Blindone's Blog

 To   Keiser26100's  &  boe57's Blog

 

You’re both a couple putz! Keiser, How dare you attack “The White Collar Workers”  with your lame challenge of working long hours in the same environment that you do.  It goes both ways fool! I’ve worked both sides of that fence and each has its own hardships. Your argument that white collar workers couldn’t hack it in your shoes has no bearing on the issue that you are trying to point out. Your being a “blue collar” worker does not make you any better than anyone else; the same go for the office folks. We each have different skill sets, and truth be known a lot of white collar workers got their start on the floor; thus making your point even less effective.

As for you argument about the management being responsible for all of your woes; you obviously got a limited understanding of the economics of the situation. For years both the union and management were in “bed” with each other; allowing the “status quo” to become  what it currently stands.

 

Truth is most autoworkers are over paid for what they are doing. The cost of doing business is dictating (to management) where their operating costs should be. THAT is what management is basing their figures on; not necessarily how much the CEO is being paid.

Both you and boe57 feel that it would be far better for the white collar workers to take the cut in pay instead of you poor abused factory rats. Wake up and smell the coffee sons….Who do you think has been taking the brunt of the pay cuts for the past 25 years?!? I can guarantee that it hasn’t been the factory folks! The factory folks still get a cost of living adjustment – quarterly! Up until recently you did not have to a co-pay for your medical expenses, you get a bonus when you sign the contract (agreement), you get (or used to) cash vouchers to use at the company store toward the purchase of work clothes. PLUS you get paid for all of the overtime that you work; a lot of salaried folks do not. (Unless you work on the floor)

And what REALLY makes me mad is your reference to management people as being terrorists. You dope smoking, beer swilling crack head! Get your head outta your rearend and take a breath. They aren’t ruining the country, yes there are greedy folks out there that are; but they are your management people, that is a fact. The real dirty ones are those cooking the financial books: the financial folks. Banks and lending institutions are the big players in that realm.

You complain about the statement made by the CEO; saying that if you don’t come back to the table with your tail between your legs and pony up to the offer, he’ll pack up his company and move to greener pastures. Just how did you expect him to respond to your situation?

 

To: Longshot………..

 

Ok, someone had a little too much Johnny Walker for breakfast this morning…………..

“My friend” (and I use that term loosely) you really need to get a grip. First of all your display of mental thought patterns went out with the dinosaurs. This is NOT and issue of “Us against Them”, it’s an issue on a couple fronts. One being an economic front, AA says that it cannot continue to operate at a level that exceeds its competition  (wages) and expect to turn a profit. The union fights back saying that they can’t afford a 55% pay cut; an understandable argument.

This is where AA screwed up, they took their plan of attack from the example that GM and others used. But instead of following it to the letter, they twisted it into an insane idea. And no wonder people are ticked off; GM’s contract uses a lower pay scale for new hires, everyone else is status quo.

The second problem here is with the historical data; the hourly folks (formerly GM) are paid way too much: a situation that both the union and management agreed to. They created this pay monster and now they have to figure out a way to live with it in today’s market. Only problem is, is the fact that the union officials as well as the rank and file won’t stand for any kind of pay cut. However that exactly what needs to happen; although not to the extreme that the management at AA claims it needs. I think that unlike my “friend” here claims, there is a happy medium that could be struck by both sides, and they just need to find it.

 

Longshot, you have your transmission stuck in reverse and need to come back to reality.

 

This is not the 60’s and management is not out there to stick it to the rank and file. Your rant stinks of bias and venom against “the establishment”.  In light of the current economy and the competition between companies today, sacrifices need to be made by both sides. It is not all one sided as you claim.

What’s wrong with AA calling back the laid off workers? They are just trying to keep the flow of goods and services running to their customers. Now admittedly I do not understand the logic of this attempt because I do not understand how AA could do this-those workers on layoff are still union workers, do they really think that they would cross the picket lines? I don’t. I also do not understand how AA could threaten those same workers with termination if they don’t come back….. Why not terminate the striking workers first? Then they could offer those vacant positions to the laid off workers: IF then the laid off folks refuse to comply: terminate them as well.

Enough of this nonsense; here’s the bottom line kids……………..and yes I’m talking to all of you narrow minded knuckle draggers (geez and I thought that I was the only one) IF some kind of agreement IS NOT reached, all of your ranting and screaming “OFF WITH THEIR HEADS” will be just that: hot air. AA will close its doors, shut off it lights, and go somewhere else with their business. And all of you knuckle dragging union boys will have two choices, (1) go ask your Union Representatives for jobs, (yeah right) , and (2) unemployment. That’s it no more no less.

So go ahead and make all of those damn near communistic comments and damn the torpedoes speeches, but in the end it’s all about how badly you want to keep your jobs. Period.

Prove me wrong. Look at history my proof is written there. If I need to spell it out for you, just look no further than the former GM truck plant at Willowrun.

The next few “pages" came directly out of my journal; and as you can see from the date it’s been almost a year since I penned them. I am posting these I response to JoquanDaHooligan's Blog . Dude you are wrong, yes you have a right to say what you did. But the bottom line has nothing to do with wearing baggy pants, it’s the fact that having your rear end hang out is offensive. That's the real issue: what's offensive.

The only thing that’s racial (your reference to the KKK) about the whole issue is your comments: “I'M SORRY, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AMERICA. OF COURSE IT'S AMERIKKKA WITH A BIG FAT K.” “YOU SIR ARE THE TERRORIST FOR THIS ACT OF TREASON AGAINST MICHIGAN'S YOUTH.”  These comments were not necessary; pure hatred.

YOU need to get a life ! All you’re trying to do is stir things up just for the sake of arguing.

