Shades of the desire for the nanny state continue to show up in the darndest of places.
This morning's Argus online poll asks the question: "Do you support a legislative effort to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, casinos and all other indoor workplaces in the state?" As of 8:42 am the result of 985 votes is: 645 - Yes and 340 - No.
Well, to my military mind, the more we depend on gummint to dictate what business can and
cannot do, the more we are decreasing our freedom. This country became great due in part to the openness of businesses to cater to the needs and wants of the public.
It is truly a sad day, when people are so lazy they would rather see new laws passed, than allow businesses to change on their own.
Should the 65.5% who desire the law to prohibit smoking in public establishments let those establishments know they prefer the non smoking ambiance, who knows what would happen.
It would certainly be instructive to go to some of these public places and find out what the break down is of people there who smoke and do not smoke.
Having been to one of the bigger casinos here in the area more than once, I have seen the majority of the people, with gaming club cards, smoking. At any given point of time, you will find that just about everyone in the place are smoking.
I personally do not smoke, and have not since 1974. Would I like to exist in a smoke free environment? I don't really know. I do know I am never gonna expect someone else to live the
way I do. And I will never call upon gummint to force someone to live the way I choose.
We used to have a saying: "All you have to do is pay taxes and die". To me, that means, I am free to live as I wish as long as I pay my taxes and understand that one day I am gonna die.
That in itself is an interesting thought. I have been in a head-on collision at 80 mph, and have lived, I have spent my thirteen months in Vietnam and survived. I was a drunken alcoholic for ten years, paying no attention to my physical or mental health. I have been in places where men
have pointed handguns at my head and threatened to shoot me.
Yet, here I am getting ready to enter into my 63d year of life. And not once have I called on the gummint to do anything...I am told that had I used the seat belt I might not have endured the injuries I did - but I didn't stand up and say, better make it mandatory that every one hook their seat belt.
OK, nuff ranten...
I am really tired, no, really sick of so many people crying out to gummint to come to their aid.
How did we come to be such a pussified community?
Now I begin to see how the old country songs have such a draw.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thinkin outloud
OK, so, the plot thickens...I thot I was having complications from an accident I had a coupla years ago, when I lost my rotator cuff. So, my regular doc scheduled a consult with the orthopedic people at the hospital; I saw them today.
First, they xrayed my shoulder four different angles. The doc looked at the pix and did some things with my arm and shoulder.
Said, he didn't think my problem was with the shoulder, itself, per se, but perhaps there was something else going on. So, back to xray for a coupla xrays of my neck. Doc looked at xrays and showed me where the vertebrae (or whatever the things are called) did not have the regular amount of clearance, and was perhaps pinching the nerve that would cause numbness in my entire arm and pain in my shoulder.
So, I am being processed for an MRI of my neck to give a clearer view of the situation, so doc can make a decision on what to do.
Well, I have always heard that bad things come in threes, so, perhaps now, I am done with receiving bad things for a while...you have to ask what three? Why my half a day in ER on Monday, now this possible spine problem, and the worst presidential election in my lifetime.
Come on Scotty, can't you at least beam me up? There ain't a lot of intelligent life on this planet.
First, they xrayed my shoulder four different angles. The doc looked at the pix and did some things with my arm and shoulder.
Said, he didn't think my problem was with the shoulder, itself, per se, but perhaps there was something else going on. So, back to xray for a coupla xrays of my neck. Doc looked at xrays and showed me where the vertebrae (or whatever the things are called) did not have the regular amount of clearance, and was perhaps pinching the nerve that would cause numbness in my entire arm and pain in my shoulder.
So, I am being processed for an MRI of my neck to give a clearer view of the situation, so doc can make a decision on what to do.
Well, I have always heard that bad things come in threes, so, perhaps now, I am done with receiving bad things for a while...you have to ask what three? Why my half a day in ER on Monday, now this possible spine problem, and the worst presidential election in my lifetime.
Come on Scotty, can't you at least beam me up? There ain't a lot of intelligent life on this planet.
Monday, November 3, 2008
So, how was your morning?
Spent half a day in the ER today.
It was one of those nites when sleep seemed to elude me; toss n turn, roll over, roll back.
About 3:00 this morning, I got out of bed, and was dizzy, my head was full of congestion, my face was burning, and I didn't feel right at all.
