tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38477097214110820402024-03-04T22:03:44.809-08:00Fat Guys' RantsLeft-leaning brothers from another mother rant on about nothing in particular and everything in general.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-28342853476939971932017-02-05T21:14:00.002-08:002017-02-05T21:39:17.598-08:00Pats Are Champs, But Life Doesn't Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMCOO0qwis5KlnRa4kV7NY94_sa1FUdGJ3k9KMooFS8AoF2I_R-h94dsDtg7wIA-zvfbYuEo8LVSzjIdiTTDjzjtvnwtSQ8mqymcY-F9Q6gxz-cTAo6g_uB1nFCIHQHgMfc7n8aq7lwGe/s1600/Brady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMCOO0qwis5KlnRa4kV7NY94_sa1FUdGJ3k9KMooFS8AoF2I_R-h94dsDtg7wIA-zvfbYuEo8LVSzjIdiTTDjzjtvnwtSQ8mqymcY-F9Q6gxz-cTAo6g_uB1nFCIHQHgMfc7n8aq7lwGe/s320/Brady.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Growing up the Patriots were awful. It was tough being a fan then. Today? Well, today it's pretty easy. That said, the old pessimism wells up when things are bad and tonight was no exception. 28-3 and I was done.<br />
<br />
"Let's put on that Tom Hanks movie," I said.<br />
<br />
"Are you sure?" said my wife. She's new to Patriots Nation so optimism hasn't been tarnished yet. Not a football fan by any means, but sucked in by her new family ties. "They can absolutely still win this game, right?"<br />
<br />
"Nope. We're playing awful, I'm done."<br />
<br />
We started watching "Inferno" and the ESPN alerts started coming in on the phone. Then the texts started showing up.<br />
<br />
"Are you watching still?"<br />
<br />
"You may want to come back"<br />
<br />
"Um...it's a one score game."<br />
<br />
I watched the plays unfold on the ESPN app and my son, Ben, told me I couldn't turn it back on because it would be bad luck. I think he was kidding, but if he was it was only half-kidding.<br />
<br />
"HOLY SHIT! WE TIED THE GAME"<br />
<br />
"Put it back on, baby..."<br />
<br />
We watched the overtime and, of course, the comeback was completed and now the greatest of all time debate starts (ends?) for Brady...for Belichick. I am, naturally, amped up and very excited. But my life hasn't changed.<br />
<br />
I have a pair of boys that are still the highlight of my life - the best things to come out of my being on this Earth. A wonderful stepson and a wife who is the love of my life. I will still be traveling to northern Minnesota to sell slot machines this week; Wisconsin next. I'll still be irritated with our new president and friends that politicize my Patriots (I thought it didn't matter what celebrities thought but don't get me started on conservative hypocrisy). I still have great friends (even those previously mentioned!) and an extended family that is the best in the world.<br />
<br />
I'm a crazy lucky man. As I was yesterday and will be in the morning - whether we won or lost.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-62746115203718687702017-01-25T11:16:00.001-08:002017-01-25T11:16:08.377-08:00Misdirection by Design?There have been so many things I've wanted to write about but the sheer volume of them in the short period of time has really set my head spinning. Too much to stay focused, really. And THAT got me thinking...<br />
<br />
The President wants us to focus on widespread voter fraud. You know, the voter fraud that literally every secretary of state in every state - red and blue - certified didn't exist; the same voter fraud that Trump's own attorneys argue didn't happen in Michigan when Jill Stein filed for a recount? THAT non-existent voter fraud!<br />
<br />
And not just that, the gag he put on government agencies ("Most transparent administration in history" was promised to us...) has taken up a lot of time and effort as well.<br />
<br />
And crowd size. Let's not forget about the idiotic, pathetic rantings about crowd size. Talk about being a sensitive "snowflake". We now have a Snowflake-in-Chief.<br />
<br />
But perhaps these distractions are by design.<br />
<br />
We know that there is no voter fraud. Perhaps there are millions on voter rolls throughout the country but that's not fraud. Why? Well, let's say you have a relative pass away. At what point in the grieving process do you go down to the town hall and make sure that you remove them from the voter rolls? You never have? Yeah...me either.<br />
<br />
What about when you move? Did I make sure when I left Nevada for Minnesota that I let the good folks in Nevada know that I won't be voting there anymore? Um...no. I simply registered to vote in my new hometown and that's where I vote. Kind of like Steve Bannon did. Really, not a huge deal. That also does NOT constitute fraud.<br />
<br />
I can almost guarantee, though, that when this "investigation" is concluded (at what cost to taxpayers, by the way?) Trump will claim vindication when he "discovers" that many states - red and blue alike - have plenty of voters on the rolls that don't belong there for one reason or another. Not that 3 -5 million "illegals" voted, mind you, just that the rolls need purging.<br />
<br />
That's what our President does. He twists (or completely makes up) facts so they suit his conclusions. And then repeats them over and over again until the news cycle sweeps it away.<br />
<br />
SEE!! I just went 4 paragraphs on non-existent voter fraud rather than focus on the policies and executive orders that allow the trampling of Native American land rights, virtually closed the EPA, killed science, handed Asia to China, tried to censor the press and removed transparency from our government. We're now a government in secret. And there is a segment of the population that just doesn't care.<br />
<br />
"Good for him. He's getting it done. Fuck you, snowflake, get over it. This is what winning looks like."<br />
<br />
It may be what winning looks like to Trump but it is NOT what America looks like. I would ask to all you supporters of these antics: if this was done by a Democratic president would you be okay with it? I think we ALL know the answer to that question. <br />
<br />
And your boy just may be profiting from the DAPL but we don't know because we don't know his conflicts of interest and investments. Again, would you all allow this from a Democratic president? Of course not.<br />
<br />
There have been real concerns from his own party as well (if he really even HAS a party affiliation other than self-interest). Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham have been critical of the President as have conservative columnists George Will and Bill Kristol. I don't agree with these gentlemen on policy but it is hard not to respect their integrity.<br />
<br />
As the President continues to tweet about idiotic things with the petulance of a spoiled child, I wonder if it is by design, to try and keep people focused on the ridiculous so he can continue with the important business of dismantling this country. Maybe not. He certainly has zero command of facts, governance or policy so I'm probably giving him too much credit.<br />
<br />
However, I do agree with Robert Reich when he stated that there is a faction of the GOP that is willing to use Trump to further their agenda and then look to remove him when he's not longer useful. I would not be surprised if, when Trump is no longer useful or he looks to be a millstone around their necks that the GOP Congress amazingly "discovers" something that is impeachable (hell, they may have it already). Then we get the Pence theocracy. Better? Worse? Well...at least not a total embarrassment in front of the world so there is that, I guess.<br />
<br />
If Democrats play their cards right - and we have a LOT to get in order in our own house right now - this could be the best thing to happen to the party since FDR. Though who knows how much irreparable damage will have been caused by that point?Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-7185304459201791602016-12-30T08:36:00.000-08:002016-12-30T08:36:01.179-08:00BOOK REVIEW: No Grey Areas by Joseph GaglianoJoseph Gagliano was a central figure in the Arizona State University basketball point shaving scandal of the 1990s. He has published a book about that event, his role in it and how his life took him there - and beyond. I was asked to read the book and publish a reviews. In the spirit of full disclosure, I was provided a complimentary copy of the book by the Cadence Marketing Group however the review is completely my own and I was never influenced by Cadence.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Admittedly I
started reading “No Grey Areas” by Joseph Gagliano with healthy skepticism
regarding motive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He states in his
introduction that he wrote the book in the “sincere hope for this story…to
influence your thinking as you take your own steps.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I didn’t buy
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as I started reading it I
wasn’t buying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if a
convicted felon was just trying to find a way to profit by his misdeeds under
the veil of remorse.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">An
interesting thing happened from cover to cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the end of the book, I cared about Joe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cared about what happened to him and I
truly believed that he cared about what happened to the reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He transformed from Gagliano the felon, to
Joe the walking, talking, cautionary tale.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">He decent
into bad decision making was gradual, but steady and unflinching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An action junkie, Gagliano was seduced by the
Chicago commodities market and the lure of easy money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scamming came easy for Gagliano, even as the
voice in his head was telling him it was wrong, be it rigged Super Bowl
squares, 900 numbers or, eventually, game fixing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was easy
to push that voice back into the depths of his consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His story is even made more compelling by the
legitimate success Gagliano attained through restaurants and then later in car
washes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the mind and the spirit
to succeed in legitimate business but was unable to avoid the seduction of
short cuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually even doing the
right thing couldn’t work out right and Joe found himself back in jail and
writing his story.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While the
allure of the book is the Arizona State basketball point shaving scandal of 1993-94,
Joe’s story is much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More scams;
more internal conflicts; more contradictions and, eventually, peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His road to redemption becomes more compelling
as you read. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Most
appealing is Joe’s writing style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
good but not a professional – and it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because it is his story and you can hear it in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a time when life was bleakest he found
salvation in an ex-football player preacher, an accepting parish community and true
love.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I went from
skeptic, to empathetic almost a fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am rooting for Joe to make a go of life legitimately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The breezy read will keep you engaged
throughout and by the end you’ll want to see Joe make it as well – and maybe
examine some of your own life choices.</span></span></div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-27028076456534428272016-12-29T08:30:00.001-08:002016-12-29T08:30:58.253-08:00Happy Holidays?
