Shitheadery

Entitlement

Pinky — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were coming home from the vet with our very large (and vocal) cat. We were sitting in a long line of traffic waiting - like those ahead of us - to turn left. But this day, we were in a line of about 20, not a few cars. We inched our way towards the light over the next 20 minutes or so with our cat expressing extreme dislike at the whole affair wondering what the hell was going on - a burned out bulb, an accident, what?

Turns out the problem had to do with an ADULT crossing guard who was letting kids cross regardless of the signal. That's right. An adult who should know that when a light is GREEN you wait for it to turn RED before you cross a busy intersection. Instead, whenever a single kid showed up (and as school had just let out there were many kids walking solo and in staggered groups), she would step right out into traffic with her STOP sign and all of us in cars had to stop. Even IF it was a green f'ing light!

Even more telling to me was the fact that even though it was about 25 degrees out, these kids didn't even have coats on. Now I well remember the "cool" kids who refused to wear coats (like it was manly or something to freeze), but this was more than a few - this was like all of them. Probably because they don't have to wait to cross the street.

I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, we didn't even have adult crossing guards. That was left to a selection of us kids - and it was a pretty big deal if you got selected. That there are adults doing this "big" job is another story. But here's the thing: we were taught to look both ways before crossing a street. We didn't just march out into a busy intersection like it was our god given right and that those in the cars would stop for us. And we were also taught to wait for the light to be red. No dumb ass walked out into the middle of a busy street if the light was green.

I've been enraged and totally dumbfounded by the new trend of the past few years of kids just walking out into the street whenever it suits them - whenever it's "convenient" for them to cross. And I now see where they're learning it - from adults who are teaching this to them on a daily basis.

The bigger issue here is not so much the bit about crossing the street - that's just plain stupid - but the teaching of selfish, self absorbed, entitlement. I'm actually angry enough to write the schools, the mayor, and the newspapers because self absorbed entitlement is one of the most fundamental problems today in my so humble opinion. Reality shows and talent shows perpetuate this sort of ignorance that everyone is oh so much more important than the other to the point of walking out in front of a car.

Maybe these adult crossing guards need a "Crossing the Street 101" refresher?! Or maybe when one of the little brats gets hit the seriousness of this will land on someone.

Welfare Bullies and Demagogues

Failsauce — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:30:54 +0000

In most of the politically-oriented conversations I have been involved in, regardless of the topic, a conservative will inevitably point to the neediest population as the root of all evil. I call this welfare bullying. However, with people like Rush Limbaugh polluting the airwaves, it is perhaps more accurately described as demagoguing. With President Obama in office and the current focus on health care reform, this manner of shitheadery is more pronounced than ever.

I have heard it all. Poor people are lazy, good-for-nothings looking for responsible Americans (me) to support them. They were raised that way. They are the epitome of immorality, likely abusers of sex and drugs. It’s not my fault they made all the wrong choices. They are the anti-America and everything we stand for. (presumably awesome work ethics or the American Dream of building a mountain of debt).

Yes, there is nothing as disgustingly pathetic as a poor person. When I see one, I am simultaneously nauseated by their poorness and grateful for my superior lot in life. Good thing I don’t eat in restaurants or stay in hotels where some of them work. Did I say work? I meant looking for a hand out.

One theory explaining welfare bullying is that it is comforting to believe being poor is a simple matter of choice. If it is a choice, you can choose not to be poor. Just like people in more debt than they could ever hope to pay off in their lifetime choose to pay mortgages greater than their worth on the market.

This popular conservative notion begs the question: seriously?

I could write a handsomely thick novel listing all of the professions in which the poor work and the wealthy benefit. Salons, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, factories, schools. I could detail the various situations in which hard-working people find themselves cast out of the diminishing middle class, no doubt humiliated outcasts in an otherwise perfect America. Natural disasters, illness, layoffs/outsourcing, recessions. Or perhaps I should mention that the top 20% of American earners control 85% of the total wealth in America, leaving a mere 15% for the rest of us to squabble over.

No, facts are not good enough for the demagogues.

Let’s take a look at the various forms of welfare in America: food, housing, utilities, and medical treatment. Those poor people are super demanding. They must feel awfully entitled to want things like food in their bellies and a roof over their head in exchange for their 40 plus hours a week. Who do they think they are?

If you do your own shopping, you have encountered a member of the working poor. What if every person earning at or below the federal poverty line took a month off of work and shopping? Commerce in America would come to a grinding halt.

