Okay, another rant. People just bug me these days. I don't know why. Maybe I am more sensitive than normal. Maybe its that time of the year. (Oh, don't pretend to be offended by that. Its not offensive.) Maybe I just don't have patience. Maybe people are just dumber than normal.
Let me start with what I posted on my Facebook page last week. There is some douche who has a radio show in Sacramento. He thinks he is funny. And he can be funny. He has an intern and a producer. And by producer I mean a marble-mouthed dweeb who can't complete a sentence in English without sounding like the teacher in Peanuts. Seriously. I don't know how you make a living on the radio if you can't fucking enunciate. (Trying spelling enunciate correctly. Its a bitch. They should put that in the Spelling Bee. It sure wasn't on my speak and spell.) Anyway, these guys apparently make a good living on the radio, better than most of us make. But apparently they think calling people a retard is funny.
Why is it not funny? For the same reason its not funny to call someone a "n***er" or a "sp**" or a "f**" a la Kobe Bryant. Its not funny to make fun of someone for something that they cannot control that differentiates them. Sorry. Its just not. If I were to walk around and start dropping the N word on folks, I would have my ass kicked. And rightfully so. As a matter of fact, I would kick my own ass if I used that word. I would lift my leg and smack myself in my ample rear. And I would deserve it.
But, its worse to call someone a retard. Why? I mean, after all, its just a name, right? With this word, what I shall now call the "r" word, you are making fun of people who, by their very nature, cannot defend themselves. Sorry, most folks who are mentally challenged cannot have an argument with you about why you a worthless piece of crap who should go for a long walk off of a short pier. They don't have the mental capacity for it. Just like some people cannot change their race or nationality, these folks cannot take a pill to fix whatever you think is wrong with them.
So why can I call these dweebs names or make fun of this dickweed's lack of ability to speak clearly? Because you can control being a dumbass. You can control how you speak, unless you have a stutter. You can control the jokes you make about people and what you call them. You can learn not to be panty-waste. And if you think you are so funny and that making these jokes are funny, I would be more than happy to sit down with you and play snaps. Trust me, I will win. There isn't much I can do, but I am pretty good at the insults.
There is a lot that is funny. My ability to sit down and eat chocolate cupcakes is funny. The fact that Baby Got Back was a song, or that it was a hit, is funny. Jokes about JaFatboy Russell are funny. Jokes about Donald Trump's hair are funny. Jerry Seinfeld is funny. Family Guy is freaking hilarious. We can agree on most of this. Jokes about someone not being so smart or having a mental illness just aren't funny. I don't know why people think its funny. Especially those folks who are in a position of being able to use their words to communicate with people.
I just' dont get it. I think we should start a campaign. A campaign to kick the crap out of douches who don't get it. These are just assholes. Sorry. There is no other way to put it.
Back to your regular programming.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
WTF is wrong with people
Okay, I have to get this off my chest. People are whiners. No, not every person. But a lot of people. Maybe even most people. Not most people. But a fair number of people.
Lets see. People whine about today's kids. What, exactly, is wrong with today's kids? Sure, the boys walk around with their pants around their ankles. They apparently think we want to see their dirty tighty-whities. We don't. Trust me. The girls think that shorts should stop at such a spot that they look like swimsuits. A little extra fabric wouldn't kill them. It would probably help.
But adults, and this means folks of my generation too, seem to think that every kid out there is causing trouble. My dad once told me that each generation has it a bit harder growing up then the one before. Sure, they have iPods, iPads, iPhones, i(P)whatevers. They have computers, that internet thingy and all of its tubes that Al Gore invented.
But they also have a lot of crap to deal with. I can barely do the math homework for my 4th grader. I can't keep up with it. They have to deal with making mistakes and the whole world seeing them. People putting things up on YouTube or blogging (ironic, isn't it?) or Facebooking about it. Heck, we screwed up and our parents knew and maybe a few friends. Kids screw up now and everyone and their mother sees it. Plus about a billion folks in China and India. Make a mistake now as a kid and have someone videotape it and it could affect getting in to college or a job.
And they have to deal with stereotypes. They walk down the street and suddenly they are drug dealers because their pants sag. Or they are gang bangers for wearing red or blue or whatever the color is. (I am pretty sure there is no rainbow gang, but that probably isn't far behind in being claimed by these perfect adults.) The kids don't show proper respect or they aren't taught manners.
Here is an idea: maybe they just are having a rough time. Maybe dad died and mom is working two jobs. Maybe they don't have a role model. But what do these folks do? Do they offer to help out? No. They just criticize the kids and lump them all together. I am sure it makes them feel better. Wait, let's try this: All adults who whine about kids are just big fat whiners. All adults who want to stereotype kids are kidists. (Think racists but with kid instead of race. Get it?) All adults who do this are douchebags. There. I think that is perfect.
But there are more whiners. What about those people who complain about where they live? You don't like your town - move. Ya, you Joe and Gavin Madouche. Sacramento isn't cool enough for you? Go back to your failing casino in Vegas. Oh, but this isn't limited to rich dweebs who don't know how to run a professional sports franchise. I get people who live in my town who complain its turning into LA. Really? LA? I like the sun, but Elk Grove is to LA as food is to electricity. (I learned that by helping my 4th grader with his homework!) They aren't even in the same category. If you don't like where you live, because we live in such a great country, you can move your fat, useless arse out of my town. If you need help, as my mom used to say, I will pack your shmatas. (Yiddish for rags.)
Then there is stupid tv show called "Pregnant in Heels." Some its some chick who makes her living telling pregnant women what to do when they are pregnant. My guess is that it is rich people who pay for this. Normal folks can't afford to hire her and her fake accent. She sounds like a mix between fingernails down a chalk board and Madonna during her fake British accent phase.
So first this chick talks about how great it is that men buy a "push present" that is a diamond bracelet for their wives who deliver a baby. WTF? A push present? Your present is a baby. Yep, I am pretty sure that is a present. Stop being a whiner and expecting a present for delivering a baby. That's nonsense.
But then chick goes on about how she has a child, but apparently can't get pregnant. So, according to her, the only way to finish a family is to have another baby. As in, get pregnant again. Really? That is the only way to have a family? Um, on behalf of my three boys - F___ YOU! There are plenty of ways to have a family and getting pregnant is just one of them. That doesn't mean someone else's family is not as great as yours. You are a bitch if you think that getting pregnant makes a woman a mother. You clearly don't get it and you should go jump in the Hudson River. My wife was just as much a mother when we adopted our 3 boys as she is now after delivering our baby girl. If you don't understand that, then you are dumber than the other folks who whine about where they live or about "today's kids." You don't get it, you never will and your show should be cancelled solely because you are a schmuck.
That's all for now. More soon, I am sure.
Lets see. People whine about today's kids. What, exactly, is wrong with today's kids? Sure, the boys walk around with their pants around their ankles. They apparently think we want to see their dirty tighty-whities. We don't. Trust me. The girls think that shorts should stop at such a spot that they look like swimsuits. A little extra fabric wouldn't kill them. It would probably help.