Well, went out and got a drink of water out of the fridge, and made a potty break, and climbed back in bed. Still not able to get comfortable, felt like I was hyperventilating, and tried to settle my breathing down.
About 4:00 I got out of bed again, and debated if I should go in to ER, or crawl back in bed and see if whatever would pass. So, I crawled back in bed, only to realize that I wasn't getting any better, and the hyperventilating seemed to bother me, since I couldn't get it under control.
Finally decided to go to ER and see if they could figgure out what was going on.
Walked into ER and was immediately asked what I needed help with. I asked them if this was the place I should come to die, cuz if they couldn't figgure out what was wrong, I would need to die just to feel better.
Finally got walked back to an exam room, and got the backless gown and directions to put it on.
While still getting undressed and putting on the gown, the nurse came in and started talking with me. That's ok, after 29 years in the military I ain't got a lot of concern bout modesty in a hospital.
Next came the temp taking, seems it was 97.? Placed the blood pressure cuff on my arm, and activated it, when alarms started going off; seems my heart rate was up to 103.5, and the nurse was concerned I was having a coronary.
So, called in the girl with the EEG, who dutifully stuck the stickys all over my chest and legs, did the EEG, and announced everything was alright.
Then the doctor came in, and introduced herself to me, and said she wanted to take my temp, just becuz that was how she worked. She reported a temp of 99.? but was alarmed because my skin was red hot, and heat waves were rising off every part of my body. Eventually, the doc decided we needed to do a rectal temp and came up with a temp of 135.
Now she knew something was up.
Somebody set me up with an iv needle, and then took blood for blood test and a culture.
Next, I was taken to xray where pictures were taken of my lungs to see if there was anythihg going on there. Negative.
Next on the agenda was a trip to the CAT scan to find out why my face was burning and what was happening with the major congestion. That showed a major sinus infection on the right side.
After being returned to the exam room, I was notified that the doc wanted a urinalysis, and of course, I guess I was dehydrated, and the trip I made to the bathroom at 3 that morning, seemed to have taken care of anything in the holding tank.
The nurse I had, was really nice, she was a refugee from Lafayette, LA. We talked some about the crazy stuff going on in LA, and she was of the mind that if O. Hussein B, does not get elected there will be a lot of unhappy blacks in the south. Anyway, her shift was ending, so she left.
Doc came in while I was peeing in the bottle, she said she was waiting for the urinalysis results to come back, and I informed her, that the sample had not been taken down yet. So, she took a sample and left.
Well, the doc came back in and informed me that she was worried becuz the high temp and the headache, and the white cells in my blood, told her there was something else going on.
Wouldn't you know it, she was concerned that I might have meningitis, which would cause white cells to activate, and temp to spike and headache. So, she discussed doing a spinal tap, lumbar poke, to test the fluid in the spine to rule out meningitis.
Well, her shift was over too, so, two male docs came in and splained to me what was gonna happen.
Well, finally, about 11:15, the doc came in and told me the spinal fluid was clear and there was no meningitis there.
I was free to go home, but I would need to get a Rx filled for antibiotics (spelled horse pill).
Well, I am home now, and still out of sorts, guess it gonna take a while for everything to work its way out of my system.
So, how was your morning?
It was one of those nites when sleep seemed to elude me; toss n turn, roll over, roll back.
About 3:00 this morning, I got out of bed, and was dizzy, my head was full of congestion, my face was burning, and I didn't feel right at all.
Well, went out and got a drink of water out of the fridge, and made a potty break, and climbed back in bed. Still not able to get comfortable, felt like I was hyperventilating, and tried to settle my breathing down.
About 4:00 I got out of bed again, and debated if I should go in to ER, or crawl back in bed and see if whatever would pass. So, I crawled back in bed, only to realize that I wasn't getting any better, and the hyperventilating seemed to bother me, since I couldn't get it under control.
Finally decided to go to ER and see if they could figgure out what was going on.
Walked into ER and was immediately asked what I needed help with. I asked them if this was the place I should come to die, cuz if they couldn't figgure out what was wrong, I would need to die just to feel better.
Finally got walked back to an exam room, and got the backless gown and directions to put it on.
While still getting undressed and putting on the gown, the nurse came in and started talking with me. That's ok, after 29 years in the military I ain't got a lot of concern bout modesty in a hospital.
