant in wetlands. He’s kind of the snot-nose kid who
was always whining through junior high and then wondered in college why none of
“his old buddies” invited him to join a frat house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uncle <i>Ted Cruz</i> says he wishes
he fought in Iraq, but had to take a deferment because he had allergies. “But
if I was there I sure would have set those Iraqi bastards straight.” He later
served two years as a clerk for a judge and decided he’d go to law school
“because then that would set the stage for my political career and look good on
my resume.” “I’ll take a rye on the rocks.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Poor aunt <i>Carla Fiorina</i>
lost her husband 20 years ago and hasn’t forgiven him for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there’s <i>Martin O'Malley</i>, the friendly uncle who lets
the party swirl around him, talking to your Dad and others quietly as the
cocktail hour goes on, touching base with each guest and asking them how they’re
doing without too much talk about himself. His second wife is 20 years younger
than he is, so you figure he says all the right things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess most every family has a <i>Chris Christie</i> . . . a boisterous first cousin who wants you to know
exactly what he’s doing this week and why it’s very important. He runs an auto
reclamation business and “has never let anyone get away with giving him any
crap. I let them know just how stupid they are.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re not sure, but you think your wife’s cousin <i>Ben Carson</i> may have taken a few too many
drugs while in college. He’s very quiet, but makes sure to tell you the movie Predator
was actually a documentary based on a book he wrote about the hottest summer
ever in South America.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Mike Huckabee</i>, <i>Rick Santorum</i> and <i>Rand Paul</i> are brothers (your Mom's second cousins) who always sit at a side table drinking
Merlot while they complain nobody pays any attention to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your wife's uncle <i>John Kasich</i> wears a slightly rumpled grey jacket over a crisply pressed white Oxford tucked
into well-worn jeans and seems happy drinking gin and tonics any time of year (“Could
I have a little extra lime, please?”), though you have had a single malt or two
with him over the years. He loves any part of the turkey that's left after everyone
else has called out white or dark meat, bathes his mashed potatoes in gravy and
lives near his old neighborhood in a multi-million-dollar house he had built
after he sold his tech company 10 years ago. He never brags and spends every
Sunday morning at a local soup kitchen feeding those who never had a tech
company or live in expensive houses. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Jim Gilmore</i> is
your Dad’s half-brother, runs a construction business and can’t figure out why
there are any government regulations at all. “Damn government does nothing but
screw everything up.” He doesn’t know any gay people but doesn’t like them, and
your Dad threw him out of the July 4 party last year because he
started ranting about gay marriage. They still don’t talk much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sure is a gathering when they’re all here . . . Wives,
husbands, kids and a bunch of friends. Mom always calls it a free-for-all, and
I guess that’s pretty accurate. Personally, I love the gatherings, but I do try
to spend a bit more time making sure we have plenty of booze before they all
arrive . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-33285862112339265562016-01-22T12:26:00.000-05:002016-01-22T18:23:14.077-05:00My Politics: Where I stand, and 9 ways the current crop of politicians has lost me <div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a 60-year-old white guy, former Wall Street vice
president, one-time small business owner who grew up in a Republican household,
raised by strong parents, including a father who ran a major corporation and a
mother who gave up her professional life to raise two kids. I've voted for both Republicans and Democrats since I was 18 years old.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgtz1SnsdBdOtxvB3870HufA-bV2_oDGQ1is3iKlmDnJ6SnOe8URwZXJ2X7RmAj7NMg0wiB7yGa59SVM1xKiM2IHqrsZjMcLG1b9mna1HKMkGpnnn-OkM9SdShJYb7ylySX_2jnXLVLE/s1600/FlagImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgtz1SnsdBdOtxvB3870HufA-bV2_oDGQ1is3iKlmDnJ6SnOe8URwZXJ2X7RmAj7NMg0wiB7yGa59SVM1xKiM2IHqrsZjMcLG1b9mna1HKMkGpnnn-OkM9SdShJYb7ylySX_2jnXLVLE/s320/FlagImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
If there was ever a guy the Republicans should target, it’s
me. But they’ve missed by a mile. I fear that a segment of the Republican Party
is, in many ways, becoming dangerous as we head to the primaries. The world is changing and the dinosaurs are long gone, except in the GOP. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Democrats remain pretty much uninspiring as well, moving
in and out of mediocre policies that seem more designed to pander to their base
as much as the Republicans are pandering to theirs. The Democrats, though, have
failed to fire up their base the same way Trump and Cruz have roiled theirs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By
nature, politicians lack courage, and nobody seems especially courageous here .
. . just either loud or rather bland. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Here are 9 Thoughts . . .<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>First</i>, I considerate myself a moderate, that dying breed of
voter who feels comfortable in the middle of the road advocating lower
government spending while also managing to think government does have a
valuable role in America, even if politicians can’t manage to get out of their
own way. I think one of the primary goals of government should be to "do no harm," so I support programs that protect people, water, air and our land.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Second</i>, I do believe that politicians pander to the wealthy,
have created and endorse an unfair tax system, are heavily influenced by money
and lobbyists and often oblivious to the real-life issues facing millions of
Americans. I do not believe we should move towards a “Robin Hood” tax structure
where we take from the rich, but rather a tax system that honors, supports and
lifts the middle class without penalizing people for their growth, success and financial
well-being. That may mean tax breaks for education, increased retirement
programs, better mandated health care programs and an investment tax system that
favors long-term investment over short term trading (including a shift in how
hedge fund companies are taxed).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Third</i>, I think companies need to be penalized if they move
operations overseas, and rewarded if they keep operations (and jobs) here.
Companies are using mergers to move headquarters overseas to avoid U.S. taxes.
Offer a limited time tax amnesty to bring tax money back here before
eliminating offshore loopholes, then close the loopholes. Reward companies for
building new plants here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mandate that companies fully fund their pensions and
retirement programs, eliminating those liabilities and better protecting older
workers. Lower the top corporate tax rate to 25 percent (from 35 percent), but
change write-off rules so companies can’t avoid paying any taxes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fourth</i>, I fully support term limits for all federally
elected politicians. What’s reasonable? Maybe 3 Senate terms (12 years
potentially) and 5 terms for members of the House (10 years). In many cases
corporations have mandatory retirement (usually at age 65) for their executives
. . . Time to clear the hanger’s on out of Congress. It has been said that
anyone spending more than 10 years in any given job has stayed too long. I
agree. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fifth</i>, we need to reduce the money influence on politicians
and shine a much brighter light on their contributors and the contributors to
PACs (Political Action Committees) and Super PACs. We should know who gives what to whom . . . There should
be no curtain hiding campaign financing or shielding contributors. Shine the
light. I want to know who pours millions of dollars into political campaigns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Sixth</i>, I completely and unwaveringly support marriage
equality. I have friends and family who are gay, and why on earth would I deny
them the same rights and privileges I enjoy? Further, I believe we need to make
sure all people have the same rights here . . . access to housing, medical
care, non-discriminatory laws and regulations, etc. If we continue to generate laws that
purposely discriminate against certain groups of people, then that’s shame on
us. (And shows our narrow-mindedness and belief that we will never be
discriminated against. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes for once.)<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Seventh</i>, I do believe there is a war on women . . . both in
the job marketplace and with women’s health care. Just look at the facts . . .
continued failure to mandate equal pay for equal work to start, as well as the continued assault on Planned Parenthood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? I am offended that some old white guy in Washington can tell my daughters what to do with their bodies. Politicians’ never-ending attempts to put themselves between a woman and her
doctor, including trying to mandate invasive fetal monitors . . . requiring patients to watch
videos before considering an abortion, the closing of clinics and the constant
attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, which would leave millions of people,
mostly women, without access to affordable care. We need to move past these
issues, and certainly older white mostly male Republicans need to move way off this
issue.<br />
<br />
<i>Eighth</i>, I simply don't understand why anyone would vote for fewer laws overseeing the safety of our water and air. I favor strong environmental protections, and point to the current crisis in Flint, Michigan, as a warning shot to ever bigger environmental issues. The fact that politicians changed the city water supply source, which in turn led to the lead exposure and poisoning of thousands of residents merely because they wanted to save money, and never tested the supply, is, one could reasonable argue, criminal. We have similar issues with pollution of our ground water supply in fracking areas and around mining regions. People have the right to demand their politicians keep them safe, and that includes making sure their air and water is safe. Politicians need to put their people first, before business interests that oil their political aspirations. Clean air, water and food supply.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Ninth, </i>(and last for the time being), let’s not forget that
politics is a contact sport and we need to make sure we’re part of the game.
