Bhutto

Once again I have to admit I'm no expert on Bhutto or her politics. But, from what I understand she was anti-extremist. She was liked by the U.S government. She wanted her country to be a civilized nation. And she had/has quite a following. Now she's been assassinated. People are rioting, setting the streets on fire, robbing banks, burning down police stations, and of course killing....lots of killing.

Sweet Irony.

America, WAKE UP!

As you may be aware, Nevada recently held the Democratic Debate. Not that I'm a Democrat, but we may as well accept no Republican stands much of a chance (unless Romney can gain steam), so we'd better get to know the Democratic candidates. It's obvious Hillary is the front-runner, but I must admit she infuriates me nearly every time she opens her mouth.

One example: Obama (my pick) proposes that in order to solve the pension problem we throw out the cap on what people pay in taxes that goes towards the pension program. Currently contributions cut off after you exceed 96,000 in annual salary. IE: if you make 104k, you pay into the pension plan for the first 96k, but not the remaining 8k. Clinton is against this because, and I quote "lets call it for what it really is, a tax increase on the middle class". And you all clap? WTF? Come on. Making above 96k/year in most states has no chance of leaving you in the 'middle-class'.

I'll be the first to say I HATE taxes... They are WAY too high. However, if I were fortunate enough to be making, say, 120k/year, and had the choice of paying 40,000 in taxes to a corrupt government, or 40,200 (roughly the difference we're talking about) to a government that's at least trying to get us back on the right track, that extra 200 bucks would be the least of my worries.

GREED GREED GREED

I'm begining to wonder about our current system of generosity. You know how we all contribute to a large 'pot' in case someone is down on thier luck and needs help. This pot is held by the Government, who basically hands out money to those who 'need' it. These people include those who recently lost thier job, who just can't seem to find a job, or who 'need' a medical procedure they cannot afford to pay for on thier own. We have all agreed to this system since we all know that trajedy can strike anyone at any time, and we would want 'fair' treatment were something to happen to us.

This system, as it is meant to be, is a beautiful thing which I fully support. However, there is one thing destroying it... GREED. A large number of people see this bottomless pot, and take whatever they can sneak from it. I mean why not... It's not like you're taking money from your neighbor's wallet... Or are you? YES! THE ANSWER IS YES!

It's hilarious that we think we have such a generous society, when the only reason why its not working is because our greed is causing us to steal from our neighbors. I'm actually wondering how this system came into being. Could it be that the brilliant, powerful people in the government thought to themselves 'what better way to get people to like us then to offer them something for nothing?' And of course us lowly folks ate it up! Not because we don't wanna see our brother down on his luck... Because we want something for nothing.

Are you proud of your system because Jane doesn't have to pay for her surgery, or because YOU wouldn't want to have to should you be in her position? In the long run we all lose (of course) when the market doesn't determine the services rendered, since, even in the ideal scenario, we're not only supporting the services, but also the system behind it all. And I'm OK with losing a little for the sake of 'humanity' and 'kindness', but I'm losing too much... And I'm not losing it to humanity/kindness... I'm losing it to GREED, and those who want something for nothing.

After all, If we were all such generous people, we wouldn't be standing in the medical line in the first place... We'd give up our spot to the person behind us.

Headline: "GM hit by nationwide strike"

"NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The United Auto Workers union launched a nationwide strike against General Motors on Monday as 73,000 UAW members started walking off the job and hitting the picket lines at the nation's largest automaker."

Hah! Forgive me for nearly laughing out-loud when I read this headline! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for better benefits & pay for workers in profitable companies, but this was too much. I won't claim to know the ins&outs of the deal, I'm laughing at the irony of the situation, since the only headlines I've seen involving automakers lately are the ones with huge plants closing and all the poor workers being out of jobs. Perhaps I'm too warped for my own good.

www.stupid.ca

For those of you who don't know, this is a website about smokers/smoking. I think the title is pretty self-explanitory in regards to the content & message they are trying to send. There has been great headway made in de-glamorizing smoking. A ban has actually gone on here in Lloyd which doesn't allow smoking in public places, and they say it will soon cover all of Alberta. I'm quite sure the rest of North America will soon folow suit (with the exception of Nevada of course). After all, SMOKING WILL KILL YOU! Perhaps this is why we call it a 'stupid' thing to do (correct me if I'm wrong). If you lead an otherwise perfectly healthy lifestyle, smoking will still cut 13 years off your life (this is excluding the other effects of smoking).