02/28/07 & 03/01/07

Those once so popular cartoons of “Calvin” peeing on stuff offend me: whether it was a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler symbol. The similar cartoon of the “Calvin” grabbing his crouch and flipping you off offends me. I’m offended by the cartoon that depicts a bare assed man pointing to his bum (with a lip print on it) (no explanation should be necessary) or how ‘bout the ever popular “how’s my drivin? Call 1-800…….” I’m offended by those narrow minded knuckle dragging rednecks who find it necessary to hang a pair of “dingle berries” off their trailer hitch (on their 4x4 trucks). It offends me to see you lazy ass kids out there walking all over God’s green earth with you pants hanging half off your rear ends! How freakin stupid can you be?!?!?!? You can’t walk two steps w/o your pants falling down around your ankles…………..that’s why you have to hold them up with one of your hands! DUH! Fashion statement you say? Ok, how about this for a fashion statement: “I’m too stupid/lazy to buy or use a belt!” That’s a statement alright. Do you really think that anyone in their right mind wants to see your underwear? For years (still even) people have made fun of “plumber’s butt cracks”. However no one finds it funny when you’re too dense to understand how to properly dress yourself. Actually I kind of take that back; I find it sad to think that the youth of today think that this is an acceptable way to dress. I will admit that maybe it’s just the complete opposite of the tight pants that we used to wear when I was young, but at least our cheeks weren’t hanging out in the breeze! ‘Course you couldn’t breathe or sit down, because your pants were to damn tight to! But hey no butt cheeks!

Side bar: what’s up with kids these days paying upwards of $50 (or more) for jeans that look old, faded and ripped ? Now granted they have the right idea (sorta), but our jeans didn’t look that way until we made them that way; by then they were old friends! When you first got them they were DARK blue and really stiff; it was only after countless washing, and trashing that they started to show their worthiness. The wear was kind of like a badge of honor. And if you did rip them out, you patched them! Some of my favorite jeans had more material in patching than denim! Guess kids today are too impatient to earn their faded jeans!?

It offends me to be abused by the sound of your “music”. But lets be honest, that ain’t music; all it is, is noise! And should be not be heard ½ mile away!

Another sidebar: Have you heard any of the “music” that our youth of day listen too? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear it already; “our parents used to complain about our music too.” Yeah, but (eww a yeah but!) this is different; all I hear is screaming. I will admit that occasionally I hear some decent cords in the background, but the vocals are all screaming. Who can understand it? How can you appreciate it? It’s all noise! Doesn’t sound anything like “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, or “On Broadway” by Genesis: actually the closest comparison that I can think of would be “Inagadadavida” by Iron Butterfly; but at least you can understand what is being said! I guess AC/DC “All Night Long” isn’t too far off either, “Hell’s Bells” even.

My point is simply this; where are the police concerning these violations?

A few years back a young man was fined and had to serve jail time for cussing while canoeing. Yet it is not uncommon for anyone to be exposed to any of these other examples: and nothing is done to these folks! Now I ask, does this make any sense? NO!

There was a T shirt vendor in the mall this past Christmas who displayed several shirts of very poor taste, and some of the locals got upset about it: did any of these same complainers say any thing (ever) about the above examples: I doubt it very much. So what’s the difference? Offensive is offensive, you shouldn’t be wishy washy about it

June 13th, 2007

It’s about stinking time! If you’re a regular reader, you already know my feelings about this sort of thing!

Saggy Britches………….

The Associated Press reports that in Delcambre, La if your britches are sagging; you’ll be hauling out some major greenbacks and / or spending time in the hoosegow. About time is what I say. It ought to be something repeated all over this country. I don’t have a problem with “kids” expressing themselves through their cloths; that’s been done forever. But this trend of wearing your pants damn near around your knees is not only dumb, but just plain tasteless. I don’t’ want to be looking at your shorts.

And if nothing else how stinking dumb do you having to walk around with one hand tied to the waist band of your pants; because otherwise the fall down around your ankle?! Matter of fact I saw just that happen the other day at the local grocery store. Some dumb butt walked right out of his pants because (1) they were too big, and (2) he wasn’t wearing a belt. When he went to open the door his pants fell down around his ankles! Oh I guess that I should mention that he DID hike them up ever so slightly as he approached the door; only just enough so that the belt line was high enough for him to hang on to.

Can’t say as I have ever seen anyone “jewels or parts” as it is described in the article; but then again I don’t go around looking either. This whole mentality of wearing (?) (more like hanging) pants that are so dang baggy that you can’t keep them up is beyond me. Furthermore the idea of having to walk around using one hand to keep them up just smacks of stupidity.

I spied a young gal at the high school last night: as I was waiting to retrieve my son from

football practice; who was wearing sweat pants down around the lower part of her hips. This practice also made it possible to see that she was also wearing boxers as well. Guess it was the daego T shirt that topped of her look; that was the killing stroke. Not a bad looking gal (from what I could tell) but to me her whole appearance screamed ho. Aka, someone who had no concern about appearance: or the image that she was projecting. Ok, I’m an old fashioned kind of guy; but I don’t find this attractive or darn I say it? Ladylike. The image that I get is “easy”; you older folks know what I’m talking about. SO I’m wondering is this the type of message that she really wants to project?

Opps I strayed, sorry.

I can remember wearing pants so tight (back in my HS days) that you’d get nose bleeds. You couldn’t hardly sit down for fear that you’d split out the rear end. Then we got smarter and started to wear pants that were more reasonable, but kids today have gone too far. I think that its time that the fashion statement changed; at least when we wore baggy pants we used a belt, or suspenders!

AS I have said before, its not the pants, its the fact that we can see your underwear. You feel the need to wear "Fat Alberts" knock yourself out. Just don't be broadcasting your Foot of the looms in my direction. You don't want to see a 51 year old walking around with his bum hanging out, well I don't want to see yours. The offense goes both ways.

First off, please understand that this is meant as a tongue in cheek sorta thing. However, I am seriously asking where did these things come from?

To Paczki, or not to Punchski? This is the question!

 

Just what the heck is a “Punchski”?  How do you get Punchski out of Paczki?  Where did they come from, and where do they go after today?