Write, talk, debate, use your brain and make sure you’re supporting someone not
shouting the loudest, but who best aligns with your political beliefs. Don’t
fall for easy answers and social media rants and “news,” but learn, follow, be
critical and demand better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far, so disappointing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the Republican candidates make Barry Goldwater and
George Wallace look like raging liberals, and while I might be able to warm to
a couple of them, I choke on the right turn needed to make it through the
bloody GOP primary gauntlet. The party is in trouble. They’ve lowered their own bar
very low. These are not the "conservatives" of days past. These are fake conservatives more than willing to throw aside the Constitution while they pretend to embrace it . . . fake "conservatives" who shout a lot but offer little thought and insight. Too bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Hillary Clinton is an option, her sense of
entitlement, measured campaigning and inability to handle her email/server
issues may overshadow her middle-of-the-road policy positions. She carries huge
negative numbers. Barry Sanders is probably the only candidate, whether you
agree with him on anything or not, who has steered the same course for years
and years, seldom wavering in his positions and not speaking to impress and
score points (though that’s always the goal when you need votes), but rather to
spread his “every man” mantra. Might be interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s “only” January, but the primaries and caucuses start soon
. . . Virtually every pundit in the world thought Trump would implode well
before now . . . They thought that it would happen in July . . . then August .
. . It’s January and he’s not only still in the race, he’s well ahead of his
competition. He hasn't said one thing that sounds like a policy, and people actually believe him when he says Mexico will pay for his wall across the southern border.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-4726500919410585682016-01-16T08:21:00.000-05:002016-01-16T08:21:01.650-05:00Pizza . . . great party food and a crusty food delivery system<div class="MsoNormal">
Pizza is the ultimate party food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh sure, if you’re having a fancy pants party it may not do
. . . better a more upscale spread, but a bunch pf friends over for game, and pizza’s perfect. Now the thing is .
. . what kind of pizza?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In college, we used to spend some time at The Depot, a
re-purposed train station outside Oneonta where they served a great pan pizza,
cut into square pieces with a pretty thin crust. Like most college towns, there
were plenty of pizza places, though bars were the dominant business in town, so
many you couldn’t walk a few steps without passing a couple of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyZzKLbFxbkcq1FbrYakkXQYhyqUEOFqZG35DydviuzeGgKiQZlEDWLSP7z12IcFYzM6ghFUBDoQQ6xr7nW_MH7yLssl7L1Zt3NWt3fU0CEm0iSi_DcZsrC6Wg5RjKP9WN0-s88j7Z_k/s1600/pizza-italian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyZzKLbFxbkcq1FbrYakkXQYhyqUEOFqZG35DydviuzeGgKiQZlEDWLSP7z12IcFYzM6ghFUBDoQQ6xr7nW_MH7yLssl7L1Zt3NWt3fU0CEm0iSi_DcZsrC6Wg5RjKP9WN0-s88j7Z_k/s200/pizza-italian.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Chain pizza joints like Pizza Hut and Dominos make the
choice easy, though maybe not the best option when compared to the local
joints. Let’s say they are the middle of the road pizza places. Pizza Hut does
manage some pretty good wings. I’ve never had Papa’s or Caesar’s. With pizza,
delivery is important and though Pizza Hut here doesn’t deliver, they do have a
drive-through, so that works if you’re on the go. Dominos just opened a place
here (they used to have a place in a different mini strip mall) and they
deliver. I like that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a couple of good local places in town, Ramunto’s, Out
of the Ordinary, and Tremont Pizza. All have good pies, and Ramunto’s has one
of my favorites, a chicken, broccoli, bacon pizza with caramelized onions and a Ranch sauce. It’s a go-to [izza order if Becky visits. (Her regular go-to is
feta . . . anything feta . . . and pepperoni.) Tremont has a solid pie that I ordered for a
group when I was at Valley Regional rehabbing. A few pies and patients and some
staff gathered for a little get together. I liked that. As I said, party food.
Tremont delivers in town, but not out where I am. Out of the Ordinary does
deliver (and quickly) . . . pizza and a pretty full non-pizza-place menu.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My usual pick is a pie with pepperoni, onion and mushrooms.
That’s pretty easy for most places and tough to screw up. As I said, Ramunto’s
and their new Ramunto’s Fast Fire are both pretty good at showcasing specialty
pizzas. A bit pricey, but good. One friend likes the old Hawaiian pizza option from a number of places with
chicken and pineapple . . . Barbecue chicken pizza can also be pretty good depending in the barbecue sauce<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I lived in Greenwich, we’d often order a large Sicilian pie with pepperoni and extra cheese from Glenville
Pizza. Great thick crust
and perfectly cooked every time. It was an eat-in, pick-up place, and parking
on the little strip of severely sloped pavement off the road was a bit hairy at
times, but that pizza sure was worth it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pizza crust has become a big thing over the years.
Apparently it’s not enough just to make good dough and crust, but now chains
are packing their crusts with cheese or meat, lathering it with garlic oil or sprinkling
it with oil and coarse salt. Thick, thin, really thing or hand-tossed pan
pizzas are the norm now. They all have appeal depending on my mood, but more
often than not, I end up ordering a thin crust . . . more topping stuff and
less crust stuff . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Yep, no doubt about it, pizza’s a cheap fix even on an
important date, or watching a game or filling the house with friends. Take your
pick . . . There seems to be no limit to the options.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-2502840737589748472016-01-12T14:59:00.002-05:002016-01-12T14:59:25.278-05:00Here’s why you skinny people need us big people<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m fat, and you skinny people need me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am the yin to your yang, your large human foil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You need us because we make you feel better about
yourselves. While many of us are insecure about our size, that helps us see
things that you don’t. You need us because with one or two of us in your
clique, we offer a visual and obvious physical difference to your perceived
healthiness and physique.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s good, because even though your often narcissistic
social media postings and activities offer an outwardly strong and confident
self-view, we large people know better. We know that you are often insecure as
well, and use those bold photos and posts to cover that, like the form-fitting
spandex with which you encase your body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You should be proud of your body. We live in a visual world,
where our first look sets the gauges for our future interactions with that
person, so your svelteness gives us a good first look. Your frailties and flaws
take a bit longer to notice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ours are easy to see . . . We look around nervously when we
enter a restaurant to see where we can fit, make sure there’s enough space
between the table and seating in a booth, or glancing at the chairs to make
sure they are sturdy enough to hold us without giving up the ghost, straining
glued joints and dowels to the breaking point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of us are actually happy and understand that being
overweight is not a disease in and of itself, but a long series of maybe
not-so-good choices we made. You, of course, don’t get that, because your egos
don’t allow you to see that for many there’s a life-long struggle to harness
our inner thinner person . . . We eat too much, often eat the wrong things,
don’t exercise enough and hope we can get into our summer clothes when we
change wardrobes with the season. Winter’s not so bad because we can throw on
layers of large, bulky shirts, sweaters and coats. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There you are in your little too-short-shorts and advanced,
high-tech fabric tank top, a touch too willing to take a selfie before you hit
the beach, or track, or bike or gym. We often take photos of food. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But there is a sameness to us. While we’re a bit more aware
of the world around us and better understand the many struggles people face, we
both have emotional ups and downs, ebbs and flows. We may show it more, and you
may turn away and not want anyone to see you flinch, though some of you have
little understanding of human difficulties, since you feel you have none or
have overcome those you did have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You should be proud of that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re proud, too . . . sometimes even about our weight. We
may have lost a ton, but are still big, large, obese or fat, but we feel good
giving away bags of too-big clothes, and even better when we find a couple of
pairs of jeans in the closet that are a foot bigger at the waist than the ones
we now wear. Those are little battles . . . and ones we sometimes fight over
and over, which is why we have our “now” clothes, our “thin” clothes and our
“fat” clothes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s funny you don’t like watching “Biggest Loser” since
here are a bunch of big folks trying hard to be thinner and more fit folks. It
would seem there’s no pleasing you. After all, “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race”
and others are filled with handsome, fit people. So even when big people work
hard to get fit and do what you brag about doing, you get upset because you
think fat people are getting praised for doing stuff you do every day. Get over
it. They are on a journey. You’re free to go on your own journey so people can
criticize you. It’s easy to be critical, harder to take the time and look
beyond the obvious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course we’re smart, focused and thoughtful, and that’s
why we understand why you need us. We’re the fat girl in the group of skinny
girls, the fat guy in the group of skinny guys. We’ll argue that showing skinny
models to sell clothes is dumb because most women don’t fall into that size 0
to 2, that selling us 2 airplane seats is great because then we don’t have to
hear your bitching or see your frightened glances as you check your seat
assignment to make sure you’re not next to us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s OK. We’re used to be fat-shamed on Facebook or some
other social media outlet, even though that drives some of us to kill ourselves
because it cuts so deeply. We may not always be comfortable with our shells,
but many of us become comfortable with who we are. We should be a bit thinner and more
fit, of course, and we should eat better and exercise more than we do. You can
inspire us at times and can offer us guidance and inspiration, but drop the
condescending, sympathetic counselling tone first. Understand the struggle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So often it's not that your skinny or braggingly fit, but that you take on a condescending when you talk to us. We're not beneath you . . . though we are to some of you. Stop trying to counsel us. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d rather applaud some size 16 single mother in
her sweats struggle to jog those last few hundred yards than some righteous
bitch flashing her fake boobs in a sports bra at the local 5k starting line. That mom
is on a journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-58062124804287829172016-01-08T02:55:00.000-05:002016-01-08T02:58:50.900-05:00Suicide . . . We need to better understand and commit more resources to mental health<div class="MsoNormal">
You ever think about killing yourself?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of us have, and yet we are still here, which got me to
wondering why reasonably “normal” people kill themselves. I understand mental
disorders are often a major influence, and I am certainly no expert on any of this,
but it always has mystified me, in a way, how people can think things are so
bleak that they decide to end their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We read every day about people shooting other people . . . but
there’s really a suicide epidemic in the U.S., where some 43,000 people kill
themselves every year. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S,
with a suicide reported every 12 minutes. Over the past 10 years (to 2014), the
rate of suicide has increased to 12.9 per 100,000 people in the U.S. (CDC) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In researching and talking to people about suicide, it seems
clear that sometimes people just can’t see a way out of their trouble, or they
feel their lives are over after a breakup and can’t see a future without their
former love, or they’re bullied and shamed and can no longer take the abuse.
