Greetings friends, I'm gonna get right to it. I'm pissed. You know I can't remember seeing this level of incompetence in government ever before in my life time. I just can't believe it. First, are we really having conversations with China about our approach to immigration, specifically illegal immigration? Oh, I get it, because they are the poster nation on human rights. Because people who try to sneak into China are welcomed with open arms right? Because were looking at probably the most famous nation in history for building a wall right? I hear it was a great wall(pun intended)and yes I know my history and why they built it but the concept is the same. China built a wall to keep something that they viewed to be bad for them out. Wow, what a concept. But we are apologizing to them, on behalf of Arizona, and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. PLEASE, if you know, enlighten me, I'm ready to hear it. I'm a sponge people.
Next, lets just move right to the Arizona law. Call me a broken record but it's time to let this go. Arizona is not going to change their law. Now Kanye West is boycotting them. Correction, he's just kind of boycotting them because he won't perform there, but he's still going to sell his wares. Follow the money. I could actually respect just one person or state that had the courage of their conviction and actually went the whole nine as far as boycotting Arizona. I wouldn't agree with them, but I could respect it. Everyone who is boycotting Arizona has a "but", Seattle did the partial because of the stop light cameras that they are under contract with AZ. Follow the money. Los Angeles, same story, partial because they get twenty five percent of their power from AZ. Follow the money. Wow. I have yet to hear any prominent person in government or otherwise answer yes when asked if they have read the law. I have a theory on that, tell me if you agree. They can't read it folks, because if they do, it almost forces the huffing and puffing to a slight wheeze. Pass judgement based on the least information possible. That's the strategy. They had to pass health care without reading it. The majority of America read that and didn't want it. Common sense dictates that we know what we are talking about before we talk about it. This administration dictates with very little common sense. And the irony of some things that have happened recently. Washington state, Jose Madrigal caught and arrested for raping a woman outside a grocery store. Deported nine times prior. Yes, nine times. Beyond the pale. He will get convicted of rape, serve his time, and guess what? I.C.E. deports him again. By the way, this is far from his first offense. We have an extreme problem and I for one cannot be polite about it anymore. It demands an extreme solution.
The oil spill. This breaks my heart, truly. I'm probably going to get some push back on some commentary here but that's okay, it's what the blog is all about. I have to defend The President in a way here folks. He is The President of the United States, the entire country, not just Louisiana. I don't want people to make the same mistake with him that they did with President Bush. He has no clue what to do about this mess anymore than you or I do. I think it is easy to backseat quarter back when we have the luxury of not having to do anything about it or make tough decisions in reference to it. This type of disaster is brand new to everyone so at least try to reign in judgement for now. If I haven't earned some reasonable points by now, I guess it will never happen. Here is my unreasonable side. Mr President, when the governor of Louisiana asks to build berms to protect the backwater areas you don't answer with maybe, because you want to send a commission down to study the environmental impact of building berms. Are you kidding me? You answer with "Bobby, do what you have to do". Then you hold a press conference with Bobby, and you, for the love of God, say it again. You let him do what he needs to do. This is how it appears to me. It appears like you need this disaster to be as bad as it can possibly be. It seems like the political capital that you see down the road as far as doing away with offshore drilling might be a priority here. I sincerely hope I'm wrong. I just have this sneaking feeling though, and I'm not a conspiracy theorist, that there is a scientist, deep down in the basement at NASA, who knows exactly how to stop this thing. The reason I think this, and folks this is an original thought, is because so much of NASA's simulation of ANYTHING that can go wrong in space is done under water. I'm just afraid that this scientist, who is losing his or her mind having to hold on to this solution can only be holding on to it for one reason. Government bureaucracy. It may require technology that is classified and not known to the public. I hope I'm wrong because I think we are past not stopping this because of what someone else might find out. Pull out all the stops Mr President. Please. That's Charlies Angle. Whats yours.
