Since I am an Independent voter I do not vote in the Primaries. I do see some advantages in voting in the primaries, but not many. I was so upset last election with the choice of Bush or Kerry. I think the biggest thing that will happen is based on the polls. Clinton will likely choose Obama as a running mate. Romney would be wise to pick someone like Paul, although it is not clear whom he would choose. I would think he would truly need to pick a running mate that panders to the religious conservatives. Someone the Southern Baptists like.
Oil is going up, the dollar is going down, wages are creeping up. The funny thing is in most large expansions salaries went way up. Why are they only going up a little now? Is this due to the global economy? If so we are all in trouble. China is expanding and with the rise in oil prices there they will pass costs along to us. Inflation may be coming and the Federal Reserve may not be able to counteract it easily. We already can see how low interest rates cause issues with homeowners. How many jobs could be lost. Wages would have to go up. This is an issue that the next President is likely to face. I only know of two who might be able to deal with this. Romney with his business background and Richardson who I just think might be the smartest and most qualified. I do prefer people who have governed.
One more Clinton tidbit. You notice they have a company response to all of Romney's remarks. They always say he flip-flops and they expect him to endorse her. It will be interesting to see if the primary polls go as they are laid out. Many Democrats are labeling Clinton a flip flopper too.
My son lost a baseball game in the tournament. We got notice at 6:20 that the game time was changed to 6:15 and show up as quick as we can to play. We got there and kids were going from the car to the on deck circle. The other team was told the night before. This tournament was at the other teams park and we are probably the only team that could beat them. This put us at a huge disadvantage. We lost 7-1. It was 3-1 when we changed pitchers. My son walked both times fouling off quite a few pitches. Unfortunate how unfair things like this are done to kids.
We have a kid on our team that is a year younger than all the others. A kid's dad decided that he wanted to change teams after he signed up under us. So they had to give us one of their players. The coach tells this kid and his parents at a practice "We got another kid, so we had to pick a kid to go to this other team. We are sending you." When the parents came over they were upset. Their kid was just told we don't want you. I appeased the kid by saying we would win more games. Boy is this true. He should also get a trophy at the end of the tournament which he never would have gotten. It upsets me when people are treated this way. It is even more depressing when it is a kid treated this way by an adult. The younger generation is our future. Look at social security. They kids and grand kids pay for the retirements of the older generation through a wage tax.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Golf
I went golfing today for the first time in 18 months. I always enjoy playing golf. It is very difficult. I know some people make fun of it, but it is not an easy game to play. The course was very hilly. One hole you go up, the next one you go down. It made judging the distance more of a challenge.
I am amazed at how little the Elephants and Donkeys avoid each other. Wouldn't it be nice if congress worked together. I can't believe it has taken this long to pass a bill to avoid the AMT. This is a slow process, but one that has been done for years. Why wasn't it something done in the Spring. The Democrats need to quickly get it passed before peoples tax bill goes up. This would cause an election nightmare for them. You would think they would do more to avoid it. Everything seems to take the new congress a long time to get to the President. Did congress get old and slow.
Georgia has some issues with the water and their lakes. I remember these issues from when I lived in Vegas. Seems that during some years it rains all the time and other years very little. Soon the weather patterns will change and it will dump rain in Georgia. There were not any tropical storms in this part of the country this season. These are a great source of moisture. While they cause issues they do bring a lot of rain. The other issue is water rights. These type of agreements need to be made for 10-20 year periods. Vegas had issues cause in the 1920's nobody thought a million people would ever live in the middle of the desert. That changed with Air Conditioners and Gambling. So much for Global Warming. Although that could change weather patterns.
I am amazed at how little the Elephants and Donkeys avoid each other. Wouldn't it be nice if congress worked together. I can't believe it has taken this long to pass a bill to avoid the AMT. This is a slow process, but one that has been done for years. Why wasn't it something done in the Spring. The Democrats need to quickly get it passed before peoples tax bill goes up. This would cause an election nightmare for them. You would think they would do more to avoid it. Everything seems to take the new congress a long time to get to the President. Did congress get old and slow.
Georgia has some issues with the water and their lakes. I remember these issues from when I lived in Vegas. Seems that during some years it rains all the time and other years very little. Soon the weather patterns will change and it will dump rain in Georgia. There were not any tropical storms in this part of the country this season. These are a great source of moisture. While they cause issues they do bring a lot of rain. The other issue is water rights. These type of agreements need to be made for 10-20 year periods. Vegas had issues cause in the 1920's nobody thought a million people would ever live in the middle of the desert. That changed with Air Conditioners and Gambling. So much for Global Warming. Although that could change weather patterns.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Too many years
Things can be quite busy. My kids are keeping me up at night. Between baseball, marching band, marching band competitions, laundry, grocery shopping, and cleaning there is not much time for anything else. Modern economics is hurting me because of the constant medical bills. A local hospital has called my house every day for a month requesting payment. Funny that they care about the $591 amount they are owed, but don't say a word about the $126 bill that is 8 weeks older. I keep telling them I will pay it in full by the end of the year. They think I am lying. Since my wife has cancer I can write off the bill if I pay it, if I don't pay it I can't. Even though I tell the person over the phone this they talk like I am just putting them off. I would think that they would use this as a way to collect. "Pay your bill so you can write it off on your taxes."
