If you gain power over a country, what do you do next? Politics aside, there are millions of possible answers to that question, and the answer depends on where your values lie.
If you’re a pandering, spray-tanned game show host who appeals to the lowest base instincts of the uneducated masses, you might choose to focus on the “problem” of Syrian refugees flooding into our country…oh, sorry. I said “politics aside.” My bad. Continue reading
“Like a castle in his corner in a medieval game, I foresee terrible trouble and I stay here just the same.” – Steely Dan, “Dirty Work”
Fact 1: Steely Dan is named after a sex toy.
Fact 2: That song is about a guy feeling used, and stuck, in a relationship where he’s the side dude. (Is “side dude” the male equivalent of “side chick?” I am not up with the permutations of today’s lingo, probably because I say shit like “permutations” and “lingo.”)
Fact 3: It’s an apt and poetic way to describe the feeling of knowing you’re doing wrong while standing in to witness the impending doom you’ve participated in creating. Continue reading
A lot of noise has been made in the last few weeks about President Trump’s budget and the radical cuts it proposes. Facebook feeds have been flooded with memes about Meals on Wheels, Sesame Street, and other “easy” targets for liberal ire.
And to be fair, the Trumps seem to eagerly invite such ire. Mr. Trump has a long history of flaunting the sort of “in your face elegance” once reserved for only the classiest of strip clubs. Continue reading
Today, I woke up in an apartment that was built by other people. The apartment is owned by a person I’ve never met.
I drove a car built by other people on a road built and paid for by other people.
I listened to news researched and presented to me by other people. I switched over to some tunes, which were written and performed and broadcast by other people. Continue reading
Back in 1996, I was stupid. I’m still kind of stupid at times, but I was generally, consistently stupid back then. I consider myself very lucky, though my luck as a younger man was often simply the fact that I didn’t die or get incarcerated for my stupidity.
Here’s a little story about some madcap hijinks and a caper or two from yours truly.
Sophomore year at the University of Houston had begun. It was my first year there, I had transferred in from the University of Texas. I was living on the 11th floor of the south tower at Moody Towers. Rick Burman was my roommate, and had just transferred from Wharton County Junior College. We met Larry Dean a few days into the semester, and Larry had just come to UH from Austin College up in Denton, Texas. Continue reading
I read an article recently that got me thinking a bit, which is rare for me because I try not to think whenever I can avoid it.
TL;DR for that article: A guy reflects back on failed marriage and thinks that ignoring the things that were important to his wife (namely, the example and other similar ideas) demonstrated the extent to which he valued (or didn’t value) her. He valued proving his point more than he valued her. He realizes post-marriage that it was not fair to think, “I wouldn’t be offended by this, so the fact that she’s offended is petty and invalid, and I shall convince her of this.” Continue reading
I am the only white male that works at my restaurant. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It wasn’t a conscious choice, nor is the particular makeup of my crew the “best” or “right” way to be. But it’s how the chips landed when I placed hiring the best people as my target. In Washington, D.C., in the restaurant business, if I went into the hiring process with even a slight preference toward my own gender, national origin, or race, I’d do my business a great disservice. Continue reading
I take it for granted that I have a relatively outgoing personality. I don’t really stop and consider that through a fortunate combination of DNA and upbringing, it doesn’t faze me to stand in front of people and talk. My grandparents and parents did a good job of holding me accountable for making eye contact, speaking at a volume that could be heard, enunciating, and giving firm handshakes. Continue reading
If someone is accused of something they vehemently deny, and there is enough evidence to warrant an investigation, shouldn’t the accused encourage a full investigation to clear up any doubt, and for that matter, to clear his or her name?
Seems that, if you or your associates have never had any dealings with Russia, you would WANT an impartial investigation to show that the circumstantial evidence against you is untrue.
I would understand if the House and Senate were in the hands of Democrats…you’d be hesitant as a Republican to submit to a B.S., partisan investigation. But you’ve got all 3 branches sewn up. Why wouldn’t you just say, “investigate to your heart’s content, I have nothing to hide from the American people.”
Unless, of course, you have something to hide. Something the American people and the people of your own party wouldn’t like.
