On the Road Again.

Yup, it has been a while. I can only offer the usual lame excuses,but to many irons in the fire and not enough hours in the day pretty much sum it up. So here I sit, several thousand mile away from my beloved bride, my girls, and my cherished little isle. I sit here in another airport bar/eatery waiting on some fried haddock and sippin' a Back Bay IPA. Good thing about chilling at the airports is that I get to chew my cud and ponder where I have been; what I seen, and what I have heard. Over the past week 'n half I have loitered in several location twixt home and down east. I will admit traveling during the end of an election year is more than interesting. There will never be a time when you will witness so many people willing to discuss a subject long thought the eternal taboo/party foul. Yep, politics is the topic, and it is rocking! Maybe it is that so many are so disillusioned. Maybe it is simply that we are hoping to actually have a say and make the changes we were promised so long ago. Add a flat screen to almost every location a person can visit and even the cattle chutes at the TSA check points become a Petri dish of political commentary; and I absolutely love it. I am hearing a lot of opinions, contemplations, and solutions. All have similar things in common;, dissatisfaction & mistrust. There are two common thoughts. One is fire the man in charge cause he didn't deliver or, keep him in so he can finish what he started and save us all. Honestly from what I am hearing, it is hard to believe that the polls truly reflect what might happen come November. So my friends on the west coast think I have jumped a train I was never on and cling to my arm in an effort to pull me back on. The folks down east are praying for my liberal soul in disbelief as to what I have become. That is until I tell them where I am. We asked for change and placed our faith in a smooth talking lad from Chi-town. Well I guess that isn't working out so well. Is it because the man was naive? Perhaps his policies really are just rhetoric and based on liberal beliefs proved unsuccessful years ago. I dunno. Maybe, just maybe he was hobbled by a bunch of self serving, job protectionists. Maybe they have become so immersed in the powerful and sinfully accepting environment we allow them to work in, that the goal has become irrelevant and replaced by the status quo; theirs that is. Maybe that could mean the new guy is not going to be any more effective if the pack simply turns on him the minute he disagrees with the party politic. One thing I do know, if he does take the crown and wants to be effective, he will have to disagree with both parties, broker compromise, and save the middle class. Truth is, probably not going to happen. This is not a matter of cutting the head off a snake to destroy the body. This is more like pruning the Hydra. The many heads of the house and senate need to go. Sure the more you cut off the more that will come back. That is OK, that is what is supposed to happen. Off with the old head and in with the new! That said; change the oil. Replace 'em all. Throw the newest, wackiest freshmen/women into the martini shaker and toss it up! What could possibly hurt that we can't undo next time around. Put the "experiment" back in the grand experiment that was the dream of our founding fathers. If you are not ready for that, at least get off the couch and go vote. Just vote your conscience and not what the media thinks it is. Ask hard questions folks and expect real answers. Peace.

My Favorite Day

Happy Thanksgiving y'all.
Yes this is my favorite holiday; for many reasons.
It is a day to be grateful and realize how lucky we are.
It the first American holiday, it is ours no one elses.
It marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time when most folks act their best.
The food is awesome.
So today my lovely bride and I are doing something different. We are spending our afternoon with the neighborhood. Yup a large part of our Flats Rats are gathering at the local pub for dinner. This is not some buffet or thanksgiving special. The pub is actually closed to the public. The pool table will be coverd with plywood and that will be covered with dishes from all of us. We will gather,bringing a cornucopia of dishes and sit down together for a feast like no other. Most of us are empty nesters now and our children have moved off this emerald isle, so we will sit together and tell stories, watch football, laugh, maybe cry, and eat.
What children are left with us will run about and be spoiled by the entire neighborhood. Often you hear the saying about a village raising a child. In this neighborhood, we actually do that. We cherish, teach, and watch over the children here and when they grow up and move on we stay in touch. When they return, we rejoice and celebrate. Life is good and I am thankful.
So please, enjoy today for what it is meant to be. A day of grateful celebration. Beat whatever swords you may have into serving platters and feast! Feast on the atmosphere of love and comfort with whatever group you are with. Call and touch base with that old friend, tell your parents, children, and friends that you love them.
Rejoice and celebrate all that is good in your life. Time enough tomorrow to deal with the things that are not.
Peace my friends.
Griff

LOST ?