Next came the temp taking, seems it was 97.? Placed the blood pressure cuff on my arm, and activated it, when alarms started going off; seems my heart rate was up to 103.5, and the nurse was concerned I was having a coronary.
So, called in the girl with the EEG, who dutifully stuck the stickys all over my chest and legs, did the EEG, and announced everything was alright.
Then the doctor came in, and introduced herself to me, and said she wanted to take my temp, just becuz that was how she worked. She reported a temp of 99.? but was alarmed because my skin was red hot, and heat waves were rising off every part of my body. Eventually, the doc decided we needed to do a rectal temp and came up with a temp of 135.
Now she knew something was up.
Somebody set me up with an iv needle, and then took blood for blood test and a culture.
Next, I was taken to xray where pictures were taken of my lungs to see if there was anythihg going on there. Negative.
Next on the agenda was a trip to the CAT scan to find out why my face was burning and what was happening with the major congestion. That showed a major sinus infection on the right side.
After being returned to the exam room, I was notified that the doc wanted a urinalysis, and of course, I guess I was dehydrated, and the trip I made to the bathroom at 3 that morning, seemed to have taken care of anything in the holding tank.
The nurse I had, was really nice, she was a refugee from Lafayette, LA. We talked some about the crazy stuff going on in LA, and she was of the mind that if O. Hussein B, does not get elected there will be a lot of unhappy blacks in the south. Anyway, her shift was ending, so she left.
Doc came in while I was peeing in the bottle, she said she was waiting for the urinalysis results to come back, and I informed her, that the sample had not been taken down yet. So, she took a sample and left.
Well, the doc came back in and informed me that she was worried becuz the high temp and the headache, and the white cells in my blood, told her there was something else going on.
Wouldn't you know it, she was concerned that I might have meningitis, which would cause white cells to activate, and temp to spike and headache. So, she discussed doing a spinal tap, lumbar poke, to test the fluid in the spine to rule out meningitis.
Well, her shift was over too, so, two male docs came in and splained to me what was gonna happen.
Well, finally, about 11:15, the doc came in and told me the spinal fluid was clear and there was no meningitis there.
I was free to go home, but I would need to get a Rx filled for antibiotics (spelled horse pill).
Well, I am home now, and still out of sorts, guess it gonna take a while for everything to work its way out of my system.
So, how was your morning?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Rantin n ravin, cuz i kin
As much as I have disdained and detested the goings on of this presidential election cycle, I want to go on record here with a coupla thots.
We have been treated in the past to the idea that the dems are interested in passing a law that will assist the unions in getting into workspaces.
I am retired military, and I drive a skool buss, on a part time basis. There are a number of people who also drive and there are a number who provide services as aides.
Again, all of these positions are part time. And, because they are part time, there is no consideration for benefits; although there appears to be a connection with a well known insurance company to provide medical insurance to the employees.
I would never have considered it, but I can see, where there could be people in this status who would like to see the drivers unionized.
I can see, the need for these part timers to have a little more stability in their job. Funny, should they unionize, there would be very little that could be done to keep them from demanding additional benefits, and maybe even being considered for full time work, rather than part time.
It is my understanding that the dems are waiting for B Hussein Obama to get into office, and to gain veto proof control of both houses of con-gress so they can pass the legislation giving the unions this access.
Add to this, the dems insistent desire to reenact the "fairness doctrine".
It still escapes me, how the elitest dems can complain about fairness, when we have seen in the past twelve years how the major TV and newspaper outlets are totally in the tank for the dem side of the canal. Add to this the NPR and PBS stations that receive taxpayer funding, that have no qualms about supporting and going overboard for the dem and liberal point of view. Where is fairness in this instance???
Of course, fairness demands that O.N.L.Y. the liberal, dem point of view be proferred. Any other point of view is considered to be heresy, and punishable by death.
I have written before regarding taxation, and still believe that the dem/liberal position would be different if we were to make the death tax, and the income tax retroactive to the conception of this great country.
How would Teddy Kennedy, and John Scarry like to find the money they ben sitten on is being confiscated to meet the law? Of course they would scream to highest heaven.
A long time ago, someone advised me of an analogy: Any surgery that is being done on someone else is considered to be minor surgery; but any surgery being done on yourself is automatically major surgery.
