Red Dirt Post

Don't fill'er up Joe!

2012-02-22T11:35:00.000-06:00

Drive less. Gas prices going up? Buy a smaller more economical car. Gas prices going up? Share rides. Gas prices going up? Take the bus or train.

Yes, there should always be an alternative to high gasoline prices. Get over it. Work around it. Find other ways to transport yourself. Beam me up Scotty! Or, just walk to work or to the store. Sorry about you guys living in the ‘Burbs. You might want to move in closer to work.

And who said the government can’t help? Buses? Trains? Airlines? Sidewalks? All are provided or subsidized by federal, state, or municipal governments. Governing bodies doing what they supposed to do. Helping people.

You libertarians go live in the desert and leave us alone. Cast your caveman ways on somebody else. Go away. Go eat a lizard.

And the search goes on and on and on...

2012-02-21T22:31:00.000-06:00

Being a former member of the Republican Party, I would vote for Richard Nixon before voting for the current lack-luster field of nare-do-wells. Dwight Eisenhower would certainly be a better choice. None the less, why can’t the Republicans find another Abraham Lincoln.? If pushed into a corner, I just might vote for Berry Goldwater, maybe. Possibly even Gerald Ford.

But vote for Mit, Newt, Rick, or Paul? Never. Never ever. Not ever or never. All are mental midgets compared to the afore mentioned Republican giants.

Tricky Dick please come back. I liked Ike. Berry and Jerry, please come back to help.

The bigger question is, why is the Republican Party’s collective heads buried in the dirt? Do you not see the problems in America? Contrary to campaign sloganeering, we still need jobs. Good jobs. Long term jobs. Jobs that can support a family and educate its children. Jobs that give health benefits to its workers. Middle America is hurting and Republicans can help. Just pull your heads out of the sand and look around. There is a real issue in every direction. Issues needing your help.

You guys need to regroup and reorganize. Find meaningful issues to solve and get busy. Again, jobs are the first issue to resolve. Then Education, health, environment and the list goes on.

Roll up your sleeves and get busy. Herbert Hoover needs your help. So does America.

Alley Oop for President

2012-02-21T22:09:00.000-06:00

Do you remember the old Rod Serling program called “Twilight Zone? A 1960s TV program filled with ghastly surprises and irony. Endings bordering on the odd and bazaar. Things you would not have expected or wished you hadn’t witnessed. Horrific. Paranormal. Out of body. Ghostly. An sometimes most frightening. Fade to black. Oooooo!

This is what I think of when I view the press conferences and debates of the current crop of Republican Presidential candidates. Certainly a motley crew of misfits. Paranormal. Ghastly. Frightening.

Candidates saying things one should not let their children hear. Candidates possibly coming from another planet. Perhaps from another universe. Coming from far away in a distance galaxy. Many light-years away. Many generations of cultures away. All caught up in a time warp. Maybe creatures from America 950 BC. Cave men. Prehistoric in manners and thinking. Certainly a motley crew. Please! Fade to black. Get out of here. Leave us alone.

It's like an endless NBA playoff. Never will be decided.

2012-02-20T08:30:00.000-06:00

It is very apparent the Republican Party doesn’t like any of the four Republican candidates. Mit, Newt, Ron, and Rick. The flab four. All misfits. All embarrassing and out of touch.

If there were someone there with any credentials or repute, he would be the consistent front runner. Always in favor by the party general electorate. Out front and ready for the Party’s convention this summer.

But, part of the out of control party flip flopping is, the Republicans are splintered and can’t make up their collective mind. Divided and headed in different direction. Mostly intolerant of each other’s extreme orthodoxy. Therefore not really able to decide who get to makes up the party rules. And in the process pushing moderates out the back door and losing membership to the Independents.

At the moment however, Rick Santorum is the anti-Mit. Santorum is the vote against Mit Romney. Which might indicate Newt Gingrich could be the next anti-Rick or anti-Mit. And the candidacy war Merry-go-round continues on. Almost like the changing flavor of the week. Who will be the next anti-Golden boy? Newt? Mit? Ron? Or, Rick?

It all indicates the Republican Party is less than thrilled with all four survivors on the Republican island. So, perhaps now would be a good time to vote them all off and start afresh. Find somebody all could agree on. Maybe a spring Convention would be in order. First decide who you are and then decide who you want to represent the Republican Party. Perhaps a national Republican convention and referendum could be a good start. Find one guy or gal and go with it. Save all the wasted time and money ping ponging around the country. Pick one and go and stop wasting our time and attention. Find your guy and we will see you in November.

There is the right way. Which is also the wrong way.

