The shooting and murder in Tucson Arizona were unspeakably horrible. my heart goes out to all the victims and their families. It must be very difficult for them. I'd like to address all those misguided people who are trying to point the finger of blame at someone other than the killer.
I'm not a psychiatrist but to me it appears to be that this guy was really messed up in his own thinking. He wasn't a follower of anyone. He took it upon himself to buy a gun and ammunition without provocation, no one brought them to him. He planned the crime alone, no one guided him. He went to the scene of the crime by himself, no one brought him there to kill. ALONE, ALONE, ALONE! How many times does it take for people to hear that and believe it?
If there were stronger laws concerning gun ownership, he'd have found a way anyway. If he'd have listened to liberal NPR or conservative talk radio 24/7 he'd have gone on a rampage anyway. Whether he was a democrat or republican he'd have done it anyway. Neither president Obama or Sarah Palin's words set him off. It all resulted from his own twisted thinking. To me it is as obvious as it can be that he was intent on his mission of chaos for only reasons he can possibly understand in his own twisted mind.
I believe that all those people, from the local sheriff to the top political talk show hosts should just shut up and stop using this terribly emotional time to push their otherwise unpopular agendas.
Gun abolitionists want to blame this on his ability to buy a gun. "Stop people from buying guns!" they say. Some people blame this horrible event on too much freedom of speech, "Make laws restricting talk radio!" they say. Some people blame this on open, emotional political discussion, "Make politicians stop arguing!" they say. Do you honestly believe that any of these actions would have stopped this guy or anyone else like him from his shooting spree?
Discussion of events leading up to this crime and others like it in the past is an excellent idea. There are probably some things that be done to help prevent them in the future. We can take a careful look and see what can intelligently be done, but using tragedy to push a previously held agenda is simply heartless to the pain of those victims who are going through it personally. That sort of pandering should be unthinkable, just like the crime itself. .............
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Men crying
What's all this men crying stuff that's going on anyway? It seems that every time I turn on the TV or the radio, some otherwise macho guy is choking back tears and has to compose himself before he can continue speaking. Yeah sure, we all know that real men do cry right? But come on, over every little thing? getting a new job, buying a car, making a bad baseball call, new clothes, receiving a big hammer and walking in the door of a new home all appear to induce a waterfall of tears they need a bath towel to wipe away. I'm really getting confused about this seemingly popular new phenomenon. It's sort of discomforting and unsettling to say the least.
In all my years of life, since my earliest memories I learned that men cry, yes they do. It's totally allowed. But, men should know when and where they can cry. Knowing that is an important part of being a man. If men continue to cry openly, anywhere, anytime, for any reason we're going to be thought of as a bunch of pushovers, so completely in touch with our inner selves that we may be mistaken for being, "sensitive." Heaven forbid!
I would like to remind all you guys out there that are letting loose with a flow of tears running down your cheeks and quivering lower lip that you should be a little more discreet with your emotions before you completely lose your manhood. Men know where to go when the need to cry overwhelms them. Men go to bars and cry their hearts out to the bartender! It's always been that way and some of you should ought to remember that. I suppose it all started with Dr. Phil and took off from there but we have to get back to the basics of manhood and return to our natural instincts of crying in our beer. People watching a man cry on TV may not truly understand why he's doing it but we know with absolute confidence the neighborhood bartender can relate, completely understand and keep it to himself. That's the way it is and has always been in real life isn't it? So, I say, cry away, cry often but keep it within the boundaries of true manhood. Do your crying in a bar. Just like this with a little tongue in the cheek.
In all my years of life, since my earliest memories I learned that men cry, yes they do. It's totally allowed. But, men should know when and where they can cry. Knowing that is an important part of being a man. If men continue to cry openly, anywhere, anytime, for any reason we're going to be thought of as a bunch of pushovers, so completely in touch with our inner selves that we may be mistaken for being, "sensitive." Heaven forbid!