On a lighter note. Movie of the week, Robin Hood. I had low expectations for this movie and was delightfully suprised. Good movie. It is a long movie because there is alot of information that you need to have for it all to tie together and make sense. A bang up job of making all of that information interesting and when it gets to the meat of the movie, even better. No new Brian Adams songs to pine away to, but a great movie that I believe follows the legend more closely. Highly recommend.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Current and past Soap Box Sessions
Welcome welcome welcome. Come on in. Folks I'm gonna get right to it. This is the first of what I hope to be many moments spent with you discussing whats worth discussing. This first installment is going to be a bit lengthy. I apologize. No I don't. What the hell? I can't stand sentences that begin with "I'm sorry but", so, no apologies. Anyway, the first two things you will be reading and hopefully want to comment on will be a couple of rants that I did on FaceBook over the past couple of months. Which is the reason for starting this blog. Hard headed me is finally taking the advice of my friends, who, by the way, I will be shamelessly self promoting through. Thanks guys. A multitude of counsel right? I really can't call them rants though because my favorite american, Dennis Miller, has already perfected the rant. I now call my particular brand of opining "Soap Box Sessions" and I will do my absolute very best to give Dennis a run for his money. So sit back, enjoy, and tell me all about it. I will get back with you every Friday.
Soap Box Session 1
You know I love the country/world I live in, but I am weary of a rather large and growing demographic of people that would have us be the land of the whiney and home of the offended. I'm so sick of the word offended I wish we could strike it from the english language, but that would probably offend some, so I'm sure we won't.I find myself in a world where people are taking a stand against walmart for discounting black barbies for 2 dollars less than white ones, true story. Now I've never worked in retail but I believe I'm smart enough to comprehend the logic of something not selling as well and being discounted to make shelf space for something else, retail guru's please enlighten me. Seriously, do we not have bigger fish to fry?And politics,WOW, people talking about all the anger in this country, outrage some say. Really? Is it shocking what's happening? Sure it is, but worth outrage, cmon, those who have the time or the energy to rage about this need to check the mirror, you have problems. Am I concerned, yes I am, I'm also politically active and researching candidates for the privilege of my volunteer work because I'm a firm believer in trying to change things in my zip code before taking on the whales or the world. Hate Obama? Please. Why? I don't like the man, but hate him, once again, check the mirror, how can you hate someone you don't even know, and Lord knows we don't know him, he's the presidential version of pong, the man bounces all over the place.Stand for something though, or quit bitchin, we don't have to agree but I can't stand people that bitch from the couch. Get up, stand and be counted, or shut up and get out of the way. If you're going to drink the kool aid from either side, spike it with enough vodka to pass the hell out. We still have the elective process, you want change you can believe in? Well stand in line at the polls like the rest and take a number.We don't have control over much, just a measure of influence, but we do have the ability to assert authority over our own lives. I listened to a guy the other day who is at least 50 pounds overweight bitch about his knees going bad as he ate an entire large meat lovers pizza in one sitting, pisses me off cuz I love that kind, and that I had to even be around for the drivel he was spewing but I see it all the time. Most of the time when things go sideways for us, we know exactly why, and we know how to make it right again. It's generally not anyone else's fault. What happens is what we allow to happen. I'm not saying he's wrong, wanna be fat? Be fat, not judging, just don't cry about things breakin down with a mouth full of food gumming things up. Relationships, girls, if daddy left when you were young and now you find that you are only attracted to males who are unavailable, whoa, shocker, don't mean to go all doctor phil on ya but I guess I'm gonna, the reason it NEVER EVER EVER works out goes back to how it all began. Things like that rewire a young brain and messed up as it sounds that's what ya end up going for, the bad boys, I used to be one, there's more than one reason we were called bad...cuz it ALWAYS ended bad. Guys, same deal, if mommy left and you have abandonment issues, until the cycle is broken through serious examination and taken apart, we're always gonna get with women who are gonna leave. Believe me, I know, were drawn to em like magnets. Oh by the way, with men it can be mommy or daddy that bolted that can have that effect. Who says women are more complicated. Ladies, learn to appreciate the good available man, you're gonna want one eventually. Men, same advice. I'm just saying, take a look at it, if you already have one as I know some of you do, cherish her/him.Religion- always touchy, I don't give a damn, the God I worship hates religion, and loves relationship and I'm getting pretty tired of people trying to run Him out of everything. Back when The Lord was in schools kids didn't shoot each other or their teachers, coincidence, I don't believe in it. My priorities are faith, family, and finances, I didn't coin that, but I fell in love with it and they are in that order and not interchangeable, that's what keeps things five by five for me. If things suck for you these days, try it, what do you have to lose really?And last, if you are a proponent, that is if you are one of these loons who believe that our men and women in uniform are dying because God is angry about homosexuality and this country's acceptance of it, and you believe that protesting at a soldiers funeral with such rhetoric is acceptable, unfriend me now..well that's about it, hope noone is OFFENDED.