2012-02-17T07:11:00.000-06:00

Those of you who are retired and receiving social security and Medicare or VA medical care, are you ready to give up those benefits? Go on your own? Maybe pay as you go? Pay on the lay away plan any surgical treatment needed?

I am talking especially to those of you who are registered Republican and plan to vote only Republican. I am saying this because your party leadership wants to eliminate your SSI benefits. “Too costly.” Never mind the FICA money collected through SSI and subsequently stolen by the Bush administration to fund two “Costly” and mostly unnecessary wars. They use to fund these kinds of wars by selling War Bonds. Remember? None the less, your party leadership wants your Social Security payments to make payment on the national debt. So they say.

Anyway, you might want to start looking for a job or buy a lottery ticket. Maybe go to an indigenous tribe casino and hope to get lucky.

Oh well, hardship can easily be overcome. Our parents had to do this when they were forced to ration and limit their food and housing during and after World War II. So sudden poverty may be coming to a homeless shelter near you. So get ready. Tighten your belts. Suck it in. Get ready for the big social crash. “Depression numbers two is on it’s way.” It’s the Republican way.

Hayseeds from the moon. Where did they come from?

2012-02-16T15:00:00.000-06:00

While America is trying to dig its way out of a sagging economy and high unemployment, Rick Santorum wants to forbid your wives from using contraceptives. He prefers she be pregnant. Possibly even your daughters as well. “No more birth control for America,” Santorum might say. Even though millions of women have been using contraceptives for half a century. I guess he wants all women to be Roman Catholics. “Barefoot and overdue is better.

Then on another note, Mit Romney is in Michigan hammering the auto unions and its leadership. Bloviating about how awful the automobile industry should not have received a bail out. Plus he would have preferred it shut down. “A total failure,” Romney said. Oh, really? You couldn’t prove it in Detroit. Things are working well in the auto industry most Michiganders would say. “Bail out was a success.”

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Republican Party, these are your Republican Presidential candidates. Romney and Santorum. Clearly out of touch. Surely an understatement.

Are these the guys you want running America? Two guys who seem to have just crawled out of a ground hog hole. Clueless and unaware of reality. You want these two guys, Bimbo and Binky to lead America? Surely you jest.

So what's the big deal about me building a nuclear waste dump?

2012-02-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

Libertarian? What is it? Basically here is their doctrine taken from a Libertarian web site:
“A political philosophy maintaining that all persons are the absolute owners of their own lives, and should be free to do whatever they wish with their persons or property, provided they allow others the same liberty.”
Now, can you imagine 320-plus million Americans trying to follow this credo? Every last citizen doing his or her own thing? Doing whatever it is and hopefully without bothering the other self-determined individuals. Oh, really.

Oh sure, I want to build a nuclear waste dump here in our neighborhood to supplement my family’s income.
And, I want to set up a Skeet shooting range right next door to the Crystal Cathedral.
I’m going to build a huge hog farm directly on top of a major aquifer plus drill for natural gas using the easy fracking method.
Well then, I’m going to build a coal fired power plant and man it with all illegal workers and build it right next door to a preschool.

I’m going to start cooking and manufacturing Methamphetamine regardless of the hazards and sell it to all the high schoolers.

I’m going to build the world’s largest tire and rubber incinerator right here in Beverly Hills.

Are you following me on this? Do you see my point? Some definitions of Libertarian in clued the word anarchist. Anarchy and utter chaos would be the result. Especially without some central government. Otherwise we would all be at war with each other. Civil war. There must be, for the sake of civility, some central form of government.

The United States form of Democratic government is the best way to go. Sure there are problems with Democracy but it’s better than anarchy. Or, Libertarianism. God bless America.

I am a TAX and SPEND hugger

2012-02-14T07:32:00.000-06:00

Okay, I admit it. I am a closet liberal when it comes to writing a federal budget. I want lots of spending programs that put the out of work back to work. Back to work on public project. Roads, highways, bridges, railroads, airports, parks and county facilities. Spend, spend, and spend some more. Go for it.

Then I am hawkish on taxes. Tax the rich. Yes, tax the freaking rich. Screw the Koch Brothers and soak them for every dime. Go after Donald Trump and all the bloviating cash bloated Doo Doo heads. Get em Dan-O. Take back all that money sent to off shore piggy banks and bring it back to America.

I’m talking to you congress. Get off your fat butts and pass this budget and put America back to work. Oh! Don’t give me that Keystone pipeline crap. You know as well as millions others that is just to profit the oil companies. Also, you know congress, that oil will go straight to China and India. America will not benefit from one drop. Stop you’re big lies and BS’ing.

