Sleeping On the Job

On Wednesday, January 29, 2020 the USA Today published an interesting, and disturbing article in the midst of the Presidential impeachment trial of Donald Trump.  The article is titled "Sleeping, snacking: What you don't get to see on TV", and it describes just that.

Off camera a number of the 100 Senators are observed doing a lot of things, none of which is paying attention to the proceedings, that were so earth-shattering that they had to be addressed immediately.  Some of the extracurricular activities seen were: passing notes among one another, whispering in conversation, snacking (talking and eating on the Senate floor are not allowed), playing with key rings, working crossword puzzles, snoozing, and the worst of all - playing with fidget spinners.

The names of these "offenders" were listed in the article, and just so I don't seem to be biased, there were as many Republicans as Democrats with their attention elsewhere.

The impeachment trial in and of itself is monumental.  A sitting President is being impeached during an election year, and there is a possibility that he could be removed from office.  The country will certainly be torn in two if that were to occur.  I would like to think that those that are going to be making this decision would at least have the maturity to actually be listening to the on-going testimony.

Time after time these representatives continue to be re-elected by their constituents, regardless of their performance in office.

We the "sheeple" need to wake up and decided if these are the people we want making decisions and speaking for us.  We need to pay attention to who's doing what, and when election time comes around vote for who and what we truly stand for.

Those that have been seen paying less than 100% attention to these proceedings should be the first ones we vote OUT of office, regardless of their party affiliation.

The impeachment trial is already enough of an embarrassment to our nation.  The conduct of our leaders makes it doubly so.

"Why Millennials Aren't Patriotic"

This is the headline of an article posted on The Stream, written by Gabrielle Bosche. A catchy headline for sure, but also very disturbing.

According to the writer, a confessed millennial, this lack of patriotism has several causes:

• Millennials consider themselves citizens of the world, rather that citizens of the United States.
• Millennials do not believe in American exceptionalism - we are not the Greatest Country in the World.
• Millennials are less likely to identify with political parties, churches, or other affiliations.

It sounds to me like the whole issue is a matter of pride, or lack thereof.  

If a person takes no pride in their own nation - it's history, it's values, it's people - then it means nothing to them.  I compare this to a person who is given everything in life, never having to pay for anything.  All that they receive is worth exactly what they've put into it - nothing.  Consequently, it's all disposable; when you're tired of it, simply discard it.

Sadly, that sentiment spreads to far more the material things.  It often extends to jobs, relationships, people, even their own children.  And if you don't place value in those things, then your own country will fall even further in your list of "important things" in life.

In a world, or nation, where those things that previous generations placed so much value on - country, family, God - now mean nothing, then there's nothing worth fighting to keep.  Let's all just toss it away.

If that's the prevalent opinion by today's young adults, then this great nation, yes, the Greatest on Earth, will simply be overrun by someone willing to value it for what it is, be it foreign or domestic.

In the words of one of our more patriotic songs, "God Bless America". 

Stupid pro abortionists

So, I'm in the car listening to NPR (I know, I know, but I can't look away from car wrecks either), specifically the 1A Live program hosted by Joshua Johnson.

As expected, all the liberals are already foaming at the mouth about President Trump's 1st pick for the Supreme Court Justice.  The segment was focusing on his stance on abortion, and the question of whether Roe v Wade might be reversed.  One particular phone-in guest really got my attention, and apparently the sympathy of the panel on the program.

The caller was talking about how women shouldn't have their lives ruined by unwanted babies as they're pursuing college educations, careers, etc.

Now, I'm know I'm not the sharpest axe in the tool shed, but how are these idiots missing the fundamental point of this?  Know how to not have your life "ruined" by a baby?  STOP HAVING SEX THAT MIGHT RESULT IN PREGNANCY.  Why, why, why is this so hard to understand? No unprotected sex = no baby.  And if that formula is too difficult, then don't have sex at all.  Problem solved, no baby, no ruined life, no need for an abortion.

And why is it that none of these highly educated people ever stop to consider how they're "ruining" the life of that precious, innocent child?  I'm sure if you asked him/her, they'd agree that their lives have been ruined as well.

West Virginia Teacher's Strike - 2018

(Photo taken from public domain)

As far as I know, I only have one loyal reader of this blog, so there's little chance of offending anyone with this particular rant.

The public school teachers in the state of West Virginia are currently striking over low pay, and reduced insurance benefits.  This act of protest is occurring in all 55 counties, affecting the entire state.  So not only are teachers not working, but our children are not being educated - something that we, the taxpayers, are funding, regardless of whether or not the teachers decide to work.  Does anyone like paying for something they're not getting?  I don't.