Social media has brought issues of shaming and bullying into the homes and
schools of millions of kids across the country . . . a relentless 24-hour stream
of online hate and vitriol. (Reading about a young women who killed herself also
prompted me to write this.) Seniors, especially white men, are far more likely
to commit suicide than any other group . . . White men 85 and older have a
suicide rate that is six times that of the overall national rate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interestingly, more than four times as many men (on average)
as women die by suicide; but women attempt suicide more often during their
lives than do men, and women report higher rates of depression. Suicide is the
3rd leading cause of death in people age 15 to 24. (CDC)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In talking with suicide hotline people, a rise in drug use
has added to the issues that make people feel trapped and unable to escape
their situation. In talking to friends and family, that feeling of being “trapped”
was seen as a major reason the people they knew killed themselves . . . Many of
us have friends or family who killed themselves. That feeling of being trapped came up
again and again in conversations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, my first passing thought came when I was in the
midst of a divorce, and believed that my failure in what was supposed to be the
most important thing in my life was a complete personal disaster and the end of
a life I/we had planned. That overwhelmed me. It would have been so easy to
simply drive into a bridge abutment. For some people, those feelings never go
away, they just can’t see past now . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I’m oversimplifying it all, (and not deeply
addressing the many causes of suicide), but sometimes we just can’t see what’s
going on with other people . . . A kid feeling trapped at home by his parents .
. . or a young girl struggling with her self-image and being bullied because
she’s a bit “different” from some other kids . . .The texts and postings never
stop, whether she’s at home or out or in school, relentlessly driving her to
the point where she feels there’s no escape . . . An older person depressed
that their health is failing . . . A young girl struggling with an eating
disorder wrestles with her body image, slips into depression and kills herself.
While the light has better illuminated disorders like bulimia, now better
addressing the underlying issues than a decade ago, we need to continue to look for the root causes of disorders like bulimia.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Some people with attention deficit disorders kill themselves in what experts call "impulsive" suicides . . . an apparent spur of the moment decision, adding to the difficulties in prevention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find myself troubled when I don’t have a neat conclusion
as to why someone takes his or her own life . . . Why did a former co-worker of
mine step off a train platform in front of a speeding train? Or why did a
relative I remember as a great little kid take his Dad’s gun, go into the
bathroom and blow his brains out when he was a teenager? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve come a long way towards better understand some issues,
depression among them, and yet we are still shocked when this happens simply
because we didn’t see our friends or family members as being depressed. Years ago
nobody talked about the burden many vets face when they return home. Now we
better understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have started to
make sure we are counseling and intervening with vets and others to help them
see a way back to a more normal life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristina-kaufmann/collateral-damage_b_8701522.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristina-kaufmann/collateral-damage_b_8701522.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s estimated that 30 to 35 percent of the 2.7 million
soldiers who have served since 9/11 (2001) are dealing with some form of stress
disorder, brain injury or drug abuse and the impact on not only them, but their
families is devastating. Some experts think it's higher than that. (HuffPost)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we do know is we don’t know enough . . . We need to pay
attention, be there always for our children and friends. I know that people who
kill themselves often don’t understand that they are surrounded by people who
love them and would do anything to stop their plunge into suicide if only they
had the chance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our world is filled with people who struggle . . . Soldiers,
kids, the elderly, your neighbor . . . We need to make sure they know we are
there if they need us. Sit and listen carefully. Some of us may have gotten
depressed or down, but were able to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Others just can’t. Little signs can be cause for concern and we need to better understand those. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need to dedicate more resources, locally and nationally,
private and governmental, to helping those people and showing them that they
are living a life well worth living.<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-31156336823652401682016-01-06T02:33:00.000-05:002016-01-06T14:05:20.355-05:00We'd best wise up or we'll end up with an unqualified idiot in the White House<div class="MsoNormal">
When did we get so dumb?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do we applaud when a political candidate ridicules a
potential opponent for taking a bathroom break? Why do we cheer when a
politician says he’d stop Muslims from entering the country? Why is it OK for
politicians to rail against the persecution of one religious group and not the
persecution of another? What good does it do to advocate the elimination of a
health care system with no idea of how to replace it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh . . . and on and on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’re dumb and lazy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cheer those things now that help soothe our fear, and
often visceral hate for not only the current President, but also those who may
be different than us. A black President, who has, despite proving to be a
pretty moderate head of state, continues to draw the ire of Republicans on the
right, often simply because of the color of his skin. No? Then please explain
to me what policies, specifically, he favored that you oppose. Not in a rhetorical
sense . . . but factually. In reality, and out of the political campaign
disorder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people aren’t happy with the Affordable Care Act, of
course, in part because some saw their premiums go up and their coverage
change. Yep, some premiums went up (as they always do with insurance), and some
coverage changed. One of the biggest changes was that no longer could insurance
companies drop a person because they get sick or prevent them from getting
insurance because of pre-existing conditions. The ACA has enabled more than 8
million people to get insurance coverage, pulling most of them out of expensive
emergency room visits. The program is far from perfect and should be nipped and
tucked to broaden its base, trim costs and encourage not only more people to
enter the system, but also encourage states and insurance companies to expand
health care options and providers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those fundamentally opposed to any sort of national
health care program, I’d remind them that Medicare is a single-payer program,
and the one upon which most private insurance companies base their coverage. By
taking down obstructionist regulations (like preventing coverage from one state
to another or trying to limit expansion of the health care exchanges), the
health care system will evolve into one that will offer better overall coverage
to more people. We have had the most expensive health care system in the world
but fall way down the list in overall care, (37th) well behind countries like
Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Norway, the United Kingdom and others, according
to the World Health Organization. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be a mistake to tear apart a system without
offering something better, and we need to look around the world and see what
works elsewhere, not just assume we do everything better than everyone else . .
. since that’s obviously not the case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let the facts speak . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We love politicians who say we have become weak, or an
embarrassment around the world. That’s rhetoric. Tell me how. Then tell me what
you’d do to make it better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Specifically, not some “Well, we’d get the best managers in
the world. I know how to get things done.” That’s not a policy or position.
That’s fluff, designed to appeal to our dumbness. Offering no information or
insight, just words meant to soothe us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moderation is hard to find amongst the GOP candidates this
year . . . Banning Muslims (while apparently ignoring the Muslims serving in
our military or other Muslim citizens), claims that Islam is not protected
under the First Amendment, promises to ignore Supreme Court rulings that he (Huckabee)
feels aren’t in keeping with God’s laws, carpet bombing Syrian cities to
destroy ISIS, anti-science positions that include spreading anti-vaccine myths,
opposing abortion without any exceptions, or returning to a gold standard that
would be impossible in today’s worldwide financial markets, offer tax plans
that give breaks to the wealthy and corporations but offer little consideration
to the middle class, oppose equal pay for women or raising the minimum wage,
and seem to have nothing to say about the nation’s growing economic
inequalities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So they make up fights where there really are no fights.
