My Soapbox

OK, I'm ready to rant about a few things .... or at the very least, I want to voice my opinion. Not that anybody out there really cares what I think, but I'm going to tell you anyway. If you're likely to be offended by what I have to say then DON'T READ IT!!!! If you'd like to share your opinions ... send me an email. There's a link at the bottom of the page. Just don't expect me to reply to you if you merely send me an email telling me how stupid I am, or how stupid my opinion is.

BTW, on the subject of opinions ... Webster's defines opinion as: 1. a view, judgement, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter 2. belief. As you can see, opinions do not require any sort of factual evidence, nor do they need to be defended. These are my beliefs, views, judgements and appraisals. Take it for what you will.

Did you know that the overall crime rate in the US has steadily been declining? How about the fact that, in general, crime rate is lower than it was 20 years ago? There may be areas that have higher crime rates, but overall, crime is going down! You'd never know it by watching the news, or reading the newspapers. And that is the subject of my rant for today: US NEWS MEDIA ARE SENSATIONALISTIC AND BIASED!!

Yes, sensation - crime, blood, fear, etc. - sells. But so many Americans turn to the traditional media outlets to find out what's going on in the country, or the world, and they are getting a very skewed view. People are afraid to leave their homes, or allow their children to play outside, because the media makes it seem like there are criminals waiting around every corner to steal their money, their identity or their lives. According to the local news, you'd think a pedophile resides on every street and is just waiting for your back to be turned to prey on the children.

IT ISN'T SO!!

Yes, there are criminals out there. Yes, there are pedophiles out there. But they are nowhere near as common as the media would have you think.

What about the positive things that the media doesn't report? Or if they do report on it, it's buried so deep it's all but impossible to find? Like the Teardrop Monument.

The Teardrop Monument was made and installed by the Russians to honor those who died in 9/11 and to make a statement against terrorism. It is very impressive. The tear drop is lined up with the Statue of Liberty. It was a gift from the people of Russia. The plaque identifying it says "Monument to the struggle against world terrorism, artist Zurab Tesereteii." Names of the persons killed on 9 11 are inscribed on the base.

This monument was dedicated at the northeast corner of Bayonne Peninsula in New Jersey on 11 September 2006, the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Did anyone hear anything about this? Did the media ever report on it? Not that I saw, or anyone I've talked to either.

I've posted pictures of the Teardrop Monument HERE

There are other positives that were not reported. Like a mass re-induction ceremony of US military personnel who VOLUNTEERED to re-enlist and return to the fight - thousands of them.

The point? How about returning to the idea that the media reports the NEWS? How about making it a strict factual account, fair and unbiased they way it was supposed to be?

Oh, and let's string the paparazzi up by their own camera straps - leave people alone. I don't care if they're celebrities, they have a right to live their lives in peace just like the rest of us. I frankly don't care who is screwing who, it's not my business! Stop the insanity!

This rant is actually copied from an email that's been making the rounds - and I couldn't agree with it more! Here it is:

You gotta love Robin Williams...Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our U. N . Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

Robin Williams' Plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!) "I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan."

1) "The US will apologize to the world for our "interference" in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those "good ole boys", we will never "interfere" again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany, South Korea, the Middle East, and the Philippines -They don't want us there, anyway. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal! Third World France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign "students" over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a "D" and it's back home baby.

6) The U.S. will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while .

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not "interfere." They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us "Ugly Americans" any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH...learn it. . .or LEAVE...

Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?

"The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses." She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' "

THREE CHEERS FOR: ROBIN WILLIAMS. MAYBE WE CAN CONVINCE HIM TO RUN FOR SOMETHING !!

Let's start on the subject of money, and earning potentials. On the radio one morning, the DJ was talking about how college is so expensive, but it is really worthwhile to get that degree. He was saying that people with a bachelor's degree can earn about $2.1 million over their earning lifetime (approximately ages 21-65), where someone with only a high school education can expect to earn less than $1 million. Someone with a master's degree can earn $2.5-$3 million in the same period, while someone with an advanced degree (Ph.d., etc.) can earn $4 million plus. So far, so good. I'm always in favor of an eduction.

The very next item that came up on the news was that a well known sports figure may not be back with his team for the next season because he was asking for $3 million per year and the team can't afford to pay this.

