I'm Baaaccckkkk...

I was working out of our Woodbridge, NJ office this past week and technical problems prevented me from being able to get to any blogger.com sites. Needless to say, I was "jones-ing". How utterly pathetic is that?

Anyway, since early August I've been involved in a fairly intense project at work that has involved almost weekly travel. The good news is that the heavy-lifting part of the project is now over with; while there may be some clean-up work to do, I don't expect any more "gone every week" situations in the near future.

Much to comment on (Rush Limbaugh bashes people for a living then cries like a jilted 13 year old when others, gasp, bash him) and much to read, all of which will be covered in good time.

On a more pleasant note, a note of congratulations and best wishes to Father Dave Bechtel on his new assignment as an assistant pastor at Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Williamsport. You see Father, not only do receive the Catholic Light (I have for many, many years by the way), but I actually read it too!

(Not So) Comfortably Numb

Hello,
Is there anybody in there
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home
Come on now
I hear you're feeling down
I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again
Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts


I've never been one for wearing my feeling on my sleeve, and I'm not about to do that now. However I will admit some struggles in maintaining a reasonable amount of personal sanity over the past few months. It's the usual culprits in my life...

...stress at work
...stress at home
...physically not taking care of myself
...not sleeping enough
...eating poorly
...holding myself to impossibly high standards (even when I say I'm not)
...etc

...it's just that these days the culprits are on steroids. At the heart of it all is the fact that, at age 45, I'm still not all that great at managing my own expectations. Wait, I'm not even sure if that's correct. That's the problem with this self-analysis stuff: it relies on a completely unreliable source of information, namely "self". In point of fact I'm really not sure what the hell is wrong with me. Hell, I'm not even sure if there is anything wrong with me. For all I know, inside my head is some vision of paradise compared to what might reside inside the skulls of others.

I do suspect though that there is supposed to be a bit more, well, "joy" to all of this.

So what's the plan to tackle all of this? Part of it is that I need to finish my current work assignment. Simply put, the stress of it is taking a huge toll. I'm away constantly, so I end up worrying about what is going on at home. It also prevents me from actually trying to accomplish anything meaningful at home. Traveling so much creates other problems as well; the biggest is that I end up living this almost bizzaro dual existence, and transitioning between the two halves is exceptionally difficult. I'm going from eating at Morton's Steak House on Thursday night to eating cold cereal for dinner on Friday night while I watch Hulu broadcasts of the latest "Family Guy" episodes.

I also need to "re grow-up", as I would put it, about my health. I have the eating habits of a 12 year old, and I should know better. I'm 40+ pounds over my weight just two years ago. I feel bad so I eat, which makes me feel bad.

If it didn't should so pathetic, I'd also mention that there is a certainly loneliness to all of this. Wait, I think I just did.

Uncomfortably Numb.

Road Apples, #45

Gort42 - I am a very big fan of local blogger 'Gort42'. While I normally enjoy most of his writing (well except for the sports, and that's my a personal preference on my part), this particular posting falls in the "most read" category for anyone with an interest in local politics, the First Amendment, the perils of being a Republican these days, or religion in general. As I noted in a comment or two to the posting, this is scary, scary stuff. Look, I think it's great that some politicians have strong religious convictions; however that "great" turns to "disgust" when those religious convictions end up being turned into an "us vs them" wedge-like device. A "Day of Prayer Win with GOD" seems to be a giant "Only Born Again Christians Are Welcome" sign. Folks like Gina Nevenglosky fail to realize that not every American is a devoted born-again Christian.

Religion & Politics - On a related note, and to expand on a comment I made in Gort's blog, the above is precisely the stuff that prevents me from becoming a registered Republican, despite agreeing with the GOP most of the time when it comes to fiscal issues. Any political party that sets itself apart by saying "only YOU are welcome"...where YOU is some subset of the population (be it Evangelical Christians, Whites, Blacks, Liberals, etc.) is doomed to failure. Instead, I believe that all political parties should take a stance of "ALL are WELCOME; here is what makes us different regarding the important issues of the day...". History is full of "small tent" political parties that failed. That's not to say that anyone should sacrifice their inherent values simply in order to get along, but rather differences such as those that involve deeply-seated personal beliefs...and not matters of governmental policy...are best left out of the equation. People forget that the First Amendment not only prevents the government from establishing a religion, but it also prevents religion from establishing a government. That may not have necessarily been the intent of the founding fathers (who, but the way, apparently were not this merry band of born again Christians), but never the less that's what it does. Bottom Line: I'm no less valuable of a person, of a voter, of a voice because of my religious choices.

Yesterday - We went to visit Katrina at Kutztown. My oldest daughter got into a little accident at school that involved a trip to the emergency room. Fortunately all is well and I am glad to report that the only repercussion from her event is a lingering headache. It just goes to show that no matter the age, no matter the distance, your children are always your children.