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>"This is for all the lonely people,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Thinking that life has passed them by"</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>- America, "Lonely People"</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The holiday season is a time for family, friends,
fellowship and goodwill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holidays
are also, however, a dark time for many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In several ways I’ve been reminded of this over the last week or so and
it has made me tremendously sad.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through a variety of events – both natural and man-made –
my wife and I found ourselves flying solo for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas is also my wife’s birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the dual purpose of December 25<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
in our lives, we split the day into morning Christmas and afternoon birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually we take the gang bowling at our local
casino resort and make a night out of it – mostly because it’s the only place
open!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year it would be just the two
of us with one friend along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would
stay the night and have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An ice
storm pushed our departure to Christmas Eve and we had two nights there and I
spent a lot of time walking around and observing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">He walks on,
doesn't look back <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He pretends he
can't hear her <o:p></o:p></span></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Starts to
whistle as he crosses the street <o:p></o:p></span></span></em><br />
<em>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seems
embarrassed to be there.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></em><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>- Phil Collins
“Another Day in Paradise”<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One woman,
loud and apparently exuberant, was playing a machine and loudly chiding it –
talking to no one in particular but hoping someone would listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sparkle in her eye was deceiving. It dissolved
swiftly to an emptiness; a longing to be heard; to communicate; to have contact
with another person. Funny at first, her act wore on those around her and they
stopped playing along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more
desperate she was, the more outrageous she would become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Negative attention was still attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She eventually left, broke and broken. A
smile on her face but a terrible sadness behind her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An older
couple at the otherwise empty bar after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eve was becoming Day but here last call was
approaching and another drink was in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Faces red from time at the bar not from the ice storm outside, they
talked at each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heads down, no
signs of closeness but a shared sadness was evident.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Merry
Christmas,” he said to her with not even a trace of a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Yeah…” she
replied, never looking up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No more words were spoken between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any intimacies they once shared were gone,
beaten down by time and circumstance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What it was that caused such obvious sadness wasn’t
evident, but it was there.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“So many faces
in and out of my life<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<em>
</em><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Some will last<br />
Some will just be now and then<br />
Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes<br />
I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again”<o:p></o:p></em></span></span><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><em><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Billy
Joel, “Say Goodbye to Hollywood”<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the eve of
the Eve a friend passed away in Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Young guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bright, talented,
larger than life in many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
circumstances were sad but ultimately, after losing his wife suddenly a year
ago, I believe that he gave up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot
imagine the magnitude of that loss on someone and for him it was the beginning
of the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a couple of days before
Christmas he lost his battle with infection and a series of small strokes and
went to join his beloved wife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my very
dear friends, family really, lost her dad a few days before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man could light up a room and everyone in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that light was gone. A husband,
father, grandfather and all around wonderful man was gone after a very long and
courageous battle with cancer. For nearly 20-years I was able to call him my
friend and, while my sense of loss is deep, it does not compare to his wife,
children and many grandchildren that will now see the holiday season as a sad
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are these life’s
blows that cause one to find themselves in a casino bar on Christmas Eve,
unsmilingly drinking away heartache or causing an isolation so painful that in
a desperate desire for human contact you resort to making a spectacle of
yourself?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’d like to
wrap this up in a neat bow and a deep and meaningful conclusion, but I’m not
sure that there is one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just “is”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-13548403603343610782016-12-08T16:36:00.001-08:002016-12-09T02:08:27.634-08:00A Letter To My Hetero Life Mate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>A Letter To My Hetero Life Mate</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ted, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was going to write a blog about procrastination, but I put
it off until later *Rim Shot*.<i> I will be here all weekend and don’t forget to
tip your waitress and for sure order the salmon special!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are times when I think that the only reason we are
still friends is because we know too much about each other and that the statue of limitations isn’t up for most of the stuff we have done. Then there are
times like last week, when you constantly checked up on me, even with a quick
text or call. You have no idea how much that meant to me. You are by far the
best man I know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are things that will always remind me of you:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I see or hear a reference to “Remember
the Alamo”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I see a hot dog vendor or hear a really
bad Italian accent</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">When I find myself lying in bed, with the same
clothes on from the night before, but there are holes in the knees of my pants
and my palms are filthy and have gravel pressing into them. (Dick move by the
way)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I hear Batman’s girlfriends name</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I see a Lamborghini and wonder how a
fat guy could get in and out of that car</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I take a 4 hour lunch break to play
craps or miniature golf</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I find out that somebody was “raised by
wolves”</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I run into somebody named “Jose Marimba”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any time I turn a rental car in and they need to
just throw it away instead of clean it out</span></li>
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You know, every day stuff!</div>
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And there are not so funny memories we share, breakups,
illnesses, watching the fall of the World Trade Towers. You were with me during some of the hardest
parts of my life. Every step, and you and I know how rough some of those steps
were. </div>
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Today we live 1600 miles apart and you are still there for
me when I need you. Always giving me advice based on what’s best for me and not
just your opinion. It’s like having my own Jiminy Cricket. You are also not
afraid to tell me things I don’t want to hear or disagree with. </div>
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So today I am sitting here in my favorite pub, drinking bad
coffee and laughing at all of our old mishaps and adventures. I miss seeing you
every day but know you’re only a call or text away so I can get some of that
old fashioned New England wisdom.**Chowda**</div>
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I will end this by saying it again; you are the best man I
have ever known and thank you for all these years of your friendship. I look
forward to many more years of this. </div>
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With love and affection (not in THAT way, but there’s
nothing wrong with that…)</div>
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<br>
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Your Buddy Chris</div>
Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-17335508234966503872016-10-09T08:09:00.002-07:002016-10-09T08:09:39.317-07:00Remember, Be Inspired and SmileThere are moments in our lives that are overwhelming emotionally. Weddings, births and various milestones are all legitimate reasons to become overwhelmed with positive emotion. For some us, sports can generate that kind of emotion. Not all sports and not all events - and certainly not the same events for all people - but there are a few that resonate across the ages for each of us that count sports as an important part of their lives.<br />
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For me, the first such event I remember clearly was the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Watching the game at the time was thrilling. We beat the Soviets. WE BEAT THE SOVIETS! It was a miracle and Al Michaels captured the moment brilliantly.<br />
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At the time, though, it wasn't an emotional event. Later, looking back on it 5-10 years later it was an emotional win. It meant more later than it did at the time. Maybe it is the passage of time that makes us look back on the perceived simpler time of our childhoods, though I think that is the easy answer.<br />
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I think a part of it is that nostalgia but also a growing appreciation for the event and its times. The magnitude of the accomplishment. As the years go by, the accomplishment isn't diminished in the prism of time but it is magnified. As time travels and the feat isn't duplicated, it's magnitude grows and its impact on the individual deepens.<br />
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As I sit watching "Secretariat" on cable (its not like we don't own two copies ourselves...), I think about every single time I watch the 1973 Belmont and hear Chic Anderson erupt "He's moving like a tremendous machine" and how I tear up every time. The accomplishment was so extraordinary. So unworldly. I THINK about the moment and I get emotional. The same watching the American boys celebrate on the ice in 1980. Another watching the 2004 Red Sox become the "champions of the baseball world" after 86 years of frustration and heartbreak.<br />
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These may not be your moments, but as a sports fan, you have your own, I'm sure of it. These moments land on our own timelines and become our own personal milestones; markers of time that let us remember greatness and bookmark the most extraordinary athletic moments of our lives.<br />
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Ultimately, they are happy moments. Moments that you can look back on and draw strength and inspiration from, especially in times that are less than stellar. Use them to remember, to laugh, to cry to drive you to excellence in aspects of your own life; to make you transcend the divisiveness and acrimony that seems to slat and pepper each day lately. <br />
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Let it take you back and take you away. You'll be glad you did.<br />
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-72012861265423456172016-08-30T19:57:00.003-07:002016-08-30T19:57:24.104-07:00Kap's Not Wrong...But He IsIt's been a while, but we've been busy - Fat Guys have lives, you know! - but there have been so many things that have sent me off to rant about that I've been totally frustrated and find myself wishing I had kept a list.<br />
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Finally, though, I have a moment (contain your excitement) and need to vent my spleen over this Colin Kaepernick brou-ha-ha. Unlike so many expressing their opinions on social media, I apparently am near alone in thinking that this issue is more complex than memes allow.<br />
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Let me start with something really important: I don't agree with Kaepernick's choice of protest here. HOWEVER, if you REALLY think that the reason behind it isn't valid, then you're living in a bubble. You can't look at what has happened in this country over the last 18 months or so and think everything is hunky dory. <br />
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Kaepernick chose to stand up and have his voice heard by sitting down and he has caught a lot of flack for it from inside and outside the NFL. He certainly has people talking, though regrettably not about the issues that need to be discussed. You could say that's the fault of the listeners, not the speaker, but if you want your voice to be heard, you can't bury the lead either.<br />
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Here is where I think Kap erred.<br />
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The anthem and, by extension the flag, are broad representation of the United States of America as a whole. Neither are symbols of only oppression and divisiveness. The Star Spangled Banner is an expression of freedom and democracy known around the world. It is a symbol that our soldiers fight under, sure, but it also has flown (and been played) to honor our athletes in Olympics, welcomed countless millions to Ellis Island, provided broad opportunities for people to rise up through the lowest levels of society to make fortunes or even lead a nation.<br />
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Blatantly disregarding the anthem is to disregard all that have died in for this country as well as turning a blind eye to the broad spectrum of society that it represents and honors. I am represented by that anthem and, perhaps more importantly, George Grevelis, the long gone founder of my family in America is represented by that anthem. He never fought for his new country (they wouldn't let him, he was too old at the start of WWII and he was laughed out of recruiting offices all over the North Shore of Massachusetts, much to his lifelong regret), but he made it his home and raised sons who did serve and provided opportunities to his now countless great grand-children starting to make their way in, what was for him, a strange new land with limitless opportunity.<br />
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Before you think I'm going to get all holier than thou on you, we're not a perfect people. That flag and then, after 1931, that national anthem, has overseen some horrendous acts of violence and state sanctioned racism. <br />
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The anthem was played in concentration camps or, as we prefer to call them, "internment" camps of Japanese Americans during WWII. The flag flew over slave trade markets for nearly two centuries before the Civil War. It was the crusading flag in the banishment and attempted extermination of Native Americans.<br />
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These are not pretty or proud moments in our history, but for better or worse they shaped who we are and what we've become. America isn't perfect but, for all her flaws, she's done a pretty good job being a beacon for the world; a ray of light in some of the darkest of times. Much has been sacrificed by many - civilian and military alike - to get us where we are and more sacrifice will no doubt be required to make us even better. The National Anthem will be the rallying cry that will call us all to do our duty like the many before us who already have. Turning your back on all that represents has buried your point rather than enhanced it. Ignoring all that is good and right in America by disrespecting the Anthem that now represents all of us, turns many away that would be in your corner.<br />
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NBA and WNBA players have protested and brought attention to the same issues you wish to be heard about in a way that educate and tried to bring people together, not by alienating most of mainstream America. They used a scalpel, not an axe. <br />
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Again, I don't think that you're wrong in what you're trying to change, but it wasn't a well thought out way to go about it. In my opinion, of course.<br />
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And a couple of final points before I close.<br />