Excuse me? Does anybody else see a problem with this?? And this has gotten pretty typical for sports figures -- and for singers, actors, and other celebrities (including political figures). They expect to be paid these huge amounts of money ... equal to what a 'normal' person with a master's degree or better could expect to make in a lifetime! And they want that amount for one year, or one film or album, or whatever!!! They tell us that they are worth this much, because their earning lifetime is so much shorter ... can't continue to play sports after they get too old, and then what are the poor dears supposed to do???

OK, it's time to give these people a reality check. First off, how many of us regular people actually have a master's degree or can expect to earn $3 million in a lifetime??? So what are we supposed to do?? Yet somehow, we manage. With less than these 'celebs' make in a year, we manage to make do over a lifetime. I'd think they could manage too. It's called responsible spending. Saving your money, investing wisely. And when you can't play sports anymore, and you know the time will come, you might try preparing yourself for a new career in advance ... plan ahead.

Second, these people need to understand that it's us regular people who are paying their salaries. We are the ones who are buying the tickets to attend their sporting event, film, concert, etc. And the ticket prices keep going up in order to pay the exhorbitant amount these prima donna's think they're worth. I've got news for you! We aren't making any where near what you are! And our bills keep going up! We can't afford to keep paying your ticket prices in order to support you in luxury. Sooner or later, you're going to be playing to an empty house, because we need to save our money to pay our own bills. And then you're going to be in trouble, because without us, you don't get paid.

Continuing on the topic of money, but from a different slant ...

I heard Rosie O'Donnell talking not too long ago, about her retirement, etc. She was asked about her refusal to participate in the celebrity telethon to raise funds for 9/11. She said that on 9/11, immediately after the horrors had taken place, she personally called 20 people, celebrities, that she knows, multi-millionares all. She asked each of them to donate $1 million to a fund for New York and the victims of the attacks. Not one of them would do it. But all of these celebrities were willing to go on this telethon to ask the 'regular' people of this country to donate their hard earned cash.

Again, excuse me??? These people have millions, and are making more millions, when those of us who may make a million in our lifetime (if we're lucky) are the one who are donating? And this seems to be a normal trend ... the ones who are always there to answer the call anytime anyone needs help are the 'regular' people. The rich turn their heads the other way and pretend not to hear the call. Or they 'donate' a few hours of their time to do a special performance to get more money coming in. Gee, big deal. Try donating real money, like the rest of us. Try getting out there in the streets and ladling soup, or handing out blankets, or almost anything that would get your hands dirty. Or even take someone into your home and feed them a hot meal!

OK, new topic. Political correctness. Someone want to explain that one to me?

The United States is founded on diverse cultures. And that's a wonderful thing. These cultures and their beliefs should be celebrated and recognized. But today's climate of "political correctness" and fear of "offense" means that everything is being played down, blended, smoothed away until nothing is left but a bland serving of pablum. You know what I say? Go ahead and give offense! Go ahead and take offense! But by golly, stand up and say what you mean and state your opinion! And some of these people need to stop being so damned sensitive about things!!! Not every comment is meant as a slur against you or your 'kind'!

I am an American citizen. I believe in America, and I am proud to be an American. I don't worship the Christian God, and there have been times when I've objected to the use of "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, and to the "In God We Trust" on our money. But I deal with it, and get over it.

I found this article from Australia on the Tongue Tied website. Minister Hardgrave pretty much says what I think. Can we apply this in the US too? Please?

Australia's Multicultural Affairs Minister Gary Hardgrave has gone on record as saying that schools and kindergartens should set up nativity scenes, throw Christmas parties and actually talk about the story behind the holiday, reports the Weekend Australian.

And he said if schools want to do the same for Hanukkah or the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr they should be able to do that, too.

Hardgrave said people should not have to concede traditions that have been important to them and their family generations just to appease a handful of people who might get offended.

"Our culture, our traditions are something that has attracted people from all around the world to come and live here and be part of," he said.