The Home Stretch - I'm in the home stretch this up-coming week of a project that has had me traveling just about every week since the beginning of August. Friday is the last "official" class I am teaching, but I do have a few clean-up sessions after that. Consider this: When all is said and done, I will have conducted the same all-day class approximately 40 times. How do I feel about it? Well for me, presentation quality really does represent itself well on a bell-curve, namely that the best sessions are always in the middle, with the first and last not being as good (all be it for different reasons). Anyway, I will not be shedding any tears at this passing. Enough is nearly enough. Besides, while I know that many, many people back at "the office" work their tails off, being in class day after day really is difficult stuff. It's time for a rest.

New Meaning to Old Song Lyrics

In light of accusations made by Mackenzie Phillips about her father "Papa John" Phillips, the lyrics to the song "I Saw Here Again" seem to have a new meaning...

I saw her again last night,
And you know that I shouldn't
Just string her along; it's just not right
If I could I wouldn't.
But what can I do; I'm lonely too.
And it makes me feel so good to know
She'll never leave me.

I'm in way over my head;
Now she thinks that I love her (yeah, yeah)
Because that's what I said
Though I never think of her.
(No, no, never think of her)

But what can I do? I'm lonely too.
And it makes me feel so good to know
(And it makes me feel so good to know...)
She'll never leave me.

Every time I see that girl,
You know I wanna lay down and die.
But I really need that girl
Though I'm living a lie;
(Though I'm living a lie...)
It makes me wanna cry

I saw her again last night,
And you know that I shouldn't
Just string her along; it's just not right.
If I couldn't then I wouldn't,
But what can I do, I'm lonely too.
And it makes me feel so good to know
She'll never leave me.
(to know...know)

But what can I do? I'm lonely too.
Yeah, and it makes me feel so good to know
She'll never leave me.

Every time I see that girl,
You know I wanna lay down and die.
But I really need that girl
Though I'm living a lie
(Though I'm living a lie...)
It makes me wanna cry.

I saw her...
I saw her again last night.
And you know that I shouldn't (no, no)
Just string her along; it's just not right.
If I couldn't, I wouldn't;
I'm in way over my head (you say...)
Now she thinks that I love her (yeah, yeah)
Because that's what I said...

Actually, from what I understand, the song is really about an affair that band member Denny Doherty had with Papa John Phillips then wife, Michelle.

Even More Proof that the Pennsylvania Legislature Doesn't Get It

Refer to this Scranton Times article.

Recession? Budget Crisis? Belt-tightening? It doesn't matter all that much to our elected representatives in the State Senate, as they managed to "find" $12 million for what we refer to in Pennsylvania as WAMs (or Walking Around Money). In case you are are alien to the concept of the WAM, it's actually pretty simple: this is discretionary money that legislators can spend at will in their districts.

Grease is the word.

Yes, this is really nothing more than a way for legislators to spread the money out to buy popularity. Greasing palms? Well it seems that way to me. Yes, I know that WAM money can be used to fund reasonable, well-intentioned projects, but that's not the point; the issue here is that WE, as taxpayers, are giving blank checks to a group of people that have about the same amount of fiscal discipline as your average drunken sailor on leave in Bangkok. There should be a process whereby decisions are made on how reasonable, well-intentioned projects are funded that doesn't involve the sole discretion of one individual who has limited to no accountability (case in point: when was the last time State Senator Mellow had a credible challenge to his re-election?).

Normally WAMs represent an egregious abuse of incumbent power, but now they are also a symbol of the general disconnection between the legislature and the real world. Yes, while you and I are busy trying to find ways to tighten our belts, the Pennsylvania Legislature has decided that fiscal crisis or not, greasing the skids is still a priority. Making matters worse, if that's even possible, is the fact that Pennsylvania is the only state without a budget. This is a nice package of arrogance and stupidity on display for all the world to see.

Congratulations to Bob Mellow and his colleagues in the Senate: You never fail to fail.

11 Reasons Why I Love The Fall

Listed in no particular order:

1. Change - Fall reminds me that everything changes, but this fact itself provides a measure of comfortable predictability.
2. Temperature - I love the temperatures in the Fall...days are not too hot, nights are nice and cool. I can work outside and not get horribly sweaty.
   
3. Clothes - I am more comfortable in Fall clothing.
   
4. Color - This part of the world is just so much more colorful this time of the year. This is a simple beauty in looking at the side of a mountain and seeing fifty different colors displayed for all the world to see.
5. Halloween and Thanksgiving - My two favorite holidays are in the Fall. I especially love the notion of Thanksgiving because none of us are ever good enough at counting our blessings.
6. Preparation - Fall reminds me that I need to prepare for the future; for me this means preparing the house for the Winter, but it could also mean preparing for Christmas or other things.
7. School - The start of school...even if you don't go to school...is just one of those natural rhythms that makes you feel that all is well in the world. I also remember so looking forward to school starting again back when I was young. It was as if you were getting on a ship about to start a new cruise to somewhere different and exciting.
8. Nights - For some reason I always think the night sky looks especially clear on a crisp Fall night.
9. Work - Fall usually means finishing things up at work. That's especially true for me this year.
10. Rebirth - Fall reminds me that even when things seem to be dying all around, the fact is really only temporary and that what seems like "death" is really just necessary preparation rebirth in the Spring.
11. Smell - As strange as it seems, smells are important to me. This is one of the reasons why I am such a militant against smoking: it just plain smells horrible. Anyway, I just love the smell of Fall...that combination of fallen leaves and wind that tells you winter is on the way.
    