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- Apparently to many of you the only people that can speak out about an issue are those directly affected by it. Archbishop Iakovos, the late Greek Orthodox Archbishop for North and South America, marched with Dr. King (dark robes, big hat, beard, staff...you've seen him in the photos). He was neither African-American nor oppressed, but he saw the plight of others and spoke with his words and actions. Today's right wing social media would probably show him in a meme in his robes, in a full, ornate church with the words: "Tell me again how oppressed you are?" <br />
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And what of Teddy Roosevelt, FDR and Lyndon Johnson? All of whom were considered traitors to their class and/or race because of the causes they championed. The thought that you have to be oppressed to understand it, say something about it or do something about it is simplistic - to say the very least. Many of you running those memes out there on Facebook are many of the same people I read posting about what the underprivileged segments of our society really needs. By your own logic there is no way you can know because you ain't them.<br />
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- Finally, remember a few months ago when you all were singing the praises of the recently departed Mohammed Ali? Anyone recall all the hateful comments thrown his way in 1967? Maybe you threw some yourself before praising him nearly 50 years later as a 'courageous hero'. Fifty year hindsight can change the complexion of many issues and stances. Keep that in mind as you attempt to tar and feather someone who might be making you a bit uncomfortable.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-10136370268719672572016-07-18T14:11:00.000-07:002016-07-18T16:04:08.320-07:00Living in Motion without Emotion - Life with Depression and PTSD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We started this blog to talk about stuff in our lives that make us want to rant. Stuff that makes us want to talk to the world in one way or another. Ted and I have an extremely connected sense of humor and communication. We talked about finding a forum where we could scream into the universe about things that bother us or make us happy and see what comes back. Little did we know that we would have thousands of views on our rants and ramblings. Some of our rants have been comical, some political, some about the heartbreaking state of our country and world. The connecting thread about all of them is that they are all genuine and come from our hearts. </div>
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That being said, I have written this particular blog about eight times since we started, but never published it. I have spent time out of my life at my keyboard pouring out thoughts and just couldn't press that little orange button that says "Publish" on it. I don't know why, but I do know that it was a fear-based decision. A fear of what would you, the reader, think of me. A fear of rejection. A fear of ridicule. And for sure a fear of not being able to put my thoughts and emotion into words without sounding like a lunatic. (No promises on the last one by the time you are done reading this!)</div>
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Do you remember back in "the day" that freaking Jack-in-the-Box? Turning that crank over and over waiting for that sadistic clown to jump out? (Side note - who's idea was it to put a clown in there?? No wonder I hate clowns! Well those and Steven King!) Well, take out the devil jokesters and that is my life. Just waiting for it to POP.</div>
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I really never know when the feeling of guilt, pain, sadness and being overwhelmed is going to hit me. I don't know when my mood is going to change, when I want to isolate from people and conversations, when my emotions feel so overloaded that I just feel numb. It gets to a point, where I just don't want to feel anything. My thoughts go back to times and situations that I really don't want to visit. My mind is in control and my body follows quickly. </div>
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It is a crazy merry-go-round. Once my mind is in control and I no longer have the ability to get off of the ride, my body starts in on the fun. Sleeplessness, anxiety, gastric issues, physical pain, headache and on and on. And once my body is in full swing, those issues pile right on top of the shit that started it all. </div>
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I always feel like I have been hijacked when it happens. I don't have control and I am along for the ride no matter how hard I resist. I have to ride it out, see where it takes me, and hope it doesn't happen again any time soon. These rides can be short and with mild thoughts, long with very dark thoughts, short with very dark thoughts, long with mild thoughts... and all across the board. And again, I don't have control of it. </div>
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That is one of the hardest things to say out loud, that I don't have control of it. I can't tell when it's going to happen and when it does I can't slow it down. <b>I can mitigate it a little and sometimes,</b> with medication, meditation and exercise, but that is just me and it doesn't always work! We are all different people. There is also the concept that we can "just stop it" when we feel it happening. If it were only that easy. </div>
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What most don't know is that people with depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) are operating on a sort of "autopilot" and not always in control. PTSD and depression are exaggerated states of survival mode. We experience emotions that frighten and overwhelm us and believe it or not, we act out accordingly in defense of those feelings we cannot control. Those actions may not seem rational to you or society in general but please be patient with us. We most often cannot stop the anger, tears and other disruptive behaviors that are hard for you to endure.</div>
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The trauma we have endured has changed us and just like you, we want to believe that life can return to the way that it was and we can continue as who we were. Unfortunately, this isn't how it works. Trauma leave a large and deep-seated scar on the soul. I don't think it is possible to endure trauma and not experience a shift in our psyche. <br />
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There is also a misconception out there that PTSD is only suffered by war-torn Veterans. That's not true. It is caused by being in any traumatic experience; mental, physical or sexual abuse, car accidents, witnessing something tragic... there are a lot of situations that people deal with that change them.<br />
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We are not in denial, we are actually coping. It takes a lot of effort to live like this. Even if we don't or can't admit it, we know there is something wrong. When you approach us and we deny there's a problem, that is really code for "I'm doing the best I can". Taking the actions that you suggest would require too much energy, dividing focus form what is holding us together. Sometimes just getting up and doing our daily routine is the biggest step toward the recovery we make. We need a safe space where we can find support and alleviate our stress.</div>
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Contrary to the ways we might behave when you intervene, inside of us we know that you are not the source of the problem. Unfortunately, in the moment we could use your face as the image of PTSD, since we have trouble directly addressing our PTSD and depression issues sometimes it is easier to address you. As hard as it seems, continue to approach us. We need you. Your presence matters. PTSD and depression create a great sense of isolation. In our post-traumatic state, it makes a difference to know that there are people who will stand by us. It matters that although we may lash our, don't respond and aren't ourselves, that you are still there, no matter what. Please don't give up, we are doing our best.<br />
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There are words and phrases that make me wince when I hear them. One of the questions I get asked a lot is "What triggered this depression?" Guess what? I don't know. Could be something obvious, could be absolutely nothing. Please don't get upset if our answers are not what you are looking for. </div>
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I don't like who I am in regards to this part of my life. I don't like knowing that this is a part of who I am. I don't like the dark rides and very dark thoughts. I don't like seeing those people who love me feel helpless or hurt because my words don't make sense to them and actions are worse. I don't like the feeling in my gut that this could be the cause of my death one day. </div>
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I want to like being in crowds again. I want to be able to sit in a restaurant and feel comfortable with people sitting behind me. I want to laugh and joke when somebody comes up from behind me and touches my neck or shoulders by surprise. I want to have dreams that I want to remember. I want to react to loud booms and bangs with wonder and not terror. I want to be normal. </div>
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Here is what I have learned through this journey though... "<b>Fuck Normal</b>". I have friends and family who don't understand me (and might never) and I have those that do. I have days that I can look in the mirror and forgive myself for all the bad shit I have done in my life and there are days that I literally do not look in the mirror because of who I will see. It's just part of my life. Part of my journey. Part of my story that I get to tell. Even as messed up as all of this is, I want to be a example to my kids and grandkids and not a warning. </div>
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If you need are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others please call the National Suicide Hotline at <b>800-273-8255</b> or if you are a Veteran and want to speak to somebody who knows specifically what you are going through call the VA Crisis Line at the same number, <b>800-273-8255 and PRESS 1.</b></div>
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Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-35581496709047126672016-07-10T14:39:00.002-07:002016-07-10T14:39:51.878-07:00Violent Protests Furthers Their Cause, Not YoursA day of non-violent protests erupted overnight in St. Paul when demonstrators pelted police with rocks, concrete, fireworks and more. Twenty one officers were injured and 102 protestors arrested.<br />
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This doesn't help anyone. No one's memory is honored by this type of action. No one's cause is furthered. <br />
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Rashad Turner, described as a Black Lives Matter leader in St. Paul spoke out against the violence in the Sunday edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.<br />
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“We condemn all acts of violence,” Turner said. “We want to be disruptive, but at no time is it OK to hurt other people.”<br />
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Disruptive they were, shutting down I-94 for several hours overnight.<br />
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Understandably they received attention. None of it positive or productive.<br />
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Col. Matt Langer, State Patrol chief told the paper, “Our longstanding message has been that there are many places that people can gather and protest and demonstrate and exercise their First Amendment rights, but the freeway is not one of those places,” <br />
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In Minnesota it is illegal to be on an interstate highway on foot.<br />
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Governor Mark Dayton, who shocked everyone the day after the shooting by admitting that the shooting most likely would not have happened if the driver were white, condemned the violence and the shutting down of a major highway.<br />
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In statement he said:<br />
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<strong>“The occupation and shutting down of Interstate 94 last night were unlawful and extremely dangerous. Twenty-one law enforcement officers were injured by rocks and other projectiles thrown at them by some of the protesters. </strong></div>
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<strong>“I am deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of those men and women, who put themselves in harm’s way last night to protect the safety of all Minnesotans. I thank them for their professionalism and persistent attempts to resolve the situation peacefully. </strong></div>
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<strong>“I also thank the leaders, who were doing their utmost to stop this very dangerous escalation. Until then, the protests of the last few days have been lawful and peaceful. I thank everyone, who has shown restraint and tolerance. </strong></div>
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<strong>“Again, I urge all Minnesotans to remain calm and peaceful during this very difficult time. I urge everyone exercising their First Amendment rights to do so lawfully and without endangering themselves or others."</strong></div>
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The violence has no place in protests. The only agenda it furthers is that of those who feel that BLM should just stand for Bureau of Land Management; that this proves their point that the protestors are really just thugs; that we all are just jumping to conclusions; that Castile wasn't as innocent as what appears. Hell, he has a HUGE criminal record after all (though all I could find is that he appears to be guilty of is DWB - Driving While Black). Rock throwing and attacks on law enforcement furthers their agenda - not the legitimate protestors' agenda.<br />
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The problem that is developing with the violence is the "us" versus "them" mentality; that if you support the police you must hate black people and if you support the Black Lives Matter movement that you necessarily hate the police. Neither is true nor is it mutually exclusive to understand that there are legitimate issues facing people of color in the United States and that the police have a very difficult job and make split second decisions every day - 99% of which are correct. More talking, uniting and understanding are necessary, not name calling, division and violence.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-44284279059554805402016-07-08T11:08:00.000-07:002016-07-08T11:09:16.050-07:00I don’t accept the “New Normal”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I was part of a Facebook group, until very recently, that was
focused on Las Vegas Veterans. It was supposed to be about helping people and
giving an outlet to Vets who needed help or wanted to help. Monday, when I
quit the group, there was a post referring to Hillary Clinton not being charged
in the e-mail scandal and it said “</span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">... the fix is in The FBI has caved in to the political pressure from the Establishment. Our only hope is that members of the American Military will remember their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">foreign</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> AND DOMESTIC!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Now today
we have a Veteran who may have taken ideas like that and took matters into his
own hands and murdered five police officers because he saw then as domestic
enemies. We may never know exactly what was going through his mind, but that is
what it looks like right now. I quit that group when I started seeing the “thumbs
up” notifications from others like me, Veterans, and I was embarrassed and
ashamed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I don’t know how to feel from the past 72-hours. Honestly I
am sick and appalled that we are where we are. Today I am watching the news in
shock and feel numb. But I guess that is our “new normal” response to things like
this. White cop shoots black man… Numb. White man shoots </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">kindergartners</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">… Numb.
Black man shoots black man… Numb. White man shoots black parishioners… Numb.
Black man shoots white cops… Numb. You can see it our response from our leaders
and our communities, for fuck’s sake you can see it in the news reporting… same
story, just change the names and city and get people to say “Thoughts and
Prayers”. No change. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Our new normal is a world of extreme. To be in the middle is
perceived as being weak and without dedication. You have to push the boundaries
of morals and ethics to be popular and to be seen as outrageous to be heard. It’s
not enough to say that you support the 2<sup>nd</sup> amendment, but we have to
say that everyone needs to be a “good guy with a gun” and push to limit who is
restricted from getting a gun. Even turning your back on the idea that people
who are mentally ill or on the No Fly list or being investigated by law enforcement
should be restricted from getting an AR-15 within 30 minutes and buying thousands
of rounds of ammunition. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We have to HATE cops, immigrants, minorities, the rich, the
poor, the people who suggest change just to be taken seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Our idea of balance is bloodshed. Our idea of justice is
death. Our idea of right is ignorance to ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Turn on any TV, log onto any social media and you will hear
people talk about what we need to do to make things better: “If I was there, I would
pull my gun out and shoot that bad guy” – yet you have never fired your weapon
in a time of danger and stress and may have never even shot your weapon outside
the safety of a range and maybe even without your ear protection. You don’t
know. You don’t know what it feels like to pull the trigger when you heart is
pumping out of your chest and you are shaking uncontrollably. You don’t know.
