Theory of Relativity?

Here is my one conspiracy theory. And, I must add, everyone who is a citizen of the world is entitled to just one theory of conspiracy by law. So, here is my one conspiracy theory as allowed by the heavily monitored social and political conspiracy ruling. Are you following me?

Here it is: Libraries and schools are the enemy of the Conservatives. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way it doesn’t matter. Nonetheless, being smart does not fly high in the Republican Party.

Case in point: Rick Perry. The dumbest man on Earth. Have so many holes shot in his foot he now travels by wheel chair. Someone please take away his “Open Carry” cheap shots. When will he ever get it right?

Mit Romney: The master of Wishy Washy Flippy Floppies. Can’t make up his mind and give a final pronouncement. What he has said keeps changing and I’m certain it will continue as necessary. A most undependable witness to the truth. How will we ever know what he is thinking?

Herman Cain: Not sure where Libya is. Not really sure where he has been and with whom? Man has a bad memory for past events in his personal life. Thirteen years? He doesn’t remember the 13-year fling? Was he drunk all that time?

Michele Bachmann: Just can’t remember all those pertinent facts. Elvis’ birthday or death? John Quincy Adams? Writer of the Constitution? Nope. And, the list keeps growing.

Need we go on? Who are these candidates’ advisors? Pe Wee Herman? Charlie Sheen? Will they ever get it together? Come on Republicans! Where are your intelligent candidates? Not born yet? Holy Moly! November 2012 is coming soon. Get it together.

What would happen if all talking heads stopped talking. Peace, love, and joy!

Where is our American sensibility? What has happened to our national collective morals and ethics? Where are our responsibilities to each other? Are we not a nation of one aspiration? Life Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Where did it all go?

Why are we so divided in ideology, class, and wealth? What is it that separates us from each other? Why are we no longer accepting of other’s philosophy or religion? Almost like being at war within our own borders. Something like Civil War. Which is not very civil at all.

How did all this happen? When did it become accepted to besmirch and demean each other? Only because we just can’t and won’t agree. Can’t compromise. Can’t come together and work out differences.

It’s more like if we can’t get a leg up on our neighbor and take complete control, we will then separate ourselves from those who don’t think or look like us. Resulting in segregation, disbanding, withdrawal, divorce, estrangement, discharging, breach of contract, and take our marbles and go home.

I blame it on the industry that makes huge amounts of money besmirching, blaming, demagoguing, and speaking ill of anybody who doesn’t think like them. I’m talking about Talk Radio and most political based TV or Radio talk show. And, I’m talking about both conservative and progressive. Both are to blame for the great divide. Both are guilty. Both should be ashamed and stop what they are doing.

We are one nation and it’s hard to remain so if talking heads continue the “Blame Game.” All just to sell advertising. All just to make a living off the hammering with outrageous fervor. Yelling, bloviating, and generally sacrificing some one or group just to make an easy buck. Scream and pound on the broadcast consol and the advertisers will surely come.

All I can say to the talk show TV, cable, and radio media is, SHUT! UP!

Letter to our local Editor

Letter to the Editor: Coburn's old news. Janice Lawrence, Sand Springs. U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn's report, which was published Nov. 15 in the Tulsa World, is old news. Who in this United States did not know the wealthy are benefiting while the rest of us are getting cut? Millionaires received $9 billion in Social Security. Did it worry them when they didn't get a cost-of-living raise and their Medicare fees went up? It was a blow to those relying solely on Social Security, local food banks and free clinics to survive. Millionaires received $74 million in unemployment. When their benefits ran out did they have to take their kids to a shelter when they couldn't pay rent? Nearly $114 billion in tax deductions and credits were given to the very rich. More than $21 billion claimed in gambling losses as deductions. Congress claims that because millionaires create jobs and stabilize the economy, their taxes should be lower than the average American. By last count most millionaires moved plants to foreign countries, putting Americans out of work. While Congress is cutting women's programs, children's programs, education programs, Social Security and Medicare, millionaires are exempt. As Republican voters turn a blind eye to this Republican Congress, the segregation of the classes will continue. How much proof, how many more billions need to be reported, pointed out, posted on a billboard for public viewing, before you admit this Republican Congress has and is still cheating, lying and stealing from main-street Americans to keep their millionaire benefactors in their mansions? Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com..

Sir, will that be cash, credit, or No Sale.

The total dollar amount spent on each Christmas shopping season seems to be the measure of our quality of life. Oh really? Here is our shopping motto: Buy more. Be happy. Right?

Is it our commission in life to buy and buy more? The mindset of consumerism must be we can only achieve prosperity in America when we shop and buy. At least this is what big and little box stores want us to believe. The spirit of gloom and pessimism will come down on you if you stay home and save your money. Just about seems so. Right?

I must admit retail marketing and promotion departments do a very good job of separating our money from our wallet. They make it seem so pleasant a joyous. So joyous we rush into any given box store, trample over other consumers, and throw our money at the store clerk. “I was here first! Take my money! All of it!”

As a young lad, hundreds of years ago, I was simple happy just looking through a Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalogue. Pouring over all the latest electric trains and model car kits. How cool! But I knew for certain I would seldom if ever receive these things for Christmas. However, if they did show up on Christmas morning, I was ecstatic. But if they didn’t come, at least I had fun just dreaming my way through the S and R “Wish Book.”

I guess I’m not a very good consumer. I prefer to buy a bunch of little things for others all through the year. Just surprise others when they are not looking. Give them something for no reason. Surprise!

