Why all the Hate?

Do you want to know what I hate? I hate the hate. It seems by now in this day and age we would have come to a point that the differences between us would not matter. But still it is perpetuated in our society. I continue to hear people put down each other for no apparent reason except the fact they are Black, White, Hispanic, Mexican, Japanese, Oriental, Korean, Indian, Muslim, Jew, Arab, French, English, Irish, Russian, Canadian, the list goes on and on. Why? I just don’t understand. I even hear people putting themselves down. If you listen to rap music, you hear many racial slurs about their own people. Even in conversation I hear this black guy did this or this white guy did that or this Mexican over there did so and so. It is like me saying, "I went to eat out last night and this white girl waited on me." Who cares!? What does it matter if they were black or white or Mexican? Does it add to the content of what they are trying to say? Are they trying to reinforce a stereotype or start a new one?

Then you have all the jokes. Did you hear the one about the Jew, Muslim, and Christian that went downtown? There are jokes about women drivers, dumb blondes, male dominance, black jokes, white jokes, fat people, Polish people, etc. All of these jokes are rooted in hate and stereotypes. These jokes are never funny to the group of people they are demeaning. But still we perpetuate the hate.

Now I am by no means a saint in this regard. As old as I am I come from a time when it was more widespread than it is today, so I guess as a society it has gotten better. I believe that although I am sure that there are individuals and companies still that practice racism, it is not as wide spread today as it was. At least minorities are for the most part able to obtain jobs, go to movie theaters, eat at restaurants of their choice, and for the most part live their lives as they wish. We have come a long way.

It is good in important things like employment we have changed dramatically. However, if we could change our speech where we accept people for who they are and not single out and stereotype each other, we could find peace in this world. Once, in speaking with a friend of mine we started talking about how he acted differently around his own race and I didn’t understand why. It was then I realized and told him, “I never thought of you as being black, you have always just been my friend.” Why can’t we just be ourselves? Why can’t we accept each other for who they are? As John Lennon said, "All we are saying, is give peace a chance."

Here is an excellent video which helps describe and encourage embracing our diversity.



If you want to hate, how about hating inanimate objects like Facebook as in this video by Julian Smith from Nashville, Tennessee. It is Fantabulously Funny!

John Smoltz Dumped by Boston Red Sox

One of my all-time favorite pitchers, former Atlanta Braves veteran right-hander John Smoltz, has been cut from the Boston Red Sox. Living in Atlanta, I have followed his career for a long time. I was sad to see him leave Atlanta but understood. I remember when he won the National League MVP award in 1992 and the National League Cy Young Award in 1996. He has been one of the great pitchers in baseball and has earned much respect from all who love this great sport.

He was released less than 24 hours after he gave up eight runs and nine hits in three and a third innings in the Sox’s loss of 6-13 to the New York Yankees yesterday. He has not given up this many runs since he was playing for Atlanta against the Chicago Cubs in a no-decision game on May 28, 2006. The Sox have ten days to either release him or send him to the minor league.

It is my sincerest hope that John finds happiness and peace in whatever he may decide for his future. He has given me many hours of joy and should he decide to leave the game this fan will miss him. Thanks for the great times!

Cash for Clunkers - Good Idea?

So, if I am understanding this right, I can trade in a clunker, a gas guzzler, for the purchase of a new automobile that offers better gas mileage for a whopping $3500 or $4500 depending on the vehicle, I guess, and our government is going to pay for it, or I should say the taxpayer is going to pay for it. Of course, I know there are rules and the car pictured above does not qualify because it is more than 25 years old. Now don't be making no judgements yet, I am just trying to understand this cash for clunkers program.

Now that our government is in the automobile business (after bailing out the industry for those of you who have been in a coma), Is our government forking out money just so we can purchase our competitors cars? At first glance, it would seem that the USA is not doing so well because all of the top 10 trade-ins are from the USA and only 4 of the top 10 new cars are manufactured from Detroit's Big Three. However, those 4 are accounting for about 47% of the sales and the number one car being sold is the Ford Focus. Normally, American made cars make up about 45% of sales. Also, it should be noted only 3 are not made in North America, the Toyota Prius and Honda Fit are made in Japan and the Hyundai Elantra is made in Korea. So I guess Americans are not losing any jobs over this program.

However is it good for the environment? According to Business Week, "don't expect it to help save the planet from global warming or reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil." They offer a detailed description concluding mathematically that it will only save approximately 0.04% of gasoline and gas emissions, a mere drop in the bucket.

So is it worth the $3,000,000,000.00 price tag? As a stimulus program, the program is helping the economy in the short term. However, Lee Schipper, project scientist in Global Metropolitan Studies at the University of California at Berkeley states, "That doesn't mean it's not helping Detroit in the near term, but I don't think anyone sees any long-term benefits."

