I used to work in a clock store. One Christmas we advertised a special grandfather clock for $995. Sold a bunch of them. A fellow called to verify the price, then came in with his sons. They got the grand tour of all the features. Burled wood panels, gold-plated numerals, beveled glass, the works. "We'll take three!" I excitedly rang up the sale, which came to just over three thousand dollars. He about had a stroke... "Three thousand dollars? That should be thirty dollars!!!" He genuinely believed the price was $9.95 each, even though he'd seen the beautiful clock.
They left the store in a snit, but long afterward there was still the lingering fragrance in the air of the word- DUH!!!!!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Lawmakers for hire
Don't you just love the "Washington" crowd? Our lawmakers are paid very well. Their health benefits put ours to shame. Travel, power, notariety, more power, perks up the wazoo, lobbyists clammoring to shower them with gifts and affection. Not to mention the occasional intern; oh yeah, and power! And then there's the retirement benefit, but we'll get to that. It's no wonder they can spend millions trying to get into office.
In exchange for all that, what do they DO? Sure, they make laws, but how many laws do we really need? Think about the last few times you watched the news. How many legislators were shown grandstanding about something, whether it be Iraq, White House policy, supreme court nominations or something else? How often are they given photo opportunities in the name of bi-partisan bickering? How many of them have a voting record higher than 75%? Shouldn't they be voting ALL the time? How can they represent us unless they actually show up and have their vote count? Then again, who do they represent more, us or special interest lobbies? And then there's the list floating around about how many lawmakers are lawbreakers, but they get away with it and we keep inviting them back.
Recently I heard a report about one of our illustrious senators. After he retires, he'll get an "estimated" (because it's supposed to be a secret) $150K annually for the rest of his life, plus health and a 401K. Not only that but he's currently signed up for social security. Ok, lots of employers offer retirement, but with all he's getting now and will get from us, we still get to give him social security and that sweet medical plan while many of us depend entirely on SS and medicare!
Where is Mr. Smith when we need him? Whatever happened to idealism... morality? Where is government of the people, by the people and for the people? Washington is becoming more infected with politicians who suck the blood of America while they follow their own agenda and feed their bloated egos. Shouldn't we do something, or will we continue to follow like mindless sheep? Who are the "public servants" now?
How about a few changes?
Let's start a new trend. Let's get rid of the sloth machine. Fewer perks. Vote out the dead wood. Encourage legislators to be responsible for their service and behavior. Have them get in, make a difference and then get out. They'll be more effective, the country will be better off and we'll save a whole lot of money.
In exchange for all that, what do they DO? Sure, they make laws, but how many laws do we really need? Think about the last few times you watched the news. How many legislators were shown grandstanding about something, whether it be Iraq, White House policy, supreme court nominations or something else? How often are they given photo opportunities in the name of bi-partisan bickering? How many of them have a voting record higher than 75%? Shouldn't they be voting ALL the time? How can they represent us unless they actually show up and have their vote count? Then again, who do they represent more, us or special interest lobbies? And then there's the list floating around about how many lawmakers are lawbreakers, but they get away with it and we keep inviting them back.
Recently I heard a report about one of our illustrious senators. After he retires, he'll get an "estimated" (because it's supposed to be a secret) $150K annually for the rest of his life, plus health and a 401K. Not only that but he's currently signed up for social security. Ok, lots of employers offer retirement, but with all he's getting now and will get from us, we still get to give him social security and that sweet medical plan while many of us depend entirely on SS and medicare!
Where is Mr. Smith when we need him? Whatever happened to idealism... morality? Where is government of the people, by the people and for the people? Washington is becoming more infected with politicians who suck the blood of America while they follow their own agenda and feed their bloated egos. Shouldn't we do something, or will we continue to follow like mindless sheep? Who are the "public servants" now?
How about a few changes?
- Term Limits- no more career politicians. Works for the presidency!
- With term limits comes no need for a retirement package. We'll save billions!