Would you do some good that situation? Maybe. Could you do harm in that
situation? Maybe. I hope we can figure out a way for you to never have to find
out. Until that you have been in a situation where you can answer those
questions, I would suggest to tone down that certainty rhetoric because right
now, you have no fucking idea what you are talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">It HAS to be ok, to be pro-cop and at the same time know and
understand that black people in this country are frustrated and scared. It HAS
to be ok to be pro-2<sup>nd</sup> amendment and think that assault rifles
should be banned and it should be really fucking hard to own a gun. It HAS to
be ok to think that hate is wrong and that love is an option. It has to be ok.
But today, it isn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">And I know that there are people reading this right now who
read the last paragraph and think, “Of course, that’ how I feel.” I say to you,
feeling is not enough. Wanting is not enough. Thoughts are not enough. Prayers
are not enough. We have to do something… anything. Please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Yes, black lives matter and cops lives matter. Guess what,
Lives Matter. Our new normal does not have to be the way we have to live and
it is up to us to do something about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-13841545834589645612016-07-08T08:42:00.002-07:002016-07-08T08:42:31.597-07:00Come Together, Before We Tear Apart
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIS is decidedly not the answer. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A sniper ambushes police in Dallas, killing five, because he
was mad at white people and wanted to kill white police officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was met by an attempted escalation of
hostilities by a former member of the House of Representatives. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was looking very hard to find a picture I came across
late last night of what the demonstrations in Dallas were like before the gunman cut
loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a pair of Dallas police
officers and a protester smiling together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately I couldn’t find it – it was lost amongst photos of
carnage, chaos and confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a picture of protesters and police doing it
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lawful demonstration that was
by all accounts peaceful. The police were there to maintain order and used the
opportunity for outreach. The way it is supposed to work in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the shooting there was solidarity and
shared grief.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp-qJEr5t4E6MODPMUtauroscSex7OdOEgo3go0MfqQrXZ1KCk4KlSAtZqTfoFAK_4LYpxRNXgQxpwIPIcmRgafbohSdAyrePZdzNe22Rt5biIPXmGnAasB_4C3xdkD53k-_xOdj7BC28/s1600/DART+officer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp-qJEr5t4E6MODPMUtauroscSex7OdOEgo3go0MfqQrXZ1KCk4KlSAtZqTfoFAK_4LYpxRNXgQxpwIPIcmRgafbohSdAyrePZdzNe22Rt5biIPXmGnAasB_4C3xdkD53k-_xOdj7BC28/s320/DART+officer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(PHOTO CREDIT: Ting Shen/Dallas News)</span><o:p></o:p></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is no racial divide in grief, just sadness and loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the span of 72 hours seven people were
killed in racially motivated – or at least racially charged – incidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the aftermath, former Illinois Representative (a
one-termer – thank you Illinois!) Joe Walsh, apparently while ironing his white
sheet and hood, tweeted:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJgpEO75FbY2MQKF7oHZkNn-Ac-hX1zHrgFtsUvpWKdGB-iyK1BwOrCztDJ04K57kDyH_5wUD_OwjFGYEvOb7rull5lOn6oHeeV-ETsmHZLN-eUPiMk8IUX0ZIhVTxsEVnT_n8MuoSLJ3/s1600/Walsh+Tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJgpEO75FbY2MQKF7oHZkNn-Ac-hX1zHrgFtsUvpWKdGB-iyK1BwOrCztDJ04K57kDyH_5wUD_OwjFGYEvOb7rull5lOn6oHeeV-ETsmHZLN-eUPiMk8IUX0ZIhVTxsEVnT_n8MuoSLJ3/s320/Walsh+Tweet.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Real” America?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>REAL?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mean WHITE America,
Joey?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know what is real, Herr Walsh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All shades of
color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THAT is America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t like it? Get the hell out. Walsh is
Irish, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU’RE not a “real” American either!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Real Americans celebrate our diversity and confront intolerance
(any Colby class of ‘87s out there recognize that?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real Americans grow as our country does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re inclusive not exclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t spin hate and divisiveness but
recognize that our diversity and differences are what makes us great.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obviously there are real issues here that need to be
resolved. Dialogue is the key to understanding how we’re more alike than we are
different and diffusing fear of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know what we all want, black or white?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our kids to grow up safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To be accepted for what we bring to the table, not denied a seat at
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To “not be judged by the color of
their skin, but the content of their character.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opportunity to make a life for our
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To live in peace.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pray that we use this dumpster fire of a week to learn that we are stronger together and that dialogue and positive interaction is the only way to change, grow and move forward.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any of these goals sound color specific to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No…they don’t to me either. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
</div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-28859318781878086072016-07-07T08:16:00.002-07:002016-07-07T09:47:14.825-07:00"Black in the Wrong Place"<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here we go again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Philando Castile was pulled over for a broken tail light a
Twin Cities suburb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a conceal carry
permit, allegedly informed the police officer that he had one and had a handgun
when he was asked for his license and permit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Shockingly he had both in his wallet in his back
pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I usually leave my
license out so it’s right there when I get pulled over, but hey…I guess that’s
just me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Castile went to get his information as allegedly requested
by the officer or was putting his hands back down.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He was shot dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently four times.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For being
Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Solid school department employee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Father figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another African American male shot dead by
white a police officer just hours after another African American male, pinned
to the ground, was shot dead by Baton Rouge police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The circumstances weren’t the same – no two
incidents are ever the same – but the trend continues.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It seemingly never ends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The most jarring video to me was not the shooting in
Louisiana – though that was more than disturbing enough – but the livestreaming
video of Castile’s girlfriend immediately following the shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was calm and respectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she got carted off in handcuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her 7-year old daughter witnessing it all,
the little girl at one point comforting her mother with the words “I’m here
with you.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Castile’s mother told CNN that she always taught her son to
comply with police instructions and it sounds like that’s what he did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And he was killed anyway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Because he was Black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unless something truly unexpected and out of left field comes
to light, Castile did everything he was supposed to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He followed instructions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He followed the protocol that is taught in
conceal carry classes from what I’m told, but he was shot anyway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have no answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
I wish I did.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Castile’s mother said “I think he was black in the wrong
place.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’d like to tell her otherwise, but I can’t – she’s right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-37892110264383209112016-06-12T15:26:00.000-07:002016-06-12T15:26:12.324-07:00"Unfriended" - Amazing It Took So Long<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmR-vOH0f2bI0Z6Evco50nRWE0HxRYoWXrY1W7QC6GSPV5UM2bnXo3WmTIUfV3ViGCi71V6n17g4bvvxcMXLnXcdCQ1YUlVgPeZPcyQjnCzTduof7BLE3Wv6a-Vjeblu612NnQZHRYqnW/s1600/unfriended.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmR-vOH0f2bI0Z6Evco50nRWE0HxRYoWXrY1W7QC6GSPV5UM2bnXo3WmTIUfV3ViGCi71V6n17g4bvvxcMXLnXcdCQ1YUlVgPeZPcyQjnCzTduof7BLE3Wv6a-Vjeblu612NnQZHRYqnW/s1600/unfriended.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It finally happened. I unfriended a long time friend on Facebook and pretty much cut ties over politics. It was probably overdue. We were close for a while but after a few moves we drifted apart. It happens, of course, but social media and modern technology makes staying in touch easier than ever.<br />
<br />
He was a middle of the road guy usually, but lately he had drifted more. He was more bitter and chose to place blame on the administration. Not in a well reasoned way, but lashing out. He was Trumpish in his insulting. <br />
<br />
He didn't have any trouble accepting the additional unemployment that was offered to him when he wasn't working. Those same extended benefits that his newly beloved conservatives wanted to cut off several times. However everything was Obama's fault. Know what part of the conservative philosophy that you're missing there, bub? Personal responsibility. Maybe your 6 jobs in 10 years has something to do with YOU, not Obama.<br />
<br />
And it wasn't just politics. He insulted teams he didn't like, players that turned him off and he did it in a way that was holier than thou and it was grinding on me.<br />
<br />
You don't like LeBron? Fine. Don't go online and call him overrated. You just show yourself to the world as a fool. And that's only one of dozens of examples.<br />
<br />
This was constant and unending. I was tired and had enough.<br />
<br />
Today was the finale. The final straw. I had to be done...now.<br />
<br />
"He pledges allegiance to ISIS. Lets see Obama and the liberals spin that!", he posted after the Orlando Club Pulse shooting.<br />
<br />
Shut the hell up.<br />
<br />
There is nothing liberal or conservative about this country being attacked. About people gunned down in a club in central Florida. There is no god damn spin to be had. It was reprehensible. It was evil. It was hate and it was terroristic.<br />
<br />
Just how did you think this was to be spun? I'm liberal, sure. I'm also absolutely insulted that he would insinuate that I would spin such a despicable act in some way to make it seem less awful that it was. That there was any excuse. That a liberal is apparently incapable of loving his country or recognizing evil when he sees it. It's a time for coming together and instead this guy just further tries to split people apart.<br />
<br />
Enough.<br />
<br />
Go F yourself. I'm done with you. Enough is enough. I've already written that <a href="http://fatguysrants.blogspot.com/2016/06/two-friends-walk-into-bar.html" target="_blank">civil discourse is possible</a> and I'm done with you all that can't have one.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm tired of <a href="http://fatguysrants.blogspot.com/2016/01/im-tired-of-thoughts-and-prayers.html" target="_blank">thoughts and prayers</a>, but I'm also tired of bitter, angry people that choose to insult, bully and use name calling to try and make a point - I get enough of that watching election coverage...<br />
<br />
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Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-33668597249965542222016-06-02T08:12:00.001-07:002016-06-02T08:12:37.730-07:00Two Friends Walk Into a Bar...<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A debate raged at the bar of the card club at Canterbury
Park one weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was adamantly
rejecting my opponent’s characterization of me as an extremist liberal whilst
trying to make her understand that her boy, Donald Trump, was the bane of human existence.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Okay, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">may</i> be
a bit of an over characterization of our conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The fact is, though, that while she’s not thrilled with Mr.
