Tonight I told my 15 year old daughter, "I never thought I would see $3.00 a gallon gas in Indiana in my lifetime." I am just totally amazed at what is going on in this country. Am I the only one who remembers the mid 1970's. The Mid-East Oil Embargo and all the problems it caused? So who's to blame here? Well, several folks.
#1 The Federal Government. Why haven't we pioneered alternative energy sources. Why has it taken this long for gas-electric hybrid automotibles to make it to the mainstream. Why aren't we drilling for oil in Alaska. Why aren't we making more use of Nuclear Power, Solar Power or Wind Power? Why? Because the gas-electric hybrid, alternative energy sources lobby can't stuff cash in our Federal Representative and Senator's pockets like the big oil company folks can.
#2 Big Oil. They don't care about us. They only care about profit. The oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico got hammered by Hurricane Katrina. Supposedly those oil rigs and the refineries at the gulf account for 25 per cent of the gasoline production in our country. Don't you think it should take longer than 2 days for Gas Prices to shoot up 50 cents a gallon? So they're telling us they only have a 2 day supply on hand? I do not believe it.
#3 Radical Enviromentalists and their allies at the EPA. Why don't we have more oil refineries? Why aren't we drilling in Alaska. Because of the radical enviromentalists who care so much about the woodland creatures. But they don't give it a second thought when it comes to aborting human fetuses, do they? I agree we need to take care of the enviroment, but we've taken it to a ridiculous level. God provides all these natural resources and he'll continue to provide as long as we're good stewards of what we're given.
#4 The Car Companies. Ford, Chrysler, GM etc. etc. etc. It's taken you 30 years to come up with the gas-electric hybrid cars? How about more fuel efficient cars? A friend of mine thinks the car companies have the technology on the shelf right now that could help us get 30 to 40 miles a gallon easy out of a gas combustion engine. But he claims they're keeping that technology on the shelf because they figure, if people are still buying what we're selling, why not? And this guy isn't one of those Art Bell Alien Invasion Wackos. He has both feet on the ground. And I wonder if he's right.
#5 Us. That's right you and me. US. We have not held our federal and state officials accountable. We haven't sent them the message "figure this out." They have fiddled while Rome has burned. I used to think that responsible government could get things done. As each day goes by, I have less and less faith in our elected officials at the state and federal level.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
USATODAY.com - Tour de France director: Armstrong 'fooled' sports world
Oh come on! Will this witch hunt ever stop? No, it won't, because it gets the Tour de France and cycling publicity it wouldn't otherwise get. I believe Lance Armstrong has been clean. I do not believe he used performance enhancing drugs. Some people have even gone so far to suggest his chemotherapy treatments gave him some sort of advantage. Yep, that's right. Lance got testicular and brain cancer just so he could get the treatment and cheat in the Tour de France. Oh come on people!! I don't understand the French. Armstrong is the greatest champion in the history of this race and this is the way they treat him? The Frenchies are a strange lot. Until I see conclusive proof that Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs, I'm not going to believe anything a French Media Organization says about Lance. I also think it is classless the director of the Tour has spoken out. As I understand it, these tests on the 1999 "B" urine sample were not done with the usual Tour anti-doping protocols. In other words, they altered the test to make the results come out the way they wanted. I don't believe these people....what do they gain by proving Lance cheated? If he indeed did cheat. I guess they can't take it that the greatest champion in their race is an American.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
USATODAY.com - Are youth-based reality shows too real?
Not all Reality TV is bad. "The Simple Life" Bad. "The Apprentice" Good. "I Want to Be a Hilton" Horrible. "Survivor" Borrrring "The Amazing Race" Pretty Cool. I have watched a couple of episodes of ABC's "Brat Camp." I like the show. These kids are at this camp because they have problems and their parents could not help them conquer their problems. In sitcoms, the problems are solved in 23 minutes plus commercials. Or if they can't solve the problem, they write the character out of the show. It's not like that in real life. "Brat Camp" shows professional counselors trying to shock these kids into growing up and leaving behind the behavior that got them there. Am I surprised that Jada is back in trouble? No. Some of these kids have their parents wrapped around their little fingers. Someone needs to tell some rich mommies and daddies that they have the right to say "no" and should say "no" early and often.
I also like "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition" Ty Pennington is starting to get on my nerves. Can someone please take away his bullhorn? I like watching what the design team comes up with every week. I wish ABC would quit trying to make us cry every week with some hard luck stories. I think it would be nice if they did things for normal folks who don't have sob stories. I'm not insensitive, I just think it's getting really sappy.
