Video: Who's the 'idiot'?? (Ohio governor motivates and inspires)

Current YouTube video of Ohio Republican governor - that's right, he actually got elected - John Kasich:


(YT link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KF0_Qe4zNrE )

Part of a subsequent statement from the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police: 

"Police officers in Ohio already do difficult and dangerous work, so it doesn't help when the governor calls an officer doing his job and protecting the public an 'idiot,' " said Ohio Fraternal Order of Police president Jay McDonald.

There's more via this link to a 2/16/11 story by Reginald Fields of The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/02/ohio_gov_john_kasich_calls_pol.html
 This guy (Kasich) wants to end collective bargaining in Ohio (for state employees, I believe).

Another state worker-hatin', union hatin' Republican, it appears. And he launched his weird tirade in front of a group of Ohio state agency employees. (The Ohio EPA -- I'm sure Kasich just loves them, also...) 

This is leadership?? It's like he's lecturing a bunch of wayward first-graders or something (per the video segment) -- and then Mr. Governor careens straight off the deep end. All by himself...

Not being from that state, I'll bet teachers are in the cross-hairs, too. We'll be watching this guy. From this video he appears a bit unhinged. (At this point Kasich has not apologized. His response just belittled and badgered state employees a little more....) 
 2/17/11 update: Gov. Kasich has apologized, in person. But this (linked) article doesn't make the meeting (with the officer) sound very "friendly". Will further note that the traffic stop was for - I'll call it - a slightly "technical" reason. Plus, as the officer is speaking with Kasich in the included (police) video (article), several cars pass by via the lane closest to the stopped vehicles. I.e., they did not 'move over'. Apparently the reason Kasich was stopped. 


Glenn Beck should love him.



(Here's another view of Mr. Kasich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmilAJEOdLM )

Exhibit A: Super Bowl XLV. America's no-culture pop culture

First off, unless you're a corporate sponsor, steroid-abusing celebrity athlete, lobbyist, oil baron (or their favorite former president) -- you probably weren't at the actual event. (Though many at Cowboys Stadium watched on TV screens, too... when they bothered to interrupt their drinking and/or smoozing....(If some got to their seats at all....))
As The Onion reminds us (link, new window): Regular football fans? Barely tolerated. (Oh, BTW: The real bottom-line: (link) "Super Bowl sets viewership record". (No-culture pop culture entryway exhibit ; pls. see below for more...))

From yesterday's (2/6/11) New York Times article, "Singing, Aguilera Trips O'er Ramparts", take a look at some of the reader comments below the article. Many cogent ones, but I'll re-copy this one, which sums it up well for me and those who watched the spectacle with me:

"What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last... REAMING???”

For anyone who would argue that our popular culture isn't completely, utterly unsalvageable, I rest my case."

- from Stretch Ledford, Richmond, VA

No-culture pop culture exhibit #1: For those brave/crazy enough to view it (again), embedding Christina Aguilera's TRAIN WRECK of a national anthem (at Super Bowl XLV, via YouTube, below). A disgrace, and dishonor to America and all Americans. 

As many have pointed out, it was hardly just the messing up of the words, but her painfully drawn out, caterwauling attempt at turning the anthem into some kind of five-minute, R and B "soul" effort.....Just sing the (damn) song properly, as it was intended! The national anthem is not some kind of "showcase" for marginal talent. It ain't about YOU, Christina Whoever-You-Think-You-Are. One thing that you are certainly not: A professional singer...That was made very clear to just about everyone witnessing last night's ordeal. 
(Apologizing afterward does nothing to undo the affront. If the bungled singing was some kind of bizarre "publicity stunt" (or cry for help?) in some way, few are sympathetic.)

As noted: Just all-around AWFUL:

(YT link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqjpesiIoFA&fmt=18 )

For any defenders of this singer and/or that pathetic rendition: Human beings can and do make mistakes. But this is an extremely well-paid, (alleged) professional singer stepping onto the world stage to sing a nation's anthem. I.e., to do (part of) her "job". That sorry attempt wasn't merely a "mistake"....Train wreck. Disaster. A garish one. A professional must perform better than that at such a moment.
(Perhaps she was having a medical problem....Or a possibly a little too much 'medicine' beforehand...??)

