Monthly Archives: April 2011

Middle Class

For a long time now I’ve been interested in “The Middle Class”, or as I call it, The Big MC™ What it is, what it means and how it’s been used over the years. My fascination comes from two sources; my own personal experience and then the use of The Big MC in today’s Liberal shaping of the term.

America’s greatest allure is that through the promise of Liberty any individual is able to achieve that goal of leaving the days of back breaking labor to the days of our fathers and giving a better life to our children. It is our birthright as a nation that our citizens are able to have a better tomorrow than a better yesterday. It’s our hope, our collective yearning, that our drive to and from the salt mines will bring better days, that has framed our national dialogue.

It is both ironic and horrifying that the same should be used as a wedge to drive us apart and serve to prevent that very dream from it’s manifest.

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The Cost Of Labor

How much does it cost to hire someone?  Or, better asked is this:

What has to be true in order to hire someone?

For many who champion “worker’s rights” the lesson is becoming crystal clear.

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Swimmin’ Wit Da Fishes

In breaking news, the sand and sand bars of North Carolina’s Outer Banks are prone to shifting, moving and overall change.  What once was impassable water often turns into a navigable channel.  In a similar manner, mother nature may decide that she would like to “fallow” a section of the sea from time to time.

This should not surprise any one.  Or alarm them.

But the expectations and actions of our government is both surprising AND alarming.

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Thought On Affordable Housing

I spent an awesome weekend camping with an awesome bunch of guys and their awesome daughters.  6 dads, 6 girls.  Lots of fun; little sleep.

However, we did have the chance to talk loud and sound smart after the little princesses went to bed.  One night, after awhile, the conversation touched, touched I tell you, on politics and specifically the housing crisis.

I need your thoughts.

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We Need A State Law To Prevent Cheap Gas?

A new gas station opened up in a North Carolina town recently.  As it turns out, that gas station is interested in attracting customers AND selling things other than gas.

It would seem that station owners would or should be able to adjust the price of their gas at whatever levels they see fit.  Higher prices would generate more money per gallon to be sure, but lower prices would generate more gallons.

Discretion of the station owner, right?

Wrong.

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Where Is Pino?

I’ve been traveling as of late.  Work has been especially demanding these last few weeks and I’m adjusting to a new schedule and responsibilities.

On the upside, a colleague of mine that I met on a recent trip commented that he thought I looked like this:

I’ll take Armand Assante as Odysseus any day.

My wife would disagree.

Shaping The News?

I wonder ifg the results below mean anything or if it’s just weirdeness in the Interlink?

Underscoring At Its Best

The single best piece of reporting Ive seen in at least the last 2 hours:

No charges have been filed, but police believe alcohol is a contributing factor to the incident.

Pretty standard fare, yes?  Check out the story:

Thomas Johnson, of Gardner, and Seth Davis, of Winchendon, fell out of a bathroom window on the bus and onto the highway. Johnson was killed at the scene, while Davis remains in critical condition at UMASS Medical Center in Worcester.

The bus, run by Colonial Tours of Boston, was returning from the Red Hook Brewery in Portsmouth N.H. and was on its way to Gardner, Mass.

Dood.

Silence For You – Tolerance For Me

Pastors Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp are loathsome individuals to be sure.  It’s one thing to hold a belief, to claim faith and ardently follow your heart and spirit through the religion you choose.  But to purposely insult, demean and antagonize another set of beliefs is simply horrible.

Further, it’s inconsistent with the message of most mainline religions.  As a Christian I practice patience, tolerance and love of my neighbors.  Even my enemies.  As such, even if, and I certainly don’t hold this belief, but even if those of another religion were my “enemy” I find consistency in the Lords commandment to “love thy enemy”.

To burn the most Holy Book of Islam is an insult that goes too far.

With that said, I am finding the inconsistency in response appalling.

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Supporting Education And Supporting Teachers

There is a difference.

There is a clear difference in supporting the educational needs of our children and supporting “teachers”.  For example, in one case it means that we are dedicated to improving the system that delivers learning to our most precious resource.  The other case means that we’re just blindly supporting people who think they’re teachers.

And that kinda pisses me off.

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