I am told that they are an old world Polish tradition on “fat Tuesday”, or for those of us in the know the day before Lent. But George, I was born in Flint and lived for several years in Chicago, married a good little Catholic Polish gal. My mother in law’s parents came from the old country, as did my mothers parents; my point? They never heard of punchski’s. Would seem that if anyone would have, it’d have been dear old Grandma Parnow(ski); she was always baking some kind of goodies, seems like a Punchski would have been right up her alley.

Here’s another way to look at it: what’s the difference between a Paczki, and a jelly filled donut? All a paczki is, is a jelly donut with an over abundance of filling, is it not? Well yes and no, I believe the die hards (and they will) would have you believe that the difference goes much deeper than that; if for no other reason than the fact that a Paczki is fried and a jelly is not. However, let us not forget, Tradition!  Tradition!  (aka Fiddler on the Roof)

A Paczki is steeped in the stuff known as TRADITION, and all things scared to the Catholic church.

“Let’s all gorge ourselves before we have to give everything up for Lent”  Ba Hum bug!  Letting it all hang out just before packing it all away for 46 days (prior to Easter) really doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like you’re really being serious about all of the ceremony anyway. Your just making the moves and hoping that everyone else believes your show.

But hey, it’s fat Tuesday…..who cares? Lets’ have sex! Er, I mean party!!! Yeah!

Hey did anyone see this one?

Colorado Springs legislator labels unmarried teen parents 'sluts'

 

COLORADO SPRINGS — A state lawmaker used a derogatory term Wednesday to describe unmarried teen parents as sexually promiscuous and complained that society condones premarital sex.

“In my parents’ day and age, (unmarried teen parents) were sent away, they were shunned, they were called what they are,” Colorado Springs Republican Rep. Larry Liston said during a GOP legislative caucus meeting in Denver. “There was at least a sense of shame.

“There’s no sense of shame today," Liston continued, according to the The Gazette of Colorado Springs. "Society condones it. ... I think it’s wrong. They’re sluts. And I don’t mean just the women. I mean the men, too.”

 

I’m willing to bet that this clown in a legislator’s suit was all hormones and paws when he was 16! Teen age sex isn’t anything new, and to go as far as name calling, this guy is a whole bunch shy of being honest. He needs to be called out on the carpet and be made to openly apologize to everyone for his self righteous behavior.

I am in no way condoning sexual activity by unmarried anybody but I will not go as far as name calling those who do participate in this kind of activity. That would be plain hypocritical.

"Society condones it. ... I think it’s wrong. They’re sluts. And I don’t mean just the women. I mean the men, too.”

Well it’s like this “Larry”, I don’t necessarily agree with your statement that society condones this type of behavior, as much as it does very little to dissuade it. AND I think that the promotion of it lies more in the hands of advertising than that of society.

Sluts?!? Strong words from a narrow minded Representative. You are talking about individuals who at that age still haven’t figured out the consequences of this behavior. They are running full tilt on hormones that they don’t understand. Shoot I know some adults who still haven’t figured that part out. That doesn’t make those kids “sluts” as you are so quick to point out; it makes them human. Tell you what, when you have spent some quiet time by yourself and reflected back to when you were 16 and can prove beyond any doubt that you NEVER pawed, kissed or snuggled with a gal when you were 16 then you can come out and make statements like that. Otherwise Shut up. You do not have the experience, or authority to be making judgment calls like this, YOU OUGHT TO KEEP YOUR YAP SHUT.
What do you think?

Buyer beware!

Had this old saying thrown in my face last night………….Rick’s Christmas present arrived yesterday; from Hong Kong. If I had known then what I now know, I would NOT have made this purchase. However, I followed my heart and Rick’s information instead of digging a bit deeper into the website to find out the nitty gritty about this vendor. The package arrived all wrapped in unassuming green shipping paper; with no external markings as to place of origin. Hmmmmmmmmmm, the packing slip said that this package contained a TOY with no commercial value, but was valued at $30; a slight bit less than the $160 that I paid……..hmmmmm twice. (can you see this one coming?) I opened the wrap and found that the original package had been damaged and taped back together; upon further investigation I assumed that the reason that the package had been damaged was because it was not designed to hold the extra items that I’d ordered with the first item. (that makes 3 hmm’s) Ok now I’m less than cheerful, and closer to P.O.’d. Upon further (yet) inspection I realized that there is no battery charger included; even thought he packaging says that it is……..NOW I am mad. I dig out the packing slip to look for a phone number to give these clowns a call. Well that isn’t gonna happen, because I am not calling long distance to Hong Kong. HUH? Yeah, there is no State side rep for this fly by night operation. Great my only available option is to email these folks and inform them of my displeasure.

I did get a response this morning; it said that the reason that here wasn’t a charger include was because they only had the EU charger, but would see if they could find the 110volt one for it…………………..I’m still smokn! They can’t find the US charger?!?! Anyone with half a brain knows that most (not all) Air soft guns are made in China, Etc. AND they come with US chargers.

I’m not done yet………..I decide to go back to their website, where I find under the heading “terms and Policies”, the words “NO WARRENTY”. What did I get myself into?!?! Then I start to think about all of the little details of this whole event:

• The plain green wrapper with no indication of place of origin.
• The statement on the packing slip about no commercial value.
• The declared value @$30 US.
• No Stateside representation.
• The statement about the removal of any trade marks being US customs policy.
• The Orange tape (removable). Not painted or molded in orange.
• The funny made in China sticker that was half removed from the forestock of the gun.

All of which makes me very suspicious of the “legality” of the sale of this “toy” in the US, and the reputation of the company in general.

Bottom line here is that I can probably get around the charger issue, then the question of functionality comes into play.

If I can get the battery charged and installed, will the gun operate? And I suppose the next question would be for how long?! Truthfully I am not feeling too confident at the moment. If the whole thing blows up in my face, it pretty much looks like I am had by a bunch of no good nicks. Buyer beware….