Even Santa Clause has signed a pledge to Grover Norquist.

Since when has our Congress become beholding to Grover Norquist? A man with no elected office. Not even appointed to anything by anybody. Certainly not confirmed by any congressional committee. Just a roving Washington DC jerk.

I thought the congress took an oath to up hold our United States Constitution. Nonetheless, most of congress has mindlessly sworn a pledge to Grover. A freaking lobbyist! The man behind the curtain in the Emerald City. The wizard of Odds.

Dorothy! Look behind the curtain. It’s a trick. A sham. A little weasel pretending to be somebody. But, he is not! Grover is just a oozing oily smelly lobbyist. How disgusting! Get out the hoses!

Never the less, our elected air headed congressmen and women have chosen to follow GN like he is the pied Piper. Leading the naïve and unassuming congress folks down a Yellow Brick road. A road paved with hollow pledges.

Following like Mr. Norquist had a fist full of candy. More like a fist full of cash. Deep pockets filled with unregulated anonymous money from unknown corporations. Secret corporations as allowed by our far right Supreme Court. Remember, corporations are now treated as people. Anonymous and with no limit on their donation amounts. Thanks to Citizens United and the Koch Brothers. They have the freedom of expression and their expressions have unlimited cash flow.

Grover Norquist, the Koch Brother, and Citizens United are the anti-patriots. Anti-American. Traders of the worse kind. Free enterprising terrorist. Malicious enemies of the American people. Appalling individuals beholding only to the quest of raping and devastating the national resources of America.

They are skunks and slithering snakes of the worse kind. Low down and intent on hijacking the Constitution. Holding it hostage until they have the last dollar bill left in America. Real Caca heads all of them for sure.

Myths about baseball and taxes.

Remember the movie Field of Dreams? “Build it and they will come.” Meaning build a baseball park in a field of corn and people will come from miles around to watch deceased baseball legends play ball. However, just Fantasy and fiction. Just a movie.

Now, here is another myth. Cut taxes for the rich and corporations and jobs will follow. Oh really? Where are they? Why are there still millions out of work?

Congress and the government have cut taxes many times for the well off as well for corporations. So. Where’s the jobs. Why are many Americans still not working?

Both the rich and corporations have been on a tax holiday for about ten years now. But, unemployment is still high. Many without wage or benefit. Many out of their former homes. Some living on the streets. This policy is not a job creator. More like job killers.

Many many GAO studies show what money corporations and wealthy individuals have gained, were not used to create jobs. But money put in the bank or used to pay off personal or corporate debt. Thus proving tax cuts for the rich creates jobs, is a myth. More like a hoax. Fantasy and fiction. Just a political concept to lure in unassuming voters. “Cut taxes and the unemployed will work,” is a bunch of left field hooey and fantasy baseball talk.

It’s now time for Grover Norquist and the Koch Brothers to go play in the field of dreams and let government get back to work. We need less tax holidays and more taxes assessed from the rich. No more free rides. Pay up you rich dreamers!

Was Ronald Reagan a champion of "One Percent?"

This is an excerpt taken from a Rolling Stone article written by Tim Dickinson

Dickinson wrote: The president, mindful of soaring deficits, is pushing bold action to shore up the nation's balance sheet. Cloaking himself in the language of class warfare, he calls on a hostile Congress to end wasteful tax breaks for the rich. We're going to close the unproductive tax loopholes that allow some of the truly wealthy to avoid paying their fair share," he thunders to a crowd in Georgia. Such tax loopholes, he adds, "sometimes made it possible for millionaires to pay nothing, while a bus driver was paying 10 percent of his salary - and that's crazy. Preacherlike, the president draws the crowd into a call-and-response. Do you think the millionaire ought to pay more in taxes than the bus driver," he demands, "or less? The crowd, sounding every bit like the protesters from Occupy Wall Street, roars back: "MORE! The year was 1985. The president was Ronald Wilson Reagan. ILLUSTRATION BY MATT MAHURIN Today's Republican Party may revere Reagan as the patron saint of low taxation. But the party of Reagan - which understood that higher taxes on the rich are sometimes required to cure ruinous deficits - is dead and gone. Instead, the modern GOP has undergone a radical transformation, reorganizing itself around a grotesque proposition: that the wealthy should grow wealthier still, whatever the consequences for the rest of us. Modern-day Republicans have become, quite simply, the Party of the One Percent - the Party of the Rich. The Republican Party has totally abdicated its job in our democracy, which is to act as the guardian of fiscal discipline and responsibility," says David Stockman, who served as budget director under Reagan. They're on an anti-tax jihad - one that benefits the prosperous classes. End of excerpt.
Taken from Dec 3 Stones mag

Not worth his salt.

Brining a turkey is not as easy as it seems. You first have to find a large vat or small plastic pool filled with water and load it with tons of salt. Then you must condense Rick Perry to lie in it. Good luck.

Jim Henson please come back.

I was, and still am, a huge fan of the Muppets. Actually a real big fan of the late Jim Henson. Genius creator of the Muppets. First seeing Jim and his Muppeteers on the Jack Parr Friday evening show back in the early 1960s.

Back then Jim Henson was as bazaar and innovative as ever. Wacky, experimental, and loads of laughs. Puppets demonstrating the foibles of life. Showing how things go wrong in a funny way. Explosions, smoke, and unidentifiable noises. So cool. So hilarious.

