Reading Glasses at Restaurant Tables

For most of my life, I never wore glasses. However  in the last couple of years, I’ve been known to hang out in  the reading glasses section of CVS. In fact, once I bought a pair, I was hooked. Now I can’t be on the computer or readi the paper without them. But since they are intended only for reading, I don’t always have them with  me. For example, on Saturday, we were at a restaurant, and I was somewhat challanged by the tiny menu print. I joked that they should have reading glasses on the table so customers can read the menu. And thus a new trend was born. I think this one will catch on.

Just imagine sitting at the table trying on some cool looking glasses. You get to read the menu and everyone else tells you how great you look in them. The restaurant loves it because they get to sell you more. The company that makes the glasses has a new market. And best of all, you get to actually read the menu.

Discovering the World of Sounds on the Internet

I have been interested in downloading sounds lately. I find it makes for more interesting home made Cd’s and movies. On my journey, I have discovered more fart sounds than I was aware of. But I also found new twists on old gags. Today, I’d like to pass on interactive hands. Click on the fingers and you’ll know which gag I’m referring to. www.misternicehands.com

Anderson Cooper’s Trying to Create Trouble

I like Anderson Cooper. However I didn’t like his coverage of violence in Chicago. He seemed to be on a mission to create the impression that Chicago is nothing but a violent city.

As Eric Holder said, this is not Chicago’s problem, this is an American problem. When you combine poverty, low income, poor housing and, limited resources, drugs, alcohol, and gangs, you’ve got trouble. The fact is these communities need what every modestly safe, healthy community needs: families that are stable, schools where parents and teachers work together to help the kids succeed, jobs with good salaries and  benefits, advocates, and a healthy tax base to provide community programs.

When so many people are fighting for limited resources, it’s every man for himself. Hey Anderson, you’ve been around as long as Mayor Daley, yet where were you? This death is not unique other than it was captured on video. What is unique is that the media finally took some time out of  its endless coverage of Michael Jackson, to notice.

Jon&Kate just another disappointing TV family

Jon, Kate and the 8 are not unique. We had the Brady’s, Cleavers, and Ozzie &Harriet. Since we’ve had tv, we’ve had fake tv families that have set unrealistic standards for American families to strive for. But rarely are those families exposed with all of their flaws while still on the air. The other families usually get to live off of the fantasy for many, many years before we here all of the dirty details.

If you think about it, it is much harder to hear about Jon’s dating while it’s happening. Sure we were shocked to hear Papa Brady was gay and Marcia was a coke head, but was it enough to truly alter our images of them. No. The Brady Bunch brand is as good as gold. I’m not sure the Goselin household can say the same.

But then again, their teen years are coming, so I imagine the saga continues.

While Chicago’s Olympic hopes flame out, don’t count Obama out

Despite the Dream Team of Barack, Michelle, and Oprah, Chicago couldn’t make it out of the first round. So let the pundits have their fun. Many will question Obama for leaving Washington and not coming home with Olympic gold.

This was not about Obama. This was about Mayor Daley and his team. They are the ones who will suffer. Who knows how many building contractors had already spent the Olympic money already. And what about all of those guys who know guys who know guys who work for the city, who promised dem jobs when da lmpics comes to Chicga. They are the ones who are crying today.

The city will go on. The Bears will give us some hope. The Cubs will have us believing that next years the year. And the best part of losing the Olympic bid is Obama will come back more determined to push through the best health care reform plan for everyone (insert theme from Rocky ……now.

As McKenzie Phillips speaks, Hollywood Defends Polanski?

It’s odd how things work out sometimes. McKenzie Phillips comes out with an honest, painful, tragic story of being sexually abused by her father when she was 13. And then Hollywood stands up to deliver their support for Roman Polanski, a man who drugged, raped, and traumatized at 13 year old. It’s as if she is a walking reminder to Hollywood that Polanski’s actions had consequences. And yet, the Hollywood elite seem to have this odd need to defend his actions, in much the same way the Bishops and priests struggled and continue to struggle to recognize abuse within their community. When will people with power get it? You can be a great film director, politician, or priest and still be an adulterer, rapist, or sex offender.

