The Grimm New York Congressman

The concept of bullying gets a lot of attention these days.  We have bully free zones in schools, for example, but maybe we need to extend that to governmental offices.  Reference the following:

New York Congressman Michael Grimm threatens to "break reporter in half"

The good Congressman reminds me of Biff from Back to the Future.

This one is pretty short and sweet, at least as far as I see it:  Congressman Michael Grimm is a disgrace to his party (whatever party that is, as it really doesn't matter), to the people he serves and to the United States Congress.  He should resign, like yesterday.  Think about it:  this guy is making threats to someone he doesn't know; what does he say to people he does know that upset him?

I know, I know, the "mean reporter"...blah, blah, blah.  Want to be a public servant?  Then get used to getting asked question on the spot by reporters.  It's a job requirement.  It comes with the territory. Grow "a pair" or step aside for folks who wear big-people pants.

Oh, and I'm not saying this from the standpoint of "think of the children..."; trust me, no children are interested in the antics of Congressman Grimm, or any other member of Congress for that matter.  This isn't about "the children", it's about a Congressman who is incapable of managing his emotions in a way that is even remotely acceptable this side of  civilized society.

Resign Congressman Grimm, resign.  Your apology isn't enough (but do check out the cartoon in the link).

The Sad State of Election Day, 2012

The Internet is awash with cool graphics and the like touting the importance of voting, so I'm not going to add the clutter, much.

I will say that I have voted in just about every election since the 1982 general election.  Why?  Simply because it's important, and if you don't use your voice, then you allow someone to speak for you.  That's wrong.

What's also wrong?  The political climate we, as Americans, have allowed to be created by people mainly with big wallets and bigger mouths.  We've somehow as a society gotten to a place where it's now only sufficient for a candidate to scream "my opponent is evil" and then expect to be elected.  Forget baseball, we've turned demagoguery into the national pastime.  Even worse?  Yes, I've said "even worse", is that some actually view the demagogues as heroes.  Some people actually believe whatever spew they hear, word for word, from their favorite venom merchants as being gospel truth.  Maybe what's happening isn't so much that we've allowed the demagogues to take over but rather that we've allowed giant swathes of our population to turn into moronic Sheeple, believing whatever their party spokesperson says.

For the record nowhere in the above will you see "Democrat" or "Republican", as both political parties are equally guilty.  The Democrats have George Soros, the Republicans have the Koch brothers.  The Democrats have the Occupy Movement, the Republicans have the Tea Party.  Detecting a pattern here?

As for me, well I describe myself as a fiscal conservative but a social liberal.  That basically means that BOTH Obama and Mittens turn my stomach:

• If Obama is re-elected I have no doubt that nothing will be done to end our nation's on-going federal spending spree.  Governments, like families, can't really balance a budget by simply increasing revenue all the time.  See the City of Scranton for a great example.
• If Mittens is elected, then it's open season for religious groups to dictate public policy.  Read Leonard Pitt's great article HERE that says just what I mean.  I'm all for freedom of religion, but that doesn't just mean that you are free to practice your religion, it also means that I am free from you ramming your religious beliefs down my throat. 

However distasteful the choices, I will still vote this morning.  Sometimes the choice really is the lessor of two evils, but that still doesn't take away from the importance of making the choice.

No matter who wins the presidential election I will end up okay.  I just hope though that those who really do have more on the line do take the time to vote their conscience.  Even an imperfect choice is a positive step in a Democracy such as ours. 

Hello Blogspot!

Well, I finally did it. Yes, after years of blogging on various sites, I've decided to make for myself a more or less permanent place where I can write to my hearts content. In decided on the Blogspot page, I was thinking about a few different things:

First and foremost, I wanted to post "above board", meaning under my own name. I continue to frequent various message boards and blogs under various names, but something just told me that it's time to bring it all to light.

Second, I wanted something simple and easy to. Now after only one failed attempt, I've gotten blogspot to work.

Third, since I enjoy taking pictures, I wanted a place where I could incorporate them into postings.

So there you go. Now whether sixty people read this or six, it doesn't matter a bit to me. I don't generally write for anyone but myself. Now that might sound selfish, but so be it. As someone who at least tries to do for others (as a husband, father, friend, etc.), I think I'm entitled to at least this much of a selfish indulgence.

One final note: I'll probably also import a few select postings from my Yahoo360 page.