I am now anyways. Yes I have been lost from the world. Life has a way of getting in the way doesn't it? I have been having some fun. I have also been balancing school and work while trying to maintain a househlod, and be a good parent, husband, and son.
I did get to travel a bit with my son. We went back east to visit family and friends. We experienced triple digit heat, thunderstorms, and something the lower
48'ers call a hurricane.
First stop was Atlanta to visit with family I had not seen in over a year. Got to get reaquainted with some of my grandchildren and daughters.
On a side trip I travelled to Virginia and I would love to thank them for trying to make me feel at home. I woke up every morning to the smell of a campfire as the smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp fire filled the city of Norfolk with a woody haze. Then to top that they even had a genuine earthquake just to make me miss my great state. Now that truly is southern hospitality.
The off to Beantown for some more R&R. I reestablished a relationship with some very dear friends. They were actually my surrogate parents for many years. I apologized to them be being so out of touch for so long. They did not even blink, shoot they just laughed and reminded me that I always had a knack for getting sidetracked. Then they offered up their home to me and my son, whom they had never met.
We had coffe in the morning and dinner at night. Later my son would say, "they act like you never left dad". I reminded him that it was probably beacause in their hearts, I never did.
Then came the "hurricane". By the time it arrived in New England it was just a tropical storm. We battened down hatches and chained things down, then sat back and watched. To me it looked like any day in Kodiak. Rain and blowin' 40-70. We helped clean up and then hit the golf course.
Finally back to good old Kodiak. My son, after meeting so many of the folks I grew up around, now seems to have a better understanding of why I see things as I do. Nothing like a dose of old fashioned yankee thrift and comments to open up a young man's eyes.
One theme popped up every where I stopped.
Atlanta - "Dad you should go back to writing in your blog."
"Daddy are you going to start writing again?"
Virginia - "I heard you had a blog, so I checked it out. Why did you stop?"
Boston - "of course you should start writing again, it's how we know you!"
On the long ride home I realized that I was truly lost in several ways. I had let life steer me down a path to a point that I lost touch with several people who loved me. I had let sorrow take me down a hall to a self induced isolation chamber. I let carreer lead me away from one of the things I truly enjoy.
So yes I was lost, but now I am found.
Thanks to all who searched and waited; and finally brought me home.
I am back. I hope y'all don't mind.
Peace folks, and ask hard questions even if its only to yourself.

Thankyou All.

No long rants today folks.
For me this is always a day of reflection and celebration.
My thanks to all have ever served our great nation, my gratitude for all who are still serving and protecting us all, and a heartfelt godspeed and bless to all of you about to enter into a life like no other.
So get out there folks, find a veteran and thank them, shake their hand and salute them, for it was their sacrifices that made everything you take for granted today; possible.
Beatus Nostrum Patronus.

WOOHOO! It's PARTY TIME!

Yeah baby, let's start this thing up! Six shiny new hopefuls & six new chances for change Or is it?
Sure the Tea Party has broken new ground, and both republicans and democrats are scratching their heads, and possibly other body parts.
Who woulda thunk? I mean these upstart wannabe politicos came out of no where. They had no backing from the GOP or the majority right? Well I guess they showed us huh? Is it gonna be Ross Perot all over again?
Nope, this political drive may succeed. Ole Ross did not have Sarah pitching for him. Ross did not have a nation full of folks who felt shortchanged when the change was handed out.
Change folks, remember that? The current administration sold their entire campaign on it. They promised a break from the status quo, they promised more services for less taxes, they promised a lot things and we bought into it. We lapped it up like a starving kitty on a broken milk bottle.
Well we got change alright. The deficit is swelling, the experimental financial theories of the administration are failing, republican and democrats have resorted to name calling and finger pointing. Nothing can pass the house or senate without pain-pain-painful rhetoric and slandering. The media is making billions on the show, hell, they are creating half of the show themselves. Spin doctors are trying to deflect our gaze from the people behind the curtain............
WAIT A MINUTE!
I thought we were going to break away from the status quo? Mr. Obama was going to save the day while he changed the world. America was going to shine, our children would prosper, all under the bright warm light of bipartisan politics.
Ah, the more thing change aye?
So what next? Looks like tripartisan politics to me folks.
The GOP is already pandering to the new tea party runners, rubbing their hands and shuffling their feet. It would appear that they can accept change only when it is forced down their throats.
The Dem's are circling their wagons. They are also looking over their shoulders. They too have jackals at the back door. They have a group that thinks they are not far enough left of center.
So whats left for the majority of us? Do we vote for the new status quo in hopes this wake-up call will bring us back to the American ideal of nation before self?
Maybe we should throw the dice. Maybe we should vote in all the new faces regardless of which side of extreme they are ranting from. We did it two years ago didn't we?
Face it folks, the entire world is in financial trouble and global warming affects the planet, not just America. Millions are out of work, billions are below the poverty level, and superpower nations are approaching mediocrity.
Lets put the experiment back in the "grand experiment". What qualifications did our founding fathers have? Maybe we need a fresh perspective. If it doesn't work, we can always undo it later. Yup the beauty of democracy is the eternal mulligan. With the power of the election process we change anything.
It's could be a hell of party folks. What is the cost of admission?
A conscience and a ballot.
I don't know 'bout you, but count me in.
YEEHAA!

