| PQ P r e s s A miss-mash series of articles and news worthy subjects. Life & times in the United States. Read by free thinking folks worldwide that are into liberty, freedom & music. By Internationally Published Author & Journalist; Blues Guitarist, Mike Dollins News, Journals, Humor and Retrospection: Rated PG |
Thanksgiving
November 2010
I think Thanksgiving is one of my
favorite holidays. It is one that anyone
of any persuasion, belief or philosophy
can participate in without a dogmatic
driving force or religious slant interfering
with the way one elects to celebrate the event.
Heck fire, even an atheists can celebrate being thankful without
answering to a higher power which they feel is just a myth. All can join
in this Thanksgiving Traditional Holiday, and spend time with family and
friends to eat, drink and be merry, while enjoying freedoms to such.
As Americans, we forget sometimes how so many billions of humans
have lived under suppression in so many societies from the beginning of
written history, to contemporary times of today. You can thank your
God, or your lucky stars for what we have in the USA. Of late, big
government is driving common folks crazy, but I still wouldn't trade it
for any other society I know about.
Pass word, and tell a friend or family member, Happy Thanksgiving. It
is very catching, as I started doing it on FaceBook over a week ago,
and now everyone is zipping out their messages on Thanksgiving.
Some of us old school dudes, veterans still feel we are one nation under
God, and we are blessed by His grace. I bet I can find more that agree
with me, than want to argue the fact.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
November 2010
I think Thanksgiving is one of my
favorite holidays. It is one that anyone
of any persuasion, belief or philosophy
can participate in without a dogmatic
driving force or religious slant interfering
with the way one elects to celebrate the event.
Heck fire, even an atheists can celebrate being thankful without
answering to a higher power which they feel is just a myth. All can join
in this Thanksgiving Traditional Holiday, and spend time with family and
friends to eat, drink and be merry, while enjoying freedoms to such.
As Americans, we forget sometimes how so many billions of humans
have lived under suppression in so many societies from the beginning of
written history, to contemporary times of today. You can thank your
God, or your lucky stars for what we have in the USA. Of late, big
government is driving common folks crazy, but I still wouldn't trade it
for any other society I know about.
Pass word, and tell a friend or family member, Happy Thanksgiving. It
is very catching, as I started doing it on FaceBook over a week ago,
and now everyone is zipping out their messages on Thanksgiving.
Some of us old school dudes, veterans still feel we are one nation under
God, and we are blessed by His grace. I bet I can find more that agree
with me, than want to argue the fact.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Censorship or not?
December 7, 2010
A couple years ago I was writing
a piece for a local newspaper. I get a
lot of my frustrated anger built up to a
boiling point listening to network news, and a recent terrorist
caused event, I mean man made disaster, got my goat. After
closing down the boob-tube, I jumped on my keyboard, and
whizzed away lashing out my emotions fueled by the news
alert.
Upon reviewing the piece, Jo Ann, asked, “You are so vivid,
aren’t you concerned about what this terrorist group could do to
us?” She had heard about retaliation toward news agencies
for cutting edge criticism of terrorist group activities. I could
see her concern for our family safety, and toned down my
article. It took all the fire and brimstone away from what I
“really” wanted to vent off about. The piece was published, and
when I read it in newsprint the article was a wish-wash, mealy-
mouthed nothing attempt to write something powerful. At least
my wife could ease her concerns.
Last night a buddy just got into town from Nashville, and we
were talking music business, fishing, football and catching up
small talk. He asked me how the blog was going. I gave him a
rundown on some recent articles. Years past on road trips, we
would talk politics and religion for hours. He knew I wasn’t one
for pulling punches. I was very opinionated, a patriot and
devout in my beliefs. He asked if I was worried. I asked, “About
what?” He was concerned that the government would spy on
me, and put me on a “Wacko List.” I explained that a lot of my
stuff is written third person, in parables, factious tongue in
check commentary and I avoid direct quotes, and calling out
specific individuals by name - That my pieces have a lot of
generalization, although critical of government and big
business, I avoid laying myself open for slander, liability or
misrepresentation of any individual.
My point in writing my version of political satire is not to run
down an individual. I have my opinions about key figures in
politics, or in high profile status, but routinely keep them to
myself. What I am after more than anything else, is venting off
where we stand as a nation. - A current affair of where we are,
and where we are headed. Something that I think most
Americans are concerned about, frequently think about and talk
about among ourselves. As a patriot, I fully expect to exercise
my freedom of speech. This is guaranteed to all of us, in the
US Constitution.
I do my own censorship, and Jo Ann tones down my profanity
reminding me I have adult grandchildren that may read my
articles. My personal censorship is to stay in bounds of the
playing field I’ve defined for myself. I do not want to offend
individuals, or inflame anyone by personally attacking them.
Good grief, there is enough of that from our elected officials,
and I think most of us are starting to despise their character
assassination techniques. Nothing new. As far back in US
history as you want to go, character defamation was utilized.
Read about Adams and Jackson in their presidential
campaigns of 1824.
I think the most severe issues rambling around in my head are;
“Why should I be afraid of our government?” “Why should I be
afraid of a terrorist group attacking me for exercising my speech
freedoms in the USA?” If I cannot trust our government to
leave me be in my speech freedoms, how can I trust them to
protect my freedoms from the terrorists? This is a crazy mixed
up mess, and I am not happy about any aspect of the
concept. I think censorship is a personal responsibility. I
certainly do not want my grand kids exposed to violent and
volatile adult situations. They are kids, and let them be kids.
They can wait until they're adults to make decisions to what kind
of exposure they care to be subjected to.
The words responsibility and accountability are tossed around a
lot lately. Why do we need a new definition, or a redefined
explanation for the two words? Anyone with a clear mind and
an open heart knows what right and wrong is all about.
Accountability, and the lack there of, has gotten us in a pickle in
the recent decade. When the guacamole hits the fan, there is
no one left standing that will fess up to spilling the beans.
Those in power run from accountability post-haste..
I know the Hollywood bunch, are real adamant about freedom
of speech, and detest any form at all of censorship. The movie
moguls are still suffering from Victorian censorship in the 30’s,
40’s and 50’s, and the bruises from the lashings at the
McCarthy Inquests. That is why movies need a rating system,
as they have no limits what they record. Like many parents and
grandparents, I do not want surprises when I take my family to
the picture show. Like an open season, many movies use
profanity like it was a second language. Hey, we all know
movies are just an entertainment fantasy, and in no way depicts
real life. The prolific use of cuss words in many movies is way
beyond normal usage even in settings like sports bars, military
barracks, poker games and men’s’ locker rooms. They have
not learned that less is more. I remember when Burt Lancaster
used “Damn” and “Hell” in “Gunfight at OK Corral.” Wow, that
was bold and daring in the 50’s.
A very controversial subject censorship is. We’ve watched in
history, and currently in many dictator controlled countries,
where everything is censored to keep the masses ignorant,
uniformed to truths and herded into the narrow path of mind
control. Many governments run and control all media. That
way, anything opposing or contradictory to the régime, can be
altered and doctored to fit the dictatorship’s agendas. I’ve
heard interesting concepts that our founding leaders in the
16th century fought strongly for a free press and freedom of
speech, as the tyranny they left in the old worlds was extremely
overbearing. The free press is the silent partner to our three
branches of government; executive, judicial and legislative. The
freedom of printed word keeps those in powerful positions on
their toes not to overstep their authority.
As recent as this week, I’ve heard talking heads concerned with
the American News Media, and where powerful folks feel it is
high time to put some regulation into what is printed and
broadcast. Hey, this isn’t Ben Franklin’s era of printing press
communication. We live in a technological era never thought of
just five years ago. Print, electronic and cyber space
communications are instantaneous and inexhaustible whereas
millions of bits of information are broadcast worldwide every
second of the day. My personal feeling is leave it be. Chase
the bad guys in cyber space running scams and dumping
harmful spams, and extorting good folks out of money. Crime is
crime, even if done electronically. Leave blogs, and web sites
venting off free speech and commentary alone. Hell, our
government can’t even control the Nigerian Inheritance scam,
much less chase down spammers and virus culprits. I’ve
checked out our government's web sites that try to control
cyber space crime, and they are so overloaded it is like
shoveling against the proverbial tide.
Chasing down terrorism and defeating crime before it occurs is
a paramount concern in our modern era of electronic gadgets
and wizardry. I have no problem with indicting those that
choose to break criminal law. What I do mind is anyone
messing with my freedoms, and even thinking about censorship
of our freedoms, especially the freedom of speech. We do
however traverse through environments and get into situations
where we censor our self. I’m sure you will not go to work
tomorrow, and tell you boss what kind of jerk you think he is.
Then tell him how the company’s latest policy decisions really
suck. Well, you can if you want, but accountability will be
superimposed on you even if you don’t want it. I know that is
nonsense, but discretion is still a good mode of operation fitting
the time and place for all things. I enjoy my blog, and I really
get a kick in the pants, and relieve my frustrated tensions by
venting off in my written free words of expression. A human
and Constitutional right. Thank you.
December 7, 2010
A couple years ago I was writing
a piece for a local newspaper. I get a
lot of my frustrated anger built up to a
boiling point listening to network news, and a recent terrorist
caused event, I mean man made disaster, got my goat. After
closing down the boob-tube, I jumped on my keyboard, and
whizzed away lashing out my emotions fueled by the news
alert.
Upon reviewing the piece, Jo Ann, asked, “You are so vivid,
aren’t you concerned about what this terrorist group could do to
us?” She had heard about retaliation toward news agencies
for cutting edge criticism of terrorist group activities. I could
see her concern for our family safety, and toned down my
article. It took all the fire and brimstone away from what I
“really” wanted to vent off about. The piece was published, and
when I read it in newsprint the article was a wish-wash, mealy-
mouthed nothing attempt to write something powerful. At least
my wife could ease her concerns.
Last night a buddy just got into town from Nashville, and we
were talking music business, fishing, football and catching up
small talk. He asked me how the blog was going. I gave him a
rundown on some recent articles. Years past on road trips, we
would talk politics and religion for hours. He knew I wasn’t one
for pulling punches. I was very opinionated, a patriot and
devout in my beliefs. He asked if I was worried. I asked, “About
what?” He was concerned that the government would spy on
me, and put me on a “Wacko List.” I explained that a lot of my
stuff is written third person, in parables, factious tongue in
check commentary and I avoid direct quotes, and calling out
specific individuals by name - That my pieces have a lot of
generalization, although critical of government and big
business, I avoid laying myself open for slander, liability or
misrepresentation of any individual.
My point in writing my version of political satire is not to run
down an individual. I have my opinions about key figures in
politics, or in high profile status, but routinely keep them to
myself. What I am after more than anything else, is venting off
where we stand as a nation. - A current affair of where we are,
and where we are headed. Something that I think most
Americans are concerned about, frequently think about and talk
about among ourselves. As a patriot, I fully expect to exercise
my freedom of speech. This is guaranteed to all of us, in the
US Constitution.
I do my own censorship, and Jo Ann tones down my profanity
reminding me I have adult grandchildren that may read my
articles. My personal censorship is to stay in bounds of the
playing field I’ve defined for myself. I do not want to offend
individuals, or inflame anyone by personally attacking them.
Good grief, there is enough of that from our elected officials,
and I think most of us are starting to despise their character
assassination techniques. Nothing new. As far back in US
history as you want to go, character defamation was utilized.
Read about Adams and Jackson in their presidential
campaigns of 1824.
I think the most severe issues rambling around in my head are;
“Why should I be afraid of our government?” “Why should I be
afraid of a terrorist group attacking me for exercising my speech
freedoms in the USA?” If I cannot trust our government to
leave me be in my speech freedoms, how can I trust them to
protect my freedoms from the terrorists? This is a crazy mixed
up mess, and I am not happy about any aspect of the
concept. I think censorship is a personal responsibility. I
certainly do not want my grand kids exposed to violent and
volatile adult situations. They are kids, and let them be kids.
They can wait until they're adults to make decisions to what kind
of exposure they care to be subjected to.
The words responsibility and accountability are tossed around a
lot lately. Why do we need a new definition, or a redefined
explanation for the two words? Anyone with a clear mind and
an open heart knows what right and wrong is all about.
Accountability, and the lack there of, has gotten us in a pickle in
the recent decade. When the guacamole hits the fan, there is
no one left standing that will fess up to spilling the beans.
Those in power run from accountability post-haste..
I know the Hollywood bunch, are real adamant about freedom
of speech, and detest any form at all of censorship. The movie
moguls are still suffering from Victorian censorship in the 30’s,
40’s and 50’s, and the bruises from the lashings at the
McCarthy Inquests. That is why movies need a rating system,
as they have no limits what they record. Like many parents and
grandparents, I do not want surprises when I take my family to
the picture show. Like an open season, many movies use
profanity like it was a second language. Hey, we all know
movies are just an entertainment fantasy, and in no way depicts
real life. The prolific use of cuss words in many movies is way
beyond normal usage even in settings like sports bars, military
barracks, poker games and men’s’ locker rooms. They have
not learned that less is more. I remember when Burt Lancaster
used “Damn” and “Hell” in “Gunfight at OK Corral.” Wow, that
was bold and daring in the 50’s.
A very controversial subject censorship is. We’ve watched in
history, and currently in many dictator controlled countries,
where everything is censored to keep the masses ignorant,
uniformed to truths and herded into the narrow path of mind
control. Many governments run and control all media. That
way, anything opposing or contradictory to the régime, can be
altered and doctored to fit the dictatorship’s agendas. I’ve
heard interesting concepts that our founding leaders in the
16th century fought strongly for a free press and freedom of
speech, as the tyranny they left in the old worlds was extremely
overbearing. The free press is the silent partner to our three
branches of government; executive, judicial and legislative. The
freedom of printed word keeps those in powerful positions on
their toes not to overstep their authority.
As recent as this week, I’ve heard talking heads concerned with
the American News Media, and where powerful folks feel it is
high time to put some regulation into what is printed and
broadcast. Hey, this isn’t Ben Franklin’s era of printing press
communication. We live in a technological era never thought of
just five years ago. Print, electronic and cyber space
communications are instantaneous and inexhaustible whereas
millions of bits of information are broadcast worldwide every
second of the day. My personal feeling is leave it be. Chase
the bad guys in cyber space running scams and dumping
harmful spams, and extorting good folks out of money. Crime is
crime, even if done electronically. Leave blogs, and web sites
venting off free speech and commentary alone. Hell, our
government can’t even control the Nigerian Inheritance scam,
much less chase down spammers and virus culprits. I’ve
checked out our government's web sites that try to control
cyber space crime, and they are so overloaded it is like
shoveling against the proverbial tide.
Chasing down terrorism and defeating crime before it occurs is
a paramount concern in our modern era of electronic gadgets
and wizardry. I have no problem with indicting those that
choose to break criminal law. What I do mind is anyone
messing with my freedoms, and even thinking about censorship
of our freedoms, especially the freedom of speech. We do
however traverse through environments and get into situations
where we censor our self. I’m sure you will not go to work
tomorrow, and tell you boss what kind of jerk you think he is.
Then tell him how the company’s latest policy decisions really
suck. Well, you can if you want, but accountability will be
superimposed on you even if you don’t want it. I know that is
nonsense, but discretion is still a good mode of operation fitting
the time and place for all things. I enjoy my blog, and I really
get a kick in the pants, and relieve my frustrated tensions by
venting off in my written free words of expression. A human
and Constitutional right. Thank you.
Arkansas Blues Highway 49
Blues Highway 49 begins at Gulfport, Mississippi, which is 20 miles W/O
Alabama, 20 miles E/O of Louisiana, and about 50 miles from New
Orleans. Gulfport, Mississippi is a true delta city, which is on the Gulf of
Mexico, and besides Florida, is the most southern part of the United
States. For those of you that have never had a plate full of Turnip
Greens, Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread, here we go: Traveling north, the
first big town is Hattiesburg, MS, but north of that is Mississippi’s main major
city; Jackson, Mississippi home to some of the worlds best, and most
famous Gospel groups, and Gospel and blues radio programming too.
Home to the Jackson Southernares, one of the bes Gospel groups on earth.
North of Jackson, is Yazoo City, a much worn out blues word. Highway 49
splits at Yazoo with 49w heading northwest, and 49 northward. They join
again at the crossroads of Hwy 49 and Hwy 3 in the middle of nothing but
cotton fields as far as you can see. The closet small towns are Rome and
Dublin miles away.
After passing the crossroads, you will enter Clarksdale, Mississippi, which
lays claim to be the epic-center for blues worldwide. So be it. Leaving
Clarksdale you are on joint Highway 49 and 61, and they split in ten miles
with the closest little berg being Rich, Mississippi.
Highway 61 continues north, crosses the Mississippi State line into,
Memphis, Tennessee. I was in one of the worst thunderstorms of my life on
this stretch of highway back in 1996. Highway 49 turns west and crosses
the Mississippi River, into Helena, Arkansas. This is home to the King
Biscuit; KFFA historic Sonny Boy Williamson blues radio show. We are still
in fertile cotton, and farming country. We didn’t really call it delta when I
was a kid, but referred to it as bottom-land or river bottom.
Traveling north, you pass West Memphis, Arkansas by about 20 miles, and
head into Jonesboro, Arkansas. My daddy was born here in house along
side Highway 49 back in 1913, and he was raised on a cotton farm between
Jonesboro, and Paragould, Arkansas. From here if you stay north on 49,
and you will cross Arkansas into Missouri around Moark, Arkansas.
49 and 67 are joint highways in Missouri for a few miles. 49 will branch off
around Williamsville, Missouri, and Highway 49 will continue to the north,
and finally end at the historic Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, which is now
Interstate 44.
Highway 67 continues northeast and eventually joins Interstate 55, just
south of St. Louis, Missouri, which is some odd 200 plus miles southwest,
away from Chicago.
For those of you that got some interest out of America’s Blues Highways,
there is a MapQuest Reference below for you. America’s music Highways
are Route 66, Highway 49 & 61. Although the Interstate system has
fragmented the old Highway system, many parts of these old blues roads
are still there, where Southern and Union Pacific Railroads crisscross them
continuously. I’ll talk about blues trains in a future article. Now you know
the rest of the story about blues highways in America.
MAPQUEST: www.mapquest.com/?le=t&hk=6-fq8i&vs=h
Wikipedia, encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Highway_49
Blues Highway 49 begins at Gulfport, Mississippi, which is 20 miles W/O
Alabama, 20 miles E/O of Louisiana, and about 50 miles from New
Orleans. Gulfport, Mississippi is a true delta city, which is on the Gulf of
Mexico, and besides Florida, is the most southern part of the United
States. For those of you that have never had a plate full of Turnip
Greens, Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread, here we go: Traveling north, the
first big town is Hattiesburg, MS, but north of that is Mississippi’s main major
city; Jackson, Mississippi home to some of the worlds best, and most
famous Gospel groups, and Gospel and blues radio programming too.
Home to the Jackson Southernares, one of the bes Gospel groups on earth.
North of Jackson, is Yazoo City, a much worn out blues word. Highway 49
splits at Yazoo with 49w heading northwest, and 49 northward. They join
again at the crossroads of Hwy 49 and Hwy 3 in the middle of nothing but
cotton fields as far as you can see. The closet small towns are Rome and
Dublin miles away.
After passing the crossroads, you will enter Clarksdale, Mississippi, which
lays claim to be the epic-center for blues worldwide. So be it. Leaving
Clarksdale you are on joint Highway 49 and 61, and they split in ten miles
with the closest little berg being Rich, Mississippi.
Highway 61 continues north, crosses the Mississippi State line into,
Memphis, Tennessee. I was in one of the worst thunderstorms of my life on
this stretch of highway back in 1996. Highway 49 turns west and crosses
the Mississippi River, into Helena, Arkansas. This is home to the King
Biscuit; KFFA historic Sonny Boy Williamson blues radio show. We are still
in fertile cotton, and farming country. We didn’t really call it delta when I
was a kid, but referred to it as bottom-land or river bottom.
Traveling north, you pass West Memphis, Arkansas by about 20 miles, and
head into Jonesboro, Arkansas. My daddy was born here in house along
side Highway 49 back in 1913, and he was raised on a cotton farm between
Jonesboro, and Paragould, Arkansas. From here if you stay north on 49,
and you will cross Arkansas into Missouri around Moark, Arkansas.
49 and 67 are joint highways in Missouri for a few miles. 49 will branch off
around Williamsville, Missouri, and Highway 49 will continue to the north,
and finally end at the historic Route 66 in Cuba, Missouri, which is now
Interstate 44.