Trump and has serious reservations about him, she is a conservative Republican
and even though I’m not an extremist on gun control, I am a liberal leaning
Democrat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Needless to say we have our differences- some of which are
deep and likely never to be reconciled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We’re also friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her husband and I have been friends for years and she and my wife have
grown close as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, you read that
right – since last rant I have me a missus [her term before you rip me]…but I
digress)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend is smart, funny,
ambitious and strong (as is my wife, for that matter...).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We can talk about anything and all is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politics are a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the day, though, the four of us
can go out to dinner, have a good time and enjoy the company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I was in Washington D.C. and working for the House of
Representatives, Ronald Reagan was President and Tip O’Neil was Speaker of the
House. The two could not agree on anything as far as the direction of the
country, the role of government or governing philosophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet they could remain friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Iran-Contra, Reagan wasn’t “Lyin’
Ronny”. When Ted Kennedy challenged a sitting President Jimmy Carter in the
primaries, no one threw chairs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At the end of the conversation we parted as friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There wasn’t any name calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We won’t agree on everything political but
that’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an ebb and flow to
the political leanings of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We live in the greatest country in the world where freedom of speech and
expression should be cherished and nurtured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Civil discourse and then compromise has served this country
well for 240 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very sad and
disheartening to see politics and governance has become my way or no way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the powers that be need to take a
lesson from two friends in a bar?<o:p></o:p></span>Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-65191473334585524262016-05-26T11:21:00.001-07:002016-05-26T12:13:16.018-07:00Hate Dipped in Chocolate Still Tastes Like Crap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuraxQIS0WgAcAW-yO7nyj2S9rgh_9jElsqy1VOszMa8nRluvxJZOgyeAq8e4bF-7IKXxr1-gcosdvyFd9Pd20EyyQXlKkCQLnj6EvjUQV2RfbtclJVcSP3zq_r7_MNtJ0y0adQhhlvwY/s1600/arlcem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuraxQIS0WgAcAW-yO7nyj2S9rgh_9jElsqy1VOszMa8nRluvxJZOgyeAq8e4bF-7IKXxr1-gcosdvyFd9Pd20EyyQXlKkCQLnj6EvjUQV2RfbtclJVcSP3zq_r7_MNtJ0y0adQhhlvwY/s320/arlcem.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was standing in a long line at a pharmacy recently and the
family in front of me was Sikh, so the father of the family was wearing a
traditional turban. The teen boy that was with the family was wearing an Army
ROTC uniform and I noticed that the uniform was immaculate. Before they could
check out there was an issue and it took longer than normal. Being a person who
is mostly oblivious to most things I didn’t notice what was going on with them
because my attention was caught by a stuffed dog sitting on the display next to
me that sang “Who Let The Dogs Out” when you pinched its ear. (Side Note, I
still love that song and fathers day is coming up so… gift idea!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anywho, while the family in front of me was processing their
transaction, and over the sounds of the repeating music, I heard the mother of
the family in back of me say, “Fucking Muslims… I wish they would get their
shit at other stores!” and then the father said “Disgrace to let that kid wear
that uniform. He shouldn’t be allowed to wear something like that!” That is
when their teenage son said, “I know that kid and he’s pretty cool.” Followed
by mom saying, “I’m sure he is good at math.” And then daddy ended with (No
shit) “Fucking Obama…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOW. What the ever-loving fuck? I turned around to see the
delightful family behind me and say “How dare you! First of all, they are NOT
Muslim and if they were, it’s obviously not their fault that you are standing in
line a little longer so it has nothing to do with their religion or where their
nation of origin. And I will also have you know that his uniform is being worn
with honor and he is EVERY right to wear it! And Thank YOU little kid for not
being a racist fuck like your parents! And “good at math” is the wrong racist stereotype
for Muslims, asshole! And OBAMA??? What the hell does OBAMA have to do with
ANYTHING???” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when I turned around I noticed that both parents were
demonstrating their 2<sup>nd</sup> Amendment rights with guns on their belt,
dad had a huge scar on his face and mom was at least 5 inches taller than I am
and outweighed me by at least 50 pounds. The kid looked normal but was wearing
a “Limp Bizket” sleeveless t-shirt – an obvious psychopath. So instead, I pinched
the dog’s ear about 8 more times in an action of defiance and disgust. I showed
them! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I actually did walk out of line and came back later. I couldn’t
be around that kind of open hate and ignorance and it made me sad. I was sad
that I didn’t say anything, sad that that the Sikh family probably deals with
this all the time but mostly I was sad for the kid whose parents were teaching
him to be exactly the kind of person that I feel is putting this country in the
state it where people think they need to “Make America Great Again”. Hate is
hate and wrapping your religion, philosophy or opinion around it still makes it
hate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought about my own kids. I thought back to stupid
comments that I have made in the past (yes, I am not a saint) and wondered if
they stuck in their heads and were repeated. I thought about what they hear in
school and if because it is coming from their friends, those kinds of comments
carry more weight than their own upbringing or beliefs. I made sure to tell
them about this encounter and asked them what they thought was wrong about it.
To my happy heart, they pointed out exactly what I hoped they would… even
saying that nobody even likes that song anymore! Jerks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This being said, I also thought about that uniform and what
that teen was learning by wearing it and participating in ROTC. Honor, Duty,
Country, Commitment, Truth. All of those things lost in those comments made by
those strangers standing 15 feet behind them. The shame brought to that uniform
was by the people who are protected by uniforms like that and the people who
volunteer to wear them, who run TO the gunfire and not away from it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had the privilege of touring three places in my life
that I think made huge impacts on my life; The Normandy American Cemetery and
Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. When you walk on these
grounds I dare you to think that this county isn’t great already. I dare you to
look at those names carved in stone and judge them based on their religions, color
of their skin, creeds, backgrounds or the places of their births. Those people
who are so quick to let hate fall out of their mouths most likely have never
been to places like that the mean so much to our country and way of life. If
they have, they didn’t let it sink in that there are all kinds of names on
those stones, names from all around the world who wore the same flag on their
shoulders and took the same oath. The names of men and women who gave their
lives defending these same people who use their 1<sup>st</sup> Amendment Rights
like a weapon and then hide behind it. Again, Hate is Hate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So to the innocent family who stood in front of me at the
CVS last week, I apologize. I am sorry for my lack of actions at that time. I am
sorry that I didn’t stand up for your because I never ended MY oath to defend
this country from enemies foreign AND domestic. I am sorry that I didn’t have
the courage to speak my mind and let my heart show at that moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not apologize for the actions of those other people. I
will not lower myself to that. I have a feeling that one day, maybe someday
soon, they will need help and the person who comes to their rescue will not be
just like them. They will be a different skin color, a different ethnic
background, pray from a different text… I bet those words don’t come out of
their mouths then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-44744343217224340592016-04-25T14:17:00.003-07:002016-04-25T14:17:52.464-07:00Truth Versus Power: Free Brady!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXLRsNy6j9S22yepkWab6AC3rWN-ri7U1CnBvEov7Gg9Lry0yPqrjt417e-pxzWzFD046ATtqSlf2BLMS51Ik68KK6ogaLkgukk7h_9bkp24HfzOg9zykED1cmfeRnMn2aMpV1Mkl5aGf/s1600/Freed+Brady.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXLRsNy6j9S22yepkWab6AC3rWN-ri7U1CnBvEov7Gg9Lry0yPqrjt417e-pxzWzFD046ATtqSlf2BLMS51Ik68KK6ogaLkgukk7h_9bkp24HfzOg9zykED1cmfeRnMn2aMpV1Mkl5aGf/s320/Freed+Brady.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Power wins.<br />
<br />
Tom Brady's 4-game suspension was upheld earlier today by a Federal Appeals Court in New York.<br />
<br />
This really comes as no surprise. The appeals court proceedings seem to favor the NFL and observers felt that the suspension could very well be over-turned because virtually all of this brouhaha wasn't about truth, guilt or innocence. It was about labor law and collective bargaining.<br />
<br />
Ultimately a Federal court was not going to overturn what was collectively bargained by the players. I know that there are fans all over the country right now cheering and jeering at the Pats and their fans (like myself, I admit it) but they should think twice.<br />
<br />
Through all the craziness over the last year over this debacle, a few things have been determined:<br />
<br />
The NFL really botched things. There were holes so big in the Wells report you could drive a truck through and inconsistencies in the way the League handled the measuring of footballs in the first place. And you'd think after all the bad press and inconsistencies they would have been dogged and forth-coming when the 2015 season rolled around: measuring the inflation of the balls before games as well as at half time and after the game and tracking the results so they could prove their case.<br />
<br />
But they did no such thing. <br />
<br />
Maybe it started that way but when the data didn't support the conclusion they jumped to they stopped? They sure as hell didn't publicize any findings. I'm not sure, but I would have expected, if the data supported Goodell and his minions they would have shouted it from the mountain tops.<br />
<br />
They did not.<br />
<br />
Instead they relied on labor law and, perhaps, they were correct. The majority, though not all, of the appellate court thought so. The collectively bargained power given to the Commissioner by the players allows him to punish as he sees fit. Proof be damned. Ultimately, though, the players did this to themselves. <br />
<br />
The problem is that the test case involves arguably the greatest quarterback who ever played on a team that has enjoyed one of the longest runs of continued success in NFL history and is nearly universally despised by anyone west of the Hudson. Fans can't rally around Brady or the Pats.<br />
<br />
But beware fans of other teams who are smugly self-satisfied right now. The next time Goodell acts like this - and he will - and nails your player to the wall THIS will be the precedent he will point to when tells you, "though shit, I can because I can".<br />
<br />
And I shall sit...smugly self-satisfied.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-26247123607330984862016-04-21T18:30:00.001-07:002016-04-21T18:30:45.203-07:00Prince and the Soundtrack of My Life<div align="center">
"We're gathered here today,</div>
<div align="center">
To get through this thing called life..."</div>
<div align="center">
---Prince</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Prince was a musical genius. Like him or not, it is hard to deny that he was something special. He could play the hell out of a piano and was one of the best guitar players of his generation. Listen to him in the clip below and tell me he wasn't a wizard.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6SFNW5F8K9Y/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6SFNW5F8K9Y?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But losing a talent like that at a relatively young age isn't why I find myself feeling his loss so much; though that in and of itself is tremendously sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Prince carried me through a large swath of my youth. His death carried with it the death of part of my past. <em>1999</em> came out when I was in high school. Cruising North Shore beaches with my friends, senior dances and trips to Fenway Park were all soundtracked by "1999", "Little Red Corvette" and "Delirious". </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In college, <em>Purple Rain</em> stepped in and picked up where <em>1999</em> left off. The week I moved into my dorm at American University in the summer of '84 to start a summer internship in Congress was the same week "When Doves Cry" hit number one. The week I went back to Colby College for my sophomore year is when it was finally toppled. That summer was one of the greatest on record and Prince's <em>Purple Rain, </em>along with Springsteen's <em>Born in the USA, </em>provided the music. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>Purple Rain</em> was part of the soundtrack of my college years. Parties, road trips and even the romance of my friend Dave and his wife were all soundtracked by Purple Rain. I still know every word to every song on that album. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I write, Heather and I are watching the movie Purple Rain on MTV. No, it wasn't a classic, but it means a lot to me. While the music and live segments are tremendous, the fact that I watched it with my closest friends at the time in a dorm lounge on laser disc is what is special. It was also shot in and around Minneapolis - a fact that meant nothing to me then but means a whole lot to me now.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Friendships have come and gone. Hell, friends have literally come and gone: two of my best friends, one from the <em>1999</em> years and one from the <em>Purple Rain</em> years are in heaven to greet Prince and I find myself mourning fresh again for them both. Both young men lived the soundtrack with me. And like Prince, they are gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These songs and this music is part of the soundtrack that is my life. Music is woven into me like a tapestry. I can't play a note. I can't carry a tune in a bucket. However, I have music in my head nearly all the time. Songs take me to a time and place very vividly, much like smells do to most people. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The music and the memories of course remain but they are now different, inexorably altered by recent events. Prince's passing has taken a part of my youth with it and I mourn for them deeply.</div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-29599030625283636742016-04-10T13:47:00.001-07:002016-04-10T13:47:51.299-07:00To Be Able to Pee Like That Again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My mom once told me that growing old isn’t for wimps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know what she meant at the time, but
I totally get it now that I’ve hit fifty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My knees sound like Rice Krispies, my back aches most mornings, my hair
is grey and I’m asleep by 10, up before dawn. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This all didn’t happen overnight, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My back went south at 40.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grey peppered in my late thirties and
now, during occasional on air stints, it shimmers silver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snap, crackle and pop in my joints
started around fifty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shudder to think
