It has been a while since I've been here. If you're reading this, thank you for stopping in!
It seems people are becoming worse and worse and worse every day. The things people will do, or say, or condone from their children is becoming more and more appalling.
Now let's get this out of the way right off the bat. This is NOT going to be a political rant, though I could certainly make it one easily. And that means from or for either camp! But I'm not going to do that. I have friends who share my views and friends who don't. I am not going alienate anyone. I love my friends. I have tried to remain calm and not get swept up in any frenzy. Gonna try to keep being that way. But... I digress.
I saw on the news the other night where a fight broke out in the hallway at a school. Involved? Students AND parents! Can you believe that? Parents fighting in the halls. Some did the "pull-off-your-shirt-and-look-bad" thing. Grown. Adults. You got that? And people wonder why things like the Knockout Game go on.
It makes me want to regurgitate when I see a news story where we see video of a punk/thug/criminal committing a heinous crime, and the parent is complaining that their little angel did nothing wrong; just needs to be understood and hugged; and it's everydamnbody's fault but the little nare-do-well. Really? REALLY?? It's MY fault your little piece of wasted molecules is committing crimes?
Last night, I was witness to another such terrible show of asinine adult behavior.
Some of you know that I work for a school district. Part of my job is to video record School Board meetings for public record. So I am at all of them, and hear all the proceedings. Sometimes it's quite rewarding - someone being honored for a great accomplishment. A student being honored for being the Outstanding Something in the Nation. Sometimes it sucks badly. Like last night...
Mixed in with some really nice recognitions and such, was a contingent of folks - adults and students - imploring the school board to incorporate a new athletic sport into the district's offerings. It couldn't come at a worse time. The legislature voted that same day on items that will severely affect many districts financially. Now, add the request for a new sports program? Not good timing. And the folks doing the requesting didn't give two-hoots-in-hell about the funding woes. They felt they had an answer for it. They feel that enough people want to come out to watch Lacrosse, that it would pay for itself. Yeah...ok. When the direction of the board's comments swayed from the rose-covered welcoming the crowd wanted to hear, they became jerks. There was rude shouting, booing, heckling -- all being done by the PARENTS of the students in attendance. WHAT THE HELL KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU SETTING?!?! (Sorry for yelling.)
We wonder why the young people of today feel entitled. We wonder why the young people of today have no respect for authority. We wonder why the young people of today have no sense of responsibility for their actions. This is why. And until those parents start figuring out how badly they are ruining their children, things will only get worse.
I guess it might stop when young people start deciding their parents have lived long enough and aren't needed anymore.
Damn.
.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
…About Feet.
OK. I haven't been here in a while, and a couple of people have prompted, so here we go. Hang on!
I have marveled for many years at the human. None of us can fathom the intricacies of God's work in creating such a machine. Hundreds of puzzle pieces that connect here to affect some function there to reach the result of this and help us accomplish that. So wonderfully amazing. Whenever I see some program on Discovery or Science or whatever, I am so engrossed in the sheer awesomeness of what we, generally, don't ever think about. That's the part about the inside.
On the outside - more amazement. Though there are exceptions, people have all the same exterior pieces. 2 ears, 2 eyes, 2 arms, 2 legs, a nose, a mouth, a butt… you get the picture. Everybody has the same parts, but how those parts line up, how they look combined, is truly a work of art. I have the same parts as George Clooney and Harrison Ford, but I will admit that I probably don't look quite as good as they. (It's close, but not quite.)
And - Everybody has feet. And 99.9999% of feet are not pretty. And of that 99.9999%, the majority are pretty ugly.
What are you gonna do with those? Sit on a telephone wire?
For many years I have felt that God may have said, "Everybody is going to have something that is ugly. If it's not anything else, it'll be feet." Now I don't know if God really said that or not. I don't pretend to have that type of knowledge. There are those who believe they know God's thoughts or reasons. I think they are full of hooey. If you give them long enough, they usually show their ridiculousness and fakeness. BUT… I digress.