Highway 67 continues northeast and eventually joins Interstate 55, just
south of St. Louis, Missouri, which is some odd 200 plus miles southwest,
away from Chicago.
For those of you that got some interest out of America’s Blues Highways,
there is a MapQuest Reference below for you. America’s music Highways
are Route 66, Highway 49 & 61. Although the Interstate system has
fragmented the old Highway system, many parts of these old blues roads
are still there, where Southern and Union Pacific Railroads crisscross them
continuously. I’ll talk about blues trains in a future article. Now you know
the rest of the story about blues highways in America.
MAPQUEST: www.mapquest.com/?le=t&hk=6-fq8i&vs=h
Wikipedia, encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Highway_49
Something's Gotta' Give?
December 2010
I make it difficult for folks
to decide if I am a liberal or
conservative. How about this,
I am neither. I refuse to be
categorized, and placed
in a pigeonhole.
This L&C crap is a mind game of division. I am not even sure
if the average person can give a clear-cut definition to either so
called persuasion. What pissed me off one time was, a cousin
of mine was in Sunday School class, and someone blurted out
in a round table discussion, “ I can’t believe a Christian could
call their self a Democrat.” Well, my cousin was a centrist
Democrat, and was highly offended by the derogatory, and
inflaming statement by a mindless imp.
To comfort my cousin, I told her that the dummy that stuck
her brains in her mouth, listened far too much to Rush
Limbaugh. She laughed. Beware of anyone that is radical to
either end of the scale. Use your own mind to formulate what
you believe, not by what you are told or read. Open your
mind, and collect your views and news from multiple
resources. The Internet is such a fantastic tool, as it is a
personal dictionary, encyclopedia and endless synthesized
intelligence of any subject imaginable. My research for writing
articles prior to the Internet days was tedious, and grueling
trying to discover real creditable facts. Today, I can surf the
web, and read contrasting points of view on any topic that
floats in between my ears. Cool huh?
My political point of view has been all over the plate. I do not
judge a candidate by their affiliation, as before they get my
vote, I want to know where they stand on major issues. Also,
if incumbent, what is their voting record? And, as a Vet, I
want to know if they ever lifted a finger to help Veterans. It
doesn’t matter what they want to call their self. R’s and D’s,
have both been found corrupt, and reaped penalties including
jail time for under the table dealings. My biggest
disappointment was Randy “Duke” Cunningham, of
California. As far as I know, he is still in jail. Like I said, “It
doesn’t matter what flavor they are.”
If you listen to the talking heads like Rush Limbaugh, and Alan
Colmes you need to keep tongue in cheek, as persuasive talk
one way or the other can become hypnotic. Remember, it is
just their gig. They are in show business and this is the shtick
that worked for them to gain fame and fortune. The battle
lines in the 21st century are firmly drawn lines of combative
words. It is all geared up to create hyperness in the listening
and viewing public to stay tuned to what ever show is on. I
guarantee you; it is all in support of major advertisers peddling
crap you don’t need or want. Same deal as the snake oil
salesman on the back of a wagon in the old west - Same gig,
different era.
In most major complicated issues like abortion, guy rights,
racial tension, socialistic slants, Israel verses Palestine and most
other general hot topics, I keep an open-ended search for
answers. When the subject is so complex, and has so many
sides with passionate feelings, I choose the path of continued
education and understanding. That is why, I won’t write on
the current “hot topics” as my mind may change, and my point
of few altered from what it could be when I wrote about the
subject. I prefer to write in generalized terms of politics,
veteran issues, goodwill toward fellow humans, what I think is
evil against our society, true patriotic causes and my first loves
blues, gospel and jazz. I do a lot of facetious nonsense that I
find humorous. Only my adult kids really know my humor,
and how off beat it is. A few close friends have picked up on it
over time too.
I love political cartoons. The New Yorker is my favorite
magazine, as they have the best cartoons on earth. Political
cartoonists are some of the most intelligent humans on earth.
First off, they have excellent drawing talent not easily mastered
by the masses. Then they must study society awareness.
They draw on their ability to make a statement, in humor, with
only a few words of explanation. Most often turning a dead
serious subject matter into a chuckle. The cartoonist can say
what needs to go down in one short sentence, whereas a
columnist needs boring endless paragraphs of dialogue riddled
with words only found in ancient Webster dictionaries. Being
a political cartoonist is a field I envy. I would love to have
their talent, but I am confined to an endless blather of words to
get my points across.
Like most Americans, or at least us common folk on the street,
I am highly irritated and frustrated by what is going on in the
United States during the first decade of the 21st century. We
were promised green pastures, and high times if we went along
with all the bull shit that has been tossed out to the citizenship
over the last forty years. The only up stroke is all the fodder
for writers like me, and material for late night talk show
comedians.
We are still stuck in two wars. Retrospect, I ask, “Why?”
Yeah, we were attacked, and suffered a modern day human
tragedy. Was it really to get the bad guy, and not the oil in
Iraq and the lithium and poppies in Afghanistan? The bad
guys seem to propagate faster, than we can get rid of them. A
simple solution to the problem is, kick everyone out of the
USA that does not hold allegiance to our way of life. Either
you become a freedom loving US citizen post haste, or go back
home when your visa is up. We are the only country on earth
that lets foreign invaders buy our land, businesses and then
sniffle and whine about injustice. Try that crap in China or
Iran.
Turn the UN building into a homeless shelter, and feed the
poor of New York. Let them build a UN building in South
Africa, or Pakistan. I don’t care where, just get them off our
soil. I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks of us. For
decade, after decade we’ve fed the world from our mid-
western breadbasket, and fought wars for other countries
spilling US citizen’s blood to only be talked about like a dog for
the effort. Cut it all off, and not another dime of charity to
nations outside our walls. Isolationist? Yes I am. Let’s take
care of our own, clean up our inner cities, cloth and house the
millions of homeless and feed the poor before we send another
boatload of food to ingrates around the planet. Fix our own
highways, bridges and infrastructure, instead of investing
construction in countries that will only blow it up as soon as the
concrete is dry.
Ah, you say, “Mike you are a little harsh?” Yeah, well harsh
times call for harsh counter measures. So far, all I see our
government doing is placing American soldiers in harms way,
and all we get is lip service to nowhere. We are no better off
than we were a decade ago, and in fact a hell of lot worse. I
think most folks in the USA, have sentiments that run parallel
with my spouting off facetious statements here, but in our
times we seem afraid to express our real views. Either afraid,
or apathetic to the fact, what good is it? A friend once told
me that he doesn’t waste his time voting, as it is all hopeless -
they are going to do what they are going to do, and nothing we
say or do will make a difference. Gosh, how many folks hold
this belief? What does it take to wake the sleeping giant, silent
majority? We all alertly woke up for a short period of time
directly after 9/11, but within a six month period, went back to
sleep as all the tangled controversy filled the airways nightly.
Without progressive action, we as a nation seem to have short
attention spans.
I hear the over used statement, “Core Values,” tossed around
frequently. Someone define core values for me? Our core
values should be the US Constitution, The Bill of Rights and
the Declaration of Independence. Anyone not self-evident
holding to these principles, should be place on a boat to
anywhere but here. Freedom of speech and thought is one
thing, but to be anti-American is by action a traitor to the
American way of life. Sorry, you must be either an American
Citizen, here on vacation, visa or enrolled in a US citizenship
class to stay here. All others hit the road Jack. We as a nation
from the beginning have opened our arms embracing those
from around the globe that want to come here, join the club
and adhere to our rules and guidelines for citizenship. It just
pisses the masses off, when so many endeavor to do the right
thing as an American, and new invaders arrive to reverse
engineer, and re-bend it all to their way of thinking.
Where have all the heroes gone? Growing up as a kid in the
fifties, every Saturday morning was filled with heroes; Lone
Ranger, Cisco Kid, Hop Along Cassidy, Roy Rogers, and Gene
Autry. They all stood up and fought injustice for the
underdog, and valued truth and honesty preserving our way of
life from the evil ways of marauding bad guys. I slept sound
at night knowing my TV heroes, and my dad, uncles and male
older cousins stood for the American way of life, and
safeguarded us kids from all harm. A real live hero is what we
need now. Someone with balls to stand up, and say enough is
enough. Leave my people be. Touch one more hair on their
head, and I’ll kick your butt. Keep dreaming, as no one is
coming to the rescue of the American, tax paying working poor
in the United States. We work to feed the world, and then get
our 401k ripped off before we can achieve retirement age.
You know my friend, something has got to give?
December 2010
I make it difficult for folks
to decide if I am a liberal or
conservative. How about this,
I am neither. I refuse to be
categorized, and placed
in a pigeonhole.
This L&C crap is a mind game of division. I am not even sure
if the average person can give a clear-cut definition to either so
called persuasion. What pissed me off one time was, a cousin
of mine was in Sunday School class, and someone blurted out
in a round table discussion, “ I can’t believe a Christian could
call their self a Democrat.” Well, my cousin was a centrist
Democrat, and was highly offended by the derogatory, and
inflaming statement by a mindless imp.
To comfort my cousin, I told her that the dummy that stuck
her brains in her mouth, listened far too much to Rush
Limbaugh. She laughed. Beware of anyone that is radical to
either end of the scale. Use your own mind to formulate what
you believe, not by what you are told or read. Open your
mind, and collect your views and news from multiple
resources. The Internet is such a fantastic tool, as it is a
personal dictionary, encyclopedia and endless synthesized
intelligence of any subject imaginable. My research for writing
articles prior to the Internet days was tedious, and grueling
trying to discover real creditable facts. Today, I can surf the
web, and read contrasting points of view on any topic that
floats in between my ears. Cool huh?
My political point of view has been all over the plate. I do not
judge a candidate by their affiliation, as before they get my
vote, I want to know where they stand on major issues. Also,
if incumbent, what is their voting record? And, as a Vet, I
want to know if they ever lifted a finger to help Veterans. It
doesn’t matter what they want to call their self. R’s and D’s,
have both been found corrupt, and reaped penalties including
jail time for under the table dealings. My biggest
disappointment was Randy “Duke” Cunningham, of
California. As far as I know, he is still in jail. Like I said, “It
doesn’t matter what flavor they are.”
If you listen to the talking heads like Rush Limbaugh, and Alan
Colmes you need to keep tongue in cheek, as persuasive talk
one way or the other can become hypnotic. Remember, it is
just their gig. They are in show business and this is the shtick
that worked for them to gain fame and fortune. The battle
lines in the 21st century are firmly drawn lines of combative
words. It is all geared up to create hyperness in the listening
and viewing public to stay tuned to what ever show is on. I
guarantee you; it is all in support of major advertisers peddling
crap you don’t need or want. Same deal as the snake oil
salesman on the back of a wagon in the old west - Same gig,
different era.
In most major complicated issues like abortion, guy rights,
racial tension, socialistic slants, Israel verses Palestine and most
other general hot topics, I keep an open-ended search for
answers. When the subject is so complex, and has so many
sides with passionate feelings, I choose the path of continued
education and understanding. That is why, I won’t write on
the current “hot topics” as my mind may change, and my point
of few altered from what it could be when I wrote about the
subject. I prefer to write in generalized terms of politics,
veteran issues, goodwill toward fellow humans, what I think is
evil against our society, true patriotic causes and my first loves
blues, gospel and jazz. I do a lot of facetious nonsense that I
find humorous. Only my adult kids really know my humor,
and how off beat it is. A few close friends have picked up on it
over time too.
I love political cartoons. The New Yorker is my favorite
magazine, as they have the best cartoons on earth. Political
cartoonists are some of the most intelligent humans on earth.
First off, they have excellent drawing talent not easily mastered
by the masses. Then they must study society awareness.
They draw on their ability to make a statement, in humor, with
only a few words of explanation. Most often turning a dead
serious subject matter into a chuckle. The cartoonist can say
what needs to go down in one short sentence, whereas a
columnist needs boring endless paragraphs of dialogue riddled
with words only found in ancient Webster dictionaries. Being
a political cartoonist is a field I envy. I would love to have
their talent, but I am confined to an endless blather of words to
get my points across.
Like most Americans, or at least us common folk on the street,
I am highly irritated and frustrated by what is going on in the
United States during the first decade of the 21st century. We
were promised green pastures, and high times if we went along
with all the bull shit that has been tossed out to the citizenship
over the last forty years. The only up stroke is all the fodder
for writers like me, and material for late night talk show
comedians.
We are still stuck in two wars. Retrospect, I ask, “Why?”
Yeah, we were attacked, and suffered a modern day human
tragedy. Was it really to get the bad guy, and not the oil in
Iraq and the lithium and poppies in Afghanistan? The bad
guys seem to propagate faster, than we can get rid of them. A
simple solution to the problem is, kick everyone out of the
USA that does not hold allegiance to our way of life. Either
you become a freedom loving US citizen post haste, or go back
home when your visa is up. We are the only country on earth
that lets foreign invaders buy our land, businesses and then
sniffle and whine about injustice. Try that crap in China or
Iran.
Turn the UN building into a homeless shelter, and feed the
poor of New York. Let them build a UN building in South
Africa, or Pakistan. I don’t care where, just get them off our
soil. I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks of us. For
decade, after decade we’ve fed the world from our mid-
western breadbasket, and fought wars for other countries
spilling US citizen’s blood to only be talked about like a dog for
the effort. Cut it all off, and not another dime of charity to
nations outside our walls. Isolationist? Yes I am. Let’s take
care of our own, clean up our inner cities, cloth and house the
millions of homeless and feed the poor before we send another
boatload of food to ingrates around the planet. Fix our own
highways, bridges and infrastructure, instead of investing
construction in countries that will only blow it up as soon as the
concrete is dry.
Ah, you say, “Mike you are a little harsh?” Yeah, well harsh
times call for harsh counter measures. So far, all I see our
government doing is placing American soldiers in harms way,
and all we get is lip service to nowhere. We are no better off
than we were a decade ago, and in fact a hell of lot worse. I
think most folks in the USA, have sentiments that run parallel
with my spouting off facetious statements here, but in our
times we seem afraid to express our real views. Either afraid,
or apathetic to the fact, what good is it? A friend once told
me that he doesn’t waste his time voting, as it is all hopeless -
they are going to do what they are going to do, and nothing we
say or do will make a difference. Gosh, how many folks hold
this belief? What does it take to wake the sleeping giant, silent
majority? We all alertly woke up for a short period of time
directly after 9/11, but within a six month period, went back to
sleep as all the tangled controversy filled the airways nightly.
Without progressive action, we as a nation seem to have short
attention spans.
I hear the over used statement, “Core Values,” tossed around
frequently. Someone define core values for me? Our core
values should be the US Constitution, The Bill of Rights and
the Declaration of Independence. Anyone not self-evident
holding to these principles, should be place on a boat to
anywhere but here. Freedom of speech and thought is one
thing, but to be anti-American is by action a traitor to the
American way of life. Sorry, you must be either an American
Citizen, here on vacation, visa or enrolled in a US citizenship
class to stay here. All others hit the road Jack. We as a nation
from the beginning have opened our arms embracing those
from around the globe that want to come here, join the club
and adhere to our rules and guidelines for citizenship. It just
pisses the masses off, when so many endeavor to do the right
thing as an American, and new invaders arrive to reverse
engineer, and re-bend it all to their way of thinking.
Where have all the heroes gone? Growing up as a kid in the
fifties, every Saturday morning was filled with heroes; Lone
Ranger, Cisco Kid, Hop Along Cassidy, Roy Rogers, and Gene
Autry. They all stood up and fought injustice for the
underdog, and valued truth and honesty preserving our way of
life from the evil ways of marauding bad guys. I slept sound
at night knowing my TV heroes, and my dad, uncles and male
older cousins stood for the American way of life, and
safeguarded us kids from all harm. A real live hero is what we
need now. Someone with balls to stand up, and say enough is
enough. Leave my people be. Touch one more hair on their
head, and I’ll kick your butt. Keep dreaming, as no one is
coming to the rescue of the American, tax paying working poor
in the United States. We work to feed the world, and then get
our 401k ripped off before we can achieve retirement age.
You know my friend, something has got to give?
Fleece the Flock -
Go to Jail !
September 2008
Our elected officials in Washington DC,
are shoveling billions of dollars out the
back door in truck loads to cronies, and
by their own published admission,
corrupt big business. I’ve heard all
through the 2008 election campaign
by all those running how the stock
market, insurance moguls, banking
institutions and mortgage gurus
reeked with corruptness, and did
a major fleecing of America
which effected us all on every level.
If this is not true, then I personally have formed a misguided opinion on
the subject from our leaders, and news wire services. My opinion is
one that is commonly shared with everyone I talk to about the subject.
What is highly confusing, and actually deeply disturbing; where are all
the indictments charging the conspirators of the apparent corruptness
for their crimes? How is restitution to the tax payers that suffered from
the corruption supposed to be administered?
Millions of Americans have lost pensions, homes, jobs and small
businesses. We are standing in anticipation of more bad news over
the horizon, with anxiety that we could face a dismal future. Like a
sinking ship the royalty, elitists, privileged, connected, politically
influenced and solidly lobbied got the gold trimmed lifeboats. The rest
of us are a float in rough seas on our own. If you and your family sink,
and economically drown, there is no one out there that will pull you up
and resuscitate your imposed financial ruination, especially while our
government is tied up rescuing those that blew holes in our boat.
I just want to know when the so called corrupt forces behind the United
States economic collapse will do jail time? In the same period of time
men in power committed these crimes against the economic system,
youth from inner-city neighborhoods have gone to jail for petty theft
and for having a marijuana joint in their pocket. I do not believe in
"White Collar" crime. It sounds too much like white people in power
getting off scott-clean, while the rest of us pay the dues for trivial
misdemeanors. Fair and balanced my ass. I know, I know our legal
system is the best money can buy. To tell you the truth, our elected
officials are all heavily invested in the very businesses that caused the
problem. They will not kill the golden goose of dividends, but pretend
they are scolding it for supposed unscrupulous behavior. You know, a
slap on the wrist. The next day they will be back in business as usual
- Fleecing the flock.
Go to Jail !
September 2008
Our elected officials in Washington DC,
are shoveling billions of dollars out the
back door in truck loads to cronies, and
by their own published admission,
corrupt big business. I’ve heard all
through the 2008 election campaign
by all those running how the stock
market, insurance moguls, banking
institutions and mortgage gurus
reeked with corruptness, and did
a major fleecing of America
which effected us all on every level.
If this is not true, then I personally have formed a misguided opinion on
the subject from our leaders, and news wire services. My opinion is
one that is commonly shared with everyone I talk to about the subject.
What is highly confusing, and actually deeply disturbing; where are all
the indictments charging the conspirators of the apparent corruptness
for their crimes? How is restitution to the tax payers that suffered from
the corruption supposed to be administered?
Millions of Americans have lost pensions, homes, jobs and small
businesses. We are standing in anticipation of more bad news over
the horizon, with anxiety that we could face a dismal future. Like a
sinking ship the royalty, elitists, privileged, connected, politically
influenced and solidly lobbied got the gold trimmed lifeboats. The rest
of us are a float in rough seas on our own. If you and your family sink,
and economically drown, there is no one out there that will pull you up
and resuscitate your imposed financial ruination, especially while our
government is tied up rescuing those that blew holes in our boat.
I just want to know when the so called corrupt forces behind the United
States economic collapse will do jail time? In the same period of time
men in power committed these crimes against the economic system,
youth from inner-city neighborhoods have gone to jail for petty theft
and for having a marijuana joint in their pocket. I do not believe in
"White Collar" crime. It sounds too much like white people in power
getting off scott-clean, while the rest of us pay the dues for trivial
misdemeanors. Fair and balanced my ass. I know, I know our legal
system is the best money can buy. To tell you the truth, our elected
officials are all heavily invested in the very businesses that caused the
problem. They will not kill the golden goose of dividends, but pretend
they are scolding it for supposed unscrupulous behavior. You know, a
slap on the wrist. The next day they will be back in business as usual
- Fleecing the flock.
You can check out my third new book. Been a
long time since I've written a full length subject. It
is called, "The Gig." Three chapters are posted If
you can handle reading rambling life's perspective
from a lead guitar player, I'd sure like you to check
it out. www.mikedollins.biz/Book
Or simply click on
the book to go
directly to the page. ====>>>
Thank you.
long time since I've written a full length subject. It
is called, "The Gig." Three chapters are posted If
you can handle reading rambling life's perspective
from a lead guitar player, I'd sure like you to check
it out. www.mikedollins.biz/Book
Or simply click on
the book to go
directly to the page. ====>>>
Thank you.
