In Sunshine or in Shadow

I think that Coretta Scott King making huge headlines upon her death is significant, and says a lot about her impact on society as well.

I think the mother who smothered her three children in Texas should start planning her last meal.  Once again, two parents can make it work, so one of them decides to kill the kids.  The problem is, you can't stop this with laws.  This is society as we know it.  This is the America we have developed slowly over time.  I told you all the 80's were evil.

I think that President Bush will full understand the term "Luke warm reception" when he gives his speech tonight.  I dislike him as a President, but will watch tonight because I love the process of government.  They all piss me off (and often), but it is our country and I do want to hear the empty promises anyway.  Incidentally President Bush, if you flat out lie again this year and say you are raising the Pell Grant levels, I am going to scream.  What a blod faced lie that was.

I think pancakes with bacon are about as good as it gets for breakfast.  Eggs Benedict is damn good too.

I think that the "reply" feature to comments needs to be fixed!

I think the Olympics are fun to watch.  Even the figure skating.  Yes--even the figure skating.  I watched the X games last night--the half pipe our whatever that is--those snowboarders kick ass!

I think I saw yet another Coke product on the shelf at the store the other day.  Black Cherry Vanilla?  Jesus H.

Are we this stupid?  For as technologically advanced as we are, why the hell can't we predict things better than we do?  Where is our planning and intelligence?  Sometimes I think our military and political strategy is implemented with blindfolds and darts.

--Why couldn't we predict the insurgency in Iraq would be stronger than it was?

--How the hell did Hamas surprise us this badly? 

From the NY TIMES today...

LONDON, Jan. 29 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged Sunday that the United States had failed to understand the depth of hostility among Palestinians toward their longtime leaders. The hostility led to an election victory by the militant group Hamas that has reduced to tatters crucial assumptions underlying American policies and hopes in the Middle East.

  This administration is 2 cards short of a full deck. 

Are we this stupid? For as technologically advanced as we are, why the hell can't we predict things better than we do? Where is our planning and intelligence? Sometimes I think our military and political strategy is implemented with blindfolds and darts. --Why couldn't we predict the insurgency in Iraq would be stronger than it was? --How the hell did Hamas surprise us this badly? From the NY TIMES today... LONDON, Jan. 29 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice acknowledged Sunday that the United States had failed to understand the depth of hostility among Palestinians toward their longtime leaders. The hostility led to an election victory by the militant group Hamas that has reduced to tatters crucial assumptions underlying American policies and hopes in the Middle East. America needs to wake the fuck up and fast. This administration is 2 cards short of a full deck.

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

- William Jennings Bryan

A second helping of "I Believe"...

 I believe that the Mary Tyler Moore show was one of the best ever...I believe that everyone should have a chance to sit in a corporate box at a sporting event.  It's a different experience....I believe that John Kerry effectively ended his political career by attempting a filibuster at the Alito confirmation....I believe that Americans need to re-think their stance on handicapped people and their ability to do a good job--afterall I believe that FDR was rather handicapped and I believe we elected him many times over.  I also believe he did a damn fine job.

I believe that 100 years from now, life as we know it will be drastically different....I believe that global warming is actually the earth heading for another ice age....I believe that if you save every spare nickle and dime for the next 5 years in a big jar, you will faint when you see how much you have....I believe that there is a huge difference between generic and name brand preserves....I believe that frozen blackberries and cool whip should be marketed together....I believe that more people are turning to violence when things go bad, everyday there is another story about a family wiped-out by a disgruntled mother or father.

I believe that Washington crossing the Delaware was the single most important moment in American history.  If he had messed that up, we'd all be British.  I believe that Hamas winning the election is the straw that broke the camel's back and will eventually lead to WWIII....I believe that of all the decades 1940-the present, that the 1980's were the WORST for musical lyrics.  It's like we took 10 years off.....

I just stayed in Indianapolis overnight and I have a recommendation for those of you who may be going there anytime in the future.

Stay at the Hampton Inn Downtown on Meridian Street.  The rooms are very clean, well kept and the bed/pillows were excellent.  Never before have I been treated so well.  The front desk called right away to see if we liked our room, and left a message for us the next morning to ask if we were comfortable.  At 6:00, we went to the second floor for a complimentary breakfast.  Waffles, sausage, granola cereals, fruit....it was all excellent.  The work staff at the breakfast buffet were so friendly--even at 6 AM.