Pass this budget bill. Be brave. Be courageous. Be smart and pass this budget and stop whining.

Tax and Spend!!!

My story picks of the week.

2012-02-13T07:58:00.000-06:00

My quick takes:

It appears the Catholic Church is becoming more and more political. Issuing decrees from the Vatican. Decrees such as the anti-contraception position. Certainly a religious body should take a stand on issues affecting it’s parishes but not during a political season and with the full force of the right wing media. Obviously a political statement. Of course, all of this is aside from its problems with pedophile priests. Something is wrong with this fuzzy photograph. It’s time to tax the church because of its political posturing.

I’m sorry about Whitney Houston. Just like Elvis, Michael Jackson, Karen Carpenter, and scores of celebrity’s drug and alcohol abusers before her, Whitney also has fallen victim to a superstar celebrity media hype system. Too much money. Too much time. Too much media and tabloid. Mothers, don’t let your children grow up to be superstars.

Just when you feel safe, here comes Sarah and Michele again. Both bloviating and speaking recklessly at the C-PAC convention in Washington DC. Someone please explain to me what Sarah meant by “WTF.” Is this how Evangelical Right Wingers talk. Then there’s Michele Bachmann. “I’m still the Perfect Republican Candidate.” Oh really? Perfect? If my mom heard me talk like Sarah and Michele, she would wash my mouth out with Ivory soap.

What was that cartoon strip with the big nosed Indian character with the constant rain cloud over his head? Was it Pogo or something else? None the less, Newt Gingrich acts, talks, and looks like this character. Gaingrich is always the bad weather guy. Mr. Minus. Mr. Undo. Mr. Nay sayer. Mr. Bash and mutilate the opposition. A Republican Candidate with the one trick pony. Just lash out at anything that gets in his way. Absolutely indicating Newt has nothing positive or constructive to suggest or propose for America. Perhaps they need a President on the Moon. Up there where Newt wants to build a colony. Go for it Newt!

Only if you hadn't said all those things. Darn!

2012-02-11T15:01:00.000-06:00

So Mit, what’s happening? Your lead is evaporating. Polls show Santorum is gaining on you. And, in some cases going ahead. So what is this? How do you explained this? A fluke? Bad luck? Your big mouth? Who knows?

Certainly it has nothing to do with you being out of touch does it? Maybe a little bit aloof and riding in first class too often perhaps. Maybe you should trade in your limo for a Pickup. Put on your sweats and sneakers and go walking out among them. Get your hands dirty. Go eat a little chicken-fry with the Bubbas.

Actually, nothing will help at this point. It’s too late. Your Ivy League Bizman image is cast and dyed. Too late to flip flop now. Too many media types are watching and listening. You’ve got the sound bite microphone. Reporters are reporting. Journalist are journalizing. Cable news is cabling. The nightly news is newsing. You, my friend, are on the hot seat. And, obviously you have said too much. Maybe you should just shut-up!

Mom come get me! This can't be real.

2012-02-09T09:33:00.000-06:00

What would it really be like to just ride in on a load of pumpkins? Then stop on Main Street America and hop off. Just arrived out of nowhere. Not knowing anything. Or anybody. Green and uninitiated. A freshman from the cornfields. Possibly ignorant of current events.

Then, to be confronted by TV, radio, and cable news. Broadcasting and bloviating the political events of the day. Haranguing rhetoric, shouting, fist banging, accusations, sound bites, red faced grimaces, narrowed eyes, and barking bla-bla-bla. Carrying on like you’ve never seen before. How scary that would be.

You look around taking in sights and sounds you’ve never witnessed before. Thinking you got off at the wrong bus stop. Possibly in a dangerous neighborhood. A neighborhood filled with troubled people. Possibly inhabitants not taking their prescribed ADD meds. Just a bunch of Hypertensive ridalin popping misfits. “Holy moly! When’s the next bus going back home?”

Then you might think, maybe this is where carnival Sideshows “Carny people” train. Yes, of course, this is Circus City. Sure that’s it. P T Barnum once lived here. That’s it. I’m lost and need to leave right away.

Get me out of here. These politicians people are nuts. They scare me. They almost look cannibal like. Mom come get me! Help!

So you guys, what went wrong?

2012-02-08T08:06:00.000-06:00

One could only surmise that the Rick Santorum’s wins in Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota were really a vote against Mit Romney. Republican voters are just yet not warmed up to Romney. Pointing towards the conspicuous divide in the Republican Party. Unquestionably indicating there is yet more compromising and fixing to be done in the GOP.