!-- Start of StatCounter Code -->
Most folks in cyber-space
know me for my music since I
spent a lifetime playing guitar in
bands. If you are after music,
you will find all that at
www.mikedollins.biz
This page is my lose cannon
page. Besides music, something
I've done longer is writing. I've
been published in too many
electronic and print medias to list
all, but most notably in:
Los Angeles Times
San Diego Union-Tribune
San Diego Reader
Troubadour
Mix Magazine
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Free Press
Good News Etc.
Blues News
Jazz Link Magazine
Well, you get the point. My
secondary outlet for expression is
writing. I was first published in
1953 when I was in 3rd grade
for a Teacher's Trade Journal.
After military service in the 60's,
I ventured through college during
the 70's on the GI Bill. As my
vocabulary increased somewhat,
I was like most folks fogging
everyone on my multi-syllable
words trying to impress
professors. After taking a great
creative writing class, one point
got across to me. "Write like you
talk." If you don't use the word
in everyday conversation, then
stay out of the thesaurus
searches for ancient words only
used by English historians. Once
I got the hang of writing like
most people talk in the everyday
world, I found a new freedom.
Cool huh? In my old sort of
retired age, I am getting urges to
write more. The thought of
sending off manuscripts to
editors repulsed me as much as
Lady Ga Ga's raw meat dress.
Thus the idea of a blog came up.
Why not? I have some domain
names I'm paying for to promote
music. Use them for a writing
playground too. With that said,
here we go.
God Bless, Mike
For my atheist friends,
Have a good day.
know me for my music since I
spent a lifetime playing guitar in
bands. If you are after music,
you will find all that at
www.mikedollins.biz
This page is my lose cannon
page. Besides music, something
I've done longer is writing. I've
been published in too many
electronic and print medias to list
all, but most notably in:
Los Angeles Times
San Diego Union-Tribune
San Diego Reader
Troubadour
Mix Magazine
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Free Press
Good News Etc.
Blues News
Jazz Link Magazine
Well, you get the point. My
secondary outlet for expression is
writing. I was first published in
1953 when I was in 3rd grade
for a Teacher's Trade Journal.
After military service in the 60's,
I ventured through college during
the 70's on the GI Bill. As my
vocabulary increased somewhat,
I was like most folks fogging
everyone on my multi-syllable
words trying to impress
professors. After taking a great
creative writing class, one point
got across to me. "Write like you
talk." If you don't use the word
in everyday conversation, then
stay out of the thesaurus
searches for ancient words only
used by English historians. Once
I got the hang of writing like
most people talk in the everyday
world, I found a new freedom.
Cool huh? In my old sort of
retired age, I am getting urges to
write more. The thought of
sending off manuscripts to
editors repulsed me as much as
Lady Ga Ga's raw meat dress.
Thus the idea of a blog came up.
Why not? I have some domain
names I'm paying for to promote
music. Use them for a writing
playground too. With that said,
here we go.
God Bless, Mike
For my atheist friends,
Have a good day.
| Articles of Interest Most of them published somewhere in the world. |
Kick Us When We’re Down
Nov 2010
How do you get
Washington DC’s attention
to hear 350 million Americans?
For decades the inglorious elites
in our Nation’s Capitol have
succumbed to, and coddled big business gravely fogging their
decisions. They have rewarded failure, sleaze and greed of big
business by propping them up with taxpayer’s money. Ruthless
CEO’s waltzed away with bonuses that matched a small city’s
annual budget.
Now the Emergency Budget Reduction Panel recommends that
the only way to reduce the deficit is to slap and kick taxpaying
Americans while they are down. Their solution is to increase
taxes, raise fuel costs, and cut back on Social Security and
Medicare. To place this kind of burden on the already strained
working family budget in the United States is disgraceful and
despicable.
Considering the current dismal state of our Nation’s depressed
economy; tomorrow morning cease immediately all money
leaving our country to foreign entities. Cease all non-essential
grants, loans and money to special interests groups.
An estimable start that the majority of most clear thinking
Americans may agree is the justified thing to do. The
infrastructure of the United States is crumbling apart in front of
our eyes, and our elected servants of the people would rather
rebuild foreign countries than sink one dime into our neglected
country.
Our so called leaders would cut off their big toe before they gave
working families a penny in recompense for decades of
predatory pricing by big businesses, and unjust over-taxation that
created the present-day excessively exploited working poor.
Nov 2010
How do you get
Washington DC’s attention
to hear 350 million Americans?
For decades the inglorious elites
in our Nation’s Capitol have
succumbed to, and coddled big business gravely fogging their
decisions. They have rewarded failure, sleaze and greed of big
business by propping them up with taxpayer’s money. Ruthless
CEO’s waltzed away with bonuses that matched a small city’s
annual budget.
Now the Emergency Budget Reduction Panel recommends that
the only way to reduce the deficit is to slap and kick taxpaying
Americans while they are down. Their solution is to increase
taxes, raise fuel costs, and cut back on Social Security and
Medicare. To place this kind of burden on the already strained
working family budget in the United States is disgraceful and
despicable.
Considering the current dismal state of our Nation’s depressed
economy; tomorrow morning cease immediately all money
leaving our country to foreign entities. Cease all non-essential
grants, loans and money to special interests groups.
An estimable start that the majority of most clear thinking
Americans may agree is the justified thing to do. The
infrastructure of the United States is crumbling apart in front of
our eyes, and our elected servants of the people would rather
rebuild foreign countries than sink one dime into our neglected
country.
Our so called leaders would cut off their big toe before they gave
working families a penny in recompense for decades of
predatory pricing by big businesses, and unjust over-taxation that
created the present-day excessively exploited working poor.
Memory Loss Begins Nov 3rd.
Oct 2010
I got news for you baby.
If you are gullible enough
to fall for the latest adult cartoons, political ads, you
probably need a reality check. Sudden reality adjustments
are good to refocus on what is actually going on, and
avoid the bait to suck you into the spin. Are we so stupid
as a mass to forget the simple rule of, “Follow the
Money?” Forget smearing campaign ads that only insults
the human intelligence. How can you tell when a
politician is lying? When their mouth is moving!
Times are uncertain, and standing on shaky ground.
Citizens are cranky about the trillion-dollar bailout of shady
enterprises, and unaccountable billions to the very
businesses that have practiced uncontrolled predatory
pricing for decades, no matter who was in office. Add in
the worst failure of the system since the Great
Depression, job losses, massive foreclosure rates, 401k
crashes, lending banks with bailout money refusing to re-
circulate, businesses unsure what their new tax rates will
be and an unprecedented high disapproval rating of our
current publicly elected leaders, you better get out and
vote.
Decades of our public service officials doing NOTHING
meaningful or significant for the working poor, taxing
paying citizen trying to meet the mortgage, and get kids
raised has got to end. The vote is a freedom we have that
puts power in our hands. Why do you think the
candidates are kissing up to the public this time of the
year? On November 3rd, their memory loss begins.
Oct 2010
I got news for you baby.
If you are gullible enough
to fall for the latest adult cartoons, political ads, you
probably need a reality check. Sudden reality adjustments
are good to refocus on what is actually going on, and
avoid the bait to suck you into the spin. Are we so stupid
as a mass to forget the simple rule of, “Follow the
Money?” Forget smearing campaign ads that only insults
the human intelligence. How can you tell when a
politician is lying? When their mouth is moving!
Times are uncertain, and standing on shaky ground.
Citizens are cranky about the trillion-dollar bailout of shady
enterprises, and unaccountable billions to the very
businesses that have practiced uncontrolled predatory
pricing for decades, no matter who was in office. Add in
the worst failure of the system since the Great
Depression, job losses, massive foreclosure rates, 401k
crashes, lending banks with bailout money refusing to re-
circulate, businesses unsure what their new tax rates will
be and an unprecedented high disapproval rating of our
current publicly elected leaders, you better get out and
vote.
Decades of our public service officials doing NOTHING
meaningful or significant for the working poor, taxing
paying citizen trying to meet the mortgage, and get kids
raised has got to end. The vote is a freedom we have that
puts power in our hands. Why do you think the
candidates are kissing up to the public this time of the
year? On November 3rd, their memory loss begins.
We The People
Oct 2008
Americans are
losing their homes at
a rate compared to the
Great Depression. We are in a seven-year endless
war in two countries. The tailspin economy is
frightening, with just the privileged receiving golden
parachutes. Wages and benefits are decades
behind, as workers receive longer hours with no
future hope. Prices on all commodities, goods and
services have quickly increased severely. Urban
major city neighborhoods look like third world slums.
Our freeway system and roads are years behind in
maintenance and construction. Federal, state and
local taxes are eating away already dismal
paychecks.
There is drastic increase in violent crimes against
others. Our prison system is overrun with no extra
beds for new arrivals. The court system is over
burdened. We have one of the highest crime rates
of all modernized countries, and one of the worst
drug problems in the world. We are global leaders
in abortion and teen pregnancy. Education is
behind seriously, whereas forty years ago the
national comprehension level was eighth grade,
where it remains.
Underfunded law enforcement has become reactive,
not pro-active – a source for local revenue in low-
grade offenses that fill city treasures. Affordable
healthcare for all has become an ongoing forty-year
old joke. The broken tax system drains working
families. Veterans are viewed as liabilities, not
heroes. The elderly are despised as a drain on the
system. Christians are looked at as a myth based
cult of oddballs. Many ladies fear traveling alone at
night. We live in a country where our elected
officials are not trusted, and where masses have lost
faith and hope. Our elderly are fearful of break-ins
and physical harm. So why do twenty percent of
Americans believe our government is doing a grand
job? What has our government done for the folks
at street level just trying to make ends meet?
“Absolutely Nothing!”
as did the Los Angeles
based music group
War say loud and
clear decades ago?
Oct 2008
Americans are
losing their homes at
a rate compared to the
Great Depression. We are in a seven-year endless
war in two countries. The tailspin economy is
frightening, with just the privileged receiving golden
parachutes. Wages and benefits are decades
behind, as workers receive longer hours with no
future hope. Prices on all commodities, goods and
services have quickly increased severely. Urban
major city neighborhoods look like third world slums.
Our freeway system and roads are years behind in
maintenance and construction. Federal, state and
local taxes are eating away already dismal
paychecks.
There is drastic increase in violent crimes against
others. Our prison system is overrun with no extra
beds for new arrivals. The court system is over
burdened. We have one of the highest crime rates
of all modernized countries, and one of the worst
drug problems in the world. We are global leaders
in abortion and teen pregnancy. Education is
behind seriously, whereas forty years ago the
national comprehension level was eighth grade,
where it remains.
Underfunded law enforcement has become reactive,
not pro-active – a source for local revenue in low-
grade offenses that fill city treasures. Affordable
healthcare for all has become an ongoing forty-year
old joke. The broken tax system drains working
families. Veterans are viewed as liabilities, not
heroes. The elderly are despised as a drain on the
system. Christians are looked at as a myth based
cult of oddballs. Many ladies fear traveling alone at
night. We live in a country where our elected
officials are not trusted, and where masses have lost
faith and hope. Our elderly are fearful of break-ins
and physical harm. So why do twenty percent of
Americans believe our government is doing a grand
job? What has our government done for the folks
at street level just trying to make ends meet?
“Absolutely Nothing!”
as did the Los Angeles
based music group
War say loud and
clear decades ago?
My On Going Journal. A
guy way of saying diary.
November 12, 2010
Today is my birthday, and I am
65 years old. I did not plan on
becoming an old man, but here I
am, an official old man. My brain
does not accept the fact, but my
body sure does. If I were a car, I
would be in the junkyard rusting
away to dust. I was extremely
flattered on FaceBook today, as I
had over 500 birthday greetings
from friends I have been music
networking with for years. Many
are new acquaintances,
carryovers from MySpace and
lots of existing friends and
family. It was great, as for the
first time in my life I was feeling
depressed about my advanced
age. All the great cheerful
comments snapped me out of my
doldrums, and perked me up for
the whole day. Thank you family
and friends.
November 13, 2010
Today a lot of family and friends
joined us at our new country
home to celebrate my age
disparity. Saturday was one
great day of potluck snacking,
visiting and catching up on
things. It was one of those
peaceful, easy laid back days
with the ones you love the most.
Watching the grand-kids is
always delightful too.
November 14, 2010
Ah, it is Sunday. We plan on
breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and
then I hope I get some writing
time in before football starts.
Think I’ll take a jet tub bath with a
cup of coffee, and the Sunday
newspaper to jump-start my day.
Catching up on email and
FaceBook messages is on the do
list too. I plan on a little guitar
playing at half time, and looking
at the schedule for next week.
I'm craving popcorn.
November 15, 2010
Hey, the Cowboys whipped the
snot out of the Giants. They
finally showed up to play some
football this season. Saw my
Oncologist today, and I now have
five years of clean and clear,
since it was first discovered I had
cancer. Good news for us all.
Just a nice clear fall day with the
leaves all turning their proud
colors declaring winter is on the
way. Next week is Thanksgiving,
and looking forward to family
time. Went to Golden Corral, as
they had “Veterans Eat Free”
honoring military and veterans.
Now that is putting your money
where you mouth is. Actions
speak louder than words, and
these folks are genuine to the
bone. Patriots they are for sure.
Felt great to be with my fellow
brothers and sisters of service.
November 16, 2010
A misty rain is falling, as we eat
breakfast watching the squirrels
scamper around picking acorns
off our deck. This is kick back
day, and the plan is to have
personal down time doing what
we like today. I’m catching up on
email, FaceBook, guitar playing
and writing. Jo Ann is starting to
get the home ready for the
holidays coming up. It was a little
cold, and I already miss summer.
I stayed away from mainstream
media today. I didn’t have the
stomach to read or hear any of
the news venues for fear it would
disrupt my mellowed out mood.
November 17, 2010
Unfortunately capitalism trumps
democracy.
Yeah, the dollar wags the dog's
tail for sure. I've been watching
"Return to Lonesome Dove." I
didn't think I would like it much,
as the original is an icon cowboy
movie to me. I've actually been
quit entertained with John Voight
as Capt. Woodrow F. Call, and
the rest of the crew.
November 19, 2010
Had the grand kids over to spend
the night. So, we had lots of
McDonald's, and Sponge Bob.
Always a great time being
grandpa. One the best jobs I've
ever had. We put up the
Christmas Tree, to launch the
holiday season. My
granddaughter sang every song
she knew to us. Family is what it
is all about in life. My 5 year old
granddaughter asked my
daughter, "Grandpa is like a dad
too, huh?" What an honor.
November 21, 2010
Woke up very early, wrote some
more in the book. Got the
Sunday paper, a cup of coffee,
and jelled out in my jet tub.
Gosh, I wish I had some bubble
bath. Anyone seen my rubber
duck? Off to church, and the
kids choir entertained our
Sunday worship. Always great to
be with family and friends.
Grabbed a couple Lil' Ceaser
Pizza's on the way home. Jo Ann
wrapped gifts. I ate pizza, drank a
couple a beers and watched NFL
football all day long. Taking a
break, and slouching around all
day felt great. Chargers on
Monday night football.
November 22, 2010
RIP JFK. I was in the USAF at
San Antonio, Texas qualifying on
weapons, when we saw Air Force
One fly over us leaving Kelly
AFB, headed to Dallas. In a
couple hours, the fellows starting
hearing news on pocket radios
about the tragedy. We were
whisked up, and taken to our
barracks, told to pack our gear,
and be ready to deploy anywhere
in the world at a moments notice.
I was only 18 years old, and
thought we were headed to
WWII. We had nothing to do,
but sit around watching TV. All
the Texas channels were fixed on
the events. You know, I saw live
footage back then in 1963, that I
have never, ever seen again
even including Jesse Ventura's
latest JFK conspiracy theory.
Strange huh? A sad day for
America for sure.
We're headed to Hot Springs to
visit my 85 year old Aunt Dorthy.
A precious person in my life.
November 23, 2010
Well November 22nd, came and
went without many folks even
remembering JFK.
The news yesterday was North
and South Korea lobbing attacks
on each other. You know, they
never signed a peace treaty, and
are technically still at war. Now I
read somewhere that the future
held wars and rumor of wars.
A light rain, and a warm breeze is
filling my morning. Jo Ann is off
to get her hair done, and I've got
time to write some and play my
guitar a little. I need another cup
of coffee come to think of it.
I announced on FaceBook about
the new Blog. You always worry
about new adventures. From all
the email and messages I
received, I was excited that so
many folks found value in my little
words of wit and sarcasm.
November 24
Thanksgiving eve. Looking
forward to seeing the family, and
spending time with the grand
kids. Family, food and football is
a tradition around here. Of
course, giving thanks for the
bounty we have in the USA is at
the top of the list.
I woke up real early. I'm starting
to send press out on this new
blog. The feedback is
tremendously positive from folks
all over the world. One of the
reasons I put time into this
adventure, besides my urge to
express in words, is my kind of
dribble is tough to get in print
media. When I submit an article,
editors will edit my words to fit
their comfort zone. Here I can
put my foot in my mouth all I
want.
PG in 2010, was X rated in 1960.
As time moves on, expansion of
thought develops to what
standards are to be met.
Thanksgiving 2010
Family, Food and Football. Now
it don't get any better than that in
the USA. The girls put out a
spread that made us all loosen
our pants. Waddling over to the
TV set the boys and I watched
football until I fell asleep. My 5
year old granddaughter kept
waking me up to play games with
her. The rest of the family said I
would growl if anyone else tried
to disturb my Lazy Boy Recliner
Slumber. Hey, I growl but don't
bite. My granddaughter owns me
anyway, and knows I'm her big
bear she can lead around on a
leash. I love all 13 of my grand
babies.
Burp. Excuse me. The apple pie
ala mode and pumpkin pie with
two beers was too much.
November 26
More writing early this
morning. A new chapter for
the book is almost complete.
To my music friends, all the
music pages are in tact. You
have to hit the tabs above.
Also Blues Guitar News is in
winter mode. I'll add stuff here
and there until January.
www.bluesguitarnews.com
The girls are all going to see
Cher's new movie. The boys and
me are planning a fishing trip on
the Arkansas River. Hopefully
some strippers are running. This
afternoon is guitar rehearsal full
speed in the garage to dial in
some tunes I want to do on
December 17th with the Joe Pitts
Band. Ah, turkey left overs.
November 27
Hogs beat LSU.
Had a nice day of writing,
watching a movie, playing my
guitar and lounging around
enjoying my Saturday morning.
Jo Ann and I went to Chuck &
Deb's wedding in the evening,
and great to be around good
friends, and share the couples
special day. My 9 year old
grandson called to tell me he that
he re-formated his default printer
settings to print better color.
When I was 9, I wouldn't even be
able to spell computer, much less
know what one was. In the 50's,
a computer was a Univac
probably only used by top secret
military programs.
November 28
Woke up very early, and wrote
for four hours straight through.
Time for more coffee, waffles,
bacon and eggs now. Jump in
the jet tub with my Sunday paper,
and jell-out for awhile. Jo Ann
feels a little exhausted today,
after last night. She is in her final
stages of recovery from surgery,
and doesn't have her full
strength back yet. We skipped
church today. The kids and
grand kids are going. This
afternoon I plan on NFL football,
some ham sandwiches and a
couple beers to wrap up my
weekend. We finally finished all
the turkey up.
November 29
The San Diego Chargers had a
great time playing catch and run
with Colts. Of course, the Colts
didn't have as much fun. I'm
going to the VA for an old man
check up today. I can see by all
the ads on TV, that Christmas is
getting close. The feedback, and
response to this blog has been
tremendous. Someone called it,
"grass roots, street level view." I
like that. We had over 400 hits
over this holiday weekend. From
our site checker, a lot of folks are
staying around, and reading
some of the pieces. Well, it is
4:55 AM, and I need another cup
of coffee. Monday night football,
yeah.
November 30
It's beginning to look like
Christmas, at least on television
and in the stores. I'll miss
summer, once all the beautiful
autumn leaves hit the ground
ready for clean up, and the hawk
starts kicking. Left over
spaghetti for supper last night,
and it was great. Watched a
piece on the history of the
Federal Reserve last night, and
now I've need to study Prez.
Andrew Jackson more. Well, we
have 31 days left to wrap up the
first decade of the 21st century.
My, how time flies at warp speed
these days.