But adults, and this means folks of my generation too, seem to think that every kid out there is causing trouble. My dad once told me that each generation has it a bit harder growing up then the one before. Sure, they have iPods, iPads, iPhones, i(P)whatevers. They have computers, that internet thingy and all of its tubes that Al Gore invented.
But they also have a lot of crap to deal with. I can barely do the math homework for my 4th grader. I can't keep up with it. They have to deal with making mistakes and the whole world seeing them. People putting things up on YouTube or blogging (ironic, isn't it?) or Facebooking about it. Heck, we screwed up and our parents knew and maybe a few friends. Kids screw up now and everyone and their mother sees it. Plus about a billion folks in China and India. Make a mistake now as a kid and have someone videotape it and it could affect getting in to college or a job.
And they have to deal with stereotypes. They walk down the street and suddenly they are drug dealers because their pants sag. Or they are gang bangers for wearing red or blue or whatever the color is. (I am pretty sure there is no rainbow gang, but that probably isn't far behind in being claimed by these perfect adults.) The kids don't show proper respect or they aren't taught manners.
Here is an idea: maybe they just are having a rough time. Maybe dad died and mom is working two jobs. Maybe they don't have a role model. But what do these folks do? Do they offer to help out? No. They just criticize the kids and lump them all together. I am sure it makes them feel better. Wait, let's try this: All adults who whine about kids are just big fat whiners. All adults who want to stereotype kids are kidists. (Think racists but with kid instead of race. Get it?) All adults who do this are douchebags. There. I think that is perfect.
But there are more whiners. What about those people who complain about where they live? You don't like your town - move. Ya, you Joe and Gavin Madouche. Sacramento isn't cool enough for you? Go back to your failing casino in Vegas. Oh, but this isn't limited to rich dweebs who don't know how to run a professional sports franchise. I get people who live in my town who complain its turning into LA. Really? LA? I like the sun, but Elk Grove is to LA as food is to electricity. (I learned that by helping my 4th grader with his homework!) They aren't even in the same category. If you don't like where you live, because we live in such a great country, you can move your fat, useless arse out of my town. If you need help, as my mom used to say, I will pack your shmatas. (Yiddish for rags.)
Then there is stupid tv show called "Pregnant in Heels." Some its some chick who makes her living telling pregnant women what to do when they are pregnant. My guess is that it is rich people who pay for this. Normal folks can't afford to hire her and her fake accent. She sounds like a mix between fingernails down a chalk board and Madonna during her fake British accent phase.
So first this chick talks about how great it is that men buy a "push present" that is a diamond bracelet for their wives who deliver a baby. WTF? A push present? Your present is a baby. Yep, I am pretty sure that is a present. Stop being a whiner and expecting a present for delivering a baby. That's nonsense.
But then chick goes on about how she has a child, but apparently can't get pregnant. So, according to her, the only way to finish a family is to have another baby. As in, get pregnant again. Really? That is the only way to have a family? Um, on behalf of my three boys - F___ YOU! There are plenty of ways to have a family and getting pregnant is just one of them. That doesn't mean someone else's family is not as great as yours. You are a bitch if you think that getting pregnant makes a woman a mother. You clearly don't get it and you should go jump in the Hudson River. My wife was just as much a mother when we adopted our 3 boys as she is now after delivering our baby girl. If you don't understand that, then you are dumber than the other folks who whine about where they live or about "today's kids." You don't get it, you never will and your show should be cancelled solely because you are a schmuck.
That's all for now. More soon, I am sure.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A rant for me- cancer sucks
Some folks may be offended by this one. Some people may find it rude. There is profanity in it. I don't really care right now. I would suggest you stop reading now.
A few days ago on Facebook, I updated my status to "Dear Cancer: F*** you. Sincerely, Me." That wasn't right. I really meant "Dear Cancer: FUCK YOU. You are a mother fucking, son-of-a-bitch, fargin icehole (from Johnny Dangerously). You should be annihilated. You serve no useful purpose. You are a piece of crap. Sorry, crap. That is offensive to you. Sincerely, Most of society."
I started this just after getting back from what turned out to be my last visit with my mom. She closed her eyes after we left and didn't come back. Sure, she lived a few more weeks, but she didn't live. After all, just breathing isn't life. There has to be some quality to it.
Its interesting how this has affected me over the last 5 months. This was started five months ago today. It is ending now. Those 5 months have taught me so much, about me, my family, my friends. Things that I guess we all have to learn. I am just not sure I wanted to learn them before I hit 40.
My mom always told me that she would want someone to "pull the plug" on her. I always told her I couldn't do it. WRONG! When I saw her there and I knew she was in pain, suffering, I could have done it. I know now. I didn't know at 20, 25, 30, or even 35. Its impossible to know. But when you watch a loved one lying there and you realize she isn't the same person she was, you understand how people do it.
I also came to realize that there is value in physician assisted suicide. You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. But when a sane, rational person knows there is an end, and its coming soon, that person should be able to go out on his or her own terms. I am sure my mom didn't want her last weeks to be the way the were, lying in hospice, unable to care for herself, unable to do the basic functions. If she had a choice, she would have gone another way. I think we all would. And why shouldn't we give people that option? I can't come up with a good reason.
I also realize we make decisions in haste in this life. Someone upsets us and we change things. Maybe we disown someone or we say something to someone we regret. Telling your brother that you are upset with your kid, especially an adult kid, is unproductive. Sorry, but what happens between a parent and adult child should be between the parent and adult child. So if I pissed off my mom, I am sorry. But that was our business. And no one else should be involved. That means you don't tell me I shouldn't be there for her funeral.
When we know its the last time we are going to see someone, we say things that need to be said - or needed to be said. Its those last moments when we are fortunate enough to say "I love you" to someone. That fixes everything. Those three words can't always fix problems, but when a loved one is dying, those three words can erase a decade of pain. My mom wasn't perfect, but neither was I. We fought. We saw things differently. She tried to protect me when I was younger. I tried to protect her when she got older. She didn't like it, but that was my decision to make and I wouldn't change it. It caused friction, but at the end of the day, when she called, I went. And when I had to leave, I said I love you. No one else was there to hear it, to see it, or to understand it. But when you have told people all of the issues, it makes it difficult, no impossible, for others to understand that dynamic and forgiveness.
It has been a challenge. Some days are good. Some days are harder. I wasn't overly close to my mom, especially the last 8 years or so. But I don't know that I needed to be. She understood the sacrifices that my dad made for us. I didn't make the same sacrifices, but sacrifices had to be made. And she got that. She may not have liked it, but she got it. I am sure of that. I just wish she could have told me. Because now I can't have that discussion with her - or my dad. Its odd. I don't have a parent to call, to talk to. It feels funny.