Some of the most beautiful people I have ever known - male and female - have the ugliest feet. I mean swoop-down-outta-the-sky-and-grab-a-fish ugly! And I get that, and it's OK, just please keep them things covered up so we don't have to see 'em!
I won't even get into the conversation about WalMart feet - should be no need. Hopefully there's not any question what them things look like. YUK! "At least hit them things with a wash rag!" But that is a prime example of what I'm talking about. I'm not sure most people have any sense of what they look like to other people. How can people who have any sense of what looks nice and what doesn't go out in public waving them fins around for the rest of us to try not to look at? I suppose there is a point where some would say, "I just don't care what others think." That's too bad. You should have better friends - someone who will tell you your feets is U-G-L-Y!
OH! Here's one for you:
Them things belong to a famous celebrity! I won't mention names, but she OWNs her OWN network, and if you spell her name backwards, it is the same as a famous Marx brother.
Now some people have been blessed with pretty feet. I know some. Lucky them. I bet they've got stinky pits and belly-button lint. But as I say, there aren't too many.
I'm not trying to be a jerk. I promise. All I'm asking is that we all think a little before we do that foot selfie. Take a good look down and, if you feel like "maybe these are less than desirable", enjoy sporting a really nice, covering sandal. I think it's great to let us all know that the beach vacation is going so wonderfully, but, personally, I'd rather see your smiling face with the waves in the background than your stinky, sandy, tired dogs. Toe nail polish? Not always very effective - see above picture. Maybe put some socks on and leave a little to the imagination. "I bet that's some sexy toes under yonder!"
And, yes, I love flip-flops as much as the next person, but when I go somewhere, I put on topsiders. I'm just sayin'.
.
I have marveled for many years at the human. None of us can fathom the intricacies of God's work in creating such a machine. Hundreds of puzzle pieces that connect here to affect some function there to reach the result of this and help us accomplish that. So wonderfully amazing. Whenever I see some program on Discovery or Science or whatever, I am so engrossed in the sheer awesomeness of what we, generally, don't ever think about. That's the part about the inside.
On the outside - more amazement. Though there are exceptions, people have all the same exterior pieces. 2 ears, 2 eyes, 2 arms, 2 legs, a nose, a mouth, a butt… you get the picture. Everybody has the same parts, but how those parts line up, how they look combined, is truly a work of art. I have the same parts as George Clooney and Harrison Ford, but I will admit that I probably don't look quite as good as they. (It's close, but not quite.)
And - Everybody has feet. And 99.9999% of feet are not pretty. And of that 99.9999%, the majority are pretty ugly.
What are you gonna do with those? Sit on a telephone wire?
For many years I have felt that God may have said, "Everybody is going to have something that is ugly. If it's not anything else, it'll be feet." Now I don't know if God really said that or not. I don't pretend to have that type of knowledge. There are those who believe they know God's thoughts or reasons. I think they are full of hooey. If you give them long enough, they usually show their ridiculousness and fakeness. BUT… I digress.
Some of the most beautiful people I have ever known - male and female - have the ugliest feet. I mean swoop-down-outta-the-sky-and-grab-a-fish ugly! And I get that, and it's OK, just please keep them things covered up so we don't have to see 'em!
I won't even get into the conversation about WalMart feet - should be no need. Hopefully there's not any question what them things look like. YUK! "At least hit them things with a wash rag!" But that is a prime example of what I'm talking about. I'm not sure most people have any sense of what they look like to other people. How can people who have any sense of what looks nice and what doesn't go out in public waving them fins around for the rest of us to try not to look at? I suppose there is a point where some would say, "I just don't care what others think." That's too bad. You should have better friends - someone who will tell you your feets is U-G-L-Y!
OH! Here's one for you:
Them things belong to a famous celebrity! I won't mention names, but she OWNs her OWN network, and if you spell her name backwards, it is the same as a famous Marx brother.
Now some people have been blessed with pretty feet. I know some. Lucky them. I bet they've got stinky pits and belly-button lint. But as I say, there aren't too many.