University Requires Students Carry GPS Cellphones...

 

Apparently they can not do a better job of controlling crime on the campus, or it’s out of control, so they make it a requirement that each and every student carry a cell phone with GPS. That way while they may not be able to keep you from being raped or mugged, at least they can find you after the fact…………………..great planning folks!

And yet another one for the This is stupid file!

 

 BOSTON -- Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are set to consider a proposed ban on spanking children in the commonwealth.

If this proposal does become law and parents are caught hitting their children who are under the age of 18, they could be charged with abuse or neglect.

 

I’d like to know just how they really plan on enforcing this one? Dr. Spock would be proud of you morons!  Abuse I can almost understand, but how is smacking your kid for misbehavior neglectful?  Great thinking too, make it against the law to discipline your own child. Get throw in the pokey and let someone else do it for you !  (they call that day care don’t hey?)

“For months now we have heard the news about the products from China. Hellooooo. Anyone out there?

I think American shoppers have got to be some of the dumbest, most naive, most uneducated, most uncaring, most greedy, most materialistic.

When are you going to start reading labels? When are you going to actually 'look-up' and become concerned for your babies?”

Damn why don’t you just drop the other shoe and call everyone an idiot? Name calling isn’t going to get you anywhere! This attack on the intelligence of the American shopper kind of back fires on this individual, because I seriously doubt that they do not buy anything that is manufactured outside of the country. There are damn few things outside of food products that are made in the US today. And don’t try throwing cars at me, because they contain products that have been outsourced to foreign interests. And those like Honda, Toyota and the like that are built in the US, are not manufactured in the US; they are only assembled here: it’s no the same thing.

Besides it really isn’t a question of consumer intelligence, in as much as it’s the marketing people’s chase after the almighty profit. IF THEY weren’t so profit driven, then maybe they wouldn’t be so apt to go over seas to buy merchandise to stock their shelves.

P.S. go stuff a huge lump of dog poop in your Christmas stocking, because you deserve it! Plus I do not appreciate being called an idiot.

Actually, it’s more basic than what you have perceived it to be; the average individual regardless of who they are assumes that most other people would hold their products to the same standards of quality that they do. However, the sad truth of the matter is they other folks (i.e. Chinese manufacturer’s) do not. The labor ethic and manufacturing processes are much different over seas than they are here in America. In most cases this is partly the reason why things cost more to manufacture here in the US; it’s not JUST the labor issues that we’re all lead to believe.

So consequently when your average “Joe” goes shopping, instead of buying a brand name (which by the way doesn’t guarantee quality) he goes for the same product at the lower cost. Who can blame him? Especially in the market today with the economy taking the nose dive that it is.

For what ever reason foreign manufacturers are not held to the same standard they we are and for whatever reason, their governments do not inspect their exports as we would prior to shipping them to other countries. We have seen time and again how good s and services from foreign interests are getting out of the country of origin without being properly inspected for health and safety reasons. So who’s to blame? Certainly not the consumer and we cannot expect our customs people top become quality inspectors for everything that we import. That just isn’t going to happen.

Unlike you who blame the lack of intelligence on the consumer’s parts for the safety issues with foreign made products, I really do not see an easy cut and dried solution to this problem. Simply saying that we will not purchase foreign made goods isn’t going to work. However that is why the globalization of companies can be a good thing; maybe then a more homogeneous method of quality control standard scan be formed and put to use. Other wise, the best solution is consumer awareness and buyer beware.

Have you seen the report in the news recently about the HS kids in Belleville who were expelled because of pictures that they posted on MySpace?

Unless there were details that were not released to the public; no threats to the school were made or inferred; yet the superintendent felt that it was necessary to take action against he students: because the schools handbook says that he can. HUH?! The pictures were taken off campus, not posted using school property and yet the super felt that he had the jurisdiction and authority to take action against these students.

The guns, "drugs' and money were assumed to be real (by the super). Because the handbook says that even if the students are caught with a "toy" gun resembling the real thing they can be expelled.

My take on this rule, is that if they are caught in the possession while on campus. Not in the private sector. As reported, this event did not occur on campus and as far as I’m concerned outside of any “authority” that the super has. In my opinion this is what I would call being a vigilante. And that is wrong.

Here’s the other side to this point: what would be the difference if my son showed similar pictures of he and his friends having an Air soft fight? Would they fall under the same vigilante justice? I can guarantee that he and his friends pose an awesome sight when they are all dressed up for battle. They take their fights quite seriously and enjoy a safe and eventful time. (of course I get stuck with plastic bb’s all over my yard)

You can bet that if such an event were to cross my path: them getting expelled for being in possession of something resembling a gun; that this school system would be encountering one very rabid father.

I wholly understand the need for vigilance when it comes to the threat of gun violence in the school arena (and outside of that for that matter). But lets get focused here, a school superintendent does not have the authority to make law based judgment calls outside of the school system. That is why we have police and a proper justice system.

If a threat was made against the school then fine, otherwise the police should shoulder the responsibility of handling the investigation and prosecution; not the school system.

What do you think?

Ok ,here's a point to ponder. It's something that I wrote about in my journal a ways back and has come back to haunt me.

SO here's my question to you: Is it just me or is the term and or definition of what porn is a two way street? Or is it all  one sided?