I know some good has come from it. I put together a fundraiser for her. We raised awareness of breast cancer, raised money, and did good for the community. She would be proud of that. But I also know that some "friends" haven't come through the way I would have expected them to. No calls, no emails. No offers of help or even a nice word. On the other hand, complete strangers have come out and helped, have gotten involved and, dare I say, become friends.
Its odd how death affects us. I am still pissed at cancer. I can't think of too many things crappier. Parkinsons, autism, cancer. That is my top three crappy things that suck. Absolutely no good comes from any of them.
So there it is. 5 months after I started with "Dear Cancer: Fuck you" I am still there. Cancer can still go kiss my ass. But I have also learned from this - death should be on our terms, even though it is often not. Parents and children have a special relationship and no one can understand that relationship, including siblings. Forgiveness should be given out more readily. And I am going to try to be a better person.
A few days ago on Facebook, I updated my status to "Dear Cancer: F*** you. Sincerely, Me." That wasn't right. I really meant "Dear Cancer: FUCK YOU. You are a mother fucking, son-of-a-bitch, fargin icehole (from Johnny Dangerously). You should be annihilated. You serve no useful purpose. You are a piece of crap. Sorry, crap. That is offensive to you. Sincerely, Most of society."
I started this just after getting back from what turned out to be my last visit with my mom. She closed her eyes after we left and didn't come back. Sure, she lived a few more weeks, but she didn't live. After all, just breathing isn't life. There has to be some quality to it.
Its interesting how this has affected me over the last 5 months. This was started five months ago today. It is ending now. Those 5 months have taught me so much, about me, my family, my friends. Things that I guess we all have to learn. I am just not sure I wanted to learn them before I hit 40.
My mom always told me that she would want someone to "pull the plug" on her. I always told her I couldn't do it. WRONG! When I saw her there and I knew she was in pain, suffering, I could have done it. I know now. I didn't know at 20, 25, 30, or even 35. Its impossible to know. But when you watch a loved one lying there and you realize she isn't the same person she was, you understand how people do it.
I also came to realize that there is value in physician assisted suicide. You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. But when a sane, rational person knows there is an end, and its coming soon, that person should be able to go out on his or her own terms. I am sure my mom didn't want her last weeks to be the way the were, lying in hospice, unable to care for herself, unable to do the basic functions. If she had a choice, she would have gone another way. I think we all would. And why shouldn't we give people that option? I can't come up with a good reason.
I also realize we make decisions in haste in this life. Someone upsets us and we change things. Maybe we disown someone or we say something to someone we regret. Telling your brother that you are upset with your kid, especially an adult kid, is unproductive. Sorry, but what happens between a parent and adult child should be between the parent and adult child. So if I pissed off my mom, I am sorry. But that was our business. And no one else should be involved. That means you don't tell me I shouldn't be there for her funeral.
When we know its the last time we are going to see someone, we say things that need to be said - or needed to be said. Its those last moments when we are fortunate enough to say "I love you" to someone. That fixes everything. Those three words can't always fix problems, but when a loved one is dying, those three words can erase a decade of pain. My mom wasn't perfect, but neither was I. We fought. We saw things differently. She tried to protect me when I was younger. I tried to protect her when she got older. She didn't like it, but that was my decision to make and I wouldn't change it. It caused friction, but at the end of the day, when she called, I went. And when I had to leave, I said I love you. No one else was there to hear it, to see it, or to understand it. But when you have told people all of the issues, it makes it difficult, no impossible, for others to understand that dynamic and forgiveness.
It has been a challenge. Some days are good. Some days are harder. I wasn't overly close to my mom, especially the last 8 years or so. But I don't know that I needed to be. She understood the sacrifices that my dad made for us. I didn't make the same sacrifices, but sacrifices had to be made. And she got that. She may not have liked it, but she got it. I am sure of that. I just wish she could have told me. Because now I can't have that discussion with her - or my dad. Its odd. I don't have a parent to call, to talk to. It feels funny.
I know some good has come from it. I put together a fundraiser for her. We raised awareness of breast cancer, raised money, and did good for the community. She would be proud of that. But I also know that some "friends" haven't come through the way I would have expected them to. No calls, no emails. No offers of help or even a nice word. On the other hand, complete strangers have come out and helped, have gotten involved and, dare I say, become friends.
Its odd how death affects us. I am still pissed at cancer. I can't think of too many things crappier. Parkinsons, autism, cancer. That is my top three crappy things that suck. Absolutely no good comes from any of them.
So there it is. 5 months after I started with "Dear Cancer: Fuck you" I am still there. Cancer can still go kiss my ass. But I have also learned from this - death should be on our terms, even though it is often not. Parents and children have a special relationship and no one can understand that relationship, including siblings. Forgiveness should be given out more readily. And I am going to try to be a better person.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tucker Carlson is a Douche
Dude doesn't even qualify to be a douchebag. That would be too good for him because then he would be useful. Wait, even a douche can be useful. After all, we all remember the Summer's Eve commercials from the late 80s and early 90s. Two women walking on a beach and one looks at the other and says "Mom, can I ask you a personal question? Do you douche?" So what is more useless than a douche? Oh, I know, an idiotic television personality who thinks he is smart or funny or something.
For those of you who missed it, and judging by the ratings that would be most of America, Tucker Carlson says Michael Vick should have been executed for his dogfighting. And in case you have been living in a hole for the last 4 years, or you get your news from Fox News, Michael Vick is a football player who ran a dogfighting ring.
Let me preface this with the fact that I am a dog lover. I always had dogs growing up. I still have dogs. My first dog was Marshmallow, a white Great Pyrennes. Dogs are cool. I also think dogfighting is a heinous crime and one that should be punished. Dogs are, for the most part, defenseless from what we want to do to them. So if some jackass wants to put his dog in a ring with another dog that is going to attack it, the dog can't really say no or call CPS. And if said jackass wants to kill his own dog because the dog isn't a good enough fighter, as Vick did, then the dog doesn't have much of a chance. So, yeah, dogfighting sucks and it is for jackasses.
Vick has no excuse. He saw his first dog fight at 7. Sorry. That must have been a crappy childhood. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to grow up and see dogs fighting and killing each other. Then you have to watch humans bet on this and get enjoyment out of it. Kids growing up watching this must have rough childhoods. I get that. But that is no excuse for doing it as a grown man.
Especially a multi-millionaire who can surround himself with lawyers, agents, PR folks (I recommend Phil Reese at www.prprnewyork.com), and any number of professionals who would tell him that dog fighting is dumb and should be avoided. I know your "boys" are into it and want you to finance it. They probably want you to finance their pimping and pandering and their dealing in the drug trade. Heck, they may want you to finance their purchase of blood diamonds. But you gotta say no.
So on to this Tucker Carlson douche. First, any guy who has as first name that is also a last name can't be trusted. Just go with it. Tucker is a garment maker. I guess this Tucker makes garments of crap. Or maybe his garments are crap. This guy said that Michael Vick is some creepy rich football player who should be executed for dogfighting.