what sixty will bring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Looking older than I is nothing new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents of opposing teams in Little League
wanted to see my birth certificate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had a relatively long-term relationship with the folks at South Peabody Liquors
back in high school. Looking older may have been an advantage as a teenager, it
certainly is no advantage now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some folks insist on aging me prematurely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was 47 I stopped for coffee at a White
Castle one morning before a work trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“That’ll be seventy cents at the first window,” said the
voice in the box.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I pulled around wondering what the special was on coffee
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Here you go,” I said, handing over a dollar. “Why so cheap?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Your senior discount!” the older-than-I lady chirped to me
cheerily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Um…I’m not quite there yet.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Really?” she exclaimed, making me feel all kinds of warm
and fuzzy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Really.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Hmmm…must be all the grey hair that threw me,” she
added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s okay, I’ll let you have it
anyway!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Really???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was the least
you could do after banging me over the head with how old I look - several times in a single interaction!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Last year Heather and I went to dinner at Treasure
Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to make a stop on the
way to the buffet so I struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she re-joined me I excused us, explaining
we were heading to dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“It was nice talking to you,” he smiled. “I hope you and
your daughter have a nice dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Good Lord!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At least I get an AARP discount now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Last week, at a rest stop in Iowa, I glimpsed my
future.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As happens when driving for a billion hours straight you
have to pee and, usually, pee badly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
parked at the rest stop and hustled on in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was well behind an elderly gentleman with a cane who had bellied up to
the lone urinal by the time I got to the restroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sidled into the stall nearby and proceeded
to do my business, strong and steady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I heard the old man mutter under his breath, “Ah…to be able
to pee like that again…”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Swell…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-72241419794198985392016-03-28T13:30:00.001-07:002016-03-28T13:30:39.518-07:00Sometimes punctuation can cost you $20...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUqtWby-BeJw8gl80k5yilGH6Gzw3GE9FN4svGOY4rzC9QybuhVahKJpaXSqMDlO2sJsnLrFUjGzaUZYO-tWB7DXwejli4O4BhapSTKJh_z6DHq1ANdY9Zc8HgBrS2YH0WlXl0_A7v0U/s1600/20160325_135723-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUqtWby-BeJw8gl80k5yilGH6Gzw3GE9FN4svGOY4rzC9QybuhVahKJpaXSqMDlO2sJsnLrFUjGzaUZYO-tWB7DXwejli4O4BhapSTKJh_z6DHq1ANdY9Zc8HgBrS2YH0WlXl0_A7v0U/s320/20160325_135723-1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
The above picture is one that I took on Friday. I have seen this sign several times and read it a few times and never thought it would have an impact on my life… until Friday. You see, this past Friday, this sign came with a little, tiny envelope on my windshield holding a little, tiny parking violation. I find it funny that they make these so small; almost to point out that the fine is really small and insignificant so you really shouldn’t worry about it much.<br />
<br />
Now back to the sign in question. I have parked under this sign at least 20 times in the past two years. It is around the corner from my favorite coffee joint downtown. It is actually a pretty popular parking spot! It’s not open very much and when it is, I always swoop in to take it. It is close to the coffee shop, has some shade and is off the main street (it is off of Main Street, actually) so I don’t have to deal with traffic zooming past. I would say this is a prime parking spot and I also think that I am not alone in the thought that it was safe to park there.<br />
<br />
When I read the sign the first time, I thought to myself, “Well, I am not a commercial vehicle, I am only going to be about 15 minutes, and it is not a Sunday or Holiday… I’m Golden!” I also thought that it was strange that they would have to say that commercial vehicles were prohibited because this parking spot is on the side of a building with no door to unload anything. So I parked in this spot time and time again, not worrying at all. And then Friday happened.<br />
<br />
Finding this little gem on my windshield set me off like you I can’t describe, but let me try. I was as pissed off as when somebody texts me and then doesn’t answer my phone call 3 seconds later… no that’s not it. I was a pissed off as when the automated phone lady tells you to press #3 to talk to a representative and it goes back to the start of the recording… nope. As pissed as when I am next to a driver who is OBVIOUSLY turning right, but has to swerve left into my lane first in order to make such a “complicated maneuver”. Close, but not really close enough for this exercise. Nutshell: PISSED OFF!<br />
<br />
I read the ticket and it said that I was fined because I was NOT a commercial vehicle. WHAT?!?! The sign says “No Parking Commercial Vehicles. Only 30 mins. 8am to 6pm daily”!!! Hold on… does it say “No Parking. Commercial Vehicles Only. 30 mins. 8am to 6pm daily”? Not being the sharpest bulb in the Crayon box, I picked up the phone and called. When I called the automated phone lady told me to press #3 to talk to a representative and it went BACK TO THE RECORDING!!! ARGH!!! I pushed #3 again and somebody picked up.<br />
<br />
I explained that I received a parking ticket and before I could explain my mental dilemma, I was told “Sir, it’s only a $20 and you can contest it if you want to go through all of that.” I told her that I was going to pay the fine but needed clarification about the sign. She made an audible “HRUMPH” and let me explain. She told me that what I didn’t understand was the “implied punctuation” in the sign due to space restrictions and that no parking means no parking and that the “international symbol of a picture that was circled and had a diagonal line through it was internationally known.” Really… THAT is where we are going to go with all of this?<br />
<br />
Now it was Friday and late in the afternoon so I gave her as much slack as I could muster and told her that I didn’t understand why the punctuation had to be “implied” since there was a period after the after 30 mins to shorten it from minutes! Obviously some punctuation was able to be used on these signs!<br />
<br />
Her reply was simple and may be the best customer service reply I have ever heard because I had no reply but so say thank you and hang up… “Sir, I don’t make the signs and I have worked here for 9 years and you are the first person to call and not understand the sign and we write a LOT of tickets under those signs. Do you have any other concerns? The instructions to mail in your fine are on the ticket. Have a great day!”<br />
<br />
Got my money order today… dropped it in the mail. I hated to do it. I am really really ranty because of it. But punctuation got me! $20 at a time, punctuation is paying for our roadways and repairs and the like. I bet there are a lot of grumpy $20 money orders sent in!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwtJ5bmouBH714UgGFaAQRF8GMt0CSahw0B4jMSslZiyiey-fLL8_p3wXFUouRQtlRDM42Jhr-E5kETk-iqHw7Rh0VP5JiRDfuoOFsLyKSVGIcsg7q9cUS-phcWoppWatoh46sUKzb0/s1600/hunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpwtJ5bmouBH714UgGFaAQRF8GMt0CSahw0B4jMSslZiyiey-fLL8_p3wXFUouRQtlRDM42Jhr-E5kETk-iqHw7Rh0VP5JiRDfuoOFsLyKSVGIcsg7q9cUS-phcWoppWatoh46sUKzb0/s1600/hunters.jpg" /></a></div>
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At least I didn’t misread this sign!<br />
<br />
<br />Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-40226175733000996622016-03-23T07:54:00.000-07:002016-03-23T13:29:31.484-07:00Maybe THIS is Why "We" Don't Stand With Ankara?<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The world is now standing with Brussels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We red, white and blued our profile pics for
Paris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were Charlie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now someone is asking the question:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where were “we” for Ankara?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">To refresh our short term memories, on March 13 a suicide
bomber detonated an explosion in the heart of Ankara, Turkey, killing 37
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group taking responsibility
for this reprehensible attack was the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, an offshoot of
the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that has been responsible for several
attacks on Turkey in recent years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Back to the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>James Taylor, a British national asked the question above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been chronicled in many places and I’ve
seen it shared over social media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You
can check out his entire post </span><a href="http://www.turkishny.com/english-news/5-english-news/204365-you-were-charlie-you-were-paris-will-you-be-ankara#.VvKhq9v2Y2w"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Reading commentary on several sites regarding his statement,
everything from anti-Muslim sentiment in the west to outright racism was the
reason why “we” weren’t standing with Turkey as aggressively as we did for
other victims of terror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Before I piss off the world – well, the 39 of you that
consistently read us – let me state VERY clearly:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ATTACKS LIKE THESE ARE AN ABOMINATION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have no place in civilized society and
need to be condemned whether it is the PKK, ISIS, the KKK or <insert
terrorist group here>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now…my take on why the world can’t relate to the Ankara
attacks in the same way it did to 9-11, Paris and now Brussels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">ISIS (ISIL, Islamic State, freaking loons…whatever you want
to call them) are not fighting for a cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are criminals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are part
of the majority religion of the region where they operate and have taken that
religion and twisted it and contorted it to the point of being unrecognizable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use this twisted vision of Islam to
commit atrocities so vile that they are beyond defending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we’re all pissy because they kill
westerners and chant death to the west, but they have killed more Muslims than
any one group since the Crusaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Turkish Kurds (as well as Iranian, Syrian, Iraqi and
Armenian Kurds) have been fighting for their own country for centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According the BBC article </span><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29702440"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">“Who Are the Kurds?”</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
the Kurds are:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">"…one of the
indigenous people of the Mesopotamian plains and the highlands in what are now
south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Syria, northern Iraq, north-western Iran
and south-western Armenia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, they
form a distinctive community, united through race, culture and language, even
though they have no standard dialect. They also adhere to a number of different
religions and creeds, although the majority are Sunni Muslims."</span></blockquote>
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">At the end of WWI
the Kurds were promised a homeland but as the boundaries of Turkey were
redrawn, the promised Kurdish state never materialized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they were spread between five
countries – minorities in every one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Kurds have tried for nearly a century to create their own state but every
attempt has been met with violence and reprisals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Though they were
the earliest fighters against ISIS, when they found themselves pinned against
the Turkish border in the Battle of Kobane, Turkey refused to assist, instead,
seeing an opportunity to be rid of more Kurds, they let them flounder until the
US stepped in with strong air support helping the Kurds retake Kobane.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">If that sounds a
little genocidal to you, let’s not pretend that Turkey has no history in
genocide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the </span><a href="http://www.history.com/topics/armenian-genocide"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">Armenians how life was
under Ottoman rule.</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In less than
10-years over 1.5 million ethnic Armenians were slaughtered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My own people, the Greeks, were brutally
oppressed for centuries until overthrowing the Ottoman yolk in the 1830s (Greek
independence, coincidently, is celebrated annually on March 25, just a few days
from now).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time they tried to allow ISIS
to do their dirty work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In that context,
and the context of decades of brutal oppression by the Turkish government, a
segment of the Kurds have taken to violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To domestic terrorism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make no
mistake, it is terrorism pure and simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s wrong and it is despicable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Killing innocents in the name of a cause is to be condemned. But a
comparison between a decades long struggle of a violently suppressed minority
(40,000 killed and an estimated 100,000 resettled along with a crushing of
their ethnic identity) and the altogether different monster that is ISIS is a
comparison between apples and oranges.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once again I
condemn the actions taken by the PKK on March 13 and I pray that God (Allah, whatever
you want to call the deity) embraces the innocent victims and can bring some measure of comfort
to their families. That said, don’t expect me to change my profile picture for Turkey.</span></span></div>
</div>
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-85677361756612081452016-03-07T12:45:00.001-08:002016-03-07T12:47:39.891-08:00A Relaxing Day From Hell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLZ2NYWoUXj5XZQ1dl4wtdLCzBj2kRhs-rR01-uR7wNKcr80vK0eTSeg3Y_QSSLQ8G67Tx9CC7UY83Q-ezI74DRfTTI41EUIMPZ6eyc3DMwl-QrtOrdaM8JiCVbHrZKnAhj7g6D4asMI/s1600/mass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLZ2NYWoUXj5XZQ1dl4wtdLCzBj2kRhs-rR01-uR7wNKcr80vK0eTSeg3Y_QSSLQ8G67Tx9CC7UY83Q-ezI74DRfTTI41EUIMPZ6eyc3DMwl-QrtOrdaM8JiCVbHrZKnAhj7g6D4asMI/s1600/mass.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday is my true day of rest. This Sunday was going to be even
more special… beard trim, pedicure and a massage. A real treat! I think more
men should do these kinds of things, especially the pedicure. It feels good to
be pampered and it is really relaxing. So needless to say I was really looking
forward to my day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It started off with a great beard trim. Every man should go
to a professional barber at least once in your life to get a shave and/or trim.
