I don't blame you for you're parents, so get the hell off my case!

I've been lucky enough to get to see a bunch of movie screenings, and there is a new movie out called "The Help." The gist of the movie is that bad white racist people treated black women (Yes I said black) with little to no respect even though they were cleaning their homes and taking care of their children. Being "progressive" back them was building a bathroom out back so that your maid had a place to go.

I'm actually getting kinda tired of being preached to. Maybe it's because I grew up with "busing" where white kids and black kids (Did he just say black again?) were driving hours away from their local neighborhood to go to school in the other district. Kinda how people put puppies in a room to see if they're going to get along.

Just because I joined the military and was exposed to many other races and religions, I guess I somehow missed the point that all of these movies are trying to tell me. Racism was blatant and bad, and apparently really old white people's fault and only rare good white people can save the day. Seriously? I'm suppose to walk out of the movies feeling better or worse?

Racism is much more complicated than that. The life you lead now, is what you're responsible for. If you're a racist, you're not going to see this movie are you? Hollywood should get back to entertaining instead of preaching. How are we suppose to move forward, when they keep showing these old examples (which no one now a day can relate to) of how bad it was. Don't you get tired of that kindly old man who keeps telling you about when bread was a nickle? You don't hate the man, you just wish he had new stories.

I've seen examples of "affirmative action" work... and fall flat on it's face. It needs an upgrade if it's to stay in work. Racism isn't just bad white people treating innocent scared black people badly. Look around. It's Hispanic, Asian, Arabic, Indian (both kinds), Jewish, etc. Each group has it's issues with each other race, religion, ethnicity, language, and geological location. (Like Cleveland...shiver) but that's my cross to bare. Someday I'll evolve past my hatred of Ohio cities who think they have a football team, and no, college doesn't count.

This isn't just some "white guy" bitching, according to my mom, I'm part Cherokee Indian... so now you have to take it seriously because my ancestors have been screwed over too. Sure, some had to sit in the back of the bus, other were dumped off into oceans, given small pox blankets, ran off of cliffs, burned in ovens, and other crimes too numerous to count. Don't you think things like that should unite us? Not be used to decide who suffered more?

Just because I don't believe, doesn't mean I don't care!

I do want clean air, water, and land free from pollution. I just don't believe a bunch of rich companies and organizations, especially the government, telling me special little light bulbs are going to "heal the earth." People in this country have a talent of making money from words.

                There are a lot of people telling us we have to start doing things to save the Planet. Shrink our carbon foot print. The government has seen fit to FORCE us to buy new CFL light bulbs which contain mercury which is bad for us and the local trash pickup may not take them. They have also said that global warming is happening and the Earth can’t release as much heat as it used to, but now NASA says that’s bull.  Are these are the same “geniuses” who said it was causing in the first place?

                I just know a lot of money is being made by people who had no industry before we all became “alerted” to the “crisis.” A lot of tax money has been spent, a lot of new jobs and studies have been commissioned, and it seems as though these “professionals” all work for the government. General Electric is nice and “chummy” with our current administration, and who do you think sells the new light bulbs and wind turbines? Despite a profitable year, GE pays no Tax?

                How can anyone, regardless of politics, party affiliation, out-look on life, or amount of drugs not care about this? Remember the crying Indian? I grew up thinking of him every time I was going to drop my pop can or candy wrapper on the ground. Now I feel like a puppet that some group targeted to “get with the program.” Even the dopers should be pissed that these new fees, taxes, and costs cut into their “supply.” 

                Meanwhile, people are still starving, homeless, dying of cancer, not learning to read, and fighting over whose God is more bad-ass than the others. Recycling use to be something you did and got some extra money doing it. Now it’s something you pay for? I want my country back.

Unions.... ba humbug

Believe me... I get it. Companies will try to keep as much
profit as they can, so unions were formed to protect workers. But now the
unions are corporations too. Joe Smoe worker is stuck with two bosses (Co. and
union) and buy into all the us vs. them because they're told almost daily how
this or that is trying to screw them.

The problem is, the unions don't let the workers live in the
"real world" where wages are determined by merit and performance, and
they have no incentive to perfect their craft. It sucks when the company
demands more, and the union tells you to slow, and you walk the fine line
everyday. If you give more today, they'll (company) want even more tomorrow. “The
union got you your wages and benefits,” so why should I even try to do the best
job, the right job, the perfect job? I get my paycheck whether I complete 2
jobs or 10.

You have to toe the line or the other union members will
harrass you (unless you get really thick skin.) Could you work when your
dealing with High School bully mentality? No tolerance in schools, but it's in
union shops every day. Then the union has to spend 95% of its resources
protecting the worst 5% of actors who “should” be fired, but are entitled merely
because they are members. The person who keeps their head down, wears the shirt
on the right day, and goes home at night to their families sees no benefit, nor
gets the recognition. Instead the bad actors, get louder, and more militant as
they head deeper into trouble and the union tries harder to defend them.