Now the current producers of the Muppets have come out with a new movie. Basically the scenario involves thwarting “an evil oil magnate” from drilling an oil well on site at Kermit the frog’s former home. And, we will have to guess what happens from there. A movie appearing to pit evil against good. Oil is bad. Thwarting is good. Can’t say if I disagree.

Nonetheless a movie of moral and environmental conscience. Something we might be lacking in our present “Drill Baby Drill” world. I’m sure its detractors will describe the muppet movie as, “A job killer.” I sure hope so. Can’t wait to see the movie. God bless Jim Henson, wherever you are. I send my gratitude and admiration.

No surprise here.

Is anyone really surprised the so-called Super Committee failed? I am almost certain it was set up to do so. Just an exercise to draw heat away from the bigger body of congress. Sort of like a lightening rod away from the house.

So, why is everybody in a big fuss? Get over it. Move on and get ready for some huge spending cuts. We all will have to suck it in.

Nonetheless, I still don’t understand why Congress refuses to pay its past due bills. They borrowed the money. They can tax the rich and pay it back. It’s a simple principle of shopping. You buy whatever on credit. You pay your bill or the bill collectors will come a knocking. Please pay now!

The debt we created must not be left for future generations. It is time for all to bite the bullet and pay off two costly wars and two huge tax cuts to the rich.

Paying off the debt with real money is not a job killers. The recession created by the Bush administration was the job killer. Military personnel coming back from these horrific and pointless wars are what drove up the unemployment numbers. Never the less, the debt was created over the past ten years and it is now due. The collectors need your money now. Pay up.

Tax the rich. Take away loopholes from extremely profitable corporations. The shareholders can pay as well. It’s an equal opportunity debt. The poor and the middle class have already paid dearly. Now it’s time for the Rich to pay the big debt kitty. The military needs your money. Homeland security needs your money. The FBI and the CIA need your money. Servicemen need your money. Border patrols need your money. Our Interstate highway system needs your money. Our harbors and airports need your money. States and municipalities need your money. It’s the patriotic duty of the rich to pay off their debt. You supported Bush. Bush bailed you out. Now it’s time to pay. Big bills or small bills. It doesn’t matter. Just pay it off.

So, came the Pilgrims.

This week we are celebrating the Pilgrim. The first illegal aliens to step on Plymouth Rock. They came uninvited and without papers. No Green Card. No photo I D. Just jump off the boat and bypass border patrol and customs.

However, the original Americans later on regretted allowing this to happen to their peaceful land. The Pilgrims took jobs from the American. The Pilgrims were a bit standoffish and stayed with their own. Kind of clannish and certainly suspicious of the Americans.

None the less, the out spoken leader of the illegal, Miles Standish, refused to leave. They were not going back to their native country. What were these strange looking buckled down and turkey stealing illegal thinking anyway?

What good could ever come of them? Would these Pilgrims ever fit in to the American culture? “They don’t look any thing like us and they dress a bit oddly. Just look at those goofy hats would ya.”

Letter to our Editor: Tulsa World

Letter to the Editor: Robot-like adherence. E.K. Sharp, Tulsa. When President Barack Obama announced that our armed forces will leave Iraq before year's end, Republican representatives in Congress denounced his decision as being premature and unwise. This latest denouncement follows a pattern I have been observing about the Republicans, who are automatically opposed to anything said or done by our president. This, sadly, leads me to the conclusion that bringing down the president is fast becoming more important to them than what is best for our country. Robot-like adherence to a party line in issues is hardly what a party system of government is meant to be. The almost instant criticism by the Republicans of the president's decision makes me wonder whether they would have likewise criticized the judgment of President Obama in this matter if the president had, instead, announced that our troops would stay in Iraq longer. I try not to pay attention to the sneaky feeling in my gut that they would. We need members of Congress to vote their consciences instead of blindly voting the party line. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com..

So who will it be this week? Newt? Mit? Herman?

First it was Michele. Then it was Mit. Then it was Rick in a big way. Then here came Herman out from left field. Then here came Mit again. Now it is Newt’s turn to flounder and contort the truth. If this ain’t “flip-flop” on the Republican bandwagon, I’ll gladly eat my Styrofoam convention hat.

All this indecisiveness is due to the Wishy-washiness of the Republican electorate. And I’m sure it won’t stop there. Once the Republicans decide Newt is a bit problematic, they will look back to former governor Mit. The only candidate with credibility. From that juncture, where the Republicans go on to is anyone’s guess.

So, the process will continue. Flip-flopping because some well-intended evangelicals just don’t want a Mormon as a Republican candidate. So is that worse than a two-face slanderer from Georgia who claims he isn’t a Washington insider when he really is. Former speaker of the house not a Washington insider? Give me a break.

Is being Mormon worse than being accused of sexual harassment? Is it worse than being a loopy goofball Texas Governor? Ladies and gentlemen of the Republican Party, what are you thinking?

Speaking as an outsider, I really suggest the Republicans look closer at former governor Huntsman and once again back at Romney. Both have good thoughtful ideas and seem to have broader appeal. Both seem to have quality educations.

However, Republicans don’t want anything well thought out. Plus Republicans don’t trust anyone with an Ivy League education. Once again, Republicans being the narrow-minded champions of one-issue candidates. Throw out the baby with the bath water. Think like us one hundred percent of the time or jump off our flip-flop bandwagon. Kind of stupid, huh? No real wonder I had change political parties.