December 6
Missed a few days on my daily
trivial nonsense, but I don't think
anyone had a nervous
breakdown from it. I'm sure
nothing earth shattering went
down either. I played my guitar
a lot over the last several days
getting my chops up to play with
the Joe Pitts Band. Playing with
Joe, I feel like a pick-up truck
trying to catch up to a Corvette.
Ha. I spent a lot of time with
family, and the remainder of "me
time" on writing. Lots of stuff in
the cooker, but not totally ready
to publish. Watch a lot of NFL
over the weekend, and my
daughter had us over for Carne
Asada dinner. Mmmmm love that
Mexican steak, beans, salsa and
fixin's for sure. All home made.
Jets and Pats tonight on MNF.
Should be a great game.
December 7 - Infamy Day
Our WWII heroes are leaving us
for glory at a rapid rate, as they
all are in their advanced years.
When I see one at the VA
Hospital, I say, "Bless you, and
thank you for your service." You
can see they get a proud tear in
the corner of their eye. I saw
one elderly Vet with a USS
Arizona Survivor cap on. All I
said was, "Thank you sir." He
couldn't talk, but from his
wheelchair I could see in his eyes
that he appreciated the
acknowledgement. If you really
want to have a blessed
Christmas/Hannika Season, then
line up at the VA hospital, and tell
a few Vets "Thank You for Your
Service." They will like it, and
you will feel better all day.
By the way, the Jets didn't show
up for Monday Night NFL. Due to
their No-Show, the NFL forfeited
the game to the Pats. The Pats
messed around with Brady
playing catch with Welker for
awhile, then they all went home.
guy way of saying diary.
November 12, 2010
Today is my birthday, and I am
65 years old. I did not plan on
becoming an old man, but here I
am, an official old man. My brain
does not accept the fact, but my
body sure does. If I were a car, I
would be in the junkyard rusting
away to dust. I was extremely
flattered on FaceBook today, as I
had over 500 birthday greetings
from friends I have been music
networking with for years. Many
are new acquaintances,
carryovers from MySpace and
lots of existing friends and
family. It was great, as for the
first time in my life I was feeling
depressed about my advanced
age. All the great cheerful
comments snapped me out of my
doldrums, and perked me up for
the whole day. Thank you family
and friends.
November 13, 2010
Today a lot of family and friends
joined us at our new country
home to celebrate my age
disparity. Saturday was one
great day of potluck snacking,
visiting and catching up on
things. It was one of those
peaceful, easy laid back days
with the ones you love the most.
Watching the grand-kids is
always delightful too.
November 14, 2010
Ah, it is Sunday. We plan on
breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and
then I hope I get some writing
time in before football starts.
Think I’ll take a jet tub bath with a
cup of coffee, and the Sunday
newspaper to jump-start my day.
Catching up on email and
FaceBook messages is on the do
list too. I plan on a little guitar
playing at half time, and looking
at the schedule for next week.
I'm craving popcorn.
November 15, 2010
Hey, the Cowboys whipped the
snot out of the Giants. They
finally showed up to play some
football this season. Saw my
Oncologist today, and I now have
five years of clean and clear,
since it was first discovered I had
cancer. Good news for us all.
Just a nice clear fall day with the
leaves all turning their proud
colors declaring winter is on the
way. Next week is Thanksgiving,
and looking forward to family
time. Went to Golden Corral, as
they had “Veterans Eat Free”
honoring military and veterans.
Now that is putting your money
where you mouth is. Actions
speak louder than words, and
these folks are genuine to the
bone. Patriots they are for sure.
Felt great to be with my fellow
brothers and sisters of service.
November 16, 2010
A misty rain is falling, as we eat
breakfast watching the squirrels
scamper around picking acorns
off our deck. This is kick back
day, and the plan is to have
personal down time doing what
we like today. I’m catching up on
email, FaceBook, guitar playing
and writing. Jo Ann is starting to
get the home ready for the
holidays coming up. It was a little
cold, and I already miss summer.
I stayed away from mainstream
media today. I didn’t have the
stomach to read or hear any of
the news venues for fear it would
disrupt my mellowed out mood.
November 17, 2010
Unfortunately capitalism trumps
democracy.
Yeah, the dollar wags the dog's
tail for sure. I've been watching
"Return to Lonesome Dove." I
didn't think I would like it much,
as the original is an icon cowboy
movie to me. I've actually been
quit entertained with John Voight
as Capt. Woodrow F. Call, and
the rest of the crew.
November 19, 2010
Had the grand kids over to spend
the night. So, we had lots of
McDonald's, and Sponge Bob.
Always a great time being
grandpa. One the best jobs I've
ever had. We put up the
Christmas Tree, to launch the
holiday season. My
granddaughter sang every song
she knew to us. Family is what it
is all about in life. My 5 year old
granddaughter asked my
daughter, "Grandpa is like a dad
too, huh?" What an honor.
November 21, 2010
Woke up very early, wrote some
more in the book. Got the
Sunday paper, a cup of coffee,
and jelled out in my jet tub.
Gosh, I wish I had some bubble
bath. Anyone seen my rubber
duck? Off to church, and the
kids choir entertained our
Sunday worship. Always great to
be with family and friends.
Grabbed a couple Lil' Ceaser
Pizza's on the way home. Jo Ann
wrapped gifts. I ate pizza, drank a
couple a beers and watched NFL
football all day long. Taking a
break, and slouching around all
day felt great. Chargers on
Monday night football.
November 22, 2010
RIP JFK. I was in the USAF at
San Antonio, Texas qualifying on
weapons, when we saw Air Force
One fly over us leaving Kelly
AFB, headed to Dallas. In a
couple hours, the fellows starting
hearing news on pocket radios
about the tragedy. We were
whisked up, and taken to our
barracks, told to pack our gear,
and be ready to deploy anywhere
in the world at a moments notice.
I was only 18 years old, and
thought we were headed to
WWII. We had nothing to do,
but sit around watching TV. All
the Texas channels were fixed on
the events. You know, I saw live
footage back then in 1963, that I
have never, ever seen again
even including Jesse Ventura's
latest JFK conspiracy theory.
Strange huh? A sad day for
America for sure.
We're headed to Hot Springs to
visit my 85 year old Aunt Dorthy.
A precious person in my life.
November 23, 2010
Well November 22nd, came and
went without many folks even
remembering JFK.
The news yesterday was North
and South Korea lobbing attacks
on each other. You know, they
never signed a peace treaty, and
are technically still at war. Now I
read somewhere that the future
held wars and rumor of wars.
A light rain, and a warm breeze is
filling my morning. Jo Ann is off
to get her hair done, and I've got
time to write some and play my
guitar a little. I need another cup
of coffee come to think of it.
I announced on FaceBook about
the new Blog. You always worry
about new adventures. From all
the email and messages I
received, I was excited that so
many folks found value in my little
words of wit and sarcasm.
November 24
Thanksgiving eve. Looking
forward to seeing the family, and
spending time with the grand
kids. Family, food and football is
a tradition around here. Of
course, giving thanks for the
bounty we have in the USA is at
the top of the list.
I woke up real early. I'm starting
to send press out on this new
blog. The feedback is
tremendously positive from folks
all over the world. One of the
reasons I put time into this
adventure, besides my urge to
express in words, is my kind of
dribble is tough to get in print
media. When I submit an article,
editors will edit my words to fit
their comfort zone. Here I can
put my foot in my mouth all I
want.
PG in 2010, was X rated in 1960.
As time moves on, expansion of
thought develops to what
standards are to be met.
Thanksgiving 2010
Family, Food and Football. Now
it don't get any better than that in
the USA. The girls put out a
spread that made us all loosen
our pants. Waddling over to the
TV set the boys and I watched
football until I fell asleep. My 5
year old granddaughter kept
waking me up to play games with
her. The rest of the family said I
would growl if anyone else tried
to disturb my Lazy Boy Recliner
Slumber. Hey, I growl but don't
bite. My granddaughter owns me
anyway, and knows I'm her big
bear she can lead around on a
leash. I love all 13 of my grand
babies.
Burp. Excuse me. The apple pie
ala mode and pumpkin pie with
two beers was too much.
November 26
More writing early this
morning. A new chapter for
the book is almost complete.
To my music friends, all the
music pages are in tact. You
have to hit the tabs above.
Also Blues Guitar News is in
winter mode. I'll add stuff here
and there until January.
www.bluesguitarnews.com
The girls are all going to see
Cher's new movie. The boys and
me are planning a fishing trip on
the Arkansas River. Hopefully
some strippers are running. This
afternoon is guitar rehearsal full
speed in the garage to dial in
some tunes I want to do on
December 17th with the Joe Pitts
Band. Ah, turkey left overs.
November 27
Hogs beat LSU.
Had a nice day of writing,
watching a movie, playing my
guitar and lounging around
enjoying my Saturday morning.
Jo Ann and I went to Chuck &
Deb's wedding in the evening,
and great to be around good
friends, and share the couples
special day. My 9 year old
grandson called to tell me he that
he re-formated his default printer
settings to print better color.
When I was 9, I wouldn't even be
able to spell computer, much less
know what one was. In the 50's,
a computer was a Univac
probably only used by top secret
military programs.
November 28
Woke up very early, and wrote
for four hours straight through.
Time for more coffee, waffles,
bacon and eggs now. Jump in
the jet tub with my Sunday paper,
and jell-out for awhile. Jo Ann
feels a little exhausted today,
after last night. She is in her final
stages of recovery from surgery,
and doesn't have her full
strength back yet. We skipped
church today. The kids and
grand kids are going. This
afternoon I plan on NFL football,
some ham sandwiches and a
couple beers to wrap up my
weekend. We finally finished all
the turkey up.
November 29
The San Diego Chargers had a
great time playing catch and run
with Colts. Of course, the Colts
didn't have as much fun. I'm
going to the VA for an old man
check up today. I can see by all
the ads on TV, that Christmas is
getting close. The feedback, and
response to this blog has been
tremendous. Someone called it,
"grass roots, street level view." I
like that. We had over 400 hits
over this holiday weekend. From
our site checker, a lot of folks are
staying around, and reading
some of the pieces. Well, it is
4:55 AM, and I need another cup
of coffee. Monday night football,
yeah.
November 30
It's beginning to look like
Christmas, at least on television
and in the stores. I'll miss
summer, once all the beautiful
autumn leaves hit the ground
ready for clean up, and the hawk
starts kicking. Left over
spaghetti for supper last night,
and it was great. Watched a
piece on the history of the
Federal Reserve last night, and
now I've need to study Prez.
Andrew Jackson more. Well, we
have 31 days left to wrap up the
first decade of the 21st century.
My, how time flies at warp speed
these days.
December 6
Missed a few days on my daily
trivial nonsense, but I don't think
anyone had a nervous
breakdown from it. I'm sure
nothing earth shattering went
down either. I played my guitar
a lot over the last several days
getting my chops up to play with
the Joe Pitts Band. Playing with
Joe, I feel like a pick-up truck
trying to catch up to a Corvette.
Ha. I spent a lot of time with
family, and the remainder of "me
time" on writing. Lots of stuff in
the cooker, but not totally ready
to publish. Watch a lot of NFL
over the weekend, and my
daughter had us over for Carne
Asada dinner. Mmmmm love that
Mexican steak, beans, salsa and
fixin's for sure. All home made.
Jets and Pats tonight on MNF.
Should be a great game.
December 7 - Infamy Day
Our WWII heroes are leaving us
for glory at a rapid rate, as they
all are in their advanced years.
When I see one at the VA
Hospital, I say, "Bless you, and
thank you for your service." You
can see they get a proud tear in
the corner of their eye. I saw
one elderly Vet with a USS
Arizona Survivor cap on. All I
said was, "Thank you sir." He
couldn't talk, but from his
wheelchair I could see in his eyes
that he appreciated the
acknowledgement. If you really
want to have a blessed
Christmas/Hannika Season, then
line up at the VA hospital, and tell
a few Vets "Thank You for Your
Service." They will like it, and
you will feel better all day.
By the way, the Jets didn't show
up for Monday Night NFL. Due to
their No-Show, the NFL forfeited
the game to the Pats. The Pats
messed around with Brady
playing catch with Welker for
awhile, then they all went home.
| All copyright laws reserved. If you steal my words, then at least have the decency to give me credit. WARNING If you steal my stuff, and violate my rights without credit, then may perpetual uncontrollable diarrhea haunt you for ever after more. |
Walk the Talk
Sept 2008
Like so many other Americans, last year I
had several personal issues come up, whereas
my distress was generated from multiple aspects of
the housing market, stock market crash, retirement,
401K loss and veteran issues among others. I felt
compelled to write our elected officials, starting with
the President of the United States, and over 100 mover and shakers in
Washington DC. To date, I received just three written replies out of the
100 individuals I wrote to, which all swore an oath of office to serve and
protect American citizens. Senator John McCain, Senator Mark Pryor
and Senator Shane Broadway are the only three elected officials to date
that contacted me. To the other 97 politicians, I wasn’t worth their time
or effort.
I’ve written political leaders all my life, and this is the first time ever, that I
have been stonewalled by 97% of those contacted. Over the years I’ve
written every president since Lyndon B. Johnson, and always got some
kind of reply from all of them, or at least from their staff. I have never
witnessed such a contemptible level of high and mighty condescension
from elected leaders ever. Between Senators Pryor and Broadway, I
received the answers and solutions I was requesting. Thank you sirs,
and you both are highly respected. For the rest of the impervious
politicians that turned their backs on me, may the next election find you
in the unemployment line. This turned out to be an exercise in testing
the waters of how politicians really view us common folk these days –
How we feel, live and breathe. They just do not care at all. They failed
this test at a miserably high rate. You say you’re not a bit surprised. I
know, my wife reminded me, “I told you so.” My expectations were far
too high. I expected them to walk their talk. That is why now I know the
real meaning of their campaign rhetoric as defined in my mind. It is all
just Bovine Excrement.
Sept 2008
Like so many other Americans, last year I
had several personal issues come up, whereas
my distress was generated from multiple aspects of
the housing market, stock market crash, retirement,
401K loss and veteran issues among others. I felt
compelled to write our elected officials, starting with
the President of the United States, and over 100 mover and shakers in
Washington DC. To date, I received just three written replies out of the
100 individuals I wrote to, which all swore an oath of office to serve and
protect American citizens. Senator John McCain, Senator Mark Pryor
and Senator Shane Broadway are the only three elected officials to date
that contacted me. To the other 97 politicians, I wasn’t worth their time
or effort.
I’ve written political leaders all my life, and this is the first time ever, that I
have been stonewalled by 97% of those contacted. Over the years I’ve
written every president since Lyndon B. Johnson, and always got some
kind of reply from all of them, or at least from their staff. I have never
witnessed such a contemptible level of high and mighty condescension
from elected leaders ever. Between Senators Pryor and Broadway, I
received the answers and solutions I was requesting. Thank you sirs,
and you both are highly respected. For the rest of the impervious
politicians that turned their backs on me, may the next election find you
in the unemployment line. This turned out to be an exercise in testing
the waters of how politicians really view us common folk these days –
How we feel, live and breathe. They just do not care at all. They failed
this test at a miserably high rate. You say you’re not a bit surprised. I
know, my wife reminded me, “I told you so.” My expectations were far
too high. I expected them to walk their talk. That is why now I know the
real meaning of their campaign rhetoric as defined in my mind. It is all
just Bovine Excrement.
1-800-FULLOFIT
9:00 AM
You dial, 1-800-FULLOFIT
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems.” “Have a nice
day.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, bleep.
Blop, blip, pop, crackle, hiss . . . . Dial Tone >> >>
Again, You dial, 1-800-FULLOFIT
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems."
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello thank you for calling our world wide super deluxe company, and
one of our friendly gracious employees will be with you in a moment.”
On Hold
You are now listening to the worst distorted elevator music you’ve ever
heard in your life.
Finally, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello, welcome to our automated express lane.” “Please enter your
account number, your social security number, your drivers, hunting and
fishing license numbers, auto VIN, how many children you support, and
how much do you plan on paying us today?” . . . . . .
You start to enter your numbers: Bleep-Bleep,
“I’m sorry, I did not get that number, you are being transferred.” "Hold
please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
Ring
You are now waiting to get the most irritated person on earth that will
ruin your whole day, make you feel like a low down heel for calling in on
the worst phone connection imaginable, with boiler room noise in the
background.
Phone Person, “Give me your account number!”
You, “1234568”
Phone Person, “Are you still at your same house?” “Are you still
married to the same wife?” “Is your car payment behind?” “Would you
like to borrow more money, or start a new credit card today to get you
deeper in dept, as you can’t even pay the one you are calling about?
You, “No, I just wanted to know why I am being charged an extra three
hundred dollars.”
Phone Person, “I’m sorry sir, that is a finance question.” “Hold
please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring.
New Phone Person, “Hello, welcome to our wonderful company that
prides our self in splendid time consuming customer service and will
waste your day in 800 hell.” “How may I help you?”
You, “I would like to know about my bill…..”
New Phone Person, “Account number please?”
You, “1234568”
New Phone Person, “I see you have a payment of five hundred dollars
due in three weeks, and how would you like to pay that today?” “We
accept major credit cards, phone line transfers, PayPal. Western Union
and Debit Cards.”
You, “No I just wanted to ask about my bill.”
New Phone Person, “I am sorry sir, that is in billings.” “Hold please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems.” “Have a nice
day.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
bleep. Blop, blip, pop, crackle, hiss . . . . Dial Tone >> >>
10:30 AM
9:00 AM
You dial, 1-800-FULLOFIT
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems.” “Have a nice
day.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, bleep.
Blop, blip, pop, crackle, hiss . . . . Dial Tone >> >>
Again, You dial, 1-800-FULLOFIT
Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems."
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello thank you for calling our world wide super deluxe company, and
one of our friendly gracious employees will be with you in a moment.”
On Hold
You are now listening to the worst distorted elevator music you’ve ever
heard in your life.
Finally, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello, welcome to our automated express lane.” “Please enter your
account number, your social security number, your drivers, hunting and
fishing license numbers, auto VIN, how many children you support, and
how much do you plan on paying us today?” . . . . . .
You start to enter your numbers: Bleep-Bleep,
“I’m sorry, I did not get that number, you are being transferred.” "Hold
please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
Ring
You are now waiting to get the most irritated person on earth that will
ruin your whole day, make you feel like a low down heel for calling in on
the worst phone connection imaginable, with boiler room noise in the
background.
Phone Person, “Give me your account number!”
You, “1234568”
Phone Person, “Are you still at your same house?” “Are you still
married to the same wife?” “Is your car payment behind?” “Would you
like to borrow more money, or start a new credit card today to get you
deeper in dept, as you can’t even pay the one you are calling about?
You, “No, I just wanted to know why I am being charged an extra three
hundred dollars.”
Phone Person, “I’m sorry sir, that is a finance question.” “Hold
please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring.
New Phone Person, “Hello, welcome to our wonderful company that
prides our self in splendid time consuming customer service and will
waste your day in 800 hell.” “How may I help you?”
You, “I would like to know about my bill…..”
New Phone Person, “Account number please?”
You, “1234568”
New Phone Person, “I see you have a payment of five hundred dollars
due in three weeks, and how would you like to pay that today?” “We
accept major credit cards, phone line transfers, PayPal. Western Union
and Debit Cards.”
You, “No I just wanted to ask about my bill.”
New Phone Person, “I am sorry sir, that is in billings.” “Hold please.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
Ring, Ring, Ring
“Hello all our lines are busy, and we are connecting you with our easy,
fast and convenient customer care automated systems.” “Have a nice
day.”
Phone transfer noise. Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,
bleep. Blop, blip, pop, crackle, hiss . . . . Dial Tone >> >>
10:30 AM
| BB King for President, and Lucille for VP. |
I get my political views & news from Jay Leno, Robin Williams and Jon Stewart. Unlike most folks that seriously take all of
what Bill O'Rilley, Wolf Blitzer, Glen Beck, Chris Matthews or Hanity say to heart. Being a talking head, is their high paying gig.
what Bill O'Rilley, Wolf Blitzer, Glen Beck, Chris Matthews or Hanity say to heart. Being a talking head, is their high paying gig.
"Put the candle back.” Gene Wilder
“220 – 221 What ever it takes” Michael Keaton
“The FBI doesn’t have a sense of humor I’m aware of.”