Reality TV is a fad. It's based on something called "life." You can either experience reality watching a TV show or you can turn off the TV and live your life. As much TV as I watch, and I don't watch as much as I used to, I still have time to go to school and to have a life.
My point is, no "Brat Camp" is not mean and cruel and bad. The world is mean and cruel and bad. I would rather see kids learn that and straighten up their acts than see them on Dateline NBC in a few years talking about how they didn't mean to throw their lives down the toilet by doing drugs and becoming a criminal. And Parents, it's your job to say "no." That's why you're a parent, you are supposed to teach and raise your kids. It's not easy, I don't know if I'll survive the teen years, but I'm going to try. Pass the clicker please...
I also like "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition" Ty Pennington is starting to get on my nerves. Can someone please take away his bullhorn? I like watching what the design team comes up with every week. I wish ABC would quit trying to make us cry every week with some hard luck stories. I think it would be nice if they did things for normal folks who don't have sob stories. I'm not insensitive, I just think it's getting really sappy.
Reality TV is a fad. It's based on something called "life." You can either experience reality watching a TV show or you can turn off the TV and live your life. As much TV as I watch, and I don't watch as much as I used to, I still have time to go to school and to have a life.
My point is, no "Brat Camp" is not mean and cruel and bad. The world is mean and cruel and bad. I would rather see kids learn that and straighten up their acts than see them on Dateline NBC in a few years talking about how they didn't mean to throw their lives down the toilet by doing drugs and becoming a criminal. And Parents, it's your job to say "no." That's why you're a parent, you are supposed to teach and raise your kids. It's not easy, I don't know if I'll survive the teen years, but I'm going to try. Pass the clicker please...
It's Not All About YOU!
Local News - Marion Chronicle Tribune - www.chronicle-tribune.com
I wish Newspapers would learn a simple rule of Journalism and maybe life. It's NOT all about you! For years the Chronicle-Tribune has gotten all upset when Public Officials try to meet in private. It's not always for some nefarious reason that they want to hide from you. Case in point, the Board of Public Works and the Sanitation Negotiations. The Board is trying to negotiate with Sanitation Workers to find a solution to affordable trash and recycling pick up for Marion Citizens. Labor negotiations should not be done in public. It's not some reality show. I just don't think it's good public policy. Negotiating labor contracts in public can get ugly. During the Mowery Administration the media was invited to some negotiating sessions with Firefighters. I'm telling you, I really didn't need to be there and it was not fun.
So the CT Headline saying the negotiations were taken "Underground" is sensationalistic at best. And by the way, do they only have one reporter at the CT now? Does Jennifer A. Wells write all the stories in this paper?
The Indiana Open Door Law was designed to keep Public Boards from doing the Public's business in private. The Chronicle-Tribune has used it several times over the last few years to paint themselves as a victim. Get Over It! The C-T needs to learn an important thing about Journalism, you're supposed to report the news, not BE the news.
And by the way, a recent radio editorial said if the Sanitation Service is privatized, that the city employees that now work for Sanitation should keep their jobs at all cost. The editorial says the jobs shouldn't go to folks out of town. I think it would be nice if the Sanitation workers could keep their jobs, but if the private firm wants to hire someone else, that's their prerogative. It didn't seem to bother the author of the radio editorial when he sent jobs out of town in his own business when he decided to cut staff in Marion.
I wish Newspapers would learn a simple rule of Journalism and maybe life. It's NOT all about you! For years the Chronicle-Tribune has gotten all upset when Public Officials try to meet in private. It's not always for some nefarious reason that they want to hide from you. Case in point, the Board of Public Works and the Sanitation Negotiations. The Board is trying to negotiate with Sanitation Workers to find a solution to affordable trash and recycling pick up for Marion Citizens. Labor negotiations should not be done in public. It's not some reality show. I just don't think it's good public policy. Negotiating labor contracts in public can get ugly. During the Mowery Administration the media was invited to some negotiating sessions with Firefighters. I'm telling you, I really didn't need to be there and it was not fun.
So the CT Headline saying the negotiations were taken "Underground" is sensationalistic at best. And by the way, do they only have one reporter at the CT now? Does Jennifer A. Wells write all the stories in this paper?
The Indiana Open Door Law was designed to keep Public Boards from doing the Public's business in private. The Chronicle-Tribune has used it several times over the last few years to paint themselves as a victim. Get Over It! The C-T needs to learn an important thing about Journalism, you're supposed to report the news, not BE the news.
