Friday Follies:
It's the most wonderful time of the year...ALREADY?
I'm sure you've noticed stores around the area with all the CHRISTMAS decor up along with sales out the wazoo. In fact, many retailers have HAD Christmas items up since just BEFORE HALLOWEEN. And the Salvation Army bell-ringers are out.

Rushing things just a bit, are we?
NAAH....it's all part of "The Plan" this year. And woe to those that get suckered into it.

WARNING: FINANCIAL ALERT - YOU MIGHT SAVE MONEY BY READING THIS!
Analysts (and we can't have THAT word with the word ANAL) have predicted a SLOW holiday season as far as retail sales go. Gee, I wonder why THAT is? Could it be the burgeoning PROPERTY TAXES we have to shell out? Or could it be the HIGH FUEL PRICES sucking our wallets dry? Or maybe it things like FOOD (that is costing more because of the fuel prices) that's draining our accounts and paychecks? Actually, it's ALL of them (and more). People are just being a bit more frugal with their money. And those of you that read YESTERDAY'S post know what I refer to. Those that DIDN'T read it....do yourselves a favor and read it. Our inflation rate is down, and the Fed interest rate is due to slip a notch or two as well. But that's all part of "The Plan". You need to be lulled into that false sense of security so you will SPEND anyway, regardless of how much money you (don't) have available. These analysts (and the marketing gurus) are banking on YOUR ignorance. They're hoping for your haphazard methodology to money management.
So don't worry about that mortgage payment. Forget the fact that our state has one of the HIGHEST foreclosure rates in the nation. Make like Custer at Little Big Horn and CHARGE!!! Bend that plastic. Strengthen that economy.
I'd say, beware of Greeks bearing "gifts", and never look that gift horse in it's mouth.
Spend WISELY and think things out. It's your financial future.
After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

* * * * *

And now...for something completely different...
There are PARTICIPANTS...and then there are "Wood Collectors". Our recent voter turnout (in Ft. Wayne) is a marvelous example of the rampant apathy that pervades society in general these days. In a city of OVER 250,000 eligible voters, we could not EVEN make it to 33% who voted. That (as many have blogged already) is PATHETIC. Now Lord KNOWS I have PLENTY of other reasons (daily) to get cheesed-off where I live, but this kind of gnawed at me until I just had to say something about it. This goes much, MUCH deeper than just voting.

WARNING: MORAL & PHILOSOPHICAL ALERT - you "might" come away wiser.

-Think about the support our troops are getting from the homefront. Is this support from the VAST majority? Hardly. Is it even from a SIMPLE majority? Barely (if that).
-Think about our governments, at every level. People must be OK with selecting their leaders/representatives via PARTYLINES, rather than candidates and issues.
-Think about education. What are our kids being taught? Are they being taught what they NEED, or what society "wants"? Are students held accountable for THEIR actions, or do we Ritalin the bunch and call them "spec-ed"? Are we so concerned with levelling the playing field for whatever reason that we have tossed REASON itself out the window when it comes to the rudiments of learning?
-Think about your own neighborhood and household. Are you an active participant in what goes on, or are you "warming the bench" (collecting wood)? Do you even give a damn about what occurs outside of your property lines? How many sexual predators live nearby? Why is crime higher? Who are my son's (or daughter's) friends? Are you as good a parent as you can be, or are you just a "good friend" to my kids? Do you only care when something happens "close to home" or do you concern yourself with the BIGGER PICTURE?
Many do not...and that (again) is just PATHETIC. Yet if we add JUST ONE LETTER to the word PATHETIC, what do you suppose that *new* word would be? If you said APATHETIC, give yourself a hearty pat on the back. Nice to know you cannot be APATHETIC without FIRST being PATHETIC, isn't it?
Now to those who DO try and evoke a change for the better and liberally use the word "care" in their daily lives (when needed), my hat's off to you people...you are the salt of this earth. And I should know, because I count myself amongst your ranks.
But how often have we wondered what would happen if *we* didn't care anymore? We are the reason things don't get a helluva lot worse a helluva lot faster (and the reason we have TIME is that so all the s**t doesn't happen ALL AT ONCE).
We are the ones with our fingers in the dam, stopping the leak. Trouble is, when we turn to look for ANY assistance, it's just nowhere to be found. And our fingers are getting a bit "pruney" in the process, don'cha think?. Shakespeare once said that all the world's a stage...and that basically we all have our parts to play. He NEVER said anything about being in the AUDIENCE, filling your piehole with Jujubes and Goobers!
If this sounds a bit accusatory...FINE, because that's what it is intended to be. And if you wake the hell up and "get it"...good for you. If not, don't even come NEAR me...you won't like the outcome.
So to those are are are participating in life...I salute you.
Enjoy every day you have available to you. To those letting others do all the work, either shit or get off the pot...others (who deserve to) need to use the facilities. Better yet...go find a shrub and squat.

**Ed note: Special Veterans' Day post coming...stay tuned!

Have a safe weekend.