Tommy Lee Jones
“To be. . . . or not to be.” Mel Brooks or Jack Benny
“The fall will probably kill you.” Paul Newman
“Hello Mrs. Robinson.” Dustin Hoffman
“V.D. I’m really into penicillin.” Dudley Moore
“You’re incorrigible.” Madeline Kahn
“Who ever did this thing.” Tony Soprano
“I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Marlin Brando
“Would you like to roll in the hay?” Teri Garr
“Left my Jag in Kansas City.” Richard Pryor
“Like crap through a goose.” George C. Scott
“He don’t start fights, he finishes them.” Robert Duvall
“Won’t fall for a banana in the tailpipe.” Eddie Murphy
“Tell Victor I have Herpes simplex ten, and he needs to see his
physician before his stuff starts falling off.” Eddie Murphy
“I’m a rag top man.” Nick Nolte
“My brain is my second favorite organ.” Woody Allen
“Low down yellow belly Yankee.” Alan Ladd
"Four fried chickens & a coke." Jake Blues
"You haven't an ounce of brains, do you boy?" Mr. Krabs
"Telegram for Mongol” Cleavon Little
“Mongol like candy.” Alex Karras
“Depends on how much vitamin "E" I can get my hands on.”
Cleavon Little
"Missed it by this much” Don Adams
"38, 39 what ever it takes” Teri Garr
"I'm gonna' miss the stuff” Bernadette Peters
“I have a special purpose.” Steve Martin
"They're used to seeing me with a turtle” Dudley Moore
"She looks great" Dudley Moore's friend (Gloria)
"I traded the caddy for a microphone" Elwood Blues
“Why don’t you get out of the bathroom and give someone else a
chance.” Marty Feldman
"Why you whities have such tight asses?" Richard Pryor
"She tastes like cigarettes" Forrest, Forrest Gump
“Pain in the ass.” Harvey Korman
"That's Hed-ley." Harvey Korman
"What a nice guy.” Madeline Kahn
“You better keep your mouth shut.” Madeline Kahn
"22 huh, I have socks older than that." Bob Hope
"I'm not as dumb as I used to be.” Stan Laurel
“I’ll let you wear my underwear.” Cloris Leachman
“My clergy would vouch for me, but of course he’s a pedophile.”
Woody Allen
"This is another fine mess you've gotten me into.” Oliver Hardy
"Now my old man used profanity like other artists worked in oils
and clays." Ralphie (Christmas Story)
"I'm votin' for you two fellers.” Delmar - Tim Blake Nelson
“Gopher?” Delmar - Tim Blake Nelson
"It's a blessing and a curse.” Monk
“Gee Eddie, thanks for the shoes..” Chevy Chase
"Thank youuuuuu" The Closer – Kyra Sedgwick
"Samsonite - I was way off.” Jim Carrey
"I hate rude behavior in any man.” Tommy Lee Jones
"With quiet dignity, huh?" Marty Feldman
“That is Franken-Steen.” Gene Wilder
Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?
Claire: "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western."
“220 – 221 What ever it takes” Michael Keaton
“The FBI doesn’t have a sense of humor I’m aware of.”
Tommy Lee Jones
“To be. . . . or not to be.” Mel Brooks or Jack Benny
“The fall will probably kill you.” Paul Newman
“Hello Mrs. Robinson.” Dustin Hoffman
“V.D. I’m really into penicillin.” Dudley Moore
“You’re incorrigible.” Madeline Kahn
“Who ever did this thing.” Tony Soprano
“I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Marlin Brando
“Would you like to roll in the hay?” Teri Garr
“Left my Jag in Kansas City.” Richard Pryor
“Like crap through a goose.” George C. Scott
“He don’t start fights, he finishes them.” Robert Duvall
“Won’t fall for a banana in the tailpipe.” Eddie Murphy
“Tell Victor I have Herpes simplex ten, and he needs to see his
physician before his stuff starts falling off.” Eddie Murphy
“I’m a rag top man.” Nick Nolte
“My brain is my second favorite organ.” Woody Allen
“Low down yellow belly Yankee.” Alan Ladd
"Four fried chickens & a coke." Jake Blues
"You haven't an ounce of brains, do you boy?" Mr. Krabs
"Telegram for Mongol” Cleavon Little
“Mongol like candy.” Alex Karras
“Depends on how much vitamin "E" I can get my hands on.”
Cleavon Little
"Missed it by this much” Don Adams
"38, 39 what ever it takes” Teri Garr
"I'm gonna' miss the stuff” Bernadette Peters
“I have a special purpose.” Steve Martin
"They're used to seeing me with a turtle” Dudley Moore
"She looks great" Dudley Moore's friend (Gloria)
"I traded the caddy for a microphone" Elwood Blues
“Why don’t you get out of the bathroom and give someone else a
chance.” Marty Feldman
"Why you whities have such tight asses?" Richard Pryor
"She tastes like cigarettes" Forrest, Forrest Gump
“Pain in the ass.” Harvey Korman
"That's Hed-ley." Harvey Korman
"What a nice guy.” Madeline Kahn
“You better keep your mouth shut.” Madeline Kahn
"22 huh, I have socks older than that." Bob Hope
"I'm not as dumb as I used to be.” Stan Laurel
“I’ll let you wear my underwear.” Cloris Leachman
“My clergy would vouch for me, but of course he’s a pedophile.”
Woody Allen
"This is another fine mess you've gotten me into.” Oliver Hardy
"Now my old man used profanity like other artists worked in oils
and clays." Ralphie (Christmas Story)
"I'm votin' for you two fellers.” Delmar - Tim Blake Nelson
“Gopher?” Delmar - Tim Blake Nelson
"It's a blessing and a curse.” Monk
“Gee Eddie, thanks for the shoes..” Chevy Chase
"Thank youuuuuu" The Closer – Kyra Sedgwick
"Samsonite - I was way off.” Jim Carrey
"I hate rude behavior in any man.” Tommy Lee Jones
"With quiet dignity, huh?" Marty Feldman
“That is Franken-Steen.” Gene Wilder
Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?
Claire: "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western."
To any editor, publisher, print or electronic media
etc., if you see anything you want, send an email,
and provide me a Q on what you want.
mike@mikedollins.biz
If you like anything here, please pass along our
link to your distribution list. Thank you.
etc., if you see anything you want, send an email,
and provide me a Q on what you want.
mike@mikedollins.biz
If you like anything here, please pass along our
link to your distribution list. Thank you.
| Catch us on FaceBook at: www.facebook.com/PQPress |
This is an example of prolonged, habitual
use of marijuana by a 25 year old college
student. John here, penned Prop 19 for
legalization in California during the 2010
mid-terms.
use of marijuana by a 25 year old college
student. John here, penned Prop 19 for
legalization in California during the 2010
mid-terms.
| I'm a proud veteran 1963 - 1969 |
Hey, I heard from a few pro-pot folks, and they were upset
about this joke. Hey, it's a joke bro. I just love it when the
next generation of pot smokers comes along, and think
they've just discovered the forbidden fruit of good and
knowledge, like no one else on earth has ever smoked it.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol has been around since the
beginning of the human experience. Most places it is a
misdemeanor, and you can pay the fine with your ATM card.
Take your ounce, and knock yourself out. This joke neither
promotes, or refutes the wisdom of pot smoking. Yeah a
few million folks have inhaled. Some chose to use it, and
some chose not to.
about this joke. Hey, it's a joke bro. I just love it when the
next generation of pot smokers comes along, and think
they've just discovered the forbidden fruit of good and
knowledge, like no one else on earth has ever smoked it.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol has been around since the
beginning of the human experience. Most places it is a
misdemeanor, and you can pay the fine with your ATM card.
Take your ounce, and knock yourself out. This joke neither
promotes, or refutes the wisdom of pot smoking. Yeah a
few million folks have inhaled. Some chose to use it, and
some chose not to.
Our New Country Home: A lot of friends and family know we moved from
Southern California, in the fast lane, to my ancestral home of Arkansas in
2005. I got tired of living in town, and we just moved to our new country
home in the woods. Here are some photos of our new country house.
Southern California, in the fast lane, to my ancestral home of Arkansas in
2005. I got tired of living in town, and we just moved to our new country
home in the woods. Here are some photos of our new country house.
Divide & Conquer
Nov 28, 2010
United we stand, divided we fall.
They have us just where they want us.
Americans are inflexibly divided on matters
of religion, race relations, sexual preference,
creation verses evolution and political slant.
Unsympathetically each contradictory side is substantially anchored in concrete with their beliefs. With so many
possessing such extensive assortments of absolute wisdoms, we are not a united one people nation. Our
legislators love it, as they know the masses will not stand up in force, and fervently challenge what is passed into
law. If we were united, then our public servants would tread water a little more lightly. Legislators don’t even read
their own words of wit, before they vote them into law; much less letting us lay-folk know what is being
superimposed on us. Corporate greed and corruption is rewarded with complimentary, unaccountable taxpayer’s
money, and what does the average working stiff get? Higher taxes and less benefits.
Brace yourself, as it is not - will not get any better. Working poor, tax-paying citizens are the aphids milked dry by
those in power for decades ever since WWII. Your money is not viewed as your money, but a reserve to be
plucked away from you as “they’ see fit. Tax increases will always be, “Read my Lips” DejaVu all over again, and
again. Like most struggling working families, my son-in-law asked me about all the extra “crap” coming out of his
pay check. A tough one to justify, but easily explained as dues to be a US Citizen. I could hear the frustration in
his voice, as his compensation for daily toil is diminished greatly, leaving crumbs for him to keep his family afloat.
Not much left over, after all the basic essentials are covered. This frustrated view of the taxation rip off, is a ripple
most folks voice when they receive their weekly paychecks. Friday is officially the "I can’t stand the government tax
day." This is just the tangible tax, that one can see each Friday. There are many more hidden taxes; sales tax,
property tax, real estate tax and excise tax. To really understand what an average working family shells out in
money for all taxes imposed annually would nauseate a maggot.
Local, State and Federal governments do not care, or concern their self with the masses of working poor in the
United States. We are turning into a nation of have’s and have nots, as we wrap up our first decade of the 21st
century. I write a lot on this subject, and for the few articles I get published, I always get thumbs up reviews from
the average person on the street. General public opinion always slants in my way of thinking. I often wonder if my
words of scold toward our calloused government mode of operation are viewed by the elites in power as a whining,
sniffling ingrate that doesn’t understand a damn thing about government. I do know and understand human Nature.
Here’s the deal. I think most clear thinking American Citizens, are willing to make personal sacrifices to support our
nation. History has proven that when called upon, we as a nation will arise to whatever is required. We would
much rather be left alone, and live our life pursuing happiness, get our kids raised and reap the leisure of
retirement someday. Not too much to ask for, and set our sights on is it? But, when adversity hits our country,
we as a people will stand up and do what is needed and right. I think the trend of the 21st century is for
government to whip the silent majority into submission, and to force them to keep stacking the blocks to build
government sponsored pyramids that have no use for us all. A pie in the sky ideology is for hopeless visionaries in
self serving roles, when all that most common folks wanted was just a little peace, tranquility and prosperity in our
short some odd 70 years on earth. The main point of frustration for the American taxpayer is where the money is
spent, once it is duped from the public. Not much goes into our nation these days, as the United States supports
and feeds the world. All of our own folks in house should reap the bounty of our nation’s toil, before one dime
goes anywhere else. Why till the fields, and work up a sweat if you are not going to get a share in the harvest?
Locked into a system of working and paying for others to reap the reward sounds too much like modern day
indentured servitude.
I’ve heard it said that one-trillion dollars overall was spent, mostly borrowed money, to support failed big business,
that I’ve also heard practiced unethical, or next to unlawful behaviors. Why didn’t our government give each tax
paying citizen about five hundred thousand dollars, which would have only been a $175m total outlay. The
economy would have been jump started with folks buying cars, houses, durable goods and invested back into the
system. A savings of hundreds of billions of dollars could have been achieved with a wild ass idea like this. Our
government gave away free billions of dollars of money to the very businesses that caused the collapse in 2008.
What about the kind folks that spent a lifetime to build up a 401k, to only see it slip through their hands like fading
sands of time. Capitalism will always trump democracy. Pres. Hoover said, "The thing wrong with Capitalism is
Capitalists."
I was so hopeful of “change” in 2008. A wise old man told me once that, “Nothing changes, when nothing
changes.” I don’t care who is in office, and those that are so gullible to think that a regime change is the answer to
all our ills, are very sadly mistaken. I don’t care who is asleep at the wheel in Washington DC, the common folks in
the fields and factories, are the last things on their minds when making powerful life altering decisions. If this were
not true, then why are there so many family failures in the last decade? Why is there so much apprehension of
government, job loss, foreclosures, bankruptcy, suicides, economic tragedy and total down-turned hope for the
future? Why is our ray of hope gone, as most of us can only see dismal futures over the horizon? All along with
the guise from the talking heads and leaders that, “Hang on it’s going to get better.” I’ve heard "them" say that we
need to make sacrifice. I have sacrificed my entire working career of half a century, and also gave military service
for six years. How can a leader have the nerve to tell me to make more sacrifices, when I did not cause the
current problems at hand? I paid my dues, taxes and tried to do what was asked of me for five decades, to now be
told to make more sacrifices, when unaccountable billions of free dollars float around to who knows who?
To make true change, the will of the people as a whole must be met. Basic essentials of life to sustain families,
businesses and prosperity of the future must be met. Anytime a change is needed in an emergency situation;
immediate and significant actions, that are quantifiable and tangible, must be established. Talk is vapor to the
wind, whereas physical action is proof that something is moving and happening. I often think about, in our current
times, the vivid expression that was coined WWII, during the rise of the evil Nazis empire, “When they came for my
neighbor, it did not concern me. I looked the other way . . .” Applying that fact to the safe and smug, that are
bystander audiences watching so many fall in anguish and turmoil – their day could be coming next too. Do they
never worry that their day of demise could possible arrive? They were ready to join in, and help when it was too
late to make a difference or matter or at all. Are we as a nation looking the other way as so many crash and burn?
Divided we are conquered, and led like sheep to the slaughter. United we are strong, forceful and in compliance
with the United States Constitution. Has our Constitution become an antiquated myth on sheep skin locked under
bullet proof glass, as a symbol that we were once a great nation, “Of the People, By the People and For the
People.” Are we still that great nation merely asleep on our butts thinking all will be okay, and go along on our
merry way blindly hoping that the rich, famous and powerful folks will look out after us. Hmmm, keep dreaming my
friend. Big brother is not a relative or a friend that gives one hoot about me, you and yours.
Nov 28, 2010
United we stand, divided we fall.
They have us just where they want us.
Americans are inflexibly divided on matters
of religion, race relations, sexual preference,
creation verses evolution and political slant.
Unsympathetically each contradictory side is substantially anchored in concrete with their beliefs. With so many
possessing such extensive assortments of absolute wisdoms, we are not a united one people nation. Our
legislators love it, as they know the masses will not stand up in force, and fervently challenge what is passed into
law. If we were united, then our public servants would tread water a little more lightly. Legislators don’t even read
their own words of wit, before they vote them into law; much less letting us lay-folk know what is being
superimposed on us. Corporate greed and corruption is rewarded with complimentary, unaccountable taxpayer’s
money, and what does the average working stiff get? Higher taxes and less benefits.
Brace yourself, as it is not - will not get any better. Working poor, tax-paying citizens are the aphids milked dry by
those in power for decades ever since WWII. Your money is not viewed as your money, but a reserve to be
plucked away from you as “they’ see fit. Tax increases will always be, “Read my Lips” DejaVu all over again, and
again. Like most struggling working families, my son-in-law asked me about all the extra “crap” coming out of his
pay check. A tough one to justify, but easily explained as dues to be a US Citizen. I could hear the frustration in
his voice, as his compensation for daily toil is diminished greatly, leaving crumbs for him to keep his family afloat.
Not much left over, after all the basic essentials are covered. This frustrated view of the taxation rip off, is a ripple
most folks voice when they receive their weekly paychecks. Friday is officially the "I can’t stand the government tax
day." This is just the tangible tax, that one can see each Friday. There are many more hidden taxes; sales tax,
property tax, real estate tax and excise tax. To really understand what an average working family shells out in
money for all taxes imposed annually would nauseate a maggot.
Local, State and Federal governments do not care, or concern their self with the masses of working poor in the
United States. We are turning into a nation of have’s and have nots, as we wrap up our first decade of the 21st
century. I write a lot on this subject, and for the few articles I get published, I always get thumbs up reviews from
the average person on the street. General public opinion always slants in my way of thinking. I often wonder if my
words of scold toward our calloused government mode of operation are viewed by the elites in power as a whining,
sniffling ingrate that doesn’t understand a damn thing about government. I do know and understand human Nature.
Here’s the deal. I think most clear thinking American Citizens, are willing to make personal sacrifices to support our
nation. History has proven that when called upon, we as a nation will arise to whatever is required. We would
much rather be left alone, and live our life pursuing happiness, get our kids raised and reap the leisure of
retirement someday. Not too much to ask for, and set our sights on is it? But, when adversity hits our country,
we as a people will stand up and do what is needed and right. I think the trend of the 21st century is for
government to whip the silent majority into submission, and to force them to keep stacking the blocks to build
government sponsored pyramids that have no use for us all. A pie in the sky ideology is for hopeless visionaries in
self serving roles, when all that most common folks wanted was just a little peace, tranquility and prosperity in our
short some odd 70 years on earth. The main point of frustration for the American taxpayer is where the money is
spent, once it is duped from the public. Not much goes into our nation these days, as the United States supports
and feeds the world. All of our own folks in house should reap the bounty of our nation’s toil, before one dime
goes anywhere else. Why till the fields, and work up a sweat if you are not going to get a share in the harvest?
Locked into a system of working and paying for others to reap the reward sounds too much like modern day
indentured servitude.
I’ve heard it said that one-trillion dollars overall was spent, mostly borrowed money, to support failed big business,
that I’ve also heard practiced unethical, or next to unlawful behaviors. Why didn’t our government give each tax
paying citizen about five hundred thousand dollars, which would have only been a $175m total outlay. The
economy would have been jump started with folks buying cars, houses, durable goods and invested back into the
system. A savings of hundreds of billions of dollars could have been achieved with a wild ass idea like this. Our
government gave away free billions of dollars of money to the very businesses that caused the collapse in 2008.
What about the kind folks that spent a lifetime to build up a 401k, to only see it slip through their hands like fading
sands of time. Capitalism will always trump democracy. Pres. Hoover said, "The thing wrong with Capitalism is
Capitalists."
I was so hopeful of “change” in 2008. A wise old man told me once that, “Nothing changes, when nothing
changes.” I don’t care who is in office, and those that are so gullible to think that a regime change is the answer to
all our ills, are very sadly mistaken. I don’t care who is asleep at the wheel in Washington DC, the common folks in
the fields and factories, are the last things on their minds when making powerful life altering decisions. If this were
not true, then why are there so many family failures in the last decade? Why is there so much apprehension of
government, job loss, foreclosures, bankruptcy, suicides, economic tragedy and total down-turned hope for the
future? Why is our ray of hope gone, as most of us can only see dismal futures over the horizon? All along with
the guise from the talking heads and leaders that, “Hang on it’s going to get better.” I’ve heard "them" say that we
need to make sacrifice. I have sacrificed my entire working career of half a century, and also gave military service
for six years. How can a leader have the nerve to tell me to make more sacrifices, when I did not cause the
current problems at hand? I paid my dues, taxes and tried to do what was asked of me for five decades, to now be
told to make more sacrifices, when unaccountable billions of free dollars float around to who knows who?
To make true change, the will of the people as a whole must be met. Basic essentials of life to sustain families,
businesses and prosperity of the future must be met. Anytime a change is needed in an emergency situation;
immediate and significant actions, that are quantifiable and tangible, must be established. Talk is vapor to the
wind, whereas physical action is proof that something is moving and happening. I often think about, in our current
times, the vivid expression that was coined WWII, during the rise of the evil Nazis empire, “When they came for my
neighbor, it did not concern me. I looked the other way . . .” Applying that fact to the safe and smug, that are
bystander audiences watching so many fall in anguish and turmoil – their day could be coming next too. Do they
never worry that their day of demise could possible arrive? They were ready to join in, and help when it was too
late to make a difference or matter or at all. Are we as a nation looking the other way as so many crash and burn?
Divided we are conquered, and led like sheep to the slaughter. United we are strong, forceful and in compliance
with the United States Constitution. Has our Constitution become an antiquated myth on sheep skin locked under
bullet proof glass, as a symbol that we were once a great nation, “Of the People, By the People and For the
People.” Are we still that great nation merely asleep on our butts thinking all will be okay, and go along on our
merry way blindly hoping that the rich, famous and powerful folks will look out after us. Hmmm, keep dreaming my
friend. Big brother is not a relative or a friend that gives one hoot about me, you and yours.