Scream anti-government rants without any factual backing, and focus on
addressing emotional or perceived problems rather than real ones. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we’re dumb, so we don’t bother to scrape away at the claims
and look a bit deeper. Politicians, particularly Donald Trump, has tapped into angry
white America. While so-called conservatives don’t like any budget compromises,
they ignore the past when Republicans controlled all three branches of
government and raised the budget, deficit and overall national debt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But now it’s blame, blame, blame.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who will be blame when Obama’s out of office? Hillary if she
wins? Sure, even though she’s a pretty mainstream politician, offering standard
lines on Democratic issues and little in the way of off-the-path ideas. Bernie
certainly has been consistent over the years, but will his “free college,” or
tax plans draw much fire from opponents? Bernie the non-establishment candidate
in a Democratic Party filled with establishment candidates, and Trump is a non-establishment
candidate in a Republican Party filled with a cluster of non-establishment
candidate who this far have been carving up the establishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In August, we wrote . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Don’t shake your
head, Trump is headed to the White House.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Fear of The Donald is
tempering news coverage, and he's driving the Republican campaign bus.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> So we have
Donald Trump, in part the result of a weak party struggling to find its voice,
despite being dealt favorable hand after favorable hand. He rises out of a huge
field that was said to be broad and strong. Trump, the polished chrome hotel
guy, stands head and shoulders above the pack. He is outdistancing the herd by
tons. He’s killing his rivals, whether you think he’s a serious candidate or
not . . . he’s headed for primary win after primary win, according to the
current polls.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we’ve stayed pretty dumb, soaking up the stupid rhetoric
and ignoring issues that are important to all of us, like health care, jobs,
the economy, taxes and a changing military.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope we can get back on track. Trump may be leading the
Republican polling, but we’ll see how he does when the caucuses and primaries
start. Will we stay dumb through the whole process, or will we start to demand
more from our candidates . . . more of what makes a leader worthy of leading
America? Right now we’re embracing candidates who are neither worthy of
representing their once great party nor of leading this great nation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-60164213254638551922016-01-02T20:46:00.003-05:002016-01-02T20:46:33.988-05:00An open letter to my shameful NH House of Representatives<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This post is a little different . . . But unfortunately it's my reaction to a political back and forth here in New Hampshire that got too personal, which seems to happen way too often in today's political arenas. We elect these people to represent us, not stand up and talk about a female colleague's breasts.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The link to one of the articles, one of my Facebook comments, and my letter to the Speaker of the New Hampshire State House of Representative follows. I haven't written a snail-mail letter to a public official in some time, but this kind of behavior by our public officials (not just in my state but across the country), has reached a new low . . . or several new lows. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-hampshire-house-nipples-breastfeeding_568437bce4b0b958f65b19d6">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-hampshire-house-nipples-breastfeeding_568437bce4b0b958f65b19d6</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On Facebook, <i>I commented in this earlier . . . It's clear
we need umpires in politics today who will put idiots like this in a penalty
box when then say incredibly stupid things like . . . 'No disrespect but
your nipple would be the last one I would want to see' to a NH female
state representative colleague . . . or . . . 'If it's a woman's natural inclination
to pull her nipple out in public and you support that,' NH State Rep. Josh
Moore wrote, 'than you should have no problem with a mans inclantion [sic]
to stare at it and grab it. After all... It's ALL relative and natural,
right?'</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Where the hell do these idiots come from? Do they not have wives,
female friends and daughters? They should be publicly humiliated by having to
stand in a public square and repeat . . . "Women are people, too, and they
deserve to be respected." for 3 days . . . My mind is exploding thinking
about how someone who claims to represent the people in this state could say
something so ignorant.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January 1, 2016<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaker Shawn N. Jasper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Hampshire State House of Representatives<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. Jasper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am appalled, embarrassed and angry at the recent comments
made by Rep. Josh Moore and Rep. Al Baldasaro regarding women and would
strongly recommend they be reprimanded and sanctioned by the House.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their comments regarding Rep. Amanda Bouldin were sexist,
abusive, ignorant and completely out of place in the public forum that at least
presumes to represent the people of New Hampshire. There is no excuse for such
comments and no excuse for their ignorance and Neanderthal-like attitude
towards not only Rep. Bouldin, but all women. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact that they feel they said nothing wrong, is further
evidence of their ignorance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the father of two adult daughters, how can I tell them we
live in a world where they are treated as equals to any man when two of my
State Representatives obviously don’t agree with that? How can I tell my
grandsons that it isn’t OK for them to bully and speak badly to girls when my
State Representatives do that? How can I encourage young people to be fair and
open minded when my State Representatives aren’t? When my State Representative
bring shame upon the entire political process by standing up in public and
shouting down a colleague simply because she is female, how do you expect your
constituents to respect you and what you do?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s no wonder politicians are viewed as immoral hacks
focused more on their own narrow political interests than those of all the
people they represent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I encourage all members of the New Hampshire House of
Representatives (and Senate) to take a step into the modern world and eliminate
this kind of misogynistic attitude among our elected officials. These two men
should be reprimanded, sanctioned and publicly apologize for their words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s well past time when this type of behavior is
acceptable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope my State Representatives can move into 2016 with a
better attitude and a less childish stance on issues that should be important
to us all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ll be watching.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steve Brophy<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-86117424351279537352015-12-31T07:10:00.000-05:002015-12-31T13:38:04.181-05:00A few personal thoughts and (little) goals for a New Year<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess we all make resolutions at one time or another . . .
It sure seems the thing to do New Year’s Eve. Can I avoid making "resolutions" and instead offer a few thoughts on things that are important to me next year and maybe a few things I hope to accomplish? (Don't get all excited, they're pretty unexciting and perhaps mundane, but I'm owning them, such as they are.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what’s on my mind entering a new year? Here’s are 7
thoughts . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll start by stating the obvious . . . I want to stay
healthy this year and avoid hospitals. It sure seems that if hospitals were
timeshares and I had a piece of that action, I’d get my money’s worth out of it
. . . I’d rather avoid that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. So I’ll eat better and exercise more, increase the walking
and lift more weights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The house is my castle. The bedroom has been rearranged,
living room and kitchen areas are good, but the office remains a disaster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. That office cleanup will be finished in 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As my de-cluttering continues, I’ll pare things down a bit .
. . That means some books, dvds, art and random collections (maybe even some
comic books) will go. More books to the senior home and the troops, and a few
things on Craigslist. All my salt water fishing things went this year, but the
freshwater gear is set.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. That means some more fishing in 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve always enjoyed photography . . . whether in college shooting
mostly spots, or working at the paper and covering breaking news or features
for my articles. More of that in 2016 . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Travel with a camera and make sure to always think of photo
ops, no matter where I’m going or what I’m doing. Take more photos and work to
take better photos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My garden has become a real pleasure for me. All on my newly
expanded deck in a variety of containers and planting tables, my little garden
explodes with bright colors at the end of the summer as tomatoes and peppers
turn from green to red, yellow and orange. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Plant fewer varieties in 2016 and increase production of
veggies I can dry, freeze and preserve. And grow a better flower containers to
attract more bees and hummingbirds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with that goes some more canning . . . Jam in 2016, as
well as the pepper relish and pepper jelly I did this year . . . Applesauce
from my trees was good and we’ll do that again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Write more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did that this year with my blog, but I need to finish <i>(Book
One) Anika . . . Rise of a Warrior</i> (I’ve found my emotional ups and downs and
comings and goings play a major role in how much of that I’ve worked on.) . . .
Time to wrap it up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. Finally, I’ll always try to look for the “half full” in
everything. Disengage with the negative people in your life. Negativity tears
us apart over time, and I do believe that sending out positive vibes has a
positive effect on other people and events. Surprise people . . . pay for
someone’s meal . . . pay something forward in even a small way . . . Enjoy your
life . . . Smile and laugh a lot, and love the people around you with all your
heart . . .<br />
<br />
Those are my hopes for 2016 . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy New Year . . . Raise a glass . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-43447191181356329142015-12-26T05:01:00.000-05:002015-12-26T05:01:56.110-05:00When will we start caring more about what we do and less about what other people do?<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Will we ever reach the point where we say, “She’s a dancer”
instead of, “She’s a black dancer.”? “He’s a Christian, you know.” Does it
matter if he’s a “gay chef” or just a chef? Why?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve found that I just really don’t care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If someone’s good at what they do, then that’s really all
that matters, not whether they’re white, black, Asian, green or purple,
straight, gay, undecided, Republican or Democrat. And even if someone’s not
particularly good at something, some descriptors just don’t matter to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She’s a great chef.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s fabulous dancer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What he or she does in the bedroom is really none of my
business. If someone cares to share that information, fine. That’s different.
