My heart goes out to everyone at Umpqua Community College. Never in my worst Nightmares did I ever think that working in education would be a dangerous endeavor, but, now, far too often, the senseless violence that permeates this country invades our schools as well.
I guess the key question is: What can be done to stop horrific events like this from happening again? Unfortunately, the answer is more than likely nothing. Not because an answer doesn't exist, but because of our incessant need to politicize everything. Instead of recognizing the problem and working together to find a workable solution, all sides dig in their heels, blame others and refuse to modify their stances one iota.
I have always believed that the best solutions to problems are what can be termed, "third alternatives". Not one sides or the other's, but the solution that comes from working together to solve a problem. Not just to support one side over the other.
Over the year's, I have come to the realization that many of our most polarizing political issues can not be dealt with effectively in the political arena. My sincere hope is that we can take these issues out of the hands of politicians and find ways to make this world a safer, better place to live for all.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Only Me (Again)!!!
Time for another installment of : Only Me.
Recently, I was grocery shopping at a store near me and I unwittingly caused quite an incident. I was minding my own business, walking down the main aisle, looking for Toothpaste, when I heard a small scream. My eyes quickly followed the sound of distress. I was just able to see a basket of items cascading to the floor and an obviously flustered woman sitting on the floor about two feet in front of me. Thinking she slipped on a spill or an errant cat toy that had fallen from a nearby display, I stopped to see if I could help her. She said no and got up on her own. As she was rising, she said that I scared her. The tone of her voice made it clear that she was blaming me. She said she didn't hear footsteps and told me I should have made some noise to let her know I was coming. I tried to laugh it off, by saying, "I don't make footsteps".
I didn't think much of this until I remembered a recent comment by my girlfriend who said that she noticed some people, "jumped" out of the way when I crossed their path. Like they were scared of me. I guess this phenomenon is more common than I thought! It just doesn't usually end up with shampoo bottles and Tampons strewn across the floor. I guess I'll chalk it up to fear of the unknown, different or unfamiliar. I just have to start developing a wheelchair that makes footstep noises!
Recently, I was grocery shopping at a store near me and I unwittingly caused quite an incident. I was minding my own business, walking down the main aisle, looking for Toothpaste, when I heard a small scream. My eyes quickly followed the sound of distress. I was just able to see a basket of items cascading to the floor and an obviously flustered woman sitting on the floor about two feet in front of me. Thinking she slipped on a spill or an errant cat toy that had fallen from a nearby display, I stopped to see if I could help her. She said no and got up on her own. As she was rising, she said that I scared her. The tone of her voice made it clear that she was blaming me. She said she didn't hear footsteps and told me I should have made some noise to let her know I was coming. I tried to laugh it off, by saying, "I don't make footsteps".
I didn't think much of this until I remembered a recent comment by my girlfriend who said that she noticed some people, "jumped" out of the way when I crossed their path. Like they were scared of me. I guess this phenomenon is more common than I thought! It just doesn't usually end up with shampoo bottles and Tampons strewn across the floor. I guess I'll chalk it up to fear of the unknown, different or unfamiliar. I just have to start developing a wheelchair that makes footstep noises!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Opinions on the Packer Draft!
2014 Packers Draft
1 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Alabama
Immediate starter. Will have a huge impact on improving the Packers dismal defense.
2 Davante Adams WR Fresno State
I believe Adams steps in as the number three receiver from day 1.
3 Khyri Thornton DT Southern Miss.
A reach for round 3, but my guess is that the Packers knew another team was zeroing in on Khyri. If the Packers can get him to work consistently, he can be an important part of the DL rotation.
3 Richard Rodgers TE California
A WR listed as a TE. I think the Packers are looking for a TE they can Split from the line and stretch the middle of the field to give Lacy more room to rumble. I think they've found that in Rodgers. Plus, I can't wait for the call..."Rodgers to Rodgers...Touchdown Packers"!
4 Carl Bradford LB Arizona State
One scout described Bradford by saying, "He plays like his hair's on fire!" I want men like that on my defense! Played a hybrid "Devilbacker" position at ASU. I think, eventually, the Packers will use him in the same way.
5 Corey Linsley C Ohio State
Versatile, smart, quality lineman who has a real shot at starting in 2014. More because of the Packers painting themselves into a corner by not resigning Evan Dietrich-Smith than anything else.
5 Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin
A poor mans' Jordy Nelson. Even though The Packers made Wisconsinites happy by drafting their first Badger since Bill Ferrario in 2001, he will battle Myles White and fellow draft pick, Jeff Janis for a roster spot.