The title too many years goes back to the saying I started right after the election of 2004. I was very frustrated with Kerry for President. I didn't feel he would be good, but I also didn't feel Bush was going to be successful. Well I was right. I think had it been Edwards it would have been a Democrat in office and not a Republican. So right after that election they were talking about Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton. Well that freaked me out. I started telling my wife that I am done voting for anyone with a last name of Bush or Clinton. I turned 18 a month and a half after Bush SR was elected. Then 8 years of Clinton and 8 years of Bush made it 20 years of a Bush or Clinton. Way too many years. If we are not careful we will have a Monarchy. I can't see 28 years. If Clinton is elected it will be way too many years of two families in the White house. This is actually the biggest reason I will not vote for Clinton. Her husband was a good President, but had too many non political distractions.
The Tennessee Vols looked real bad yesterday. I can not believe that they couldn't cover DJ Hall. They can't defense the pass. They haven't been able to all year. The Offense looked a little off. This is a team that when Manning was there could recruit whoever they wanted. That is not true now. The talent on the team is average and when playing the top teams this really shows. Georgia is the same way. These teams are now talent wise equal to South Carolina and Kentucky. It seems Alabama and Auburn are the same way. This is why the top PAC10 teams will probably be better than the SEC teams for the next few years.
The title too many years goes back to the saying I started right after the election of 2004. I was very frustrated with Kerry for President. I didn't feel he would be good, but I also didn't feel Bush was going to be successful. Well I was right. I think had it been Edwards it would have been a Democrat in office and not a Republican. So right after that election they were talking about Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton. Well that freaked me out. I started telling my wife that I am done voting for anyone with a last name of Bush or Clinton. I turned 18 a month and a half after Bush SR was elected. Then 8 years of Clinton and 8 years of Bush made it 20 years of a Bush or Clinton. Way too many years. If we are not careful we will have a Monarchy. I can't see 28 years. If Clinton is elected it will be way too many years of two families in the White house. This is actually the biggest reason I will not vote for Clinton. Her husband was a good President, but had too many non political distractions.
The Tennessee Vols looked real bad yesterday. I can not believe that they couldn't cover DJ Hall. They can't defense the pass. They haven't been able to all year. The Offense looked a little off. This is a team that when Manning was there could recruit whoever they wanted. That is not true now. The talent on the team is average and when playing the top teams this really shows. Georgia is the same way. These teams are now talent wise equal to South Carolina and Kentucky. It seems Alabama and Auburn are the same way. This is why the top PAC10 teams will probably be better than the SEC teams for the next few years.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Bias Americans
I don't understand outward bias reactions within this country. My children get along well with other races. I do see a lot of people who are outwardly bias, especially here in Georgia. Let me give a couple examples. My boss a few years back was a black lady. We were at lunch together and a black man came up and said, "You shouldn't eat with a white person." This was a black man who was biased against me who is white. Why? I don't know, but I just didn't understand back then. I grew up out west and wasn't raised this way.
Example 2. My daughter 8 years ago went to a birthday party. Her best friend in school wasn't there. She asked the mother of the girl who's birthday it was if this girl was coming. The mother told her that the girl couldn't make it. I was sitting on the side and could here the conversation. After my daughter went back to playing this mother turned to a couple other mothers and said that "We didn't invite her because she is black." WOW. That is so stupid. I had only lived in Georgia for a year and was really just learning how biased people are. Sad thing is all the girls in the school class were invited to a party except this girl. What happened when she found out? Why did none of these parents care.
Then I see things like a white man giving up his seat on a commuter bus for a black lady. The lady moved to a certain part of the bus and sat down in the seat previously occupied by this white man. The funny thing is she was upset because she said she asked three black men if she could sit and they all refused. She never asked the white man who voluntarily gave up his seat. It shows we have come a long way. It also shows we have a long way yet to go. I do see black and white kids and teenagers get along much better then their parents. I think future generations will improve this, I sure hope they do.
How does all this work for Obama? I think people will not admit an outward bias. They will say he lacks experience.
What about Richardson? They will probably come up with a lame excuse instead of pointing out his Hispanic heritage.
What about Clinton? Instead of saying she is a woman they will say she is too liberal, or say they didn't like her husband.
What about Romney? He will be labeled a flip flopper and not a Mormon.
