Oakland police have been involved in several shootings in the last months. Just in the last few days there was a fatal shooting. A lawyer (surprise, surprise) is already involved. Since I don't live in Oakland, nor do most readers of this blog, it is reasonable to wonder what has prompted me to write about this.
I think being a cop must be really tough in Oakland, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Chicago, NY, etc.. I want the police to use good judgement and not shoot everyone on the street. And, with good training I hope they can get it right every time. Seems reasonable.
In a recent Sports Illustrated article, the violence in Oakland was featured. According to the article youth sports used to be the way out of the violence. Not any more. Now an alarming number of young (read children) star athletes are being shot dead. I am sure the cops are under tremendous pressure to fix it.
Problem is, they can't fix it. Cops everywhere will continue to have to make life and death decisions based on a few seconds of stimuli. God bless'em for trying to do it right.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wii
The Wii by Nintendo is a device that you either have to get lucky to find in a store or buy on eBay at a premium. Really cool technology that was introduced in 2006 - yet they are still hard to find.
Now they added a Wii Fit which is a device to help get you in shape. Fun games like downhill skiing and ski jumping are included with the Fit to trick you into thinking you are not working on balance, strength, etc. I figured, "how hard could yoga and balance be, and a little strength training couldn't be too tough."
I am out of shape! Ouch.
Wii gonna get fit!
Now they added a Wii Fit which is a device to help get you in shape. Fun games like downhill skiing and ski jumping are included with the Fit to trick you into thinking you are not working on balance, strength, etc. I figured, "how hard could yoga and balance be, and a little strength training couldn't be too tough."
I am out of shape! Ouch.
Wii gonna get fit!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Unreasonable Democrats
As usual, the Democrats don't know when to leave things alone. Now they want to impeach Bush.
Bush hasn't done a good job in my opinion - which I have expressed fairly often - but he will thankfully be done in 6 months.
The congress has much better things to do with their time and our money. Totally unreasonable waste of both.
Get to work!
Bush hasn't done a good job in my opinion - which I have expressed fairly often - but he will thankfully be done in 6 months.
The congress has much better things to do with their time and our money. Totally unreasonable waste of both.
Get to work!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Dr. Pausch
A couple of months back I published a link to an incredible lecture given by Dr. Pausch. It has become an instant hit on the Internet.
From the NY Times: Dr. Pausch died early today at his home in Virginia. Although Dr. Pausch was famous for his poignant, frank discussion of his impending death, he was also aggressive about seeking treatments that could prolong his life and the time he had left to spend with his wife, Jai, and their three children. A lifetime problem solver, Dr. Pausch was determined to help his wife and children cope with his death. “I haven’t found a way to clever my way out of it,'’ he told me.
I again encourage you to watch this when you have an hour to spare - better yet, make the hour.
From the NY Times: Dr. Pausch died early today at his home in Virginia. Although Dr. Pausch was famous for his poignant, frank discussion of his impending death, he was also aggressive about seeking treatments that could prolong his life and the time he had left to spend with his wife, Jai, and their three children. A lifetime problem solver, Dr. Pausch was determined to help his wife and children cope with his death. “I haven’t found a way to clever my way out of it,'’ he told me.
I again encourage you to watch this when you have an hour to spare - better yet, make the hour.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
McCain Fund Raiser
I really am becoming a disenfranchised and disenchanted Republican. Poor John McCain, the Republican machine is not helping him any more than his own staffers. Has any Republican campaign ever been so amateurish?
Obama (having been challenged by McCain to to to Iraq) goes on a well covered trip to the middle-east, looking pretty presidential. John McCain mean while is driving around in a golf cart with George Bush, "W"s father. Yikes.
Then, in order to raise money, which has become critical because Obama is apparently a wizard at raising dough, McCain's staffers post this on YouTube. Funny, yes. True, probably. Appeals to the voting masses, probably not. Also not very presidential.