I would like to remind all you guys out there that are letting loose with a flow of tears running down your cheeks and quivering lower lip that you should be a little more discreet with your emotions before you completely lose your manhood. Men know where to go when the need to cry overwhelms them. Men go to bars and cry their hearts out to the bartender! It's always been that way and some of you should ought to remember that. I suppose it all started with Dr. Phil and took off from there but we have to get back to the basics of manhood and return to our natural instincts of crying in our beer. People watching a man cry on TV may not truly understand why he's doing it but we know with absolute confidence the neighborhood bartender can relate, completely understand and keep it to himself. That's the way it is and has always been in real life isn't it? So, I say, cry away, cry often but keep it within the boundaries of true manhood. Do your crying in a bar. Just like this with a little tongue in the cheek.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Entrepreneur lessons and advice
Being an entrepreneur isn't easy. Nine out of ten new entrepreneurs go out of business in the first three years and half of those go out of business in the next two years. I am an entrepreneur, I started my business in 1960. I almost went out of business a half dozen times since then. Some say that I should have. It took a great deal of personal commitment to keep the doors open. I'm not special, I'm just like thousands of other entrepreneurs that do whatever it takes to get the job done.
When you are the foundation of a business it is a huge responsibility and requires a do or die attitude. In one particular year several of my customers went bankrupt, taking with them a quarter of a million dollars of the fruits of my labor. I remember well what the president of one of the largest corporations said to me when he handed me the bankruptcy forms, "Don't take it personal, it's just business." I had to go home and tell my family that everything we had worked for in the past is gone and everything for the next 19 years is already taken. You can bet your bottom dollar I took it personal.
I consider myself honored to be among the small group of successful entrepreneurs. I thank the people in my life that told me that if I was to succeed I'd have to get used to sacrifice. They weren't lying! When the accountants said it couldn't be done, I found a way. When my competitors said they'd beat me into the ground and run me out of business, I survived on my terms. The cost? When many of my friends were taking vacations I worked, I went 33 years without a real vacation. When a lot of my friends were working forty hour weeks with paid sick days and benefits, I worked eighty to ninety hours a week with no sick days and no benefits.
The rewards? My company is still growing and has survived the economic downturn. I look forward to going to work every day. I am a happy dude. Dozens of people have had a job and supported their families while working for my company. Our efforts have helped support the community for many years. It hasn't been easy.
So I offer this advice to present or hopeful entrepreneurs. Go for it! Be prepared for the long hours and hardships and don't give up. It is up to you to make it happen!.............Good luck!
When you are the foundation of a business it is a huge responsibility and requires a do or die attitude. In one particular year several of my customers went bankrupt, taking with them a quarter of a million dollars of the fruits of my labor. I remember well what the president of one of the largest corporations said to me when he handed me the bankruptcy forms, "Don't take it personal, it's just business." I had to go home and tell my family that everything we had worked for in the past is gone and everything for the next 19 years is already taken. You can bet your bottom dollar I took it personal.
I consider myself honored to be among the small group of successful entrepreneurs. I thank the people in my life that told me that if I was to succeed I'd have to get used to sacrifice. They weren't lying! When the accountants said it couldn't be done, I found a way. When my competitors said they'd beat me into the ground and run me out of business, I survived on my terms. The cost? When many of my friends were taking vacations I worked, I went 33 years without a real vacation. When a lot of my friends were working forty hour weeks with paid sick days and benefits, I worked eighty to ninety hours a week with no sick days and no benefits.
The rewards? My company is still growing and has survived the economic downturn. I look forward to going to work every day. I am a happy dude. Dozens of people have had a job and supported their families while working for my company. Our efforts have helped support the community for many years. It hasn't been easy.
So I offer this advice to present or hopeful entrepreneurs. Go for it! Be prepared for the long hours and hardships and don't give up. It is up to you to make it happen!.............Good luck!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Feeding the poor
I wonder if someone needs another job?
I am the first to admit that I'm no Einstein, my writing shows that. The job I am inferring to right here would never be within my scope for consideration. But, I think someone else got the job for all the wrong reasons. I'm talking about the person in charge of how to feed the people in America, and more specifically the poor. With many of the statements I hear from these very smart and educated people, it makes me wonder what got them the job in the first place.