Soap Box Session 2
First, let me respond to some of the comments I received in my inbox and via email from my last rant, definitely some mixed reviews. Look I know and will never believe that I'm the smartest guy in the room. Believe me, there are conversations where I just can't keep up. It happens and when it does, if I seem far away and distracted, it's because I am. I have gone to my happy place of trying to answer the age old question "When I flush, where does that stuff go?" Sometimes the conversation does exceed my intellect, but I'm drinking milk every day so there is hope....Now, if your profession affords you a measure of power and authority over other people,and you use that power and authority to mess with people, cause them unnecessary anxiety, and purposely take things outside the spectrum of what is necessary to do your job just to entertain yourself or your peers, well, you are a walking pathetic cliche. What went so wrong, or is so wrong with your life that you sacrifice humanity for entertainment. I'm not talking about seasoned criminals, rapists,pedophiles, and people of that ilk, I'm talking about ordinary people who make mistakes and happen to cross your path in the making of them. I don't care about the why of treating people badly,whether you're just going along for the ride, or initiating the situation. MAN UP, it's not funny and if you're complacent about the problem,then you're part of the problem and it does come around. There is a world of difference between being smart and being wise. I know all kinds of smart people......draw your own conclusion.Next, Salt? Really? I just don't believe it. With everything going on in this country are we really considering salt regulation? I don't know folks, it just seems things are getting a bit creepy. I know that on my lowly, basic level, I don't want to be that involved in any of your lives so much that I start telling you what amount of anything you will be allowed to eat. I understand tat less salt,for the most part is a good thing, but please, all who agree with government salt regulation,can we at least agree on the premise that good or bad choice, lol, salt must remain a choice. Whew, creepy, I'm tellin ya. I'd love to hear where you come down on this.I was out with friends a couple of weeks ago and heard someone in the group proclaim that christianity, buddhism, hinduism, all of it was a bunch of bull****. I'm sure there are many who feel the same way, I get that, but I would caution people, not about their belief in one thing or the other, but about that kind of statement period. I certainly don't proclaim my belief that way because I think words can be and usually are weak. I proclaim my faith by how I live. I try to walk it long before I talk it. Sometimes I fail. But I find that most I have encountered that feel it's all bunk are seriously lacking something in their lives. I think believing in something with conviction gives us direction and purpose. I could be wrong, maybe you know someone who disbelieves all of it and has a great life, no names,but I would love to hear about it.That's about it for this segment. Hope everyone is healthy and happy. Feel free to tell me your thoughts, like I said,we don't have to agree, but this is a great place to exchange ideas. That's Charlies Angle. Whats yours?