Republicans and Conservatives now use ACORN to distract and distort

When will the Republicans and Conservatives just  “SHUT THEIR BIG YAPPER!!!”  Obama has not even been President for a year and they have come up with one distraction after another in an attempt to discredit him. Now it’s about ACORN and SEIU. We’ve already heard about them quetion his citizenship, call him a liar, say he wants to kill grandma, he’s a socialist, and on and on. If just once, they would take the time to investigate these stories before reporting them, they might be credible. But instead, they just come up with insane stories and then expect the Democrats to disprove them.

If ACORN for example is a bad organization, come up with some significant data. Don’t send in some jamoks with an undercover camera to a couple of locations and call that in depth reporting. ACORN has a much richer history of supporting and helping the poor in this country. What by the way is so wrong with that?  But in the world of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and other radicals, there is no room for healthy debate. You either buy into their positions or they attempt to diminish you as a person. Doubt me? Listen

How could any politician oppose a public “option?”

If Max Baucus and the Blue Dog Democrats are so interested in working with Republicans, then vote them out. I’m sick of these guys completely ignoring the great majority of Americans that want a public plan. You have to wonder why would a politician on any side oppose a  public heathcare option. Option being the key word. How could anyone in favor of competition be opposed to a public option? It makes me wonder what kind of back door promises have been made to these guys? Are they guaranteed fat cat jobs at the insurance and pharmaceutical companies after they leave public office? There is more to this story.

Has U2 become today’s Grateful Dead?

Perhaps I’m just not hip enough…In fact, let’s assume I’m not. But has U-2 become the Grateful Dead for a new generation of music junkies? In the last 3 days, I have had several conversations with colleagues, friends, and strangers that began something like this, “I was at the U2 concert. It was so amaaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing, I have to see them in another city.” And this is followed up with stories about the “cooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllllllest people I met at the concert.”

Granted much of this is because U2 just performed in Chicago. However I was stunned at the dedication to locate tickets, pay a hefty price, stand for hours to get in and then stand to witness the almighty in person. It’s a good thing Christ didn’t decide to stage a comeback on the same nights as the concert.

Why should the President talk about “race?”

Should the President respond to Jimmy Carter’s assertion that some people can not or will not accept a black man as an equal? I’ve heard some pundits suggest the President must address the role racism plays in his presidency. And yet the President seems to be steering away from it. In fact, he seems to view as a distraction from healthcare reform, and other policy issues. On balance, I think it’s a good strategy. Why?

Without a doubt, to redirect attention on race, when you are so close to some type of healthcare reform would be a distraction. Additionally, what people forget is, this is not the first time Obama has encountered this level of vitriol. I am confident that  every time he climbed another rung on the ladder to success, he  faced racist hurdles that his white counterparts were not burdened with. No doubt, there were similar rumblings within the halls of Harvard law and law reviews around the country, when he was named head of the Harvard Law Review.  So he knows how to be in the spotlight and have people fling racist epitaphs his way.

He will address race. But I believe it will be in the second half of his second term or in a book about his presidency. And sadly, many of these issues will still be topical.

Why is everyone so Angry?

Why is everyone so angry? And when did it become all the rage to rage. Kanye West is upset. Serena Williams is mad. Even the opponents of  healthcare reform are screaming: even though many of them are benefitting from medicare, the closest thing we have to socialized medicine.

What happened to civility, manners, and intelligent debate. Congressman Wilson’s shout out during the President’s address was classless and rude. And most importantly, what do these people tell their kids; after they see mom, dad, and gramps shouting, pouting, hitting, and screaming on youtube? Oh yeah….. “do as I say, not as I do.”

Why do people continue to label Obama Opponents as Racists?

Like you, I’ve heard the rumblings that all of the anti-Obama protestors are simply racists. I’ve heard they just can’t accept a black man as President. Even the President doesn’t believe concerns about him are race based. After all, we elected a black president.

So I did a simple image search to see if there is any evidence that might suggest that racism is an underlying factor in opposition to Obama. As you can see, racism is clearly not at play here. It’s just another case of the liberals being overly sensitive…..Right?

