07 November 2008

Friday Follies...
Well, here we are, three whole days into this history-making event of having our first black President, and I for one, am still here, alive and kicking, and doing just about as good as I have been doing for the past few years, external forces not withstanding.
And I'll bet that most of you are doing just as well.
**There is one gentleman in a nearby town of Decatur that's having a hard time grasping the situation, however.
Now before you all go off on this man, know that he has served this nation, is a vet, has his own business, and does know protocol.
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/Business_owner_flies_American
A business owner is flying the flag upside down as a protest to Obama's election as President.
He states that Americans have elected a "Marxist socialist".
Now suffice it to say I have mixed feelings about what Mr. Townsend is doing.
On the one hand, he is correct in that flying the nation's flag UPSIDE DOWN is a universal signal for "distress". And I can respect that.
He DOES have a right to exercise his freedom of speech (and expression), and his method of protesting IS a bit "Gandhian", in that it is more of a passive resistance stance. So he's not really being violent or placing the public safety in jeopardy in any way.
On the other hand, there could be better ways to express his dissent.
**((Editor's note: as of 1600 hrs, Mr. Townsend has taken down the flag and will not be flying it...he states that he has made his point. Well done, Greg. There are many service people out there that thank you and appreciate your service))
My personal feelings (which probably mirror many others) are that the people have spoken (unless there was collusion and corruption in the electoral system), and that Mr. Obama will be our 44th President.
And while I also feel that Obama will have a difficult time reversing the economy (many CEOs are miffed at the election results) and could very likely keep America's economy on the edge of a major recession by their manipulative behavior within Wall St., I think it's prudent to point out that ALL Americans are involved in this recovery, and that we owe it to our NATION to do what we can to minimize whatever damage awaits.
With that said, I think that many people who voted for Obama will be in for a rude awakening when the rubber starts meeting the road.
Those who may have been led off the precipice I spoke of earlier this week will find themselves not as joyful as they were around 11PM last Tuesday night. Those of us that stayed behind to watch are warning you ahead of time.
Expect the unexpected, and by that I mean what you "thought" is not necessarily what you will "get".
America cannot sustain a growing welfare state mentality.
And robbing Peter to pay Paul doesn't work out all that well either.
Those who think that people should just stick out their hand and expect it to be filled with whatever their heart desires, are sadly mistaken. That is NOT how this nation became a world power, nor is it the manner in which it has thrived for the past 232 years.
It was "We, the people" who made this nation what it was by hard work, persistence, diligence in beliefs founded in morality, ethical values and freedoms given us by our creator and substantiated by our very own Constitution.
Anyone that believes otherwise doesn't know "jack".
'Nuff said there.
In other happenings...
**A Fort Wayne man was shot in the leg while WALKING along Harmar Street near East Wayne late Tuesday. The victim called police from 905 E. Washington Blvd. around 2240 hrs. A witness told police that a man exited a red 4 door car on Harmar. The witness heard a shot, then the man got back in and drove off, according to the police report. The victim was taken to Parkview and no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
** Allen County police found bags of cocaine and piles of pharmaceutical pills in a home of a Fort Wayne man Tuesday.
Charles Abner, 19, of the 800 block of Heustis St. was arrested on charges of dealing cocaine, and six counts of dealing a controlled substance. Sheriff's officers found the drugs when they searched Abner's home, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Police found 16 grams of cocaine in seven plastic bags. They also found 10 morphine tabs, 85 ecstasy tabs, 76 Vicodin pills, 6 Vicodin E.S. tabs, and 82 Oxycontin pills. Seems old Charlie boy was trying to become the SAM'S CLUB of illegal narcotics...and lost the prospect (moron).
**This Tuesday is VETERAN'S DAY, or (originally) Armistice Day, and I will have my special brand of acknowledgement to all the men & women who have served and are serving in our armed services here and abroad. I'll also include those in the public safety realm as well, for without those people, none of us could be safe on the home front. I think you'll find it enlightening.
**Also, time is running out to send packages to our troops. The deadline for "standard" postal rates is 13 November.
After that, the cost goes up.
Here's a link for the *411*:
http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/11/dec-4-2008-deadline-to-mail-packages-to-the-troops-in-time-for-christmas.html