The Grand Old Party just isn’t all that Grand any more. More like splintered with too many extremes pulling in opposite directions. Obviously leaving a “House Divided against itself.” Leaving in its wake uncompromising, disgruntled, fractious, hotheaded, and most distracted party members derailed from a common goal. All of this craziness is of their own making. “You reap what you sew (look it up in the Bible).”

If the Republican Party weren’t so demanding of their candidates, they could easily come up with the almost ideal candidate. Maybe allowing him or her to be a little human would be a good start. Allowing a candidate to own his or her own ideas. A candidate can’t be one hundred percent pure red Republican. Give the guy or gal a little wiggle room. He or she is not flawed but only an individual and most human.

I left the Republican Party back in 2002 after 42-years in the GOP. Feeling I didn’t have much in common with the far right fundamentalist evangelical party leadership any more. It was so obvious the GOP was shifting at an alarming rate to the extreme right. And in the process ridding itself of any moderates and independents. Something like they do in China and Iran. Purging itself of any party dissidents and free thinkers. How scary!

But anyway, Rick Santorum’s win in the recent election and Caucuses was a fluke. An aberration. Most likely a statement against Romney. And as a result many Republican voters will leave the party. Most likely registering as Independents. How befitting to a Republic founded on the Declaration of Independence. God Bless America.

Why go door to door when money can talk for you instead.

2012-02-07T13:09:00.000-06:00

So what happens with all this money raised by political candidates? All these millions and millions of dollars generated by the Super-PACs quickly goes to pollsters and political consultants. Not to mention the millions of dollars spent on TV and radio ads. The candidate, by law, is not to keep any of the funds raised. Except to fund his or her campaign. Huge amounts of money wasted. Blown. Flushed down the drain. Not really benefiting anybody except the professional image fabricators and PR organizations.

Millions that could be easily spent on more teachers. More Police and fire professional. Money that could field a whole new hospital shift of nurses and medical aids. The total sum could easily build either dozens of schools or build and equip police or fire departments and or hospitals. So, scratch your head. What a waste.

You have to ask yourself, how did President Truman, with very little means, get elected? He had no sizeable income or family wealth. How did President Nixon do the same with little wealth? There were no Political Action Committees back then. But were elected nonetheless. So why does need to spend so much money just to elected a President?

The answer, greed and control. It no longer matters if a party or candidate has popular support by the voters with promised proposals. What matters, and mostly among conservatives, is control. Control control and control. A group of individual’s hell bent on doing it their way and their way only. Only for the sake of control by the few and be dammed if the democrats ever regain control. “It’s my way or the highway.” Never mind what the people want. Control is key and we will never let it go at any and all cost.

If you can't beat them, then out spend them.

2012-02-06T10:17:00.000-06:00

I just now realize why Republicans raise so much campaign money. Since they have no constructive platform to stand on and nothing positive to bring to the voters, they then just attack any other ideology. Therefore they must raise tons of money to compensate for their void of creative constructive thinking.

They have no interest in health care. They resist a clean environment. They resist bringing jobs back to America. Republicans have no motivation to bring on more police, fire, and emergency workers. They hate teachers, nurses, and any public workers. Bottom line they have nothing constructive or positive to offer as campaign issues to the voters. They lack good ideas to help the American people.

So, they have to resort to raising money from secret and dubious sources and just attack-attack-attack. It’s all they know. Negative ads are their best campaign tool. So, if they can’t say something good about themselves, then they’ll blast away at the opposition instead. And just think, some of these uninspired partisans are our neighbors. How sick.

Is Congress filled with Choirboys?

2012-02-03T08:37:00.000-06:00

I want to make a few remarks about religion constraining and exploiting politics. And vise-versa. First of all religion has no place in politics. And politics has no place in religion.

But before we get started, to me religion is an organization. Not a spiritual form or Holy commitment before God and man. The Bible does not talk about religion. Religion is membership and money. Not love peace and joy. More like belonging to a poor mans country club. You must follow the rules or be at risk from being shamed or ostracized.

What I see and hear on TV news and most recently from the Republican debates is more religious fervor and not Holiness. More intent on country club bylaws rather than Holy Scripture. More dogma instead promoting goodness and truth.

In today’s political world, religiosity and its member structure needs willing politicians to do its demagoguery. Do it bidding. Likewise willing politicians need organized religion to fund their campaign. Both feed on each other. Making strange bedfellows. Sort of like sleeping with the devil. However, not sure which one is the devil.

But anyway, what really provokes my sensibility is the moralist politicians claiming to be the chosen voice of the “Evangelicals.” Evangelicals? What is a Evangelical? Jesus didn’t call himself an Evangelical. So it can be surmised Evangelicals are not necessarily Christian. At least Evangelicals behavior suggests they probably are not Christian.