Apparently, Tucker Carlson is perfect. He must live in a glass house. I wonder what is is like to be perfect. Apparently, if you go to some swanky boarding school in New Hampshire and are an heir to some fortune, you are perfect. Oh well, except for that rape accusation made against you that you say is false and that time you talked about the allegedly gay man who you beat up after you claim he touched your junk. I guess when you beat people up and are accused of rape you are perfect.
For the rest of us, we make mistakes. Who among us has not screwed up? I know I have plenty of times. Yet, somehow my friends (my actual friends and not those people who say they are friends but never come around unless they need something) and family forgive me. No one has wanted to see me killed over my mistakes, thank goodness. Heck, we all screw up. Not one among us is perfect. If you think you are perfect, you should take a look in the mirror, unless you are like Casper and don't have a reflection.
Look, I hate what Vick did. But he paid his price. The court sentenced him. He completed that sentence and from everything I read, he was a model citizen while incarcerated. He knows what he did is wrong. He has to live with that every day. He goes and talks to kids about what he did. He can't own a dog and has to explain to his kids why they can't have a dog.
When you screw up, you know you screwed up and you have to deal with it every day. The bigger this mistake, the more you have to deal with it. But the great thing about our country and about the people in our country is that we believe in second chances. You have to do your time. You have to admit you were wrong. And it sucks admitting when you made a mistake. It especially sucks when you have to admit it to those closest to you - like your wife. It sucks when you know you can't blame other people. But you man up, admit your mistake and take your punishment. And when it is done, you get a second chance. That is how it works.
Vick screwed up more than most of us ever will. And he paid his price. He went to prison. He had to file for bankruptcy. He has lost the respect of a lot of people. And every day he looks in the mirror and realizes he screwed up. And he realizes he is lucky that he has a second chance to make a living playing a game.
Tucker Carlson has no place telling anyone that Vick should have been executed. Maybe Tucker (anyone else notice that it rhymes with *ucker) should have had the crap kicked out of him when he beat up that guy in the 80s. Maybe Tucker should be taken out back and flogged for being a host on Fox with no actual credentials. Maybe he should be tied to a post for making such an idiotic statement.
I get it. He is paid to have an opinion. And the more outrageous his opinion, the more people talk about him. And the more they talk about him, the more money he can make. But at some point, you just have to realize that you sound like a complete fool. You sound like you don't understand our system of justice and you don't understand our country. Tucker should go back to his rich private schools and his completely out of touch society and stay away from the rest of America. He has no clue about how real people deal with real problems and while Vick isn't like most of us, we can relate much better to a guy who had a rough upbringing, made it big, lost it bigger, and is now making a comeback. I don't know anyone who can relate to a snotty, boarding school educated punk who has never had a real job in his day or done anything that is productive for the rest of society.
Give Vick a 2nd chance. Give Tucker a timeout - a permanent timeout from television and spouting his nonsense filled hatred.
For those of you who missed it, and judging by the ratings that would be most of America, Tucker Carlson says Michael Vick should have been executed for his dogfighting. And in case you have been living in a hole for the last 4 years, or you get your news from Fox News, Michael Vick is a football player who ran a dogfighting ring.
Let me preface this with the fact that I am a dog lover. I always had dogs growing up. I still have dogs. My first dog was Marshmallow, a white Great Pyrennes. Dogs are cool. I also think dogfighting is a heinous crime and one that should be punished. Dogs are, for the most part, defenseless from what we want to do to them. So if some jackass wants to put his dog in a ring with another dog that is going to attack it, the dog can't really say no or call CPS. And if said jackass wants to kill his own dog because the dog isn't a good enough fighter, as Vick did, then the dog doesn't have much of a chance. So, yeah, dogfighting sucks and it is for jackasses.
Vick has no excuse. He saw his first dog fight at 7. Sorry. That must have been a crappy childhood. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to grow up and see dogs fighting and killing each other. Then you have to watch humans bet on this and get enjoyment out of it. Kids growing up watching this must have rough childhoods. I get that. But that is no excuse for doing it as a grown man.
Especially a multi-millionaire who can surround himself with lawyers, agents, PR folks (I recommend Phil Reese at www.prprnewyork.com), and any number of professionals who would tell him that dog fighting is dumb and should be avoided. I know your "boys" are into it and want you to finance it. They probably want you to finance their pimping and pandering and their dealing in the drug trade. Heck, they may want you to finance their purchase of blood diamonds. But you gotta say no.
So on to this Tucker Carlson douche. First, any guy who has as first name that is also a last name can't be trusted. Just go with it. Tucker is a garment maker. I guess this Tucker makes garments of crap. Or maybe his garments are crap. This guy said that Michael Vick is some creepy rich football player who should be executed for dogfighting.
Apparently, Tucker Carlson is perfect. He must live in a glass house. I wonder what is is like to be perfect. Apparently, if you go to some swanky boarding school in New Hampshire and are an heir to some fortune, you are perfect. Oh well, except for that rape accusation made against you that you say is false and that time you talked about the allegedly gay man who you beat up after you claim he touched your junk. I guess when you beat people up and are accused of rape you are perfect.
For the rest of us, we make mistakes. Who among us has not screwed up? I know I have plenty of times. Yet, somehow my friends (my actual friends and not those people who say they are friends but never come around unless they need something) and family forgive me. No one has wanted to see me killed over my mistakes, thank goodness. Heck, we all screw up. Not one among us is perfect. If you think you are perfect, you should take a look in the mirror, unless you are like Casper and don't have a reflection.
Look, I hate what Vick did. But he paid his price. The court sentenced him. He completed that sentence and from everything I read, he was a model citizen while incarcerated. He knows what he did is wrong. He has to live with that every day. He goes and talks to kids about what he did. He can't own a dog and has to explain to his kids why they can't have a dog.
When you screw up, you know you screwed up and you have to deal with it every day. The bigger this mistake, the more you have to deal with it. But the great thing about our country and about the people in our country is that we believe in second chances. You have to do your time. You have to admit you were wrong. And it sucks admitting when you made a mistake. It especially sucks when you have to admit it to those closest to you - like your wife. It sucks when you know you can't blame other people. But you man up, admit your mistake and take your punishment. And when it is done, you get a second chance. That is how it works.
Vick screwed up more than most of us ever will. And he paid his price. He went to prison. He had to file for bankruptcy. He has lost the respect of a lot of people. And every day he looks in the mirror and realizes he screwed up. And he realizes he is lucky that he has a second chance to make a living playing a game.
Tucker Carlson has no place telling anyone that Vick should have been executed. Maybe Tucker (anyone else notice that it rhymes with *ucker) should have had the crap kicked out of him when he beat up that guy in the 80s. Maybe Tucker should be taken out back and flogged for being a host on Fox with no actual credentials. Maybe he should be tied to a post for making such an idiotic statement.
