wtf?
First the president finds time to go on Leno making an inappropriate comment about special needs events and then give a bizarre cackling laugh interview that seemingly has many confused and wondering about his mental state.
And now.....
President Barack Obama's intelligence chief confirmed Thursday that some Guantanamo inmates may be released on US soil and receive assistance to return to society.
"If we are to release them in the United States, we need some sort of assistance for them to start a new life," said National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair at his first press conference.
"You can't just put them on the street," he added. "All that is work in progress.
Are any of you that voted for him lowering your head in shame yet?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
burst that little romantic bubble
Spent some time with a friend that doesn't "have to" work. As much as I get jealous of her daily freedom to sit outside in the summer soaking up the sun or staying bundled up inside when it is snowing I don't really believe I would be comfortable doing that. Most of the time I get caught up in the romantic ideas of getting to stay home like cooking hubby meals from scratch every evening, picture perfect clean house, caring for large garden, baking him weekly sweets, having time to work on my book, and being a foster mom. Yes, those are romantic ideas to me! Probably cause I work a shit load of hours and have no time to do any of those things very well right now. Once I burst that little romantic bubble and look at the reality I realize that I don't want to be that dependant on anyone to the point that I would have no way to provide for myself if he wasn't there. I know if he divorces I get half in this state and if he died I would get it all BUT that isn't going to last my lifetime. Heck, I would be sad and be looking for a job. Hhhhmm, wonder if my friend ever worries about that. It doesn't seem to be a concern for her but who knows what really keeps her up at night. I work for the money of course but I also work for the independence it gives me. It gives me financial independence and self independence. I don't have to stay in my marriage because I am dependant on his income and I don't have to stay because I don't have the confidence or feeling of worth. Funny how having a job makes me feel trapped in some ways yet free in others. I guess to have it all I am going to need to be independently wealthy so I can do the romantic ideas of getting to stay home till they aren't fun anymore then I can hire someone else to do them for me while I go to work.
Shoe - 12 Step program needed.........
Hi, my name is @@@@ and I am a shoe addict. I am completely powerless against the will to have more cute shoes. A friend called last week that I haven't seen in weeks and invited me to go get coffee and run to a store that was holding a order for her. The coffee and conversation was wonderful - we chatted about our crazy schedules, inattentive husbands and the want for a boy toy (ha ha), our jobs, the economy, the sadness of our thirties ending this year, and girl stuff I won't be mentioning here. After having more caffeine then should be legally allowed we were off to the store. At first she was just going to run in and pick up the order but then we decided I would park and go in with her. This is where the story shifts from harmless fun to me needing a 12 step program. Of course we had to pass the shoe department to get to the customer service register and of course this absolutely perfect pair of shoes stopped me in my tracks. In fact I believe these shoes were calling my name. (uh oh I just admitted to hearing voices) Any way I began to get the shakes as I approached the shoe display. I honestly was just going to look BUT NO my friends says "they are so cute - try them on" I knew better than to do it but the little evil one sitting on my left shoulder said "go ahead it doesn't cost anything to try on" Ha - fat chance I was just trying on and not buying after I got my foot in them. Any hoot needless to say here are my new shoes that I didn't want but NEEDED. Yep, I am powerless.
Sorry about the picture quality but my camera issues will be another rant posting later.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any of you foot fetish people that get electrocuted licking your computer screen because of my foot being on one the pictures.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Are you just passing through?
It is amazing how some people just pass through your life and how others stay for the journey. Sometimes it is your journey and sometimes it is their journey. I am feeling a bit nostalgic lately but not sure exactly which life event is causing it. I found out about the passing of a friend who I had lost contact with recently and this reminded me just how short life can be. (she was my age) I also received rather sad news about a family member who has been diagnosed with cancer and be be starting chemo next week.