It was pricey--about 135 per night, but well worth the money.  How often do you leave a hotel and say "I loved my stay here"? 

One last note--next door is a Buffalo Wild Wings, and across the street is the Hard Rock Cafe.  Just down the street, about a block away is the Conseco Fieldhouse.  Easy access!

DID YOU KNOW BLOGGY PEOPLE....

 On Jan 26, 1784, In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the eagle as the symbol of America. He wanted the turkey.

Today is "I Believe" Thursday... I believe that my spelling as regressed over the past couple of years. This bothers me. I often write a good sentence and erase it because I am uncertain of the spelling of a word. I believe people should use dictionaries more often. I believe that I make some of the best chili around. I believe that people today spend more time on the internet than they do talking one-on-one with people. The art of conversation has died. I believe that our President has lost all credibility with the American people, and will spend his remaining time in office doing damage control. I believe that if every major company in America would donate one million dollars, we could put a major dent into the homeless problem in America. We need job training, life skills training and so much more, but it can be done. I believe that everyone who wants to buy a dog in the next year should do so, but purchase one at a shelter. I believe that jello is an underrated dessert. I believe that pie is better than cake. I believe that the producers of The West Wing made a good decision to cancel the show after seven seasons. It was one of the best shows ever created in its hey-day, but over time, it slowly disintegrated. I believe that putting out full seasons of TV shows on DVD was a great decision. Combine that with my portable DVD player and my laptop, and you have a great way to kill time when you are bored or have a long wait. I believe that airports simply do not care about travelers. I believe that blogging is the number one social trend during the decade 2000-2009. I believe that restless leg syndrome is a horrible thing to have. I believe that most people have no idea how important it is to prepare for retirement. (more to come)

I need a coke. I'll be right back.

Did you know that Dannon yogurt no longer makes the plastic lids on top of their yogurt cups?  In an effort to save 3.6 million pounds of plastic, Dannon took that and made a major donation to Toys for Tots.

You too can make a donation to Toys for Tots by going to www.dannon.com/toys

See--this is what I consider smart business.  There is no reason why others cannot follow suit.  Think of all the things we can make better if we just cut back on some of our waste.

By the way, the flavor of the day is Cherry yogurt.

Cheers.

He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has.

- Epictetus

T-Blog has gone through a transformation and I thought I would give it a trial run before I comment.  I didn't want to fall prey to a reactionary response.  Here is what I have come up with:

Good things:

1. There appears to be a strong technical support presence again around here.  The T-Blog creators are back in full force, which is a good thing. 
2. Increased participation.  More quality blogs, many of the past regulars are returning, many new faces have popped up.
3. The site is relatively easy to navigate.  Yes, there are a few bugs, but that's to be expected at first.

Bad things:

1. I still see drug and porn blogs all over.
2. Old blogs that are no longer used are being featured.  I like the random blog feature--but there has to be a way to erase blogs that are no longer being used.
3. My header seems to have a default title in it, which I'd rather see gone.

I have to applaud the t-blog staff for their creativity and desire to update and improve the site. 

To babe :) 

Pennies in a stream

Falling leaves, a sycamore

Moonlight in Vermont

Icy finger-waves

Ski trails on a mountainside

Snowlight in Vermont

Telegraph cables, they sing down the highway

And travel each bend in the road

People who meet in this romantic setting

Are so hypnotized by the lovely...

Ev'ning summer breeze

Warbling of a meadowlark

Moonlight in Vermont

Telegraph cables, how they sing down the highway

And they travel each bend in the road

People who meet in this romantic setting

Are so hypnotized by the lovely...

Ev'ning summer breeze

The warbling of a meadowlark

Moonlight in Vermont

You and I and Moonlight in Vermont

I was flipping through the channels last night and came across American Idol.  Wow. 

It really sucks. 

Then I came across an episode of Jerry Springer.  Wow.  Is this what humanity has come to?  Honestly--how can a show like that be on television?  How can that guy look in the mirror with a straight face and be proud of his work?

Tonight some real quality TV is on--LOST, the best show on the schedule.

What is your favorite show?

NASA is launching a new space probe today, which is headed to Pluto and then the Kuiper Belt.  This is big news for those of us who love space exploration.  Here is an excerpt...