To make matters worse, poor John had to say to Katie Curic that he is being treated fairly by the media. Over the years it is likely that John had his share of fawning journalists, what with the "straight talk express" and all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfogMFL7UJo
The Democrats made a ridiculous mistake by putting up John Kerry in 2004 and the Republicans have made a mistake with John McCain and really the others that were featured in the primaries. Where are the leaders of the Republican party?
Posting that video to a place largely in tune with young voters was totally unreasonable. They are the people most likely to dislike John McCain and approve of Barack Obama.
Obama (having been challenged by McCain to to to Iraq) goes on a well covered trip to the middle-east, looking pretty presidential. John McCain mean while is driving around in a golf cart with George Bush, "W"s father. Yikes.
Then, in order to raise money, which has become critical because Obama is apparently a wizard at raising dough, McCain's staffers post this on YouTube. Funny, yes. True, probably. Appeals to the voting masses, probably not. Also not very presidential.
To make matters worse, poor John had to say to Katie Curic that he is being treated fairly by the media. Over the years it is likely that John had his share of fawning journalists, what with the "straight talk express" and all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfogMFL7UJo
The Democrats made a ridiculous mistake by putting up John Kerry in 2004 and the Republicans have made a mistake with John McCain and really the others that were featured in the primaries. Where are the leaders of the Republican party?
Posting that video to a place largely in tune with young voters was totally unreasonable. They are the people most likely to dislike John McCain and approve of Barack Obama.
Mind Boggling!
I had to think on this for a few days. George Bush now says we should entertain a timeline to leave Iraq.
Wow - I agree with George; Just a couple of Republicans having a meeting of the minds!
However, I do seem to recall he and more vocal Republican leaders referring to those who wanted a timeline, even 2 months ago, as TRAITORS. I felt terrible as I don't feel like a traitor.
Hmmm, can anyone say, "Legacy?"
Wow - I agree with George; Just a couple of Republicans having a meeting of the minds!
However, I do seem to recall he and more vocal Republican leaders referring to those who wanted a timeline, even 2 months ago, as TRAITORS. I felt terrible as I don't feel like a traitor.
Hmmm, can anyone say, "Legacy?"
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A Reasonable Request
A person near and dear to me sent this piece. Seems reasonable to me.
Just Do It!
From a nurse:
I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it! Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patient s undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through' Mastectomy where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.
Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, email address, state and zip code.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php
This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends andfamily, and on behalf of all women, THANKS!
Just Do It!
From a nurse:
I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it! Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times.If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patient s undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through' Mastectomy where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.
Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name, email address, state and zip code.
http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php
This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends andfamily, and on behalf of all women, THANKS!
Friday, July 18, 2008
This Is Reasonable
This was sent to me and I liked it. Since it is my blog, I reasonably decided to reprint. No original thought on my part.
For over 7 years, Regina Brett was a columnist at The Beacon Journal in Akron, Ohio. During that time, she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer. Regina is now a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Her column runs on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
*****************************************************
Lessons in Life,
By Regina Brett
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
For over 7 years, Regina Brett was a columnist at The Beacon Journal in Akron, Ohio. During that time, she was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer. Regina is now a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Her column runs on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
*****************************************************
Lessons in Life,
By Regina Brett
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Favre - Part Two
Okay, I have been reading and thinking, etc. Here's the deal - are the Packers better with him or without him?
Game over, case closed, that's it then, etc........
Number 4 puts on the cleats and airs it out in Green Bay. Enjoy, football fans and Cheeseheads!!
Game over, case closed, that's it then, etc........
Number 4 puts on the cleats and airs it out in Green Bay. Enjoy, football fans and Cheeseheads!!
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has always seemed to be the real center for terrorists. McCain and Obama appear to agree that we need more troops there. Even Osama Bin Laden is likely there in the mountains between the country and Pakistan.
John M. and Barack O. have a differing opinion on Iraq of course. John wants to "win" and Barack wants to leave. Mr. Obama would probably move troops to Afghanistan and try to finish the job. Mr. McCain would try to finish them both.
The question is, do we have the resources to do both, and keep our own country from falling apart (think Minnesota bridges, Manhattan streets, etc.) in terms of infrastructure or financially (think Fannie and Freddie), etc.