During January through March I get into this nesting mood and I usually take on a home project or two, cook and bake more, spend weekends in my flannel lounge pants, and dream up new summer ideas. I have been doing these normal rituals but I have also stepped out of my routine and have been checking in with the people in my circle of life. I have gone over to visit some, sent a few Thinking of you cards, and have made a point to spend one evening a week making short "how are you calls". I know I should do these things all the time but you know as well as I do life gets crazy and hectic and before you know it time gets away from you. I have a heck of a time juggling it all sometimes but that is no excuse for neglecting the important people in my life. Any how that is one of the reasons I haven't been posting very often lately. But don't you worry cause the home improvement projects are just about complete (budget will not allow for more) so I will be back here ranting again. Oh, I definitely will be ranting about how if you want to see how compatible you are with your spouse try fixing a leaking faucet together with nothing more than google instructions. ( He is lucky the ground is still frozen so there is no place to hide a body) And just for your amusement it took two trips to the hardware store, the purchase of a new faucet, then a purchase of new under the sink pipes, four hours of quality time cramped in the bathroom, lots of cussing, and the promise that we will never do this again! And if that isn't funny enough I was told by someone today "a new faucet wasn't needed- it was probably just a little rubber washer needed to fix that". This was told to me by one the people I called for one of those "how are you"calls. See, this is the shit I go through trying to be good.............
During January through March I get into this nesting mood and I usually take on a home project or two, cook and bake more, spend weekends in my flannel lounge pants, and dream up new summer ideas. I have been doing these normal rituals but I have also stepped out of my routine and have been checking in with the people in my circle of life. I have gone over to visit some, sent a few Thinking of you cards, and have made a point to spend one evening a week making short "how are you calls". I know I should do these things all the time but you know as well as I do life gets crazy and hectic and before you know it time gets away from you. I have a heck of a time juggling it all sometimes but that is no excuse for neglecting the important people in my life. Any how that is one of the reasons I haven't been posting very often lately. But don't you worry cause the home improvement projects are just about complete (budget will not allow for more) so I will be back here ranting again. Oh, I definitely will be ranting about how if you want to see how compatible you are with your spouse try fixing a leaking faucet together with nothing more than google instructions. ( He is lucky the ground is still frozen so there is no place to hide a body) And just for your amusement it took two trips to the hardware store, the purchase of a new faucet, then a purchase of new under the sink pipes, four hours of quality time cramped in the bathroom, lots of cussing, and the promise that we will never do this again! And if that isn't funny enough I was told by someone today "a new faucet wasn't needed- it was probably just a little rubber washer needed to fix that". This was told to me by one the people I called for one of those "how are you"calls. See, this is the shit I go through trying to be good.............
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
One man's truth...
I know I can hardly believe it myself - two post in one day! But I received this in email today and thought it was worth sharing.
Interesting. The first email below was sent out by GM to all suppliers. The email that follows is a response from one such supplier.
Dear Employees & Suppliers,
Congress and the current Administration will soon determine whether to provide immediate support to the domestic auto industry to help it through one of the most difficult economic times in our nation's history. Your elected officials must hear from all of us now on why this support is critical to our continuing the progress we began prior to the global financial crisis........................As an employee or supplier, you have a lot at stake and continue to be one of our most effective and passionate voices. I know GM can count on you to have your voice heard.
Thank you for your urgent action and ongoing support.
Troy Clarke
President General Motors North America ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Response from:
Gregory Knox, Pres. Knox Machinery Company
Franklin , Ohio
Gentlemen:
In response to your request to contact legislators and ask for a bailout for the Big Three automakers please consider the following, and please pass my thoughts on to Troy Clark, President of General Motors North America .
Politicians and Management of the Big 3 are both infected with the same entitlement mentality that has spread like cancerous germs in UAW halls for the last countless decades, and whose plague is now sweeping this nation, awaiting our new "messiah", Pres-elect Obama, to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away, while at the same time allowing our once great nation to keep "living the dream"... Believe me folks, The dream is over!
This dream where we can ignore the consumer for years while management myopically focuses on its personal rewards packages at the same time that our factories have been filled with the worlds most overpaid, arrogant, ignorant and laziest entitlement minded "laborers" without paying the price for these atrocities...this dream where you still think the masses will line up to buy our products for ever and ever.