"We have an opportunity to learn from the cultures they brought to Australia,” he said. "But we were here first, our framework was in place because of all of the efforts of previous generations. Our framework is what made it possible for all those people to come, and we should never be afraid of it." -- End --

To continue on with my own opinions ... I have long felt that people immigrating to this country should learn English. I understand that visitor's or tourists might not want to, and I can accept that. But if you move to another country to live, you should learn that country's language. If I were moving to Germany, I'd learn German. If I were moving to France, I'd learn French ... you get the picture. And I'd expect to have to fit into the prevalent culture the best way that I could.

Now, in the privacy of your own home, what you do is your business. If you want to speak another language, do so. If you want to celebrate other holidays than prevail where you live, do so. Anything you want ... as long as you harm no one. But in dealings with other people, please try to speak English and don't try to force anyone else to participate in your celebrations.

OK, now about PETA ... People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. What a bunch of hogwash!!! More like people for the advancement of their own aims, goals, whatever ... the animals are completely immaterial to them.

Go to the PETA website. You can find all kinds of 'campaigns' that they are sponsoring, protesting abuses, real and imagined, against animals. But nowhere can you find a mission statement. Now, I've been around for a while, long enough to have learned many things. One thing I did learn was that PETA's mission is to return ALL animals - pets included - to the wild. That there should be no animals that are subservient humans.

OK, I agree that there is much abuse and misuse of animals. And I strenuously object. However, humans and animals cannot be completely separated! For one thing, we do have to share this world. For another, many of the 'domesticated' species couldn't survive if they were turned out into the wild. And, finally, humans have been responsible for saving endangered species through captive breeding programs! We can help the animals, if we are responsible. PETA just goes way overboard.

BTW, I am not a vegetarian. I do eat meat. I use leather products. I don't think this makes me a bad person. As long as the animals are treated well - the common term is 'humanely' but I have my questions on how well 'humans' treat anyone or anything - and are not made to suffer, I don't have a problem with them being raised to provide meat or clothing or other products for my use. Gee, guess what, humans are at the top of the food chain. Mother Nature intends for us to use the other animals. We just need to do it responsibly and 'humanely.'

OK, these fall under the category of "What a bunch of idiots!" And I'm not talking about the people doing the suing, I'm talking about the juries that are awarding the money ... how can you seriously say that these people deserve an award for their injuries??? This is nuts!

1. January 2000: Kathleen Robertson of Austin Texas was awarded $780,000.00 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running amuck inside a furniture store. The owners of the store were understandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving tyke was Ms. Robertson's son. (Try controlling your kid, lady! Why should anyone else have to pay for your inability to properly raise your child?)

2. June 1998: A 19 year old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000.00 and medical expenses when his neighbor ran his hand over with a Honda Accord. Mr. Truman apparently didn't notice someone was at the wheel of the car whose hubcap he was trying to steal. (umm, excuse me, but don't the laws of this country prohibit anyone from profiting as the result of a crime?)

3. October 1998: A Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania was exiting a house he finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to get the garage door to go up, because the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage locked when he pulled it shut. The family was on vacation, so Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found, and a large bag of dry dog food. This upset Mr. Dickson, so he sued the homeowner's insurance claiming the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of half a million dollars and change. (Excuse me? First of all, see the note from the incident above about profitting from a crime ... Secondly .. oh there's just too many ways in which this is WRONG!!)

4. October 1999: Jerry Williams of Little Rock Arkansas was awarded $14,500.00 and medical expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next door neighbor's beagle. The beagle was on a chain, and was in its owner's fenced-in yard, as was Mr. Williams. The award was less than sought after because the jury felt the dog may have been provoked by Mr. Williams who, at the time, was shooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun. (I think the owner of the beagle should have been the one given the award ... Mr. Williams was trespassing and committing animal cruelty, he should have been thrown in jail, not given $14,500!!!)

5. May 2000: A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania $113,500.00 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her coccyx. The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson threw it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. (So this restaurant has to pay for this little twit being an idiot? She can't remember that she threw the soda at her boyfriend? C'mon, folks, let's get real!)

6. December 1997: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware successfully sued the owner of a night club in a neighboring city when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000.00 and dental expenses. (Excuse me? She's being cheap, and committing a crime (breaking & entering, or at the very least entering ...) and the club owner has to pay for it? Doesn't anyone else see the problem here?)

OK, I guess that's the end of my soapbox for now ... stay tuned, I may come up with more!