Any defenders of that performance and/or the performer, a quotation for you:

"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you'll suck forever. "
-- Brian Wilson

(Actually it's being much too charitable to refer to Christina's rendition as "mediocre", in any way.... Can anyone imagine a top-notch, professional singer like, for example; Barbra Streisand. Ray Charles, or Aretha Franklin messing up (the national anthem, at a major event) like this woman did..?? ) 

Update: Yes, Christina is entitled to a chance at redemption (she'll get many, link to current story). However, for those indoctrinated via the best - like Aretha - it's not difficult to predict that Christina may do better, but will likely fall short IF she attempts to cover a song by that acclaimed singer. We will see - those who watch the Grammy's anymore. P.S. Barbra Streisand will also perform at them. Perhaps I will watch....  

2/13/11 - Grammy awards show update: (Before starting...Why is the feed for this post disabled at the moment??) The five singers who paid tribute to Aretha Franklin at the show's start did pretty well, we thought. Especially Jennifer Hudson who came closest to sounding a bit like the lady herself. Ms. Aguilera performed better this time out, with songs closer to what she apparently tries to (often) imitate. But there was still too much yelling and drawn-out embellishment in her performance. (An interesting article to read (link): "...The Hideous Cult of Oversouling", by John Eskow.)
Here are links to two early takes that include comments re the Grammy show effort: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110214/ap_en_tv/us_grammys_review
and, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/02/aretha-franklin-grammy-awards-christina-aguilera.html 

Christina deserves some credit for promptly getting back out on a big-time stage....(Though she apparently almost fell off of it.)


(Continuing with the previously posted entry here):  No-culture pop culture exhibit 1a: Whoever this LA Times fashion blog writer is decides floundering Christina's outfit is praiseworthy, but bashes the singer who properly performed (though still a bit over-embellished) "America the Beautiful"... about her pants.)


No-culture pop culture exhibit #2: I'll just link to this 2/6/11 NYT article: "The Twitterverse Responds to the Black Eyed Peas' Halftime Show" (No-culture pop culture exhibit 2a: "Twitterverse"....)

Whatever that halftime show was, it wasn't music, nor was it entertaining. (Unless you crave being yelled at/pointed at repeatedly, etc.) Enjoy the various comments reprinted in the linked article. No-culture pop culture exhibit #3: It figures that convicted felon Martha Stewart was the Twitter-er who liked it.....


No-culture pop culture exhibit #4 through infinity: Almost every aired TV commercial last night. (And every night...) Not that this fan of actual football cares one bit. Other than they help destroy any continuity to the actual game....


P.S. As just one retro-example and for a welcome change, try a listen to this former pop star's sweet voice (link). 'Old school': Someone who can actually sing. (She even had nice blonde hair too...)

Armed Tucson hero almost shot the wrong person

Link to 1/11/11 Slate story 'Friendly Firearms', by William Saletan:

(link, opens new window) http://www.slate.com/id/2280794/  


In a chaotic scene (Giffords mass killing/wounding in Tucson), this armed citizen - without formal training - was able to very quickly make the correct decisions. But even he notes that he was "very lucky". Gun safety off, he came close to drawing his (concealed) weapon on the wrong individual:  A heroic person who had wrestled the gun away from the actual assailant.

As pointed out in the article (and in this previous post here): An all-to-easy - and tragic - mistake to make in a wild, fast-unfolding situation such as the one in Tucson..


Arming more civilians is not the answer. Unless society "desires" more shootings, killings, and regression backward to routinely violent times, centuries ago.

1/22/11 update: Timothy Egan has written a more expansive opinion article for The New York Times on essentially this same subject, linked here: "Myth of the Hero Gunslinger". (1/20/11.)
Well worth a read, especially those who think an "answer" is to permit (almost) every American to be  "packin"....