Now this is where my article will take a turn. I don't smoke... I grew up knowing it was stupid (not that it really kept me from doing it when I was younger). However, as I get older I've noticed some changes to my health (that are not due to smoking). Yes, my stomach has become a bit larger than it once was. It is actually estimated that Obesity is set to overcome smoking as the #1 cause of death in the United States in the coming years (cuts over 18 years off your life just for over-eating & getting fat... lack of exercise catapults that number).

So now who are the stupid ones? I'm not innocent myself, but I do find it somewhat ironic that restaurants won't allow smoking, yet I can order 30 chicken wings & 18 beer without anyone batting an eye. Sure I'm not affecting the person sitting next to me, but I am killing myself.

They say smoking in movies will soon result in an automatic 'R' rating, yet we still have movies like 'Norbit' out there where the star is a super obese woman. So my question is, since we have determined over-eating & eating crap will be our #1 killer, why are we still glamorizing it? McDonalds & KFC should be hated MORE than the cigarette companies. They directly target children. If you're not outraged, I sure am.

What brings this up is the new show 'Big Medicine' (& the other numerous shows) which features the fattest people in the world & thier 'struggles' to get thin. Now if someone wants to get fat & kill themself, thats thier business, but when they're tying up the doctors offices & getting medical help (& disability $ since they're too fat to work), then it becomes everyones business. I actually think the viewers are supposed to feel bad for the people.

I love food & eat constantly, but am now making myself eat veggies & chicken, and low fat yogurt for a snack. It's HARD passing that pastry aisle, but it has to be done. If you ask me, the pastry aisle should be more illegal than selling cigarettes to minors. We don't need the temptation.

These Crack Me Up

Mind-Reading Machine

Check this out:

http://www.cnn.com/video/partners/clickability/index.html?url=/video/tech/2007/05/18/pleitgen.germany.mind.reading.fox

Yes, it's saying what you think it is. Likely within the next few generations the government will be able to determine our thoughts BEFORE we even think them. This obviously leads to the ability to punish people for crimes they haven't yet commited. On the bight side, if you are a Christian this is good news! Once they enforce the use of this machine on society you will literally be incapable of doing anything wrong, as the government will know what you are up to before you have the chance to do it (or even realize yourself what you were about to do). If you don't do anything wrong, you must be heading to heaven. There's no apocalypse coming in the future... Just peace & tranquility.

Take The Swivel-Sweeper Challenge!

OK, I regrettably must admit I've spent the last 20 minutes of my life watching a paid program on the Swivel-Sweeper. And yes, I am now dumber having seen it. For those of you who havn't seen this product, it is a small, lightweight, battery-powered vacuum. I cannot argue against its possible 'convenience', but allow me to laugh at the "revolutionary" technology that makes it all possible. This amazing new sweeper can go any direction because it utilizes "Quad-Brush Technology". I assure you, this merely means it has 4 brushes. Also aiding this amazing ability are its 4 specially-designed gliders that replace a regular vacuum's wheels. Yes, in non-technical terms this means wheels would be too expensive to add, so instead they use spheres that can 'glide' over the floor. (In case you havn't noticed, you can slide over the floor with your feet, even being much heavier than this sweeper)

Uh.... The Gas Pedal's the One on the Right

Well, believe it or not, I happen to be one of the 'Road-Rage-aholics' The Grammar Nazi recently attacked on her blog. Yes, I'm that irritated guy in the vehicle next to you, giving you the finger as I pass. Consider yourself lucky I didn't intentionally clip you as I passed, but hey, we're a considerate bunch.

I also creep forward once I notice the adjacent light has turned yellow, as I know this undoubtedly means mine will soon be turning green. (I caught on after the first 2 times I saw it, so why havn't YOU?!) In addition to this, if I'm alone on a 2-lane highway, I'll always take the inside of the corners. As I'm coming up on a set of lights I am unfamiliar with, I'm checking the light-poles nearby for those cameras. This way, I know whether I can run the red light without getting caught.

Yes, I turned into the second lane because there was one less person in it waiting for the light to change. I did this for a reason... Now I'm 12 feet further ahead than I would have been had I stayed in my original lane, so if the guy in front of me now decides to go slower than the guys in my original lane, I'm obviously going to get upset.