Attention Haves and Have mores!

Let’s get real. It’s time shareholders take a hit. We who live by modest means are tired of shouldering the economy’s debt.

The getting real part is, it’s time for large profitable corporations and the “well off” to also participate in lifting the economy from it’s depth. Yes. You guys must also pay taxes. You’ve been on holiday too long. Paying very little in taxes. Some paying zero taxes. Do you think you are some privilege class? Did president Bush put you on permanent sabbatical from sharing your bountiful revenue? No, I don’t think so.

Secondly, why must congress (if I didn’t know) protect and shield the super rich? Why must you guys be exempt from paying up? Don’t give me those old job maker/job killer foggy excuses. Excuses proven time and time again to be untrue. Bogus. Contrived and manufactured to protect you and shareholders. The national debt is still unpaid. The national debt is old and needs to be paid off. You guys owe this. Step up to your responsibility and pay the government.

The government bailed out you money mongers and you owe them big time. No more skating on ice without paying. No more free hall passes. It’s now time and passed time to pay for your free-float.

Good movie. Bad movie. Where do they come from?

Movie Review:
Twi-hards are back in the theaters. Teen girls watching the latest Twilight flick, Breaking Dawn. Many giggly girls say they thought it was the best twilight flick ev-ver. Best of the series. Movie critics give it 1 to 1 ½ stars. So, where’s the disconnect here? Is it because the critics are men over age fifty? Surely not. Go old men movie reviewers!

My favorite movie ev-ver? Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid. They just don’t make them like they use to.

It's back again this year. Are you surprised?

If you were to access Google Trends online, you would find the top twenty most googled names and phrases. This is based on millions of word searches. Searches like: Whitehouse shooting, Sexiest Man Alive 2011, 2013 Ford Escape, and others. But the one search that has been on Google trends for a week or so is, “Green Bean Casserole.”

I think my late mother in law has commandeered the google search engine. Green Bean Casserole was her most requested Thanksgiving dish. As requested time after time by her grandkids. What is it about Green Bean Casserole that is so desirable by kids? It certainly ain’t just the green beans. So, what is it?

Is it the cute little onion rings? The gooey stuff that in the casserole pan? What?

Anyway, I’m sure the whole deal will be on our Thanksgiving table in a few days. God Bless America.

Congress really doesn't know this but...

It’s oh so easy to berate Congress. Congress is at its lowest ratings according to a CBS/New York Times poll. Congress is now a Nine Percent Congress. Only 9-percent of the American electorate approve of congresses performance. Hmm. Who are those nine percent? Relatives? Lobbyists? Girlfriends? Boyfriends? Hookers?

But anyway, Congress is easy to besmirch, malign, demean, disparage, put down, and generally poo poo. A person could go on forever. Writing, pointing, laughing, wise cracking, joking, and sometimes wetting one’s pants. Congress could easily be The poster boys and girls of “do nothing.” A representation of how things can easily become inert and useless. Stuck in a mire of distrust of others like myself and too much time spent yapping with interns and eating fried chicken.

Yes, I could say and write all that but I wont. Have a nice day. God bless America anyway.

Gove. Supercuts is suggesting more cuts.

Once again Governor Rick Perry has alienated yet another group. He has spoken. And again without regard to the people or subject. He has once again shot himself in the foot. Who is it this time you ask. This time it is congress. Yes, the U S Congress. Adding to his people and groups to alienate like pearls on a string. He has besmirched our beloved and very low rated United States Congress.

I don’t know of any other individual who besmirches and writes-off people places and things with such dispatch as Texas’ Governor Rick Perry. He focuses, draws his gun, and fires with skill and disregard. Blasting holes in any target as well as himself.

Gov. Rick ‘Supercuts’ Perry has proposed before an Iowa audience to cut Congresses pay by fifty percent. Yes, cut it in half. Reduce it to a wage most unemployed would love to have. Something close to 85k dollars per year. A pay base many Middle American would love to receive.

However, congress (most of whom are Republicans) may not agree with Rick. Thus reducing his chances to become the Republican nominee at the national convention this next August. Gov. Perry’s recommendation is like stirring up a hornet’s nest. And in this case the hornets are self-important congressmen and women. Just the wrong folks to mess with.

Congress neither wants their wages reduced nor do they want any self-appointed numbskull to pry into their personal finances. However, I would guess it would be fair for congress to suggest Rick Perry take a pay cut as well. Actually both ideas are pretty good. Let’s do it!

From my local paper: Jay Cronley

Hollywood writers all out of ideas. JAY CRONLEY World Staff Columnist. Movies have never been worse. The same is true for television drama. Here's why. We're pretty much out of ideas here on Earth. And there are few talented writers and actors around to execute the remakes and rehashes, the horrifyingly bad update of "The Pink Panther" movie serving as an example of the importance of talent. There are only so many things of value around which to stage a caper, only so many ways to try to get away with murder, only a thousand ways to fall in love, 500 ways to fall out of it. And once they've all been done, and redone worse, there's nothing left to do but let some guy dress up as a woman and pretend to be his own sister. Some of what they're making are no longer movies in the traditional sense, they're computer-generated robotics whereby actors say their lines to Magic Marker lines drawn on blank screens, with monsters and what have you programmed in later. Classics ageless: A youthful age is no excuse for not knowing what was important or great. Students don't get to say that they were too young to know what happened in a world war. Nobody is too young to appreciate a masterpiece of art. Similarly, the great movies and television shows and books are easily available for anybody interested in improving. Not having the time for a classic is a weakness. Going to the movies is still a lot of fun, even in the cheap joints where sound blasts through the wall from the next room like you were at an economy motel. So is settling in with a bowl of popcorn in front of the television screen. Those who know what's good must lower their standards immediately or be left out by show business today. Evolving standards: As I watched "The Good Wife" this week, I will admit to wishing that Dexter could join this law firm - Dexter, the happy-go-lucky murderer of murderers from Showtime, the guy who slashes first and mops up later. But that attitude comes with high expectations. A radical lowering of standards could result in at least some interest in trying to keep track of all the law office affairs, dumb story lines aside. And although vampires aren't exactly real, and sex jokes aren't always funny, and characters are silly, and plots have no basis in reality, look at it this way. Get out, go, enjoy the show, what's on today is apt to be better than what is to follow..