6 Demetri Goodson CB Baylor
A former Gonzaga Basketball player with outstanding physical tools. His lack of Football experience probably makes him a practice squad candidate this year.
7 Jeff Janis WR Saginaw Valley
An amazing workout athlete who may surprise and make the Packers keep six Wide Receivers, but the odds are against him due to the low level of competition he has faced. A definite practice squad candidate.
I really like this draft. Met needs and got more athletic at key positions. Even though I trust Thompson and the Packer draft track record, I think Thornton was a reach in the 3rd and I question the need to draft 3 wide receivers.
1 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix S Alabama
Immediate starter. Will have a huge impact on improving the Packers dismal defense.
2 Davante Adams WR Fresno State
I believe Adams steps in as the number three receiver from day 1.
3 Khyri Thornton DT Southern Miss.
A reach for round 3, but my guess is that the Packers knew another team was zeroing in on Khyri. If the Packers can get him to work consistently, he can be an important part of the DL rotation.
3 Richard Rodgers TE California
A WR listed as a TE. I think the Packers are looking for a TE they can Split from the line and stretch the middle of the field to give Lacy more room to rumble. I think they've found that in Rodgers. Plus, I can't wait for the call..."Rodgers to Rodgers...Touchdown Packers"!
4 Carl Bradford LB Arizona State
One scout described Bradford by saying, "He plays like his hair's on fire!" I want men like that on my defense! Played a hybrid "Devilbacker" position at ASU. I think, eventually, the Packers will use him in the same way.
5 Corey Linsley C Ohio State
Versatile, smart, quality lineman who has a real shot at starting in 2014. More because of the Packers painting themselves into a corner by not resigning Evan Dietrich-Smith than anything else.
5 Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin
A poor mans' Jordy Nelson. Even though The Packers made Wisconsinites happy by drafting their first Badger since Bill Ferrario in 2001, he will battle Myles White and fellow draft pick, Jeff Janis for a roster spot.
6 Demetri Goodson CB Baylor
A former Gonzaga Basketball player with outstanding physical tools. His lack of Football experience probably makes him a practice squad candidate this year.
7 Jeff Janis WR Saginaw Valley
An amazing workout athlete who may surprise and make the Packers keep six Wide Receivers, but the odds are against him due to the low level of competition he has faced. A definite practice squad candidate.
I really like this draft. Met needs and got more athletic at key positions. Even though I trust Thompson and the Packer draft track record, I think Thornton was a reach in the 3rd and I question the need to draft 3 wide receivers.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Why Is This OK???
I am an unabashed foodie! I love food. I love going to restaurants and I love trying new dishes. Because of this love, I read tons of restaurant reviews so that I can find new and interesting places to go to. I even plan my vacations around food. For many year's, there would be no mention of the accessibility of the establishment. Today it is much more common to see accessibility addressed in the article. This is a step in the right direction and I applaud the writer's who take the time to include this information in their work.
Here is where my question comes in. It is 2014 and I still see many reviews where the answer to the accessibility question is a resounding ...NO! Why is this OK? I understand that The Americans with Disabilities Act as many exceptions and loopholes that allow places of business to operate without actually being accessible. These include the size of the business, number of employees, historical impact of the building and even the cost of the renovations themselves. All these exceptions aside, what this comes down to is a basic case of discrimination. A business choosing not to serve people with disabilities, whatever the reason, simply boils down to discrimination.
Imagine a restaurant refusing to serve any other group. Would that be acceptable? Obviously not! A Steakhouse not serving Asians. A Sushi Bar not serving women. A Tapas place refusing to seat Black people. None of these would fly in the face of public opinion. I also doubt that these policies would be allowed to continue for very long. A restaurant that chooses to be inaccessible, faces very little public criticism and is usually allowed to continue this policy indefinitely.
Along the same line, would newspapers publish a review of a restaurant that refused to serve Black people? Not only would they refuse to do this, but they would probably write an expose' of the situation that would put the place out of business.
We don't have the power to change the ADA, but Newspapers, Magazines and Websites like yelp.com could help the situation by refusing to publish reviews of restaurants that are not accessible to people with disabilities. Lets see if it ever happens.
Here is where my question comes in. It is 2014 and I still see many reviews where the answer to the accessibility question is a resounding ...NO! Why is this OK? I understand that The Americans with Disabilities Act as many exceptions and loopholes that allow places of business to operate without actually being accessible. These include the size of the business, number of employees, historical impact of the building and even the cost of the renovations themselves. All these exceptions aside, what this comes down to is a basic case of discrimination. A business choosing not to serve people with disabilities, whatever the reason, simply boils down to discrimination.