I'm not trying to be a jerk. I promise. All I'm asking is that we all think a little before we do that foot selfie. Take a good look down and, if you feel like "maybe these are less than desirable", enjoy sporting a really nice, covering sandal. I think it's great to let us all know that the beach vacation is going so wonderfully, but, personally, I'd rather see your smiling face with the waves in the background than your stinky, sandy, tired dogs. Toe nail polish? Not always very effective - see above picture. Maybe put some socks on and leave a little to the imagination. "I bet that's some sexy toes under yonder!"
And, yes, I love flip-flops as much as the next person, but when I go somewhere, I put on topsiders. I'm just sayin'.
.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
…About Referees, Rules, and Replacements
Well, hello! Welcome back… It's been a while, but I feel like it's finally time to have a conversation I've been thinking about for quite some time.
I think it's time to start holding referees' feet to the fire.
When video review in football first came around, I was not a big fan. "Don't take out the human factor," I said. "Video will take over the game," I said. "We don't need the annoyance," I said.
Perhaps I was a bit quick to judge. There have been many occasions where I have been happy to see the replay review change the call.
Admittedly, it is always a happy thing when that call reversal benefits my own team, but I feel I am honest enough to appreciate getting it right even when it benefits the opponent. This is especially true when it deals with things like "targeting," or a call that could change history. (If you don't get what I mean by that last phrase, it's ok.)
I have a few friends who are "stripes." My dear friend John is one of the hardest working officials I know. By his character, he strives to call the most near-perfect game he is capable of calling. That's his nature. He couldn't look in the mirror if it were any other way. So, John, Rennie, Dan, et al, please don't flag me for Unsportsmanlike Conduct when I continue my rant. But… I digress.
If we (editorially) are going to use video replay to determine the outcome of a play, or decide whether or not a player was trying to play dirty, or whether or not it was actually a fumble, we need to use it to confirm whether or not an official is worth having on the field.
I am not an official; have not done the schooling for it. I am like so many millions of others - an armchair Coach/Quarterback/Referee. What I am is able to see what is going on during a play. Now I know there are many things that official is supposed to be watching. I get that. But when there is a penalty that is so obvious my Great Dane can see it, that's just wrong and the unseeing official should be held accountable. (No, I have no Great Dane, but you get my point.)
Here comes today's prime example. I am currently watching a bowl game, the very clear underdog is trying to make a game of it. The wide receiver goes long - post pattern to the goal line. The defensive back for We're So Great U is beaten. At the point of the catch it is as clear as well water that the DB is holding the WR's arm. The replay shows two officials looking dead at the play. Neither throws a flag. NEITHER throws a flag! How can you tell ANYONE that there was no foul? How can you tell ANYONE that you didn't see it? That's just pure bad officiating.
Here's the next point: Rules. Are. Rules. There is no softening of that fact. Rules. Are. Rules. The rules of any game are the rules of the game and are to be followed. That is how life operates. That's just the way it is. The most asinine statements made every game are:
* You gotta let 'em play.
* That wasn't much of a hold.
* It's gonna be a long game if you're gonna call every little thing.
* That's a good No-Call. That statement makes me want to instigate violence more than any other.
If it's a rule that you can't do this or that, when someone does this or that, it's a penalty. Period. Done. Fini. Over. End of conversation. Throw the flag, walk it off, press on.
So here is my solution to bad officiating. If a replay shows an official blatantly miss a call, or choose to make a no-call on a clear penalty play, on the third occasion, have the official removed from the game and replaced. And this should be a "challengeable" thing. Three strikes and you're out. If you're not going to be efficiently effective, you get to sit out - and with no pay, mind you. Make the calls, correctly, or take a seat.
And NO calls are above being challenged. I know an official is not going to see every single thing. There are too many things going on. But there are many, many, many things that are not called that are pure ridiculousness.
Surely this would be fair! Absolutely nothing less is expected of us in our jobs!