I for one think we cannot win in Iraq - period. They don't like us, never have/never will, and don't want us to stay any longer. Time to go. Send some of the fresher troops to Afghanistan and end the Taliban, terrorist, etc. threat once and for all. Send the rest of the troops home to heal, rest, and get ready for the next conflict, military action, skirmish, or war.
John M. and Barack O. have a differing opinion on Iraq of course. John wants to "win" and Barack wants to leave. Mr. Obama would probably move troops to Afghanistan and try to finish the job. Mr. McCain would try to finish them both.
The question is, do we have the resources to do both, and keep our own country from falling apart (think Minnesota bridges, Manhattan streets, etc.) in terms of infrastructure or financially (think Fannie and Freddie), etc.
I for one think we cannot win in Iraq - period. They don't like us, never have/never will, and don't want us to stay any longer. Time to go. Send some of the fresher troops to Afghanistan and end the Taliban, terrorist, etc. threat once and for all. Send the rest of the troops home to heal, rest, and get ready for the next conflict, military action, skirmish, or war.
Jesse Jackson
What is it about Barack Obama that gets these so called "civil rights leaders" all cranked up? Jesse has always been a self-promoter and self-appointed speaker for the black community.
So Barack says in a speech that fathers, especially black fathers, need to stick around and show some responsibility to their families. One would think that the speech would be heralded. Conservatives must hate that Obama is stealing their thunder.
Of course Jesse and Barack have a bit of history. Last year Mr. Jackson said Barack was being too "White" because he didn't get all wound up about the Jena 6 situation.
Jesse on the other hand is apparently so distraught about this that he would like to cut off Barack's "boys" (to borrow a Seinfeld-ism) for talking down to black folk. In fact, Jesse apparently referred to black folk by using the "N" word.
Two interesting points:
So Barack says in a speech that fathers, especially black fathers, need to stick around and show some responsibility to their families. One would think that the speech would be heralded. Conservatives must hate that Obama is stealing their thunder.
Of course Jesse and Barack have a bit of history. Last year Mr. Jackson said Barack was being too "White" because he didn't get all wound up about the Jena 6 situation.
Jesse on the other hand is apparently so distraught about this that he would like to cut off Barack's "boys" (to borrow a Seinfeld-ism) for talking down to black folk. In fact, Jesse apparently referred to black folk by using the "N" word.
Two interesting points:
- Jesse has chastised rappers and entertainers for using the "N" word in their acts
- Jesse had an affair and the child is not really in his life (so I have read)
So, Jesse is shown for what he is - a hypocritical self-promoter. He, like the Reverend Wright, must have some sort of aversion to Mr. Obama - or perhaps the white part of him?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Favre
I am finding our candidates for president to be a bit lackluster and uninteresting at the moment. No substance, just little tidbits here and there about their foibles, travels, etc.
It'll heat up.
So I turn my attention to Brett Favre for two reasons. One, I am an avid Green Bay Packers' and Brett Favre fan. The second reason is that this retiring - unretiring thing that athletes do is annoying.
As a Packer fan I would love Brett to play another year or two as I think they have a chance to do well again. He is the most exciting player in football - good or bad.
As a sports fan in general, I wish he would stay retired or better yet, not have retired in the first place. Jordan did this, Magic did this, Elway and Marino didn't do this, Roger "the cheater" Clemens did this ad nauseum, Gretzky didn't do this and maybe should have, Mario Lemieux did (he did score on his first shift back in the game), and female tennis players do this all the time. Barry Sanders could have and didn't - even if he was at the top of his game. Same for Jim Brown back in the old days.
Will Annika Sorenstam? It appears someone will have to drag Randy Johnson off the ball field here in AZ so it is unlikely that he will retire-unretire.
Back to Favre - I hope he doesn't come back and hold a clipboard while he watches Aaron Rodgers play. All in all - I wish he would have stayed retired and revered.
It'll heat up.