“Books and Magazines” (and not necessarily in that order)

When was the last time you browsed the magazine rack at the store? Next time that you do notice how many of the car magazines have women posing on them. Just what the hell do they have to do with the performance of the car? Not a damn thing; but they’re still there. Do I read those magazines? No actually I do not mainly because they deal with low riders and rice burners; neither of which hold any interest for me. The argument comes forth, but beautiful women and cars go together, and it’s been that way for years. I can’t argue that, I suppose; but that doesn’t make it right. You could always compromise, go ahead and put the women in there, but have them dressed in something other than a thong and a bra. (aka swim suit)

Then there are books. Most (not all) books written and targeted toward men, have some sort of sex and/or violence in them, and that’s why they’re men’s books. That’s why men read them, for the “action” content. I can read, say a Star Wars novel, there won’t be any sex and not any real graphic violence, but there’ll be action. That works for me. Or I can read a Richard Marcinko book and get all the gritty shoot ‘em up rompin’ stompin action that I can handle. (and loving it!)  My point is that unless I’m reading blank pages, (cause even the Bible has sex and violence), there’s no avoiding it. It really boils down to what and how much is acceptable.

But now that I think about it, I remember another issue that I have with the topic of books.

 

 

Now books written for “men” are called porno, smut, “ADULT “: however books written for women are called “romance novels”. 

 

Now re-read that last statement. Does that make any sense to you?!?!? Basically the same damn content and yet they are classified in two different ways. AND society sees them differently as well.  Women’s “Romance” novels are ok, shoot you can buy them darn near anywhere: and that’s ok. But place some “men’s” Romance novel next to it and look out!  Now granted to do that you’d have to clean up the title and cover a bit, but not the content.

Ok I’ll grant you that the typical men’s “romance” novel is a bit more graphic, but I’ve read a few of those women’s books; they don’t leave a whole lot to the imagination either.

SO why is it that the women’s books are ok and the men’s not? Having sex is having sex regardless how, or who it is written for.  AND most of those women’s books are about the same adulterous, cheating, shameless hussies that the men’s books are written about. So what’s the difference? 

 

Now I bet that got some of you turned up!?  I couldn’t resist the temptation to put that in.  But my question still stands: what is it about the women’s books that make them so much better than the men’s? If the answer is social pressure (and I suspect that it is), then that’s just plain wrong; because we are using a double standard to “judge a book by its content”.  Unacceptable is unacceptable, and who the content is written for doesn’t change that.

Women’s Magazines……………..

There are a zillion different kinds of magazines out there, and I’m not going to attack all of them; matter of fact I’ll barely scratch the surface. But I have to throw this one out there too; especially since I just filled your head with my feelings about books: male vs. female.

I touched briefly on the subject of car magazines, but like books there’s the whole genre of women’s magazines. And they aren’t hard to spot; every cotton pickin’ cash register has them piled all around them.  And this one includes magazines written for…..TEENAGERS ! Yikes !!!!

 

Piles and piles of magazines that come out weekly, monthly with smiling beauties (with their boobs have exposed) plastered all over the cover. With articles on everything from the latest way to drive your lover into a sexual frenzy, or how to tell if he’s really being true to you (or not), to the latest fall fashions, and everything in between.

Now if you take out the nude pictures from a typical Playboy, there isn’t much difference between the two, is there? That’s my point, the only real difference is the pictures and if they weren’t there, why would anyone have a problem?  I would and should, because the rest of the magazine is all geared toward sex in some form or fashion. And yet this is acceptable in the public’s eye. 

I mentioned teenagers, take a good look at the typical Seventeen magazine: a whole lot of articles are written with the intention of telling young gals, just what it takes to “bag” a guy. How to get “the look” just right. What’s hot (sexy) at the beach this summer, the latest and greatest make-up, and the world’s best advice on dating. Basically they (the magazines) are telling our teenage daughters what’s “hot” and what’s not. My question is what makes them the “experts”? Who are they to be telling my girls what’s right and wrong? DO you get my point? And I’ll take it one step further; why aren’t there any such magazines for teenage boys? Because that would be wrong………………prolly.

Now enter the world of the “new men’s magazines”……………they’re right on par with the Cosmo’s, and Glamour magazines. And it seems that just in the last couple of years there have been a dozen or so titles popping up. You won’t see fully naked women, but close and that makes them ok for the magazine racks. Again, as with the book issue, wrong is wrong; sugar coating it or dressing it up differently doesn’t change it one bit.

Do you understand the bias toward men’s reading: although not wholly unwarranted, it’s still slanted unfairly. Am I wrong here? Have I missed some important piece of the pie?  All things being equal; removing the obvious nudie pictures, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two: other than the fact that society sees men’s magazine as unholy trash to be hated and reviled. Don’t get me wrong, I am not necessarily supporting that kind of reading: my point being, as I have said the same stuff is sold to women and it’s ok. NO it’s not!!!  So why doesn’t anyone else see this? Why aren’t the same people who make all the noise about too much sex on TV and such making a peep about this side of the issue?

Geez, Have I beat this horse enough?!? I’m not sure; I may have to come back to it again: when I think of something else to add.

This is a tip that was sent to me by a fellow Christian friend; So I thought that I would pass it alon g to everyone here:

To All,

 

This is about the new children's movie 'Golden Compass' which is about to be released starring Nicole Kidman. The movie is from a trilogy of books written by an atheist with the intent of persuading young children into believing in his anti-religious views. I understand that in the end of the trilogy, the children kill God and everyone can then do as they please.

 

I know of no other film or books more worthy of boycotting. I have included the Snopes site address so you can read where they verify it as the truth.

 

I thought you might find the following article from snopes.com

interesting:

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.as
p

Hey y’all!

 

I heard about the most recent shoot spree at yet another high school and I must admit that it must have been laying heavy on my mind; because I think that I figured out what’s going on. The scary part is that I can oh so well identify with the actions of these kids: now that’s an eye opener!

Huh, what?!? Yeah I understand, or have figured it out. Ok so maybe I’m slow or just maybe I’ve stumbled on to some thing that some of you may not have considered. Either way it kind of scared me.

Ok so what am I talking about? It all starts with an innocent prank, a joke on a friend or someone that you know. Only thing is, is that it gets out of hand and now more people have joined in on the “fun”. To you and everyone else this is just poking fun at some poor soul: “it’s just a joke”, “we didn’t mean anything by it”. Yeah well kids allow me to clue you in on the truth; contrary to popular believe that stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me logic: that’s not true. Yeah physically that may hold true, however the damage done mentally can be over whelming. Unless you are the one who exposed to daily teasing, being picked on etc, you have no idea the pain and suffering that a person goes thru because of your jokes.