Don't even think about telling me I'm wrong. Don't accuse me of not knowing of what I speak. I have called on Ford, GM, Chrysler, TRW, Delphi , Kelsey Hayes, American Axle and countless other automotive OEM's throughout the Midwest during the past 30 years and what I've seen over those years in these union shops can only be described as disgusting.
Troy Clarke, President of General Motors North America, states: "There is widespread sentiment throughout this country, and our government, and especially via the news media, that the current crisis is completely the result of bad management which it certainly is not."
You're right Mr. Clarke, it's not JUST management...how about the electricians who walk around the plants like lords in feudal times, making people wait on them for countless hours while they drag ass...so they can come in on the weekend and make double and triple time...for a job they easily could have done within their normal 40 hour work week. How about the line workers who threaten newbies with all kinds of scare tactics...for putting out too many parts on a shift...and for being too productive (We certainly must not expose those lazy bums who have been getting overpaid for decades for their horrific underproduction, must we?!?)
Do you folks really not know about this stuff?!? How about this great sentiment abridged from Mr. Clarke's sad plea: "over the last few years ...we have closed the quality and efficiency gaps with our competitors." What the hell has Detroit been doing for the last 40 years?!? Did we really JUST wake up to the gaps in quality and efficiency between us and them? The K car vs. the Accord? The Pinto vs. the Civic?!? Do I need to go on? What a joke!
We are living through the inevitable outcome of the actions of the United States auto industry for decades. It's time to pay for your sins, Detroit .
I attended an economic summit last week where brilliant economist, Alan Beaulieu, from the Institute of Trend Research , surprised the crowd when he said he would not have given the banks a penny of "bailout money". "Yes, he said, this would cause short term problems," but despite what people like politicians and corporate magnates would have us believe, the sun would in fact rise the next day.... and the following very important thing would happen....where there had been greedy and sloppy banks, new efficient ones would pop up....that is how a free market system works...it does work....if we would only let it work..."
But for some nondescript reason we are now deciding that the rest of the world is right and that capitalism doesn't work - that we need the government to step in and "save us"...Save us my ass, Hell - we're nationalizing...and unfortunately too many of our once fine nation's citizens don't even have a clue that this is what is really happening...But, they sure can tell you the stats on their favorite sports teams...yeah - THAT'S really important, isn't it...
Does it ever occur to ANYONE that the "competition" has been producing vehicles, EXTREMELY PROFITABLY, for decades in this country?... How can that be??? Let's see... Fuel efficient... Listening to customers... Investing in the proper tooling and automation for the long haul...
Not being too complacent or arrogant to listen to Dr. W. Edwards Deming four decades ago when he taught that by adopting appropriate principles of management, organizations could increase quality and simultaneously reduce costs. Ever increased productivity through quality and intelligent planning... Treating vendors like strategic partners, rather than like "the enemy"... Efficient front and back offices... Non union environment...
Again, I could go on and on, but I really wouldn't be telling anyone anything they really don't already know down deep in their hearts.
I have six children, so I am not unfamiliar with the concept of wanting someone to bail you out of a mess that you have gotten yourself into - my children do this on a weekly, if not daily basis, as I did when I was their age. I do for them what my parents did for me (one of their greatest gifts, by the way) - I make them stand on their own two feet and accept the consequences of their actions and work through it. Radical concept, huh... Am I there for them in the wings? Of course - but only until such time as they need to be fully on their own as adults..
I don't want to oversimplify a complex situation, but there certainly are unmistakable parallels here between the proper role of parenting and government. Detroit and the United States need to pay for their sins. Bad news people - it's coming whether we like it or not. The newly elected Messiah really doesn't have a magic wand big enough to "make it all go away." I laughed as I heard Obama "reeling it back in" almost immediately after the final vote count was tallied..."we really might not do it in a year...or in four..." Where the Hell was that kind of talk when he was RUNNING for office.
Stop trying to put off the inevitable folks ... That house in Florida really isn't worth $750,000.... People who jump across a border really don't deserve free health care benefits.... That job driving that forklift for the Big 3 really isn't worth $85,000 a year... We really shouldn't allow Wal-Mart to stock their shelves with products acquired from a country that unfairly manipulates their currency and has the most atrocious human rights infractions on the face of the globe...