Imagine a restaurant refusing to serve any other group. Would that be acceptable? Obviously not! A Steakhouse not serving Asians. A Sushi Bar not serving women. A Tapas place refusing to seat Black people. None of these would fly in the face of public opinion. I also doubt that these policies would be allowed to continue for very long. A restaurant that chooses to be inaccessible, faces very little public criticism and is usually allowed to continue this policy indefinitely.
Along the same line, would newspapers publish a review of a restaurant that refused to serve Black people? Not only would they refuse to do this, but they would probably write an expose' of the situation that would put the place out of business.
We don't have the power to change the ADA, but Newspapers, Magazines and Websites like yelp.com could help the situation by refusing to publish reviews of restaurants that are not accessible to people with disabilities. Lets see if it ever happens.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
No More Promises!!!
A myriad of health and other problems have kept me from writing for awhile. I am not going to make any promises about how often I am going to write...To Much Pressure!!! Besides, it seems that every time I do, something bad happens. No more tempting fate. I am just going to write when the spirit hits me.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Long Time Gone!!!
For many reasons... I have been gone for a looooonnnnnggggg time! I am back and better than ever with a new goal of at least one post per week. How long can I keep it going? Check in often and find out.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Back By (Semi) Popular Demand!
I have been persuaded by several friends to re-enter the blogosphere. I am going to start by giving my quick opinion on a few topics that have come up since my last post.
PENN STATE
I feel bad for the players, but really, there was no other choice but to penalize the football team. If there ever was a Textbook example of "Lack of Institutional Control" this was it. I was actually surprised the NCAA wasn't tougher on them.
THE ELECTION
This Presidential election is a quandary for me. In 2008 I enthusiastically supported Obama and was eagerly awaiting a strong liberal voice that would stand up to the Republican Party and lead us into a new age of opportunity for all. What I got was a leader who at times seemed afraid to stand up to the obstructionist right wing leadership of the Republican Party. Obama could actually have learned a lesson from his predecessor. Did I actually just say that??? Yep! I mean Bush used the "mandate from the people" thing when he actually lost the popular vote! Obama should've used the same argument to push his agenda more forcefully!
If there ever was a time that the Republicans could have stolen my vote this was the year, but what do they offer me? An out of touch millionaire corporate raider who dismantled American companies and shipped jobs overseas. Worse than that, his economic policies are nothing more than retreads of the old trickle down policies that were proven ineffective and unfair in the past. His social policies would take the country back to the 1950's. I find it hilarious that a Party that is so against Government regulation of business and the Economy, is so gung ho about the Government regulating women's uterus's and who free citizen's can marry.
SIKH TEMPLE SHOOTING
It is almost surreal to think that such a senseless act of violence could take place so close to home. My heart goes out to the Sikh community. My only hope is that somehow this tragedy will teach us the value of acceptance and respect of different cultures.
PENN STATE
I feel bad for the players, but really, there was no other choice but to penalize the football team. If there ever was a Textbook example of "Lack of Institutional Control" this was it. I was actually surprised the NCAA wasn't tougher on them.
THE ELECTION
This Presidential election is a quandary for me. In 2008 I enthusiastically supported Obama and was eagerly awaiting a strong liberal voice that would stand up to the Republican Party and lead us into a new age of opportunity for all. What I got was a leader who at times seemed afraid to stand up to the obstructionist right wing leadership of the Republican Party. Obama could actually have learned a lesson from his predecessor. Did I actually just say that??? Yep! I mean Bush used the "mandate from the people" thing when he actually lost the popular vote! Obama should've used the same argument to push his agenda more forcefully!
If there ever was a time that the Republicans could have stolen my vote this was the year, but what do they offer me? An out of touch millionaire corporate raider who dismantled American companies and shipped jobs overseas. Worse than that, his economic policies are nothing more than retreads of the old trickle down policies that were proven ineffective and unfair in the past. His social policies would take the country back to the 1950's. I find it hilarious that a Party that is so against Government regulation of business and the Economy, is so gung ho about the Government regulating women's uterus's and who free citizen's can marry.
SIKH TEMPLE SHOOTING
It is almost surreal to think that such a senseless act of violence could take place so close to home. My heart goes out to the Sikh community. My only hope is that somehow this tragedy will teach us the value of acceptance and respect of different cultures.
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