.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
...About Being Fed Up
Well... Hello again! It has been a while since I've written anything here. I guess the reason would be that things have just been kinda rocking' along - not perfect, but not too bad. I've never been one to want to write or post every move I make - please refer back to the blog entry "...About Social Media", April of 2012 - so I don't always have that much to say. I'm not interesting enough that my daily occurrences would be compelling reading. The things I do from day to day would seem interesting to some, out of the ordinary to others, and just plain boring to most. But... I digress!
I am sick to damn death of it, and I can't stand it any longer without blowing off some steam about it. I have had all I can stand of the bullshit about changing our country, and our flag, and our mannerisms, and our religious practices, and our way of dress, and our Driver's License pictures, and every other damn thing about OUR way of life to avoid offending some maniacal religious group that hates our country anyway! We - not me, the editorial "we" - have changed damn near everything about our way of living in this FREE country named The United States of America. And all to appease a bunch of terrorists posing as crying religious fanatics who want to create such a pacifist nation that it will be easy to overthrow and destroy.
It seems to be working, too. We have become so soft; so swayed by this pacifist, pansy-ass way of thinking, that there are those who are currently feeling sorry for the Boston Marathon bomber and think "maybe he's learned from this and is changed." ARE YOU PEOPLE THAT DAMN STUPID!?! From the time you're old enough to stop peeing in your pants you know what is right and wrong. You know what is acceptable and what is not. I have two brothers, a year apart each from me. I can assure you that none of the three of us could ever have swayed the other to do something he knew was wrong, if he didn't want to do it. Never. And yet, having become so frikkin' "politically correct" and "more accepting of others' beliefs", we have one ridiculously gullible herd of lemmings after another marching right off the damn cliff by espousing some bullshit about how WE need to change to accommodate those with differing feelings. Screw their feelings! If they want to be in this country, be in THIS country.
The latest I've seen today is that the Catholic School Crosses violate Muslim rights at Catholic University. Apparently, too, there aren't enough prayer rooms for the Muslim students (at this private CATHOLIC institution), so they have to pray in rooms with Christian artifacts and symbols in the room. (Please forgive me, Sister Johanna) TOUGH SHIT! Don't like it? LEAVE.
English is our language. Learn it or LEAVE.
Religion is a free right. To believe and practice, or the choice not to practice is a free right. No matter what faith. Don't like that? LEAVE.
Sexual Preference is a free right. In so much as it doesn't impose itself into another's lifestyle, no problem. Don't like that? LEAVE.
There are so many other examples like these, but you see what I'm saying. If you don't want to abide by this country's laws, and practices, and beliefs get the hell out! We won't care. We won't miss you. We won't cry when you're gone. There are many, many, many who want to come here to pursue a better life. We don't need your crying, subversive, entitled ass here.
We have so many, many problems in our country that must be overcome. Those of us who are citizens here have so much work to do already. We have to continue to better our relationships with our neighbors. We have to work very, very hard to improve our race relations and equality; our gender equality; our economic foundation; and our positive influence in raising our children.
We have a lot of stupid people in our country who "belong" here. We have a boat load of work to do already. But that's our row to hoe. We, the people of this country will work on it, and make mistakes, and work on it some more. We may fight among ourselves, but as they say in south Alabama, "Don't be gettin' all up in the middle of my family!" You fanatic "sumbitches that ain't from 'round here" need to realize this: the people of The United States of America will join together and will whip your ass if you think for a moment that you're going to destroy the freedoms we have. Think not? Look back at the unity of our country on Sept. 11, 2001. We will 2x4 and baseball bat your stupid ass back to the Stone Age.
And I, for one, think it's just about time.
.
I am sick to damn death of it, and I can't stand it any longer without blowing off some steam about it. I have had all I can stand of the bullshit about changing our country, and our flag, and our mannerisms, and our religious practices, and our way of dress, and our Driver's License pictures, and every other damn thing about OUR way of life to avoid offending some maniacal religious group that hates our country anyway! We - not me, the editorial "we" - have changed damn near everything about our way of living in this FREE country named The United States of America. And all to appease a bunch of terrorists posing as crying religious fanatics who want to create such a pacifist nation that it will be easy to overthrow and destroy.