Soap Box Session-Current
First, Ironman 2, AWESOME!!!! Great sequel, was expecting it to be good but DAMN. Impressive. The sound track rocked too. AC/DC just rocks and their new album (sorry, I'm old school) stays true to form. It's just good hard rockin music with a double shot of their particular brand of blues. Charlie likes and highly recommends it.Ok, to the bizniz... See More. Damn I love the south, and I am proud to be from the south, for new friends I call Nashville my home town, now ya know. And you may have heard about some flooding that took place in middle Tn, or you may not have because it hardly made mainstream media news. I wonder if that's because all those backward, in bred, racist, redneck, bible thumpin, bigoted, (have I covered all the stereo types) people didn't cry out to the government for help, didn't scream out for FEMA. You didn't see the people that 'have' taking from the ones that 'have not'. No looting, no shooting. No blaming Obama or Bush. It's only the worst disaster to happen there in 80 years. But how dare them. The communities and the churches and people all getting together, looking around and saying "we have a mess here, lets clean it up". How dare them decide that individual Americans will always be the best at cleaning up their own back yards because they know where everything goes. How dare them not sell the drama of this with atrocities, theft, looting, anti government sentiment and environmental culpability. What's wrong with these good people. Oh I could go on.....I will try to keep this interesting though.The Arizona law, cmon people. It's time for people to start signing the guest book damnit. For everyone who thinks this is inhuman, first read the law, I have, and there is nothing unreasonable about it, police aren't going to be knocking down doors looking for illegals, the illegals will first have to have done something else wrong before the issue being delved into further, which is to say, if you are illegal in Arizona, I would highly recommend stopping at stop signs, doing the speed limit, dotting the t's and crossing the i's like all of us legal folks have to. Look, if we just made as difficult to get here illegally as we do to get here the legal way we would be much better off. And I'm sick of hearing the argument that they do the jobs most americans won't. Really, according to whom. Congress? Because they are sooo connected to what americans will and won't do right? Business owners? They hire them and pay them less because they can, not because it's necessary for their bottom line, so spare me. Build baby build, that's what I say, a three tiered wall,and lets see where we stand in 5 years. Amnesty is not the answer, as soon as that word gets out with any seriousness we're in trouble,the flood gates will open. Oh by the way, for the bleeding hearts, google the ten most wanted of all the states that border mexico. It will be an eye opener. Well, that's Charlies Angle. What's yours?
Whew, did ya get all that? Ok, movie of the week, obviously Iron Man 2. SPEND THE MONEY, GO SEE IT AT THE THEATRE.
Book of the Month, no I can't read a book a week. The book is called "Hunting Eichmann" by Neal Bascomb. What a ride, you don't even have to love history to love this book. It reads like your favorite spy novel of all time. The story of how the Isreali's over the course of fifteen years after WWII tracked down the notorious facilitator of the "Final Solution". Photos, declassified documents, this book has it all....and you learn something. Check it out. Tell me about it.
Soap Box Session 1
You know I love the country/world I live in, but I am weary of a rather large and growing demographic of people that would have us be the land of the whiney and home of the offended. I'm so sick of the word offended I wish we could strike it from the english language, but that would probably offend some, so I'm sure we won't.I find myself in a world where people are taking a stand against walmart for discounting black barbies for 2 dollars less than white ones, true story. Now I've never worked in retail but I believe I'm smart enough to comprehend the logic of something not selling as well and being discounted to make shelf space for something else, retail guru's please enlighten me. Seriously, do we not have bigger fish to fry?And politics,WOW, people talking about all the anger in this country, outrage some say. Really? Is it shocking what's happening? Sure it is, but worth outrage, cmon, those who have the time or the energy to rage about this need to check the mirror, you have problems. Am I concerned, yes I am, I'm also politically active and researching candidates for the privilege of my volunteer work because I'm a firm believer in trying to change things in my zip code before taking on the whales or the world. Hate Obama? Please. Why? I don't like the man, but hate him, once again, check the mirror, how can you hate someone you don't even know, and Lord knows we don't know him, he's the presidential version of pong, the man bounces all over the place.Stand for something though, or quit bitchin, we don't have to agree but I can't stand people that bitch from the couch. Get up, stand and be counted, or shut up and get out of the way. If you're going to drink the kool aid from either side, spike it with enough vodka to pass the hell out. We still have the elective process, you want change you can believe in? Well stand in line at the polls like the rest and take a number.We don't have control over much, just a measure of influence, but we do have the ability to assert authority over our own lives. I listened to a guy the other day who is at least 50 pounds overweight bitch about his knees going bad as he ate an entire large meat lovers pizza in one