 (CNN) -- NASA says the New Horizons spacecraft will be the fastest ever launched, more than 10 times faster than a speeding bullet.

New Horizons is scheduled to lift off atop a Lockheed Martin Atlas V rocket at 1:24 p.m. ET on Tuesday from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to begin a 10-year, 3-billion-mile mission.

About 42 minutes after liftoff and after it separates from its third stage, New Horizons will speed from Earth at about 16 kilometers per second, or 36,000 miles per hour.

New Horizons will reach a speed of about 47,000 miles per hour during its 10-year trip to Pluto. According to The Physics Factbook, a bullet from a large-caliber rifle travels at about 1,500 meters or 5,000 feet per second -- about 3,400 miles per hour

I am beginning to doubt the validity of executions in America.  What took them so long to execute 76-year old Clarence Ray Allen?  Blind and Deaf, dying of heart disease--then they execute him?

He had at least 3 people executed from prison.  I guess you can call them "hits".  Yes, he deserved to die for that.  But why did it take over 20 years?  Bottom line--expedite the appeal process, be consistent and accurate, or end Capital punishment.

I'm tired of hearing about the Million Little Pieces book.  Either buy it and read it, or don't.  It has consumed CNN.  If they didn't talk about it, Larry King would have no material left.  (How many times can you interview Dolly Parton?)

Speaking of Dolly Parton, has anyone ever been to Dolly World? 

I am anxious to see how many more Congressmen fall from this latest scandal.  My guess is at least 5.  Another stellar Ohio rep seems to be on the chopping block.  Nice.

Finally--for those of you who are considering signing up for VONAGE, the new phone system that uses broadband access, DON'T.  It's awful.  Spend the extra few dollars on a land line and save yourself the grief.  If anyone has questions about it--t-mail me and I am happy to share my experience.

 

I used to think you were a stand up kind of a guy, and an ass-kicker.  I thought you did a nice job handling the situation during Katrina--being a strong voice under the worst of adversity.

Not anymore.

Now you are just a loud mouth--a loose cannon.  Today's story only goes to support it.   You say you that New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city, because that is how God wants it.  Then when people called you on it, saying it was devisive, you backtracked and said "chocolate needs milk".  I'll let you be the judge.  The entire article is on cnn.com.  Here is an excerpt:

 NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Mayor Ray Nagin on Monday called for the rebuilding of a "chocolate New Orleans" that maintains the city's black majority, saying, "You can't have New Orleans no other way."

"I don't care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day," Nagin said in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech. "This city will be a majority African-American city. It's the way God wants it to be."

Uptown is a reference to a mostly white part of the city.

Pressed later to explain his comments, Nagin, who is black, told CNN affiliate WDSU-TV that he was referring to creation of a racially diverse city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, insisting that his remarks were not divisive.

"How do you make chocolate? You take dark chocolate, you mix it with white milk, and it becomes a delicious drink. That is the chocolate I am talking about," he said.

"New Orleans was a chocolate city before Katrina. It is going to be a chocolate city after. How is that divisive? It is white and black working together, coming together and making something special."

C'mon Mayor Nagin--you are better than this.

I have to say, things around here look pretty good.  The staff at T-blog has done a nice job implementing the new changes, and it's nice to see their presence more often.

I see a lot of people crabbing about t-bucks and this and that.  We need to be patient and let the new changes take place.  Also---and let's be honest, t-bucks aren't worth jack squat.  So, if you need them that badly, just ask me and you can have mine.

So, to Rocky, Nickster and everyone else involved in the change--thanks for the new and improved site.

You have to love it when someone brings in a box of doughnuts to the office and you have planned all along to just have coffee and a slim fast shake. It's like putting a rock of crack in front of an addict.

The power of doughnuts is amazing. I have for the time being, resisted.

The microwave is just outside my office door. People make popcorn all day long. I love the smell of popcorn, but not microwave popcorn. It's overwhelming and it makes me want to barf. Since I am in charge, maybe I should make people eat plain popcorn so the butter smell doesn't make me toss up my small intestine.

This Million Little Pieces story is beginning to grate on my nerves. Pete Rose wrote a book over 10 years ago, and the first sentence was something like "I have never lied to anyone about betting on baseball." Hundreds of thousands of copies were sold. 2 years ago he writes another book about how he bet on baseball. People lie. Get over it. The world is filled with liars.