That couple whose combined income is less than $50,000 really shouldn't be living in that $485,000 home... Let the market correct itself folks - it will. Yes it will be painful, but it's gonna' be painful either way, and the bright side of my proposal is that on the other side of it all, is a nation that appreciates what it has....and doesn't live beyond its means...and gets back to basics...and redevelops the patriotic work ethic that made it the greatest nation in the history of the world...and probably turns back to God.
Sorry - don't cut my head off, I'm just the messenger sharing with you the "bad news". I hope you take it to heart.
Gregory J. Knox,
President Knox MachineryInc.
Franklin , Ohio 45005
Interesting. The first email below was sent out by GM to all suppliers. The email that follows is a response from one such supplier.
Dear Employees & Suppliers,
Congress and the current Administration will soon determine whether to provide immediate support to the domestic auto industry to help it through one of the most difficult economic times in our nation's history. Your elected officials must hear from all of us now on why this support is critical to our continuing the progress we began prior to the global financial crisis........................As an employee or supplier, you have a lot at stake and continue to be one of our most effective and passionate voices. I know GM can count on you to have your voice heard.
Thank you for your urgent action and ongoing support.
Troy Clarke
President General Motors North America ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Response from:
Gregory Knox, Pres. Knox Machinery Company
Franklin , Ohio
Gentlemen:
In response to your request to contact legislators and ask for a bailout for the Big Three automakers please consider the following, and please pass my thoughts on to Troy Clark, President of General Motors North America .
Politicians and Management of the Big 3 are both infected with the same entitlement mentality that has spread like cancerous germs in UAW halls for the last countless decades, and whose plague is now sweeping this nation, awaiting our new "messiah", Pres-elect Obama, to wave his magic wand and make all our problems go away, while at the same time allowing our once great nation to keep "living the dream"... Believe me folks, The dream is over!
This dream where we can ignore the consumer for years while management myopically focuses on its personal rewards packages at the same time that our factories have been filled with the worlds most overpaid, arrogant, ignorant and laziest entitlement minded "laborers" without paying the price for these atrocities...this dream where you still think the masses will line up to buy our products for ever and ever.
Don't even think about telling me I'm wrong. Don't accuse me of not knowing of what I speak. I have called on Ford, GM, Chrysler, TRW, Delphi , Kelsey Hayes, American Axle and countless other automotive OEM's throughout the Midwest during the past 30 years and what I've seen over those years in these union shops can only be described as disgusting.
Troy Clarke, President of General Motors North America, states: "There is widespread sentiment throughout this country, and our government, and especially via the news media, that the current crisis is completely the result of bad management which it certainly is not."
You're right Mr. Clarke, it's not JUST management...how about the electricians who walk around the plants like lords in feudal times, making people wait on them for countless hours while they drag ass...so they can come in on the weekend and make double and triple time...for a job they easily could have done within their normal 40 hour work week. How about the line workers who threaten newbies with all kinds of scare tactics...for putting out too many parts on a shift...and for being too productive (We certainly must not expose those lazy bums who have been getting overpaid for decades for their horrific underproduction, must we?!?)
Do you folks really not know about this stuff?!? How about this great sentiment abridged from Mr. Clarke's sad plea: "over the last few years ...we have closed the quality and efficiency gaps with our competitors." What the hell has Detroit been doing for the last 40 years?!? Did we really JUST wake up to the gaps in quality and efficiency between us and them? The K car vs. the Accord? The Pinto vs. the Civic?!? Do I need to go on? What a joke!
We are living through the inevitable outcome of the actions of the United States auto industry for decades. It's time to pay for your sins, Detroit .
I attended an economic summit last week where brilliant economist, Alan Beaulieu, from the Institute of Trend Research , surprised the crowd when he said he would not have given the banks a penny of "bailout money". "Yes, he said, this would cause short term problems," but despite what people like politicians and corporate magnates would have us believe, the sun would in fact rise the next day.... and the following very important thing would happen....where there had been greedy and sloppy banks, new efficient ones would pop up....that is how a free market system works...it does work....if we would only let it work..."