My conclusion, I believe we could have found a better use for the $3 Billion to stimulate the economy. I am not an economist and I do not pretend to have a solution but paying outrageous prices for clunker automobiles just to feel like we are doing something good for the environment makes no sense. There are many better solutions to reduce our dependance on foreign oil. Although, it may not be costing us jobs, all of the profits are still going to our competitors.

Here is a list of both of the top 10's provided by U.S. News and World Report. The video below is from an article posted by the Los Angeles Times.

The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers Trade-Ins:

1. 1998 Ford Explorer
2. 1997 Ford Explorer
3. 1996 Ford Explorer
4. 1999 Ford Explorer
5. Jeep Grand Cherokee
6. Jeep Cherokee
7. 1995 Ford Explorer
8. 1994 Ford Explorer
9. 1997 Ford Windstar
10. 1999 Dodge Caravan

The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers New Cars:

1. Ford Focus
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Toyota Prius
5. Ford Escape
6. Toyota Camry
7. Dodge Caliber
8. Hyundai Elantra
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevy Cobalt

Happy National Underwear Day!!!

National Underwear Day? Yes, today is the 7th anniversary of the event. Who would of ever thought that we would be celebrating such a thing? When I was growing up nobody ever even talked about their underwear. The only thing you knew was that you wanted it to be clean without holes in the off chance that you were in some kind of an accident. It was one of those things that were giggled about on schoolyards and in the work place. Not today, National Underwear Day was founded in August 2003. For the past six years, Freshpair has slated the first week of August with gorgeous models strolling down the runway showing off their underwear in New York City. According to Freshpair, "Last year the annual renegade sidewalk fashion show transformed into a celebrity-studded fashion event, hosted by actress and fashion maven Lydia Hearst. This year, in response to popular demand, the event has grown into an online underwear extravaganza!" You can read about these unmentionables and their history on their website. They have contests and many offers including discounts and free stuff from their sponsors. Take a look at the videos below to see highlights of last year's event and its coverage the Today show. So get out and flaunt those unmentionables today, I won't tell anybody. Have a Happy National Underwear Day!

The Frogs, Ribbet, Bud, Ribbet

From Kermit to Budweiser, what is our fascination with frogs? We all know if a girl kisses the right frog it will turn into a handsome prince. Right? Don't confuse a frog with a toad, Frogs usually have smooth, moist skin and spend most of their lives in or near water. Toads usually have dry, warty-looking skin and spend more time living on land. Which brings me to the age old question, Do frogs give you warts? According to the Froggy Page, 'Don't be silly! Warts are caused by a virus, not by frogs. This common myth probably originated because many toads have bumps that that look like warts. The large bumps behind the toad's ears (the parotoid glands) contain a nasty poison. It tastes bad and irritates the mouth of any predators who try to eat toads and can cause convulsions or even death. You should be careful in handling toads and always wash your hands afterward.' So what about frog licking? 'Since before the dawn of time, frogs have been licked in the hopes of spiritual revelations. Much of modern science and engineering can be directly linked to the Frog licking practices of otherwise highly intelligent men,' according to Mr. Encyclopedia. If you are interested in this practice you can read the article here.

Below I offer some pics depicting the variety of colors. I also have included some of the Budweiser commercials. Or should I say Bud...Weis...Er.

Life of a Tree

Tree
Seed is sprouting
Life has sprung
Breaking from the earth
Seasons pass
Ever growing
Tall and proud you stand
Roots are planted
Branches reaching
Toward the heaven’s sun
Home to many
Birds of flight
And creatures on the land
Winds are blowing
Storms are raging
As your branches bend
Canyon’s calling
You grasp tighter
To the Mother land
Rain is pouring
Dirt’s eroding
Your trunk begins to break
Now you’re falling
Can you make it
And bridge the other side
Wind is pushing
Branches reaching
You have reached your goal
Animals crossing
Birds are singing
Your destiny fulfilled
Bridge

Need a caddy? Try a Llama

What will they think up next. How would you like a llama for a caddy? WSPA News Channel 7 reports that Sherwood Forest Golf Course in Cedar Mountain, NC is using llamas for caddys. They are still in training so they may not know which club to use. Give them some time, I'm sure they will figure it out. My only question is this, If the llama makes a mistake and gives you the wrong club and you start arguing with the llama, is it going to spit in your face? I know I had that happen to me one time when I was working for Zoo Atlanta and I was being nice to it and petting him. They are friendly animals for the most part so I will give them that. But seriously, A llama for a caddy? Maybe if I can ride on him between shots. I think I will stick to a golf cart and my own incompetance in choosing my club. Of course, I could use the exercise. Here's the news footage video. Have a great day!