Anderson Cooper is a damn good journalist.

I rant about this often, but local news where I live is simply atrocious. I refuse to watch it anymore.

Let's finish with something good. The quality blogs here seem to be more numerous. Maybe we are getting the site back afterall. I still see an awful lot of porn and drug blogs though. Keep writing everyone!

C

I love Jim Croce. Great music.

There was another stampede during the Hajj. Big surprise. This happens every year and is a right of passage so to speak. You would think that people would learn not to stomp each other, but apparently this is like the running of the bulls, without horns or long tails. It defeats the purpose people, if you smother people while walking.

Judge Alito's wife cried yesterday during the questioning of her husband. Was she expecting Senator Kennedy and crew to be Mr. Rogers? And what the hell is up with Lindsey Graham of SC? You don't act like a horses ass and upset people and then take a break, come in, and say--I'm really sorry. You aren't, Jackass. Don't freaking lie. You got exactly what you wanted.

Dear Senator Kennedy,

You got bitchslapped by Senator Spector.

Love,
Craig

Did you see the video of the 7 year old who got in the truck and started driving? That kid is lucky to be alive. He can't be tried as an adult--apparently he drives too well for that. I am going on record in saying that 7 year-olds should not drive. That's just my opinion.

Football referees are the worst officials in all of sports.

Today I am listening to 1970's music. Any favorites from that decade? I have many!!

The Power of Love....can you feel it?

Yes I am listening to Huey Lewis and The News on my 1980's yahoo music feed.

Don't take money, don't take fame...don't need no credit card to ride this train...

Wow. 1980's music was really awful Listen to some of the lyrics from songs of the decade. It was like a group of huge dorks who attended a rhyme convention and were told that ALL songs must rhyme or the end of the world will occur.

The Olympics. I am excited for them simply because I enjoy the traditions and the competition. And this year, I am especially looking forward to the women's snowbarding competition. Have you seen pics of some of the athletes? Holy crap!

Judge Alito. Why don't they ask him if he has ever masturbated? Seriously. The other questions will never be truly answered. I wacthed a c-span retrospective on confirmations....Ginsberg, Breyer etc...they all answer the abortion question the same way. I am waiting for someone to say "I didn't vote for abortion rights in 1985m but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Back to the 1980's...

[b]"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention than to any other talent."[/b]

- Isaac Newton

Here it is folks, yet another example of how the other 85% live. Yes, my theory is that 85% of America has an IQ below 80. You have to check this out. It's out of Ohio too which really stings...

[b]WOMAN SITS AT HOME DEAD FOR 2 1/2 YEARS.[/b]

MADISONVILLE - Johannas Pope didn't want to be buried, believing that she would come back to life.

Pope died at her home here at age 61 on Aug. 29, 2003. A towel had been placed around her neck to keep her cool on that 87-degree summer day. She wore a white gown while sitting in a chair in an upstairs room, in front of a television that played as family members went about their lives downstairs.

She remained there, according to her wishes, for almost 2½ years.

"Don't show my body when I'm dead," Hamilton County's coroner, Dr. O'dell Owens, said Monday when explaining Pope's wishes. "Don't bury me. I'm coming back."

Owens called a news conference Monday to explain Pope's demise, the unusual state of her body and how family members regulated heating and air conditioning as they attempted to preserve her remains.

Cincinnati police found the mummified grandmother Wednesday in her two-story, peach-colored home in the 5500 block of Davies Place.

Living in the 75-year-old house with the corpse were her daughter, Lisa Pope, a granddaughter who was born three months after her death, and Pope's caretaker, Kathy Painter, investigators say.

Family members are not being charged with a crime at this point. Efforts to reach them Monday were unsuccessful. No one came to the door at the house or answered repeated telephone calls. Only a handful of loved ones knew Pope had died and that her body remained upstairs, Owens said.

Family members kept a window air conditioner running to keep Pope's body cool - until about a month ago, when it broke, Owens said. Heating vents were covered during winter. Life continued as Pope had wanted.

Friends and relatives who visited were told Pope was upstairs, ill, Owens said. Some yelled "hello" up the stairs. The deception lasted 2½ years. Pope's sister, Deborah Gaston, hadn't seen her sister in years, Owens said. Gaston called Cincinnati police Wednesday and reported a dead body at the home.

