Political Correctness

So my wife just showed me a picture that some girl has posted on a social website which happens to include young baby - probably less than 1 year of age - with a horrible black eye. The subject of the post however, was not the baby's eye. In fact, the discussion beneath the picture was rather nonchalant with regard to the monstrous bruise on the baby's face. Perhaps those involved were already aware that the baby suffered some kind of an accident - aren't beating a dead horse. If that's the case, I understand. Lying next to the baby was a man with features that pointed to a despicable nature. My very first assumption was that this baby's injury and the sleazy-looking individual lying next to her were no coincidence. One might argue "Why would they post this on the internet if they're guilty?" My theory is that criminals do ignorant things. You know....like the guy who robs a convenience store in front of a camera with no disguise. The point is there are so many obstacles in this world of political correctness that I must go on the 1% chance that this was a legitimate "accident" and the baby just happens to be lying next to this shoddy looking individual. Heaven forbid we offend someone by questioning, right? On the other hand, if my child suffered a legitimate accident and I had to bring him or her in public with bruises, I suppose I would expect people to show me utmost respect and not dare to question me, but I don’t carry myself like trash nor would I post a picture of it on the internet! When I grew up, people questioned the obvious. More importantly, people knew & expected that people would question the obvious.

How Red is the Boot?

Rick Santorum won the Louisiana Republican Primary. That's certainly not a shock. The process behind electing presidents always puzzles me. The primaries seem to be more related to the "rock star" trend that a candidate can develop, as opposed to the popular vote. In fact, nothing seems to be related to the "popular vote" among the common taxpayer anymore. Louisiana has been known as a "Red State" for a long time, meaning most of its citizens are to the right of the aisle on most political issues. What's inconsistent to me is according to Slate on the LA Primaries, Ron Paul only captured 6.1% of the vote. His political policies clearly favor that of the Louisiana citizens'. So why did he score so low? I know why - because he's not a rock star. Paul's message is plain and simple in its conservative style. Mitt Romney, much younger and questionable as to his ability to represent conservatives, has millions of dollars backing his campaign. Special interest groups who cater to both sides of the isle want Romney in office and they're willing to pay big to get him there. They will not support Paul to this extent because they know he's less likely to bend and give them what they want once he's in office. Ron Paul is a true conservative and a man of virtue, while most Louisiana voters are apparently not.

Traffic Fines or Traffic Profits?

I got a speeding ticket in one of those Podunk "speed-traps" today. You know - the kind where the limit suddenly drops from 55 to 45 MPH. I was driving 59 MPH. Coincidentally (or not), there was a police officer monitoring speed just inside the 45 MPH zone. Okay, let's get something straight - I'm not under the impression that I'm above the law - so please don't mistake the nature of this blog. Here's my problem - why are citizens being manipulated (harassed) to generate revenue by way of traffic fines in these small towns? Is there not enough revenue generated via sales, income, property and other taxes? We've all heard the propaganda when citizens complain. "They're not going to remove those red light-cameras or stop using speed-traps because it's a cash machine." This is a strategic method of manipulating the law to impose fines on citizens, and I think it's unconstitutional. This is as inefficient and lazy in nature as La. Governor Bobby Jindal's "voucher" program that's supposed to mitigate the effect of under-performing students, but I'll save that for another blog. Many will argue in the government's favor, suggesting that we should follow the law, and never dare to question it. "We don't make the rules," they say. Such a mentality by citizens is dangerous to society as a whole, and our future. Tyranny and maliciousness has existed in government across the globe for thousands of years, and it must be kept in check. One of my favorite quotes by Benjamin Franklin is (paraphrased) "Those who trade liberty for security will have neither." The judicial system should not be engaged in profiteering via traffic or any other fines. Fiscal policy, funded by civil and just taxation, should be in place to ensure the necessities like infrastructure, education, and law enforcement. Fines generated by the judicial system should merely be a bonus, and distributed to society as such. Watch out for those speed traps, and God Bless America!

NFL Madness

What the he** is going on in the NFL? Peyton Manning's leaving the Colts? Drew Brees won't sign a contract? The Saints have a bounty system? The Cowboys are in desperate need of a quarterback? Oh wait....that one's old news. I'm not sure if it's because I just didn't notice when I was younger, but there sure seems to be a great deal of public interest in the business side of the NFL these days. Personally I don't care, because I believe in free markets and I believe that the owners should be able to pay whatever they want to pay their players. But hey, the last thing we need is another debate on the matter, right? After all, everyone has an opinion. People complain that the pros "make too much money." Seriously, what could possibly be your motive in that besides envy? I do not care what they make, I just love the sports & I love watching the sport. Someone fires a coach, or coughs without covering their mouth, and it's all over ESPN for a day. I switched from the Sirius NFL Radio Channel to the Fox News Channel because I got bored with the live public address from Peyton Manning & Colts' Owner Jim Ursay, and it was playing on Fox as well! Again, I love the sport, but is it really that important? Speculation is fun, but I think public involvement with the business side of things has gotten out of hand. Peyton - find another team. Drew - sign a contract. Goodell - fine the Saints, everybody else - Let's play ball!

Service!