- Standard medical benefits or medicare.
- No self-voted pay raises for legislators. Flat cost of living or public vote.
- Salary and benefits determined by active service. 60% vote record = 60% pay
- Expulsion for criminal behavior
- Either limit or eliminate lobbying.
Let's start a new trend. Let's get rid of the sloth machine. Fewer perks. Vote out the dead wood. Encourage legislators to be responsible for their service and behavior. Have them get in, make a difference and then get out. They'll be more effective, the country will be better off and we'll save a whole lot of money.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Oprah in Paris
She's been called the "most powerful woman in America." Guess that role isn't valid in Paris!
She's outraged because the closed store wouldn't open their doors and welcome her in. Get off your high horse, Oprah. Fame and fortune shouldn't entitle you to be treated better than the "little People." All of us have been standing in front of a locked door hoping someone would let us in. If they don't, it's not a slam to our integrity or even a racial issue. It means they're CLOSED! They have a life. They want to finish up and GO HOME!
You spend a lot of time and energy telling us what to do and how to think. Now would be a good time to act like you know what you're talking about. Be the better person. Put away the self-righteous indignation. Have a little chuckle about what happened and put it to rest. Show your fans that little things shouldn't be blown out of proportion in the name of vanity or publicity.
She's outraged because the closed store wouldn't open their doors and welcome her in. Get off your high horse, Oprah. Fame and fortune shouldn't entitle you to be treated better than the "little People." All of us have been standing in front of a locked door hoping someone would let us in. If they don't, it's not a slam to our integrity or even a racial issue. It means they're CLOSED! They have a life. They want to finish up and GO HOME!
You spend a lot of time and energy telling us what to do and how to think. Now would be a good time to act like you know what you're talking about. Be the better person. Put away the self-righteous indignation. Have a little chuckle about what happened and put it to rest. Show your fans that little things shouldn't be blown out of proportion in the name of vanity or publicity.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Terrorist groups in the news
Here's the scenario: a terrorist act is committed. People die, lives are destroyed. Someone claims responsibility and their name is plastered in headlines all over the world. It happened in London. It's been happening as long as I can remember.
Something we've learned about terrorists- negotiation doesn't work. You can coddle them or kill them, but you can't negotiate with them. They're like serial killers. They are intent on the act, committed to the end, which is evidenced by the many suicide bombings.
The English have a policy of discussion and understanding. It works so well there's a whole society of Arab dissidents in London. They are organized and even have their own newspapers! Gee, if ya can't beat 'em, welcome them in!
So what can we, the "cowboy" Americans do? I think the first thing ought to be NO NEWS FEATURING EXTREMIST GROUPS. Don't hand them the fame they seek. The next thing (and I'll probably get nasty letters for this), claiming responsibility for a terrorist act is more than a political statement, it's a confession of murder and should be viewed that way. Whether they pulled the trigger, flipped the switch or took the credit, they are guilty of murder. They should be taken out and shot!
You say, "but we're civilized. We can't do that." Well, our civilized approach isn't working. As long as we are namby-pamby about terrorism, more innocent people will die. Is that what we want? Wouldn't we be better off without a few radicals?
After 9-11, most Americans were unified in the fight. Now that the memory has faded, we're back to the old game of spewing partisan rhetoric. We love to backbite and blame. Will it take another tragedy to bring us together again?
I say no more American lives should be needlessly lost. Put Saddam's head on a pole in front of the White House. If we had done that years ago when we had the chance, imagine how many lives would have been saved! We're told they know where Bin Laden is but the country harboring him won't let us get him. That makes them part of the terrorism! Give them a deadline... midnight on Saturday or your country goes up in flames.
We must not allow extremists any more power. We have to act, hard and fast. Either that or get used to living in a world filled with fear.
Something we've learned about terrorists- negotiation doesn't work. You can coddle them or kill them, but you can't negotiate with them. They're like serial killers. They are intent on the act, committed to the end, which is evidenced by the many suicide bombings.