Christians are loving, peaceful, serving people. Not self-serving opportunistic politicians. Christians will give up much of their own worth to help others. Helping the sick. Helping the homeless. Feeding the hungry. Visiting the imprisoned. And maintaining a humble and self-denying presents. “Religion” and it rigid structure is quite the opposite of Christianity. Evangelical is just code word for “do as I say or else.”

Well, enough is enough. More about this later. God bless America and it’s errant politicians

Fly the friendly sky? You've got to be kidding.

2012-02-02T12:23:00.000-06:00

Here’s my casual observation of the American Airline’s bankruptcy. I am certainly no expert but being around airlines for the past 40-years, it is my belief that airlines have never been profitable and nor will they ever make a profit. The basic operations and expectations are about the same as running a local tavern or a health spa. Too vulnerable to unexpected economic changes. And most of all too dependent on governmental and local subsidies.

How many airlines had built their own airport? What airline flies without the aid of the FAA and air traffic control? Who inspects the domestic airlines for airworthiness? Surely not the airlines themselves.

After nine eleven, who bailed out the airlines? Basically all the above answers to our questions are, we the taxpayer. Therefore, the airlines are a socialized entity. Operating more like a non-profit than for profit.

So, why bankruptcy? Why big bonuses at the top? Why do the workers at the bottom get shafted while the corporate money mongers get rich regardless of the airline financial condition?

If American Airlines had filed bankruptcy in Europe, it would be required of them to shut down. Go out of business. Sell off all assets and pay off creditors. Just that simple.

However, here in America we do things differently. We protect the interests of the corporate owners and shareholders while dumping the bottom tier workers. Thus adding to the job-killing craze. That why they call it Chapter Eleven Protection. Protecting the financial interests whiles sacrificing the lower paid, lower grunt worker and their pension and benefits.

If America Airlines wishes to continue operation, they should take on the Southwest Airline model. Trim to the bare bone. Fly smaller fuel-efficient aircraft. Cut routes. Perhaps cut either or both European and Asian routes. Maybe even shut down South American routes as well. Then raise prices only the business and the very rich can afford. No more running an airline with the deep discount mass marketing pack’em in Walmart model.

And then there is the airline shell game of assessing dozens of hidden fees. What a Con game. Bate and switch. An airline ran by carnival workers. Well, lets not get started on the airline’s horrible customer service reputation just yet.

Nonetheless, to believe airlines can make money is a fairy tale notion. Play the Superball lottery instead. You have better chances of increasing the bottom line. I’ll take two tickets thank you.

All in all, we would be better off if we had only one airline. Let them charge what they want and let the rest of us drive or take the train. Maybe even take a cruise ship to Europe. How about just stay home. Just Skype your sales prospect.

After all, who wants to wait in those torture chambers known as security lines at the airport? Take off your shoes! Take off your belt! Take off that silly smile! Put all your earthly belongings in this plastic tub! Extend your arms out like this. I’ll touch you. You don’t touch me. Stay in line! Look smart and don’t cross your eyes! And bla bla bla…

From my weekly journal, Okie Without Borders

2012-02-01T15:08:00.000-06:00

Growing up Okie in East L A,

It was February 1964. Hundreds of barbershops suddenly go out of business. Shut down almost over night. My goodness why? Did they run out of ‘Butch wax?’ Holy cow, or did the barbering schools shut down leaving no available recruits to replace the aging and retiring barbers? Well then, what?
Pleas, please tell me why!

Just hold on! I will cover that important point in just a moment. But, let me mention this first. As an Okie child growing up in Los Angeles, I go way back to the first time I could possibly remember anything. Back to the first time My Okie dad started cutting my brother’s scruffy Okie hair and mine. I had never visited a real barbershop up until I was age 12. Yes, I had not witnessed the insides of an authentic men’s hair cutting salon up until that time. And, that time was 1956 back in Wilson Oklahoma north of the Red River.

My hair was professionally cut for the first time during a whirlwind summer trip back to Wilson. My mom and dad’s Okie hometown and birthplace. But anyway my dad took me to a local barber on Main Street.

So after all was said and done, my haircut and neck shave back then cost “six-bits.” Yes, the white frocked, mustachioed, and tobacco chewing barber asked me for six-bits as payment in full. Six bits? Having never done business with a real Okie barber, I looked to my dad for clarification. Son, here, give the man seventy-five cents,” my dad advisedly grumbled. Certainly was a big important lesson in barbershop protocol. After all, my only hair cutting experiences had been limited to conscripted backyards clippings and salad bowl over the head trimming. Certainly an event I never volunteered for. “Son, let’s do this now while I have these clippers in my hand. Sit now!” Kerr-plunk!