There are two situations that are being addressed by governmental and charity services:
The poor don't have enough food to eat.
And, a vast majority of the poor are overweight.
Are these two problems actually related? Ya think!
As I said, I'm not formally educated enough to be considered for a job overseeing such important stuff. I did, however grow up on the minimum staples of nourishment for sustaining life. Some might say we were poor. During that time two things were constant, somehow we had enough to eat and none of us were overweight. Although my parents made use of surplus food a couple times in an emergency the rest of the time it came from our own efforts. Meals were sometimes an adventure. So was the rest of life. In my home, the less governmental assistance, the better. School lunch wasn't as good as what my mom or dad packed in a paper bag. Usually if there was no sack lunch I went to the corner drugstore and bought a bit of candy. I didn't starve. Some of my friends came from large families of up to 9 kids. Although they were often in the same financial situation they didn't starve either. I learned at an early age that if I didn't eat what was on my plate I was hungry until the next meal. If I ate too much I felt bloated and lacked the energy to enjoy life. I learned that it was everyones responsibility to help those that couldn't help themselves. I wonder what the difference is between then and now?
In my uneducated but experienced life there are two things that usually caused excess weight: Eating too much and not enough exercise. (excluding specific health issues of course) When a family is receiving food supplementation from the government along with food cards and charitable food banks at home I see no reason to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to their kids at school. I do see neglectful parents being prosecuted for not feeding and neglecting their own kids. That's not happening any time soon I'm afraid though.
To me, this begs the question, "Are we being groomed to be totally dependant upon the government for all means of sustenance in order to provide some egotistical elitist with a cushy, high paying, great benefit, powerful jobs? It's probably a simple matter of my lack of education in these matters. Maybe eating a lot and a lack of exercise doesn't cause obesity. I probably missed that part in school. The part where someone came into class and said, "Hi, I work for the government and I'm here to help feed you."
I am the first to admit that I'm no Einstein, my writing shows that. The job I am inferring to right here would never be within my scope for consideration. But, I think someone else got the job for all the wrong reasons. I'm talking about the person in charge of how to feed the people in America, and more specifically the poor. With many of the statements I hear from these very smart and educated people, it makes me wonder what got them the job in the first place.
There are two situations that are being addressed by governmental and charity services:
The poor don't have enough food to eat.
And, a vast majority of the poor are overweight.
Are these two problems actually related? Ya think!
As I said, I'm not formally educated enough to be considered for a job overseeing such important stuff. I did, however grow up on the minimum staples of nourishment for sustaining life. Some might say we were poor. During that time two things were constant, somehow we had enough to eat and none of us were overweight. Although my parents made use of surplus food a couple times in an emergency the rest of the time it came from our own efforts. Meals were sometimes an adventure. So was the rest of life. In my home, the less governmental assistance, the better. School lunch wasn't as good as what my mom or dad packed in a paper bag. Usually if there was no sack lunch I went to the corner drugstore and bought a bit of candy. I didn't starve. Some of my friends came from large families of up to 9 kids. Although they were often in the same financial situation they didn't starve either. I learned at an early age that if I didn't eat what was on my plate I was hungry until the next meal. If I ate too much I felt bloated and lacked the energy to enjoy life. I learned that it was everyones responsibility to help those that couldn't help themselves. I wonder what the difference is between then and now?
In my uneducated but experienced life there are two things that usually caused excess weight: Eating too much and not enough exercise. (excluding specific health issues of course) When a family is receiving food supplementation from the government along with food cards and charitable food banks at home I see no reason to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to their kids at school. I do see neglectful parents being prosecuted for not feeding and neglecting their own kids. That's not happening any time soon I'm afraid though.