sitting, pisses me off cuz I love that kind, and that I had to even be around for the drivel he was spewing but I see it all the time. Most of the time when things go sideways for us, we know exactly why, and we know how to make it right again. It's generally not anyone else's fault. What happens is what we allow to happen. I'm not saying he's wrong, wanna be fat? Be fat, not judging, just don't cry about things breakin down with a mouth full of food gumming things up. Relationships, girls, if daddy left when you were young and now you find that you are only attracted to males who are unavailable, whoa, shocker, don't mean to go all doctor phil on ya but I guess I'm gonna, the reason it NEVER EVER EVER works out goes back to how it all began. Things like that rewire a young brain and messed up as it sounds that's what ya end up going for, the bad boys, I used to be one, there's more than one reason we were called bad...cuz it ALWAYS ended bad. Guys, same deal, if mommy left and you have abandonment issues, until the cycle is broken through serious examination and taken apart, we're always gonna get with women who are gonna leave. Believe me, I know, were drawn to em like magnets. Oh by the way, with men it can be mommy or daddy that bolted that can have that effect. Who says women are more complicated. Ladies, learn to appreciate the good available man, you're gonna want one eventually. Men, same advice. I'm just saying, take a look at it, if you already have one as I know some of you do, cherish her/him.Religion- always touchy, I don't give a damn, the God I worship hates religion, and loves relationship and I'm getting pretty tired of people trying to run Him out of everything. Back when The Lord was in schools kids didn't shoot each other or their teachers, coincidence, I don't believe in it. My priorities are faith, family, and finances, I didn't coin that, but I fell in love with it and they are in that order and not interchangeable, that's what keeps things five by five for me. If things suck for you these days, try it, what do you have to lose really?And last, if you are a proponent, that is if you are one of these loons who believe that our men and women in uniform are dying because God is angry about homosexuality and this country's acceptance of it, and you believe that protesting at a soldiers funeral with such rhetoric is acceptable, unfriend me now..well that's about it, hope noone is OFFENDED.
Soap Box Session 2
First, let me respond to some of the comments I received in my inbox and via email from my last rant, definitely some mixed reviews. Look I know and will never believe that I'm the smartest guy in the room. Believe me, there are conversations where I just can't keep up. It happens and when it does, if I seem far away and distracted, it's because I am. I have gone to my happy place of trying to answer the age old question "When I flush, where does that stuff go?" Sometimes the conversation does exceed my intellect, but I'm drinking milk every day so there is hope....Now, if your profession affords you a measure of power and authority over other people,and you use that power and authority to mess with people, cause them unnecessary anxiety, and purposely take things outside the spectrum of what is necessary to do your job just to entertain yourself or your peers, well, you are a walking pathetic cliche. What went so wrong, or is so wrong with your life that you sacrifice humanity for entertainment. I'm not talking about seasoned criminals, rapists,pedophiles, and people of that ilk, I'm talking about ordinary people who make mistakes and happen to cross your path in the making of them. I don't care about the why of treating people badly,whether you're just going along for the ride, or initiating the situation. MAN UP, it's not funny and if you're complacent about the problem,then you're part of the problem and it does come around. There is a world of difference between being smart and being wise. I know all kinds of smart people......draw your own conclusion.Next, Salt? Really? I just don't believe it. With everything going on in this country are we really considering salt regulation? I don't know folks, it just seems things are getting a bit creepy. I know that on my lowly, basic level, I don't want to be that involved in any of your lives so much that I start telling you what amount of anything you will be allowed to eat. I understand tat less salt,for the most part is a good thing, but please, all who agree with government salt regulation,can we at least agree on the premise that good or bad choice, lol, salt must remain a choice. Whew, creepy, I'm tellin ya. I'd love to hear where you come down on this.I was out with friends a couple of weeks ago and heard someone in the group proclaim that christianity, buddhism, hinduism, all of it was a bunch of bull****. I'm sure there are many who feel the same way, I get that, but I would caution people, not about their belief in one thing or the other, but about that kind of statement period. I certainly don't proclaim my belief that way because I think words can be and usually are weak. I proclaim my faith by how I live. I try to walk it long before I talk it. Sometimes I fail. But I find that most I have encountered that feel it's all bunk are seriously lacking something in their lives. I think believing in something with conviction gives us direction and purpose. I could be wrong, maybe you know someone who disbelieves all of it and has a great life, no names,but I would love to hear about it.That's about it for this segment. Hope everyone is healthy and happy. Feel free to tell me your thoughts, like I said,we don't have to agree, but this is a great place to exchange ideas. That's Charlies Angle. Whats yours?