Arkansas Blues
The Mississippi River is the state
line between Arkansas and Mississippi.
The infamous Blues Highway 49 crosses
the Mississippi River, and winds up in the
historic blues city of Helena, Arkansas
home to King Biscuit Floor Power Blues
KFFA Radio, and the King Biscuit Blues Festival. They can’t call it
the King Biscuit Blues Festival anymore, as some New Jersey
carpetbaggers legally stole the name wanting thousands of dollars
for usage. The kind folks in Helena, AR had to start calling the
festival the Blues & Heritage Festival. I know, sounds like real Nazi
crap, but that is the way the laws are written apparently.
The reason Arkansas didn’t get on the blues map back in the turn
of the 20th century, is the Smithsonian Institute in their quest to
record American Folk Music starting in 1902, headed down the
Appalachian Trail, wound up in Tennessee and then on down
Mississippi to New Orleans. They never crossed the Mississippi
River, heading westward, and thus Kansas City Blues, Texas
Blues, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Blues, Oakland Bay Blues,
San Francisco Blues, Seattle Blues and Arkansas Blues didn’t
make the grade.
From there anyone trying to make a buck on blues starts at
Clarksdale, stops in Memphis, and winds up in Chicago. You can
get that info on any album liner notes, or blues mag. Don’t get me
started, and enough said for the moment. Today, I am focusing on
Arkansas Blues – You know, the west side of the Mississippi River
Valley and Delta. The Arkansas River joins the Mississippi River,
just South of Helena, Arkansas and Blues Highway 49, a little ways
Southwest from Clarksdale, Mississippi. Welcome to Arkansas
Delta Blues: Keep on jammin’ them blues, it’s music to my ears.
Arkansas Blues Legends: www.bluesguitarnews.
com/ArkansasLegends
Blues Guitar News FaceBook: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!
/pages/Blues-Guitar-News/130791946935789?ref=mf
Ozark Blues Society: www.ozarkbluessociety.org
Arkansas River Blues Society: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!
/profile.php?id=100001082993923&ref=ts
Ft. Smith Arkansas Blues: www.riverfrontbluesfest.org
Arkansas Blues & Heritage:
www.bluesandheritagefest.com/sbbs
Arkansas Delta Cultural Center:
www.deltaculturalcenter.com/education_programs
Spa City Blues Society: www.spacityblues.org
Arkansas Blues History: www.encyclopediaofarkansas.
net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=599
Arkansas Blues on WikipediA: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Arkansas_Delta
Arkansas Musicians in the Blues Hall of Fame:
www.blueshalloffame.
com/Local_Blues_Talent/Local_Blues_Talent_of_Arkansas.html
Arkansas Blues Radio: www.kabf.org -
www.kffa.com - www.kasu.org - www.kuaf.org
Arkansas Delta Boogie: www.deltaboogie.com
Arkansas Blues DJ’s: Queen of Arkansas Blues DJ’s Deb’s,
Blues House Party: http://www.facebook.com/search/?
post_form_id=bdfb03ea4bf896719df7c38fe714f8e1&q=kabf&init=q
uick&ref=search_loaded#!/profile.php?
id=100000656863994&v=info&ref=search
Paul Kelso on KAUF: http://www.facebook.com/search/?
post_form_id=bdfb03ea4bf896719df7c38fe714f8e1&q=kabf&init=q
uick&ref=search_loaded#!/profile.php?
id=560134626&v=info&ref=search
The Mississippi River is the state
line between Arkansas and Mississippi.
The infamous Blues Highway 49 crosses
the Mississippi River, and winds up in the
historic blues city of Helena, Arkansas
home to King Biscuit Floor Power Blues
KFFA Radio, and the King Biscuit Blues Festival. They can’t call it
the King Biscuit Blues Festival anymore, as some New Jersey
carpetbaggers legally stole the name wanting thousands of dollars
for usage. The kind folks in Helena, AR had to start calling the
festival the Blues & Heritage Festival. I know, sounds like real Nazi
crap, but that is the way the laws are written apparently.
The reason Arkansas didn’t get on the blues map back in the turn
of the 20th century, is the Smithsonian Institute in their quest to
record American Folk Music starting in 1902, headed down the
Appalachian Trail, wound up in Tennessee and then on down
Mississippi to New Orleans. They never crossed the Mississippi
River, heading westward, and thus Kansas City Blues, Texas
Blues, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Blues, Oakland Bay Blues,
San Francisco Blues, Seattle Blues and Arkansas Blues didn’t
make the grade.
From there anyone trying to make a buck on blues starts at
Clarksdale, stops in Memphis, and winds up in Chicago. You can
get that info on any album liner notes, or blues mag. Don’t get me
started, and enough said for the moment. Today, I am focusing on
Arkansas Blues – You know, the west side of the Mississippi River
Valley and Delta. The Arkansas River joins the Mississippi River,
just South of Helena, Arkansas and Blues Highway 49, a little ways
Southwest from Clarksdale, Mississippi. Welcome to Arkansas
Delta Blues: Keep on jammin’ them blues, it’s music to my ears.
Arkansas Blues Legends: www.bluesguitarnews.
com/ArkansasLegends
Blues Guitar News FaceBook: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!
/pages/Blues-Guitar-News/130791946935789?ref=mf
Ozark Blues Society: www.ozarkbluessociety.org
Arkansas River Blues Society: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!
/profile.php?id=100001082993923&ref=ts
Ft. Smith Arkansas Blues: www.riverfrontbluesfest.org
Arkansas Blues & Heritage:
www.bluesandheritagefest.com/sbbs
Arkansas Delta Cultural Center:
www.deltaculturalcenter.com/education_programs
Spa City Blues Society: www.spacityblues.org
Arkansas Blues History: www.encyclopediaofarkansas.
net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=599
Arkansas Blues on WikipediA: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Arkansas_Delta
Arkansas Musicians in the Blues Hall of Fame:
www.blueshalloffame.
com/Local_Blues_Talent/Local_Blues_Talent_of_Arkansas.html
Arkansas Blues Radio: www.kabf.org -
www.kffa.com - www.kasu.org - www.kuaf.org
Arkansas Delta Boogie: www.deltaboogie.com
Arkansas Blues DJ’s: Queen of Arkansas Blues DJ’s Deb’s,
Blues House Party: http://www.facebook.com/search/?
post_form_id=bdfb03ea4bf896719df7c38fe714f8e1&q=kabf&init=q
uick&ref=search_loaded#!/profile.php?
id=100000656863994&v=info&ref=search
Paul Kelso on KAUF: http://www.facebook.com/search/?
post_form_id=bdfb03ea4bf896719df7c38fe714f8e1&q=kabf&init=q
uick&ref=search_loaded#!/profile.php?
id=560134626&v=info&ref=search
<--The red X marks
the spot of our new
country home.
Located on the
edge of the Delta.
the spot of our new
country home.
Located on the
edge of the Delta.
| Blues Guitar News is written by musicians for musicians. Miles and miles of blues info and contacts. Mother of all blues hot links, and tons of worldwide blues information. |
To Be or Not?
Dec 2010
Most of my close friends and family know I am a son of a
Baptist Deacon and a Sunday School Superintendent. I
hold true to my roots, but always looked for thought
provocative thinking, mysteries and unsolved
uniqueness in life. I've come to the conclusion lately
that the atheistic line of thought is a learned trait.
Academia dotes on leading students to that summation
by the angle of the very nature courses are taught.
Spirituality in contemporary thinking is viewed as a
myth, a figment of misguided imaginations and a weak
mind needing to cling to unreal
hopes of success not found in life.
Objectively, if one was to really look at Christianity from
the outside in, the concept is faith in a paranormal,
mystical parallel world to physical reality. Science has
dabbled with parallel worlds and universes including
time travel. Einstein was the father of this line of
thinking, which has since included black worm hole
research, parallel physical universes and warped time
travel in an instant thought. Amazing where
researchers have ventured off to. I've read and watched a
lot of these theorems in documentaries, all very mind
stimulating, but still based on hypothetical conjecture.
The folks onto this line of thinking watched to much Star
Trek as a kid I think. Who knows for sure? (For cynical
thinkers, that was a joke.)
So, science is dabbling in
parallel mystical spheres, whereas in that past they
chided Christians for their unintelligent thinking that
universes outside of physical reality existed. Could this
be a meeting point of minds? Time will only tell, as for
now; "Beam me up Scotty."
Dec 2010
Most of my close friends and family know I am a son of a
Baptist Deacon and a Sunday School Superintendent. I
hold true to my roots, but always looked for thought
provocative thinking, mysteries and unsolved
uniqueness in life. I've come to the conclusion lately
that the atheistic line of thought is a learned trait.
Academia dotes on leading students to that summation
by the angle of the very nature courses are taught.
Spirituality in contemporary thinking is viewed as a
myth, a figment of misguided imaginations and a weak
mind needing to cling to unreal
hopes of success not found in life.
Objectively, if one was to really look at Christianity from
the outside in, the concept is faith in a paranormal,
mystical parallel world to physical reality. Science has
dabbled with parallel worlds and universes including
time travel. Einstein was the father of this line of
thinking, which has since included black worm hole
research, parallel physical universes and warped time
travel in an instant thought. Amazing where
researchers have ventured off to. I've read and watched a
lot of these theorems in documentaries, all very mind
stimulating, but still based on hypothetical conjecture.
The folks onto this line of thinking watched to much Star
Trek as a kid I think. Who knows for sure? (For cynical
thinkers, that was a joke.)
So, science is dabbling in
parallel mystical spheres, whereas in that past they
chided Christians for their unintelligent thinking that
universes outside of physical reality existed. Could this
be a meeting point of minds? Time will only tell, as for
now; "Beam me up Scotty."
Don’t Tread On Me!
December 2010
My son has "Don’t' Tread on
Me," for a motto thyme on his
FaceBook site. Being my best
buddy, we’ve had a lot of conversations over the
years since he became an adult about the world, history,
religion and politics. You know the kind of stuff you don’t
talk about in a sports bar when Monday Night Football is
on. The highly inflammatory aforementioned topics are
mostly reserved talks for one-on-one’s with a close friend.
I am grateful my son is a free thinker, and as he goes
through college, is always intrigued by invigorating
abstract thought and talk. I am very delighted he is open
minded to form his own conclusions to what passes by in
life through keen observation and deduction.
Although, “Don’t Tread On Me,” is currently associated
with the “Tea Party,” movement in the USA, which receives
a lot of mockery and chiding from outsiders, Hollywood and
differing political activists, the motto phrase is deeper than
you would like to imagine. Most Americans, or at least
students of American History, know the origin of the motto,
and are familiar with the accompanying Gadsden snake
flag. The thought origin for the snake flag and motto, was
first put into print by Benjamin Franklin, as he wrote in the
Pennsylvania Gazette; ”It is the policy of Britain to send
convicted criminals to America, so I suggested that we
thank the British by sending rattlesnakes to England.”
Franklin’s second account of snakes was In 1754, during
the French and Indian War, Franklin published his famous
woodcut of a snake chopped into eight sections. It
represented the colonies, with New England joined
together as the head and
South Carolina as the tail,
following their order along
the coast. Under the snake
was the message "Join, or
Die". This was the first
political cartoon published
in an American newspaper.
Several topics are at work in Ben’s 16th century wisdoms;
Political satire, united we stand strong, and undecided we
die and finally the courage to defy the most powerful
monarchy in the world during his lifetime. Working on
three decades later, the United States has developed and
evolved into one of the most powerful countries of the 20th
century, but many feel we are working toward a decline in
the 21st century.
Have we reached our peak? No civilization has lasted
forever, and even the most prolific powerful nations in
history, all met some kind of fate whereas they are not with
us today. The USA is merely 250 years old, an infant
country on the world history scale, and already many
aspects of our country are crumbling away at our feet.
The naive and misguided do not sense this current down
turned trend at all. What a shame. Only time will tell if they
join the ranks of those that are concerned which direction
our country is taking.
Like many major countries over the millenniums that
savored a high degree of success in their era of triumph, if
the core base of the civilization is not taken care of, and
dissent swelters to a boil, things will happen changing
history forever. That is what we are seeing in the United
States. History has proven that in our country's DNA mix,
we have an attitude of "Don't Tread On Me," and if you do,
we are not doing the Christian thing turning the other
check. We'll sick General Patton on your ass. We are a
country founded by revolution, and fostered by war
whereas many become war profiteering millionaires from
the experience. Maintaining the most lethal war machine
ever known to mankind, we stand ready to prove; you
better not tread on us. The new treat is unseen take over
of our wealth and resources.
Our country has not always been on the good or right side
of every human event. There are horror stories all
through our history of evil deeds, and miscalculations
effecting the populous. For some miraculous driving force,
we pop out of adversity on the sunny side of the street.
Unlike times past, our might and fighting nature is not
challenged or tested this time. What is happening is a
potential total economic collapse of what we formally knew,
and a suspected takeover converting to a new system
beyond the Federal Reserve, the privatized banking cult
that regulates business as usual. You can watch all the
conspiracy cable shows with miles of conjecture on what is
going on. I believe no one knows for sure, as the brain
trusts have not been on their game lately in my book.
The Native American (Indian) joke; "Things were great.
Women did all the work. We hunted. We fished. We
explored. We made love to our women. Then white men
came, and screwed it all up." Funny, but deeply true. A
major portion of Americans just wanted a little peace,
happiness and the opportunity and freedoms to pursue
such. Make some money, keep a roof over our families
heads and food
on the table, were
our main objectives
in life. Vacation,
ball games and
fun at the beach
with the kids
rounded out a nice
life, as we worked
toward our retirement
age to kick back, and
enjoy life a little before
the long road to glory arrived.
Today, the dreams of millions are nothing more than ashes
and wishful thinking. Too many have lost too much, and
have no hope or faith in the future. When taxes take up
the lion's share of the family pay check, and then spent
frivolously on bull shit besides what is obviously needed for
our country, things are too far out of control. The
politicians still keep the lip service buzz words rattling out
of their mouths, whereas in the real world bull shit walks,
and significant real-life results oriented action is respected
and honored. This is what you get when money controls
outcomes to moral ethics, human dignity decisions and
common decency toward all.
I hear how it is going to get better, just hold your breath.
They can't print the money fast enough, as they are using
the printed cash as band-aids to human tragedy. Mere
paper can not stop the hemorrhaging that is still occurring,
even as you read these words. The millions of Americans
that have lost jobs, careers, 401k, homes, savings and the
total loss of their family structure due to the catastrophes
imposed on them by greed, and lust of power is a
despicable national embarrassment that should have
never occurred.
The leaders over the last two decades that allowed this to
go down, deserve a good horse whipping, then tarred,
feathered and rode out of town on a rail. They are
unfaithful and untrustworthy, lying through their teeth when
they raised their right hand, placed their left hand on a
bible, and gave a verbal oath to uphold the Constitution of
the USA, which includes: "We the People of the United
States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
and secure the Blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution
for the United States of
America."
Although many still prosper,and are doing well they don't
really give a damn about the unfortunates, I am reminded
of Ebenezer Scrooge's dialog, “Let those poor go to the
prisons and the Union workhouses,” “And if they would
rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus
population.” Is this the callousness we are coming to in the
21st century United States? Tell me I am wrong. Why are
we saving the world with billions of dollars, and turn our
back on our own citizens in dire need? This is total
madness. It is insane by all accounts, but we are led to
believe it is modern day normality. When those in
powerful positions abuse the seats they hold, who are in
effect the keepers of the flame for democracy, then we are
in a death spiral that will suck us all down the tubes
eventually.
Still proud to be an American, this is all I've ever known in
my lifetime. The more I study about the world, and ancient
civilizations, I would not trade our country and way of life
for anything else. A capitalistic society tends to traveling
on the edge of corruption. Money is the utmost addictive
drug in our society. An illusion, a myth of faith that the no
guarantee green paper is exchangeable for goods and
services. A sea shell monetary system, that lacks gold and
silver to back the paper buck-for-buck, we have borrowed
from the world to keep our over ambitious spending habits
satisfied. The gold standard was the way of life for
thousands of years. The country with most gold, is the
most powerful. The United States was set up as a gold
and silver nation, which we've slowly drifted away from.
We are now like driving in Los Angeles without auto
insurance. A risky business on a good day.
We follow the golden rule now. The one with the most
gold, makes the rules. Most of us know many of the dings
and dents in our society today, but where is the solution?
A beginning is to join together, forget our differences and
all focus on the future and what is the correct course of
action. Fighting and bickering over what political party we
are in, and marching in lock-step to what the talking heads
and politicians are dishing out, we need to stand up, and
tell the monarchy they need to take a flying leap on a
rolling donut. We need to get back to basic business of -
We The People in the Untied States. Ben Franklin had the
moxie to stand up to one the most powerful nations of the
16th century, and all he had was the power of the word,
and the ability to spread it wide and far so everyone knew
the score of what was really going down. Ben had guts for
sure!
December 2010
My son has "Don’t' Tread on
Me," for a motto thyme on his
FaceBook site. Being my best
buddy, we’ve had a lot of conversations over the
years since he became an adult about the world, history,
religion and politics. You know the kind of stuff you don’t
talk about in a sports bar when Monday Night Football is
on. The highly inflammatory aforementioned topics are
mostly reserved talks for one-on-one’s with a close friend.
I am grateful my son is a free thinker, and as he goes
through college, is always intrigued by invigorating
abstract thought and talk. I am very delighted he is open
minded to form his own conclusions to what passes by in
life through keen observation and deduction.
Although, “Don’t Tread On Me,” is currently associated
with the “Tea Party,” movement in the USA, which receives
a lot of mockery and chiding from outsiders, Hollywood and
differing political activists, the motto phrase is deeper than
you would like to imagine. Most Americans, or at least
students of American History, know the origin of the motto,
and are familiar with the accompanying Gadsden snake
flag. The thought origin for the snake flag and motto, was
first put into print by Benjamin Franklin, as he wrote in the
Pennsylvania Gazette; ”It is the policy of Britain to send
convicted criminals to America, so I suggested that we
thank the British by sending rattlesnakes to England.”
Franklin’s second account of snakes was In 1754, during
the French and Indian War, Franklin published his famous
woodcut of a snake chopped into eight sections. It
represented the colonies, with New England joined
together as the head and
South Carolina as the tail,
following their order along
the coast. Under the snake
was the message "Join, or
Die". This was the first
political cartoon published
in an American newspaper.
Several topics are at work in Ben’s 16th century wisdoms;
Political satire, united we stand strong, and undecided we
die and finally the courage to defy the most powerful
monarchy in the world during his lifetime. Working on
three decades later, the United States has developed and
evolved into one of the most powerful countries of the 20th
century, but many feel we are working toward a decline in
the 21st century.
Have we reached our peak? No civilization has lasted
forever, and even the most prolific powerful nations in
history, all met some kind of fate whereas they are not with
us today. The USA is merely 250 years old, an infant
country on the world history scale, and already many
aspects of our country are crumbling away at our feet.
The naive and misguided do not sense this current down
turned trend at all. What a shame. Only time will tell if they
join the ranks of those that are concerned which direction
our country is taking.
Like many major countries over the millenniums that
savored a high degree of success in their era of triumph, if
the core base of the civilization is not taken care of, and
dissent swelters to a boil, things will happen changing
history forever. That is what we are seeing in the United
States. History has proven that in our country's DNA mix,
we have an attitude of "Don't Tread On Me," and if you do,
we are not doing the Christian thing turning the other
check. We'll sick General Patton on your ass. We are a
country founded by revolution, and fostered by war
whereas many become war profiteering millionaires from
the experience. Maintaining the most lethal war machine
ever known to mankind, we stand ready to prove; you
better not tread on us. The new treat is unseen take over
of our wealth and resources.
Our country has not always been on the good or right side
of every human event. There are horror stories all
through our history of evil deeds, and miscalculations
effecting the populous. For some miraculous driving force,
we pop out of adversity on the sunny side of the street.
Unlike times past, our might and fighting nature is not
challenged or tested this time. What is happening is a
potential total economic collapse of what we formally knew,
and a suspected takeover converting to a new system
beyond the Federal Reserve, the privatized banking cult
that regulates business as usual. You can watch all the
conspiracy cable shows with miles of conjecture on what is
going on. I believe no one knows for sure, as the brain
trusts have not been on their game lately in my book.
The Native American (Indian) joke; "Things were great.