Why should you, the welfare bully, help pay for the health insurance of someone who has the audacity to work for less? Because, like it or not, we are all dependent on each other. That makes you needy too.

Turn Signals

Dr Googl — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Today, I’ve decided not to write about something as lame and uninteresting as healthcare reform or war, but on a topic much, much more serious, gentle readers.

Turn signals.

Oh what a magnificent planet this would be if there was some way that we could communicate with our fellow road travelers about what our intentions are while out on the road! If only there were a way to provide a visual cue that we needed to be in the lane they were in, only ahead of them.

It would be fantastic! The other motorist would see this visual communication, slow down a bit and let you in and everyone would be happy! Just imagine the ease of driving on a road where you knew when someone was going to slow down and turn onto another road or needed to pull off to the side to answer the cell phone, because they understood that driving a 1 – 2 tone vehicle requires all of one’s attention and do take away from that would be unthinkable (I’ll write more about this someday).

I think I shall invent such a device. I can see it now. Follow along and I think you’ll agree that this could be a fantastic new way of safe motoring all over the world! You take two cats and duct tape them to the roof on either side for the car and with a system of pulleys, levers, electrode and buttons you could make them not only cry out to alert other drivers of your lane-changing intent, but it would also provide a visual cue with all the arms and tail madly waving about. I do see one or two flaws in my design however, namely cold weather and what could happen to a driver if one of his cats comes loose and get into the moving vehicle. I guess this isn’t the way to go. I think it would be bad for the cats as well, now that I’ve considered it a second time.

If only there was some other way to avoid being a shithead by changing lanes or roads by letting other motorists know what you’re planning to do…

Anger Management Makes Me Angry.

KaptKos — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Don't ever get arrested for "Domestic Violence" in the state of Michigan; at least not in the county of Berrien.

It doesn't matter if you are guilty or not you will be prosecuted for a misdemeanor no matter what because it is a money maker for the state. The process is a scam for which the state makes money off of probably more so than any other misdemeanor crime on its statutes.

The definition of "Domestic Violence" is as follows:
The occurrence of any of the following acts by a person that is not an act of self-defense: causing or attempting to cause physical or mental harm to a family or household member; placing a family or household member in fear of physical or mental harm; causing or attempting to cause a family or household member to engage in involuntary sexual activity by force, threat of force, or duress; and/or engaging in activity toward a family or household member that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.

Further, the act defines "family or household member" to include any of the following:

* A spouse or former spouse.
* An individual with whom the person has or has had a dating relationship.
* An individual with whom the person is or has engaged in a sexual relationship.
* An individual to whom the person is related or was formerly related by marriage.
* An individual with whom the person has a child in common.
* The minor child of an individual described in the above bullet points.

The definition of "Domestic Violence" in the state of Michigan:
* $1,000 for a lawyer that doesn't earn the $1,000
* $   800 fine to the state of Michigan
* $   100 for a test to determine if you need "Anger Management" Courses (Discussed in   details below)
* $   750 for these "Anger Management" Courses. (Paid in 30 weekly increments of $25 per week) and
* 9 months of Probation.

Now; these so called "Anger Management" Courses and its "Test" to determine whether or not you need to take these classes is performed by an organization that is owned and operated by the same entity / person. This "Test" has questions on it that are in no way answerable; you're damned if you say "Yes" and your damned if you say "No" to certain of these questions.
For example:

"Has the usage of cocaine ever interfered with your ability to perform your employment responsibilities?"

The only options that you have to answer this question is with a "Yes" or "No". NOW WTF?
I HAVE NEVER EVER used cocaine in my F-ing life! If I answer "Yes" or "No"; I'm admitting to the fact that I have used cocaine. WTF???

This “Test” is administered and scored by this so called "Doctor" whom also owns and operates the company which also administers these "Anger Management" classes. This "Doctor" is neither a medical doctor or a psychiatrist; he merely has a Doctorate's Degree in Education.

How does this qualify him to perform such an "Evaluation" to begin with. How in the F can he be allowed to profit off of this very serious crime. Yes; “Domestic Violence” is a crime that is of serious nature and needs to be curbed; however, should such an entity and/or person be allowed to profit from this crime? This "Quack" (for all pretenses) is making money by not only charging you a hundred bucks for each “Test”, he's also making $750 per person that he puts into the program. He never even showed me my results of this “Test” and I received the same 30 weeks of "Anger Management" classes that another person in the class received for stabbing his girl with a F-ing knife! WTF???