I have an idea.
For every person in this country that thinks/feels like Europeans live a better life, and have better benefits, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to Europe, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every citizen, who refuses to work, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to a socialist country, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every naturalized citizen, I propose that we ensure they adhere to the part of the oath that says they relinquish all obedience and allegiance to their former country and leadership. If they are not willing, then we ship them back to their former country, and revoke their US citizenship.
Does this sound harsh?
I love this country, and my 29 years in the Naval Service of our Armed Forces gives me a pretty good handle on what is really good about this country.
For those who do not like the fact that this country was founded under God, and was established for religious freedom, and the freedom to own property, then they should go and find a country that provides them with their hearts desire, and quit screwing with this country.
We have been treated in the past to the idea that the dems are interested in passing a law that will assist the unions in getting into workspaces.
I am retired military, and I drive a skool buss, on a part time basis. There are a number of people who also drive and there are a number who provide services as aides.
Again, all of these positions are part time. And, because they are part time, there is no consideration for benefits; although there appears to be a connection with a well known insurance company to provide medical insurance to the employees.
I would never have considered it, but I can see, where there could be people in this status who would like to see the drivers unionized.
I can see, the need for these part timers to have a little more stability in their job. Funny, should they unionize, there would be very little that could be done to keep them from demanding additional benefits, and maybe even being considered for full time work, rather than part time.
It is my understanding that the dems are waiting for B Hussein Obama to get into office, and to gain veto proof control of both houses of con-gress so they can pass the legislation giving the unions this access.
Add to this, the dems insistent desire to reenact the "fairness doctrine".
It still escapes me, how the elitest dems can complain about fairness, when we have seen in the past twelve years how the major TV and newspaper outlets are totally in the tank for the dem side of the canal. Add to this the NPR and PBS stations that receive taxpayer funding, that have no qualms about supporting and going overboard for the dem and liberal point of view. Where is fairness in this instance???
Of course, fairness demands that O.N.L.Y. the liberal, dem point of view be proferred. Any other point of view is considered to be heresy, and punishable by death.
I have written before regarding taxation, and still believe that the dem/liberal position would be different if we were to make the death tax, and the income tax retroactive to the conception of this great country.
How would Teddy Kennedy, and John Scarry like to find the money they ben sitten on is being confiscated to meet the law? Of course they would scream to highest heaven.
A long time ago, someone advised me of an analogy: Any surgery that is being done on someone else is considered to be minor surgery; but any surgery being done on yourself is automatically major surgery.
I have an idea.
For every person in this country that thinks/feels like Europeans live a better life, and have better benefits, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to Europe, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every citizen, who refuses to work, I suggest we give them a one way ticket to a socialist country, and revoke their US citizenship.
For every naturalized citizen, I propose that we ensure they adhere to the part of the oath that says they relinquish all obedience and allegiance to their former country and leadership. If they are not willing, then we ship them back to their former country, and revoke their US citizenship.
Does this sound harsh?
I love this country, and my 29 years in the Naval Service of our Armed Forces gives me a pretty good handle on what is really good about this country.
For those who do not like the fact that this country was founded under God, and was established for religious freedom, and the freedom to own property, then they should go and find a country that provides them with their hearts desire, and quit screwing with this country.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Country musicians come thru
I have fallen in love with Cassy at http://www.cassyfiano.com/.
Go and pay her a visit if you ain't never ben there.
Today, she has posted a really energizing article regarding an article she found in Redbook magazine.
Truly inspirational and hundred n eighty degrees out of phase with what we are being bombarded by today.
Go and pay her a visit if you ain't never ben there.
Today, she has posted a really energizing article regarding an article she found in Redbook magazine.
Truly inspirational and hundred n eighty degrees out of phase with what we are being bombarded by today.
It's the economy, stupid
"How can John McCain fix the economy. When he doesn't think it's broken?"
Guess we are reverting to Monica Lewinsky's boyfriend's mantra..."it's the economy stupid!"
I hear pundits decrying the pitifulness of the economy, today, but you know, I don't see that.
The best selling vehicles up here appear to be SUVs, and not necessarily the little ones.
I am also aware of the number of large SUVs running around with after market chrome wheels and tires.
I guess the old adage that if you tell a lie enough people will begin to believe it, is still true.