It seems to be working, too. We have become so soft; so swayed by this pacifist, pansy-ass way of thinking, that there are those who are currently feeling sorry for the Boston Marathon bomber and think "maybe he's learned from this and is changed." ARE YOU PEOPLE THAT DAMN STUPID!?! From the time you're old enough to stop peeing in your pants you know what is right and wrong. You know what is acceptable and what is not. I have two brothers, a year apart each from me. I can assure you that none of the three of us could ever have swayed the other to do something he knew was wrong, if he didn't want to do it. Never. And yet, having become so frikkin' "politically correct" and "more accepting of others' beliefs", we have one ridiculously gullible herd of lemmings after another marching right off the damn cliff by espousing some bullshit about how WE need to change to accommodate those with differing feelings. Screw their feelings! If they want to be in this country, be in THIS country.
The latest I've seen today is that the Catholic School Crosses violate Muslim rights at Catholic University. Apparently, too, there aren't enough prayer rooms for the Muslim students (at this private CATHOLIC institution), so they have to pray in rooms with Christian artifacts and symbols in the room. (Please forgive me, Sister Johanna) TOUGH SHIT! Don't like it? LEAVE.
English is our language. Learn it or LEAVE.
Religion is a free right. To believe and practice, or the choice not to practice is a free right. No matter what faith. Don't like that? LEAVE.
Sexual Preference is a free right. In so much as it doesn't impose itself into another's lifestyle, no problem. Don't like that? LEAVE.
There are so many other examples like these, but you see what I'm saying. If you don't want to abide by this country's laws, and practices, and beliefs get the hell out! We won't care. We won't miss you. We won't cry when you're gone. There are many, many, many who want to come here to pursue a better life. We don't need your crying, subversive, entitled ass here.
We have so many, many problems in our country that must be overcome. Those of us who are citizens here have so much work to do already. We have to continue to better our relationships with our neighbors. We have to work very, very hard to improve our race relations and equality; our gender equality; our economic foundation; and our positive influence in raising our children.
We have a lot of stupid people in our country who "belong" here. We have a boat load of work to do already. But that's our row to hoe. We, the people of this country will work on it, and make mistakes, and work on it some more. We may fight among ourselves, but as they say in south Alabama, "Don't be gettin' all up in the middle of my family!" You fanatic "sumbitches that ain't from 'round here" need to realize this: the people of The United States of America will join together and will whip your ass if you think for a moment that you're going to destroy the freedoms we have. Think not? Look back at the unity of our country on Sept. 11, 2001. We will 2x4 and baseball bat your stupid ass back to the Stone Age.
And I, for one, think it's just about time.
.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
…About My Name
You know, spelling my last name is not really a "gimme." I get that. It's spelled M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y. OK, yeah, it's got a bucketful of "E"s in it. I get that the usual spelling has only two. M-c-N-e-e-l-y. So when I first meet someone, I could see where they might make a mistake. Once.
I say "Once" because I am very clear on how to spell my name. As soon as someone starts to write it down, I am very clear and helpful. "That's M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y." Now you have no excuse. I don't have some deep Southern drawl that makes it difficult to understand. I'm not generally one who mumbles. "M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y." It's pretty easy really.
Through these many years, I have had some very interesting spellings from people who seemed at the time to be pretty intelligent. McNeely, MacNelly, McNealy, MacNealey… You see what I'm saying. The favorite (not really) of all time: MacKnealy. Where the hell did you get that??!
I also get quite miffed when someone is just lazy. (On the phone) "OK, hold on while I ask Mr. Neely…" Really? REALLY?? "Mr. Neely"?? Are you too lazy to give me ALL of my name? It makes me want to return the favor. "Why of course, Bar, I'll get it for you." "Sure thing, Mr. Washin, here you go."
It's not just my last name, either. My first name is Paul. Do me a favor… say that aloud a time or two. Paul. Paul. Does that sound like anything else to you? I surely hope not. Now I worked in radio for many years. I have done public speaking for many years. I have worked as the announcer for a college band program for many years. (Actually I am now in the 19th year!) So I know how to speak. Now, you please tell me, how does "Paul" sound like anything else?? It doesn't. But I can't tell you how many times I get this: "Hi, I'm Paul." "Hi, Tom, nice to meet you."