As you can see, this is all about freedom to express one’s self. It is about the President’s decision making, his policies, his adminstration, his academic achievements, his response to healthcare reform, the financial crisis, the automobile crisis, and the mess inherited from the last 8 years. But in no way, is this racist. And it’s certainly not personal. Hell, wouldn’t you be flattered if your kids could see you depicted in this way?

In fact, it appears some think it isjust downright racist to think these sensitve images as racist!

Let the American Public Vote for or against Public Option?

Ok, lets keep this simple. Let the shouting and talking about what will happen or won’t happen end today. I suggest the President definitely include a public option. Perhaps with a timetable “trigger” of 2 years. If , as opponents of a single payer plan and public options have suggested, there is no interest or minimal interest then the President can just take it off the table. If however there appears to be fair, strong, or very strong response to it, then allow it to continue as an option.

I envision us all going to the “exchange,” and checking out the private options and the sole public option available. For the sake of simplicity, I think it should be the same public choice as Congress members have. If you want to create public choice, then one could buy into medicare or the V.A. system. I would think of it as similar to when you pay an out of resident fee to use recreational facilities in a neighboring town or city.

And then over the next two years, the government’s job is to see what people choose. We as Americans will have the data and can decide if a public option seems worth pursuing or should be restructured or abandoned. And we have clearly seen how the opponents of it like to back up their talk with their actions. I mean look at how all the opponents of federal funding, like Bobby Jindal,  refused-to take the mone   oh yeah…they did accept the Presidents stimulus money despite all of the protests.

Don’t give up the public option without the following:

I’ve read that the Democrats are ready to compromise on the public option portion of the health care reform act. I think it’s a mistake. And  I hope the Democrats use all of their power  to lock the insurance companies in for hundreds of years.

• Specifically there should be no loop holes that will later allow insurance companies to deny people coverage because of pre-existing coverage.
• There should be no wiggle room for insurance personnel to later delete risky patients from the roles.
• There should be caps on how frequently and by how much they can raise premiums.
• There should be clear time frames for reimbursing patients.
• There should be some preliminary legal proceeding to handle the bullshit insurance companies use to delay payment.
• You should be freely entitled to the coverage you are promised without needing unnecessary insurance bureaucrats  deciding your health care.
• If your doctor says you need it, that should be good enough.
• There should be a provision to re-evaluate the public option within a few years.
• Most importantly, there must be a government chief to oversee insurance companies.

On second thought-screw your opponents-fight for the public option and get the job done! Ok, before you decide not to view the video because its Ralph Nader-ask yourself- is there any truth in what he is saying? And if so, why isn’t anyone else saying it?

Parents lack of Patriotism is Shameful!

During the Bush presidency, I heard all about what it means to be “patriotic.” And part of that appeared to mean following and supporting our President. However, now that we have the first African American President, it appears the rules are less clear.

I read that parents in Texas schools are demanding that school administrators let their kids out of school during President Obama’s address to the children. How exactly does that fit in with patriotism and respect for our President?

It seems these parents are concerned that he will impart a socialist message on their children. Huh? We have all had experiences of listening to Presidents we disagree with or oppose; but I thought the idea was we respect the office of the President. I believe its called principles above personalities.

Moreover I thought parents and children talked and discussed what went on in school. It seems to me if parents want to truly persuade their children of their political beliefs, they should send their kids to listen to President Obama. Let their children come home and voice their opinions and then the parents can sell them on their views.

But perhaps they are afraid. If you listen to these kids, you’ll understand.

What is the Worst Line you have to stand in?

After writing the previous blog about standing in line at Starbucks, I went to blogcatalog to post a question. The question was “what is the worst line to stand in?” As I wrote, I realized I really don’t stand in line as much as I used to. I still don’t enjoy standing in line at the grocery store. But with the automated check outs, there is usually far less of a line to deal with.

I used to hate standing in line for a teller at the bank. I can still picture these long ass lines just to deposit some money. Additionally, I was so happy when the public transit authority made it possible to pay for fares to a machine and not to a persona. I despised the feeling of facing up to some monotone, bored, unhelpful clerk who barely looked at me or acknowledged I was doing business with them. As far as I am concerned, computers and machines handle most services better than people. So I am confused when I feel penalized for choosing technology over people.