I get it. He is paid to have an opinion. And the more outrageous his opinion, the more people talk about him. And the more they talk about him, the more money he can make. But at some point, you just have to realize that you sound like a complete fool. You sound like you don't understand our system of justice and you don't understand our country. Tucker should go back to his rich private schools and his completely out of touch society and stay away from the rest of America. He has no clue about how real people deal with real problems and while Vick isn't like most of us, we can relate much better to a guy who had a rough upbringing, made it big, lost it bigger, and is now making a comeback. I don't know anyone who can relate to a snotty, boarding school educated punk who has never had a real job in his day or done anything that is productive for the rest of society.
Give Vick a 2nd chance. Give Tucker a timeout - a permanent timeout from television and spouting his nonsense filled hatred.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
People can be good
I know my last post was about how people suck. I have been thinking about that. And I was all set to write about more dumb things people do. But I decided too much negativity is a bad thing. So while I will still rant, I am going to try to put a more positive spin on it. This post is in that light. I encourage everyone to read it carefully.
Okay, I admit it. I have been a hypocrite. I know. So today I decided to do something about it. What better day to do it than my youngest son's 7th birthday? It also doubles as the 7 year anniversary of my law firm. So, it seemed fitting. Start the new year, at least the business new year, on a new note.
For years, a friend of mine has posted about "The Untied Way." (No, its not the United Way. It is the untied way - I do know how to spell - usually.) I have read the emails and thought "Huh, that is so nice." But I haven't done anything about it. Heck, I have even forwarded the email to other people. But, I never followed up on it myself.
So, today I am sitting at Starbucks with my son. We are enjoying a muffin and coffee. Well, I am enjoying the coffee. He is enjoying the muffin and an Odwalla. He says he wants to do something for other people. He wants to buy a whole bunch of coffees and pass them out to the homeless people. Great idea, but I can't take 20 coffees in my car. So, what to do? Then it hit me - the Untied Way.
Look, it has been a hard year. I have f-d up more than I care to admit to. I have been a crappy father at time. I have been a crappy husband. I have been a crappy friend. I know it. I have screwed up more in the last 6 months than in the last 6 years. Heck, I have screwed up more in the last 6 months than I did in middle school and high school combined and I was the kid whose parents were told I needed to find a new school for 8th grade since they weren't letting me back to the public school. (You can find the school in one of my Facebook groups. Its funny.)
And so I have done some soul searching. I have tried to figure out what has gone wrong. I still don't know. But I am working on it. (And no, I am not blaming anyone but me. I may be pissed at people and may want to go kick the living crap out of people, but I have to take responsibility for decisions I made.) And I realized today, sitting with my son, there but for the grace of God, go I. I am fortunate that my screw up is something I can deal with. I can take steps to repair what I did, even if it can never be fixed. I can do the right thing even when I haven't always done the right thing. And the right thing starts with setting a good example.
My dad set a good example for me. His dad did before him. My mom's dad set a good example. And we have all gone through tough times. They all had rough patches in life and problems to deal with. My grandfathers had the Great Depression. My dad's dad sold toilet supplies and in WWII worked on building the bomb. I don't mean sitting in a lab, I mean actually building it. My dad had to deal with, among other things, me. I was not an easy child. (The best story being the counselor in 10th grade who told my parents that I was an underachiever because I didn't know what I wanted to do in life. My dad told the psychologist he was full of it because he didn't know what he wanted to do in life until he was in his mid-20s. Want proof? The guy had a Ph.D in pharmaceutical chemistry, yeah that, and ended up in business development.) Yet, somehow, they managed to set good examples, although I now know they weren't perfect. And they always managed to show that they cared about other people. I don't recall seeing any of them making donations and I don't recall any of them talking about it. But after my dad passed away, looking through his things, I knew he had always been giving.
So, I have a chance with Miles to set a good example. He wants to do the coffee, but it just isn't going to happen. So I loaded the kids into the car and drove to my local ATM. I took out enough money that I thought about it. And I drove over near the local homeless shelter. I drove down an alley and saw a guy there. I handed him a bill. He looked at me, first like I was crazy, and then said thank you. I wished him a Merry Christmas and drove a bit farther. Again, I handed the guy a bill and wished him a Merry Christmas. Well, word spreads quickly when you are in that part of town and giving out money. There were even kids who came up to me. In just minutes, it was gone. I had people coming up to me and asking even after I ran out.
When we were done, Miles asked me if he could open a lemonade stand in the summer and give the money he makes to the homeless folks. I told him we could do that. It made him smile.
I don't know what these folks are going to do with the money. Some might buy a cup of coffee. Some might buy crack. Some might buy a raincoat. I don't know. And, I don't care. It isn't a lot. But it means a lot to them.
The point is not to judge what they are doing with the money. The point is to show them that someone cares. The point is to remind myself that, but for some different decisions in life, it could be me with the bags of clothes walking the street. It could be someone I know, someone I care about. It was a reminder that I have been lucky in life. And when you are lucky, you need to not screw that up. We don't have to be perfect, but we have to understand that there isn't a big gap between what we have (and, look, if you are reading this, you have - and while it may not be what you want, you still have more than the folks who I saw today who had everything they owned in a bag with them) and the folks who do not have.
Everyone screws up. Some of us are lucky enough not to screw up too much. Some of us aren't as lucky and screw up big time. When we do, we need to take responsibility for our actions and remember how lucky we are. Today, this served as a reminder to me. And it gave me a chance to show my son how we can give to those who are less fortunate.
I would encourage everyone to read The Untied Way. It has given me some perspective this year. It has reminded me that I am one of the lucky ones. It has also reminded me that I need to ask forgiveness from those I have hurt and be thankful for what I have. While it is here today, it may not be tomorrow.
Okay, I admit it. I have been a hypocrite. I know. So today I decided to do something about it. What better day to do it than my youngest son's 7th birthday? It also doubles as the 7 year anniversary of my law firm. So, it seemed fitting. Start the new year, at least the business new year, on a new note.
For years, a friend of mine has posted about "The Untied Way." (No, its not the United Way. It is the untied way - I do know how to spell - usually.) I have read the emails and thought "Huh, that is so nice." But I haven't done anything about it. Heck, I have even forwarded the email to other people. But, I never followed up on it myself.
So, today I am sitting at Starbucks with my son. We are enjoying a muffin and coffee. Well, I am enjoying the coffee. He is enjoying the muffin and an Odwalla. He says he wants to do something for other people. He wants to buy a whole bunch of coffees and pass them out to the homeless people. Great idea, but I can't take 20 coffees in my car. So, what to do? Then it hit me - the Untied Way.
Look, it has been a hard year. I have f-d up more than I care to admit to. I have been a crappy father at time. I have been a crappy husband. I have been a crappy friend. I know it. I have screwed up more in the last 6 months than in the last 6 years. Heck, I have screwed up more in the last 6 months than I did in middle school and high school combined and I was the kid whose parents were told I needed to find a new school for 8th grade since they weren't letting me back to the public school. (You can find the school in one of my Facebook groups. Its funny.)