The “Anger Management” classes that I attended had roughly 28 to 30 people per week; let's just average this at 30 people then let us multiply that by 6 different classes being serviced at various locations and various nights of the week throughout the county of Berrien, MI. That brings us to 180 people per week at $25 / week or $750 per course:

180 people x $750 = $135,000 every 30 weeks
180 people x $100 (Cost of Evaluation) = $18,000 every 30 weeks

$153,000 every 30 weeks which brings in an annual income of over $250K. A QUARTER OF A MILLION F-ing DOLLARS PER YEAR! (And that is a low-ball guess-timate because there probably is more people and offerings throughout the county and throughout the course of the week and if you were to add up all counties within the state of Michigan; you do the math.)

My offense was for spanking an 8 year old child of my girlfriend and arguing with such girlfriend because of her daughter talking back to me and not going to bed at 1:30 AM in the morning the week after Christmas in my own home. You're going to put me into the same category as a person that F-ing stabbed his girlfriend!

I finished with my 30 weeks of "Anger Management" classes and my 9 months of probation; THANK GOD! However; this crime and its punishment, along with this "Quack" need to be investigated at a much higher
level. Granted, “Domestic Violence” should not be tolerated; however, it also needs to be reviewed by the state of Michigan legislative body of government and this organization that is owned/operated by this so
called "Doctor" who is profiting off of such crime.

The person/entity that owns the company providing the services of these "Anger Management" classes should not be the same person that does the evaluation for the need of such classes.

Needless to say; these “Anger Management” Classes really piss me off!!!

All or nothing is a dangerous mindset - more editorial shitheadery

The Angry Patriot — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:26:34 +0000

Recently I read with some curiosity an essay by Wounded Eagle entitled A Thief in The Night.

Reading this article, and many like it, watching the news-tainment and listening to "experts" makes me really miss the intellectual integrity and character of William F. Buckley, Jr.

Essentially, she is suggesting that those that disagree with her are sneaking into her house and robbing her of her rights. In more hyperbolic, sophistic rhetoric she claims that those that are opposed to her idea of "America" are simply cancer to be cut out by whatever means necessary. Ignoring the mixed metaphors of the thief in the night or a cancer it is a dangerous message.

It advocates a belief system based on mistrust, fear and anger. It lacks historical content, perspective and honesty. It is intellectually dishonest and dangerous. She claims the mantle of Christ but rejects the nation's Christian desire to care for the sick and poor, patience and tolerance of those that disagree with her and supports the continued greed of those that created this economic disaster.

Although she parrots support for the Bill of Rights and the freedom of speech she doesn't practice it. Below is my response to what I consider more social shitheadery.

Hi. Interesting essay - you make some good points but it isn't a black and white world.

Franklin also said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty."

In the name of national security and safety the GOP heralded in the largest federal debt of our nation's history. The largest expansion of intrusive government power undermining the bill of rights came under the GOP. The largest expansion of executive power including wire tapping, search & seizure and Presidential signing statements under the GOP. Demonized those that in the name of responsible government called the Bush administration to account for choices.

All in the name of safety and security.

In order to begin to treat any illness - cancer or a cold - we'd better know what is wrong. To simply blame whatever is convenient is ignorant and dangerous. The problem with this country is not the liberals or conservatives, the GOP or the Dems. It is anyone in either group declaring they are the "righteous" and "moral" voice of America.

The word "conservative" is defined as "resistant to change". The Founding Fathers were considered liberals and radicals in their thinking and considered intellectual elitists. The Crown was considered conservative because they opposed basic human freedoms and human rights. The British Crown was resistant to change while the Founding Fathers embraced change.

It was the GOP that initiated the financial bailout of the banks - something I find outlandish as well. The banks don't make anything. However, the auto industry does & I'm tired of blue collar jobs simply being exported away.

This isn't new - Reagan, Eisenhower, Theodore and Lincoln all expanded the power of the Federal government in light of the economic realities of their time. Politicians typically do what is expedient, occasionally "best" and hardly ever "right". Neither do most people on the street - that is human nature. It isn't a black and white world.

Lastly, to suggest that those that are of a different opinion are simply a "cancer" that should be cut out by whatever means necessary is to undermine democratic debate. It's the extremists that are ruining this country.

If the GOP has a better plan for health care, energy or the economy share it. It is easy to snipe from the sidelines. When I ask my GOP friends what they suggest to address these issues they invariably just criticize without offering suggestions. They want the power without offering a solution.

All or nothing is a dangerous mindset.