We’re living in a world with an active 24-hour news cycle where wars rage,
refugees flee, kids are murdered, families starve and people can’t afford their
medicine . . . and yet we spend more time worrying about Kim Kardashian’s tits
and ass than we do about any of that other stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are a society of voyeurs. We want to know every little
juicy detail about everyone else, especially celebrities . . . Reality TV,
online celebrity glamour sites, and sites tracking every celebrity move ever
made . . . Who’s sleeping with whom? Why is he going out with her? Isn’t he
gay? I didn’t know he was gay. Oh I love that water bottle that celebrity is
using.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we admire fake boobs and tight shorts, as well as hunky
shirtless hunks, but why are we taking all of that so seriously? Why aren’t we
paying less attention to the little things like celebrity and other people’s
sex lives than we are? Why do we focus on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation
and what some famous person is doing more than on what we are doing?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Just seems strange to me . . . at times titillating, but all
consuming? It sure seems so at times.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-70982422000370227982015-12-21T22:22:00.000-05:002015-12-21T22:28:06.691-05:00Take a minute every day to think about how lucky you are<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
As I approach the 3-year anniversary of losing my leg,
it’s kind of funny to think of some of the changes it has made me face. I always get a bit contemplative and reflective around the New Year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I'll always acknowledge I was lucky . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky a friend called a friend who called the police to
check on me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky I was prodded (that may be a gentle way of putting it) after
declining the EMT request to take me to the emergency room the night before. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky it wasn't worse and that I survived the trip to the ER and the transfer
to Dartmouth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky they made me better. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky the systemic infection hadn't
penetrated deeper and further into my right leg. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky to be surrounded by my
friends and family.<br />
Lucky to have two daughters who, along with a friend, bore much of the brunt of my health crash.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky to have been able to come home with a prosthesis
after rehab. There was a lot of thought I wouldn't make it back, but I always
saw home, for better or worse, as my safe zone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky to have been able to
learn how to drive with hand controls, and lucky to have a daughter willing to
test drive cars and make sure I could get in and out of them before I could
drive myself. Lucky to have a friend who stuck by me through all that and
remains my warrior guardian angel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Lucky to be here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemLHznpSvhYsl7Zn6NOdL5O6imBg2pxjUt-f8ESOjsxGJuk7GcBy4u7B6nQRdxh4ZaYAttEVHW3siTpFtWqXeGIA-_SrJ3KfzRRTn_Vs31HKqEp9mP0Qj6JWC4hAXFCL6ljbw556Uo_I/s1600/IMG_20151113_124054120_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemLHznpSvhYsl7Zn6NOdL5O6imBg2pxjUt-f8ESOjsxGJuk7GcBy4u7B6nQRdxh4ZaYAttEVHW3siTpFtWqXeGIA-_SrJ3KfzRRTn_Vs31HKqEp9mP0Qj6JWC4hAXFCL6ljbw556Uo_I/s200/IMG_20151113_124054120_HDR.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
I think of those things and many more every time I take off my fake leg. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The stump, or "residual limb" as it is nobly called. Remains something
like an unfinished sentence . . . just dangling there with no end. No ankle and
foot to complete it. Instead, the remaining bit of leg is covered with a
urethane sleeve, then a carbon fiber shell that snaps into the base of the
sleeve . . . stainless steel and titanium pieces fit together in a kind of a
non-moving ankle continuing down and tucked into a synthetic foot. The whole
thing is a mockery of a real leg, of course, but it does provide the ability to
walk. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Underneath, though, is just that stump. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I remember the recovery room after my amputation. The calm
hustle and bustle of the nurses checking patients at various stages of
recovery. My sheet and covers sagging to the mattress where they should have
been draped over my leg. It was strange to see that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Not shocking or upsetting, just strange at that point. The die had been
cast days earlier. Losing part of the leg was inevitable. The question was,
"how much of the leg," and the answer was a bit unclear. I fought it
a bit, opting for a couple of surgeries to try and abrade the dying foot, but
it was clear that wasn't a solution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
So I'm lucky. I'm home. I have a wonderful family and
fabulous friends. I am lucky to have a guardian angel here on earth who protects me . . . sometimes from myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I wish everyone a very happy holiday season, a Merry Christmas
and a wonderful New Year. Take a minute each and every day to think about how
lucky you are. How truly blessed you are. Never lose sight of that . . . even
when things look gray and dark, rejoice in what you have.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Just think how lucky you are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
I do. Every damn day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-41584205590048509662015-12-18T11:29:00.000-05:002015-12-18T11:29:17.138-05:00Consider the fruitcake (or not) in all its celebratory glory<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider the fruit cake</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People love them. People hate them. I happen to like a good
fruit cake. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But year in and year out, millions of them are sold, which
disproves the old joke about just one fruitcake that is passed from person to
person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6t27i56k6Neupu2nh-4f_wWn6Yy_PAJHWUT9FgpZwmQ7NO9gSIe6d7wzV9qWOrqfKmfL3Q9YBU_aAPLwnSGWw-HUT5N_s9fCEdFlPHyYb5KgUba0mPW-yQcQDUhJ2a6VPe-VKDALTUw/s1600/Fruitcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6t27i56k6Neupu2nh-4f_wWn6Yy_PAJHWUT9FgpZwmQ7NO9gSIe6d7wzV9qWOrqfKmfL3Q9YBU_aAPLwnSGWw-HUT5N_s9fCEdFlPHyYb5KgUba0mPW-yQcQDUhJ2a6VPe-VKDALTUw/s200/Fruitcake.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(Panlasang Pinoy Recipes Photo)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dating back to Roman times (and some might argue that a
fruit cake will last that long), it’s hard to think of another food that is as
joked about and mocked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johnny Carson is widely credited with giving the baked good
a bad rap in December 1985 when he quipped on The Tonight Show, “The worst
Christmas gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world,
and people keep sending it to each other.” (source: mental floss)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often it’s the booze that makes the cake. It seems the
holidays gives bakers the chance to create fabulously boozy baked goods, fruit
cakes included . . . but also plum cakes and oh so delicious rum cakes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I had my store, we had a customer who make an incredible
rum cake. Boozy as hell, but rich, dark and filled with raisins and nuts. She
made a lot of those cakes, coming in every week or so to buy a bottle of
Bacardi 151. It was an adult treat (and probably a tag, “Contains Rum. Eat
responsibly” was needed). Bless her for sharing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fruitcakesociety.org/">http://www.fruitcakesociety.org/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a huge difference between those grocery store fruit
cakes that are often dry and made with mediocre ingredients and a fruitcake seek
out fruitcake makers like Colin Street Bakery or Trappist or abbey bakeries.
Check the following links as a start . . . You’ll find delicious options here .
. .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.monasterygreetings.com/">http://www.monasterygreetings.com</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So while the fruitcake has been a staple of England’s Royal
family during celebrations, including Diana and Charles’ wedding, it has also
been used for various celbrations around the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fruitcakes from Assumption Abbey, Abbey of Our Lady of
Guadeloupe, Monastery of the Holy Spirit and others are in the catalogue and
website.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grab a bite if you like . . . ‘Tis the season . . .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-91562655694975359002015-12-14T03:38:00.000-05:002015-12-14T04:06:11.489-05:00Sometimes the barriers for the disabled are right in front of us<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no getting around it . . . I’m disabled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Come February, it will be 3 years since my lower right leg was amputated after a sugar-driven infection polluted my body and it all came tumbling down.