Soap Box Session-Current
First, Ironman 2, AWESOME!!!! Great sequel, was expecting it to be good but DAMN. Impressive. The sound track rocked too. AC/DC just rocks and their new album (sorry, I'm old school) stays true to form. It's just good hard rockin music with a double shot of their particular brand of blues. Charlie likes and highly recommends it.Ok, to the bizniz... See More. Damn I love the south, and I am proud to be from the south, for new friends I call Nashville my home town, now ya know. And you may have heard about some flooding that took place in middle Tn, or you may not have because it hardly made mainstream media news. I wonder if that's because all those backward, in bred, racist, redneck, bible thumpin, bigoted, (have I covered all the stereo types) people didn't cry out to the government for help, didn't scream out for FEMA. You didn't see the people that 'have' taking from the ones that 'have not'. No looting, no shooting. No blaming Obama or Bush. It's only the worst disaster to happen there in 80 years. But how dare them. The communities and the churches and people all getting together, looking around and saying "we have a mess here, lets clean it up". How dare them decide that individual Americans will always be the best at cleaning up their own back yards because they know where everything goes. How dare them not sell the drama of this with atrocities, theft, looting, anti government sentiment and environmental culpability. What's wrong with these good people. Oh I could go on.....I will try to keep this interesting though.The Arizona law, cmon people. It's time for people to start signing the guest book damnit. For everyone who thinks this is inhuman, first read the law, I have, and there is nothing unreasonable about it, police aren't going to be knocking down doors looking for illegals, the illegals will first have to have done something else wrong before the issue being delved into further, which is to say, if you are illegal in Arizona, I would highly recommend stopping at stop signs, doing the speed limit, dotting the t's and crossing the i's like all of us legal folks have to. Look, if we just made as difficult to get here illegally as we do to get here the legal way we would be much better off. And I'm sick of hearing the argument that they do the jobs most americans won't. Really, according to whom. Congress? Because they are sooo connected to what americans will and won't do right? Business owners? They hire them and pay them less because they can, not because it's necessary for their bottom line, so spare me. Build baby build, that's what I say, a three tiered wall,and lets see where we stand in 5 years. Amnesty is not the answer, as soon as that word gets out with any seriousness we're in trouble,the flood gates will open. Oh by the way, for the bleeding hearts, google the ten most wanted of all the states that border mexico. It will be an eye opener. Well, that's Charlies Angle. What's yours?
Whew, did ya get all that? Ok, movie of the week, obviously Iron Man 2. SPEND THE MONEY, GO SEE IT AT THE THEATRE.
Book of the Month, no I can't read a book a week. The book is called "Hunting Eichmann" by Neal Bascomb. What a ride, you don't even have to love history to love this book. It reads like your favorite spy novel of all time. The story of how the Isreali's over the course of fifteen years after WWII tracked down the notorious facilitator of the "Final Solution". Photos, declassified documents, this book has it all....and you learn something. Check it out. Tell me about it.
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