Yet Another Follow-Up to P&G Posting

See my previous postings for the article link.

There was a comments on The Scranton Times website related to this story that read something like "This wouldn't be an issue if the jokes were about George Bush", which nearly made me fall off my chair. CLEARLY, the poster didn't read the story.

Why?

The primary reason why the P&G employees were fired was something related to a photoshop showing the White House with watermelons growing in front of it. That picture wasn't a political statement...it was a RACIST statement. Calling President Obama a Socialist isn't actually correct in my opinion, but it is fair political commentary. However a picture that reinforces racial stereotypes is the kind of stuff that's best suited to Klan rallies, not political policy debates.

It amazes me the depths to which people leave their brains at the door when it comes to political debates. This is why, I suspect, so many people listen to the Limbaugh's & Beck's of this world: it requires no effort...it's the equivalent of being spoon fed what to believe. Oh, and yes, I do believe that part of the blame here lies in the race-baiting of certain political entertainers. When the likes of Glen Beck constantly interject race into political debates ("Obama has a deep-seated hatred of white people"), it's only natural that some will take that as a lead-in to even more outrageous comments.

Mark my words: this is only going to get worse.

Follow-Up to P&G Posting - Free Speech Isn't Always Free

I am Referring to this article and my posting from Saturday morning.

What's amazing is that there are more than a few dim-witted folks out there who are claiming that the free speech rights of these fired workers were somehow violated by Proctor & Gamble when they were fired. Let me be blunt: There is no such thing as an unlimited, unfettered right to free speech. It simply does not exist.

Here is the actual text of the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It says that Congress can't write a law that abridges the right of folks to speak. In other words, it says that Congress can't pass a law that says "you can be thrown in jail for talking about ______". What's more, within the larger context of the amendment, it's actually referring to the ability of people to gather and protest. The courts have held throughout our country's history that this right does have limitations; in fact, the most basic of high school civics classes teaches this through the "you can't yell fire! in a movie theater" example.

What the amendment doesn't do is to abridge the rights of property owners to dictate what happens on their property. Just as a farmer can deny a group of religious fanatics a request to have a commune on his/her farm, so to can any other private property owner dictate what can be said and done on their property. It's no different than any one of us asking a loud party guest to leave. The rights held by that farmer or by you aren't superseded by the First Amendment. If they were, our society would become unlivable.

In the "Nah, there's no racism at work here department" we have this...

A quote from this Scranton Times article...

"Among the pictures presented at the hearing was one of the White House with a watermelon patch on the front lawn and the caption,"There goes the neighborhood." "

Yes, I know that there were plenty of off-color jokes told about former President Bush, but I don't think many of them were intended to reinforce racial stereotypes. Glenn Beck and his teabaggers must be really proud.

I know, I know, President Obama has a "deep-seated hatred of white people".

"If you take a walk I'll tax your feet"

I've been working quite a bit in Hartford CT over the past two months, and one of my favorite topics to ponder is the Connecticut "car tax". Yes, in Connecticut, a property tax is levied against the value of your car(s). Here is a brief description for the official website of the state of Connecticut:

*********************

Town Property Tax Information

Motor Vehicles are subject to a local property tax under Connecticut state law. This applies whether or not the vehicle is registered. The local property tax is computed and issued by your local tax collector.

If you do not register a motor vehicle but retain ownership, you must annually file a declaration form with your assessor(s) between October 1 and November 1.

---

Tax Jurisdiction

A tax jurisdiction is considered to be your town of residence.

*********************

Silly me, I thought that the only property that should be taxed was that which conceivably could increase in value. Taxing the value of something that actually loses value the minute you buy it seems strange at best to me, repressive at worst. I realize that the intention here is to generate revenue that goes towards maintaining the infrastructure that cars use, namely roads. However, governments being what they are I suspect that this tax simply generates revenue that keeps governments running.

What's next, tax the value of my washing machine?

Speaking of repressive, this is a tax that screams repression. Think about it: it's not enough to tax what you earn, this state also has to tax that which you use to get to your job so that you can earn enough to pay your taxes. This is on top of other taxes that are higher than many other states.

Look, I actually do like Connecticut...it's beautiful here, the people are very nice and Hartford isn't a bad town. But this is one form of taxation that seems utterly insane.