And just like a cornered animal, that person will get to a point where they cannot deal with your cruel insensitivity any longer. Now they just want an out. And that can be any number of destructive moves: they can become extremely anti social and with drawn, or they could become abusive to themselves (why not no one else loves me) or something else (like animals), they could decide that the best way to “deal” with the problem is to simply make it go away.

Do you see where I am going with this? Making it go away could be killing those who are the antagonists, get rid of them and the problem stops; only it doesn’t solve the problem completely. You see now I have to deal with the responsibility of my actions; that has created a whole new set of disastrous issues. Ok, so how can I make them go away; I know I’ll kill myself!  Not the ideal solution, but certainly an option. Because while it doesn’t cure the complication, at least I won’t have to clean up my mess And the ones who were making sport of me won’t be harming anyone else anymore.

Point is, is that I just justified their actions by explaining to you how they got to that point. So nice theory you say; how do I figure that this is a viable path? What do I possess that allows me to come to these conclusions?

Simple my friends; I’m a victim. I’m 51 years old and for as long as I can remember I have been teased, picked on and made fun of. I currently work with a 20 something kid who has taken it upon himself to bully me! If he were one of my own, I’d have laid his rear end out. And done it repeatedly if that’s what it took to get it thru his head that he cannot talk to his father like that: either that or he can leave the house. My point being that someone who is 30 odd years my junior has got no business treating me (or anyone else for that matter) with disrespect. I didn’t do it to my Dad; he did do it to his etc. Respecting your elders. Novel concept? New idea? No just one that most kids don’t bother with these days.

And honestly to a point I understand the rebellion. “Stupid adults think they know everything, they treat us like we’re the stupid ones” Sound familiar? I bet it does, and I’d be lying if I said that I never thought those things myself. BUT, I’ve grown up and realize just how wrong I was. Those stupid adults really did know what they were talking about after all. Wow !

So what does all of this got to do with the High School kids killing each other and etc? The answer, everything. The root cause is the harassment that goes on everyday in the hallways, and classrooms. The teasing that occurs out on the playground, the looks, and sneers. It’s all got to stop. We have to come to some understanding that this kind of terrorism cannot be tolerated. Yeah I hear you, “but kids will be kids”. And you are exactly correct, however, where did they learn that behavior? YOU! As parents are the roll models for them as they grow up. If you expose them to the “harsh reality of life” by constantly teasing and taunting others, then what do you think that they’re going to do when they get older?  If you expose them daily to the trash talk and related garbage on TV and in the movies, then again what do you think that they are going to do?

Wait a minute! Now you’re sounding an awful lot like a bible thumper…………Ya think?!? Does that bother you? It shouldn’t, because if nothing else if you treat someone the way that you’d want to be treated then guess what? Nine times outta ten the chances are that they will treat you that way. “Course there is still that 1% that’s just plain ol’ rotten. Can’t change them no how.

And don’t go off on me calling me a Bible thumping wimp, (1) that’s just not being nice and (2) I ain’t no Bible thumper. However if you back me into a corner I will come out thumping: you!

Here’s another thing to consider; some people can roll with the punches, others cannot. For some unknown reason they just don’t know how to be thick skinned enough to avoid being hurt by your sense of humor. We don’t have the ability to go toe to toe with you folks who seem to get off on ripping each other. Oh sure we try and join in on the “fun” but usually end up being the target of your “playing.” So how do we respond? The only way that we know how to, we attack. And for me anyway (although I would hazard a guess that many others feel the same way) I get no pleasure from this tactic, because it only seems to escalate the ripping. So in the end it has only made me feel even worse for having opened my mouth. This is also the time when things are said in anger that really weren’t meant, but got said because we didn’t know what else to say/do.

Walking away is really the correct thing to do, but that’s not an acceptable option; because then that opens one to the feeling of being a wimp.

There’s GOT TO BE a better solution. And certainly one that doesn’t include a gun or worse. Fighting never solves anything, it just heightens the anxiety.

I needed to let off some steam and maybe cry on someone’s shoulder. I am tired of the daily grind and want to bring an awareness to everyone about how damaging this type of behavior can be. To those whom I have offended over the years with my attempts at having sport with you, I am sorry. I will try to hold my tongue in the future….as long as you’re not driving in front of me! LOL!!!!

 

I’m pooped and it’s way past my bedtime.

Good night and God bless!

I don't know about any of the other area schools/churches that may have joined in. But in Milan the kids from the middle school and high school gathered at the flag pole to pray for the health and well being of the schools and our country. ( a readers digest version)

My Point?!  Maybe we adults should follow their lead and do something similar. What could it hurt?

Relay for Life is alive and well in Milan this weekend! Please why not come out and help support the good people of Milan in our fight against cancer.

It starts Saturday morning and runs thru Sunday morning with a pancake breakfast. It truly is a family event that has alot to offer everyone.

Thanks to Fox for the space and time!

 

This was my Readers Digest response……….

 

 

Ewwwwwwww, ya hurt a MAJOR nerve here son! It’s time for one of us to get outta dodge, and that would be YOU.  LOL!!!!

 

 

Seriously, I do take a bit of an offense to your comments. However I do understand your frustration with the whole event (to a point) Having lived on the northwest side of Indy for close to 12 years, I know the closed in feeling that comes with the 500. I also know that feeling when the NHRA nationals came to town every fall.

 

But let’s face the truth here, this country was built around the automobile so until we do away with cars there is always gonna be a “reason” to celebrate them. The act of cruising is just one way that the American public has celebrated its love of all things car.

 

Economics be damned! Honestly I get the feeling that you just needed a reason to blow off some steam (because you’re not a car person)

 

 

Now for the artillery………..