However, as time slowly passed, once I had ventured through the horrific initiation of home barbering, I graduated to a new level of “Hair styling.” I gladly went on to our nearby East L A hair cutting shop. I began to appreciate the touch of a professionally trained hair-cutting guy. So, after that point in my barbering experience, it was all over but the clipping. I was hooked on real barbershops. It was a magical, mystical passage in to a new world of reality. So, what brought me back again and again to the barbershop? Well, besides paying closer attention to teen girls, it was definitely the curious looking and alluring barbershop magazines. Colorful, slick back publications of anatomical and scientific intrigue. I read magazines of adventure and mystery. Such as Argosy, Field and Stream, Popular Mechanics, and some other magazines I wish not to discuss here. Well, My goodness, why else risk skin puncture or razor cut if typical barber shop magazines were not on site. Nonetheless, It was a veritable library of boys would be boy’s fellowship and secrecy. No girls were allowed. It was an all male cave.

In spite of my late introduction to store bought barberism, my dad still insisted he must cut my hair. But, I resisted. I didn’t like his military chair side manner. “Stop wiggling. Look down. Hold your head up straight son! The same unyielding treatment I experienced even when I wasn’t even getting a haircut. Pretty much the same handling administered to our backyard chickens. Chop and pluck.

I certainly preferred instead, the licensed and professional barber and his easy-going chair side manner. Most barbers would just gently push and tilt your head down or up as if adjusting a rear view mirror. Just point and clip. As easy as that.

None the less, as I continued my visits to our local barber shop in L. A. It quickly became apparent to me, I needed to drum up some work to pay for my expensive hair cut habit. A haircut in my little hometown back in southern California was more than six-bits. Wow! Instead, it was two times six-bits. As I suddenly discovered the four white-frocked barbershop quartette were union shop barbers. Yes, a whopping buck and a half for a cut. I’m sure that was one of the main reasons barbers went out of business in February 1964. It was too darn expensive! Well, maybe.

But not really, here is the real reason barbers closed their shops in 1964. One word. Beatles. The Fab Four. For sure the music and hair trend setting Liverpool quartet who came to America without the benefit of a decent and proper haircut. Moppy, floppy hairstyles. A hair-do that swept the nation like hair on fire. A hair presentation lacking in moral rectitude. Just a shameful display of too many tresses on the noggin and not much good judgment.

Yup. That was the reason for sure. Long disgraceful flyaway hair. Need I say more? Barbering has never been the same since. Now a days, it is most hard for me to find a good barber. Few and far between. Super cuts just doesn’t cut it. Please bring back my magical, mystical Barber Salon. But, on second thought, I now have very few follicles for a reasonable barber to trim or arrange.

Attack ads should be seen not heard.

2012-02-01T11:54:00.000-06:00

Continuing with my thoughts on TV political attack ads. See previous posting for a sample “Attack Ad” designed specifically for and against Mit Romney. LOL.

The person I really like to disparage is Newt Gingrich. He has a cloud covered personality begging to be besmirched. Almost like wearing a target on his forehead. “Attack me. Make my day!”

As mentioned in the previous posting, I prefer to give an image characterization of a candidate rather than a full frontal verbal attack to the political enemy. Economizing the verbiage and dramatizing the image characterization. And as they say a political cartoon is worth a thousand words. Oh really? So, here is for dear old Newt.

In the foreground Newt is standing up on a second story balcony overlooking a multitude of loyal supporters out on a vast open plaza. The camera is at Newt’s back looking towards the audience. Then the camera pans around to his side showing straight locks of black hair angled down over his forehead and a Charlie Chaplin mustache. Newt is wearing a red armband that says, “Erase.” Newt is holding in one hand a stack of papers that says Obama’s Executive orders. And in the other hand is an electric eraser.

The only verbiage that is heard is, “Bla bla bla bla bla…” Finally and scrolling across the bottom of the screen is a brief disclaimer: “Any character likeness of an old European dictator would be purely coincidental. Have a nice day.

Pretty cool huh?

Attack ads are not very nice. I prefer cartoons.

2012-02-01T07:36:00.000-06:00

I really don’t like negative ads. Sometimes called attack ads. However, I would instead use image ads. Ads depicting a not so enhancing but truthful image. Something likes image distortion. Well, maybe not that bad. More like a political cartoon. Very little verbiage but big on image characterization.

Nonetheless, here is what I would do to besmirch Mit Romney. In the background of our scenario you would hear Romney rallying the troops. Cheers, applause, and Romney wildly waving his arms. Yelling something indistinguishable to the TV audience. In the foreground and at the bottom half of the screen would be a “Flip-O-meter.” A digital sensing device reading Romney’s Flip-flops on his talking points. A meter pegging well into the Red. Indicating Romney has flipped again.