You can read previous posts about all that if you wish, so I’m not going into
it here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp-F8vgma-OZTt152at3XQlaiQUuNRRcCodTGR85yzH-7vdxbICEbItpO4Igdq50-AexpfTOhfpoB_gxOVFiFX8HVOeGO8KCKs-h3SOZnPwT_UmBm_D5xeueqP3NL0dNofc8-QoESgLo/s1600/IMG_20151113_124054120_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp-F8vgma-OZTt152at3XQlaiQUuNRRcCodTGR85yzH-7vdxbICEbItpO4Igdq50-AexpfTOhfpoB_gxOVFiFX8HVOeGO8KCKs-h3SOZnPwT_UmBm_D5xeueqP3NL0dNofc8-QoESgLo/s320/IMG_20151113_124054120_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as disabilities go, I’m pretty lucky. I have a
prosthesis and manage to get around moderately well, but with some limitations, though I never was the
most nimble person in the world. (Don’t laugh those who know me.) Stairs suck
for me, and my balance isn’t very good . . . that fake leg just doesn’t adjust
to imbalance the same way a real foot and lower leg do, making constant little
adjustments that keep us stable. You can’t feel exactly where the foot of the
prosthesis is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that’s OK. It could have been worse, and my limitations
are nowhere as serious as many people’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of weeks ago, I attended a weekend event and took my wheelchair
with me for the first time since I lost my leg. I usually get around on
crutches, and sometimes a cane. But since I wasn’t familiar with the location
and didn’t know how far it was from place to place at the event, I packed the
chair into the back of my Jeep, and was glad I did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s often very comforting to do these new things with
people who know you. The friend who met me at the event happens to be very
protective and is constantly aware of not only her surroundings, but mine as
well, since she’s known me for years and went through the whole amputation
issue with me. I used the wheelchair chair to get around and she pushed me frequently. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I said afterwards that I felt bad about that and maybe
we shouldn’t have used the chair so much, she disagreed (rather forcefully I
must add), saying she knew that in the chair I was safe getting around and less
likely to stumble, get fatigued or get bumped around in crowds. Since the hotel
(and event venue) had lots of carpeted rooms and hallways, a wheelchair is kind
of like mucking through mud, and I was surprised at how tiring that could be .
. . and how slow moving it sometimes made me. Her “cone of protection” and aid
was invaluable. That's something to keep in mind if you are headed somewhere or you
have a disabled friend you’re meeting somewhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Different people react differently to those with
disabilities. Some of my views changed a bit years ago while working in New
York when I managed a group of marketing communications writers at a financial
firm. One of them was a paraplegic and confined to a chair. Watching him
overcome obstacle after obstacle . . . stairs, steps, curbs, narrow entries and
space between tables at restaurants was an eye opener. Obstacles and hurdles
everywhere. I used to wonder if laws and rules on accessibility were too
burdensome or overreaching. That experienced changed my mind. I stopped
wondering if it was worth cutting all those curbs for easier access, and I
applaud <i>The New York Times</i> for noting
accessibility in its restaurant reviews.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that I need to pay better attention to entrances and
such, it’s even more important to be aware of where I’m going. I may love bed
and breakfast spots in old Victorian homes, but they are pretty much scratched
off my list in favor of more modern . . . and accessible . . . hotels. My
friends and family scout locations for me at times when they go somewhere, and
if I’m invited out, I always ask if the place is accessible . . . If they’re
not sure, I call the restaurant. Again, chain places are usually easy in and
out, but a lot of places aren’t. For me, if there are stairs, a good handrail
is important . . . For some people, good access in a rest room is key so they
can maneuver a chair easily in the bathroom and into a stall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A recent trip out to a dinner proved the point . . . I was
told the restaurant was accessible, but it really wasn’t . . . I brought my
cane and left the crutches at home, which (as I was warned beforehand and
learned for myself when I arrived) was a bad plan since I was unfamiliar with
the place. There were some 8 steps up to the hostess station after entering
(the rest room was at that level), and the area where the group I was joining was gathered
was down 8 steps . . . “Accessible” was that the lower dining area could be entered from a ramp and entrance at the rear of the building. So I drove around back and went in,
but someone confined to a chair wouldn’t have had access to the rest rooms from
that lower level. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I call the restaurant to be sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I said, different reactions from different people. Be
aware if you have some challenges getting around that not everyone pays attention
to those around them. You may get jostled or bumped, or people may not see you
as readily if you’re in a wheelchair below their normal line of sight. Not all
doors are easy to open, and sometimes people will try to scoot through before
you or won’t think to hold it open so you can get through. I often wear shorts
so people can see I have a prosthesis (and long pants sometimes get hung up
around the leg base of my fake leg). Staff in most places is very helpful, but
make sure you’re aware of little things like wet floors when you’re maneuvering
round (wet floors and crutches don’t mix very well). Also note the space between tables and down rows of tables because it can be too narrow for a wheelchair, so make a note for a friend if you need to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll admit the weekend excursion was way out of my comfort
zone . . . I haven’t stayed overnight anywhere but home since I lost my leg
nearly 3 years ago . . . but it turned out very well, both at the hotel and the
event itself. Modern facilities are designed to accommodate people facing
physical challenges . . . call the hotel to double-check on where to enter and
where handicapped parking is located (at this hotel, there was no parking in
front, but plenty of parking in back, where two double doors had push automatic
openers. The front doors, though plenty wide, did not have the openers).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My friends and family know my limitations and my concerns.
If you’re heading somewhere new, don’t be afraid to ask questions before you
get there to make sure you can get in and out and enjoy your visit comfortably.
If you’re worried about something, tell your companions or the staff. Don’t
just tough it out. Likewise, if you need help, ask . . . most people are more
than willing to help you out. Finally, if you find there are issues with
accessibility (for instance a step up to a dining area that doesn’t have a
handrail) mention that to the manager . . . nicely.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A step here and there is no problem for most people, but
could be a major barrier for someone in a wheelchair or with other mobility
issues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-82185467735901239642015-12-10T04:33:00.001-05:002015-12-10T04:33:23.816-05:00The politics of fear: We need better than these cowards<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(Part 2 of 2)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So let’s take a minute and hit the pause button on all this
talk for a minute and look at some facts and not over-simplified political
rhetoric.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, we know based on information we have and the
information on refugees already well settled in the U.S. that refugees have
been a virtual non-risk here. We also know, at least through the
Paris attacks, that no Syrians were involved (though the nationalities of
several suspects and 2 killed in police raids is not yet known). Based on that
factual information, then, Syrians appear to pose little risk to us as refugees
or otherwise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s take Chris Christie’s statement that he wouldn’t let
“women and orphaned children” into the U.S. Why? What does that statement serve
other than to fan the flames of fear and ignorance? Is some 5-year-old going to
mount a terrorist attack? Ridiculous. And yet people cheer the statement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look, I’m afraid of plenty of stuff, but I know there aren’t
monster’s under my bed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe we should stop thinking that everyone not like us is a
monster under the bed. Even cops and security officials think the current “stop
the refugees” talk is cheap, easy and dodges other risks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are approximately 1 million names on the so-called
terror watch list. About 5 percent of them, or 50,000 are U.S. citizens or
permanent residents. The “no fly list” (a U.S. only list that is designed to
prevent those people from getting on a commercial plane) contains about 45,000
names (though that number has been questioned). Both lists have been widely
criticized as generating false positives, listing people who pose no security
list, and some who are children. So while it’s apparent we need to pay better
attention to and tighten screening of suspects, the lists provide what may be a
worthwhile risk assessment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why are people on these lists allowed to purchase guns
here? <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why, too, are we worried about possibly 10,000 refugees when
every year we let tens of millions from 38 countries into the U.S. without visas.
Under the waiver program, those people can stay for up to 90 days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two of the 9/11 hijackers overstayed their visas . . .
