Obama's Folly Should Fail to Pass

Obama's Health Care Plan is far too flawed; it will break our bank; it will curtail our choices; it will foster additional waste and graft in government; it will cause our individual costs to soar; it will diminish our health care availability and quality; it will be a disaster if it passes.

And those are its good qualities.

We do need to upgrade our manner of providing health care, and lower our costs.  But this rushed way of pushing his greatly flawed plan is too much like the way a used car salesman tries to foist a lemon on an unwary buyer.  Don't go for it.

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Is VB Police Chief Jake Jacocks a Liar or Just Misinformed?

I just chuckled my way through "Jake's" letter to the governor.  He, by the way, signed it "Jake."  Kind of informal for what Jake feels is an important issue, don't you think?

Glaring anti-liberty bias is rampant throughout Jake's letter, you don't mind if I call you Jake, do you, Jake?  I do not have the respect for you that would be required to call you "Chief."  Your bias is evident when you compare alcohol and guns to cars and guns.  Were you aware that you do not go through a criminal background check to get a driver's license, but you do to buy a gun and get a concealed carry permit?  You should be aware of that, yet your comments indciate that you are unaware, or hiding that critical difference.

Jake:  Chief or Despot?

I won't use the word Gestapo in describing Jake's attitude, but I ask you all to provide a better term that I could use to describe his attitude toward those who have proven they are capable of handling guns responsibly and who are going to obey the law not to drink while carrying.  From reading recent reports about Jake's officers, I'd say there a re a few he has that Jake needs to watch more closely than those of us who obey the law, unlike his officer who, while checking on DUI drivers gets arrested for, what, DUI?  Remove the mote from your own eye, Jake, m'boy. 

Your total lack of respect for citizens who have proven they are law-abiding is appalling, Jake.  I figuratively spit in your eye, Jake, for your taking part in what is essentially a political argument rather than a public safety argument.  The statistics prove that your stance on guns is just plain wrong, Jake.  But you knew that if you are privy to facts concerning gun-related crime.  It is, let me remind you, Jake, criminals who break laws, yet your stand is against those who have untarnished records and who have been model citizens.  I figuratively spit in your eye for all those of us who decry your dictatorial attitude toward the public you are sworn to protect.  By the way, how long does it take to get your officers to a crime scene where a citizen's life is in danger?  Too long to save that citizen's life, I'd wager.  Yet, you want to disarm that citizen so that, what, you can show up for the investigation. Amazing, guy,just plain amazing.

If I sound contemptuous toward you and other adminstrative police hacks, Jake, you are right.  I am feeling and expressing extreme contempt toward you and those like you who work to curtail citizens rather than assist them.

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Homophobic AG Shows His Own Bible-Thumpiness

Who would have thought that a man holding the job of Chief Lawyer in Virginia would virtually immediately take a stance against the basic human rights of a large number of Virginians?

Does he not get it that one's sexual preferences with assenting adults is of no concern to the Commonwealth?  His opinion is that gay and lesbian constituents do not have the same rights of citizenship the rest of us have.  Ironically, the military is starting to more toward equality and our AG is moving in the opposite direction.

Wake up, Mr. Cuccinelli.  You have far more important issues to address than citizens' private lives.  Get with it, Sir. 

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Watching the Marvelously Deranged Minds

Reading the blog, Golf, Politics and Beyond this morning reminded me of one of my lesser television habits, a look into lesser America.  The show, Cops, is a window into depravity and low-brow thinking.  It is also a lesson about the affects of alcohol and drugs on one's mind.  How the officers on Cops maintain their serious faces in the midst of such rediculous behavior and outlandish excuses is amazing to me.  Let me tell you, although this will never happen, I fervently hope, if there is a police car behind me wanting me to pull over, pull over I will.  Multiply that by two, three, or four, or more, police cars, you have definitely got my attantion and my absolute sillingness to stop and to obey the officers' every command.  The retards on cops never seem to understand they are out-numbered and out smarted by the police.