Does the NBA know there is a world economic crisis going on?

The NBA is really doing us a favor by postponing or canceling the NBA season. The National Basketball Association has what seems like a never-ending ball season. Way too long. Goes well beyond two and a half years. So long, one begins to grow weary and hoping the flat screen TV would crash.

Have you ever heard the expression too much of a good things could be, bad. Over kill is what they call it. Drive it into the ground. Over saturation and drowning in too many games. Too many players. Too many teams. Too much money and not enough enthusiasm for the game.

David Stern would do us all a favor and cancel the rest of the season. Give us a break. A nice basketball holiday. Just wait for the NCAA play-offs. That’s all we need two teams, one game, and boink. The NCAA is finished. Well, something likes that.

The NCAA is exciting because it’s one game in a series and off to the next team or go home. Sudden death. I like that. It’s do or die. My favorite format. The NBA could and should learn a lesson from the NCAA. “Keep it short stupid.”

Should we look at our feet or at the horizon?

It has been troubling to me to know people that base their politics only on one issue. For example, Gay Rights, Abortion, tax cuts, science, anti-science, prayer in school, funding public school, Open Carry, and the single issues are endless. People choosing one issue and the other equally as important issues be dammed.

So if one presidential candidate is an okay choice but one issue, some voters won’t vote for that person. For example Mit Romney. He seems inline with almost all Republican talking points. However, he is Mormon. Mormon? Is that so bad? If he is qualified, why not vote for him.

Also President Obama. He seems inline with most Democrats issues except he has furthered the war in Afghanistan. Many voters don’t like that. Is this a good reason to not vote for Obama? He seems sympathetic to environment and health issues. So why choose one issue and discount all the rest.

But, as we know many single issues are based more on partisan politics. Not on pragmatism. Ignoring the greater good. Yes, that old word “Compromise” dilutes your candidate’s image. Thus in turn, forcing you to vote for the other guy or gal just for spite. This is good politics?

Plus we put too much emphasis on party than the man or woman and their political, moral, and ethical beliefs. And, this seems to happen when we as individuals are more influenced by party rather than a qualified candidate.

Would you not buy a car only because it has no cigarette lighter in the back seat? No. Would you not adopt a child only because he or she had red hair? Of course you would adopt that precious child regardless of hair color.

Please please Mr. and Ms. America. Look at the whole candidate. Look at his or her basic morals and intelligence. Not just where he or she stands on a single issue. We must vote for America and not just a single issue. Single issue votes work against the basic principles of the Constitution. We must look at the bigger picture and work to that end. God bless America.

Herman, I admire your spunk but...

Herman Herman Herman. What is going on in your head? You need to hire a half dozen college professors to help bring you up to date on economics, current events, American History, world history, and Geo-political strategy.

Go to Washington DC and hang around a dozen or more “Think Tanks.” You need to know policy as suggested by these brainiacs. It would help your responses to the many complicated questions reporter and journalists ask.

But as I see it, you are not at all ready for prime time. You need to gain admission at either Harvard or Yale and study public policy. Learn Political science. Study Geo-political economics. Take a course or two in marketing and public relations. Hire yourself a military advisor. Most of all read about a dozen world and national newspapers.

You can’t just walk into the presidency by being willfully stupid. America needs a smart and world savvy occupant in the Whitehouse. Go back to school and try again later. Good Luck.

Growing up Okie in L A: Let's go to the Hop

I was never a dancer. My mom and dad didn’t want me to dance. And I’m talking about dancing at school or any other “Dancing Den of Sin.” Which means no dancing after school in the gym. Dancing with…girls. Absolutely forbidden. Certainly a fundamentalist doctrinaire.

Why not dance? Well, I would be swallowed in to a fiery pit of judgment. Far beneath the surface of the gym floor. Swallowed down into a huge monstrous fire-breathing canyon of smoking black brimstone. Perhaps tumbling down just beneath the scattered pile of boys and girls shoes they tossed off. “What happened to Charlie? He disappeared I guess.”

However, against my mom’s wishes, I did once slip into the side door at a junior high dance in our school gym. And to make this clear, this was just for casual observation. Taking notes for future reference of course. This was 1958 at my junior high. So, this is what I observed from the gym bleachers:
Off up against the gym wall was a portable record player sitting atop a high stool. A record player scratching out a tinny sound of early rock and roll. Then on the dance floor was Boys and girls dancing far apart from each other but holding hands nonetheless. Dancing duos closely monitored by two first year English teachers. Teachers sliding about like referees at a hockey game. And all this noise and shuffling beneath the full power of the gym’s bright lights.