Scrolling across the screen at the very bottom would be a brief statement. “Romney: If you don’t like what he says today, come back tomorrow.”

Now, later today, I’ll have an image ad for newt. Stay tuned. This is kind of fun. Don’t ya think?

Newt, the movie.

2012-01-31T17:32:00.000-06:00

If I were making a film about Newt Gingrich, I would borrow a character and his actor from the Movie The caine Mutiny. The actor, Humphrey Bogart. The character, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Francis Queeg.

Queeg was a certified paranoid possessed with micro managing his ship’s less important tasks. Absorbed in self-important, intensely mistrustful, and hopelessly inept. Possibly lost in the throws of senility. For sure not aware of his surroundings and basically clueless. Maybe something like the great French police detective, Jacques Clouseau. Bumbling, fumbling, and out of touch.

Only he, the Queeg character and Gingrich see themselves in a self-ascribed position of command. Others around them see a pitiful retch destine for self-destruction. Almost as if living in a bubble as did the Emperor as described in the “Emperor’s Clothes.” Attempting to live an illusion that only they could see. Others view Queeg and Gingrich with the naked truth.

Anyway, Gingrich could easily be characterized as shifty eyed, vain, narcissistic, and a guy you wouldn’t want to split a pizza with. He would certainly ask you, “Where’s your pizza?” A real junkyard dog of a friend.

Here's your choices. Either Mr. Plunder or Mr. Blunder.

2012-01-31T07:51:00.000-06:00

So here’s how it boils down. You have one Republican candidate who is snarky, snippy, not accountable and wants to be president just because. Because he thinks the other guy, President Obama, shouldn’t be president. It’s that simple. “I want it because I want it!”

The other Republican candidate is one of those nebulous guys who wants it both ways. He wants to be Right and he wants to be in the middle. All at the same time. Seemingly being a revolving flip-flop. Something likes a stern-wheeler paddle riverboat. Swish swash. In and out and in and out of the political waters. But you have to admit, he has nice hair.

Now, Newt Gingrich can easily be characterized as the big “ Government Eraser.” All he wants to do is get rid of everything Obama ever had done while in office. Erase all Obama’s executive orders. Zip. Swoosh! Gone. Off the page. Just like that.

However if you ask Gingrich what he wants to do for the American people, he wants to colonize the Moon. Certainly a worthwhile endeavor. Simply speaking, a hundred billion dollar project to begin with. “Oh, we’ll borrow the money of course.”

Then there’s Mit Romney. Not sure what he will do if elected president. He changes his mind so much it’s hard to say what will be the outcome of his presidency. However, what he is good at is attack ads. He can build a business producing attack ads against anything that he opposes. For example, attack ads against not having a pipeline down the middle of the USA. “Nebraska is evil in not wanting a pipeline!” Clean air and water is ruining America.” “Obamacare will kill you!” “Let congress be dammed.”

So these are the two guys the Republican party want to wish upon us. Doctor Strangelove and Flapjack Mr. Goodhair. Newt or Mit. The two man havoc reeking crew.

Letter to the Editor

2012-01-27T11:00:00.000-06:00

Letter to the Editor: Wooden-headedness. Curtis Payne, Tulsa. The letter by Mack M. Braly ("Benighted heathens," Jan. 21) goes a long way in explaining why there are so many uninformed voters. The writer only wants to have his opinions reinforced and isn't at all interested in reading a point of view that he does not share. That I believe goes a long way in explaining the current political landscape in Oklahoma. That is why I am thankful to see a conservative-owned paper allowing both a liberal and conservative point of view be represented. As one writer put it: "Disagreement shakes us out of our slumbers and forces us to see our own point of view through contrast with another person who does not share it. Having a paper that is willing to represent more than the majority view in an area should be considered a good thing, but apparently Braly would prefer to remain blind and scared of having his opinions challenged by others who don't agree with him. Braly's condition is symptomatic of "woodenheadedness" and far too many Tulsans and Oklahomans suffer from it, not to mention the rest of the country. Nor is it a very good prescription for providing uninformed citizens with the knowledge to retain our representative form of democracy. I recall a quote by Gen. George Patton that is applicable: "If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking. Unfortunately that is apparently what this letter-writer strives for. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com..

Now that we see the light at the end of the tunnel,...