I often wonder if the people being arrested on Cops are the real people or if the shows are just re-enactments.  If it is real, do the subjects have to sign releases to be shown on television?  If so, why do they?  Nothing like letting the entire world see how mentally inept you are.

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Explicit PETA Protesters vs. Lax Parents

In an interesting story about protesters, "Fur Flies Over Woman's Animal Rights Protest," a protester wins her lawsuit because the complainant does not show up in court.  That is as it should be.  If one takes a warrant out on someone, causing them time and mone3y to defend themselves, and then does not show up, the penaty should be stiff.

However, this blog is more about the comments found at the bottom of the above mentioned story.  One parent in particular stated, "I was not upset about the protest, go for it, it was a TV and DVD that they were showing of the actual preperation of chickens . .  . ."  This parent is an example of how little time and effort parents spend on those learning moments which come around every day, every where.

Does the child not know where meat on the table, or, in this case, in fast-food bags, originates?  If not, what a learning opportunity.  If the child knows, what an opportunity to explore a differeing point of view.

Instead of being angry with protesters who were exercising their legal rights peacably, this parent could have used the opportunity to teach their child several diverse lessons:

Perhaps this incident would have been an excellent opportunity to have the child interact with one of the protesters to llisten to their point of view.  I have seen similar PETA protests and they are not violent or dangerous.  To expose a child to diverse ideas in person is an invaluable lesson, particularly if the child is old enough to ask questions.

This parent is apparently not teaching their children to think and act for themselves.  That is worthy of protest.

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Lord Mayor Fraim of Norfolk Inconvenienced by Free Speech

First a reminder of the First Amendment, which applies to Federal, State and Local Governments:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Lord Mayor Paul Fraim of Norfolk City Colony of Virginia

It appears that Paul Fraim, Lord Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia, is trying to work his way through our Bill of Rights, tearing apart one after the other.  He started with the Second Amendment, and he would still unarm us all had he the power to do so.

Now it seems he is after our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech.  Atrocious behavior for a leader at any level.  Don't believe me, read the story published on-line:  Mayor:  Ban Political Talk at Council Meetings

Political Speech!  Come on Lord Mayor, you are an attorney and you did, I presume, study our Constitution at some point in your educational background.  I hesitate to lecture so astute a politician, but here goes anyway.

Those on council may point out that no right is absolute, with respect to our freedom of speech, such exceptions to the right include libel, slander and the oft quoted exception, one may not falsely cry "fire" in a crowded theater.  Lord Mayor's desires to curtail political speech in the Royal Chambers of City Council are moot so far as those exceptions go.  Can he find another Constitutionally sound reason to curtail political speech?  Hint, inconveniencing the Lord Mayor and his minions is not a Constitutionally-supported reason to curtail political speech, or any speech for that matter.

Had Lord Mayor Fraim  remembered his studies, political speech is the most important type speech protected by the first Amendment.  I'll not give the rest of you that lecture, since Lord Mayor Fraim already knows the case histories and the background writings supporting the First Amendment.  And his comment is that he needs to check with the City Attorney, Bernard A. Pishko, to see if he can curtail such Constitutionally-Proteced speech?  Isn't Pishko the same City Attorney who has done all in his self-imagined powers to curtail our Second Amendment rights?  City Attorney Pishko should give up his license to practice law and spend the rest of his life as a lone fisherman on the beaches of Ocean View.

What I would like to see is for every Norfolk Citizen who agrees that political speech is Constitutionally-protected speech to phone, e-mail, write, or speak personally to Lord Mayor Fraim in the next week, preferably before this coming Tuesday's City Council meeting, and let him and his cohorts know that you are tired of his false sense of political divinity.  Tell him loud and clear that you will not be silenced and that you want more openness in city government, not less.  Or, print and mail, or e-mail this blog to Lord Mayor Fraim and Council Members.  Government is mandated to be receptive to the needs of the citizens, not the other way around.  Click on the link below to let him know:

E-Mail City Council:    Norfolk City Council E-Mail

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Philip Shucet vs. "The Handle"

Philip  A. Shucet, HRT President & CEO

Monday morning a group of local bloggers was invited to meet with Philip Shucet, HRT's President and Chief Executive Officer.  I was among them.  We were at the HRT offices on Monticello Avenue for a bit more than an hour, during which time we conversed, aked questioned, videoed and asked questions to our hearts' desires.  The topic centered on Norfolk's Tide.