And so I have done some soul searching. I have tried to figure out what has gone wrong. I still don't know. But I am working on it. (And no, I am not blaming anyone but me. I may be pissed at people and may want to go kick the living crap out of people, but I have to take responsibility for decisions I made.) And I realized today, sitting with my son, there but for the grace of God, go I. I am fortunate that my screw up is something I can deal with. I can take steps to repair what I did, even if it can never be fixed. I can do the right thing even when I haven't always done the right thing. And the right thing starts with setting a good example.
My dad set a good example for me. His dad did before him. My mom's dad set a good example. And we have all gone through tough times. They all had rough patches in life and problems to deal with. My grandfathers had the Great Depression. My dad's dad sold toilet supplies and in WWII worked on building the bomb. I don't mean sitting in a lab, I mean actually building it. My dad had to deal with, among other things, me. I was not an easy child. (The best story being the counselor in 10th grade who told my parents that I was an underachiever because I didn't know what I wanted to do in life. My dad told the psychologist he was full of it because he didn't know what he wanted to do in life until he was in his mid-20s. Want proof? The guy had a Ph.D in pharmaceutical chemistry, yeah that, and ended up in business development.) Yet, somehow, they managed to set good examples, although I now know they weren't perfect. And they always managed to show that they cared about other people. I don't recall seeing any of them making donations and I don't recall any of them talking about it. But after my dad passed away, looking through his things, I knew he had always been giving.
So, I have a chance with Miles to set a good example. He wants to do the coffee, but it just isn't going to happen. So I loaded the kids into the car and drove to my local ATM. I took out enough money that I thought about it. And I drove over near the local homeless shelter. I drove down an alley and saw a guy there. I handed him a bill. He looked at me, first like I was crazy, and then said thank you. I wished him a Merry Christmas and drove a bit farther. Again, I handed the guy a bill and wished him a Merry Christmas. Well, word spreads quickly when you are in that part of town and giving out money. There were even kids who came up to me. In just minutes, it was gone. I had people coming up to me and asking even after I ran out.
When we were done, Miles asked me if he could open a lemonade stand in the summer and give the money he makes to the homeless folks. I told him we could do that. It made him smile.
I don't know what these folks are going to do with the money. Some might buy a cup of coffee. Some might buy crack. Some might buy a raincoat. I don't know. And, I don't care. It isn't a lot. But it means a lot to them.
The point is not to judge what they are doing with the money. The point is to show them that someone cares. The point is to remind myself that, but for some different decisions in life, it could be me with the bags of clothes walking the street. It could be someone I know, someone I care about. It was a reminder that I have been lucky in life. And when you are lucky, you need to not screw that up. We don't have to be perfect, but we have to understand that there isn't a big gap between what we have (and, look, if you are reading this, you have - and while it may not be what you want, you still have more than the folks who I saw today who had everything they owned in a bag with them) and the folks who do not have.
Everyone screws up. Some of us are lucky enough not to screw up too much. Some of us aren't as lucky and screw up big time. When we do, we need to take responsibility for our actions and remember how lucky we are. Today, this served as a reminder to me. And it gave me a chance to show my son how we can give to those who are less fortunate.
I would encourage everyone to read The Untied Way. It has given me some perspective this year. It has reminded me that I am one of the lucky ones. It has also reminded me that I need to ask forgiveness from those I have hurt and be thankful for what I have. While it is here today, it may not be tomorrow.
Friday, December 10, 2010
People Suck
Its been a while since I blogged. Probably too long. Or for those of you who have read this before, maybe you want a longer wait. (Warning: Not everything that is here is kid friendly so don't read this with your 8 year old around. As Charles Barkley said, I am not a role model.)
WTF is up with people? I seriously want to go kick someone's ass. Not "ha ha that was a funny high school girl fight." I mean actually kick someone's ass. And the ass of said person is large enough that I would try to kick it out the other side. I mean, douchebag's like this don't have male genitalia so its not like I would ruin something. But, before I get there, a few other things that bother me.
If you own a car, and you have a freaking driver's license, why don't you learn how to drive? Sure, we all get in accidents. I understand. In fact, it is what helps me pay the bills. So, I am not anti-accident. Except when it comes to me.
I am driving tonight and there is an accident in the lane I am in. The cars are stopped. Everyone sees this. Everyone in the other lane lets cars in. I am the next car in my lane. My turn signal has been on for some time. I am in a big Expedition with my lights on. The only person who couldn't see me should have been the blind guy walking down the sidewalk. No, really, there was a blind guy walking down the sidewalk. But the dweeb in the car in the right lane continues to come fast and honks at me. Fine, I dont want to crash my car into his POS car. (Go find the prior post with the link to Adam Sandler. I am not in the mood to find it again.) Then this old lady comes driving down the road and does the same thing. Finally, the nice guy behind lets me in.
I drive up to the old woman. I honk at her and she puts her hands up like she doesn't know what I am talking about. Really, lady? You didnt see me get behind you after you refused to freaking let me in? Do I have "IDIOT" written across my forehead? You know you were a bitch and I know you were a bitch. In a civilized society, you would apologize for being a bitch. I would smile and wave and still think you are a bitch, but at least a bitch who apologized. You would go from a zero in my book to like a 4. An apology means a lot.
I had every intention of going up to the guy in the car. But, that dumbass ran the red light at the next intersection. Look, buddy, I know you clearly have vision problems since you couldn't see my car. I know you clearly don't care about your POS car because the guys in that gum commercial (Big Red, maybe) could pick up your car and move it and you clearly didn't care if I ran it over. I know you don't care about what happens to you since you were fine with letting me smush you like a monster truck runs over one of those flattened junkers. But, running a red light? Really? You think that is a good idea? How about the innocent folks who you could have injured or killed because you are in a rush to get to your Losers Anonymous class? Or maybe you were on your way to "I have a bad hair piece and women won't talk to me" club? I don't know and I don't care. I just know that you are a hazard and should never be on the road.
Then there are people who just don't get it. Look, if you don't like how I am doing something, tell me. Its not that hard. Dont pretend its not a problem and then drop it on me at the last minute. I know I am not perfect. These days I am pretty fucking far from perfect. I saw perfect once from two light years away. That is the closest I have gotten. And last month, it moved to four light years away. And there was a black hole between me and perfect. But, give me a break. A little warning before you drop a bomb on someone, especially a friend, would be nice. Is that really asking for too much?
But beyond those groups of people (oh and dude who cannot drive, you better stay off the roads near my house because I am pretty sure one day I will see your picture in the paper with your car in a house and I do not mean the garage), there are bigger a-holes. These are the greedy son-of-a-bitch bleep-sucking m-f'ing bastards whose ass I would like to kick. No, wait, whose asses I would like to kick. Multiple folks in this group. I can think of at least 6.