The 20-something year old woman teacher was wearing cat eyeglasses and crowned with brown curly poofy hair. She had at her side, like a magic wand, a one-foot wooden ruler. And occasionally she would approach a fox trotting couple to place the 12-inch rule between their chests. “Remember boys and girls, you must remain twelve inches apart. It’s the rule.”

The guy teacher was also youngish, tall, thin, wore a dark suit with high water cuffs, and looked just like Dennis the Menace’s father. Long pointed nose, black oily hair combed straight back, and with Coke bottle glasses that made his eyes appear like floating prunes. Both teachers giving the impression they would rather be home grading English papers instead.

Now, off to one side away from the larger group of dancers, was a lone couple hanging on to each other’s shoulders dancing cheek to cheek but with their hips at least twenty inches apart. Looking like an A-frame with feet. Seemingly dancing to one beat. No matter how fast or slow the music, this couple maintained a slow two-step shuffle. Quite strange looking I must say.

Never the less, as the dance progressed, several of the junior high kids had cajoled the two first year English teachers into demonstrating how two mature individuals properly dance. Teen dancers knowing full well each teacher was young, single, and most embarrassed to be put together in this horrific teen dance-monitoring job. Both teachers’ faces were beet red and embarrassed. However, they were compelled by teacher responsibility to demonstrate the proper way to slow dance. And again, I must say it was awkward and strange. Both holding each other like they didn’t want to hold each other. More like pushing each other away from the other. All the while teen kids were whistling, cat calling, and hooting it up. A spectacle rather entertaining.

My mom was right. I should never go to school dances. This was most ridiculous. Now you know why I am still alive today.

Watching the nightly news is torture.

Is it over yet? Has the carnival moved off the lot and did the buffoonish clowns go as well? Most of all is this traveling political Vaudeville show over with yet? How much longer must we endure this haranguing mental abuse on the nightly news?

To say this Republican Debate is an insult to America’s intelligence is a gross understatement. It is more like cruelty to the listener/viewer. Water torture would be preferred to the dopiness heard from the mouths of political ignoramuses. How much longer must we suffer? Why do we deserve this?

Please Mr. and Mrs. Broadcaster and cable operator, stop this. We’ve heard enough. It only makes each candidate look bad. None of these candidates are fit to run a small time “Dog and Pony” show; much less a government. Where is the proverbial ‘Neck Hook’ to pull them off stage? Spare us! Save us from mental anguish. Save us from Posttraumatic political season disorder. Have mercy. Uncle-uncle-uncle!

From our local newspaper

Shortage of voters, but not gripes. JAY CRONLEY World Staff Columnist. This is ground zero for complaints. People around here complain long and often about anything. Shock waves resonate for days. The streets stink, the schools don't work, the school administrators should all be fired, the mayor doesn't know what he's doing but is far ahead of the council. All utilities should be investigated, city tree-trimmers halted, the newspaper should have its head examined, the football team should have run more, crime is unchecked, cable television should be ashamed, and street construction takes so long that repairs are needed on the first part to be fixed just as the last part is completed. It was into this backdrop that city elections were just held. Grab am umbrella: Hardly anybody was there at the voting place. So few cars were in the parking lot that I backed up to look for the sign denoting an election today, wondering whether I had turned too soon. It was misting. Evidently nothing disrupts the electoral system here like a good mist. Whereas we will drive over black ice just to say we got to work, and as we will plow through hail the size of radishes to shop for groceries, and while we will play golf in a gale, watch football in the snow, walk the dog around lightning, and drive like lunatics in a monsoon, precious few of us can vote in the mist. A cloud cover could jeopardize voter turnout here. Actual dampness - forget about a crowd. The few, the proud: It was around four in the afternoon, election day. I parked. Got out. Looked around. It was a little like what a person voting in a primitive land might expect. I was the only one moving. Might a thumb be dipped in ink to signify a successful vote? It was only slightly more active inside. Three people worked the desks, checking registrations, picture identifications, handing out ballots and markers. Service was tremendous. I was the only voter in the joint. You could hear my black marker move on the ballot to connect the boxes of my choices. You could hear me walk across the room. You could really hear the machine take my ballot. You could hear everything. In other words, in any words, it was a great election. Only 15 percent of those eligible voted. Don't vote, can't complain..

It would be oh so cool to take politics out of jobs.

A pipeline cutting down across the prairie does not a job maker make. It cuts down through backyards, pastures, and farm fields. Always posing an environmental threat. Some of the worse kind of oil and clay slurry under extreme high pressure vulnerable to pipeline rupture. Possibly spilling thousands of gallons over environmentally sensitive ground. Easily finding it’s way down to drinking water beneath the surface. Only to make a big mess and contaminating water for drinking.

Pipelines only benefit the big oil companies and their shareholders. Any jobs created are short lived with no health benefits. This is not a job creator. Just a fleeting moment for the big oils. “Boys get it done and then get the heck out!”

If you wish to just create temporary jobs to stimulate the economy, build bridges. Build and repair roads, repair and build runways. Engineer and build high-speed rail. All of which benefit the general American population. Not shareholders.

Publics works is not job killers. But quite the opposite. It puts the unemployed back to work and greatly benefits the American economy. Not just self-absorbed oil execs and shareholders.

Open mouth. Shoot hole in foot. This is debating?

And the traveling circus continues. Clowns continue to entertain and the show goes on. Yapping, haranguing, bloviating, and general tossing out one-liners and forget me nots.