For example, I still can’t understand why I pay a dollar charge when I use the “convenience” of a gas pump. So my choice is to go into one of those over stuffed, poorly lit gas boxes, wait in line in a space that has no line, suffocate under the smell of multiple tree shaped airfreshners, and hope my sons don’t get put into a pornographic trance from the copies of XXXXX rated magazines behind the attendant. …..I’ll pay the buck.

Starbucks and Growing Up Catholic

This is probably more of a “tweet” than a blog, but since I don’t do as much of either in the fall, I’m going to just write my observation. I was opening the door to Starbucks. I noticed a long line of people standing in line to place an order. I flashed back to waiitng in line for communion. I flashed back to waiting in lines in Catholic elementary school. While lines for confession moved much slower than other types of lines, this is the one that stuck with me.

“Bless me Barista for I have sinned. It’s been a day since I had my last cup of Starbucks coffee.” What could this mean? Am I confessing my deep dark wish for coffee. Is my desire for coffee a sin? At least if the image was communion, I could think of it as I am paying to drink the coffee of Christ.

Should I let me kid ride the “Zipper” at the Carnival?

My family spent the day at a town carnival. Let me state up front, I hate those things. The rides freak me out. And I don’t know how they do it, but they always seem to find guys with missing or damaged teeth and tattoos to run the rides.

Fortunately, my sons are way into going on rides together. Even still, I came prepared with some malox tablets in case I got called into action. My boys are pretty daring, but today I learned there are limits.

Let’s put it this way, as I heard my sons get locked into the “zipper”-a cage like object that  flips and flops upwards, I had some doubts. But this is why God gave us “denial.” And then I heard the shouts from the sky, “get me out of here!!!!” Yes , those were my sons.

The carny reassured me he was bringing them down.(pause-who you may rightly ask-seeks parental “reassurance” from a carny.) He said, “the little one was a bit under height regs, but I planned to keep an eye on him.” And then he pointed out, “this rides been around for a long time, so long. In fact, I remember it from when I was kid…..I just never realized I’d be operating one of these things. “

As our kids came running into our arms, I knew what they were thinking…”WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU_HOW COULD YOU LET US GO UP IN THAT CAGE!!!” And that is when I knew, unlike many teachable moments, this was a therapy moment. One I imagine we’ll be hearing about for many years to come.

Obama, Holder, Sotomayor…next, there goes the neighborhood!

Ok, “just the facts.”

1. Obama and the Democrats want to kill the elderly. We already know they freely kill babies, now they are just getting the ones they couldn’t get at birth.

2. Obama is not a citizen of the United States. He simply pulled a major scam on the CIA, the US government, and the American people.

3. Obama is a reverse racist. He doesn’t like white people. And that includes his mother, grandparents and other white relatives.

4. Obama is a socialist and wants to bring us socialized medicine. He wants us to wait in long lines in smelly disorganized hospitals. And he does not want us to have free choice, or medical treatment.

5. Obama is anti-American. He wants us to turn in our American cars and buy foreign cars.

6.  Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim. If he gets a second term, he will openly celebrate Ramadan.

7. Barack Obama will put Rev. Wright, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in Cabinet positions.

8. Barack Obama will put one white guy in charge of defense, William Ayers .

Why? Ask the President!

9. Barack Obama will bankrupt America. This is what he wants his legacy to be.

10. First Obama, then Eric Holder, then Sotomayor, next thing you know……..there goes the neighborhood.

Come on, do you really believe this shit?!

What do you think of the drunk driver on the Taconic?

What is so surprising to me about the Diane Schuler accident on the Taconic highway is that it is so surprising to people. Mothers Against Drunk Driving have been warning us about situations like this for many years.

People that look like her, have families like her, work like her, also drink and drive SUV’s like her. The small difference is they were lucky. They didn’t get into a head on collision resulting in the death and destruction of several families. It’s why people like her sit in AA meetings in some of the best communities in this country.

There is nothing remarkable about her husband’s belief that she didn’t drink. It’s called denial. It’s why there are alanon meetings around the world. It’s not my job to determine if she was an alcoholic or drug addict. However ask yourself, what would it take for you to get in a van and drive children, when you know you’ve been high and had some serious alcohol in your blood stream?