Women did all the work. We hunted. We fished. We
explored. We made love to our women. Then white men
came, and screwed it all up." Funny, but deeply true. A
major portion of Americans just wanted a little peace,
happiness and the opportunity and freedoms to pursue
such. Make some money, keep a roof over our families
heads and food
on the table, were
our main objectives
in life. Vacation,
ball games and
fun at the beach
with the kids
rounded out a nice
life, as we worked
toward our retirement
age to kick back, and
enjoy life a little before
the long road to glory arrived.
Today, the dreams of millions are nothing more than ashes
and wishful thinking. Too many have lost too much, and
have no hope or faith in the future. When taxes take up
the lion's share of the family pay check, and then spent
frivolously on bull shit besides what is obviously needed for
our country, things are too far out of control. The
politicians still keep the lip service buzz words rattling out
of their mouths, whereas in the real world bull shit walks,
and significant real-life results oriented action is respected
and honored. This is what you get when money controls
outcomes to moral ethics, human dignity decisions and
common decency toward all.
I hear how it is going to get better, just hold your breath.
They can't print the money fast enough, as they are using
the printed cash as band-aids to human tragedy. Mere
paper can not stop the hemorrhaging that is still occurring,
even as you read these words. The millions of Americans
that have lost jobs, careers, 401k, homes, savings and the
total loss of their family structure due to the catastrophes
imposed on them by greed, and lust of power is a
despicable national embarrassment that should have
never occurred.
The leaders over the last two decades that allowed this to
go down, deserve a good horse whipping, then tarred,
feathered and rode out of town on a rail. They are
unfaithful and untrustworthy, lying through their teeth when
they raised their right hand, placed their left hand on a
bible, and gave a verbal oath to uphold the Constitution of
the USA, which includes: "We the People of the United
States, in Order to form a more perfect Union,
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defence, promote the general Welfare,
and secure the Blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution
for the United States of
America."
Although many still prosper,and are doing well they don't
really give a damn about the unfortunates, I am reminded
of Ebenezer Scrooge's dialog, “Let those poor go to the
prisons and the Union workhouses,” “And if they would
rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus
population.” Is this the callousness we are coming to in the
21st century United States? Tell me I am wrong. Why are
we saving the world with billions of dollars, and turn our
back on our own citizens in dire need? This is total
madness. It is insane by all accounts, but we are led to
believe it is modern day normality. When those in
powerful positions abuse the seats they hold, who are in
effect the keepers of the flame for democracy, then we are
in a death spiral that will suck us all down the tubes
eventually.
Still proud to be an American, this is all I've ever known in
my lifetime. The more I study about the world, and ancient
civilizations, I would not trade our country and way of life
for anything else. A capitalistic society tends to traveling
on the edge of corruption. Money is the utmost addictive
drug in our society. An illusion, a myth of faith that the no
guarantee green paper is exchangeable for goods and
services. A sea shell monetary system, that lacks gold and
silver to back the paper buck-for-buck, we have borrowed
from the world to keep our over ambitious spending habits
satisfied. The gold standard was the way of life for
thousands of years. The country with most gold, is the
most powerful. The United States was set up as a gold
and silver nation, which we've slowly drifted away from.
We are now like driving in Los Angeles without auto
insurance. A risky business on a good day.
We follow the golden rule now. The one with the most
gold, makes the rules. Most of us know many of the dings
and dents in our society today, but where is the solution?
A beginning is to join together, forget our differences and
all focus on the future and what is the correct course of
action. Fighting and bickering over what political party we
are in, and marching in lock-step to what the talking heads
and politicians are dishing out, we need to stand up, and
tell the monarchy they need to take a flying leap on a
rolling donut. We need to get back to basic business of -
We The People in the Untied States. Ben Franklin had the
moxie to stand up to one the most powerful nations of the
16th century, and all he had was the power of the word,
and the ability to spread it wide and far so everyone knew
the score of what was really going down. Ben had guts for
sure!
Visit the US Constitution at
www.usconstitution.net
www.usconstitution.net
Arkansas Legends
December 8
Well, Infamy day came and went
without much ado by main stream
news medias. WikiLeaks,
Obama/Bush Tax Cuts and N.
Korea sword rattling took up all
the prime time news spots. The
Korean War used to be called
the, "forgotten war." The
Vietnam War was called the,
"can't forget it fast enough war,"
but now millions of Americans
don't have a clue to WWII, and
the significant event it was for the
20th century. You know what
they say, "forget history and you
are doomed to repeat it."
I spent the day at my friends
guitar shop, the link is at
www.bluesguitarnews.com
Spending time with fellow pickers,
guitar talk and jamming some
tunes soothed my soul, and
eased my mental anguish about
current world events. The
renowned jazz drummer Art
Blakey said, "God gave us music
to wash off the dust of everyday
living." How true. When a
couple pickers gather to jam a
few bars, we are playing for our
self, and could care less about
the other half of the world. Ahhh,
it was good. Like getting a brain
enema to purge out the clogged
up trash.
December 9
Jo Ann and I may grab a matinée
movie today. I've been writing
endlessly, in between my guitar
studies. The current news on
"To tax or not to tax," has gotten
me riled up, but I am not ready to
blast it yet. All that goes
through my head is, "Emperor's
New Suit of Clothes," as our lofty
elected officials do not have the
capability to see their self, as
others see them. All the crap I
saw on cable and network news
last night, reminded me of third
graders in the sand box, having
a sand fight melee. When they
all finally settle down, and really
talk adult-to-adult, they will
discover they all have sand in
their hair, ears, underwear and
teeth.
On to better stuff than getting
nauseated with the latest antics
of our public servants, that think
they are better than us working
stiffs.
Surfing the net soliciting to print
and electronic news medias
trying to expose my blog, and get
visitors on my site, I've seen a
trend that besides FaceBook,
most folks that think they are
squatting in tall cotton, are all
one way. They want your
feedback, but not directly. I've
written a few big name folks, and
self appointed big shots over my
lifetime, and it still amazes me
when folks think they've arrived,
all they want to do is show their
shit off, and ignore what else is
going on around them.
Web sites have changed, as try
to contact anyone off a web site
now. It is like being back to radio
and television whereas it is all
one way communication. The
concept of two way conversing
via the net, is already a dinosaur.
Businesses found it is time
consuming to have a real person
answer email, or they don't have
a good spam bucket. Read my
joke on 1-800 phone numbers,
as that is the way many web sites
are conducted now too.
December 10
We took in a movie, and saw
Russell Crowe's "Next Three
Days" and it was interesting.
Tense, and tender, but builds to
a acceptable ending. The critics
ripped it. I could never figure
critics out much, as movies they
rate highly, often times suck, and
movies they rip meanly, turn out
to be great. I read where one
critic said that Crowe's new
movie was, "Unbearably
Unbelievable." Is this guy nuts?
Movies are pure fantasy and
make believe. Scrips are fiction.
It is all make believe. Nothing is
real in a movie, except the
human actors. Most inside shots
are done in a studio. I guess this
guy thinks Sponge Bob Square
Pants is believable.
December 16
Spending too much time on
FaceBook, but dang isn't it fun?
Getting ready for the Joe Pitts
Band Christmas Party, as I get to
play the second set. Joe is at
www.joepitts.com and is some
kind of picker for sure.
We met my cousins Dickey and
Betty for lunch at, burp, Famous
Dave's BBQ. Wow, that stuff is
good. Dave is an old blues
guitar player, that loved to BBQ.
Getting colder, maybe even snow
by Christmas. Who knows?
Spent the last few days writing
some new pieces, but they are
not ready for publishing.
NOTE: Been having too much
fun, to write in my journal, but will
try to catch up this week. 12/27
To be continued . . . .a never
ending saga.
Well, Infamy day came and went
without much ado by main stream
news medias. WikiLeaks,
Obama/Bush Tax Cuts and N.
Korea sword rattling took up all
the prime time news spots. The
Korean War used to be called
the, "forgotten war." The
Vietnam War was called the,
"can't forget it fast enough war,"
but now millions of Americans
don't have a clue to WWII, and
the significant event it was for the
20th century. You know what
they say, "forget history and you
are doomed to repeat it."
I spent the day at my friends
guitar shop, the link is at
www.bluesguitarnews.com
Spending time with fellow pickers,
guitar talk and jamming some
tunes soothed my soul, and
eased my mental anguish about
current world events. The
renowned jazz drummer Art
Blakey said, "God gave us music
to wash off the dust of everyday
living." How true. When a
couple pickers gather to jam a
few bars, we are playing for our
self, and could care less about
the other half of the world. Ahhh,
it was good. Like getting a brain
enema to purge out the clogged
up trash.
December 9
Jo Ann and I may grab a matinée
movie today. I've been writing
endlessly, in between my guitar
studies. The current news on
"To tax or not to tax," has gotten
me riled up, but I am not ready to
blast it yet. All that goes
through my head is, "Emperor's
New Suit of Clothes," as our lofty
elected officials do not have the
capability to see their self, as
others see them. All the crap I
saw on cable and network news
last night, reminded me of third
graders in the sand box, having
a sand fight melee. When they
all finally settle down, and really
talk adult-to-adult, they will
discover they all have sand in
their hair, ears, underwear and
teeth.
On to better stuff than getting
nauseated with the latest antics
of our public servants, that think
they are better than us working
stiffs.
Surfing the net soliciting to print
and electronic news medias
trying to expose my blog, and get
visitors on my site, I've seen a
trend that besides FaceBook,
most folks that think they are
squatting in tall cotton, are all
one way. They want your
feedback, but not directly. I've
written a few big name folks, and
self appointed big shots over my
lifetime, and it still amazes me
when folks think they've arrived,
all they want to do is show their
shit off, and ignore what else is
going on around them.
Web sites have changed, as try
to contact anyone off a web site
now. It is like being back to radio
and television whereas it is all
one way communication. The
concept of two way conversing
via the net, is already a dinosaur.
Businesses found it is time
consuming to have a real person
answer email, or they don't have
a good spam bucket. Read my
joke on 1-800 phone numbers,
as that is the way many web sites
are conducted now too.
December 10
We took in a movie, and saw
Russell Crowe's "Next Three
Days" and it was interesting.
Tense, and tender, but builds to
a acceptable ending. The critics
ripped it. I could never figure
critics out much, as movies they
rate highly, often times suck, and
movies they rip meanly, turn out
to be great. I read where one
critic said that Crowe's new
movie was, "Unbearably
Unbelievable." Is this guy nuts?
Movies are pure fantasy and
make believe. Scrips are fiction.
It is all make believe. Nothing is
real in a movie, except the
human actors. Most inside shots
are done in a studio. I guess this
guy thinks Sponge Bob Square
Pants is believable.
December 16
Spending too much time on
FaceBook, but dang isn't it fun?
Getting ready for the Joe Pitts
Band Christmas Party, as I get to
play the second set. Joe is at
www.joepitts.com and is some
kind of picker for sure.
We met my cousins Dickey and
Betty for lunch at, burp, Famous
Dave's BBQ. Wow, that stuff is
good. Dave is an old blues
guitar player, that loved to BBQ.
Getting colder, maybe even snow
by Christmas. Who knows?
Spent the last few days writing
some new pieces, but they are
not ready for publishing.
NOTE: Been having too much
fun, to write in my journal, but will
try to catch up this week. 12/27
To be continued . . . .a never
ending saga.
Welcome to my blog filled with articles, humor and whimsical thoughts. Below is a
partial list of the medias where my articles have been published. Writing within editor
guidelines makes getting your name in print accessible. Venture out of the box, and
your work is round filed, after shredding. Besides my compassion for music, writing is
my second expression. Exercising my Freedom of Speech is expected, and on my blog
I can do what I want. This blog is long, and filled with many contrasting points of view. I
endorse few others. The main thing is, I am in control. As a fifth generation USA citizen,
my family for sure fought in the war of 1812. I served in the USAF 63-69, and in my
retirement study the US Constitution. It is finally sinking in that "We The People," are
what it is all about. Unfortunately over time the power pyramid was turned upside down
to allow those with money and power to control our lands, laws and economy. An
anarchist I am not. I am a Patriot, part of "We" in our constitution which grants me and
you sovereign authority over our destiny in life, not from those that want to tell us what to
do. There are many new found USA citizens that are crying out, and spreading the
word on our national heritage - Shouting out that we have a solid guarantee for our
freedoms as so stated in our archived documents of liberty. Our nation was founded by
patriots, and through rebellion of a tyrannous monarchy. Our freedoms were established
by terrorist activities, and revolution. Many gave, for us to preserve. Peace Bro.
partial list of the medias where my articles have been published. Writing within editor
guidelines makes getting your name in print accessible. Venture out of the box, and
your work is round filed, after shredding. Besides my compassion for music, writing is
my second expression. Exercising my Freedom of Speech is expected, and on my blog
I can do what I want. This blog is long, and filled with many contrasting points of view. I
endorse few others. The main thing is, I am in control. As a fifth generation USA citizen,
my family for sure fought in the war of 1812. I served in the USAF 63-69, and in my
retirement study the US Constitution. It is finally sinking in that "We The People," are
what it is all about. Unfortunately over time the power pyramid was turned upside down
to allow those with money and power to control our lands, laws and economy. An
anarchist I am not. I am a Patriot, part of "We" in our constitution which grants me and
you sovereign authority over our destiny in life, not from those that want to tell us what to
do. There are many new found USA citizens that are crying out, and spreading the
word on our national heritage - Shouting out that we have a solid guarantee for our
freedoms as so stated in our archived documents of liberty. Our nation was founded by
patriots, and through rebellion of a tyrannous monarchy. Our freedoms were established
by terrorist activities, and revolution. Many gave, for us to preserve. Peace Bro.
?
?
| Catch us on Tweeter at: Mike Dollins Tweeter.com |
Things that infuriate me. Part I
Evil, mean spirited humans top the list, but that is beyond infuriate in
a stand-alone category. I just loathe despicable people that find joy and
pleasure in causing misery and pain to others. Human malice irks my
very soul.
People that steal. Thieves are right below pedophiles, murder and
rape in my book. Drop them on a desert island with bread and water.
Television commercials top my hate list of everyday life. I pre-record
almost everything I watch. Then during the program, I fast-forward the
commercials avoiding the pain. Most commercials are extremely
condescending, and geared to a brainless, gullible audience.
Toilet paper hung to roll in. I like it rolling out.
Smug people. I guess I’ve done it a couple times in my youth. You
know, feeling like Bobby Bitchin’ cause you had a better bike, fishing
pole or sleeping bag. It goes with the turf of being a kid. Adult
smugness though is a psychosis akin to pompous-ass.
Most daytime television. Who watches this crap?
Waiting in line, and when I finally work my way up to be served, they
switch tellers, cashiers or salesperson.
Dumb drivers that tailgate you, get cranky, pass you in a rage, flip you
off and slow down once they are in front of you. You wonder what meds
they are on, or if they missed them.
Female singers that scream all their high notes into a screeching
noise. They all need to listen to Billie Holiday, Lena Horn, Dinah
Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson and Aretha Franklin. If you
can’t find the high note, don’t go there. I'd rather hear chalk squeaks on
a blackboard.
Returning something to a store, and they pull some stupid rule out of
their ear why you can’t get your money back. Then they show you on
your receipt, using a magnifying glass, to point out to you the fine print
stating the obscure rule.
The words “Easy Assembly” on the box. It means you are in for it.
Worse yet, “Some Assembly Required.” You will be up all night long
Christmas Eve. You will usually have missing bolts, and wind up with ten
extra washers that don’t go anywhere while you try to read a torn, and
ripped instruction page.
Having to go to any government office to conduct business. Some
local municipalities are not too bad, but any Federal Agency is like a trip
through Alice’s Wonderland. Dealing with government smug employees
drawing high wages, with long vacation time off, and golden parachute
retirements all at the expense of taxpayers funding their never get fired
jobs, all with attitudes that tomorrow is another day, is insulting to my
spirit. You see they do not understand, nor do they care about private
sector business practices, respect of others as clients. Customer service
is an alien unknown language not spoken in their mode of dragged out
slow operation, and mounds of needless paperwork. Pathetic.
Assembly instruction manuals written in Asian, then interpreted into
English. Bless their hearts. They try make more better good.
Starbucks. Hey, they were quaint, hip and a sidewalk romantic café
feeling in the beginning. The other day I went in and noticed their new
uppity prices. Paying almost four bucks for a cup of coffee with sugar,
milk and cinnamon in it is ludicrous. You can get a dollar menu
hamburger in most fast-food drive-throughs these days, and that will
sustain life until supper time.
I have over 600 channels on my satellite provided television service. I
think in my lifetime now I have seen some of the dumbest programs
imaginable. I often wonder who watches this crap. TV producers, not
having real jobs, spend too much time on the mirror tooting up profits
they never produce. Talking to many other folks about this dilemma of
pure junk shows on so many channels, shopping channels, worn out re-
runs, and repeating the same old twenty movies over and over,
everyone seems to agree it is real frustrating. This service subscription
isn’t cheap. Their come-on ads are enticing, and when you get the bill
you about explode on what charge, and what you thought you agreed to
pay.
Why is milk so high, when we own all the cows? It costs four times as
much for a gallon of milk, than it does for a gallon of gas, which is foreign
oil dependent. Crazy huh?
Why does salt and sugar free processed foods cost a lot more than
foods with salt and sugar in it? Seems like they should be less, missing
those ingredients.
When gas prices went through the roof back in 2008 & 2009, many
goods and services raised their rates claiming spiraling out of control
fuel prices as the cause. Well gas came back down, but the price up
spiked commodities stayed inflated, and have since even risen more a
few times over. Imagine that?
Worn out cliché’s or trite expressions. You know, “The whole nine
yards,” type of sayings used to express facts or features. I had an editor
once that would break your typing fingers for giving her any kind of
cliché. The funniest use of cliché’s that I witnessed was during a boring
seminar with Kodak slides, speakers and a panel of experts. A female
speaker, very conservative, prim and proper, well dressed in a lady’s
gray business suit, and the kind of office administrator that would turn
you in for any kind off color office joke, was rambling on with her
segment. She was cliché infused making me think she didn’t have a
clue to the subject matter. Then she pulled out the expression, “Getting
a leg up on the competition,” which was overly worn out during the 90’s.
I was chuckling to myself, as this was something she had picked up
along the way to add to her arsenal of cliché’s. Many folks don’t know
the origins of most cliché’s. This lady speaker didn’t have a clue what a
“leg up” was in reference to. The expression originated from male dogs
in a pissing contest around a fireplug. You know, each one trying to get
a leg up higher on the hydrant, before they growl then fight. The
expression is very colloquial and goes back decades in male dominated
environments. Ref: “I don’t want to get in a pissing contest with you.” I
thought the lady was funny, but those sitting around me thought I was
crazy, or that my meds were wearing off.
Evil, mean spirited humans top the list, but that is beyond infuriate in
a stand-alone category. I just loathe despicable people that find joy and
pleasure in causing misery and pain to others. Human malice irks my
very soul.
People that steal. Thieves are right below pedophiles, murder and
rape in my book. Drop them on a desert island with bread and water.
Television commercials top my hate list of everyday life. I pre-record
almost everything I watch. Then during the program, I fast-forward the
commercials avoiding the pain. Most commercials are extremely
condescending, and geared to a brainless, gullible audience.
Toilet paper hung to roll in. I like it rolling out.
Smug people. I guess I’ve done it a couple times in my youth. You
know, feeling like Bobby Bitchin’ cause you had a better bike, fishing
pole or sleeping bag. It goes with the turf of being a kid. Adult
smugness though is a psychosis akin to pompous-ass.
Most daytime television. Who watches this crap?
Waiting in line, and when I finally work my way up to be served, they
switch tellers, cashiers or salesperson.
Dumb drivers that tailgate you, get cranky, pass you in a rage, flip you
off and slow down once they are in front of you. You wonder what meds
they are on, or if they missed them.
Female singers that scream all their high notes into a screeching
noise. They all need to listen to Billie Holiday, Lena Horn, Dinah
Washington, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson and Aretha Franklin. If you
can’t find the high note, don’t go there. I'd rather hear chalk squeaks on
a blackboard.
Returning something to a store, and they pull some stupid rule out of
their ear why you can’t get your money back. Then they show you on
your receipt, using a magnifying glass, to point out to you the fine print
stating the obscure rule.
The words “Easy Assembly” on the box. It means you are in for it.
Worse yet, “Some Assembly Required.” You will be up all night long
Christmas Eve. You will usually have missing bolts, and wind up with ten
extra washers that don’t go anywhere while you try to read a torn, and
ripped instruction page.