Oh, and don't get me started on those of you who have your cruise-control set at 113, passing the guy going 112.5. If I'm coming up behind you, I promise I'm not slowing down until I'm half a car length behind you. If you want to chill-out behind the wheel, then get out of the way, if not I'm gonna try to make you just as irritated with me as I obviously am with you.

So I will take it upon myself to speak for all those who have what many refer to as "Road Rage". How is it accepted that we must meet deadlines in every other facet of life, but somehow can take as long as we want to get from one location to another? I also wonder how driving can be the one thing people seem to continuously do, yet can never seem to get any better at. If you could do it in 25 minutes 3 years ago, then why can't you do it in 22 now? C'mon, you've seen that light turn from yellow to red 700 times... you have 5.2 seconds so use it... WHY ARE YOU STOPPING???

Bigfoot, Bison, & The Loch-Ness Monster

As some of you may know, I'm a bit of an explorer. I recently travelled to the Northwest Territories in search of the Bison. While the terrain there is rugged & very unsuitable for human life, it was all worth it to catch a glimse of the great bison-beast. I have posted a picture below:

Yes, they tend to blend-in with the background, but this picture is proof they exist. Due to this trip's success, I plan on going to the yukon next week in seach of the Yeti... I'll be sure to post the pictures.

My Love_Sexyback Live

Well, I've come to the realization that I will be unable to come up with a speach for The Philosopher's wedding. Rather, I will be performing the first 47 seconds of this video-post. If you don't see me online for the next month it's because I'm practising

When You Eat Your Smarties...

Well, you know what's coming. 'Do you eat the red ones last?'

I do. I actually think it shows a sort of understanding, patience, and optimism that the best is yet to come. In large part, it is a display of a part of what makes us human.

However, in the past few years I've begun starting to notice something... Something amiss... I havn't stopped using my technique, because I don't want to lose that part of myself, but I'm starting to accept that I may have to.

Just two days ago, Michelle & I are driving back from the NWT, and I'm munching on some Starburst I've laid out on the middle arm-rest. I go through my normal process, and am just popping the last crappy yellow candy into my mouth. 'Wait for it' I think to myself... And... Sure enough, as soon as that last yellow one is in my mouth I see it! A little hand scoots over from the other side of the truck and proceeds to start taking the good candies which are left.

Now I don't mind sharing, but this just goes to far... So I'll modify my human eating habits to better resemble those of wolves tearing at a carcas. Each one hurrying to get as much as he can before the next one finds the nice soft meat. Humanity is Doomed.

By the way....

I did NOT receive $500 from mom for Christmas. I was just trying to piss you all off & cause a rift within the family. You're all too jolly!

Insider Information

Any of you out there with insider information on good stocks, let me in on it. Especially you there 'Grammarian'. Up in the north there must be some new companies looking to make it big in mining.

Ford (NYSE: F)

So what do you think Mom... $8.40/share a bargain? I was gonna buy @8, but decided to wait. Similar to my decision to hold off on buying Microsoft when it was $23. Now it's at $31. I'm thinking my "Ford" decision will turn out the same way.

The Good & The Bad

Well folks, I've found a problem with the upcoming movie "Alpha Dog" starring the one and only Justin Timberlake. I know what you're all thinking "C'mon, even a pessimist like you couldn't find a down-side to JT starring in a flick", but you're wrong. You see, with all the time Justin has been spending on the film set he now has very little time to spend in the studio cranking out hits like "Sexy Back" and "My Love". Then again, he does do some shirtless scenes, so I suppose it may be a fair trade-off.

Name Change

OK, you have all freaked me out to the extent that I have gone back & removed my name from this site. This does not mean I no longer think this notion is a stupid one. I would think that those almighty people in the heights of government would be able to track me down if they really wanted to. After all, if Jack Bauer can track people down using nothing but 3 seconds of a phone conversation, I'm sure CTU could figure out where this Blog's coming from.

Blogging 202

I'm sure I share memories of last years Florida trip with the rest of my family. In my mind, we all seemed to have a pretty good time. It turns out that some family members will return there this March. I will not be amoungst this group. Why??? You see, absence makes the heart grow fonder. When we all came together last year, many of us hadn't seen or really even spoken to eachother in years.

So what's changed? BLOGGING!! You know how when you live with people, you can kinda get a little sick of them? Well, this wonderful world of Blogging has allowed us to butt shoulders while remaining thousands of miles apart.