It is astounding that Mit Romney would unabashedly say to a Detroit motor audience, “Bailing out Detroit was a bad idea.” Rick Perry, after stumbling over his own poor memory, says, “Get rid of the DOE.” And the Doe being one of our greatest sources of R and D. Nonetheless, the Republican presidential hopefuls continue to “Write-off” various segments of their constituency. Not only Michiganders, Researches, and public employees, but Hispanics, women, and for the most part, most of America.

So, whom do they have to play to? Red Necks? Bimbos? Armadillos?

Watching these debaters is like viewing a police line-up of suspects accused of crimes against the intelligent of America. What they are saying and how they present it is like junior highers auditioning for America’s Funniest Videos. Clueless, immature, and not ready for Prime Time. Presidential Wannabies who are really nottabies. A shameful bunch of ignoramuses.

Please please, someone come get these clowns off stage. Take them back home and hose them off. Put them back in their boxes and send them back to China. Just get them out of our faces.

I am a true blue conservative.

Conservation means take care of what you have and use less of it. At least that’s the way I define conservation. We don’t need more. We need less.

Less is easier to manage. More is harder to manage. More is complicated and stretches one’s abilities to cope. More is worrisome. More is what draws conmen to your front door and possibly to your back window.

Having less attracts no one. So, make your life simple. Simple to manage. Costing you less. And we can use more less. Right?

My best advice is to stay away from Walmart. Walmart requires you to buy more and consequently you enjoy it less. So, less is more. And more is less satisfying. With more you are always looking over your shoulders. Experiencing paranoia and fear. “Who is coming to take away my more stuff?” So, reduce your inventory of stuff and enjoy it more. Are you following me? Good!
Walmart junk is just cheap goods from China. Who needs it? It’s just going to fall apart real soon anyway. Creating a waste disposal problem. And, who needs more disposal problems?

So, remove clutter from your life. Think less or rather think less of having more stuff. Do yourself a favor, clear out your junk and don’t buy more. Have a nice day.

Consumer Report: Skype

I bought this computer and I should have the right to not download or download whatever I wish. Don’t you think? So, why is Skype always trying to down load all sorts of gadgets and updates?

I don’t want skype 5.5. My 3.8 works just fine for me. I don’t want the Google tool bar. I don’t want the skype communicator. I absolutely don’t want any automatic download. I want to make that decision by myself. I’d my freaking computer. Skype! Stay the heck out. Go download in a toilet if you have to.

I only want skype there when I want it. I have uninstalled skype 5.5 about a dozen times in the past six months and reloaded 3.8. I love 3.8 and I’m glad I kept the installer in my folder. Frequently skype says it’s downloading the updated version without even asking my permission. Or it gives a confusing set of instructions and downloads skype regardless. Certain creating a bad reputation as far as I’m concerned. Skype really sucks. However, I do you use it from time to time. What is Microsoft trying to do? Kill off their fragile corporate image? It is now an ugly corporate image. Nasty and bullying. Middle finger you Microsoft.

Andy Rooney! I already miss you.

I already miss Andy Rooney. I wish I could do what he did. Complaining about most anything is what I like. Most of all I wish I could grow eyebrows like his. But my barber and daughters won’t let me. Won’t let me complain that is.

Put down your mouse and pick up a newspaper

My twelfth grade civics teacher would probably wet his pants, if he could hear what the current presidential candidates are saying. My teacher would say, “Don’t they read the newspaper? Haven’t they ever read American history?”

It is amazing what ignorance these guys and gal display. To me it is most embarrassing when they speak in public. How did they ever graduate from high school? What self-respecting college or university would admit them into their institution of higher learning? God save us from this obvious display of lack of education.

And this is not to mention just a lack of general knowledge. There are newspapers, magazines, and books that are being overlooked by these candidates. What on earth is on their reading list? The funnies? Sporting news? Gourmet magazine? What?

I hate to say it but these candidates are S-T-U-P-I-D! Unaware, ill-informed, and outright ignoramuses. Holy Moly!

Do we need pipelines or playgrounds?

Is it more important to build an oil pipeline from Canada to the gulf? Supposedly creating jobs and mostly benefiting the oil companies and its shareholders? Or build roads, bridges, and repair run ways, build high-speed rail, also creating good jobs, and then greatly benefiting many parts of America.

Do we really want a pipeline cutting down through Middle America threatening open land and water resources or, build infrastructure that is very much needed to improve our quality of living. Do we need better roads or wealthier oil companies? It’s as simple as that.

Either one will provide needed jobs. But both have different outcomes. One serving the shareholders of oil companies and the other serving the general American population. Which do we want? A safer environment or a high-pressured intrusive oil pipeline cutting through our middle states? A pipe that Possibly could burst and dump heavy clay filled oil all over the northern and southern Plaines. Creating an environmental hazard similar to the BP oil spill in the gulf. Is this what we want?

I’ll take smooth roads and safe bridges over oil pipelines any day. Think about it. Oil that goes on the global market or infrastructure that stays in America?

Don't give your brain to science.

Allowing talk radio to decide your politics is like giving your brains to science well before you die. We don’t need any more Zombies. We need intelligent informed citizens. Read the newspaper. Watch CSPAN.

Just don't go in there. You'll waste your money.