Remembering to be grateful.

It can be hard to be grateful at times.
I am sitting here listening to replays of the news broadcasts from that day nine years ago. The day that changed our country as much as Pearl Harbor changed this nation for our ancestors.
In honor of the thousands that died, the hundreds of rescuers lost, and the families left behind; I will not pontificate on the politics of this tragedy. Instead I will remember and I will be grateful.
I will be remember that even though America was attacked, more than Americans died that day.
I will remember that it was not just Christians that died that day.
I will remember what our founding fathers sought when they bled and sacrificed to build this great nation.
I will be grateful for all the heroes who have sacrificed so much for so many, far to often.
I will be grateful for living in a nation where all opinions are respected, all faiths given the opportunity to be practiced, all people given the chance to achieve their dreams.
I will remember that the great freedoms I have, that my family has died and sacrificed for; carry a terrible price sometimes.
I will remember that God loves me, in fact God loves us all.
Today I will ponder all of this and then some. I will go fishing with friends and grill later.
Every once in a while today, I will be quiet, my eyes will blur, and I will remember.
I will pray for those lost and their families.
Lastly, I will reflect on the principals this nation was built upon.
I will thank God for all that I have.
Peace ya'll

Do you feel lucky?

I do.
23 years, 4 months, and 22 days of service and I made it home.
A lot of good people didn't.
A lot more good people won't.
So please remember what this holiday is all about.
Sure have fun this weekend folks.
Grill, chill, and wave the flag; but remember how lucky we are.
Lucky to have so many give so much so that we may enjoy the freedom and security far to many of us take for granted.
Enjoy the video. and have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

This is for Dwayne, for Dave, and for John.
Although their luck ran out before mine, I was lucky to have known and flown with them all.
This is for the Uncle I never met: I hope I have brought honor to your name sir.
Peace and thank a veteran this weekend.

Rumors and Reflections.

Yup it's me again.......
To quote one of my favorite writers Mr. Mark Twain,"The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated".
Has it been 2 months already? Oh well, I guess I got sidetracked. My beautiful bride has tolerated my innate ability to disappear for decades now. After many years of a simple trip to the store turning into an all day adventure, she has learned to be patient.
Actually, now that I think about it the cell phone may have saved my marriage. It allows me to meander about from one thing to the next while giving my lovely the security of finding me when she needs to. Epiphany! What I once considered to be a leash turns out to be a life ring. Like the whistle that brings in my Lab when she swims out to far, that phone steers me toward home time and time again.
So what I have been up to? Not much really, started school back up, traveled a little, and enjoyed some really great fund raising events in Kodiak. The folks over here really know how to rally around a cause and throw a party at the same time. The best cure for winter doldrums? Live music, good food, and throwing money into the pot to help out a neighbor, the school band, local kids football, or local recycling. You name it this island raises money for it and they do it party style. Man I love this place.
I have also been catching up with many old friends, and I have noticed some trends forming amongst many of them. Disillusionment.
They are tired of the government over governing, they are tired of the rich corporations getting the mulligan and a cash band-aid to help them over the hump. They are tired of political players worried more about an esoteric party game than the good of a country their families have sacrificed to defend and support. Worse yet they are getting tired of each other.
Several of my friends are choosing to end decade long commitments to their spouse.
Some have completed that painful journey, some are in in the midst of the quagmire, and others are on the edge staring into the abyss.
It saddens me to bear witness to their pain. There is no joy in divorce folks, no matter why it is happening. Divorce is filled with remorse, loss of self, and fear. Later things may be much better, but the process is painful; period.
What troubles me, is all the folks who have been together for decades and are calling it quits, without giving it one last try. Once the children are grown, and the day to day challenges of raising a family are over, they end up staring at each other saying, "NOW WHAT?".
Good question really. You have outgrown the passions of youth. The hot, steaming, I gotta have you feeling has mellowed a bit. The joys of raising the little ones, the war rallies that united you over the teen-aged ones, and the fight to keep it all together are over. SO NOW WHAT?
Hold hands, that's what.
Go to movies. Hang out with your friends (together). Go to events, volunteer together. Read to each otherand doing it holding hands.
Sure you want to develop personal time and activities, but stay together. Now there is time for both. Relish it folks, you earned it. The transition from children to empty-nesters is twice a difficult as the transition was to parenthood; believe me. Once you cross that bridge, overcome the barriers modern society places before us all, and ignore the "grass is greener" mentality that has brought our nation to the edge of morale and financial disaster. Your reward will be joy of sharing your new adventures with a person you understands you, accepts you, and loves you.
Why are so many couples willing to spend hours in therapy to stay together for the "good of the kids", but unable to try it again later? I mean really, we should be older and wiser right? Isn't 20+ years of struggle and triumph worth a few more hours trying to learn how to adjust to the new life you have earned?
It may be hard, it may be painful at times, it may be worth it too. So take baby steps.
Start by holding hands.
I must depart after this rather long rant from my heart.
Peace Ya'll & do the right thing. Even if it's difficult.