Having to go to any government office to conduct business. Some
local municipalities are not too bad, but any Federal Agency is like a trip
through Alice’s Wonderland. Dealing with government smug employees
drawing high wages, with long vacation time off, and golden parachute
retirements all at the expense of taxpayers funding their never get fired
jobs, all with attitudes that tomorrow is another day, is insulting to my
spirit. You see they do not understand, nor do they care about private
sector business practices, respect of others as clients. Customer service
is an alien unknown language not spoken in their mode of dragged out
slow operation, and mounds of needless paperwork. Pathetic.
Assembly instruction manuals written in Asian, then interpreted into
English. Bless their hearts. They try make more better good.
Starbucks. Hey, they were quaint, hip and a sidewalk romantic café
feeling in the beginning. The other day I went in and noticed their new
uppity prices. Paying almost four bucks for a cup of coffee with sugar,
milk and cinnamon in it is ludicrous. You can get a dollar menu
hamburger in most fast-food drive-throughs these days, and that will
sustain life until supper time.
I have over 600 channels on my satellite provided television service. I
think in my lifetime now I have seen some of the dumbest programs
imaginable. I often wonder who watches this crap. TV producers, not
having real jobs, spend too much time on the mirror tooting up profits
they never produce. Talking to many other folks about this dilemma of
pure junk shows on so many channels, shopping channels, worn out re-
runs, and repeating the same old twenty movies over and over,
everyone seems to agree it is real frustrating. This service subscription
isn’t cheap. Their come-on ads are enticing, and when you get the bill
you about explode on what charge, and what you thought you agreed to
pay.
Why is milk so high, when we own all the cows? It costs four times as
much for a gallon of milk, than it does for a gallon of gas, which is foreign
oil dependent. Crazy huh?
Why does salt and sugar free processed foods cost a lot more than
foods with salt and sugar in it? Seems like they should be less, missing
those ingredients.
When gas prices went through the roof back in 2008 & 2009, many
goods and services raised their rates claiming spiraling out of control
fuel prices as the cause. Well gas came back down, but the price up
spiked commodities stayed inflated, and have since even risen more a
few times over. Imagine that?
Worn out cliché’s or trite expressions. You know, “The whole nine
yards,” type of sayings used to express facts or features. I had an editor
once that would break your typing fingers for giving her any kind of
cliché. The funniest use of cliché’s that I witnessed was during a boring
seminar with Kodak slides, speakers and a panel of experts. A female
speaker, very conservative, prim and proper, well dressed in a lady’s
gray business suit, and the kind of office administrator that would turn
you in for any kind off color office joke, was rambling on with her
segment. She was cliché infused making me think she didn’t have a
clue to the subject matter. Then she pulled out the expression, “Getting
a leg up on the competition,” which was overly worn out during the 90’s.
I was chuckling to myself, as this was something she had picked up
along the way to add to her arsenal of cliché’s. Many folks don’t know
the origins of most cliché’s. This lady speaker didn’t have a clue what a
“leg up” was in reference to. The expression originated from male dogs
in a pissing contest around a fireplug. You know, each one trying to get
a leg up higher on the hydrant, before they growl then fight. The
expression is very colloquial and goes back decades in male dominated
environments. Ref: “I don’t want to get in a pissing contest with you.” I
thought the lady was funny, but those sitting around me thought I was
crazy, or that my meds were wearing off.
Things that infuriate me. Part Too
People that create computer viruses must be related to dung
worms, had a miserable childhood, tortured puppies and were picked on
in school by girls and nerds. I am convinced when they are arrested for
their cyber crimes, they should go to criminally insane institutions with
padded cells, big mean guards with attitudes and write home with
crayons.
People that are fussy about food. I can understand tastes, likes and
dislikes, but plane fussy to a narrow palette I don’t understand. I have
one food I will not eat – liver. All other editable foods of the world are on
the menu for me. I’ve eaten rattlesnake, buffalo, octopus, goat, urchin,
and alligator. Although not the tops on my food chain list, I however got
them down. I don’t eat broccoli much, as it affects me more severe than
Chili Beans. In fact if I eat broccoli, I eat beans first to rehearse for what
broccoli will do later. I could fill a propane tank for sure.
Email spam and phone spam are generated from scum sucking life
forms that do not have sex, but merely split into separate organisms.
I do not like commercials at the movies now. I paid top dollar to see
a movie. Then paid very high dollars for a bag of popcorn. Getting
commercials for fifteen minutes before show starts is just nuts. Who in
the heck doesn’t know what Coca Cola is? By the way, what happened
to the Warner Brothers cartoon before the show started? I lost track of
Elmer Fudd. Back a few decades ago we got two movies, a newsreel
and cartoon, for one low price when popcorn was ten cents a bag.
Most magazines these days are nothing more than 60 pages pf
commercial advertisements, filled with mail-in cards and stiff 80 pound
paper pages of ads that makes flipping through them impossible. You
get 80% advertisement, and maybe 15% worth of real articles. I
understand ads help pay the rent, but goodness, how about some meat
with all the potatoes. I still like the New Yorker and Look magazines.
Their cartoons are the greatest on earth.
I despise public drinking fountains out of control. I like the water ice
cold, and at a moderate stream. I was at doctor’s office building, and
headed to the drinking fountain. Pressing the on button, the water
gushed out splashing on the elevator door. Then someone flushed a
toilet, and it dwindled down to a trickle. Wal Mart most of the time has
the best drinking fountains found in public. Ice cold, moderate stream,
cleaned occasionally, low ones for wheel chairs and kids, tall ones for us
big folks. Lukewarm fountain water is related to lukewarm milk, and
Coke that lost its fizz.
I hate stale potato chips. Like eating a bad peanut, the stale chip
taste stays on the back of your palette all day long. Jack Daniels
straight won’t wash it off either. Kerosene might work. Burp.
I can’t stand the smell of a lady’s hair salon. The chemicals they
use make WD40 smell like carnations. I am convinced they are stoned
out of their minds when the ladies come home. You know; hungry,
giggling and happy. That is why they are always going back for a fix so
soon. It isn’t cheap either. You can buy good neighborhood crack
cheaper, than any fix at a salon. I’ve painted cars in tight quarters,
without a mask, and had better air quality than you find at a beauty
salon. More like a chemical whiff saloon to me.
I do not like Motel-Hotel Sandpaper. I mean, toilet paper.
Motel coffee recipe. You know the complimentary cup you get in the
lobby: “Take three black socks found on the laundry room floor, one
jock strap found under the dumpster, and add in yesterday’s soggy
coffee grounds to a level that will overspill into the urn when perking.
Take the mud and fertilizer covered rubber hose bought at the dollar
store out of the landscaping, and add water accordingly. Fill water level
very high, assuring coffee comes out almost to a diluted faint brown
color. Heat until almost warm. Don’t worry, as clients will add imitation
cream and sugar to the coffee making a solution to clean the acid from
their car, truck or RV batteries anyway.” Note: Do not sit on auto
finishes. Keep away from children under 18. Harmful to pets. Wear eye
protection. Upon eye contact, flush with fresh clean water. Contact
poison center. Do not allow skin contact. Dispose of in a class I,
biochemical container only. Must be 21 to consume on premises. Take
a thermos-full home, as it makes a great paint and varnish remover.
Trash mail. One solution to ease the burden of landfills is to outlaw
trash mail. Or at least charge them double 1st class, instead of cheap
bulk rates. A sizeable forest is harvested each year to make paper for
trash mail. The snail mail spammers are so deceptive, they try to make
envelopes look like official business, and trick folks into thinking a viable
cashable check is inside. Besides the trash mail, there is a gob of
newsprint flyers, all crumbled up in the mailbox too. I often wonder how
many folks have tossed out important mail, when they dump the spam
mail and flyers in the trashcan?
Parking spaces. I know land is scarce and at a premium in larger
metropolitan cities. But good grief, parking lots are full of landscape
islands that folks run over when backing out, and the parking spaces are
barely large enough for Mini-Coopers. My wife’s little Chevy is a tight
squeeze, and my GMC truck is a total nightmare filling a space from
white line to white line. Oh what the heck, dinged up doors and fenders
are a sign of the times, since we all have them.
Trucks passing. I have no toleration for two big rigs passing on a two
lane Interstate. These guys can’t stand a truck ahead them in the slow
lane going half a mile an hour slower then they want to go. Two blinks of
their turn signal, and they whip out causing you to stomp on your brakes
narrowly missing their rear end. Then it takes them ten miles to pass the
other truck at 56 miles per hour, on a 70 MPH Interstate. A line of 20
cars are behind the passing truck all frantically anticipating the passing
truck to clear, and get back in the slow lane. Then he decides to pass
the next truck too. By this time, I am almost to Dallas, and an hour late.
To Be Continued, as stuff drifts in . . . .Keep your hat on.
People that create computer viruses must be related to dung
worms, had a miserable childhood, tortured puppies and were picked on
in school by girls and nerds. I am convinced when they are arrested for
their cyber crimes, they should go to criminally insane institutions with
padded cells, big mean guards with attitudes and write home with
crayons.
People that are fussy about food. I can understand tastes, likes and
dislikes, but plane fussy to a narrow palette I don’t understand. I have
one food I will not eat – liver. All other editable foods of the world are on
the menu for me. I’ve eaten rattlesnake, buffalo, octopus, goat, urchin,
and alligator. Although not the tops on my food chain list, I however got
them down. I don’t eat broccoli much, as it affects me more severe than
Chili Beans. In fact if I eat broccoli, I eat beans first to rehearse for what
broccoli will do later. I could fill a propane tank for sure.
Email spam and phone spam are generated from scum sucking life
forms that do not have sex, but merely split into separate organisms.
I do not like commercials at the movies now. I paid top dollar to see
a movie. Then paid very high dollars for a bag of popcorn. Getting
commercials for fifteen minutes before show starts is just nuts. Who in
the heck doesn’t know what Coca Cola is? By the way, what happened
to the Warner Brothers cartoon before the show started? I lost track of
Elmer Fudd. Back a few decades ago we got two movies, a newsreel
and cartoon, for one low price when popcorn was ten cents a bag.
Most magazines these days are nothing more than 60 pages pf
commercial advertisements, filled with mail-in cards and stiff 80 pound
paper pages of ads that makes flipping through them impossible. You
get 80% advertisement, and maybe 15% worth of real articles. I
understand ads help pay the rent, but goodness, how about some meat
with all the potatoes. I still like the New Yorker and Look magazines.
Their cartoons are the greatest on earth.
I despise public drinking fountains out of control. I like the water ice
cold, and at a moderate stream. I was at doctor’s office building, and
headed to the drinking fountain. Pressing the on button, the water
gushed out splashing on the elevator door. Then someone flushed a
toilet, and it dwindled down to a trickle. Wal Mart most of the time has
the best drinking fountains found in public. Ice cold, moderate stream,
cleaned occasionally, low ones for wheel chairs and kids, tall ones for us
big folks. Lukewarm fountain water is related to lukewarm milk, and
Coke that lost its fizz.
I hate stale potato chips. Like eating a bad peanut, the stale chip
taste stays on the back of your palette all day long. Jack Daniels
straight won’t wash it off either. Kerosene might work. Burp.
I can’t stand the smell of a lady’s hair salon. The chemicals they
use make WD40 smell like carnations. I am convinced they are stoned
out of their minds when the ladies come home. You know; hungry,
giggling and happy. That is why they are always going back for a fix so
soon. It isn’t cheap either. You can buy good neighborhood crack
cheaper, than any fix at a salon. I’ve painted cars in tight quarters,
without a mask, and had better air quality than you find at a beauty
salon. More like a chemical whiff saloon to me.
I do not like Motel-Hotel Sandpaper. I mean, toilet paper.
Motel coffee recipe. You know the complimentary cup you get in the
lobby: “Take three black socks found on the laundry room floor, one
jock strap found under the dumpster, and add in yesterday’s soggy
coffee grounds to a level that will overspill into the urn when perking.
Take the mud and fertilizer covered rubber hose bought at the dollar
store out of the landscaping, and add water accordingly. Fill water level
very high, assuring coffee comes out almost to a diluted faint brown
color. Heat until almost warm. Don’t worry, as clients will add imitation
cream and sugar to the coffee making a solution to clean the acid from
their car, truck or RV batteries anyway.” Note: Do not sit on auto
finishes. Keep away from children under 18. Harmful to pets. Wear eye
protection. Upon eye contact, flush with fresh clean water. Contact
poison center. Do not allow skin contact. Dispose of in a class I,
biochemical container only. Must be 21 to consume on premises. Take
a thermos-full home, as it makes a great paint and varnish remover.
Trash mail. One solution to ease the burden of landfills is to outlaw
trash mail. Or at least charge them double 1st class, instead of cheap
bulk rates. A sizeable forest is harvested each year to make paper for
trash mail. The snail mail spammers are so deceptive, they try to make
envelopes look like official business, and trick folks into thinking a viable
cashable check is inside. Besides the trash mail, there is a gob of
newsprint flyers, all crumbled up in the mailbox too. I often wonder how
many folks have tossed out important mail, when they dump the spam
mail and flyers in the trashcan?
Parking spaces. I know land is scarce and at a premium in larger
metropolitan cities. But good grief, parking lots are full of landscape
islands that folks run over when backing out, and the parking spaces are
barely large enough for Mini-Coopers. My wife’s little Chevy is a tight
squeeze, and my GMC truck is a total nightmare filling a space from
white line to white line. Oh what the heck, dinged up doors and fenders
are a sign of the times, since we all have them.
Trucks passing. I have no toleration for two big rigs passing on a two
lane Interstate. These guys can’t stand a truck ahead them in the slow
lane going half a mile an hour slower then they want to go. Two blinks of
their turn signal, and they whip out causing you to stomp on your brakes
narrowly missing their rear end. Then it takes them ten miles to pass the
other truck at 56 miles per hour, on a 70 MPH Interstate. A line of 20
cars are behind the passing truck all frantically anticipating the passing
truck to clear, and get back in the slow lane. Then he decides to pass
the next truck too. By this time, I am almost to Dallas, and an hour late.
To Be Continued, as stuff drifts in . . . .Keep your hat on.
Here come's the Judge. I watch a lot of news, and read a lot
of newspapers that deal with current events. Not taking any
one slant seriously, I keep an open mind to weigh all the facts
as they unfold. A good way to watch and read media, is
consider they are all lying, to get ratings and sell commercial
air time. They are not your friends, but snake oil salesmen at
their gig. Lately, Judge Nalpolitano tickles me in his direct
approach, and hits the nail on the head that our freedoms are
at risk in the USA. Check him out:
www.freedomwatch.com
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Napolitano
of newspapers that deal with current events. Not taking any
one slant seriously, I keep an open mind to weigh all the facts
as they unfold. A good way to watch and read media, is
consider they are all lying, to get ratings and sell commercial
air time. They are not your friends, but snake oil salesmen at
their gig. Lately, Judge Nalpolitano tickles me in his direct
approach, and hits the nail on the head that our freedoms are
at risk in the USA. Check him out:
www.freedomwatch.com
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Napolitano
Check out this Metal Rock band,
that is fighting for our freedoms
through their music. They are
reaching our youth, with music. ---->
www.sons-of-liberty.net
that is fighting for our freedoms
through their music. They are
reaching our youth, with music. ---->
www.sons-of-liberty.net
| Main Web Site: Mike Dollins Guitar |
| Blues & Jazz News: Blues Guitar News.com |
Hello, as you can see I am still working on building this site. This blog was a brain fart I
had a few years ago, as I was busy writing for blues and jazz magazines. I've spent a
lifetime journalizing on music, but my private passion was politics, history, religion and
human nature in life. Starting my own publication in the garage around 1985, I put out
a blues magazine in Southern California during the 80's & 90's. When the Asian PC
clones came to our shores, I grabbed one and started banging away increasing my
journalistic output tremendously. A few decades back, it was easy to get published in
newspapers and magazines. - Fewer writers submitting drafts back then. Today, we live
in a much faster communication society. Printed media is suffering from jet lag, as by the
time the ink and paper comes off the press, it is yesterday's news before distribution is
completed. I went on-line in cyber space ten years ago, and my music e-zine has
collected 50,000 readers worldwide. Unheard of prior to the Internet. I still run the
music magazine, and you can find the link to it down below my monologue somewhere.
As I spread my wacky self styled writing around the face of our planet, most folks catch
on real quick to the tongue in check humor I am dishing out. Kind of a spin off of late
night talk show humor; Making light of serious subjects, to keep from crying and going
crazy over it all. Thank you for the opportunity to stretch out, and do my thing without
an editor red inking me into a shoe box. I'll keep improving the site, as time prevails. A
lot of the articles here, were published in print media somewhere along the line.
had a few years ago, as I was busy writing for blues and jazz magazines. I've spent a
lifetime journalizing on music, but my private passion was politics, history, religion and
human nature in life. Starting my own publication in the garage around 1985, I put out
a blues magazine in Southern California during the 80's & 90's. When the Asian PC
clones came to our shores, I grabbed one and started banging away increasing my
journalistic output tremendously. A few decades back, it was easy to get published in
newspapers and magazines. - Fewer writers submitting drafts back then. Today, we live
in a much faster communication society. Printed media is suffering from jet lag, as by the
time the ink and paper comes off the press, it is yesterday's news before distribution is
completed. I went on-line in cyber space ten years ago, and my music e-zine has
collected 50,000 readers worldwide. Unheard of prior to the Internet. I still run the
music magazine, and you can find the link to it down below my monologue somewhere.
As I spread my wacky self styled writing around the face of our planet, most folks catch
on real quick to the tongue in check humor I am dishing out. Kind of a spin off of late
night talk show humor; Making light of serious subjects, to keep from crying and going
crazy over it all. Thank you for the opportunity to stretch out, and do my thing without
an editor red inking me into a shoe box. I'll keep improving the site, as time prevails. A
lot of the articles here, were published in print media somewhere along the line.
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January 2011
| Ted Nugent for Secretary of State www.tednugent.com |
"The Home of Free Speech"
Famous Movie Quotes
| Mike Dollins |
As we whisk in the New Year, many of us look back at 2010 with a good riddance feeling. I had personal losses of
family and friends I was frustrated watching so many working families struggling to make ends meet, with dismal
paychecks ripped apart by withholding taxes. Gas has gone up, and there is a prediction prices will keep escalating
up until summer. There have been wars and rumor of wars all over the planet, and many families lost jobs, homes
and complete life savings. On the sunny side of the street, I had a lot of cherished moments with family. I met a whole
tassel of new friends on FaceBook, and started this new web site which is receiving great reviews. Many of my
Veteran friends are telling me, "Right on," and even a lot of writers are jumping in reading my critiques of big business
and government which I call "Life & Times in the United States." I'm starting to link a lot of new web site links with
interesting reads, and contrasting view points. I am not a single source person, and try to investigate differing views
on any given subject. With a Patriotic emphasis, which I see the younger generation jumping on the band wagon,
many of our civil liberties we've taken as a given fact, are in danger of over regulation now and in the future. In all the
serious stuff, I have a mixture of facetious humor to break the thread of sniffling and whining about our rights, and
what is in danger of being taken from us. There is a lot to see and do on this site, including links to music webs too.
Be sure to use your cursor to pan to the right, as this page is long and very wide. A project in progress. Mike
family and friends I was frustrated watching so many working families struggling to make ends meet, with dismal
paychecks ripped apart by withholding taxes. Gas has gone up, and there is a prediction prices will keep escalating
up until summer. There have been wars and rumor of wars all over the planet, and many families lost jobs, homes
and complete life savings. On the sunny side of the street, I had a lot of cherished moments with family. I met a whole
tassel of new friends on FaceBook, and started this new web site which is receiving great reviews. Many of my
Veteran friends are telling me, "Right on," and even a lot of writers are jumping in reading my critiques of big business
and government which I call "Life & Times in the United States." I'm starting to link a lot of new web site links with
interesting reads, and contrasting view points. I am not a single source person, and try to investigate differing views
on any given subject. With a Patriotic emphasis, which I see the younger generation jumping on the band wagon,
many of our civil liberties we've taken as a given fact, are in danger of over regulation now and in the future. In all the
serious stuff, I have a mixture of facetious humor to break the thread of sniffling and whining about our rights, and
what is in danger of being taken from us. There is a lot to see and do on this site, including links to music webs too.
Be sure to use your cursor to pan to the right, as this page is long and very wide. A project in progress. Mike
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