 

 

(remember the scene from “Apocalypse Now”, where the Helicopter is flying in for a strafing run? Remember the music?) (yeah you do………..lol!!!) (ain’t insanity great?!?)

 

 

OR how about “Mighty Mouse”?  “Here I come to save the day!!!!”  Actually the small block Chevrolet (Chevy for short) IS referred to as a mouse motor! 

 

 

Ewww, son you’re in for a world of hurting.  Rational or not, this is fighting back for all of us car people. (yuck I hate being politically correct) You’ve gone and gotten my knickers all tied in a knot and I’m not feeling too friendly. “Course if you take all of this seriously, then we’ll be really dancing!  For the most part this is tongue in cheek, sorta.

 

Where /how do I begin? I guess the best way is to start at the top and work my way to the bottom…..

 

“I know of many people that live near I-75 and/or Woodward that hate the Dream cruise.

 

The traffic is intense anywhere near the area starting the week before the cruise.”

 

Ok this is the first sentence, so let’s get busy. As I had stated in my posted comment; I spent 12 years in the northwest side of Indy, so I know all too well and understand the frustration of the lack of mobility in and around Indy when there is a function in town. But you know that’s the beauty of being human; we can adapt!  The real bottom line here isn’t the dream cruise per sa; it’s the fact that you get your knickers all knotted up because of the imposition that the increased traffic creates. Now as I stated after 12 years, I learned how to get around during those awful traffic issues, and I dare say that Indy was probably a far cry worse than the Woodward area. My point being if the folks in Indianapolis can do it, why can’t Detroit? AND if you really want to get picky about it; Indy has to deal with these types of problems multiple times a year, Detroit, or more specifically, the Woodward area, only deals with them for the Dream Cruise and Thanksgiving: which by the way you make no mention of.

 

You use the word “hate”, that’s such a strong verb. My question is, is it the Cruise itself that you “hate” or the cars? Or is it that you can’t participate, because you don’t have a car that you feel is either worthy or acceptable enough? Or is it just purely the fact that you can’t get around when the cruise is in town?

 

Page two……..

 

“Last year I was in Minnesota for the dream cruise, and people were laughing at people in Michigan and talking about how much gas we wasted.

 

For example:  I often wonder about the Indy 500 and how much fuel it wastes.  How much fuel does the Dumb Cruise waste?  Remember that Michigan is a peninsula and that gas works off supply and demand.  Gas this week in Ohio is approx. 2.52 per gallon, but the Ohio gas tax is also less by up to 15 cents per gallon, causing their gas to equal 2.77 per gallon.

 

So let’s use the following assumptions (generous on my part I assure you):

 

57 Chevy averages 12.5 MPG in city style driving, but we'll say 15 to be kind and use round numbers. 

 

20 miles to and from dream cruise (total of 40, again generous on my part), plus 5 laps x 16 miles, not including idle time, rev ups, peel outs, etc. 

 

Total of 120 miles/15 MPG = 8 gallons of gas wasted per car on non-essential travel with no destination in mind.  Why do you need a destination?  Well somebody that goes up north or to visit relatives doesn't just do laps. 

 

So we could say that if 250 cars cruise with the above assumptions, then 2,000 Gallons of gas will be wasted.  What's 2,000 gallons of Gas to the Michigan economy?? Nothing right now.  What is 2,000 gallons of gas in Oakland County??  A lot!  The average SUV gets approx. 22 MPG in combination driving in Oakland County.  The average Oakland county driver drives 16 miles to work every day.  Meaning that the average driver will likely pay 6 cents more per gallon of gas this week in Oakland County, and 1-2 cents more in surrounding counties based on demand.  So even if you don't go to the cruise, it cost you money, SUPPLY AND DEMAND! “

 

Maybe you should have stayed in Minnesota……………………………

 

 

 “and people were laughing at people in Michigan and talking about how much gas we wasted.”

 

 

Give me a break! I got news for ya pal, they were really laughing at you for wasting so much gas and money driving all the way to Minnesota just to get away from the Woodward Cruise!

 

Honestly who was the real Einstein here? Who drove for up wards of 14 hours and used how much gas (one way!) just to get away from “The Cruise”. I submit that you yourself “wasted” a whole lot more (of your personal) time, money and gas on your getaway than most of the participants at the Cruise.

 

Then you go on to substantiate your claim by going through all these gyrations of calculating the fuel usage and costs of a weekends’ worth of cruising. All in the name of the impact on Oakland County’s economy and to top it all off you spout some ridiculous comment about “SUPPLY AND DEMAND”.

 

Please……..get a real job.

 

All kidding aside, do you really think that a died in the wool “Hot Rodder” gives a royal rats butt about the fact that his 450 hp rat motored Chevelle only gets 10 mpg (at best)? Yeah it’d be great if got better mileage, but does that really stop him (or her) from building it? Nope. And if you really want o get picky about it, here’s a couple facts that you either don’t know or care about: one, most (not all) “Hot Rods” ( or what ever you want to generically call them) run cleaner and more efficiently than your daily drivers, and two 95% of all of the true “hobby cars”

 

will never see more than 5 to 10 thousand miles in a year’s time (if that).  Can you say the same about the car(s) that you drive everyday? SO with that in mind, you can take your averages and throw them out the window for all of the good they do. Your point is moot.

 

But if you insist, we could look at it this way: my 79 Z/28 that gets 10 mpg, sees say 5000 miles usage in a year. Ok? Well that figures out to 500 gallons of gas at $3.50/gallon (premium), or roughly $1800. Interesting!?

 

Now if we use your figures for my SUV, which probably sees 30k miles in a years time frame, uses approximately 1400 gallons of gas @ a cost of (lets just use $3/gallon) $4100 !