JUST DO IT!

For us locals, today is a day full of opportunity.
So get out there folks!
Quit your bitchin' and exercise the right and responsibility we Americans all have.
Oh yeah, if you got some kids. take them along! Show them how important it all is.
Peace

A STATE OF CONTRADICTION

I love this state, and in case you haven't noticed I love this country. Alaska is a state full of contradictions. The climate is more varied than any other state. In one day we can see snow and freezing temps, rain and hurricane force wind, or even warm gentle sunshine.
We are a state that passionately defends our rights for subsistence hunting & fishing, yet we allow parts of the government to exploit our resources in areas where it might negatively impact the future of our fisheries. We will drill for oil, but not scrape for copper. We are a mostly republican state, yet we have a democrat in the house, any many more in the state and local seats. We bitch about the government, yet we have the highest percentage of government employees in the nation. I did the math, it may be off a tad, but my ciphering comes up with approx 23%!
Yet another contradiction, as one of the coldest states we eat more ice cream per capita than any other state in the union.
Ok so many of these things most of you folks probably already knew.
So how about this one? We have a democratic senator who is a blue ribbon member of the NRA. He has sponsored bills that protect our rights and fought against legislation that would take them away. Senator Mark Begich used to be a member of a little group called M.A.I.G.. That stands for Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Mr. Begich quit that group, in fact he was the fourth member to so. Apparently MAIG is not what it seems. When I heard about them my initial reaction was positive. Then I dug a little deeper. These folks have some deep financial pockets, AKA New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, supposedly he has poured over 3 million dollars of his own money into this little group. Illegal guns? LETS GET RID OF 'EM; YOU BETCHA!. Unfortunately that is not what this lobby group is all about. Their agenda steps far beyond illegal guns. They would do away with all private gun transactions. That's right folks, no more gun shows, no more great deals from your buddy, and worst yet; no more leaving your guns to your kids.
So here is the real irony folks. The mayor of the city of Kodiak is a member of this little group. Our own Carolyn Floyd is a member.
Not only that, she is the only member from our great state. I mean come on, even our democratic senator realized that these folks offer nothing our community needs or desires.
I must ask you madam mayor, is this not the biggest contradiction in our state?
How can you be the political leader of a community that generates so much revenue from gun related activities? Come on! We are one of the premier hunting and adventure destinations in the world. Yet you belong to an organization that lobbies to make gun ownership a thing of the past.
I urge Ms. Floyd; research this group you signed on with. I would hope that once you realize what their real agenda is, you too will leave them. Follow our senators lead. We named a library after you for cryin' out loud. It is a place for study and research, something you should have done before you joined these folks in trying to lobby away our right to keep and bear.
Think about this one folks. Question the mayor. I am not an advocate of illegal anything, but M.A.I.G. is a misleading moniker for a group of anti-gun zealots. It does not seem appropriate that the Kodiak City Mayor be a member.
So please madam mayor review your membership in MAIG. I would think you would resign after that, but if you're not going to then I think you owe Kodiak an explanation.
Ms. Floyd you have done many great things in this community, but this is not one of them.
Ask hard questions folks and demand real answers.
peace ya'll