Never underestimate the value in doing service for others, specifically the "pro bono" variety! God, I believe, has blessed me with an array of opportunities lately to give freely of myself. The main one that's got me on high is volunteering to coach my 9-year-old son's baseball team. This morning was our first practice, and to that I credit my awesome day! Most of us know that peace & serenity are priceless - yet it's amazing how readily dispensable they are, if we'll only be willing to stop & give of ourselves every once in a while!

What's government's role anyway?

There is a musical called "1776" about the events in the Second Continental Congress leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Some of my favorite characters from the film, to name a few, are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. I wonder what those guys would have to say about the current state of our government. I can assure you of one thing - the idea that government should play any part in the bailing out of businesses, healthcare or "creating jobs" would've been blasphemy to them. Back then, there was one fundamental idea that strongly bonded virtually everyone - SMALL GOVERNMENT & INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY. They had just separated themselves from the tyrannical British Empire, and wanted to establish a government by the people & for the people. The first income tax code wasn't enacted until 1861 to help fund the civil war - 85 years later! And even then it was intended to be temporary. Being mostly libertarian in my views, even I will say that a taxing system is absolutely necessary, but I contend that our government's role should be very limited, and consist of defense, infrastructure, and little else - NOT bailouts, health care & the creation of jobs.

I Love Loving History

I went to a gun & knife show this morning. If you've never been to one, it's a gathering where independent dealers of guns & knifes & other goods come together, usually for a weekend. What got my attention the most this morning, however, was the table stacked with 1940s LIFE magazine issues, and an original Gone With the Wind program from 1939. I spent more time at that table than any other, talking about the Vietnam War (the main subject of his LIFE issues) & Gone With the Wind. I bought two of the magazines - one for my father-in-law who's a Vietnam Veteran, and one for my mother that was printed in June of 1949, the month after she was born. As a child I had no interest in history, and it felt like we were being grilled with it over & over again. We learned about Louisiana history, U.S. History, European history, World history, to name a few subjects. Over the last few years my psyche has undergone a complete change with regard to history. I've come to thoroughly appreciate the endeavors of our ancestors, and now I understand the importance of "how we got here." Encyclopedias, historical newspaper & magazine articles, and the old-timers themselves are wonderful opportunities to discover & learn about the past. I'm grateful for my newfound appreciation for history!

Is it an "Energy Crisis" or an "Intellectual Crisis"?

How asinine is our energy situation? Just how foolish are we perceived to be by other countries such as China and Russia? Can you imagine a household conversation in one of those countries after receiving news that the White House blocked the Keystone Pipeline project? Energy is always a hot topic for me because I’ve been in the oilfield for 13 years, but turmoil in the Middle East puts a new spin on things. Of course we’re no strangers to the toll that unrest in OPEC countries puts on the price of oil, nor are we strangers to unrest in the Middle East….period. (If you’re scratching your head, just run a Google Search on “1979 oil embargo” or “Israeli 7 day war” – that’ll get you started.) With so many precedents set, how can we put ourselves in such a vulnerable position? According to "World Crude Oil Consumption By Year" (2012), the U.S. consumes 18.81 million barrels of crude oil each day, which is about 25% of the world’s daily consumption. Of the crude we use per day, more than half of it is imported. Of the oil imported, the majority of it comes from unstable Middle Eastern countries. The economic impact of $300 per barrel of crude, as predicted by experts, would surpass any previous incident and put a hamper on national security. Despite ominous warnings, our trusted leaders continue to bicker behind red tape, as if we have time to do so. I pray each day that our leaders will move our nation toward independence from foreign oil. Meanwhile, I’m trying to earn a spot on National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers.

“The difference is, even with oil now about half the price it was last July, we are spending more than $350 billion — not just as a one-time expenditure, but every year — to pay for imported oil that will not create a single new job in America, won’t repair a single bridge and won’t repave a single highway. We are still importing nearly 70 percent of the oil we use. Much of it comes from countries that are in unstable regions or that are unfriendly to the United States — or both.”

 ~T. Boone Pickens, July 8, 2009

Bibliography

World crude oil consumption by year. (2012). Retrieved from

 http://www.indexmundi.com/energy.aspx

One year later, we still import too much oil. (2010). Retrieved from

            http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24652.html

Texting

I love this topic! Okay, before I get started, let it not be said that I've neglected to touch on the issue of safety here. Texting while driving is an epidemic, and we should all refrain from doing so! 

Now to the fun part...

I get a kick out of these old timers who rant...."all these youngsters want to text and email these days...it's gotten out of hand...." I once heard a gentleman say "I know a guy who runs his business by email. That's just crazy. Where I come from...(holding his pinky & thumb to his head to imitate a telephone)...you called someone & had a man-to-man conversation." Is it just me, or is there no logic here? The telephone was invented in the 19^th century, and you can rest assured that by the early 1900s, men were saying the same thing about people doing business by telephone, as opposed to communicating in person! I send plenty of text messages, but I don't discuss intimate things via text, nor do I use text to avoid conversation. Whether these old-timers like it or not, society and business are losing tolerance for the traditional phone conversation. Make no mistake…if I can do for ten clients via email & text what I can for five via telephone, and one in person, well, I’ll let you decide….