Technology is an amazing thing. It enhances dialogue and communication. But can we bring this too far? Can we know too much? Can we see too much? I'll bring you all back to a place called 'not too long ago'. I'm sure you all remember it.... You know what I'm talking about.... Britney's up-skirt, pantyless photos!

At the time we all thought we had seen too much, but I feel I can speak for every human being on the face of this planet (yes, the ladies too) in saying it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. Finally things are falling into place. I can now say with complete confidence that I understand the meaning of life and my place in this world.

I know this article may seem to have taken an unexpected turn, but if you think back I'm sure you'll see it was a necessary one. Despite our first conclusions, all technology is good.

Thanks Mom!

You'll be happy to know I spent the 500 bones you gave me for Christmas on a set of drums! I've wanted a set for quite a while, but could never bring myself to spend the $. I'm hoping they'll require less talent to play then my guitar, which is collecting dust in the corner.

Rights (Privileges) & Responsibilities

First I must let you know how painful it is for me to use the word "Right", but I'm giving humanity the benefit of the doubt (not that we've earned it) in saying we all have the "right" to live (really just to not be killed).

But that's ALL I'm giving you. The rest you must EARN. I don't care about the fact that you were lucky enough to be born into a society (yes, I was lucky in that sense also), it's not my 'right' and it's not yours.

This is a great privilege that has been bestowed upon us, and with great privileges comes great responsibility. HA! Gotcha! As amazing as it may seem, this great privilege comes at very little cost. In fact, all you have to do is (**) not interfere with others' Right, or the privileges they have earned based on the responsibilities they have undertaken (**). However, if you want to eat, or avoid being outside in the cold, I must suggest you take on a few responsibilities that will earn you the privilege of having access to food & shelter.

I don't even mind if you are able to coerce someone else into taking on enough responsibilities to cover you, but my second suggestion is to not even attempt trying to coerce ME. I promise you I will not budge!

Ah, but therein lies the trickery... I see a man take hundreds of the 'privileges' I earn every week, then turn around and give it to you. I'll refer back to my earlier statement **, and accuse you of interfering with the privileges I have earned via the responsibilities I have undertaken. You couldn't even follow the most fundamental of all responsibilities.

PRIDE

I'll be the one to break the news, because I believe the truth has been largely diminished. Pride is why you are all here today. I'll go so far as to say that Pride is one of the fundamentals of the human race.

Ya, Ya, say it..... "Love"... But when that kid of yours does something stupid like shooting up a school you still Love him, you're just not Proud of him. So for now I'm telling you to take your Love & stick it! We care about the things we're proud of anyways, and it's besides the point.

I'm bothered by what Pride has become, and I'm bothered by you people who are Proud.
I'm not talking about those "hoity-toity"-proud people, or even the "cocky"-proud people. While I don't condone acting like a Dick, I can't argue with the fact that they may perhaps have something to be proud of. I'm saying there's far too many of you out there throwing around the phrase "I'm proud to be American/Canadian/Newfoundlander/....Whatever"

And If you truly are, that's fine. However, I do wish to argue that if you are proud to be something you should probably embody the essence of whatever it is you are proud to be. If you are a Republican, that's fine, but if you are Proud to be a Republican, then you should probably be out there participating in thier cause.

If you're proud to be a Newfoundlander (yes, this is what I've been getting at), then you should probably embody the same qualities that earned Newfoundland its Pride. IE: Be a hard-working fisherman, work on high-rises in Toronto/the US, be working in "the patch", or really just be a hard-worker in whatever you do.

If you don't embody these qualities, you don't really deserve to be Proud, and you don't really deserve the title you think you're so proud of. You, my friend, are not proud of yourself, you are proud of ME.

Guess Who's Back...

Well, I'm back from the Great Beyond, and oddly enough it seems life has gone on without me. I don't even know where to begin... The things I've seen, the horrible & wonderous things I've had to do, the issues I've solved... I left as a Man, so there's no telling exactly what I've come back as. BEWARE!

Bye For Now...

Well, my fellow bloggers, It will be a few weeks until my next post, as I am heading to a camp in the Great North (or balmy south for you in the NWT) for work. Perhaps this will give STEVE a chance to forget about his gay "josh" character (I assure you all, there is no dude out there after little ole me). Hopefully I will also be able to think of another topic or two while I'm away... I'm sure I'll remember a few more things that piss me off during that time, and I'll be sure to enlighten you all when I return. Until then.............