WE MUST NEVER FORGET

I pulled this vid off the net. After searching for any new tributes I realized that they are few and far between. So I figured that maybe, just maybe, we are beginning to forget what events led to this day of remembrance and service.
It is not a happy video folks. There are no words to the music. That seemed fitting, as no words can describe the emotions I felt that day. Maybe that is why, all the while later, this one made me cry in my coffee.
Please watch this. Hopefully you can sit with some one you love while you do so.

This morning at 0755 I will be attending the memorial service at the USCG base flag. I have not heard of any other memorials on the island. If you cannot attend, please take that moment and bow your head, Remember the 2976 reasons why this day must never, ever be forgotten.
Peace to all. Thank you to all who serve, and love to the families who make it possible for them to do do.

Dear Mr. President

After a great day of chasing salmon, I went to the Hot August Nights celebration the other night and what a blast! There were five cars, three motorcycles, and a handful of pretty good bands. If you didn't go, your loss. If you left that hot rod sitting in the garage, again, your loss.
So any ways it was after the show that a series of events led me to write this letter.
Dear President Obama,
I was arrested last night while on the way home from a car show. I assure you that I really did nothing wrong, in fact my initial actions were induced by my attempt to save the life of a harmless creature from our wonderful island.
I was leaving the bonfire at the show when a medium size Kodiak Brown Bear crossed the road in front of my hot rod. While swerving to avoid it, I might have crossed the double yellow line because the night air was split by the careening siren of a police car. The darkness was intermittently illuminated in red's and blues as the car's strobes flashed to life.
Assuming that the officer had somewhere important to be, I pulled off to the side immediately. Imagine my surprise when so did the police car!
I got out of my rig to see what was wrong, only to be told, via loudspeaker, to get back in the vehicle and place my hands on the steering wheel. Being a law abiding citizen, I promptly turned about and headed back. Unfortunately I tripped on a rock,( our island is full of them), and slammed into the side of my car.
I got back in the car and waited as instructed.
When the officer walked up I could not help notice that she was kinda pretty for a gal wearing a gun, but I tried to focus on the problem at hand.
She asked where I was coming from and going to. I told her about the cool cars and that I was Flats bound.
Looking at my license,, she finally asked the inevitable question. " Are you Irish then Griff?". I politely asked why that mattered. The question that followed, summed it all up, and I realized how much trouble I was in. "You been drinking tonight have you?", she queried. I admitted to a glass of wine at dinner, and added that I felt like I was being profiled due to my ethnic background.
She whipped open my door and asked me to get out of the car. My waders (I was still wearing them from earlier, I mean you know how comfy they get once they're broke in), caught on the edge and I stumbled out of my rig.
Fortunately the officer broke my fall, I don't know if she meant to, but she did. Unfortunately in an effort to stabilize my gravitational decline, I reached out in reflex and grabbed the closest thing to hand. Yup, I grabbed the officer, somewhere in the vicinity of her badge and name tag.
Oddly, rather than helping me stabilize myself. she accelerated my descent to the gravel and followed it up with a healthy dose of bear spray.
As she put the cuffs on me. I swear, Mr. President, I heard her say " another drunken Irishman".
So that's the story,and it's true. I mean you couldn't make this stuff up right?
Later I explained this to the Judge, and through the tears in his eyes,( I really appreciate his empathy BTW), he dismissed all charges. Thank goodness.
So that said, here's the problem.
I feel that after being profiled, harassed, and yet exonerated for simply trying to get home, a bridge has been burned that only you can rebuild. After hearing what you did for that poor Harvard professor, I believe only your intervention will help mend the rift this has created on our island and in turn save our community from the evils of ethnic profiling.
So how about it then? You, me, and the arresting officer have lunch at the White House,at the taxpayers expense , unless of course, you want to pay for the airfare.
Save the Bud Light though. I'll bring some Palin Pale that you're gonna love.
You Betcha!
Peace Ya'll

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is Coast Guard Day folks. So happy birthday to all the Coasties, past and present, active and retired. Thank you for all you do, have done, and will do.
As for me; well I have never worked with a finer bunch of hooligans in my life.
So check out this link, and this one, and even this one! Then lastly there is my favorite.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

No parties here...............