The Carnival is still on the road and barkers and side show freaks are as bazaar as ever. Pitchmen are still at it and Shouting making all kinds of outrageous claims. “Lay your money down and come on in if you dare.” See them crawl on their bellies like a reptile. All they want is just a little bit of your money and you get the show of a lifetime. “Come on in take a chance. See the worlds greatest Freak Show. Hurry hurry hurry! Just step right inside the crowded tent.”

And whom do you get to see or hear? Rick, Herman, Mit, Newt, Ron, and the list is almost endless. However, this really isn’t a serious carnival but a feeble attempt by the ultra conservatives to field a presidential chorus line of clowns. However, the men and woman are as bazaar as any carnival sideshow. Bloviating, making outrageous statements, flailing and twisting about like genuine freaks at the circus.

And here is the rub. They are pretending to be serious presidential candidates. And to add humor to their stupidity, they think they have something good to offer the American voters. Oh really?

While these Looney Toons are babbling and debating with each other, the American voters are trying to figure out how to revive the national economy. Plus other Americans are yelling and shouting on Wall Street in order to bring some sensibility and equality to the financial mess. A giant mess which some of the candidates had made in the first place. Who are they kidding?

Is this the kind of lowbrow politics we want to send to Washington? Just more of the same old same from the previous administration. America deserves better. Just tell all of them, NO! Where are the JFKs? Where are the Eisenhower’s? Where are the Roosevelts and Trumans? I’ll even take a Nixon or Ford. Just get these sideshow freaks off stage. God forgive us and God bless America.

Congress is madly driven by inertia

The moment the 2008 elected congress took office Jan 2009, all began their reelection campaigns. All were planning their campaign finances just after being sworn in. It was like the starter gun was shot in the air. They’re off!. Never mind previous campaign promises. Never mind assisting with reforms promises as lauded to their constituency. Just make sure reelection campaign funds are in place and just try not to be noticed. Fly low and come out swinging two years from now.

In other words, this is the congress newly elected President Obama had to work and deal with in his first term in office. Resisting, unfocused, and playing to each congressman’s own lobby constituency. Go where the money is and stay away from controversy. Play it safe. When in doubt, just vote no.

So, when these misguided polls come out each week stating how Obama is weak and can’t get the job done, just think Congress. Congress was the roadblock the president had to hurdle. It’s the roadblock that turned good reform ideas into watered down pottage. And, it has only gotten worse since the 2010 mid-term election. Congress still resisting and planning for their Congressional reelection. Thus, a “Do nothing Congress.”

So when you read these polls always look at congress. Congress is the group of nare do wells that created all this inactivity. Congress has sat on their collective hands. Just sitting around waiting for the next election. Could you imagine a football game played with the same rules? “Just hold the ball and hope no one gets hurt.” Buzz!!! “Take these do-nothing guys off the field!!!

Customer service that ain't

I have been on the phone with India about a dozen and half times for the past three plus weeks. Talking to “technical support.” It’s like listening to a two and a half year old chimpanzee learning English. I haven’t a clue what they are saying. “Meestare –Iears, my neem is Billy Bob.” Yeah right.

Now, how in heck are we supposed to explain our technical difficulties with someone, who first of all, knows nothing about our culture and it expectations? Expectations like customer service. The India boys and girls seem to be zombie like when I try to explain my technical problem. Possibly they are thinking, “These kind of problems exist all the time here in India. Why should I care?” However, this is what our American tech provider wants. A human “Fire Wall” to put off their annoying customers. Customers like myself who expect service and results from a tech provider. In this case I have been talking to my web hosting service. And, conveniently located half a world away in India. Certainly a culture and society half a world away as well.

Secondly and worse of all, the tech boys and girls just read a script. Once you get past the horrific challenge of proving who you are, you will be read to. “Hees wa you muss do Meester I-ears. Bla Bla bla bla.” At this point most people and myself included start to seize up with a raging impulse to send the Navy to the Indian Ocean with Cruise Missiles and armadas of bomb-laden drones.
Where is that call center anyway?” Mumbai? Bangalore? Baliwood? Wherever they are, I want revenge! I would even settle for a cream pie tossed in their faces. Schmushk!

A few good things to consider.

Two things:
Thing one. The federal government wants to literally put strings back in “Purse Strings.” Yes. If the government gets it’s way, we all will be lugging around a coin purse filled with coinage. Coins of one-dollar denomination. Possibly weighing up to a pound or more. Jingling coins in one’ own coin purse. A purse tied to our belts like Robin Hood did in the Sherwood Forest.

What will I do with my wallet or “Bill Fold” as some call it? Toss it away. With all those photos and credit cards? But it was so convenient. How will I stuff a coin purse in my hip pocket? More importantly, how will it feel when I sit on my dangling coin purse? Coin purse just doesn’t sound right. It certainly won’t feel right either.

Thing two. Lay-Away is coming back into vogue. You know, put a little money down on a purchase and pay it off in weekly or monthly incremental payments. Just like I did 40-years ago at Sears. It was so handy at Christmas time. Sort of pay as you go.

Well, our government could learn from this simple process. Got a missile you want to buy? Put it on lay-away. Put your money down, pay it off over the months or years, and then it’s yours. Free and clear. No fuss. No muss. It’s oh so simple.

Got a campaign you want to finance? No need for a lobbyist. Just put your campaign on Lay-away. Its just takes a little planning ahead. Put your money down and pay it off in payments. Just start a bit earlier. Maybe like two or three years earlier. Believe me, it will work. Lay-away. The next big thing.