Inside the home, behind a basket blocking a door, police found Pope's remains. "Standing outside, one could smell death," Owens said. Some police wore masks because of the odor, Owens said.

"People who worked here have never seen this before," Owens said. Pope's sister wasn't the first person to call police. A woman from Pope's church called police on Halloween, after hearing third-hand that Pope was dead inside the home.

Police investigated, but they didn't have enough information to go into the house, Owens said. The call from Pope's sister was enough, and police found Pope's body dressed in the white gown, seated in the chair and in front of the television, which was turned on, Owens said.

Pope had lupus, but it was unknown Monday whether that contributed to her death. The coroner said he found no signs of abuse or foul play. Little body tissue remained, making it difficult to determine the cause of death, he said.

Owens has collected some tissue to test for chemicals and diseases. He said he might never know how Pope died because of the body's condition.

Owens' office is working with police and prosecutors to determine whether any crimes were committed. The caretaker and family members did not benefit in any way by keeping Pope's body.

"There was no money involved," Owens said. "There was no personal gain." Pope's body did not appear to be abused, Owens said.

Neighbors had no idea a dead woman was a resident on their street. "You mean to tell me the whole time I've owned this house, she's been in there?" said Jeff Sklar, who bought a house nine months ago a few doors from Pope's.

Shon Ward's relatives live in several homes along Davies Place. It's scary," Ward said. "That's ridiculous. I never expected it. ... I never suspected anything. It's a quiet street."

amadeus, amadeus....amadeus...amadeus, amadeus...amadeus...amadeus, amadeus...uh uh oh amadeus.

ooo oooo rock me amadeus.

Below are the top five reasons to love the Wizard of Oz.


1. Because
2. Because
3. Because
4. Because
5. Because.

Have a great weekend all!

[b]"Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood -- the virtues that made America."[/b]

- Theodore Roosevelt, 1917

First off, congrats to Penn State on their Orange Bowl victory. What a great game that was.

Now, on to more imortant things, like life.

Last night, I stayed up and watched the coverage of the mining accident in West Virginia. I sat and watched as they reported that the miners were alive and being rescued. I saw the interviews with relatives and members of the community, heard about the miracles and so on.

Then I wake up to the news that 12 of the 13 miners perished, and that the report of their being alive was premature, or at very least a "miscommunication."

I'd say. Where do I even begin on this? What a horrible thing to happen to people already dazed with grief from 40+ hours of waiting. What happened here? Who messed this one up?

My first inclination is to blame the media for the frenzy they created. Until the miners are out--don't push the "all is well button" too soon. Don't interview people until they are out and safe. For 2 days we heard how impossible it was to save them alive, only to have them do an about face in a matter of seconds. That was wrong.

The mine company fucked up too. There is just something off about this company. Maybe it has been beaten into us by the media, with all of their safety violations and such. The families though claim the company is the group that told them point blank their loved ones were alive. They also need a better word than "miscommunication" to descirbe this disaster. That sounds like George W. Bush trying to explain why intelligence on Iraq getting uranium was wrong.

This whole situation was just awful. In fact, it is one of the worst overall situations I have ever seen, given the national coverage and the human element of it all. My heart goes out to the families and friends of the deceased miners. And to the news media--for the love of God, learn from this and grow the fuck up. Quit asking ridiculous questions like "So, how does this feel--knowing they are about to rescue your father?", and wait until you know for certain things are going to be ok.

The media, honest to God, pisses me off something fierce. But that is another story altogether.

OHIO STATE 34, Notre Dame 20

The 10-2 Buckeyes capped off a very good season! Our only losses--a joke loss to Texas who is playing for the National Championship. and Penn State, who lost only once. Not too bad. We should finish in the top 4 again this year.

3 Fiesta Bowls in 4 years--GO BUCKS!!!

Ohio State takes on Notre Dame today in the Fiesta Bowl. Those that know me well, know I am a HUGE Buckeye fan, so needless to say you know what I will be doing this afternoon. Go BUCKS!!

I sure hope everyone had a great New Years Day. Outside of the Bengals getting slaughtered, I had a great day here. I wish everyone in t-blog land a happy and safe 2006.

--C