WHISKEY-TANGO-FOXTROT, OVER?!
How the HELL did you get Tom from Paul? Geez, Louise. Please Pay Attention!
Now here comes the good part of that one. I saw a copy of a letter from one of those moments where the guy said he had spoken with… wait for it… TOM MCKINLEY. Holy shit!! (Sorry.) But… I digress.
I have, in the last two weeks, gotten emails at work from separate folks who, in the body of the emails, type my name as M-c-N-e-e-l-y, but then send it to me with the spelling of M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y. (In my best whiny voice) Whyyyy??
I have friends with out-of-the-ordinary last names. My buddy Nick's last name is Efstathiou. Try saying that one correctly! But try to spell it without practice. Not easy. Lydia's last name is Mitrevski. Not an easy one. But you know what? I spell them correctly. You know why? Because it's important to me. I know how I feel when someone can't get mine right. I don't want to do that to someone else.
So the whole point to my rant is this simple thing: Pay attention to people. When you meet someone, look them in the eye and warmly repeat their name. "Hi, Paul, it's nice to meet you." Be careful to understand. If you don't understand, ask. I would FAR rather someone ask me to repeat my name than call me Tom McKinley. I promise you, no one who suffers this same aggravation would think less of you for asking.
Personally, I'd truly appreciate it!
.
I say "Once" because I am very clear on how to spell my name. As soon as someone starts to write it down, I am very clear and helpful. "That's M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y." Now you have no excuse. I don't have some deep Southern drawl that makes it difficult to understand. I'm not generally one who mumbles. "M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y." It's pretty easy really.
Through these many years, I have had some very interesting spellings from people who seemed at the time to be pretty intelligent. McNeely, MacNelly, McNealy, MacNealey… You see what I'm saying. The favorite (not really) of all time: MacKnealy. Where the hell did you get that??!
I also get quite miffed when someone is just lazy. (On the phone) "OK, hold on while I ask Mr. Neely…" Really? REALLY?? "Mr. Neely"?? Are you too lazy to give me ALL of my name? It makes me want to return the favor. "Why of course, Bar, I'll get it for you." "Sure thing, Mr. Washin, here you go."
It's not just my last name, either. My first name is Paul. Do me a favor… say that aloud a time or two. Paul. Paul. Does that sound like anything else to you? I surely hope not. Now I worked in radio for many years. I have done public speaking for many years. I have worked as the announcer for a college band program for many years. (Actually I am now in the 19th year!) So I know how to speak. Now, you please tell me, how does "Paul" sound like anything else?? It doesn't. But I can't tell you how many times I get this: "Hi, I'm Paul." "Hi, Tom, nice to meet you."
WHISKEY-TANGO-FOXTROT, OVER?!
How the HELL did you get Tom from Paul? Geez, Louise. Please Pay Attention!
Now here comes the good part of that one. I saw a copy of a letter from one of those moments where the guy said he had spoken with… wait for it… TOM MCKINLEY. Holy shit!! (Sorry.) But… I digress.
I have, in the last two weeks, gotten emails at work from separate folks who, in the body of the emails, type my name as M-c-N-e-e-l-y, but then send it to me with the spelling of M-c-N-e-e-l-e-y. (In my best whiny voice) Whyyyy??
I have friends with out-of-the-ordinary last names. My buddy Nick's last name is Efstathiou. Try saying that one correctly! But try to spell it without practice. Not easy. Lydia's last name is Mitrevski. Not an easy one. But you know what? I spell them correctly. You know why? Because it's important to me. I know how I feel when someone can't get mine right. I don't want to do that to someone else.
So the whole point to my rant is this simple thing: Pay attention to people. When you meet someone, look them in the eye and warmly repeat their name. "Hi, Paul, it's nice to meet you." Be careful to understand. If you don't understand, ask. I would FAR rather someone ask me to repeat my name than call me Tom McKinley. I promise you, no one who suffers this same aggravation would think less of you for asking.