 

A wee bit of a difference, eh?!  Oh but wait I didn’t compare it the same way you did. Ok lets use the 120 miles of needless travel…………..nah, lets not. Here’s why, that 120 miles of needless mileage is just that only 120 miles, how about taking a serious look at all of the miles that you put on your SUV (that you never use as an SUV) in a months time?! And while we do that lets really be honest, your example is slightly flawed, no one’s SUV gets 22 mpg around town; maybe on the Highway, but definitely not around town. I digressed, how many “trips” to the movies did you make during that months time frame, or to blockbuster? Cable or Satellite TV would have saved you that money and not wasted that gas. How many times did you take a “trip” to take the wifey and/or kids out to dinner? Stay at home and cook the meal for the wife instead: that’s called family time. Go bowling, golf? How about that quick trip to the corner for a Sunday paper? I could go on and on, but I think that you get the picture. Again, your argument is moot.

 

NEXT!

 

“How can we still have the cruise and compensate?  I personally think the cruise should not be held unless......

 

Surrounding cities within a 15-20 mile radius offer 4 shuttles per day the weekend of the cruise.  Cruising cars submit a permit and can only lap 3 times and have a consistent speed through out the whole length of their cruising.  Cars classic or not, that do not meet a certain MPG requirement be adapted to run on electricity, ethanol, or not be allowed to lap.”

 

OMg! Stop it you’re killing me!  LOL!!!!!!  You can’t be serious? Detroit can’t even provide a decent mass transit program for its’ everyday needs and you want a shuttle service for that weekend?!  You’re joking right?!

 

“Cruising cars submit a permit and can only lap 3 times and have a consistent speed through out the whole length of their cruising.  Cars classic or not, that do not meet a certain MPG requirement be adapted to run on electricity, ethanol, or not be allowed to lap.”

 

How would you enforce this idea? By doing this, you’d be creating more of a backup than the cruise itself! The whole reason that there is a lack of forward movement is due in part to the shear number of cars in the area in the first place: and now you want someone to “police” the event to: one limit the number of “passes” that car makes during the course of a day, AND somehow determine what kind of gas mileage the vehicle gets and whether or not it meets those guidelines. Besides I can really se someone who would spend 25 to 50 thousand dollars on his restored 57 installing an electric motor to power it! Alternative fuels………maybe, some cars can and do run Alcohol (hahahahahaha) Who’s going to pay the “enforcers”? “or not be allowed to lap.”  Yeah right!  MLOL!!!!!

 

 

Page Three………..

 

 

“Does the above still hurt the Michigan economy?  Yes, but less.

 

Does the dream cruise help the Michigan economy?  In the short term

 

it brings in revenue, but not many full time long term jobs.  Some hotels do see increased business, but only for 1 weekend, which may help them keep a few employees through out the year, or have some work more hours, but the long term employment effects are minimal.  Please feel free to prove me wrong, but have the data to back it up!  SUPPLY AND DEMAND!  Have the cars park in Cobo hall like the auto-show and call it the auto-show, oh wait that names already taken!  We all talk (especially channel 7) about the positive impact of the cruise. But is it really?  Considering  pollution, gas, litter, etc.”

 

 

This whole side of the argument makes little sense (if any). And I do enjoy the throwing in of that phrase “SUPPLY AND DEMAND”.  Cute…………….

 

Really you just can’t see beyond the traffic jams, and the inconvenience of the whole Cruise thing can you?  That’s really what this is all about. The whole economy, pollution, gas wasting thing is just that; you’re just spewing gaseous waste about how the cruise is cramping your style.

 

Actually if you really take an honest look at the cruise and if I dare go that far, the whole “car” thingy; there is no real good reason for it’s’ support. Except for the fact that aftermarket (which by the way what they call it) supports far more American based jobs, and services than the “big 3” themselves! If it weren’t for the aftermarket companies, a lot of the improvements that you’d find on your daily driver wouldn’t be available today. The aftermarket and racing venues provide a vast arena for the major car companies to use for product development as well as show off their upgrades and improved technologies. From fuel injection (and related management systems) to safety equipment, all came about with the help from the very industry and pastime that you’d just as soon see disappear.

 

As I stated before, the cruise is not about economy, gas mileage, or even emissions; it’s all about the cars. Cars being an art form, an expression of personal creativity.

 

If you are going to take the stance that there is really no good reason for the existence of the cruise or gatherings, then you might as well do away with racing in general: because it is nothing more than a waste of gasoline (although I did mention that some cars burn alcohol) and contribute to the green house gas emissions. (I CAN’T BELIEVE I SAID THAT) Why not kill off Cart, Indy car, Formula one, NASCAR, (OMg, thems fightin’ words!) ((LOL!!)),

 

Off road, (4X4), Craftsman Truck Series, Short Track, motorcycle racing, need I really go on?! A whole lot of folks would be out of jobs……………..But using the logic that you present, they are all useless wastes of gas and serve no real good purpose.  And to a point you are exactly correct; however over all you’re all wet.

 

My conclusion:

 

DO I really need “the data to back it up”? I don’t think so. But if you really insist; here goes, I have worked in the automotive industry for 25 + years, I have (and read) every car magazine that I have ever purchased since April of 1969, I do 95% of all of the repair work on my own vehicles, I build and collect model cars and trucks (presently somewhere in the neighborhood of 500+ kits) , I can tell you want the firing order of a SMC is (in case you don’t know what that is, it’s a small block Chevy) in other words I live, eat and breathe cars; and have for 50 years. I think that’s data enough.

 

I’ve said it before and with complete honesty, and compassion, I understand your frustration with the congestion that comes about with the Cruise and all of it’s related brew ha ha, but let’s be realistic: as long as there are cars, there will be a Woodward cruise; whether it’s an organized event or just a bunch of cars guys getting together on a Saturday night. There has been cruising on Woodward since the fifty’s. And even if the cars all become powered by electric motors, there will still be folks who will figure out a way to modify them as well. It’s a whole lot bigger than you and me, so why not learn to be human and adapt your life style around the cruise instead of the other way around?