(expired visas) . . . all entered the U.S. on visas . . . Of the other 18 9/11
hijackers, 14 came to the United States on six-month tourist visas and four
came on business visas, according to the National Commission on Terrorist
Attacks Upon the United States. Once in the U.S., two of the hijack pilots
applied to have their immigration status changed to vocational student, but
neither used such a visa on their subsequent re-entry into the country. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So while student visas may also be an issue, they weren’t,
despite rumors and threads to the contrary, an issue on 9/11.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While many of the security measures that failed on 9/11 have
been changed in the ensuing years, it’s clear that the visa waiver program
could be tightened and the terrorist watch and no fly lists can be better used
to limit weapons (or materials) purchases. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congress can and should tighten those loopholes immediately.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to say, “Let’s stop the Muslims,” especially if
one is not a Muslim, but apparently it’s more difficult to look at what events
have actually (factually) happened here. By far the most attacks have been
perpetuated by white males with guns, shooting up schools, malls, political
gatherings, churches, and movie theaters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not to go all Facebook on clever little sayings, but should
we ban white makes from movie theaters or malls? Why not? If they are
responsible for the dozens of multiple public deaths and shootings over the
past 10 years . . . According to the FBI, there have been 146 mass shootings in
the past 7 years (in which more than 4 people died). Without getting into a gun
debate, you’re more likely to be killed by7 a neighbor with a gun than a
terrorist refugee. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what’s with the “I’d rather take care of 50,000 vets
before I take in 1 refugee” . . . ? Apples and oranges. We need to take much
better care of our vets, manage programs and service for vets better than we
do, and jump on Congress for failing, time and time again, to do its job and
properly fund programs for veterans. That has not a thing to do with refugees,
but is rather a smoke screen that dodges the issue under false pretenses. Why
can’t we do both?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why are we not preventing Saudis from entering the U.S. if
most of the 9/11 hijacker were Saudis?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, if we look at the facts instead of listening to
political rhetoric and clever little Facebook blurbs, many of these muddled
anti-Muslim and anti-refugee arguments just don’t hold up to much scrutiny. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m hardly some whiney over-wrought bleeding heart who cares
nothing about anything but hugging people from around the world in every
possible Kumbaya campfire moment. The world has indeed changed and we need to
keep pace. We need to constantly review all our security measures and constantly
adapt them to an ever-changing world and its ever-changing threats.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I hope we can start using our brains again when we
listen to politicians, who really know less than we do and are motivated,
unlike us, by the need to convince people to vote for them. Is it worth
throwing our Constitution aside to monitor religious groups? Are you really
saying we need to have Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and thousands of other
Muslims here register as threats? <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Donald Trump would have us believe that every Muslim in the
world is out to get us. His hateful rhetoric does nothing but fan the
flames of hate . . . both with his own supporters and those overseas and here
he has put on his own hate list. Trump is a coward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who is next? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I’d argue the danger is in our politicians, who have lost
their moral compasses in the face world events, and would throw out the
Constitution, our personal freedoms and our history because they are afraid. We
need better leaders than this crop of narrow-minded cowards.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-65073453175483261882015-12-09T12:53:00.003-05:002015-12-09T12:53:34.819-05:00The politics of fear: We are driven by fear, not leadership<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(Part 1 of 2)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear. That’s what we have now . . . fear overtaking our common
sense and our willingness to push past the first layer of convenient political
rhetoric and instead try to see what’s really happening and what the facts of an
issue really are. Can we not do that? Or are we so invested in what people
running for office are saying that we suspend our thinking minds and instead
work ourselves into a frenzy over the soundbite
. . . the soundbite designed to prey on our fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our fears now center around the terrorists scattered around
the world that want to blow us up or shoot us. At least we each think we will
be the victims of such violence, and that such violence will be delivered by a
person most of us don’t understand . . . or want to. A Muslim. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, since, in our fear, we see terrorist attacks as
being made by people who are Muslims, we now allow ourselves to take the step .
. . fed mostly by our politicians and their supporting cast of pundits . . . to
thinking that all Muslims are evil, need to be watched and monitored, maybe
even registered with the government, their mosques put under surveillance and
their children denied refugee status and forbidden to enter the country. (We
can’t seem to remember that most of the mass shootings over the past few years
were carried out by non-Muslims.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those are some big steps . . . and those are some of our
fears that really don’t hold up even in today’s reality.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<<Some facts: There are some 2.8 million Muslims in
the U.S. About 15 percent of Muslims are unaffiliated with any specific
religious body . . . As to their ethnicities, 34 percent are South Asian, 26
percent Arab, 24 percent African American, and 15 percent from other areas (or
ethnicities). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So even though the Census Bureau does not collect data on
people by religious affiliation, data from a variety of groups seems to show
that Muslims represent less than 1 percent of the U.S. population. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Muslims have been here a long time. Some 15 percent of the
slaves brought to the U.S. were Muslims, or, estimates show, perhaps 300,000
people (by 1800) <i>(Census Bureau, Guardian/Wiki)>><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s today’s soundbite: Keep Syrian refugees out of the
U.S. because some of them may be terrorists.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps it’s important to note that not a single “terrorist”
attack in the U.S. involved Syrians.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<< More facts: Each candidate is vetted first by the
UN’s refugee agency, and then separately by officials from the State
Department, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Defense
Department. The process takes between 18 months and two years. <i>(Guardian)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since 2012, the US has accepted 2174 Syrian
refugees – roughly 0.0007% of America’s total population.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The refugees the US takes in are among the most vulnerable
in the Syrian conflict: many are women and their children, while others are
religious minorities and victims of violence or torture. <i>(Guardian)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of the 785,000 refugees taken in by the U.S. since Sept.
2001, 3 have been arrested for terrorist activities. <i>(Source: State Department,
Migration Policy Institute)</i> >><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we noted above, no Syrians were engaged in the 9/11
attacks . . . 19 men hijacked 4 planes . . .American Airlines Flight 11 5
Saudis and 1 Egyptian . . . United Flight 175 . . . 3 Saudis and 2 United Arab
Emirates . . . American Airlines Flight 77 . . . 5 Saudis . . . United Airlines
Flight 93 . . . 3 Saudis, 1 Lebanese <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So . . . 15 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from the United Arab
Emirates, 1 from Lebanon and 1 from Egypt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, none from Syria.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clearly the attacks in Paris were horrible and brutal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to five U.S. officials, at least four of the Paris
attackers were in an American intelligence counter-terrorism database, Reuters
reported, and at least one of them was on the U.S. No Fly List.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four of the 5 terrorists directly responsible for killing
129 and wounding more than 350 were French nationals, and the fifth was a
Belgian. Some identities of others killed in police raids and those currently
being hunted in connection with the attacks or on suspicion of terrorist
activities are unknown, as are their nationalities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember, too, that the Boston Marathon bombers were two Chechen brothers,
the younger brother was a naturalized U.S. citizen and the elder brother was
here legally on a green card and had applied for citizenship . . . Both are
said to have self-radicalized and were not affiliated directly with any group.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not Syrians or refugees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The murders in California further riled the politicians, who fell back in their anti-Muslim rhetoric, especially Donald Trump, who called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country. Nevermind the Constitution, the national and international legal systems. No good can out of that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear will backfire on us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-28433570439516260372015-12-07T12:15:00.000-05:002015-12-07T12:15:41.192-05:00Bitch all you want to, the NRA is doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing<div class="MsoNormal">
Bitch and moan all you want, the National Rifle Association
is doing exactly the job it is supposed to do. Whine, complain, scream and
shout if you want, but the NRA has prospered because it was allowed to prosper.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not a member of the National Rifle Association. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5kPa8OixC2NHuKnKd7bUZMEuaBbpHN1T9mryT99BnSOWTFaBXiuQlXVehTmAtlneCnfOso1sfKlYnoH5lHdNsXomzacgNTI6l2_5UiVTb9e_p74lcnkFICgrCYkDzmyNMvsvuzZbtlg/s1600/Gun-art.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5kPa8OixC2NHuKnKd7bUZMEuaBbpHN1T9mryT99BnSOWTFaBXiuQlXVehTmAtlneCnfOso1sfKlYnoH5lHdNsXomzacgNTI6l2_5UiVTb9e_p74lcnkFICgrCYkDzmyNMvsvuzZbtlg/s1600/Gun-art.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I grew up around guns. My family and friends had guns. I’ve
owned guns. I hunted birds and small game and enjoyed target shooting as well.
Dad used to take me to the local dump in Vermont and we plinked cans with a .22
rifle. I had marksman classes at camp. (And, yes, I was a damn good shot.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have no interest in taking your guns, and I think that
while the 2nd Amendment is misinterpreted and wrongly flaunted in nearly every
debate or discussion about guns, that really isn’t the issue right now. At
least read the darn thing and put it in its proper historical place before you
start screaming that people are violating your “right” to own a gun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe that’s one of the issues, though. When did owning a gun
become a right while other things, like driving, owning a credit card,
attending local colleges, or even buying a house remain a “privilege” in
today’s world? Sure you can get into a bar if you’re over 21, but you’ll need
ID. That may mean getting a driving license . . . a written test, photo, and
driving test. You pass you get your license. That a lot tougher than buying a
gun in many places. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each state has its own gun laws, and some cities and towns
have laws on top of the state laws. Currently, 10 states have mandatory waiting
periods before a buyer can take possession of a handgun . . . with some states
allowing the gun to be picked up after a period of time even if a background
check hasn’t cleared. Others mandate that a buyer has to wait a certain amount
of time (usually 2-3 days) even if the background check comes back clean before
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Final note to the media: Can you please learn a bit about
guns . . . “automatic” vs. “semi-automatic” to start, “military assault
weapons” (they aren’t . . . they are semi-automatic military “style” weapons .
. . and so on). You sound stupid when you make basic factual errors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of simple (though nothing is “simple” when politics
is involved) ideas: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, let’s not allow people on the terrorist watch list to
buy guns. Yes, some politicians argue against this idea because there may be
people on the list who shouldn’t be. Fine, establish an appeals process.