So I turn my attention to Brett Favre for two reasons. One, I am an avid Green Bay Packers' and Brett Favre fan. The second reason is that this retiring - unretiring thing that athletes do is annoying.
As a Packer fan I would love Brett to play another year or two as I think they have a chance to do well again. He is the most exciting player in football - good or bad.
As a sports fan in general, I wish he would stay retired or better yet, not have retired in the first place. Jordan did this, Magic did this, Elway and Marino didn't do this, Roger "the cheater" Clemens did this ad nauseum, Gretzky didn't do this and maybe should have, Mario Lemieux did (he did score on his first shift back in the game), and female tennis players do this all the time. Barry Sanders could have and didn't - even if he was at the top of his game. Same for Jim Brown back in the old days.
Will Annika Sorenstam? It appears someone will have to drag Randy Johnson off the ball field here in AZ so it is unlikely that he will retire-unretire.
Back to Favre - I hope he doesn't come back and hold a clipboard while he watches Aaron Rodgers play. All in all - I wish he would have stayed retired and revered.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Private Enterprise
As I indicated in an earlier post, I heard Newt Gingrich give a stirring speech in Las Vegas recently.
At one point he was trying to highlight the difference between business and government in the efficiency department. He stated that between FedEx and UPS, they delivered 23 million packages per day, all the while tracking them in an efficient way. How efficient? They allow us lowly customers to logon to the web site and track our package for FREE!!
Each delivery person carries a hand-held computer that allows this information to move so freely. It is so good, do you even really think about it any more?
Now, a few months ago, the US Census Bureau announced that it would do a hand count in the 2010 census. That is bad enough - but the fact that we spent $1.3 billion buying technology (hand-held computer) and they couldn't figure out how to use it made it 1.3 billions times as bad.
Now this morning I read that T. Boone Pickens, Texas Oilman extraordinaire, has decided to launch his own national energy plan. He is investing heavily in natural-gas and wind. Note that he didn't say oil. Mr. Pickens believes that wind could produce 22% of our electricity in just a few year and the U.S. government says wind could produce 20% by 2030.
Who are you betting on?
At one point he was trying to highlight the difference between business and government in the efficiency department. He stated that between FedEx and UPS, they delivered 23 million packages per day, all the while tracking them in an efficient way. How efficient? They allow us lowly customers to logon to the web site and track our package for FREE!!
Each delivery person carries a hand-held computer that allows this information to move so freely. It is so good, do you even really think about it any more?
Now, a few months ago, the US Census Bureau announced that it would do a hand count in the 2010 census. That is bad enough - but the fact that we spent $1.3 billion buying technology (hand-held computer) and they couldn't figure out how to use it made it 1.3 billions times as bad.
Now this morning I read that T. Boone Pickens, Texas Oilman extraordinaire, has decided to launch his own national energy plan. He is investing heavily in natural-gas and wind. Note that he didn't say oil. Mr. Pickens believes that wind could produce 22% of our electricity in just a few year and the U.S. government says wind could produce 20% by 2030.
Who are you betting on?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Totally Unreasonable - Almost
I received an email that is going around about news media being banned from wearing American flag lapel pins. It even indicated that this was verified by Snopes.com. As I have myself used Snopes, even in this blog's pages, that carries weight with me.
Here is what the email stated:
Subject: ABC Bans American Flag Pins
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:27:13 -0700
ABC News Bans Flag Lapel Pins Yesterday, the brass at ABC News issued orders forbidding reporters to wear lapel pin American flags or other patriotic insignia. Their reasoning was that ABC should remain neutral about 'causes'. Since when is support for preventing our death & destruction some sort of a “cause”? Since when is patriotism to be discouraged. I urge you to boycott ABC and its sponsors and affiliates. We’re slowly losing everything our country stands for, and everything our men and women fought and died to preserve.
