And that is being charitable. Eighteen hours later I am still offended, and more than a little outraged that no one in government or "the media" has either the gonads or the integrity to take him to task for the so-called benediction Lowery delivered at yesterday's inauguration.
"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around – when yellow will be mellow – when the red man can get ahead, man – and when white will embrace what is right."
Perhaps, sir, you need to make use of the services of a mirror if you need to find an example of someone needing to comprehend and "embrace what is right".
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration 2009
Mr. Obama, you were far from my candidate of choice and I have severe misgivings about the condition this country will be in following four years of an Obama administration. Many of the policies you espoused on the campaign trail are irresponsible, un-American, or both.
That said, I most sincerely wish you and my countrymen all the best from this journey we embark upon today. For good or ill, a Barack Obama presidency will guide this nation for the next four to eight years. At the end of that we will all need to live with the outcome, and I can only hope that it is an outcome we can live with.
That said, I most sincerely wish you and my countrymen all the best from this journey we embark upon today. For good or ill, a Barack Obama presidency will guide this nation for the next four to eight years. At the end of that we will all need to live with the outcome, and I can only hope that it is an outcome we can live with.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
It's the Little Things
It took a few weeks of driving into the office again before I realized what was wrong.
It is a small white house on a corner lot, close to my home but not typically part of my daily routine when not commuting. Years ago when I used to drive that way on a daily basis, she could be counted on to be out there every morning between 6:00 and 6:30. Most times she would be vigorously walking up and down her driveway, clearly part of a daily exercise routine. Most evenings, she could be counted on to have a broom in hand maintaining the spotlessness of her porch, sidewalk, and driveway. She always had a smile and a wave for every passing car, and most every passing driver would return the greeting.
I never did learn her name, but then names were not an important part of the ritual.
As I said, it took a few weeks to realize what was wrong: she wasn't there anymore.
Oh, the house was still there. The yard and pavements were as spotless as ever. The house was always unlit though, whether heading out in the pre-dawn darkness or coming home at night. No signs of life or habitation were evident.
I realized I missed her, and began to hope that all was well.
A couple of months ago she was there again one morning, and more often than not has been outside in the morning or evening since as I drive past.
She smiled and waved. I returned the greeting, smiling myself.
For that brief moment at least, each day when we pass the world is a little bit better place.
It is a small white house on a corner lot, close to my home but not typically part of my daily routine when not commuting. Years ago when I used to drive that way on a daily basis, she could be counted on to be out there every morning between 6:00 and 6:30. Most times she would be vigorously walking up and down her driveway, clearly part of a daily exercise routine. Most evenings, she could be counted on to have a broom in hand maintaining the spotlessness of her porch, sidewalk, and driveway. She always had a smile and a wave for every passing car, and most every passing driver would return the greeting.
I never did learn her name, but then names were not an important part of the ritual.
As I said, it took a few weeks to realize what was wrong: she wasn't there anymore.
Oh, the house was still there. The yard and pavements were as spotless as ever. The house was always unlit though, whether heading out in the pre-dawn darkness or coming home at night. No signs of life or habitation were evident.
I realized I missed her, and began to hope that all was well.
A couple of months ago she was there again one morning, and more often than not has been outside in the morning or evening since as I drive past.
She smiled and waved. I returned the greeting, smiling myself.
For that brief moment at least, each day when we pass the world is a little bit better place.
Monday, January 12, 2009
"We're Sorry, but You Have Activated Wal-Mart's Inventory Control System"
Wake up, sheep.
Yeah, I'm talking to all you poor schmucks who stop like good little herd animals when the voice of Big Brother orders you to stop on the way out of Wally World and prove that you aren't stealing anything from the store. You know whether or not you are leaving without paying for something. If you are, chances are pretty good you won't be inclined to stop. If you are not, then what on Earth makes you think you should have to so much as slow down?
I was in the Wal-Mart in Martinsburg, West Virginia, yesterday doing a bit of weekly grocery shopping. After concluding my business with the cashier I placed my bagged and paid for merchandise in the shopping cart and headed for the door. Passing through the doors, that well known voice that is audible throughout the store cried out "We're sorry, but you have activated Wal-Mart's inventory control system! Please step back and an associate will help you!"
Help me? I didn't require any help. I kept walking. A timid little voice behind me began calling out. "Sir? Excuse me, Sir? Please, stop Sir. Sir?" I kept walking. Out to my car, where I stowed my purchases and drove away.