We were handed a packet of facts and figures, charts and projections, and during our time with Shucet, we asked and received answers full of facts and figures.  All well and good, and I may write on those later.  Today, however, I want to talk about the differences between a manager and a leader.

A good manager is vital to an organization, as is a good leader.  The manager keeps the nuts and bolts in order and has a general handle on reports, swchedules, project planning and all the minutiae attached to any given program or project, planned or underway.  A manager's strenth lies in the ability to organize, and to evaluate data, the ability to see a bunch of seemingly disconnected parts and turn them into a grand, whole, completed project.

On the other hand, a leader is mostly a people person, one who knows his team on professional and personal levels.  A leader has the uncanny ability to motivate the unmotivateable, those who will go the extra mile just because of the leadership qualities and charisma of their leader.  Unlike management, which can be learned, leadership appears to be more of an innate skill that further training may enhance but not create.

Now to the point: Shucet, based on what I have read and brought home to my mind during our meeting, is a combination of the two, a leader with management skills where previously we had only the management skills. 

What impressed me most about Shucet during our meeting was his openess and his willingness to tackle all our questions.  That is rare, particularly in Norfolk.  Further, Shucet did not shift blame, nor did he point fingers.  His approach was, here we are, now how do we best get to where we want to be? 

Previously, when hearing or reading about the progress of The Tide, I had my doubts regarding its costs and its completion date.  Facts and figures are nice when they are presented by someone in whom you can place trust, one who is able to lead Norfolk to that final date when the trains roll on the tracks.  Shucet provided that trust, and combined the feeling of turst with the facts and figures indicating that all is in hand.  Yes, problems have cropped up.  Yes, there were gliches in arranging the minutiae.  Yes, there was some funny stuff going on with dishonest personnel.  Yes, there was definitely a problem in clear communication at all levels, exhibited most recently with the Virginia Beach funding fiasco created by what appeared to be an offhand remark to Virginia Beach City Council by the prceding HRT CEO.  That feeling of doubt is well on its way to being resolved into a feeling of trust, mixed with hope.  We have here a man who sayus what he means and means what he says, and when listening to him you just know it is the case.

Yes, it may be foolish of me to get so warm and fuzzy about "the new guy," but one cannot despair forever.  All indications are that The Tide is back on track and the project is being well managed by a leader, a man who is able to motivate people to perform better than they would without good leadership pushing them onward and upward.  That man, that font of leadership, is Philip A. Shucet.

My conclusion after the meeting at HRT?  Mr. Shucet has regained control of the handle, "he has a handle on it," and is guiding Norfolk toward a project completion which will save us money and that will lead us into an era of enhanced public transportation.

For those of you who are interested, Vivian Paige, another blogger and attendee, author of the blog, Vivian J. Paige:  All Politics is Local, has generously allowed the rest of us to use the video she made of the meeting, so take a look and form your own conclusions:

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Stop Belly Aching About Your Government

I tire of hearing constant bickering on various topics, wheter it be on-line, as responses to news stories, letters to the editor, calls to talk radio or loudly braying against this candidate or the other at social gatherings, you know, those with real people, not Facebook.

A couple of things to knock into your heads:  First, Fraim, Sessoms, McDonnell and Obama have been duly, legally and constitutionally elected.  Get over it if you are against them.  Instead, try being part of the fixit rather than wasting energy tearing down your own country, state or city.  Try working for a candidate using your sweat and your money.  It's harder than belly aching, and often not as much fun, but it is far, far more effective.

Second, and this seems so obvious that to mention it really is an insult to our general populace, vote.  Voting statistics are abysmal, more so in local and state elections than in national elections, but all are abysmal.  I dare say that many who complain are not voting.  It is easy to crow like a rooster about your petty political desires and quite another to put your money, your efforts, and your vote where it actually counts for something.