People need to look deep inside and make a wise choice not filled with bias. Can Americans do this? I am convinced that some can. We will never know what percentage is biased.
My son won his baseball game today 16-5 and he went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles. He stole 4 bases and scored 3 runs with 1 RBI. He has very few RBI's due to batting 2nd in the lineup. My daughter had a band competition today. She moves so much while playing the melaphone. She is moving forward and backward and playing at the same time. She just amazes me.
We got my other son some African Dwarf Frogs. He has 5 in a 10 gallon tank. They dance around a lot and are quite active. If you have an aquarium and don't have violent fish these guys are great. Fun and different.
Example 2. My daughter 8 years ago went to a birthday party. Her best friend in school wasn't there. She asked the mother of the girl who's birthday it was if this girl was coming. The mother told her that the girl couldn't make it. I was sitting on the side and could here the conversation. After my daughter went back to playing this mother turned to a couple other mothers and said that "We didn't invite her because she is black." WOW. That is so stupid. I had only lived in Georgia for a year and was really just learning how biased people are. Sad thing is all the girls in the school class were invited to a party except this girl. What happened when she found out? Why did none of these parents care.
Then I see things like a white man giving up his seat on a commuter bus for a black lady. The lady moved to a certain part of the bus and sat down in the seat previously occupied by this white man. The funny thing is she was upset because she said she asked three black men if she could sit and they all refused. She never asked the white man who voluntarily gave up his seat. It shows we have come a long way. It also shows we have a long way yet to go. I do see black and white kids and teenagers get along much better then their parents. I think future generations will improve this, I sure hope they do.
How does all this work for Obama? I think people will not admit an outward bias. They will say he lacks experience.
What about Richardson? They will probably come up with a lame excuse instead of pointing out his Hispanic heritage.
What about Clinton? Instead of saying she is a woman they will say she is too liberal, or say they didn't like her husband.
What about Romney? He will be labeled a flip flopper and not a Mormon.
People need to look deep inside and make a wise choice not filled with bias. Can Americans do this? I am convinced that some can. We will never know what percentage is biased.
My son won his baseball game today 16-5 and he went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles. He stole 4 bases and scored 3 runs with 1 RBI. He has very few RBI's due to batting 2nd in the lineup. My daughter had a band competition today. She moves so much while playing the melaphone. She is moving forward and backward and playing at the same time. She just amazes me.
We got my other son some African Dwarf Frogs. He has 5 in a 10 gallon tank. They dance around a lot and are quite active. If you have an aquarium and don't have violent fish these guys are great. Fun and different.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Gore won a Prize
I am quite surprised that Al Gore hasn't gotten into the Presidential race. Is he holding out as some sort of favor to Bill Clinton? Not sure. Don't see anyone that would be able to beat him. I suppose he could go on about a lockbox or something, but even that shouldn't keep him from becoming the next President. It is funny how much people move in response to those that are in their electorate base. For instance Gore used to be a moderate. I lived in Knoxville while he was the Senator. He has since become very liberal. The last two Democratic presidents were moderate governors. If he would have stayed moderate he would have easily beat Bush. Our country does not like extreme liberals as a whole. I believe a Democrat needs to be more of a moderate to win election. Occasionally when the whole country is upset with the Republican party, as they seem to be now, they will possibly elect a liberal.
You see this pattern with Romney. I think he is a great example. He was very moderate in his viewpoint in order to get elected Gov. of MA and then has become conservative in order to try to become President. If he was conservative he would have never been Gov. however now he will need to avoid being a flip flopper. It all comes back to why politicians are viewed as not honest. Not sure which is the best way to be. I would prefer that they were honest. One other interesting point. Harry Reid the Senate Majority leader is a Mormon. Wouldn't it be funny to see him and Romney fight over ethics when they share a similar moral upbringing.
I have realized why I am so disgusted with the leaders of today. I used to not worry as much, but with my wife dying I am more so wanting a much better life for my children. I can survive in a crumbling political world, but I don't know if my kids can. An example of this is the Turkish - Armanian bill in congress. Its been 90 years. Turkey has been helpful. We have troops that could have issues if there is an issue with Turkey. Why now? Why not in 10 years? Why not wait at least till we are out of Iraq? What is going on here is a congressman desperate to have a large voting base happy with him. If 10 troops are killed due to having to deal with the Turks and Kurds then the democrats will blame Bush for us being there. The point is it would have been avoidable. American troops don't need any more to deal with anything else. If I had a child over there I would be furious.
The other big issue is the boundries for congress. It doesn't matter how I vote. The last election was won by a Republican who got 70% of the vote. Due to the boundries the Democrats don't even bother putting up a fight. When boundries are drawn they are drawn in order to make sure that districts are safe for one party or another. This means that maybe 2 of 10 districts are up for grabs. I like the area that I live in, but will probably not have a democrat representative unless I move. Maybe after the lines are redrawn.