Personally, I'd truly appreciate it!
.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
...About Social Stupidity
You know, I've been putting this off for a while now, but time is up. I just can't stand it any longer. It is absolutely ridiculous how many people post one thing after another on social media sites, hoping it will garner large attention, with either HUGE mistakes or just plain STUPID thought.
Being one of those who reads things for exactly what they say, I am constantly amazed by the lack of attention paid by people making public statements. With the worldwide popularity of Facebook, it just becomes easier and easier for people to be in the public vision. Most of them should not be.
We begin our look at this foolishness with a post from Facebook. Let's look at several examples of stupid in one poster:
A.) OK... I will let the artistic freedom flow and overlook that it is in all lowercase;
B.) Sister Johanna would smack me wall-eyed if I ever spelled God with a lowercase "G." Artistic license or not;
C.) Sister Damien (not as physically torturous as Sister Johanna) would very pointedly correct me if I spelled a personal pronoun reference to God with a lowercase "H;"
D.) We are given a period in sentence 1, but not in sentence 2;
E.) I don't suppose God would appreciate a 120 second deadline; and
F.) I don't suppose He would consider any miracle a "fav."
Stupid people... Not just once, twice!!
This next one is certifiable proof that my wife doesn't love me. It must be true... She didn't make this next poster her status. ☹
My dad is, obviously, the laziest, non-caring, most slacking mean jerk ever on the face of the planet - all because I didn't post this. (My father is not on Facebook.)
My favorite type of stupidity is next. Because we aren't given a comma for clarity, she is saying that "heat assists in reducing weight problems because it makes things expand." We certainly know that what she meant was, "Since heat makes things expand, I'm not heavy, I'm expanded."
Now before we go any further, let me be very clear. I have the greatest mother, father, siblings, wife, friends, life, etc. in the world. I wish everyone could be as fortunate as I have been. I am also very cool with people posting their belief in and love for God. More and more of that can only be a good thing. I just choose not to post those types of things. It's a personal choice kinda thing. But… I digress!
Having set the tone of what we're talking about, I will simply share a few more and let you enjoy the stupidity.
My Mmother would be appreciative.
So much stupidity… so little time.
I am not trying to be holier-than-thou, or smarter-than-thou, or anything-elser-than-thou. I just get aggravated at people who continually post things with such glaring, ridiculous mistakes.
Up to this point, I have been complaining about this circumstance from a social media standpoint. Sadly, it is prevalent everywhere. Listen to the news, watch your favorite sitcom, go to church, listen to politicians speak. It's all over and, from what I can tell from many, many of my friends, it's making all of us want to run through the streets screaming, "PLEASE use a damn comma!" "It's 'ME'… everyone was happy for him and ME!" "You SAW him… you didn't SEEN him!"
For many years, people in other countries have put down our country for the way we talk and the way our language works. "Why is there a difference between 'tear' and 'tear'?" With the brutal way in which so many people butcher the language grammatically, both in speaking and in writing, it's no surprise anyone outside the country would be confused. Hell, obviously the people who were born and raised here are confused!
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Friday, February 28, 2014
…About Threats, and Russia, and Fear
I am an American. I am a God-fearing proud American. My brother calls me a zealous patriot. I can handle that. I am a proud retiree from the Army National Guard of the United States of America with 30 years of service to the country I love. I bleed Red, White, and Blue. I get angry at protestors who desecrate my flag. I support their right to protest, not their right to burn my flag. I get fired up at stories of people who feel this country owes them something more than the absolute freedoms they already enjoy and take for granted. I put my hand over my heart during the Star Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance. I would gladly take nothing more than a 2X4 into defense of this country if I had nothing more.
And I am scared.
With the situation in Ukraine moving into a tense hotspot, the president of the United States has threatened Russia. "…there will be consequences…" Now there are those who will say that statement can be referring to sanctions, or embargoes, or other non-conflict means. And maybe that is what is being implied - BUT - words are what they are… words. And the words used can be taken to mean different things to each person who hears them. And each person decides how they will hear them and how they will respond to them.