And by the way, a recent radio editorial said if the Sanitation Service is privatized, that the city employees that now work for Sanitation should keep their jobs at all cost. The editorial says the jobs shouldn't go to folks out of town. I think it would be nice if the Sanitation workers could keep their jobs, but if the private firm wants to hire someone else, that's their prerogative. It didn't seem to bother the author of the radio editorial when he sent jobs out of town in his own business when he decided to cut staff in Marion.
Marion's Mayor Does Need A Pay Raise
Local News - Marion' Chronicle Tribune - www.chronicle-tribune.com
So people are upset that the City Council wants to give Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold a pay raise. A $25 thousand dollar pay raise. I am very upset with how much our Congressmen are paid. The base pay for our State Representatives is $45,000 for a PART TIME JOB! Yes, yes I know, they spend a lot of time on their jobs, yadda yadda, they're paid a per diem and lobbyists shove cash in their pants. That's a post for another day.
So in a town where some factor jobs pay a lot more than $75,000 a year (or at least they used to) people are upset about the Mayor getting a pay raise. I think the Mayor, no matter who he or she is, deserves more than $50,000 a year. It wasn't too long ago that Marion's Mayor only made $35,000 a year.
The Mayor, in his younger days, was an Olympic caliber athlete. Let's take a page from professional sports. Let's give him the $25,000 raise, but let's give it to him in incentives and bonuses. Dollar General is opening a distribution center in Marion, thanks in part to the efforts of Mayor Seybold. Okay, give him $2,500 or $5,000 or whatever. Give him a bonus of x number of dollars for x number of jobs that come to town. I think that's fair.
Some people think Mayor Seybold has been sitting on his hands and watching the clock. Wayne Seybold is a busy man. I am amazed that some folks in town can't see the value in the recent Far East trip made by the Mayor. If you want business, you have to go out and court businesses and ask them to come to your community. You can't do that just by an occasional trip to Indianapolis. There is no Castleton Mall for Economic Development where you go to ask Old Navy or General Electric or Microsoft to come to your town.
Yes Mayor Seybold is a personal friend of mine. I think he's a smart man. I think he's doing great things for Marion, so let's give him the incentive contract and get this show on the road.
So people are upset that the City Council wants to give Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold a pay raise. A $25 thousand dollar pay raise. I am very upset with how much our Congressmen are paid. The base pay for our State Representatives is $45,000 for a PART TIME JOB! Yes, yes I know, they spend a lot of time on their jobs, yadda yadda, they're paid a per diem and lobbyists shove cash in their pants. That's a post for another day.
So in a town where some factor jobs pay a lot more than $75,000 a year (or at least they used to) people are upset about the Mayor getting a pay raise. I think the Mayor, no matter who he or she is, deserves more than $50,000 a year. It wasn't too long ago that Marion's Mayor only made $35,000 a year.
The Mayor, in his younger days, was an Olympic caliber athlete. Let's take a page from professional sports. Let's give him the $25,000 raise, but let's give it to him in incentives and bonuses. Dollar General is opening a distribution center in Marion, thanks in part to the efforts of Mayor Seybold. Okay, give him $2,500 or $5,000 or whatever. Give him a bonus of x number of dollars for x number of jobs that come to town. I think that's fair.
Some people think Mayor Seybold has been sitting on his hands and watching the clock. Wayne Seybold is a busy man. I am amazed that some folks in town can't see the value in the recent Far East trip made by the Mayor. If you want business, you have to go out and court businesses and ask them to come to your community. You can't do that just by an occasional trip to Indianapolis. There is no Castleton Mall for Economic Development where you go to ask Old Navy or General Electric or Microsoft to come to your town.
Yes Mayor Seybold is a personal friend of mine. I think he's a smart man. I think he's doing great things for Marion, so let's give him the incentive contract and get this show on the road.
Why Marion Needs a Water Park
Local News - Marion Chronicle Tribune - www.chronicle-tribune.com
So why does our county seat need a water park? I can think of a couple of reasons. #1 (As my former cohort Kyle Charters used to say) "It's for the kids." It is something for kids. In recent years Marion has added a skate park, a BMX track and now, let's add the water park. We're told our kids don't have anything to do. A water park would give them something to do. #2 Seybold Park Pool was never an answer, just a band aid. Since the Matter Park Pool closed in the late 1980's, City Administrations have avoided the new pool question. It's been on the wish list of every Parks Director since Mutt Chambers. Seybold Park Pool was too small and a maintenance nightmare as I understand it. Spending money on it or re-opening it will do nothing but throw good money after bad. #3 Economic Development. Wouldn't it be nice if companies scouting for sites for their factories and businesses could be wowed by a water park? Quality of life things like parks, schools and other amenities matter in Economic Development.