The Second Amendment (U.S. Constitution) was adopted in 1791. The (mainly-agrarian) U.S. estimated population at that time was approx. four million people. (Some of whom were still regularly hunting for food.) Our visionary founding fathers could in no way accurately predict or envision semi-automatic Glocks, deadly AK-47s, etc. etc. -- in the hands of millions of civilians....270 million guns (of all kinds), spread throughout a nation of 300+ million. This could NOT have been the intent/intended outcome of the amendment.
It is a perverting of it.


P.S. Link to a worthwhile, 1/12/11 opinion article by Nicholas D. Kristof, "Why Not Regulate Guns as Seriously as Toys?" (New York Times): (link) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/13/opinion/13kristof.html?

Why does any civilian 'need' an assault weapon/extended magazine?

Let's see:

For "self-defense"?? Whatcha expecting....a brigade of (fill-in-the blank here, e.g.; Taliban, Martians, living dead, other paranoid fantasies...) marching up your street?
(And if your neighborhood is somehow really that dangerous, move out - now.)

Target shooting? Those milk jugs or whatever...they got NO chance...


And I can't think of other sketchy "reasons" that otherwise sane civilians would delude themselves into thinking they need such a deadly weapon, and/or extra shot capability.  
You know...as in the semi-automatic pistol/extended magazine used very rapidly and efficiently to dispatch six people at Congresswoman Giffords' Saturday constituent meeting. (January 8th.) Including a nine-year-old child. Wounding/maiming many others (fourteen)... in seconds....(Even if armed security was present (and survived), many in attendance (still) would have been shot before those officers could have neutralized a killer possessing such a weapon. And it might have actually gotten worse (in such a scenario)... think "shootout at the 'OK Corral'"-time...Multiple shooters, in close quarters. God save 'em...)

FWIW: My acquaintances and I have all managed to live our lives just fine - for decades - without owning or requiring anything like an assault weapon.

The ultimate purpose of such dangerous weapons is to hurt as many living things as possible (think people), as efficiently as possible.

1/10/11 update: Independently (I had not read it prior to writing this post), Gail Collins of The New York Times published a 1/9/11 article with several similar points - better written. Link to that article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/opinion/10collins.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

(Continuing:) Per the previous post here (and others), in a 300+ million nation, there will always be a few extreme 'nuts' off of their medication, just paroled...whatever. And we make it too easy for them to arm themselves. Ban assault weapons/extended magazines from civilian purchase and use. Implement lucrative trade-in programs for existing weapons.

Representative Carolyn McCarthy offers a start...though few hold much hope (for such action) in an NRA-bought-and-sold House of Representatives...
"Do nothing", as this article predicts. Which leads to this grim yet evident (to some) prediction: In a nation of 270 million guns (about 85 guns per 100 people), mass shootings will continue....over  and over and over again. Most won't involve a high-profile congressperson or similar. But, no matter what, pray that these now-inevitable terrors don't involve you, me, a loved one, etc. As that may be your main defense. Legislators will likely do nothing. Keep in mind: You won't be able to ready your 'Glock' fast enough to ward off a determined killer - especially with an efficient killing (assault) firearm - who's got "the jump" on you.  No way....And armed citizens present in such a terrible fray are just as likely to turn the situation into a wild shootout as they are to disable (only) an attacker.

"It is much easier at all times to prevent an evil than to rectify mistakes." - George Washington

(Unfortunately, George...in today's gun-crazed America we've allowed it to be much too late to be "easier".)


The "arms race" - it's in your own neighborhood....

The Second Amendment (U.S. Constitution) was adopted in 1791. Our visionary forefathers could in no way accurately envision semi-automatic Glocks, deadly AK-47s, etc. etc. -- in the hands of millions of civilians....That could NOT have been the intent.

America's disgrace: Gun violence. (Again.)

1/8/11: Link to developing news story. (Details are currently unfolding...):http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html

Many people shot. Several killed, including at least one child. (People who tackled the perpetrator (on-scene) in this case are heroes.)