The majority of teachers probably deserve a raise, and insurance is expensive.  We all want more money and more benefits.  But this situation is different.

When these people chose this career path, I can't imagine they didn't understand the rate of pay.  I also can't imagine that they don't understand where that money comes from - me, and every other taxpaying citizen in WV (um, this includes the teachers also).

So it isn't like you can just expect the state to pony up some extra money.  That has to come from somewhere.  Remember, the state doesn't make money - it can only spend what we pay it.

So in order to increase teacher's pay and benefits, that means that taxes have to go up.  Which translates to I/we must pay more taxes.  Even the teachers that are fighting for increases will be paying for that out of their own pockets.

Does no one besides me see this as a problem?

Now, let's talk about public employees striking, or strong arming, to get their way.

For those of us in the private sector (translated not paid by taxpayer monies), we want raises and increased benefits too.  And I have a couple of options to get it.  I can:  work harder/longer, find another job, change careers).  What I can't do is tell my employer that until he pays me more, I'm just not going to do anything.  He will simply send me on my way, wish me luck, and hire the next guy who'd love to have my job and get on with business.

These teachers would do well to remember that striking and holding companies hostage for increased benefits is exactly what killed the coal mining industry in the very state that they live and work in.

What's Missing From This Picture?

So, I took a walk through the neighborhood last night - the same neighborhood that I grew up in.  It was cold and snowing.  School had already been canceled for the following day.  I truly love walking on nights just like this one, and make it a point to do so every time I get the chance.

As I was walking, watching it snow, listening to the silence, no cars or people moving, it struck me that something was missing.

When I was a kid - you know, a couple of years ago - my brothers and I, along with just about everyone we knew, would be out in full force.  Dragging or carrying whatever we had to sled with: Flexible Flyers, inner tubes, discs, anything that would slide.  And no matter what street you were on, or what neighborhood you veered into, it was the same.  Kids, especially teens, would all be out playing in the snow.

Now, I know that times are different, and it's difficult to just turn your kids loose on the streets, but seriously?  Not a single person was out while I was walking.  No one sledding, no one walking, no one shoveling.  No one.  Not even any footprints in the snow, and very few tire tracks in the street.

I couldn't help but think how sad this was.  Such a simple pleasure, to go and enjoy an evening outside in the snow.  The quiet and solitude of being out on a night like that is almost magical.  Yet as far as I know, I was the only person enjoying it.  At least in the one mile loop I traveled.

To me it's a shame that the only person out enjoying, and appreciating, a cold snowy walk at night, was a guy in his 50s, who would have been as happy pulling a sled around the neighborhood as he was 40 years ago.  Makes you wonder a little if anyone looking out their window when I went by was thinking "what's that nut doing out there?".

I hope I never lose the desire, or ability, to do just what I did last night; experience the feel, the sound, even the smell, of walking or being outside on a snowy night.

Unfair Suspensions?

I read an article in the USA Today this morning that seriously got my attention.

The headline read: Black students nearly 4x as likely to be suspended.

The article (or the author thereof) went on to discuss the inequality that resulted due to students missing out on education, by being absent from school at a disproportionately higher percentage of days than white students.

Really?!?

I can not be the only person who read that and wondered why? Don't get me wrong, I'm not surprised at the number, I just don't know why no one seemed concerned as to the cause of the suspensions.  Could it possibly be that the black students were committing 4x as many school offenses as white students?  That the black students were missing 4x as many days at their own doing?

Maybe instead of insinuating white privilege (as usual), someone should be looking at why 4x the number of black students just can't seem to follow the rules.

Should we ignore violation of school policies just so we can get that ratio down?  Give me a break.

Image Control

I heard portions of a speech made by Secretary of State John Kerry where he felt it necessary to defend President Obama's failure to reassure Americans on the aftermath of two terrorist atrocities, in Belgium and in Pakistan.  He continued to express how America needs to change our image of being a bully.  We apparently need to work on the way in which we're viewed by the other countries of the world.  Consequently, the president continued his diplomatic visit with an historically hostile regime, while Americans were shaken.

I have a simple question:  WHY?

Why do we need to concern ourselves with the way we are viewed by other nations?  What do we care about the way in which they perceive us, real or imagined?

Our government needs to be concerned about keeping us safe, and if they're unable to do that, at least make us feel like we are.

Political correctness has soared to ridiculous heights when we're more concerned about our image than our well-being.

Let's be sure we don't offend those who are out to do us, our way of life, and our allies, harm.