Before I go any farther in this, let me be very clear on something. In this moment, while expressing my concern, I am not going to bash any party, or any individual. I do not like nor agree with many of the things going on in our country right now, but that is my opinion. As I've said before, opinions are like armpits - everybody has a couple and they all stink. I have friends, dear friends, with political views different from mine, and that's okay. It is not my intent to alienate anyone, nor start any argument.
No matter a person's political preference, or even lack thereof, this type of threatening should shake you to your boots. How can any leader threaten such a massive powerhouse mere days after announcing that our military is going to be gutted. State's National Guard units will be slashed or shut down completely. Those very National Guard units that were originally formed in the 1600s to protect our own shores from invasion and attack. (Spring of 1636 for those who may be wondering.) Active duty unit levels to be lower than pre-WWII. Hear that again - the military at a lower level of manpower than BEFORE WORLD WAR II.
This scares the hell out of me.
Did you watch the Olympics? Did you ever see anyone any scarier than Vladimir Putin? Even when smiling and golf-clapping his own athletes, he looked like a man ready to pull someone's head off their neck with his bare hands. Yes, it was well-reported and pontificated that Russia's Olympic Games were "all about Russia, and all about Putin." He was making a visual statement seen 'round the world. And it was. And it is scary. He has shown on numerous occasions that he is scared of no one, and will do whatever it takes for everyone to know HE is in charge and in control.
He scares the hell out of me.
I don't know what will happen next. I don't know all the political posturing that may be happening out of sight right now. I don't know how to feel about our chances if something does break out. I DO know that I will begin reading and absorbing more information about the comparisons between our country's power and Russia's power. And I also know that we, as Americans, must become concerned about where our country is going, no matter who is running it. And we must figure out how to save this country, or we will one day lose it.
And that scares the hell out of me more than anything else.
.
And I am scared.
With the situation in Ukraine moving into a tense hotspot, the president of the United States has threatened Russia. "…there will be consequences…" Now there are those who will say that statement can be referring to sanctions, or embargoes, or other non-conflict means. And maybe that is what is being implied - BUT - words are what they are… words. And the words used can be taken to mean different things to each person who hears them. And each person decides how they will hear them and how they will respond to them.
Before I go any farther in this, let me be very clear on something. In this moment, while expressing my concern, I am not going to bash any party, or any individual. I do not like nor agree with many of the things going on in our country right now, but that is my opinion. As I've said before, opinions are like armpits - everybody has a couple and they all stink. I have friends, dear friends, with political views different from mine, and that's okay. It is not my intent to alienate anyone, nor start any argument.
No matter a person's political preference, or even lack thereof, this type of threatening should shake you to your boots. How can any leader threaten such a massive powerhouse mere days after announcing that our military is going to be gutted. State's National Guard units will be slashed or shut down completely. Those very National Guard units that were originally formed in the 1600s to protect our own shores from invasion and attack. (Spring of 1636 for those who may be wondering.) Active duty unit levels to be lower than pre-WWII. Hear that again - the military at a lower level of manpower than BEFORE WORLD WAR II.
This scares the hell out of me.
Did you watch the Olympics? Did you ever see anyone any scarier than Vladimir Putin? Even when smiling and golf-clapping his own athletes, he looked like a man ready to pull someone's head off their neck with his bare hands. Yes, it was well-reported and pontificated that Russia's Olympic Games were "all about Russia, and all about Putin." He was making a visual statement seen 'round the world. And it was. And it is scary. He has shown on numerous occasions that he is scared of no one, and will do whatever it takes for everyone to know HE is in charge and in control.
He scares the hell out of me.
I don't know what will happen next. I don't know all the political posturing that may be happening out of sight right now. I don't know how to feel about our chances if something does break out. I DO know that I will begin reading and absorbing more information about the comparisons between our country's power and Russia's power. And I also know that we, as Americans, must become concerned about where our country is going, no matter who is running it. And we must figure out how to save this country, or we will one day lose it.
And that scares the hell out of me more than anything else.
.
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