Look, if you are greedy and want to scam folks, fine. Move to your own private island and scam yourselves. After all, its the only action you will be getting. But don't scam me. And really dont scam innocent folks. Sure, I know con men go back a long way. I like reading books about them. But don't do it. Go try to hustle at pool or basketball. Oh wait, you dumbasses are too old and too pathetic to be able to play a real sport like that. You just think you can go ahead and rip people off. Sure, maybe you got away with it for a while. But you always get caught. Always. And the punishment is always bad.
A word to the wise: if you are in a group of people and you cannot figure out who the mark is in a group, it is probably you. And yes, this applies to me as well. I should have bleeping remembered it. Sometimes we get too cocky and too caught up to realize we are the mark. And it sucks when you finally figure it out, especially when you get stuck with consequences because of it. It fucking sucks and it pisses me off. We have to take responsibility for our actions, but when you have been lied to and played, it doesn't make you feel any better taking responsibility. It does create a strong desire to go pummel someone. No, not just anyone. Thankfully, I would never actually do it because one of my four or five friends (that is total) would talk me out of it.
I know I ain't that smart. Of course, I was recently told I am not as smart as I think I am. Since I currently think of myself as having an IQ of about 70, I think that is impossible. Sure, I can put together words and talk off the cuff. But don't get the ability to talk confused with being smart. I have seen a lot of smart people who can't put together a sentence. And I know a lot of dumb asses who talk so much you would think they were getting paid by the letter. But even when you aren't that smart, it is no fun to be the mark. It sucks. It bites. It blows. And none of those in the good way. Only in the "dang it, this blows" way.
So there you go. People who suck. Not everyone sucks. Some people are very nice. Some people are good. Some people need a reminder that they are good people. And doing something bad doesn't mean you are a bad person. We all f up. I know I have more times than I can count. What matters is how you respond. Are you going to be the bitch who doesn't let someone in and won't apologize or are you going to be the person who says "I fucked up and need to make this right?" I choose the second option.
WTF is up with people? I seriously want to go kick someone's ass. Not "ha ha that was a funny high school girl fight." I mean actually kick someone's ass. And the ass of said person is large enough that I would try to kick it out the other side. I mean, douchebag's like this don't have male genitalia so its not like I would ruin something. But, before I get there, a few other things that bother me.
If you own a car, and you have a freaking driver's license, why don't you learn how to drive? Sure, we all get in accidents. I understand. In fact, it is what helps me pay the bills. So, I am not anti-accident. Except when it comes to me.
I am driving tonight and there is an accident in the lane I am in. The cars are stopped. Everyone sees this. Everyone in the other lane lets cars in. I am the next car in my lane. My turn signal has been on for some time. I am in a big Expedition with my lights on. The only person who couldn't see me should have been the blind guy walking down the sidewalk. No, really, there was a blind guy walking down the sidewalk. But the dweeb in the car in the right lane continues to come fast and honks at me. Fine, I dont want to crash my car into his POS car. (Go find the prior post with the link to Adam Sandler. I am not in the mood to find it again.) Then this old lady comes driving down the road and does the same thing. Finally, the nice guy behind lets me in.
I drive up to the old woman. I honk at her and she puts her hands up like she doesn't know what I am talking about. Really, lady? You didnt see me get behind you after you refused to freaking let me in? Do I have "IDIOT" written across my forehead? You know you were a bitch and I know you were a bitch. In a civilized society, you would apologize for being a bitch. I would smile and wave and still think you are a bitch, but at least a bitch who apologized. You would go from a zero in my book to like a 4. An apology means a lot.
I had every intention of going up to the guy in the car. But, that dumbass ran the red light at the next intersection. Look, buddy, I know you clearly have vision problems since you couldn't see my car. I know you clearly don't care about your POS car because the guys in that gum commercial (Big Red, maybe) could pick up your car and move it and you clearly didn't care if I ran it over. I know you don't care about what happens to you since you were fine with letting me smush you like a monster truck runs over one of those flattened junkers. But, running a red light? Really? You think that is a good idea? How about the innocent folks who you could have injured or killed because you are in a rush to get to your Losers Anonymous class? Or maybe you were on your way to "I have a bad hair piece and women won't talk to me" club? I don't know and I don't care. I just know that you are a hazard and should never be on the road.
Then there are people who just don't get it. Look, if you don't like how I am doing something, tell me. Its not that hard. Dont pretend its not a problem and then drop it on me at the last minute. I know I am not perfect. These days I am pretty fucking far from perfect. I saw perfect once from two light years away. That is the closest I have gotten. And last month, it moved to four light years away. And there was a black hole between me and perfect. But, give me a break. A little warning before you drop a bomb on someone, especially a friend, would be nice. Is that really asking for too much?
But beyond those groups of people (oh and dude who cannot drive, you better stay off the roads near my house because I am pretty sure one day I will see your picture in the paper with your car in a house and I do not mean the garage), there are bigger a-holes. These are the greedy son-of-a-bitch bleep-sucking m-f'ing bastards whose ass I would like to kick. No, wait, whose asses I would like to kick. Multiple folks in this group. I can think of at least 6.
Look, if you are greedy and want to scam folks, fine. Move to your own private island and scam yourselves. After all, its the only action you will be getting. But don't scam me. And really dont scam innocent folks. Sure, I know con men go back a long way. I like reading books about them. But don't do it. Go try to hustle at pool or basketball. Oh wait, you dumbasses are too old and too pathetic to be able to play a real sport like that. You just think you can go ahead and rip people off. Sure, maybe you got away with it for a while. But you always get caught. Always. And the punishment is always bad.
A word to the wise: if you are in a group of people and you cannot figure out who the mark is in a group, it is probably you. And yes, this applies to me as well. I should have bleeping remembered it. Sometimes we get too cocky and too caught up to realize we are the mark. And it sucks when you finally figure it out, especially when you get stuck with consequences because of it. It fucking sucks and it pisses me off. We have to take responsibility for our actions, but when you have been lied to and played, it doesn't make you feel any better taking responsibility. It does create a strong desire to go pummel someone. No, not just anyone. Thankfully, I would never actually do it because one of my four or five friends (that is total) would talk me out of it.
I know I ain't that smart. Of course, I was recently told I am not as smart as I think I am. Since I currently think of myself as having an IQ of about 70, I think that is impossible. Sure, I can put together words and talk off the cuff. But don't get the ability to talk confused with being smart. I have seen a lot of smart people who can't put together a sentence. And I know a lot of dumb asses who talk so much you would think they were getting paid by the letter. But even when you aren't that smart, it is no fun to be the mark. It sucks. It bites. It blows. And none of those in the good way. Only in the "dang it, this blows" way.
So there you go. People who suck. Not everyone sucks. Some people are very nice. Some people are good. Some people need a reminder that they are good people. And doing something bad doesn't mean you are a bad person. We all f up. I know I have more times than I can count. What matters is how you respond. Are you going to be the bitch who doesn't let someone in and won't apologize or are you going to be the person who says "I fucked up and need to make this right?" I choose the second option.