Some of the worse arbitrations and grievance meetings I attended
were just pissing matches between bad union members and anal supervision. Both
side comparing who has the biggest ego. (I really editted myself here).
Supervision says you don’t challenge my authority! The union says you don’t
want to piss us off! Meanwhile, nothing gets done and four to five people are wasting
money, time, and effort. In my life, I said “to hell with this” and rode out my
time until the company fired me (as a supervisor). It is a very liberating
feeling knowing you’ll eventually be fired and deciding you can be the
supervisor you want to be, settle disputes with the members, there, on the
spot, without having to have a grievance. Talking to the person, one on one,
and seeing what motivates them, seeing them thrive.

I still had a few bad actors, and they would have their
union job well after I get fired, and they can have it. Let them live in their
poison. Let them struggle with the bullies, become bullies, or simply let it
crush their individuality. I miss the paycheck, but not the 60+ hours for the
40 hour paycheck or the stress of the day dealing with “us” vs. “them.”  The “make an example out of them” mentallity
of ill-trained supervisors.

I was eventually fired, as I knew I would be. I read many
books, wrote many papers, earned my MBA, and found out there are other
companies who do not succumb to this daily battle. I worked for myself, and have
had fair dealings with those I contract for and with. When and if I ever enter
corporate USA again, I will scrutinize WHO I work for more, than the PAYCHECK
of where I work. I doubt unions will go away, because corporate greed will
never go away. As far as I’m concerned, the unions and companies are the same
save for the fact that one thrives on the backs of their employees, the other
on the blood of their members.  

Some gave all.

I’ve heard this saying so many times, and it always gets caught in my throat.

Maybe it’s because I served. Maybe it’s because I watched the towers fall on 9/11. Maybe it’s because I see my country going astray from where I always thought it was going. I think it’s mostly because of those who have given all they had.
I look around the room as I write this, and see my children playing. I’m warm on this rainy November day. I have the means to provide for my family. My wife and I have a good, but challenging life. We’ve been able to overcome what’s been put in our path thus far. We are grateful. Not all have as much, not all have so little.

 I have a group of friends I can honestly say do not share all of my views, but for the most part, they are honest and good, as I believe people mostly are. They want what I want, to get through this life as comfortably and happily as possible. I’ve seen them struggle and succeed as I have. Some a little more, some a little less.

I don’t know if we, as people, think about how well we have it, compared to others, and why. I did not join the Air Force to defend freedom. I assumed we’d always have it. I did not join, because we were attacked. I assumed we never would be.  I joined because I felt a need to belong, to serve, and to get some experiences outside of my world, which seemed ever so small. Plus the uniforms were so cool!

We are the best. We can make it, even with the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses, because we have the freedom to do so. We have it because some gave all. They served, they died, and more followed behind them. Like ants from a destroyed anthill, the keep coming, because we have something worth fighting for.

I know some hate war, hate death, and hate politics. You can hate these things because of what countless others have given. All. Ask the Iraqi what they hate, and they will whisper or hide in fear of retaliation. Ask the the concentration camp survivor, what they hate, and see them look over their shoulder before answering. We are not afraid to answer. In fact we boldly proclaim it, because some gave all.

I, by the grace of God, did not have to give all. I only gave some. Others sit in darkened homes, darken lives, and wonder why the ones they loved had to give all. Why daddy, mommy, grandpa, brother, sister, son, and daughter, who had very little, had to give all. While others also gave some, and were able to come home, some did not, and were kept behind and locked away to fufill dark purposes by evil people who do not let their people have the freedom we enjoy. They are still giving.

As this Veteran’s Day approaches, and even there after. Please keep your thoughts on those who gave some, those who gave all, and those still giving whether by their choice or not. It’s not just a day off from school or work. They gave this gift to you, this freedom to read and write what you want, without an evil power descending upon you. The freedom to attend, or not attend your church. The freedom to speak your heart, without repercussion.

All gave some, Some gave all…. What would you give? What can you give? All I ask, is a moment of your day, to remember.  

It starts....

I’m just a man who has meandered along in life. Like many, I have my share of triumphs and failures. I don’t have all the answers, and to tell you the truth, I may not even know all the questions. I have the experiences that most of you have, and I’m hoping I can put some of my thoughts here to stop them from making my head explode. Maybe they’ll stop keeping me up at night as well.

I consider myself a “good American” in that I believe in the overall goodness of the average citizen. I try to do the right thing as defined by me and my values and principles which I’ve aquired throughout my lifetime. I am not a saint and try desperately not to portray myself as one at all times. I am a bit of a skeptic, a dreamer, an “out-of-thebox” thinker (as defined by many corporate courses), a father, a veteran, a husband, a wisher, an actor, and a friend who just wants to go about my life, not hurting or hampering anyone else’s chance at happiness, and not wanting my life muddled up with other people’s issues.

Hopefully I can put some entertaining thoughts and rants up here so I can ignite some good convesations. Let’s give it a go shall we?