The English have a policy of discussion and understanding. It works so well there's a whole society of Arab dissidents in London. They are organized and even have their own newspapers! Gee, if ya can't beat 'em, welcome them in!
So what can we, the "cowboy" Americans do? I think the first thing ought to be NO NEWS FEATURING EXTREMIST GROUPS. Don't hand them the fame they seek. The next thing (and I'll probably get nasty letters for this), claiming responsibility for a terrorist act is more than a political statement, it's a confession of murder and should be viewed that way. Whether they pulled the trigger, flipped the switch or took the credit, they are guilty of murder. They should be taken out and shot!
You say, "but we're civilized. We can't do that." Well, our civilized approach isn't working. As long as we are namby-pamby about terrorism, more innocent people will die. Is that what we want? Wouldn't we be better off without a few radicals?
After 9-11, most Americans were unified in the fight. Now that the memory has faded, we're back to the old game of spewing partisan rhetoric. We love to backbite and blame. Will it take another tragedy to bring us together again?
I say no more American lives should be needlessly lost. Put Saddam's head on a pole in front of the White House. If we had done that years ago when we had the chance, imagine how many lives would have been saved! We're told they know where Bin Laden is but the country harboring him won't let us get him. That makes them part of the terrorism! Give them a deadline... midnight on Saturday or your country goes up in flames.
We must not allow extremists any more power. We have to act, hard and fast. Either that or get used to living in a world filled with fear.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Hollywood needs a muzzle!
Tom Cruise opened his mouth the other day and became the latest in a long line of performers who think their opinion should matter. Nothing personal, Tom. And bless your heart for having a religious belief. But that doesn't qualify you to tout your views like an ass and clobber anyone who thinks differently.
Rosie invited Tom Selleck on her show only to attack him for his stand on gun rights. And of course we have the Susans and Tims and Alecs and Kims, and many others who rally for presidential candidates and new laws. To me, this is one of the worst forms of lobbying. It goes way beyond hawking products on television. They use their image, their "power," to persuade us to vote their way. Can we afford to let celebrities influence our lawmakers and the future of our country?
We've created a monster. We have an insatiable need to be entertained. Actors, comedians, musicians, even athletes and sometimes journalists. They used to be called Court Jesters. Now they've spawned an industry where the salaries are without limit. Money and fame breed egos that are larger than life... and most of those egos seem to be headquartered in Hollywood.
These people, for the most part, have very different lifestyles than we do. They often have different values. Their ideals may not coincide with ours. Should we care whether they'd like us to vote one way or another? Does it matter if one thinks he's an authority on the evils of psychiatry or others believe they are God's gift to the world? They're performers, for crying out loud!
On the other hand, Bob Newhart had his feet planted firmly on the ground when he said, "While I had things I felt strongly about, I didn't think it was my job to impose them on the public." Bob, you have my respect, and your standing doubled on my fan-o-meter!
Attention Hollywood (and other offenders): If you want to improve your image, follow the example of some of your friends- donate a portion of the money we shower on you to disease research, feeding the poor, disaster relief or any of the other countless charities out there. We pay you incredible salaries to entertain us, not preach to us. Do your job. Keep your opinions to yourselves and your big mouths shut!
Rosie invited Tom Selleck on her show only to attack him for his stand on gun rights. And of course we have the Susans and Tims and Alecs and Kims, and many others who rally for presidential candidates and new laws. To me, this is one of the worst forms of lobbying. It goes way beyond hawking products on television. They use their image, their "power," to persuade us to vote their way. Can we afford to let celebrities influence our lawmakers and the future of our country?
We've created a monster. We have an insatiable need to be entertained. Actors, comedians, musicians, even athletes and sometimes journalists. They used to be called Court Jesters. Now they've spawned an industry where the salaries are without limit. Money and fame breed egos that are larger than life... and most of those egos seem to be headquartered in Hollywood.