I am busy. Got to run my daughter to school so she can get ready for her halftime band performance.
You see this pattern with Romney. I think he is a great example. He was very moderate in his viewpoint in order to get elected Gov. of MA and then has become conservative in order to try to become President. If he was conservative he would have never been Gov. however now he will need to avoid being a flip flopper. It all comes back to why politicians are viewed as not honest. Not sure which is the best way to be. I would prefer that they were honest. One other interesting point. Harry Reid the Senate Majority leader is a Mormon. Wouldn't it be funny to see him and Romney fight over ethics when they share a similar moral upbringing.
I have realized why I am so disgusted with the leaders of today. I used to not worry as much, but with my wife dying I am more so wanting a much better life for my children. I can survive in a crumbling political world, but I don't know if my kids can. An example of this is the Turkish - Armanian bill in congress. Its been 90 years. Turkey has been helpful. We have troops that could have issues if there is an issue with Turkey. Why now? Why not in 10 years? Why not wait at least till we are out of Iraq? What is going on here is a congressman desperate to have a large voting base happy with him. If 10 troops are killed due to having to deal with the Turks and Kurds then the democrats will blame Bush for us being there. The point is it would have been avoidable. American troops don't need any more to deal with anything else. If I had a child over there I would be furious.
The other big issue is the boundries for congress. It doesn't matter how I vote. The last election was won by a Republican who got 70% of the vote. Due to the boundries the Democrats don't even bother putting up a fight. When boundries are drawn they are drawn in order to make sure that districts are safe for one party or another. This means that maybe 2 of 10 districts are up for grabs. I like the area that I live in, but will probably not have a democrat representative unless I move. Maybe after the lines are redrawn.
I am busy. Got to run my daughter to school so she can get ready for her halftime band performance.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
10/4/2007
Wow I have been busy. I coach a 9-10 yr old baseball team. I am actually the pitching coach. This takes up some of my time. I have been dealing with the practices and the pitching is actually getting better. I have spent many nights teaching some of these kids to throw, let alone pitch. Some are way behind where they should be. My son is doing well. He is currently 7 for 8 with 3 walks.
Politics is funny. I was reading about Romney being Mormon and that 25% of Americans refuse to vote for a Mormon. I don't see too many differences between the Mormon people I know and the Southern Baptists that I know. I do know that there are bias people and they have existed throughout history. I just wonder if another candidate will come out and attack his religion. I for one will not vote for anyone with an outward bias. To me I like much of what Mitt has to offer. While I don't see him as electable, I do see him as having a different background that could change this country for the better. Maybe he would be a good VP. I would hope a Democrat would offer him the post of Secretary of Commerce.
The more I see of Richardson the more I like him. I am afraid of how the next President will approach the armed forces. President Clinton drastically cut the number of military personnel which has probably caused some issues in recent years. If our country pulls out of Iraq will the insurgents just leave Americans alone? Not likely. This could be avoided by moving some of the troops to Afghanistan. The other issue is how we will be viewed throughout the world. Will America's reputation get worse for leaving a country in chaos. Ultimately America has to leave at the right time. When that is I don't know, but I feel right after an election may not be the best time. This is the only area I don't agree with Richardson.
My wife is actually feeling a little better. Her color has come back to her face. While she is still very sick I am hoping that the doctors time frame of her death is wrong. He said she should die this month. I am hoping to see that extend out for quite a bit longer.
Politics is funny. I was reading about Romney being Mormon and that 25% of Americans refuse to vote for a Mormon. I don't see too many differences between the Mormon people I know and the Southern Baptists that I know. I do know that there are bias people and they have existed throughout history. I just wonder if another candidate will come out and attack his religion. I for one will not vote for anyone with an outward bias. To me I like much of what Mitt has to offer. While I don't see him as electable, I do see him as having a different background that could change this country for the better. Maybe he would be a good VP. I would hope a Democrat would offer him the post of Secretary of Commerce.
The more I see of Richardson the more I like him. I am afraid of how the next President will approach the armed forces. President Clinton drastically cut the number of military personnel which has probably caused some issues in recent years. If our country pulls out of Iraq will the insurgents just leave Americans alone? Not likely. This could be avoided by moving some of the troops to Afghanistan. The other issue is how we will be viewed throughout the world. Will America's reputation get worse for leaving a country in chaos. Ultimately America has to leave at the right time. When that is I don't know, but I feel right after an election may not be the best time. This is the only area I don't agree with Richardson.
My wife is actually feeling a little better. Her color has come back to her face. While she is still very sick I am hoping that the doctors time frame of her death is wrong. He said she should die this month. I am hoping to see that extend out for quite a bit longer.
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