A good friend down south sent me this video. Not too long after he retired from military service he joined an outfit known as the Patriot Guard. These folks have a great hobby. Whenever there is a military funeral in the local chapters area, they suit up, hop on their bikes, and escort the fallen soldiers procession. Then they form a silent, human wall around the ceremony. All this is in an attempt to peacefully prevent protesters from interrupting the service or harassing the participants. It seems hard to believe, to me anyways, that these services would ever be needed, but they are.
Crazy world huh?
So anyways, he sent me this video and I want to share to with my small group of followers. When your done, wipe your eyes, then try to remember how many liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans you saw. The if you have a number, please send it on down. As for me, no parties there at all just Americans. I might poke a little fun at our countrymen down south sometimes, but Georgia, ya'll got it right this time.

Thank you Ray-Ray, we will ride together again some time. Miss you Bro.
Do the right thing tomorrow folks, and do it for somebody else.
Peace

WE THE PEOPLE

Happy birthday folks!
That's right it's a holiday every American shares, and we share it with no other nation in the world. It does not matter what your color, creed, ethnic background, or political belief is. Shoot you don't even have to be born here to celebrate. You just gotta be a citizen.
Enjoy it folks, revel in it, take pride in a country that set the precedence for freedom world wide.
Today let's all step off our collective soapboxes, let's get off our apathetic behinds, wipe the blue or red paint off our faces and collectively thumb our noses at the rest of the planet.
That's right; screw them if they want to criticize! We live in in the greatest country there is. Millions have died and suffered to maintain and protect the truths we hold self evident! Nations world over have struggled and striven to emulate what our founding fathers accomplished.
So today; put aside the petty politics, the personal agendas, and just be an American.
Be proud, give honor to the generations who built this great nation.
Follow the title link and learn more.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
Peace, life, liberty, and pursue freedom ya'll.


Nobody did it better.........

Something to think about...............

Yes I believe in equal rights, and yes I believe in the right to bear arms.
I just think it is ironic and somewhat hypocritical that the majority of the same group that wants to give choice and acceptance to so many, wants to restrict the rights of so many others.
That said............







Lastly;

SI VIS PACEM , PARA BELLUM

THIS JUST IN !!

Breaking news folks!
Looks like the world -wide recession has hit a new low.
TORONTO - Beer maker Molson is turning off the tap and cutting off the supply of free suds to its retirees, the Toronto Star reported on Tuesday.

Molson, a division of Molson Coors, said it was looking to "standardize" its complimentary beer policy.

There are 2,400 Molson retirees in Canada and their free beer costs the company about C$1 million ($900,000) a year, the Star said.

Molson retirees in the province of Newfoundland will see their monthly allotment of beer fall from six dozen a month to zero over the next five years.

Current workers will see their allotment drop from 72 dozen bottles a year to 52 dozen.

"There was no consultation, we just received a letter that this is a done deal, which is totally unfair," Bill Bavis, who retired six years ago after 32 years at Molson's in St. John's, Newfoundland, told the Star. "I think with the economic downturn they're trying to take advantage of us, as a way to cut retirees' benefits and justify it."


Unions have launched grievances in Montreal and Vancouver, where the allotment is less.

A spokesman for Molson said the company feels it still has a very generous benefits package


I mean, really, what else has to be suffered before the world leaders turn this train around?
My sympathies to those affected.
Peace

I remember those daze,(vaguely).

Need a laugh?
I know I do. So check this out. It might be the best Joe Cocker video ever.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks!
Peace

GET OVER IT ALREADY!