2012-01-26T08:14:00.000-06:00

Assuming a Republican candidate makes it to the Whitehouse, then what. As promised, they will do the following:
Repeal Obamacare. Huge tax cuts for the rich. Buy unnecessary military hardware. Beef up military spending and personnel. Open up all oceans and land for oil and gas drilling. Build more coal-fired power plants. Build a thousand mile pipeline from Canada to Houston. Get rid of all business and financial regulations. Run off all undocumented Hispanics. Over turn Rowe Vs Wade. Criminalize abortion. Stop birth control. Stop funding schools, police departments, fire departments, the TSA, etc. Close down the Department of Energy, Department of Education, the EPA, and the list of Nos is endless. Finally, drown the federal government in a bathtub.

So when all the above and more is done, then what? What will the Republicans do for we the people? How will they make healthcare more affordable? How will the Republicans educate America? What long-term jobs will the Republicans provide or encourage? How will they clean up the polluted air and water? What will we Americans do without Medicare or Social Security?

Tell me, what benefit do the Republicans bring to the American table? Are Republicans alone good for America? What will happen to fair compromise with the other side? Will right wing religious fervor drive government policy? Will the big corporations run Washington DC?

Voters! I hope you are paying attention. Our future is at risk. Turn off talk radio and talk to your neighbors. Read the newspapers. Many issues affecting our country and independence are requiring your consideration. Stand up. Vote smart. Our wonderful and beautiful America is being challenged by money and corruption. Resist. Fight. And, defend the US Constitution. God bless America.

What we need is a pipeline from China sending our jobs back.

2012-01-25T19:11:00.000-06:00

So, let’s talk about this Canadian Pipeline thing. What would it provide for we Americans other than an environmental scar down the heartland of Middle America? Speaker Boehner says it’s needed and is shovel-ready. Jobs a plenty. Work for Americans.

Let us first ask what kind of jobs? Will they be long term jobs and provides benefits? Health benefits? Livable wages? Long-term employment? Retirement benefits? Education benefits?

One could easily surmise that the answer is no. Employment would be short term. Only a quick fix for employment and then more unemployment. Along with no benefits. Health or otherwise.

What benefit would we Americans receive for this short-term job creator? Cheaper oil? Cheaper gas? Plentiful supply? Two dollar a gallon gasoline?

Once again, the answer would be no. No fool is going to build a billion dollar pipeline and sell oil and gasoline at a friendly neighbor discount. Without any doubt, the oil will be placed immediately on the global market and most likely shipped off to our Pacific neighbors to the far west. Sometimes called the Far East. Our neighbors otherwise known as China and India.

So do we want America to act as conduit for Canadian crude oil just to be processed and sent abroad? Once again the answer is no.

The bottom line is the major benefit is to the big oil and pipeline owners and it’s shareholders. All we get to do is look at it. An environmental eye sore. Not to mention a potential land oil spill. Creating an enormous blight on the Plaines and prairie of Middle America the Beautiful.

It would be like building a multi-story high-rise hotel on the Colorado River in the middle of the Grand Canyon. Just to provide jobs. We don’t need just jobs. American workers want longevity. Americans want careers. Americans want sustainable living and retirement. Not a pipeline. Ugly freaking eye sore.

The Canadians can send it to Vancouver. They can build it right down the middle of their tulip beds. Pipeline? No thank you!

To no-no-no him is to not love-love-love him.

2012-01-25T08:09:00.000-06:00

Inspiring, refocusing, challenging, and getting back to the basics of hard work. That’s the message I got from President Obama’s State of the Union address last night. But, I am afraid the Republican leadership didn’t see it that way.

It’s not that the ‘Publicans’ could challenge all of Obama’s proposals with meaningful house and senate bills but rather the ‘Pubs’ are still in a resisting mode with no substantive legislation as an alternative. Their party motto is still very much “NO!” No serves them well. Just sit on it. “Inertia are us.”

“Yes we can” makes the Republicans look bad. Very bad. Disallowing any legislation that gives Obama a positive appearance is bad for Republican candidates. Republicans must keep Obama at bay until the general election in November. No matter how beneficial legislation could be for America. It’s most advantageous for Republicans to put on the legislative breaks. Resist. Say no. It’s like telling an old granny woman she can’t vote because she has no ID. Democracy being turned away to advantage the FEW.

So, in the mean time nothing gets done. Good legislation goes wanting. Congress is thwarting good government only to defeat Obama and put a Republican in the Whitehouse. Wanting to regain control for control sake only. All at the expense of the greater good. Greater good be dammed should be the Republican motto. “One percent are us!”

But anyway, Obama will have to keep the heat on. Hold congress’s feet to the legislative fire. Get it done! Done now! I and others want to hear bully bully bully from the presidential pulpit. Obama! Get it done!