To me, this begs the question, "Are we being groomed to be totally dependant upon the government for all means of sustenance in order to provide some egotistical elitist with a cushy, high paying, great benefit, powerful jobs? It's probably a simple matter of my lack of education in these matters. Maybe eating a lot and a lack of exercise doesn't cause obesity. I probably missed that part in school. The part where someone came into class and said, "Hi, I work for the government and I'm here to help feed you."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Rambling about fashionable clothes
I've heard of a lot of things that money can buy but the one thing I didn't think it could buy was being poor. For several years now a way to look chic has been to wear "brand new" faded, torn and frazzled clothes. Right along with it is the unshaven, dishevelled hair look for guys. Women walk around with their hair in a mess too but thank heaven most of them shave. I don't quite understand the purpose behind looking poor but maybe its got something to do with the strength required to live without a lot of everyday amenities. Maybe shredded clothes and looking like you live on the street without running water makes up for the feeling of having more than you deserve or something like that. When I buy clothes I'd rather get something all in one piece to show for all the work I put in to get the money to buy it in the first place. I don't like to waste my efforts on trash. The hair thing is no longer one of my problems the past few years though.
Getting all dressed up to go somewhere is really something to look forward to when you don't have enough money to dress up every day. Its one of the privileges of being poor: Having something special. Next time you go out to someplace special take a look around you. I think you will find that the people that don't have much dress better than those that have enough. Maybe its because the poor realize the effort required to actually earn something with their own blood, sweat and tears. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe poor people just don't have any taste when they save money for a long time just to buy something nice. Maybe poor people are dressing "out of their place" when they buy nice clothes or comb their hair or shave. But on the other hand, are people of means actually buying themselves "out of their place" when they buy ratty clothes and don't shave or comb their hair. Hmmm?
So, we have a quandary don't we. Poor guys dress sloppy with their pants down around their knees so they can look like the people they see on TV and listen to on the radio. The guys on TV, in sports or singing on the radio dress sloppy with their pants down around their knees so they appear to be in touch with the poor and downtrodden. If you talk to someone with lots of knowledge they will tell you that "the clothes don't make the person." I wonder if sometimes people with lots of money that buy torn, faded and frazzled clothes are making fun of those people that can't afford much. In other words: You can't buy designer clothes but I can buy beat up rags any time I want! I can actually pay somebody to ruin my clothes for me. I don't have to go through the trials, tribulations or embarrassment of being poor.
Its definitely food for thought isn't it? In my experience I don't think you can buy "being poor." In my opinion a person can just about dress any way they want. But for the life of me I can't think of any reason why some people want to look like they just came from sleeping the night under an overpass. But that's just me I guess. I still don't get why guys compete on the TV show Jackass either. I guess I'm just clueless............Joe
Getting all dressed up to go somewhere is really something to look forward to when you don't have enough money to dress up every day. Its one of the privileges of being poor: Having something special. Next time you go out to someplace special take a look around you. I think you will find that the people that don't have much dress better than those that have enough. Maybe its because the poor realize the effort required to actually earn something with their own blood, sweat and tears. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe poor people just don't have any taste when they save money for a long time just to buy something nice. Maybe poor people are dressing "out of their place" when they buy nice clothes or comb their hair or shave. But on the other hand, are people of means actually buying themselves "out of their place" when they buy ratty clothes and don't shave or comb their hair. Hmmm?
So, we have a quandary don't we. Poor guys dress sloppy with their pants down around their knees so they can look like the people they see on TV and listen to on the radio. The guys on TV, in sports or singing on the radio dress sloppy with their pants down around their knees so they appear to be in touch with the poor and downtrodden. If you talk to someone with lots of knowledge they will tell you that "the clothes don't make the person." I wonder if sometimes people with lots of money that buy torn, faded and frazzled clothes are making fun of those people that can't afford much. In other words: You can't buy designer clothes but I can buy beat up rags any time I want! I can actually pay somebody to ruin my clothes for me. I don't have to go through the trials, tribulations or embarrassment of being poor.