Having paid for them, all items in the shopping cart were my private property and not subject to any one's pawing and public examination. Setting off the alarm has not "activated" the inventory control system, rather it has proven that the alleged system was not functioning properly in the first place. Stopping me and matching up the items in my shopping cart to a receipt is an invasion of my privacy, a waste of my time, and a perversion of the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty.
I do not and will not stop for these automated alarms when leaving Wal-Mart or any other retailer. On more than one occasion in the past I have been stopped, and advised that my purchases need to be checked. I politely informed the person restraining me that I did not care or feel obligated to participate and went on my way. No further action has ever been taken.
If they believe I am guilty of shoplifting fine. They are welcome to detain me, call a police officer, and have me formally placed under arrest and charged with that crime. If they intend to do that though, they better also have proof of that charge sufficient to prove my guilt. I am not required to prove my innocence - they must prove me guilty. Requiring me to show my cash register receipt and prove that everything in my possession is recorded on it is having me prove my innocence. I already know I'm innocent.
Don't accept the ridiculous notion that you need to justify yourself to a high school dropout or retiree. You don't sacrifice your rights by walking through the doors of a retailer, and you certainly don't need someone else's leave to transport your duly purchased and owned private property within or to any public place or legitimately accessible by you private place you wish. And absolutely do not fall prey to the specious notion that "it protects all of us by preventing theft and keeping prices lower". That's the same mentality that believes banning guns will keep them out of the hands of criminals as well.
Grow a pair - and then use them. If you won't take responsibility for taking care of yourself, no one else can. Giving away your rights without so much as a whimper for some nebulous greater good concept that does not actually exist is not taking care of yourself, and is not using your pair.
Yeah, I'm talking to all you poor schmucks who stop like good little herd animals when the voice of Big Brother orders you to stop on the way out of Wally World and prove that you aren't stealing anything from the store. You know whether or not you are leaving without paying for something. If you are, chances are pretty good you won't be inclined to stop. If you are not, then what on Earth makes you think you should have to so much as slow down?
I was in the Wal-Mart in Martinsburg, West Virginia, yesterday doing a bit of weekly grocery shopping. After concluding my business with the cashier I placed my bagged and paid for merchandise in the shopping cart and headed for the door. Passing through the doors, that well known voice that is audible throughout the store cried out "We're sorry, but you have activated Wal-Mart's inventory control system! Please step back and an associate will help you!"
Help me? I didn't require any help. I kept walking. A timid little voice behind me began calling out. "Sir? Excuse me, Sir? Please, stop Sir. Sir?" I kept walking. Out to my car, where I stowed my purchases and drove away.
Having paid for them, all items in the shopping cart were my private property and not subject to any one's pawing and public examination. Setting off the alarm has not "activated" the inventory control system, rather it has proven that the alleged system was not functioning properly in the first place. Stopping me and matching up the items in my shopping cart to a receipt is an invasion of my privacy, a waste of my time, and a perversion of the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty.
I do not and will not stop for these automated alarms when leaving Wal-Mart or any other retailer. On more than one occasion in the past I have been stopped, and advised that my purchases need to be checked. I politely informed the person restraining me that I did not care or feel obligated to participate and went on my way. No further action has ever been taken.
If they believe I am guilty of shoplifting fine. They are welcome to detain me, call a police officer, and have me formally placed under arrest and charged with that crime. If they intend to do that though, they better also have proof of that charge sufficient to prove my guilt. I am not required to prove my innocence - they must prove me guilty. Requiring me to show my cash register receipt and prove that everything in my possession is recorded on it is having me prove my innocence. I already know I'm innocent.
Don't accept the ridiculous notion that you need to justify yourself to a high school dropout or retiree. You don't sacrifice your rights by walking through the doors of a retailer, and you certainly don't need someone else's leave to transport your duly purchased and owned private property within or to any public place or legitimately accessible by you private place you wish. And absolutely do not fall prey to the specious notion that "it protects all of us by preventing theft and keeping prices lower". That's the same mentality that believes banning guns will keep them out of the hands of criminals as well.
Grow a pair - and then use them. If you won't take responsibility for taking care of yourself, no one else can. Giving away your rights without so much as a whimper for some nebulous greater good concept that does not actually exist is not taking care of yourself, and is not using your pair.
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