Monday, May 17, 2010
School Libraries
Okay, lets be clear: I am not a big library guy. I think the last time I was in a library Ronald Reagan was acting. For my younger readers, Ronald Reagan was an actor before he became President. Wait, he was Governor of California before he became President. And he was an actor before he became Governor. Of course, the difference between Reagan and the current California governor, also a former actor, is that Reagan could act. Oh, and he could lead. But that is a whole different discussion. (And, no, don't post your cheap shots at a dead guy on my blog. I won't publish them! Show some respect for the dead, unless its one of my very funny White Gloved dead guy references.)
Anyway, I don't frequent the libraries. I know where the library is. Its that big building in town with a lot of books. Actually, in my town, it is a big building with a lot of books that had to be delayed because the 2nd story couldn't hold all of the books. Nice engineering. There also happen to be libraries at my kids' school. And I think at most schools. Although, I am pretty sure most kids at an elementary school call it a "lie-berry" and not a "library."
As you know, we have budget problems in this state. Our elected leaders have had to make decisions. You know, confirm a Lt. Governor, a job that pays six figures a year and does nothing, or give more money to our kids. The elected leaders, of course, confirmed a Lt. Governor. Nice. But, our budget problems are bigger than that. We have to make cuts in education. I know teachers are going to lose their jobs. The teachers union agreed to a couple of furlough days to save some jobs. The district is cutting stuff left and right. And left. Then more to the right. Then to the left, to the left, to the left. (Come on, you know you are picturing Beyonce as you read that.)
But then we get to the libraries. Did you know that libraries at schools have unionized jobs? Isn't that a bit like lawyers working for the state unionizing? Oh wait, they already have a union. Sorry. The librarians are part of the "Damn it, do it our way" Union - Local 666. Mess with them and you end up under Giants Stadium in a barrel. Don't believe me? The Teamsters didn't take out Hoffa - the librarians did!
So, the librarians are being cut. I feel bad. Really, I do. I don't like to see people lose their jobs. It is bad for them. It is bad for the economy. It is bad for my kids. I get that. But, sometimes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonheads, you know that delicious candy. In this case, the librarians decided to ignore Peter, Paul and Mary and they found out the fruit of the lemon tree is impossible to eat!
The librarian union decided that if they couldn't work in the library, than dang it, no one could. No teachers. No administrators. No parents. No volunteers. No no-one, dang it. Why, the kids are much better off with no library than a library with volunteers, after all. I mean, do we really want kids learning the Dewey Decimal system? Do we really want them to read books, explore the world and learn about new things? Of course not. Next maybe the librarians will decide to have a book burning day!
I know, it is in their contract. The district bargained for it. Well, first, lets start with the fact that school board officials routinely vote for things without actually understanding what it is. They have no impulse control. Second, the union could waive a clause in the contract. It is possible. Heck, even Donald Fehr, the dweeb who runs the MLB players union, waived a provision or two in their BS contract. But, not the librarians. Nope, dang it. They aren't waiving anything, although one wonders if librarians get their jobs back, if they may be waving the black flag - as in the roach motel. (Roaches check in, but they don't check out.) (And no, I didn't have to look up that slogan!)
Memo to the union: if you want parents to feel for you, you need to throw us a bone once in a while. How about you let us volunteer to keep the libraries open so our students can use it. I promise you this - if you don't give on this issue, I will never, ever, ever offer you any support. I know its not a rank and file issue, but a problem with union leadership. By the way, union leadership ranks up there with Aunt Jemima Light. It is just not possible.
So union leadership: how about you remember the purpose of your members? Kids. Kids. Kids. You need to help the kids. Helping the kids means you let parents volunteer. If you are too clueless to get that, then you need to be fired. Now. Jackasses.
Anyway, I don't frequent the libraries. I know where the library is. Its that big building in town with a lot of books. Actually, in my town, it is a big building with a lot of books that had to be delayed because the 2nd story couldn't hold all of the books. Nice engineering. There also happen to be libraries at my kids' school. And I think at most schools. Although, I am pretty sure most kids at an elementary school call it a "lie-berry" and not a "library."
As you know, we have budget problems in this state. Our elected leaders have had to make decisions. You know, confirm a Lt. Governor, a job that pays six figures a year and does nothing, or give more money to our kids. The elected leaders, of course, confirmed a Lt. Governor. Nice. But, our budget problems are bigger than that. We have to make cuts in education. I know teachers are going to lose their jobs. The teachers union agreed to a couple of furlough days to save some jobs. The district is cutting stuff left and right. And left. Then more to the right. Then to the left, to the left, to the left. (Come on, you know you are picturing Beyonce as you read that.)
But then we get to the libraries. Did you know that libraries at schools have unionized jobs? Isn't that a bit like lawyers working for the state unionizing? Oh wait, they already have a union. Sorry. The librarians are part of the "Damn it, do it our way" Union - Local 666. Mess with them and you end up under Giants Stadium in a barrel. Don't believe me? The Teamsters didn't take out Hoffa - the librarians did!
So, the librarians are being cut. I feel bad. Really, I do. I don't like to see people lose their jobs. It is bad for them. It is bad for the economy. It is bad for my kids. I get that. But, sometimes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonheads, you know that delicious candy. In this case, the librarians decided to ignore Peter, Paul and Mary and they found out the fruit of the lemon tree is impossible to eat!
The librarian union decided that if they couldn't work in the library, than dang it, no one could. No teachers. No administrators. No parents. No volunteers. No no-one, dang it. Why, the kids are much better off with no library than a library with volunteers, after all. I mean, do we really want kids learning the Dewey Decimal system? Do we really want them to read books, explore the world and learn about new things? Of course not. Next maybe the librarians will decide to have a book burning day!
I know, it is in their contract. The district bargained for it. Well, first, lets start with the fact that school board officials routinely vote for things without actually understanding what it is. They have no impulse control. Second, the union could waive a clause in the contract. It is possible. Heck, even Donald Fehr, the dweeb who runs the MLB players union, waived a provision or two in their BS contract. But, not the librarians. Nope, dang it. They aren't waiving anything, although one wonders if librarians get their jobs back, if they may be waving the black flag - as in the roach motel. (Roaches check in, but they don't check out.) (And no, I didn't have to look up that slogan!)
Memo to the union: if you want parents to feel for you, you need to throw us a bone once in a while. How about you let us volunteer to keep the libraries open so our students can use it. I promise you this - if you don't give on this issue, I will never, ever, ever offer you any support. I know its not a rank and file issue, but a problem with union leadership. By the way, union leadership ranks up there with Aunt Jemima Light. It is just not possible.
So union leadership: how about you remember the purpose of your members? Kids. Kids. Kids. You need to help the kids. Helping the kids means you let parents volunteer. If you are too clueless to get that, then you need to be fired. Now. Jackasses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)