We voters get what we deserve.  We contribute garbage to the system, the system turns to garbage; it is that simple.  Candidates in office tend to be there more for what people didn't do rather than for what people did.

Look up your local voting sites; I give you the link to Norfolk's Office of Elections since I am from Norfolk; the rest of you look up your own:  Norfolk Office of Elections

This next most informative and valuable site I have shared on this blog until I am blue in the finger:  Project Vote Smart

Think of how refreshing it would be if voters actually cared about and investigated factual resources instead of miming those who spread lies and rumors.  Heck, I am biased, so if you take your lead from my political rants, keep in mind that I may be wrong.  Rarely is that the case ("Ha!" Says my wife!), but why chance it?  Hear something about an official or a candidate, positive or negative?  Check it out before spreading it around as fact.  It just may not be true.  Minimal investigation of candidate claims and the claims of those already in office would do much to better our representation.  Why don't we do it?  You tell me.

These are basic ideas, fundamental to citizens who desire a viable government, "of the people, by the people and for the people."  Our governments at all levels are works in progress, emphasis on the word, "Work."

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O my Luve's like a red, red rose

O, my luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June.

O, my luve's like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I,

And I will luve thee still, my Dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun!

O I will luve thee still, my Dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

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Virginia Beach "Black Leadership" Offends Me Greatly

Today is designated National Black History Super Bowl Snow Day and you are all welcome to share this holiday with me. I plan on reading, watching movies and going to the gym.

But that is not the important issue today. That issue is as confusing as the opinions of the Virginia Black “leadership” concerns regarding their city council members. The important issue appears to be racial disparity on Virginia Beach Council. Specifically, this blog is about an apparent lack of Black leadership in Virginia Beach politics. There was an amazing quote by someone who for some reason was considered a community activist in Virginia Beach, Ralph Parham II. Perhaps they should have stopped with the original?   Anywho . . . . . Parham, the Second, made the following statement: “It didn't matter who it was, the City Council should have appointed a black candidate . . .”

It didn’t matter who it was! There are few more clueless concepts in politics than that concept implied by Parham, the Second. Perhaps one of Virginia Beach’s numerous Black high school drop-outs? Or, we could go to the jail and choose an inmate for council, so long as it is a black inmate? There are, I understand, a few Black “ladies of the evening” haunting a few Virginia Beach streets. Perhaps one of them would be willing to do to us what they do for their clientele? No, wait, the current Virginia Beach Council already has that covered.

Virginia Beach Mayor, Will Sessoms said it well, so far as I am concerned, "The issue is to get the very best person.... I stand by that." What a concept, choosing the best qualified person without regard to race, religion, gender or, dare I print this, sexual proclivity. That, people, voters, is the crux of this issue, choosing the best possible person to lead. Not, as Parham, the Second, states, choose someone, anyone, merely because they are Black.

Amazingly, Carl Wright, another pseudo-leader, is threatening legal action because of their choice. Mr. Wright, I would strongly suggest that you spend your time more wisely by ensuring your constituency strong educational opportunities, ensuring that absent fathers take responsibilities in raising their families, that the gang-bangers in your constituency are eradicated, perhaps even educated. I would demand that he show some real leadership by actually improving the overall living conditions of those he claims to lead. Perhaps working with council rather than taking pot-shots at them would be more productive.

Further, and I believe Blacks have as much leadership potential as Whites, grooming citizens, regardless of color, to run for and win council seats would be more productive than throwing out unfounded accusations of racism.

I am offended by the implications voiced by self-appointed Black leaders such as Wright and others who were disturbed by the choice made recently in Virginia Beach to seat a white woman on council, the implication that a white person cannot represent “the Black community.”   I am offended by those racist Black leaders who see conspiracy in every political decision, in every statement made by non-Black politicians. I would further recommend the racially-dissatisfied Black leadership seek professional assistance to curb their self-fueled feelings of insufficiency.

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