It's most likely the new Water Park will be built in Matter Park. I think the City needs to do something using Park land in South Marion. I would like to see a second pool in South Marion. Understand me, I'm not saying South Marion kids and adults can't use the North Marion pool. I am NOT saying that. I think Marion is large enough to support two Swimming Pools. The South Pool could be your standard pool with a kiddie pool and a playground. Marion has a lot of park land. I think it would be great for kids and families to have two pools to choose from.
No matter if we build one pool or two, I think the Water Park must be built.
So why does our county seat need a water park? I can think of a couple of reasons. #1 (As my former cohort Kyle Charters used to say) "It's for the kids." It is something for kids. In recent years Marion has added a skate park, a BMX track and now, let's add the water park. We're told our kids don't have anything to do. A water park would give them something to do. #2 Seybold Park Pool was never an answer, just a band aid. Since the Matter Park Pool closed in the late 1980's, City Administrations have avoided the new pool question. It's been on the wish list of every Parks Director since Mutt Chambers. Seybold Park Pool was too small and a maintenance nightmare as I understand it. Spending money on it or re-opening it will do nothing but throw good money after bad. #3 Economic Development. Wouldn't it be nice if companies scouting for sites for their factories and businesses could be wowed by a water park? Quality of life things like parks, schools and other amenities matter in Economic Development.
It's most likely the new Water Park will be built in Matter Park. I think the City needs to do something using Park land in South Marion. I would like to see a second pool in South Marion. Understand me, I'm not saying South Marion kids and adults can't use the North Marion pool. I am NOT saying that. I think Marion is large enough to support two Swimming Pools. The South Pool could be your standard pool with a kiddie pool and a playground. Marion has a lot of park land. I think it would be great for kids and families to have two pools to choose from.
No matter if we build one pool or two, I think the Water Park must be built.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Who says Radio Guys Don't Know Anything...
USATODAY.com - Marketing to the masses tends to miss many
Tom Joyner is a very smart businessman. This USA Today article has some very interesting quotes from Joyner about marketing to blacks and hispanics. He makes some great points. I think this guy is sharp...
Tom Joyner is a very smart businessman. This USA Today article has some very interesting quotes from Joyner about marketing to blacks and hispanics. He makes some great points. I think this guy is sharp...
Friday, August 12, 2005
Simple is Good When It Comes to Christianity...
DAVID CRUMM: Getting to the root of religion
Some people I know think religion, Christianity in particular, is all about rules. That it is all about what you cannot do. They are wrong. It's about what you can do with the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus wants you to live, not to roll up in a ball and die. In recent weeks I have been truly moved by a series of DVDs my Sunday School class has been watching. We have been watching the NOOMA DVD series. This article from the Detroit Free Press talks about Rob Bell, the man who is the narrator in these DVDs. Rob Bell is truly a visionary when it comes to reaching people for Jesus. If you want to know more about the NOOMA DVDs, visit www.nooma.com.
Some people I know think religion, Christianity in particular, is all about rules. That it is all about what you cannot do. They are wrong. It's about what you can do with the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus wants you to live, not to roll up in a ball and die. In recent weeks I have been truly moved by a series of DVDs my Sunday School class has been watching. We have been watching the NOOMA DVD series. This article from the Detroit Free Press talks about Rob Bell, the man who is the narrator in these DVDs. Rob Bell is truly a visionary when it comes to reaching people for Jesus. If you want to know more about the NOOMA DVDs, visit www.nooma.com.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Too Much Time On Their Hands
USATODAY.com - NCAA bans Indian mascots during postseason
Are you sure the date today isn't April First? Wow the NCAA takes aim at the most important problem in college sports today: Indian Mascots. The problem is not cheating or athletic boosters, or betting on collegiate sports. The top problem isn't protecting student athletes from agents. Oh no, it's making sure everything is politically correct! This ruling cannot stand. Oh come on. Free speech, hello!