Its definitely food for thought isn't it? In my experience I don't think you can buy "being poor." In my opinion a person can just about dress any way they want. But for the life of me I can't think of any reason why some people want to look like they just came from sleeping the night under an overpass. But that's just me I guess. I still don't get why guys compete on the TV show Jackass either. I guess I'm just clueless............Joe
Friday, January 7, 2011
Jobs and snow storms
We're finally getting snow around here. Hurrah! I know I am treading on thin ice here regarding the old axiom: "Be careful what you pray for." But at the same time, I continue to live in Michigan because I like the seasons, including but not limited to the snowy winter. Back when I was a kid it felt as though we received way more snow than the past few years. Streets were bordered by huge mounds of plowed snow covering even the sidewalks. It was a natural playground for us little guys. You could dig straight into the piles and they'd become a fort or an igloo in no time at all. The snow plows chugged up and down the side streets by attaching chains to their tires that dug deeply into the ice and snow. To my recollection there really wasn't much salt used to clear the roads as they do today. The trucks were filled with sand which they spread behind into the chain grooves as they plowed. It was cold, the snow was deep and cars got stuck regularly. That was solved when the neighbors would come out of their toasty homes with their coats, gloves and goulashes to push the unlucky soul out and on their way again. There was a lot of that. The tow trucks did a landmine business too I am sure but all in all w survived until spring came and it was time to go spearing for fish in the local creek. The change of seasons and the accompanying weather differences were a cause of celebration. When the weather stays the same for a long time most Michiganders like myself get bored. That's why I like the snow when it arrives and let there be no doubt that I also like it when it leaves.
The reason I mention this is that our economy is also seasonal and right now it is very much like the dead of winter. It is a difficult time for many of us and its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I've been here before too. As sure as Spring follows winter, the economy will rebound and there will be much cause to celebrate. The thing is, we have to make the best of where we are right now. The trials and tribulations of recession can make us stronger and wiser. Just like winter helps us become more aware of the opportunities that come with Spring. Relief will come quicker for some of us than it will for others. recently I spoke with a friend who hadn't had a permanent job for over two years. He has now been working for a company for three months and they just told him they want him to stick round for many years to come and gave him a raise and a promotion. He handled the snow, now his Springtime has arrived. There are a lot of stories like that and more are popping up every day. I think we need to remember that and keep the faith. But we really have to work at it sometimes..I wish you a good day................Joe
The reason I mention this is that our economy is also seasonal and right now it is very much like the dead of winter. It is a difficult time for many of us and its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I've been here before too. As sure as Spring follows winter, the economy will rebound and there will be much cause to celebrate. The thing is, we have to make the best of where we are right now. The trials and tribulations of recession can make us stronger and wiser. Just like winter helps us become more aware of the opportunities that come with Spring. Relief will come quicker for some of us than it will for others. recently I spoke with a friend who hadn't had a permanent job for over two years. He has now been working for a company for three months and they just told him they want him to stick round for many years to come and gave him a raise and a promotion. He handled the snow, now his Springtime has arrived. There are a lot of stories like that and more are popping up every day. I think we need to remember that and keep the faith. But we really have to work at it sometimes..I wish you a good day................Joe
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wyoming Riddler Treasure Hunt Clue #2
Clue #2 of the 30th annual Wyoming Riddler Silver Treasure Hunt
"Going West of the reclining hoe and South of the snake eye line, you'll need to buck the trend up a smidgen. A rare area to be."
January is always a popular month for people yearning to break out of the holidays with gusto and excercise their minds. From the indications we have the amount of local treasure hunters almost doubles overnight following the New Year celebrations. The medallion has been found in January and the opportunity exists this year for that to happen also. As usual there are some hot spots where a lot of people are looking but no winners yet. Good luck!
Greg's web site www.wyomingriddler.com www.mlive.com The Grand Rapids Press and the Advance Newspapers are great places for background and updates.
"Going West of the reclining hoe and South of the snake eye line, you'll need to buck the trend up a smidgen. A rare area to be."
January is always a popular month for people yearning to break out of the holidays with gusto and excercise their minds. From the indications we have the amount of local treasure hunters almost doubles overnight following the New Year celebrations. The medallion has been found in January and the opportunity exists this year for that to happen also. As usual there are some hot spots where a lot of people are looking but no winners yet. Good luck!
Greg's web site www.wyomingriddler.com www.mlive.com The Grand Rapids Press and the Advance Newspapers are great places for background and updates.
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