This time I just went to get my glorious beard a little attention, but I have
been in the chair before, reclined back, warm towel on my face, straight razor
on my neck… just waiting to get whacked just like in the movies. But in the
end, it feels great and my face always feels amazing for days afterward. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then it was off to the pedicure. This is something I enjoy wholeheartedly
and fear immensely. I have heard a lot of jokes and comments about how the
staff at places like this will talk in their native tongue (this particular
place, most of them were speaking Vietnamese) about the client, maybe making fun
of them or something like that. I don’t feel that way when I am there. I don’t
think that the staff is just talking about me… I feel that the other clients
are talking about me as well. To the point that they are speed learning
Vietnamese to converse with their technician about the fat guy at the end with
his feet dangling in the water and talking about if he even realizes how bad
his feet really are and that he should be charged double. This has caused me so
much stress in the past that I have
basically given myself a pedicure BEFORE I even go to the professionals and act
like “my feet are always this taken care of”. It’s like vacuuming before the
cleaning people come or making the bed in a hotel room… we just can’t be looked
at like the slobs we are, can we? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I made it through both of those events and it was time for
the massage. It was a new place, clean and cool. Check-in went well and there I
sat waiting for 50 minutes of relaxation and rejuvenation. 50 minutes to lay
there under my blanket and get lost in the oily hands of the a professional masseuse
who’s only goal, in my mind, is to make me fall asleep for 49 of the 50 minutes
because I am slowly turning into a marshmallow. Well, that was the plan! It was
a plan that was paved in dreams and expectations and ended up being the road to
hell in a greasy hand basket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My masseuse walked me to the room and told me to get as “undressed
as I feel comfortable” and lay down under the blanket face down. It started off
pretty easy and normal and so I did and laid there waiting, not knowing what
was to come next. Because of my face down, prone position I could not see her
face when she walked in nor could I hear the grinding and gnashing of her
teeth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me make an assumption here before I start in order to
define the perceived mood of my masseuse. I am pretty sure that moments before
she strolled into that dim room that her boyfriend had called to let her know
that he was leaving because of his herpes secret and that she needs to be
checked and that her car was, at that very moment, being repossessed and the
IRS had called to let her know that she was being audited AGAIN and that although
she was at least 30, that her belief of the Easter Bunny was misguided because
just like the Tooth Fairy (which she has believed in until 30 seconds before my
massage), they weren’t real. I was in for it and had NOT A CLUE what I was in
for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So she walks in and starts the assault… I am massage. She
starts by asking me if I had any injuries or areas that needed less pressure.
As I told her about these areas the blood that was rushing through her veins so
loudly that she could not even come close to hearing what I had to say. She
just saw all of her fury lying on the table in the form of a fat guy with a
totally breathtaking beard. NOW… As soon as her hands touch me, well her oiled
up elbows actually, I knew I was in trouble. The sound of the all of the air
escaping from my body was pretty loud. I am sure it was mixed with the sound of
my soul exiting my living being. I will spare you the blow by blow of the mugging
I endured and will give you the highlights:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> F</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">ive separate times I said a variation of “WOW
THAT HURTS, A LOT”.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Once I
asked her to stop because I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">I had to tell her I was ticklish at one point so
she would stop digging her elbows into my rib cage. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">She fucking sneezed on me! Not directly on me
but I totally felt the wind on my back! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">She asked me if I needed a tissue. Not for my
snot, but for my tears. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">When I did turn over I instinctively went into
the fetal position and she had to tell me to lay flat on my back. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">A few times I almost blurted out my social
security number and PIN number. I</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"> found myself hitting my hand against the table
in a subliminal “tap out”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When it was all said and done she said “That will teach you
Mother-Fucker!” and stormed out. Well not really because I have NO IDEA what
she said. I was laying there trembling. Thankful that the 50 hours, I mean
minutes was over and I would never have to see her again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s now 24 hours later and I have to tell you. I feel as if
I was beaten with a sock full of silver dollars. I am in worse shape than I
went into the massage! I feel mildly violated. I have thought about calling the
company and complaining but I really don’t want to fuck over the next poor guy
that sees this lady. I am somewhat companionate to other people!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The long and short of it is I was abused and left for dead…
but my beard is breathtaking, so that’s not so bad of a day. </span></div>
Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-40807215333256592382016-03-02T14:57:00.003-08:002016-03-02T14:57:25.078-08:00You Have to Commit to Caucus<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzYKjuYCqHRCY8o9yfuA4qnQ2YaYiMPF5ShdF4H5DPT6nfEPkszrDEVMDEXOFaFMfEoT0r974dP3CrjuWABYa4e1ovZj3GQuLGqzqaBqMJVJA4ymM17r8_5thWcJRvP3gCOzpOAc-FV8R/s1600/Caucus+Night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzYKjuYCqHRCY8o9yfuA4qnQ2YaYiMPF5ShdF4H5DPT6nfEPkszrDEVMDEXOFaFMfEoT0r974dP3CrjuWABYa4e1ovZj3GQuLGqzqaBqMJVJA4ymM17r8_5thWcJRvP3gCOzpOAc-FV8R/s320/Caucus+Night.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participatory Democracy in MN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I live in Minnesota so last night I participated in the Super Tuesday caucus in my state. I'm no stranger to caucusing. My first ever bout of political activism when I was 18 and a college student in Maine was participating in the Democratic caucus there in 1984. I caucused for Colorado Senator Gary Hart and was elected a delegate to the Maine state Democratic convention. The convention was great and I got to meet Steven King, which was tremendous, but I also learned a lot too.<br />
<br />
One thing is for certain, if you're going to caucus, you have to commit.<br />
<br />
A primary is easy. You walk in, pull a lever, and go home. <br />
<br />
In a caucus you sit with your neighbors and discuss. You discuss the candidates. You discuss the issues. You elect your neighbors to the next stage of the process. And, of course, you vote.<br />
<br />
A primary takes about a half hour of your time - less if there is good parking and a short line.<br />
<br />
A caucus? Block off the evening.<br />
<br />
Last night I caucused at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School with my fellow Democrats from Precincts 1 & 2 (and outlying areas) from the Z.<br />
<br />
I arrived early and the check in line was relatively long and it grew exponentially whilst I was waiting. We outgrew the library where we were going to caucus (after the driver's ed class got out, of course) so we moved to the auditorium. <br />
<br />
<em>[As an aside, one of the driver's education students left the library, saw the crowd of people waiting and said "Wow, what is this about?". Really? You'll be driving shortly and in two years this will become your responsibility as a citizen. But I digress...]</em><br />
<br />
There are rules that govern the caucus set down by the state party. Those rules were read to us and we were ready to begin. EXCEPT...the rules say that we couldn't vote for delegates to the county convention in March until 7:30 and it was only 7:15. Therefore it was time to take motions from the floor on resolutions. At 7:30 we voted and then went back to the resolutions.<br />
<br />
The resolution part of the evening, while long and dragged out, was the most interesting part of the night. This is an opportunity for us to try and help shape our party platform. Or at least be made to feel like we have some input. Resolutions ranged from decrying the marginalization of certain segments of the population, to CEO pay, minimum wage, military spending, etc. Some resolutions passed and others failed. We had our time to speak and discuss each issue before the resolution was put to a vote. The resolutions approved will be forwarded on to the Resolution Committee at the county level and will be discussed at the Goodhue County Democratic Convention at the end of March.<br />
<br />
It was really quite a remarkable experience. It may not matter, but for a brief time the major policy discussions weren't taking place in Washington D.C. in the corridors of power but in Zumbrota, MN (population a wee bit over 3000) in the corridors of a high school. We mattered. We discussed the issues with passion and reason. Not once was anyone called low energy, ugly, boring or called out on their small hands.<br />
<br />
Maybe at the end of the day none of it matters at lick. But it did to us. We got involved. We made the commitment to become an active participant in the process. Admittedly, there was attrition as the resolution part of our evening went on a bit longer than I think everyone would have liked - especially for the older lady two seats over who asked several times "How many more of those do you have?" and "I don't want to be here until 10!" THAT is saying what everyone is thinking Mr. Trump!<br />
<br />
By 8:45 I was on my way home newly minted as the Zumbrota Precinct 1 Democratic Chair (which I don't think is anywhere near as impressive as it sounds) and knowing that the 18-year old version of me would have been proud. <br />
<br />
Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-83090871875492409482016-02-16T12:31:00.001-08:002016-02-16T13:34:04.362-08:00Let President Sanders Do ItUnited States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away over the weekend. In a show of deference and respect to the Justice, flags across the country are being flown at half staff. It's only right given the prominence of the deceased.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if the body was out of the Texas ranch where he was found before Sen. Mitch McConnell decided that it would only be right and proper if President Obama abrogated his Constitutional responsibility and leave the appointment of a successor to the next president. After all, it's only a year away. And that would only be right.<br />
<br />
Of course that's not what Law Review contributor Mitch McConnell wrote back in the 70's. THAT Mitch McConnell wrote that:<br />
<br />
"The President is presumably elected by the people to carry out a program and shifting the ideological direction of the Supreme Court would seem to be a perfectly legitimate part of a Presidential platform."<br />
<br />
I read and read but couldn't find the part where he wrote "unless I disagree with him".<br />
<br />
<br />
This SAME situation occurred in 1988. President Ronald Reagan, in an election year, nominated Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court. Congress was then controlled by the Democrats.<br />
<br />
You know what happened?<br />
<br />
THEY ALL DID THEIR JOB!<br />
<br />
Of course the Republican clown car of candidates fell all over each other - especially Senators Cruz and Rubio - to state in no uncertain terms that they will block any Obama appointment. It matters not that they have no idea who that appointee is. A couple of names that have been floated were just approved by said senators (and ALL senators for that matter) for Court of Appeals positions. <br />
<br />
Apparently they have become disagreeable.<br />
<br />
Oh wait, they couldn't have become disagreeable because they were ready to obstruct before they knew any facts.<br />
<br />
Again.<br />
<br />
The hallmark of the Republican led Congress has been "obstruct but don't construct". It may even be on the Republican Caucus letterhead. They have no ideas, no alternative, no anything, except "no" itself. Now they want to politicize the Court. Deep lovers of the Constitution that they allegedly are, you'd think that they would move forward with business of governing and try and leave politics out of it - as the Framers intended. As we've seen, though, that matters not when they don't agree with it.<br />
<br />
Rubio and Cruz' knee-jerk reactions without even knowing the nominee is petty, political and does NOT serve the needs of the American people. It also clearly illustrates that they are only ideologues with not a practical bone in their bodies. But then they've proven that they have no interest in what is good for the American people - unless it meets their definition of what should be good for us. A conservative Christian equivalent of Sharia law, if you will.<br />
<br />
Independents and centrists that will control the election in November can see right through power plays, inaction and stagnation that the Republicans are becoming famous for. In a year where control of the Senate can turn to the Democrats and a more liberal President than Obama (those of you that have no idea what the actual definition of "Communist" is notwithstanding) could take office. <br />
<br />
I'd LOVE to see what happens when this bolt of brilliance - more obstruction and stagnation - inevitably backfires. We will see a Democratic Senate advise and consent to a President Sanders' nominee and these dolts can stand by and wonder what if they actually worked WITH the last President. Actually DID THEIR JOBS.<br />
<br />
Of course they'll just wring their hands and blame everyone but themselves. Welcome to the Trumpification of the GOP.<br />
<br />
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Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-63725315741159989712016-02-11T15:48:00.001-08:002016-02-11T16:18:50.842-08:00Welcome to the 2020 Presidential Election – Buckle Up, Folks!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4mNsmlaeBn_o2pRoWVI3IhNjZUeGtAO6SEtvKXG1ThhEtPQvtf9mCCSfTavjqsKT-8cRCzZUMtjApHhq87YbDPkHo1RGHgoejgCuF3CmmYQJ5z9hhdNakNM7FJyxPGX36D_I7BeaPGg/s1600/2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4mNsmlaeBn_o2pRoWVI3IhNjZUeGtAO6SEtvKXG1ThhEtPQvtf9mCCSfTavjqsKT-8cRCzZUMtjApHhq87YbDPkHo1RGHgoejgCuF3CmmYQJ5z9hhdNakNM7FJyxPGX36D_I7BeaPGg/s1600/2020.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I find myself
thinking about the 2020 Presidential Election more than the one that will
happen this year. Call me strange (most of you do already) but I fear that the
2020 election is going to change the way that politics happens in the United
States. If you think that THIS year is crazy… just wait!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This
presidential election season already has had some unprecedented and noteworthy
events. One of them that I am fascinated about is the emergence of Donald Trump
and Bernie Sanders. One is a billionaire who says he has used the broken system
to his advantage many times and the other rails against billionaires for using
the broken system to their advantage. Yet both of these guys are selling the
same sandwich... Anti-Establishment Thoughts on rye bread with Say Anything
cheese and a side of Crazy Hair chips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you break
down these two campaigns, they are remarkably the same in structure but
different flavor. Both “The Bern” and “The Don” are telling their supporters
what they want to hear. Both have said that the current system is broken and
they both have crazy plans to make it better. Both have political backgrounds that
back in the day, in my lifetime, would have made them laughing stocks! First
you have Bernie who in an Independent and self-identifies as a Democratic
Socialist when most Americans liken the term Socialist to Communist or Marxist.