According to my father, my grandmother (his mother) was 1/8th American Indian. I don't know the tribe, I don't even know if it was true. So that would make me 1/32 American Indian. I am not offended by American Indian Sports mascots. Braves, Indians, Warriors, Seminoles, Redskins, I am not offended. I think this NCAA ban is stupid. Those images are chosen as mascots because they invoke qualities like strength, honor, toughness, courage and bravery. Gee, those are some good qualities. Why don't we name a team the University of (your state here) White Guys. Boy would the NAALCP and other groups oppose that. But it's not an Indian nickname so it should be okay!
I do not see the mascots as mean or demeaning. Hey, why don't we just wipe the slate clean. Notre Dame, you can't use the nickname "Irish" any more because it's offensive to people from Ireland. Texas Tech, you can no longer be the Red Raiders because "Red" is offensive to people who don't like the color. Texas A & M, you can no longer be the Aggies because ladies named Agnes find it offensive. It's just stupid. But it's the high level of stupidity we've come to expect from your friend and mine, NCAA President Myles Bland! Thanks Myles for all the hard work. What's next, a directive about bullying in the NCAA? Maybe something about how taking classes and playing sports is just too hard. Sheesh. Give me a break.
Are you sure the date today isn't April First? Wow the NCAA takes aim at the most important problem in college sports today: Indian Mascots. The problem is not cheating or athletic boosters, or betting on collegiate sports. The top problem isn't protecting student athletes from agents. Oh no, it's making sure everything is politically correct! This ruling cannot stand. Oh come on. Free speech, hello!
According to my father, my grandmother (his mother) was 1/8th American Indian. I don't know the tribe, I don't even know if it was true. So that would make me 1/32 American Indian. I am not offended by American Indian Sports mascots. Braves, Indians, Warriors, Seminoles, Redskins, I am not offended. I think this NCAA ban is stupid. Those images are chosen as mascots because they invoke qualities like strength, honor, toughness, courage and bravery. Gee, those are some good qualities. Why don't we name a team the University of (your state here) White Guys. Boy would the NAALCP and other groups oppose that. But it's not an Indian nickname so it should be okay!
I do not see the mascots as mean or demeaning. Hey, why don't we just wipe the slate clean. Notre Dame, you can't use the nickname "Irish" any more because it's offensive to people from Ireland. Texas Tech, you can no longer be the Red Raiders because "Red" is offensive to people who don't like the color. Texas A & M, you can no longer be the Aggies because ladies named Agnes find it offensive. It's just stupid. But it's the high level of stupidity we've come to expect from your friend and mine, NCAA President Myles Bland! Thanks Myles for all the hard work. What's next, a directive about bullying in the NCAA? Maybe something about how taking classes and playing sports is just too hard. Sheesh. Give me a break.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Military Blogger doesn't get it
Soldiers: War on 'Milblogs' - Newsweek Periscope - MSNBC.com
Here's a Newsweek story about a soldier in Iraq who got demoted for blogging. He protested the war in his blog. I am continually amazed by the number of folks in the military who are surprised when they are asked to defend our country. I have nothing but respect for anyone in the armed forces. They are on call to defend me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I think some of our nation's military enlisted to get a free education and skills. "What, you mean I'm going to have to use that gun I got in basic and kill somebody? Man, I didn't sign up for that." Buzzz. Sorry Hans, you did. I am behind our President and our Military. We went to war in Iraq to remove a dangerous dictator and provide some stability in the Middle East. We also went to war to prevent the War on Terror from moving over here. It's coming, we have just delayed it for a while. There will come a day when car bombings in the United States and other activity is just another fact of life. This is something Israeli's have lived with for the past 35 to 40 years. No, I don't like the way the war has been managed and planned, but I support our President and our troops 1,000%. If you don't like it, move to France!
Here's a Newsweek story about a soldier in Iraq who got demoted for blogging. He protested the war in his blog. I am continually amazed by the number of folks in the military who are surprised when they are asked to defend our country. I have nothing but respect for anyone in the armed forces. They are on call to defend me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I think some of our nation's military enlisted to get a free education and skills. "What, you mean I'm going to have to use that gun I got in basic and kill somebody? Man, I didn't sign up for that." Buzzz. Sorry Hans, you did. I am behind our President and our Military. We went to war in Iraq to remove a dangerous dictator and provide some stability in the Middle East. We also went to war to prevent the War on Terror from moving over here. It's coming, we have just delayed it for a while. There will come a day when car bombings in the United States and other activity is just another fact of life. This is something Israeli's have lived with for the past 35 to 40 years. No, I don't like the way the war has been managed and planned, but I support our President and our troops 1,000%. If you don't like it, move to France!
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