These people, for the most part, have very different lifestyles than we do. They often have different values. Their ideals may not coincide with ours. Should we care whether they'd like us to vote one way or another? Does it matter if one thinks he's an authority on the evils of psychiatry or others believe they are God's gift to the world? They're performers, for crying out loud!
On the other hand, Bob Newhart had his feet planted firmly on the ground when he said, "While I had things I felt strongly about, I didn't think it was my job to impose them on the public." Bob, you have my respect, and your standing doubled on my fan-o-meter!
Attention Hollywood (and other offenders): If you want to improve your image, follow the example of some of your friends- donate a portion of the money we shower on you to disease research, feeding the poor, disaster relief or any of the other countless charities out there. We pay you incredible salaries to entertain us, not preach to us. Do your job. Keep your opinions to yourselves and your big mouths shut!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Michael Jackson's Trial
Is it just me, or does anyone else see a problem here? One of the jurors in the Jackson trial goes to an "invitation only" victory party for family and friends after the acquittal. That means she had contact with Michael's people, which seriously smacks of jury tampering! If you or I were on the jury and listened to all the sleazy, repulsive things that went on, what on earth would cause us to show up at the bash and "weep?"
Maybe it was hard to prove whether or not the boy was actually molested. Maybe his money-grubbing mother played a part in the reasonable doubt. But pop star or not, no man should be allowed to get away with giving children alcohol, sharing pornography with them, sleeping together, etc. That behavior is sick and wrong and the jury should have had the guts to put a stop to it. In our society, the rich and famous can get away with anything.
Enjoy your freedom, Michael. Someday you'll stand before a higher court; one that is not affected by money, star power or smooth lawyers. One that doesn't put up with anyone who abuses children.
Maybe it was hard to prove whether or not the boy was actually molested. Maybe his money-grubbing mother played a part in the reasonable doubt. But pop star or not, no man should be allowed to get away with giving children alcohol, sharing pornography with them, sleeping together, etc. That behavior is sick and wrong and the jury should have had the guts to put a stop to it. In our society, the rich and famous can get away with anything.
Enjoy your freedom, Michael. Someday you'll stand before a higher court; one that is not affected by money, star power or smooth lawyers. One that doesn't put up with anyone who abuses children.
My Christmas Wish
This was a letter to a best friend, a soldier serving in Baghdad...
I'm thinking tonight how grateful I am that you and so many others
are willing to sacrifice so much. We're sitting home, fat, lazy, safe (or
at least relatively safe in this neighborhood!), trying to get the spirit
of Christmas in our hum drum little lives. We seem almost oblivious
to the fact that you're over there, a million miles from home, family,
loved ones, in the valiant struggle for freedom.
We think we have it rough here. Financial troubles, traffic jams,
angry bosses, pesky neighbors, the occasional sound of a gunshot
from somewhere else. You're seeing the other side of life first-hand.
How different it would be here if it weren't for you who have either
put your lives at risk or given them up entirely to ensure our safety.
Someone asked, where are Bat Man, Superman and the other super
heroes when we need them? Well, we don't need them when we
have you! The men and women of the armed forces. You are the
real heroes. We owe you a debt we could never repay. And the way
we act sometimes, I hope we're worth it.
We whine and complain. We distort the truth to fit our political slant.
We are quick to point a finger at others and slow to take
responsibility, unless it makes us look good. We are a breeding
ground for laws, lawsuits and lawbreaking. We remove God from our
lives and then blame Him for our problems. We are a country of
greedy, selfish, pompous asses. At first glance, it might seem better
if God would just wipe the country clean and start over.
But we are also a country of hard workers. Of people who dream, and
sometimes fulfill those dreams. We were founded on principles of
faith, and most still cling to those standards. We are a society of
freedom. Free to speak our mind. Free to move about. Free to
worship. Free to help our neighbor. Free to reach our highest
potential or wallow in the lowest depths And we owe those freedoms,
in large part, to you... in Baghdad, and around the world.