**Blogger Alert - Blogger Sighting Imminent!
The missus and I will be up at the local mall (Glenbrook) this Tuesday, doing some pre-holiday shopping, and should I see anyone who was or is a member of our military, I'll be sure to thank them.
I'll also be easy to spot...just don't let my 5'7" stature dissuade you.
I'll be the one wearing BDU woodland pants with the Philly PD Highway Patrol hat...lol!
If YOU see ME, feel free to introduce yourself.
I don't bite, AND I've had all my shots.
I will also do a BOOK SIGNING.
That means if you have a book WITH you...ANY book, and you want me to sign it...hey, I'll gladly do so...for free!
I'll only be up there between 1000 hrs (opening) until a little before noon (and we will be noshing at Sbarros for a slice or two...hey, I'm from PHILLY, we ALWAYS do PIZZA for breakfast), so here's your chance to play "Where's Waldo?" (more like "Where's Bob"?) live and in person. And yes, I am available for group pictures, hand-shaking, and will hug a baby or two (but no burping the recruits, OK?) if pressed.
Bring the kids, bring the wife, bring the relatives...just don't bring your unpaid bills, kapeesh?
In the meantime...
DO have a SAFE weekend!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

took me a bit before i recovered from the flag being hung upside down. i think i would have call non emergancy here in indy if this ever happened or at least the mayor office or news if noone responded. i find it a disgrace. i compare it to a pitbul walking down the street unleased. not cool. if i was this mans neighbor i would take a pic of me taking a poo and blow it up and post it on my side of the house facing his home. THAT'S how i feel about his ideas. went to a war for a fool that dont care for the flag. i understand obama didnt put his hand on his heart to salute the flag but that was more respectful then hanging her upside down. kinda like the devil and the cross upside down.

well i ranted. have a good tues shopping. even though its my off day i wont be there stalking. got bigger fish to fry or lay out......;)

Bob G. said...

We already have the pitbulls walking unteathered....just in case you ever want to stop on by...lol.

Stalking?
You?
NAH...never happen.

;)

B.G.

Phil Marx said...

As for the distress signal for hanging the flag upside down, I really don't think that sending a political message was what they had in mind. Also, I guess Charlotte's post about this has me curious as well. This guy has been in business there since 1979. Did he do this when Clinton was elected? Obama is just another Democrat, and like all D's, they favor the poor with their fiscal policies. I can understand why a lot of people are upset that Obama won, but I don't understand why it's any more upsetting than any previous democrat win.

Personally, I think this act qualifies as disrespecting the flag just as much as if it were thrown on the ground. But then again, I am one that thinks that the freedom to express one's opinion in this way is far more important than the cloth the flag is made of. Hang it upside down, spit on it, or burn it - if it's your flag and it's on your property, do whatever you like. But don't touch the one on the courthouse lawn or on somebody elses property or you might get your ass shot.

Also regarding your "Rob Peter to pay Paul" anology, I would offer a slight variation. For many years, what we have been doing is borrowing from Chan and and paying both Peter and Paul. Each party has their favorite, but it's a;ways the same - borrow money from China, give it to either the rich or the poor (depending on who is most likely to vote for you) through corporate and social wlefare programs that are largely bogus, then send the bill to the middle-class.

Bob G. said...

Phil:
Favoring the poor is a great idea and noble in concept. It's where the implimentation of such polices seems to go down quicker than a $5 prostitute.
Time and again, we see programs DESIGNED to help the TRULY NEEDY, and few if any are actually aided in the process. Many wind up playing the system.
But someone further up the food chain always seems to make out better, while causing the middle class to ante up for any costs along the way.
Yeah, I like the CHAN reference much better...remind me to use THAT one from now on, OK?
I'm just a New Testament kinda guy...

;)

(see you at the mall tomorrow?)

B.G.

Phil Marx said...

If I wander about the mall looking for you guys, I'm sure I'll get lost. Set a time to meet at Sbarros and I'll be there.

Bob G. said...

How's about 1130-1145 hrs?
(unless we bump into one another earlier?)

I'll be the short one standing in a drool puddle 4 pizza...LOL

B.G.

Phil Marx said...

Sounds good!

Sbarros for Pizza and politics (what the hell else we gonna talk about?)

Tomorrow @ 11:30 (or thereabouts)