How Ya Doin'?

This weekend I noticed a more profound statement of the trouble our nation is in than the differences between Republican and Democrat. As many of the readers of this blog know, I am a bicyclist. Yes, I’m one of those fools in tight Lycra shorts and garish jerseys taking up our 12 inches of roadway, and totally freaking out the drivers of this nation. There was a time when one of the unwritten rules of bicycling was that when you see another cyclist coming from the opposite direction you acknowledge them. A nod of the head, a wave, or even a hello was always exchanged. If you were to overtake another cyclist from behind you warned them of your approach and made nice. It didn’t matter how much the bike cost, or if you were wearing the latest bike togs: you were strangers connected by a common bond. You shared the open air and the same 12 inches of roadway, not like the people in cars: encased in their individual worlds. Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal were all terms for those afflicted with 4 wheels.

Now, that simple demonstration of civility is falling by the wayside. Groups of cyclists hammer by without so much as an “on your left”, and very often have coarse words for those they feel should not be in their way. Coming from the opposite direction they act as if they owe you money.

I bring this up because I never worried that this nation was losing the notion of neighborhoods that we had when I was a kid. I didn’t really worry about the language that was appearing on the floor of the U.S. Senate or the sophomoric behavior of the Democrat leadership. I figured that this was just a bad spot that we (the nation) would get over: like the flu. But when I see groups, like us bikers, losing the simple civility of saying good-morning to one another, I have the feeling that we are doomed. Is it too late to stop our nation’s decline? The answer is a resounding NO! Tomorrow morning when you step out to get your paper and see your neighbors getting theirs, say hello. Ask about the family and listen to their answer without trying to one-up them. Say please and thank-you. In general, be civil to everyone you meet even if they ride a bike. Maybe we can set an example for our elected officials AND those other cyclists. Oh, and for the guy with the carload of kids who decided to pass me (read hit) on the right by using the turn lane, have a good week. I’ll be on the same route next Saturday.

Comments? You know where to put ‘em.

C

SHIP OF FOOLS

What is up with my president and his Cracker Jack staff (full of nuts this week)? As most of you know, I support most of the actions this administration takes because it fits into my plans for world domination, but this bit of handing over major ports in the US to a corporation owned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [Yes that same UAE that has been linked to terrorists, including those that participated in the 9/11 hijackings] makes me pause so say, GW, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

I don’t care if it telling an Arab nation NO looks like we have a bias against Arab nations….Dude, we do! Great Britain has not attacked the US since the war of 1812; so, there is a little bit of a difference between the two. Osi Bin Harriet and his merry band of cutthroats have stated that US ports are a “target of opportunity”. Why would we want to make it even easier by allowing the company that manages the security for the ports to make it easier for something bad to come in by way of a US port? It’s bad enough that very few containers get inspected as it is now we want to open the door to the possibility that certain containers won’t be searched even on random chance.

Now I’m not saying for a certainty that it will happen. The deal with Dubai Ports World could simply be a purchase in the big world of corporate business. There could be absolutely no Arab influence in the running of US ports. But, I’m not willing to allow the chance. Look at the problems we faced after Katrina closed New Orleans. Now imagine that six fold only done with a couple of containers of high yield explosive and bio-agents. Nope, this is something that we can’t allow to happen on our watch no matter how much the Dems will love it.

Speaking of which, have you noticed how quickly Chuck Schumer played the fear card on this one? Yea, he has a point, but I find it interesting that the Dems say the Reps work off of the nation’s fear and then Chucky comes out with a word of warning when its his port (NY) that may be taken over. Choose a side of an issue Chuck!

Anyway, back to the point of all of this. It’s time to write our representation and the White House on this decision. In California we need to write to John McCain in Arizona, our Senators are worthless.

As usual, this is my opinion. If you don’t agree, you have the right. If you have a comment, you know where to put it :)
C

Be Vewy Vewy Quiet....

When Dick Cheney shot Harry Whittington, that was news that maybe the White House should have had some heads up on. The US Media, however, has made it appear that Mr. Cheney was “shootin’ it out in Dodge City on a Saturday night” and left his friend in a pool of blood while he rode Karl Rove back to the local saloon. In addition, they seem to think the White House had dispatched its evil minions and black helicopters to attempt to keep this story away from them. Now the press seems to be upset because Mr. Cheney didn’t report that Mr. Wittington had a heart attack on Tuesday while he was still in the hospital!

OK let’s get something straight:
1. If I just shot a friend of mine, I’m not running to the press while he is still on the ground or while he is in surgery. At this point, if I were the VP, I’m doing what my Secret Service detail is telling me to. (My gun is freshly unloaded and theirs still have full mags)

2. The press can just eat my shorts. If they don’t want to follow the VP on vacation then they have to learn to live with being scooped by the Bugtussel Gazzette.

3. If he didn’t see they guy he shot in the first place, how do you expect him to tell you everything that happened. Let the eyewitnesses make the descriptions. If he screwed up, they’ll tell you.

4. The fact that Ms. Armstrong is still alive to tell the tail says something. Had it been the Clinton administration, she would have “committed suicide” or the story would have spun into a murder suicide while the VP was in Wyoming.

5. The police said alcohol was not a factor in the accident for the VP (even if it was TX). Asking the doctor who examined the victim about Mr. Cheney’s alcohol level is just plain stupid. Oh wait, I forgot that I’m talking about the mainstream media.

6. Mr. Wittington had a heart attack while at the hospital in Texas. Unless he is in the Lincon bedroom at the White House, get up off your ass, go to Texas and ask his doctor about his health, not Mr. Cheney.

7. Nancy Pelosi looks under her own bed for Right Wing conspiracies. Anyone listening to her can also eat my shorts. If you put her and Al Gore in the same porn movie, it would still be gay porn.

These are my opinions, and you bet I’m entitled to them. I’m sure the members of the media could care less, and I’m sure Ms. Pelosi couldn’t give two rat’s whiskers; but, if you have a comment, be sure to leave it.
C

More of a Ramble than a Rant

Ya know, I’ve been reading articles, and maybe just a blog or two, not to mention watching segments in the news, all about caricatures of Mohamed that were published in Denmark back in September. My non-biological brother Rory, yes that very same Rabid Irish Setter of the Right Wing and author of Common Sense Rants, made some very excellent points about taking “art” in the context of the artist who created the work. I can even understand some outrage on the part of members of the Islamic faith.

What I don’t understand is the mentality that when you are outraged you have to take lives and destroy the city you live in. It’s not like your team just won the Stanley Cup or anything. Another point I don’t understand is the demands for an apology from the United States. Last time I checked, Denmark was not part of the USA, nor did it want to become the 51st state. Next thing we know we’ll be expected to budget military aid for Palestine to protect it from those evil Israelis. (I only mentioned this in hopes it will give the DNC an idea for their next presidential run).

This morning I read that Iran is conducting a contest to get the most offensive holocaust cartoons to see if the west will go ballistic. Yea, there’s going to be cries of outrage, but I have a feeling there will be more desire to burn down the news paper in Iran than the kid’s school across the street.

Well, that's my ramble. Comment if ya want.