I'm still alive, but barely

So, I've been away for a bit. Had to finish off the complete waste of the last 18 months of my life. That's not exactly right. It may not have been a waste, but damn sure feels like it.

So, here a few days I will be tirading against the stupidity of mankind and America's tendency to make people more lasy and less responsible for their actions. Till then, have a drink on me.

Top 5 Favorite books.
1. Neuromancer by William Gibson
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
4. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
5. Glorylane by Alan Dean Foster

There are a lot more I like (Alas, Babylon, Dune, Dragonsdawn, Patriot Games), but these are the five that I keep returning to.

What are you favorites?

So much to talk about and so little time.

Topics that I'm avoiding.
- Nominee Sotomayor. I just don't have enough info yet to give an educated opinion. My early thoughts are that I'm glad they are replacing a liberal leaning judge with a liberal leaning judge. Other than that, I'll keep a watchful eye.

- CA Supreme Court. Talk about a kobe ashi maru. They were not left with a good way to go. For Prop 8, they are promoting hate. Against Prop 8, they are turning their backs on the wish of the voters and the CA Constitution. Again, no way to win.

- The great Jello Wall Stunt. Made for a good Tuesday discusion, but has a Pinky & The Brain feel to it.


Topics I'm not avoiding.
- 1408. Its a kick butt movie based on Stephen King short story. Probably some of John Cuzacks best work. On the chill o meter it gets a 8 out of 10 (downright frightening).

- Bleach. Great anime. Was slow to start but is really picking up speed now. Highly recommend it.


Sorry about the lack of controversy in this blog, but work has been consuming alot of my extra brain cells. Hopefully soon, I'll get back to upsetting people.

Stupid Politicians

Ok, I think the Bonehead of the day award goes to Sen. Tom Coburn - R-Oklahoma. What kind of self serving politician puts an admendment about loaded guns in parks on a bill that is supposed to protect consumers from credit card companies? I don't completely agree with a bill that is designed to make it easier for people to be dumber and not take any responsibility for what they agree to, But this admendment is just as dumb and not appropriate for the time. So something that was a noble effort is tarnished by usual Washington politics. Can we fire all of them and start over?

Gitmo

Wow. Looking for a topic to discuss, and one fell in my lap. Really, my laptop feel into my lap and on the screen was an article about "Gitmo." It seems that the Dems have changed their mind. They no longer want "Gitmo" closed, or the detainees brought to U.S. soil. Sounds awfully familiar. I think I read about the Republicans saying the same thing not to long ago, only they wanted to detain them indefinitely. Why don't someone come up with a rational plan and implement it? Let's have a trial for these guys. They supposedly are enemies of the United States, thereefore something needs to be done with them. Again let me break this up in to the way I think on it.

Detainees - Enemies of the U.S., or so we've been told. Let a military tribunal try them. If they are enemies, then treat them as such. If they have harmed an American citizen, then excute them. If they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, set them free with the appropriate reprobations (hope I got that word right). It seems simple enough.

Congress - Not sure this group can come up with a common goal. To much politics being played. The Democrats want to keep power, pass their individual agendas, and destroy the Republican Party. The Republicans want to regain some power, pass their individual agendas, and find their place in this overly politically correct world. The voters as a whole are just screwed. These back and forth idea changes are keeping the detainees and the taxpayers in a bind.

President Obama - I admire the fact that he is trying to keep a campaign promise. Don't agree with him totally on the issue, but at least he is acting like a leader and setting a path to resolution. "If we want to lead the world, we must uphold ourselves to a higher standard", is the message I'm getting out of White House. That these detainees deserve a fair trial under a civilian judge. The big problem I see here is that federal judges in this country are a political position, and that might influence their rulings. So, while I give him a negative on keeping America safe, he gets a positive for trying to make us a more morale country.

U.S Taxpayer - Most the people I talk to (which is not a good sampling of the country) are just tired of paying for these guys.

What do you guys think? Trial, infinite detention, or let them go?