OK folks, enough is enough and I've had me fill.
I took a nice little break (again) from the blogoshpere due to travel, golf, great weather, and a son returned home.
However; this new media frenzy has drug me back into the arena. That and a few cups of java on a slow morning. I will try to be brief, but this one is tough.
On my recent journeys I was able to indulge in a habit I have mostly foregone. Watching network/cable television is something our household gave up on several years ago, but while I am on the road, it is an indulgence that kills time.
This trip I focused on news media; both sides. I say both sides, because there is no middle ground with these folks. Probably because the middle does not sell ad space, and please never forget that this is really what it is all about.
I love to listen to the "experts" on either side of any issue the media spins. Lately, global warming has become the catch phrase for a new generation of environmental doomsayers. While there is actually a growing group in scientific circles that think we may be at he beginning of a cooling stage, that gets little media attention.
So what else was on the plate? Pick a subject, from Christian fundamentalist terrorism to the latest celebrity tragedy, and every commentator was able to spin these things, trivial or not, into high impact, thought provoking , investigative journalism. One thing I did notice though; the rules have changed. Apparently it is Ok for the more liberal side to name-call, stereotype, and profile folks they do not agree with. In other words the left hand side of the media has taken the low road.
I will use the latest media/blogosphere whirlwind to illuminate my point.
Shannyn Moore, Gryphen, and even Wolfe Tone, have jumped into the arena with Letterman and Palin. Of the three; I agree with Wolfe the most. Our Governor needs to think before she speaks, especially when sitting in an arena filled with professional speakers.
Many months back, just after the V.P. debacle, I pleaded with the Palinator to either learn those very words, listen to her handlers, or hire better writing staffers. She is a passionate person, on that I think we can all agree. So we must be careful of what we ask for. Think about this. What if the Guv did become a more methodical and thoughtful speaker? What if this taught her that passion, countered with patience and planning are truly formidable?
You might end up with a small force of nature and a political power that would be hard to reckon with. So; again, be careful what you wish for.
Back to the late show / Palinator battle.
Dave Letterman is a professional television personality with a staff of highly successful writers and researchers.
Sarah Palin is not.
Mr. Letterman makes his living of off humor and sarcasm, politicians and political commentary are his bread and butter.
Governor Palin is a fledgling professional politician, the perfect fodder for the likes of Letterman, and other media professionals. Not good for her and not good for our state.
Mr. Letterman's comments about Willow were in poor taste and should outrage every Alaskan. Not because she is Sarah's daughter,but because she is an Alaskan. Even if his apology states that he was referring to a slightly older Bristol, it is still wrong! These kids are not celebrities or politicians to be picked on, they are children and residents of our great state and we, as Alaskans should take affront; period. They are not part of the show in the coliseum, they were dragged into the arena by a media we give far to much forgiveness to.
Mr. Letterman's apology was well put. It was also probably written by other professional writers with a slew of lawyers sweating over their shoulders and wringing their hands. Our Governors response should not be looked at as a gubernatorial reply. It should be seen as it is. A mothers reply countered with the burden of being the administrative leader of the greatest and most misunderstood state in the union.
So as a parent, (something a lot of these commentators are not),what would you do? Palin's comment about Mr. Letterman did not make me think she called him a pedophile. In fact it was the interviewer who jumped on that wagon. Her next reply is what it was, a person who is angry and smart enough to try and end a conversation that is going down the wrong road. However; like the predators they can be, this interviewer kept tugging at her Achilles heel, until like that winter caribou, Palin fell to the pack.
I would never expose any 14 year old to a professional media entertainer, on national television in such a potentially damaging situation. Really, folks, what if Letterman used this opportunity to sky rocket his ratings in attempt to offset the new Late Show king? Why not? No matter what he said the world will forgive him if he just apologizes right? What potential, and permanent damage could be afflicted upon this child after such a humiliating event? What if that 14 year old took affront and said something that could potentially damage her family, her mothers career, or even the skewed perception the lower 48 has of our state and our people. Duh folks, it's lose - lose. Would any of you parents out there, willingly drag your child (of any age) into an arena filled with professional gladiators? Would you throw a baby seal into a pod of Orcas just to watch the show? Get over it then!
Sarah Palin made the right choice as a parent. Sure, as a public figure she needs to polish her skills, but it was still the responsible choice.
For once folks, don't be a democrat,republican, independent, or any other political affiliate. Be an Alaskan and take pride in that. See this for what it was, not what they want you to see.
This rant may not win many fans, but it needed to be said. Only Ish has remained quiet on this one, and perhaps that is why he is king.
My rant is run and I am spent. This took far to long to vent.
Love and prayers to the Pickett family, your loss is a loss for the entire neighborhood.
Ask hard questions, folks, and demand real answers.
Peace

One last thing..........

It's been around a while, but it still gets me every time.
I hope you all had a great weekend, I hope you all paused at 300pm today.
As for me, well I'm off to A-town again.


Good night Dwayne, goodnight Tom, goodnight Dave, I miss you guys.
Peace