But for some nondescript reason we are now deciding that the rest of the world is right and that capitalism doesn't work - that we need the government to step in and "save us"...Save us my ass, Hell - we're nationalizing...and unfortunately too many of our once fine nation's citizens don't even have a clue that this is what is really happening...But, they sure can tell you the stats on their favorite sports teams...yeah - THAT'S really important, isn't it...
Does it ever occur to ANYONE that the "competition" has been producing vehicles, EXTREMELY PROFITABLY, for decades in this country?... How can that be??? Let's see... Fuel efficient... Listening to customers... Investing in the proper tooling and automation for the long haul...
Not being too complacent or arrogant to listen to Dr. W. Edwards Deming four decades ago when he taught that by adopting appropriate principles of management, organizations could increase quality and simultaneously reduce costs. Ever increased productivity through quality and intelligent planning... Treating vendors like strategic partners, rather than like "the enemy"... Efficient front and back offices... Non union environment...
Again, I could go on and on, but I really wouldn't be telling anyone anything they really don't already know down deep in their hearts.
I have six children, so I am not unfamiliar with the concept of wanting someone to bail you out of a mess that you have gotten yourself into - my children do this on a weekly, if not daily basis, as I did when I was their age. I do for them what my parents did for me (one of their greatest gifts, by the way) - I make them stand on their own two feet and accept the consequences of their actions and work through it. Radical concept, huh... Am I there for them in the wings? Of course - but only until such time as they need to be fully on their own as adults..
I don't want to oversimplify a complex situation, but there certainly are unmistakable parallels here between the proper role of parenting and government. Detroit and the United States need to pay for their sins. Bad news people - it's coming whether we like it or not. The newly elected Messiah really doesn't have a magic wand big enough to "make it all go away." I laughed as I heard Obama "reeling it back in" almost immediately after the final vote count was tallied..."we really might not do it in a year...or in four..." Where the Hell was that kind of talk when he was RUNNING for office.
Stop trying to put off the inevitable folks ... That house in Florida really isn't worth $750,000.... People who jump across a border really don't deserve free health care benefits.... That job driving that forklift for the Big 3 really isn't worth $85,000 a year... We really shouldn't allow Wal-Mart to stock their shelves with products acquired from a country that unfairly manipulates their currency and has the most atrocious human rights infractions on the face of the globe...
That couple whose combined income is less than $50,000 really shouldn't be living in that $485,000 home... Let the market correct itself folks - it will. Yes it will be painful, but it's gonna' be painful either way, and the bright side of my proposal is that on the other side of it all, is a nation that appreciates what it has....and doesn't live beyond its means...and gets back to basics...and redevelops the patriotic work ethic that made it the greatest nation in the history of the world...and probably turns back to God.
Sorry - don't cut my head off, I'm just the messenger sharing with you the "bad news". I hope you take it to heart.
Gregory J. Knox,
President Knox MachineryInc.
Franklin , Ohio 45005
Here I am..........
No need to label me MIA cause I am back. I know it looks like I abruptly just vanished but that was not my intent. In my last post I was under the influence of hurting emotions so I thought it best to get a grip and come back. Yeah, I am girlie with my desire for freshly painted toe nails, lovely lace thongs, and high heel sandals but I am not usually girlie with expressing my feelings. I am not much on the whole drama scene of emotions. Not that I don't feel or express emotions but I do better if I compartmentalize my feelings and deal with issues on my own terms. I keep a wall built up around me. I am reserved with showing how I feel but maybe that stems back from if I let you in and you know me to well then you will also know how to hurt me. Ah yes it always leads back to that nasty little word trust. Even though truly gaining my trust is difficult it has it's rewards. Once I trust you I give you all of me and all that I have. I will love you unconditionally without limits. If I give someone trust and they hurt me I immediately go and hide behind my wall I have built. That is not saying that I won't trust that person again but it will definitely take time to bring down that wall and they will lose a part of me. Damn, sure hope Dr. Phil don't read this or he will seeking my azz out for treatment. Ha-Ha This is going to be another one of those post that I read back later and think what the hell was I thinking actually writing this down. I promise the next post will not be any psycho-analysing BS.
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