There was also a date listed as the date the sender verified with snopes. Personally I find this ban to be totally unreasonable. However, the sender of the original email must have been worried that recipients wouldn't be cranky enough about what was actually said. If you go to snopes.com you will see the explanation as stated above. However, there are two more facts. This actually happened at ABC after 9-11, thus is not necessarily a current event. I agree that it doesn't change the fact that ABC did it, I just wish people would give straight facts. As far as I can tell, the date above is totally irrelevant. Second, the ABC spokesman's explanation also included that the foreign correspondent's lives could be in danger if they were viewed as U.S. government sympathizers instead of journalists. This actually makes some sense to me. Remember, those on the other side (read: terrorists) are totally nuts.
All in all, I am glad I heard about this, even if it is 6 or 7 years later and the whole story was not told. The writer is correct, we need to be proud of our nation and what it has done.
Here is what the email stated:
Subject: ABC Bans American Flag Pins
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:27:13 -0700
ABC News Bans Flag Lapel Pins Yesterday, the brass at ABC News issued orders forbidding reporters to wear lapel pin American flags or other patriotic insignia. Their reasoning was that ABC should remain neutral about 'causes'. Since when is support for preventing our death & destruction some sort of a “cause”? Since when is patriotism to be discouraged. I urge you to boycott ABC and its sponsors and affiliates. We’re slowly losing everything our country stands for, and everything our men and women fought and died to preserve.
There was also a date listed as the date the sender verified with snopes. Personally I find this ban to be totally unreasonable. However, the sender of the original email must have been worried that recipients wouldn't be cranky enough about what was actually said. If you go to snopes.com you will see the explanation as stated above. However, there are two more facts. This actually happened at ABC after 9-11, thus is not necessarily a current event. I agree that it doesn't change the fact that ABC did it, I just wish people would give straight facts. As far as I can tell, the date above is totally irrelevant. Second, the ABC spokesman's explanation also included that the foreign correspondent's lives could be in danger if they were viewed as U.S. government sympathizers instead of journalists. This actually makes some sense to me. Remember, those on the other side (read: terrorists) are totally nuts.
All in all, I am glad I heard about this, even if it is 6 or 7 years later and the whole story was not told. The writer is correct, we need to be proud of our nation and what it has done.
Perfectly Reasonable
Today we get news that the FBI big shots have now approved "Profiling" as a way to determine if an investigation should be opened. Good. They can't quite bring themselves to call it profiling and are fairly tight lipped about details, but they are moving in the right direction.
Now, again, I am not in favor of the trampling of everyone's rights and privacy, but the world has become a very dangerous place. There are Muslim's in Arabic and other countries, as well as in America, that want to kill us for now other reason than we are not Muslims. Even good American Muslims are not safe from these nut jobs.
Perhaps with profiling we will see less ridiculous things - like being at the airport and watching some 80 year old lady be wanded, probed, etc. while a 25 year old "Arabic Looking" person with a long beard walks onto the plane straight away. Nuts! - that's what that is.
You know this is a good thing when the ACLU weighs in against it - and they have.
As far as I am concerned the FBI can become a "predictive behavior" organization instead of a crime solving unit only. They can profile teenage loner boys in long dark trench coats, 20-30 somethings with shaved heads and army fatigues, etc. to find those who want to hurt others for no reason. They can be an equal opportunity profiling group!
Perfectly reasonable.
Now, again, I am not in favor of the trampling of everyone's rights and privacy, but the world has become a very dangerous place. There are Muslim's in Arabic and other countries, as well as in America, that want to kill us for now other reason than we are not Muslims. Even good American Muslims are not safe from these nut jobs.
Perhaps with profiling we will see less ridiculous things - like being at the airport and watching some 80 year old lady be wanded, probed, etc. while a 25 year old "Arabic Looking" person with a long beard walks onto the plane straight away. Nuts! - that's what that is.
You know this is a good thing when the ACLU weighs in against it - and they have.
As far as I am concerned the FBI can become a "predictive behavior" organization instead of a crime solving unit only. They can profile teenage loner boys in long dark trench coats, 20-30 somethings with shaved heads and army fatigues, etc. to find those who want to hurt others for no reason. They can be an equal opportunity profiling group!
Perfectly reasonable.
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