Everywhere I look, these days, I am overwhelmed with the lies of the poli-tic-ians, in order to bring this country to her knees.
My oath of enlistment covered enemies foreign and domestic...how long are we gonna allow the enemy of our livelihood and all that we hold sacred to run amok?
Guess we are reverting to Monica Lewinsky's boyfriend's mantra..."it's the economy stupid!"
I hear pundits decrying the pitifulness of the economy, today, but you know, I don't see that.
The best selling vehicles up here appear to be SUVs, and not necessarily the little ones.
I am also aware of the number of large SUVs running around with after market chrome wheels and tires.
I guess the old adage that if you tell a lie enough people will begin to believe it, is still true.
Everywhere I look, these days, I am overwhelmed with the lies of the poli-tic-ians, in order to bring this country to her knees.
My oath of enlistment covered enemies foreign and domestic...how long are we gonna allow the enemy of our livelihood and all that we hold sacred to run amok?
Excerpt from Sgt Grit newsletter
To my military mind, this is a great letter...
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
When you stop and think about it, "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful"...and it goes way beyond just being faithful to the Corps...the words I remember from my sixteen years there were: "God, country and Corps".
Remember the words of JFK? Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. How different that sounds than what we are hearing, today, from presidential and con-gressional wannabees.
Here is the letter...if you want more, please go to http://www.grunt.com .
Dear Sgt. Grit
Marines seldom lose their composure and are inclined to be rather stoic in general. I include myself in that group, but I need to confess to losing mine twice in the same day.
I work as a deck hand (Combination boatswain's mate and machinist's mate) on some of Chicago's architectural cruise boats during the season, and last weekend we had two of the days you wish you could bottle up and then open again in mid- February. We were sailing nearly full each trip, so we were on the lookout for wheelchairs and how to handle their logistics.
I looked up from tearing tickets, and I spotted a young man seated in wider model. He was missing one leg below the knee and the other above the knee. He had three other guests with him.
The woman who was obviously his mother was wearing a gray USMC sweatshirt. When I tried to get him down our usual rampway, chair was too wide for the ramp, so I had to put in the wider one.
While I was wheeling him down the wide ramp, I asked if he was a Marine. He said: "That's right, 2/3." I said "1/4" and asked him if he was an 0311. He said "Yeah, what's your MOS?" I told him "0302." He wasn't familiar with that one, so I told him I was an infantry officer.
I wheeled his chair up to the place that had the best view, and I noted that he only had a t-shirt on. After we seated all the guests and pulled away from the dock, I got my jacket out of the pilot house and went up to give it to him to wear: after all, it gets chilly out there in the concrete canyons. When I went to hand him my jacket, I realized he was also blind in both eyes.
After I checked on the rest of the guests, I went back to talk to Eric, our bartender. He asked me if I was OK, and I told him about the guy in the wheelchair and how he was younger than my son. Eric was surprised to watch me try to keep from losing it. "Wow" was about all he could offer. What could he say, anyway?
Then we started discussing what a guy like that can do for a living. After the cruise, I helped get the Marine ashore, and he held out my jacket. "Semper Fi", I said: he smiled and said "Oorah."
That's when it hit me. This guy didn't want pity, or even compassion. He was ready with neither eyes nor legs to take on the world again on his own terms. All he wanted was a chance to prove it. What can a guy like that do for a living? Nearly anything he sets his mind to.
Later on, I was again boarding passengers when a neatly dressed lady wearing a small blue-bordered white pin walked up. I was wearing my sunglasses, so the colors weren't too clear. I asked if she had a son in the military.
"Had", she said, "Actually, that's a gold star." Sure enough, along with her gold star pin, she was wearing a tiny Eagle Globe and Anchor. She appeared to be a typical Marine Mom: you know, "Return with your shield or on it." She obviously didn't want anybody to feel sorry for her either. I lost it again.
So where do we get people like this? I think they come from America's very heart and soul. They're everyday Americans who had a job to do and did it to the best of their ability. These Marines, their families, and their friends deserve our good cheer, and our commitment to helping them make it on their own again. Handouts? What for? Pity? Why? So if you're in the position to hire folks for your business, don't forget the Vet. Especially, don't forget wounded Vets like that 2/3 Marine.
Semper FidelisKB
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