My Christmas wish for you is that God will reward you generously for
your efforts. That He will keep you safe and bring you home soon.
That your families will be provided for well in your absence. That
loneliness will be replaced with comfort. That He will guide you in your
activities. That you will continue to do your best and act honorably.
That your work will help to bring peace to a troubled world and keep
our nation free. And that we will be more deserving of your service
and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas (Written 12/25/03)
I'm thinking tonight how grateful I am that you and so many others
are willing to sacrifice so much. We're sitting home, fat, lazy, safe (or
at least relatively safe in this neighborhood!), trying to get the spirit
of Christmas in our hum drum little lives. We seem almost oblivious
to the fact that you're over there, a million miles from home, family,
loved ones, in the valiant struggle for freedom.
We think we have it rough here. Financial troubles, traffic jams,
angry bosses, pesky neighbors, the occasional sound of a gunshot
from somewhere else. You're seeing the other side of life first-hand.
How different it would be here if it weren't for you who have either
put your lives at risk or given them up entirely to ensure our safety.
Someone asked, where are Bat Man, Superman and the other super
heroes when we need them? Well, we don't need them when we
have you! The men and women of the armed forces. You are the
real heroes. We owe you a debt we could never repay. And the way
we act sometimes, I hope we're worth it.
We whine and complain. We distort the truth to fit our political slant.
We are quick to point a finger at others and slow to take
responsibility, unless it makes us look good. We are a breeding
ground for laws, lawsuits and lawbreaking. We remove God from our
lives and then blame Him for our problems. We are a country of
greedy, selfish, pompous asses. At first glance, it might seem better
if God would just wipe the country clean and start over.
But we are also a country of hard workers. Of people who dream, and
sometimes fulfill those dreams. We were founded on principles of
faith, and most still cling to those standards. We are a society of
freedom. Free to speak our mind. Free to move about. Free to
worship. Free to help our neighbor. Free to reach our highest
potential or wallow in the lowest depths And we owe those freedoms,
in large part, to you... in Baghdad, and around the world.
My Christmas wish for you is that God will reward you generously for
your efforts. That He will keep you safe and bring you home soon.
That your families will be provided for well in your absence. That
loneliness will be replaced with comfort. That He will guide you in your
activities. That you will continue to do your best and act honorably.
That your work will help to bring peace to a troubled world and keep
our nation free. And that we will be more deserving of your service
and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas (Written 12/25/03)
To Candidate John Kerry
It's interesting to note that when things start getting too hot for John Kerry, he calls upon Pres. Bush to stifle the voices of his critics. After the first amendment, what's next to go? Mr. Kerry, we've heard you whine, complain and throw blame, but we still don't know what you believe or who you really are. The record doesn't quite match the inflated image.
On the other hand, Mr. Bush is an open book. We know who he is and what he stands for. His are the kind of values most Americans want in the Oval Office.
I support the right of citizens to "shoot off their mouths." And not just your pals from the Swift Boats, but you, too! Incidentally, if you want them to be silenced, why not lead by example? Publicly denounce Michael Moore for his attacks on the White House and his support of your campaign. That might even get you a standing ovation! (Written 8/22/04)
On the other hand, Mr. Bush is an open book. We know who he is and what he stands for. His are the kind of values most Americans want in the Oval Office.
I support the right of citizens to "shoot off their mouths." And not just your pals from the Swift Boats, but you, too! Incidentally, if you want them to be silenced, why not lead by example? Publicly denounce Michael Moore for his attacks on the White House and his support of your campaign. That might even get you a standing ovation! (Written 8/22/04)
Welcome to Opinion Stew
Hi there and welcome to Opinion Stew. Please feel free to browse. Comment if you wish. I don't expect everyone to share my views, warped as they sometimes are. But I would appreciate it if your comments are constructive or thoughtful and not just inflammatory screechings.
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