Trump is quoted several times saying that he has played both sides of the
political arena depending on his needs and has given huge amounts of money and
support in order to get his way with no real loyalty to either side. I just can’t
imagine that either of those stances would fly even 8 years ago. Both of these
guys can say what they want with no real dump in popularity. Bern has thrown
some WILD ideas about how he will change American economically without real
proof that he can do it and Trump said he could openly kill a person and still
not be touched in the polls. I am starting to believe that both of them are
true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mix in the
other people who are running and it is a figurative fruit salad:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hillary Clinton</b>– Great resume and experience but not
likable or charismatic at all. I think that it is time for a woman president
and if another woman who had half of her experience and was likable was running;
Hillary would have already had to concede. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ted Cruz</b> – Trying hard to be a political
outsider, only because it’s cool. He is so far right that the Tea Party is
scared and apparently is disliked by <b><u>every
one</u></b> of his colleges in the Senate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Marco Rubio</b> –“The Establishment Candidate from
Hell”. “They” want to run him so bad, but “They” can’t get him to put together
a cohesive statement about anything that doesn’t get thrown back in his face.
He polls well against Hillary, but is getting crushed by Ted and Trump in exit
polls from the last 2 caucuses for no apparent reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ben
Carson</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> – Holy Shit. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">On
NBC’s Meet the Press in October 2015, Carson<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">compared women</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">who terminate their unwanted pregnancies
to </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">slave owners</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Back in 2013, he</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">said in a speech</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">that “Obamacare is really I think the
worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery.”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> In an</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">interview with CNN</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">in October, Carson blamed the Holocaust on
the fact that Nazis took guns away from the Jewish people. “I think the
likelihood of Hitler being able to accomplish his goals would have been greatly
diminished if the people had been armed,” Carson said. “There’s a reason these
dictatorial people take the guns first.”</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Carson
said in a CNN interview in March that</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">homosexuality is a choice</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, citing people who “</span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">go into prison straight – and when they
come out, they’re gay</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">” as proof. He later</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">attempted to apologize </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">for the remarks in which he
addressed those who were offended, but reinforced his belief that sexual
orientation is chosen. Carson has also called marriage equality a “Marxist
plot,” described marriage equality supporters as “enemies of America,” and </span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">compared homosexuality to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">pedophilia and bestiality</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">,
another statement that led him to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">similarly “apologize”</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">for
his “poorly chosen words.” </span></span><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">HOLY SHIT!</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Jeb </b>– I won’t use his last name until he does. He came in
like gangbusters and then in his first debate came in 8<sup>th</sup> in the GOP
voters of FLORIDA! The state he was governor! 8<sup>th</sup>!!! I wonder if he
will ever talk to his brother again. He did have his mom come out and stump for
him and then later that night had to ASK FOR PEOPLE TO CLAP FOR HIM! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYau9SZXn54">www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYau9SZXn54</a>
His mom must have been SO proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So here is
where I am going with all of this… If this is now the norm, what is the NEXT
election going to look like? It’s not enough to just say you are Pro-Life, like
in the past and it’s not going to be enough to just say that you are so
Pro-Life that even in the cases of incest, rape or if the mother will die you
still think that the woman has no choices but to carry the baby to term. In
2020 you will have to take a woman who has a friend who might have had abortion
while driving past Planned Parrenthood and throw her in a pit of lava. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next
election, being a professional fact checker will be a job that doesn’t exist.
This year during debates on BOTH side so the fence, “facts” are not the cool
thing to use. It was reported by Politifact that in the second GOP debate that
75% of statements that Donald Trump make were either false or “Pants on Fire”
yet he was deemed the winner of the debate! 75%! In 2020, you will be able to
stand at a podium on live TV and tell the American public that you opponent is
an alien who has <u>for sure</u> slept with the wives, daughters and dogs of
every one of the men from Iowa and will win that caucus by 95 points, easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I sit at home
and think about what 2020 will be like if “the people” pick
Trump and/or Sanders in this primary/caucus system’s popular vote and low and
behold the SUPER DELEGATES come out to play and we end up with Rubio v. Clinton.
I promise there will have to be more riot cops deployed around the US than ever
before. If you don’t know what a Super Delegate is, look <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate">HERE.</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So hang
tight, folks, it’s going to be bumpy! 2016 ain’t shit on what we are going to
see in four years!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Fat Guy Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09498870969911951291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847709721411082040.post-66783185440416171492016-02-08T13:21:00.002-08:002016-02-08T13:21:38.569-08:00Pats' Fan For PeytonI really don't like the Broncos. Their fans are holier than thou, though they've certainly been embroiled in <a href="http://yourteamcheats.com/DEN" target="_blank">their own cheating scandals</a> that they don't want to talk about; Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, an absolute manimal on the field who completely deserved the award, has had his own issues with PED use and attempting to <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9707976/von-miller-denver-broncos-urine-collector-tried-cheat-test" target="_blank">dodge the testing process</a>. But all I hear from their fans is "we don't cheat"...uh-huh.<br />
<br />
And the play of Aqib Talib was disgraceful in the first half. He actually ADMITTED that his face mask penalty was <a href="https://twitter.com/DougKyed/status/696543031885889536" target="_blank">on-purpose</a>. Ripping a wide out down by the face mask is a great way to cause a neck injury which is why it is a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty. But our players are beyond reproach. You betcha.<br />
<br />
There is, however, one reason I'm glad they won.<br />
<br />
Peyton Manning.<br />
<br />
Though he's been a longtime rival of my Patriots and Tom Brady, I can't help but like the guy.<br />
<br />
His Saturday Night Live appearances are legendary. His United Way parody skit is one of the greatest of all time.<br />
<br />
He's a pitchman extraordinaire and completely makes selling out look fun! And I mean that sincerely and in the very best of ways. Chris and I have talked repeatedly about selling out - "early and often" is our motto! Make your money when you can. Your critics don't pay your bills and won't support your family. Laugh, or in Peyton's case - sing - all the way to the bank. "Cashing checks I love you sooooo."<br />
<br />
You can never know the guy personally from the perspective of a fan, of course, but he comes across warm and open. I love me my Tom Brady (he's awfully dreamy) but Tom just doesn't pull off warm and open. Peyton you'd like to sit and have a beer with. A Budweiser apparently. I'd feel like if I sat at a bar with Tom I'd be nervous about ordering the wrong wine, spirit or craft beer!<br />
<br />
Sure, Peyton isn't without his clouds (are any of us?). Right now he has a mighty big one floating around on alleged HGH use. He has admitted that it was delivered to his house. And it sure was suspiciously close to his recovery from a neck injury. But the claim is that it was for his wife. <br />
<br />
Naysayers are saying "sure...his wife..." and winking mightily. What if it actually WAS for his wife? He doesn't need to prove that to us - mostly because it would be an intense violation of her privacy. Proving it to league investigators, in private and under non-disclosure, would be enough. <br />
<br />
And no I'm not going to get into comparing and contrasting the presumption of innocence by parties on the Pat's alleged deflation of footballs and this issue. That's been done ad nauseum and Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have done a good job of looking like morons all on their own. Brady's treatment was shameful given the "evidence" and that's that.<br />
<br />
I like the guy. <br />
<br />
I can't help it. I'm not turning in my Tom Brady fan club membership card or my Tedy Bruschi jersey, but I do like and respect him. I hope he does retire. It would be great for him to go out on top. His performance has slid and with his nagging injuries and advancing football years (40 before the start of next season) it would be the best way for him to retire. <br />
<br />
I'd rather he hang 'em up now rather than hang around and play one year too long. For one, that's sad to see and secondly, one hit in just the right spot in the neck could cripple him. That's no way for a legend to have to go.<br />
<br />
Now should it end up that he goes all <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/04/sports/baseball/congress-to-investigate-whether-palmeiro-committed-perjury-at-hearing.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Rafael Palmero on us</a>: forget what I said.Fat Guy Rants Tedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14228751118693915369noreply@blogger.com2