Talk about "civil discourse" all that we want.  But yeah...keep ignoring the real danger: Out-of-control gun availability/ownership in a large nation of 300+ million.  Even if the gun in this case was legally obtained/owned. (Unknown at this time...)
1/9/11 update: Why does any civilian "need" a weapon such as an extended magazine Glock semi-automatic pistol? Except to potentially hurt or kill many more than one person/living thing...

(Continuing:) If one-tenth of one percent of all of those (300 mill.) people are dangers to others (something like that number will always be likely), that is (roughly) 300,000 threats (potentially) roaming around - at any one time. (Cut that estimate in half if wished. (E.g., some of the 300 million are very young, usually males commit mass shootings, etc. And cut it down by half again, as some potential killers are presently incarcerated, on medication, etc. ) It is still a large number. Many thousands. ) And we continue to make it easy for some of them to obtain guns...We readily arm such individuals. No other major country allows that - except perhaps, Mexico.
(Plus, as noted here it's sometimes difficult to detect potential mass killers. They do not necessarily fit a 'profile'. But they almost always obtain/use guns...)

This ambush/shooting of an unprotected congressperson (a woman) - and others - was an act of unbelievable cowardice. Yet another one...
(Insert: The only hope I hold to as these horrific events happen over and over, is that I believe most people feel and react the same way that I and my acquaintances do....)

U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. This United States Congress image is in the public domain.

BTW: Referring to the perpetrator (in this case) as a 'shooter' or 'gunman' is a whitewash. They are euphemisms. He is a suspected mass killer (and maim-er). (Alleged, at this time.) Nothing less...

1/9/11 update: Even aging Cuban dictators are (reportedly) appalled about this high-profile gun incident: "Atrocious..." (link).


How long will the United States continue to 'permit' despicable acts such as this?  What does it take? How many more?

Enact effective weapon controls in remembrance of the victims - in this case and previous ones..


'This will not stand.'

'It's the people's House'. (If you're a hedge fund manager or lobbyist.)

Recent published article links:

(Ah-one:) http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/05/5770003-first-thoughts-what-gop-control-of-the-house-means-and-doesnt 


(And ah-two:) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40913123/from/RSS/




 "Crisis? What crisis?"  What growing inequality? What 2008-9, worldwide financial 'meltdown'?

Just in case you somehow missed it...

The White House makes sure (once again) that all know about recent legislative accomplishments, during Congress' "lame duck" session. Really know...In case you missed it via any of a few thousand news outlets:

Link to WH blog posting: "5 Post-Election Achievements You Should Know About"

Many Americans want compromise vs. "gridlock" (in Washington). Part of the recent tax-cut agreement "kicks the can down the road", and we also know that the U.S. and Russia will still have killer nuke super-arsenals.

But perhaps this recent progress (in Washington) is at least a "start"....

This image is a U.S. Department of Defense photo, therefore is in the public domain.

Recall needed for this GM exec: Runaway hubris

Unbelievable. Such arrogance...from bailed-out (not long ago), job-slashing "Government Motors'" "top" exec.  (Link to AP news story follows...)

No one businessperson is "worth" $9 million annual. (Yes, sir, more egregious examples to "shoot for" offending-ly exist ...) And this guy wants MORE ... for his fellow "geniuses"!?  A few of whom possibly "managed" their (former) business so wonderfully... that massive taxpayer/stockholder 'assistance' was necessary. To pull a lumbering dinosaur of a company ( ...Think: Old GM's 'Hummer') out of the ditch.
(You're not "clean out" (of it) YET either, bud....A profit may AT LAST materialize for 2010; that would be "GM's" first since 2004.)

So disgustingly typical. What an (fill in the blank)!

Link to 12/10/10 AP news story by Ken Thomas: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101210/ap_on_go_ot/us_gm_future

Watch: This guy will soon say he was "misquoted" or something.

P.S. Hey $9 mill.-a-year "wonderboy": Old GM would have done better (and maybe survived without bailout) if they had merely "copied" (or "aped"; a more fitting image?) what successful Toyota did. You know...like you're belatedly pretty much trying to do now....