Re-Orientation

Just got a little motivation from a talented friend of mine (who also happens to be my bro). I've been slacking lately. Focusing more on the everyday routine, which is taking away time from the creative side. Thinking that was the way things should be, I've been shown a better way. Thanks, Bama.

Third time is not the charm.

When I sat down at the computer an hour ago, I had a really good rant and rave planned. I typed it up. Made sure that I had lots of colorful metaphors included and threw in a few insults for good measure. It was pretty extensive. Then I sat back and read it, and realized that it contained no positives in it. It was just me venting a lot of hot air. So, I deleted it. I want all 3 of my readers to focus on something positive and constructive right now.......mine is the fact that I'm trying to learn Japanese, again. I've attempted it before, but I didn't really have any incentive to stick with it. Now I have a personal goal. I think this will help me go through with it. Personal goals are a very necessary need when trying to accomplish a task......anyways, back to the focusing thing. This is a place for forward thinking. Sometimes raw emotion can inspire you, and give life to your words, but very rarely does it solve problems or do anything other than upset people (which I occasionally like to do). Most people know this, but not many try to control it. So, today's topic is being positive. For those that really know me, know that is not my usual demeanor. I tend towards the glass is not only half empty, but its about to be knocked over. For the rest of the day, the glass is half full, with a waiter on the way.

Any topics you want me to tackle? I got thousands of opinions on just about everything. Most of them are probably wrong, but I'll gladly discuss almost any subject with you guys.

Sophomore Effort

So, I thinking the opening blog went well. Its been kindly received by all two of my readers. The pressure is now on to come up with a good followup. Well, we all know how sophomoric efforts turn out....

Topic of the evening. Carrie Prejean and the controversy surrounding her. First off. Who really cares about the Miss USA pageant? I mean, before her answer to a very loaded question, who knew that the Miss USA event was going on? I didn't. And I still don't care. But thanks to a very hot button issue, and an answer that did not please a loud mouth, she is news. Carrie, sorry girl, I could care less about you. As to her answer, well that going to take a bit. This is one of those issues where we have to start with seperation of church and state. Then we have to look at each sides hatred and put that aside. Before I go any further, let me give you my take on gay marriage. From a governmental stand point, I think a person has a right to declare a union with any other person. What does it matter to me if you want to make some one of the same sex your legal heir and to have all the benefits of being your spouse. Its no skin off my back, I just don't want to hear you crying when they take half in the divorce. From a Christian standpoint, I don't consider it a marriage in the eyes of God, and is a sin. But then again I'm not God, so its not me that you have to answer to. I'm not the one that will sit in judgement on you soul. Gay marriage, if you want it then go for it, I still talk to you and treat you as a friend. Now, on the reverse side. I think the hatred has been going both ways here. Miss Cali expressed her opinion in a way that did not demean the homosexual community. Alot of hatred came her way for it though (especially from a certain gossip columnist). Here me now, forcing you beliefs on someone else, especially in the face of centuries of tradition does not help your cause. I think the homesexual community has gone to hard core on this issue. Trying to push acceptance on the Christian right, is like the Christian right telling you to conform. Instead, try by changing the law, work on the moderates, get those that think like myself on your side. There are enough moderates out there, that think like myself. So that dead horse has been beaten to death. One last thought on Shanna Moakler. You resigned and the Christian right won. You should have stayed on.

Did I do well? I don't think so, but true debate takes feed back. Agree? disagree? Let me know.

Opening Salvo

Welcome to my blog. Most of you will probably get bored with me quickly, but for those that stick around, I'm more than likely going to make you mad. A quick look at who I am. Fiscal conservative with a strong belief in liberal rights. I don't believe in mixing church and state but I'm a Christian. (More on that later). My family was poor while I was growing up, and I've worked hard to make sure that my wife and children never have to know what that's like. I believe in solutions more than just complaining about a problem. Open mindedness is appreciated in a debate. If you want to only look at your side with closed eyes, then this is not the blog for you. If opposing ideas makes you blood boil in rage, again, this is not the blog for you. If you don't like "The Princess Bride", then this is not the life for you. So, to those that are sticking around, welcome, come in, have a beer, and let the conversations begin.