Otherwise, too bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, submit every gun sale in the country to a background
check. Every one. So there’s no loophole for sales at gun shows or online or
any states.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third, we must have a deep and wide database for background
checks, including mental health input (professionals should be able to “flag”
potential problem individuals easily), and a system that links local, state and
federal systems.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fourth, broaden the application of the “Domestic Violence
Offender Gun Ban” (which bans those convicted of a physical domestic violence
charge) to include a ban on those convicted of stalking, harassment and
threatening. If owning a gun is a "privilege," then you lose that
privilege if you're convicted of threatening someone. Period. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fifth, mandate gun safety certification for every gun buyer.
The certificate would be good for 5 years, then the owner would have to go
through another safety class. (I also feel hand-on gun safety classes are more
important that classroom teachings, and would urge that, but I'm not sure how
it could be established and managed.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Six, we need to keep
weapons safe when not in use. Mandate trigger locks or gun safes to prevent
easy access, especially by children, as well as gun theft. According to the
FBI, nearly 3,000 deaths (or about 10 percent of yearly gun deaths) are caused
by all forms of accidental shootings yearly. The highest numbers of deaths by
guns are suicides (64 percent), with murders of all types about 25 percent. (Other
categories fill in the remaining percentages.) <i>(FBI/CDC/Time Magazine)</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Six ideas that don’t really restrict access to guns, but does
make them a bit more work to buy. There are dozens of others, like restricting
certain types of weapons and the capacity of ammunition magazines. The
effectiveness of many of those is questionable, though I think every avenue
should be explored. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On the subject, note that few gun murders are committed with
rifles of any type, including assault rifles. Statistics indicate of the some
9,000 yearly murders, just over 300 are are committed with rifles (2012). Six
times more murders are committed with knives, and more than twice as many were
caused by physical beatings, and more people were killed with shotguns than
rifles. Some 4 percent of those killed by rifles are killed with “assault
rifles,” an incredibly small number in terms of total murders. The recent
shooting in California highlighted the weapons, but we need to know the issue
beyond the headlines and political speeches. <i>(FBI/CDC)</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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By far, most gun murders are committed with handguns. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Gun advocates argue that with more guns, more bad guys would
be stopped before they committed really bad shootings. The evidence, though,
doesn’t bear that out, no matter how viscerally good it might sound. More guns
means more shootings and therefore accidents, deaths and injuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2012, for example, there were 259 gun-related justifiable
homicides. There were about 67,000 incidents reported where guns may have
stopped a crime of one sort or another, including burglaries. (The NRA claims
2.5 million crimes are stopped, but the FBI and law enforcement numbers don’t
show that.) As a side note, more than 240,000 guns are stolen every year, with
about 180,000 taken in burglaries. <i>(FBI) <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Let's not forget that 85,000 people are injured by guns every
year, and more than 500 are killed in accidental discharge accidents. <i>(Wiki/FBI)</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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The problem is that guns are dangerous, so when they
discharge, very bad things can happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many gun owners say owning a gun makes them feel safer. That
may well be true, of course, but the evidence shows that they are unlikely to
be a good guy stopping a bad guy and much more likely to be the victim of a
gun-related accident themselves. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s be clear . . . Many of these mass shootings (where 4 or
more people are shot) are different from one another, as are the ways guns used
were acquired. We can’t stop them all because we can’t stop every crazy person
in the U.S. from doing something crazy, or some not-so-crazy person deciding he
or she wants to shoot a bunch of people. Often all these shooters are
completely unknown to any law enforcement agencies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nothing fits in a
nice neat box, though both gun advocates and anti-gun advocates would have us
believe otherwise. What we can do is restrict a few sales, tighten a few
loopholes and make sure the laws we have and new ones we create are well
crafted and enforced.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That would be
something, instead of nothing. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90824639259549438.post-76050580554701900592015-12-05T03:30:00.000-05:002015-12-06T06:23:57.042-05:00Breakfast . . . It's what's for dinner . . . (or any other time)<div class="MsoNormal">
We all know breakfast is the best meal of the day, right? So
what the heck has taken so long for the fast-food and casual fast-food industry to
catch on?<o:p></o:p></div>
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McDonald’s is finally offering all-day breakfast, so you can
grab your Egg McMuffin any time you want. Perfect. (If you like fast food
anyway.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I enjoy breakfast any time of the day or night . . . That
was one of the great things about living in New Jersey, with its 8 million
diners every mile. A diner has a 48-page menu, and 90 percent of the people
there are ordering eggs . . . Eggs over easy. Scrambled. Omelets. All with home
fries or hash browns and bacon or sausage, a pot of coffee and a large orange
juice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW08uYtWE7yLDdaebS-oY8uXsfHdwRfVMr1Oa_f0Ikl4G5xq084qokPwxy0JQp6FRvL1c84xqXw8F8yX3C_uLi-9DIPZu1AOJo0GW6rhA_Va5qbd-fVPxki1vCgsarWddHbD5uW90ubTo/s1600/breakfast+4+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW08uYtWE7yLDdaebS-oY8uXsfHdwRfVMr1Oa_f0Ikl4G5xq084qokPwxy0JQp6FRvL1c84xqXw8F8yX3C_uLi-9DIPZu1AOJo0GW6rhA_Va5qbd-fVPxki1vCgsarWddHbD5uW90ubTo/s320/breakfast+4+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak and eggs with home fries and horseradish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I first started working in lower Manhattan, a work
buddy and I would meet at a “diner” just up from work for breakfast. (I put
“diner” in quotes, since I usually think of diners as those stand-alone,
chrome-wrapped buildings, not the short-order places tucked in amongst the
high-rise office buildings.) Those short-order restaurant, though, have many of
the same great offerings . . . hot food served fast (Ever listen to the orders
going into the kitchen?) . . . a huge menu, and waitresses who call everyone
“honey,” “baby,” “dear,” or “sweetie.” I love them . . . Some of my friends
hate being called “honey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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So long as my eggs are over easy, I’m pretty happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I used to order eggs over easy with home fries and either
bacon or sausage with a large pineapple juice at that restaurant up from 26
Broadway. My buddy usually ordered an omelet with sausage and a large orange
juice. He liked pancakes, too. And keep the coffee coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve calmed down a bit, and usually enjoy oatmeal or just
eggs now over easy, poached or scrambled and every n0w and then soft boiled). Maybe
a yogurt. Moderation can be a difficult thing. I’ll admit to adding some onion-
and pepper-heavy home fries every once in a while. Low-sodium V8 Juice has
replaced orange juice and pineapple juice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love eggs.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrc82DqhgX8cSM9_SRmtcvDwy3v0xZ2sUhyfglogi9G7fb4B_VTiTMhCPsqt3qKm-pCs2uAyWhKLxEwtOKur8pbrl6lJH01A-OOhwp-TAIxNexa6i9mkb2Y8-tXztLK0x96uxkX5T3zk/s1600/DSCN0674+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrc82DqhgX8cSM9_SRmtcvDwy3v0xZ2sUhyfglogi9G7fb4B_VTiTMhCPsqt3qKm-pCs2uAyWhKLxEwtOKur8pbrl6lJH01A-OOhwp-TAIxNexa6i9mkb2Y8-tXztLK0x96uxkX5T3zk/s200/DSCN0674+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried egg with capers, <br />
roasted tomatoes and steelhead..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They seem to be a single guy’s staple. Probably because
they’re cheap and easy, though cooking them right can be a challenge for some.
It’s the omelet that can be tough . . . the right fillings, and just cooked,
not dry and too browned. There’s a reason one of the tests for would-be chefs
is making an omelet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brunch is a bit of a different matter, a bit dressier than
breakfast, with, hopefully some champagne or a mimosa and spruced up egg dishes
. . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I try something new for “before lunch” fare, it still usually
involves eggs of one sort or another . . . maybe baked eggs with baked
zucchini, or an egg on top of steelhead and roasted tomatoes, poached eggs with
roasted asparagus or other more grown up additions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM5IB8us6tr9U1KnrHRMUhJFIGAvaq_cCvRoHm_TsQKZwxUaNEamxmKkbFkuPAlAsFvyV_cdAkyU_xss7-qR-sJnSfdASO9dKHDkWglccHUuFdlru_Kqx8YPeRY84yrei7TfSUACAZ3k/s1600/DSCN0721+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM5IB8us6tr9U1KnrHRMUhJFIGAvaq_cCvRoHm_TsQKZwxUaNEamxmKkbFkuPAlAsFvyV_cdAkyU_xss7-qR-sJnSfdASO9dKHDkWglccHUuFdlru_Kqx8YPeRY84yrei7TfSUACAZ3k/s200/DSCN0721+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked eggs with zucchini and marinara.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So it’s nice to see McDonald’s and the others catching up to
what the rest of us have known for a very long time . . . that breakfast is the
best meal, day or night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999443255174969333noreply@blogger.com0