a celebration of truth, justice, freedom of speech, mom's apple pie, jesse winchester and the lifestyle of a free radical thinker. Don't tell your mother. (she knows)
Archive for the ‘advantages of mutual respect and fair play’ Category
Okay, I was going to do something along the lines of this for my 409th post…
but perhaps we should just skip all that stuff. A post is a post is a post around here at AMRFP. They are like buses, if you miss one another will be along soon.
But today I think I’ll ask you to do something else. It’s Christmas Eve, for cryin’ out loud! Divert your attention here instead: http://crrz07.wordpress.com/ You won’t be disappointed.
I imagine one day that my blog archives will be studied by a highly intelligent species and they will say something along the lines of “This man was a friggin’ genius” or maybe they’ll just use their telepathic capabilities, clunk their heads together and hum Pink Floyd’s One of These Days…
Hey cool! 55,000 hits and they keep on comin’! I’m not smart enough to put a counter on my AMRFP home page, or maybe I’m too lazy to figure it out but here you are and that’s a good thing. So in celebration, enjoy some music…
or how about from the original?
but I like this version, too.
Anyway, 55,000 is a pretty big deal here at AMRFP so from the bottom of my heart to the top of my heated brow…
Living up here in Canada I was beginning to worry. It was closing in on the last week of November and it hadn’t snowed yet. Three years ago I flew up here and the snow was as deep and cold as I expected but now I lamented, “Where’s the snow?” But be careful what you pine over because Old Man Winter has some big ears.
It snowed Thursday and through the night it snowed again. We awoke this morning to more snow.
My BB says now it appears like snow has always been here and it is true, we live in the Great White North. Brrr… it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
So imagine my interest when I discovered this on the Internet… http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887 I didn’t know there were actually stores out there that refused to promote or minimized the approach of Christmas. I had to stop and wonder about that…
Victoria’s Secret? What do they have against the pagan sun-god worshippers ritual? You’d think that they’d want to promote the sale of their sexy lingerie at all costs, wouldn’t you? http://www.spike.com/video/victorias-secret/2807705
Okay, so now I’m confused. Either stores promote the day erroneously marked as Christ’s birth or they don’t. Personally I don’t care and God bless ‘em if they choose not to, but where does the AFA get their information? From readers like you.
So I had to go back and view the Victoria’s Secret ads again and pay more than the usual (!) attention and guess what? They left the word Christmas to the imagination (and little else) so, hmmm… does that really portray or betray the spirit of giving? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp=40387119�
Now with a keener eye (ha!) I looked back at Barnes and Nobles then the Radio Shack ads. B&N’s online ad merely mentioned Holiday gifts but their B&N Tags video seemed to balance Christmas in amongst their segments. Both Radio Shack videos did the same. So here’s the rub…
The American Family Association puts this list together implying retailers either support Christmas minimally, profoundly or not at all. But does this aid us in discovering the true meaning of the holiday? Or does it just boycott the notion that this spirit we are supposed to develop comes from within regardless of where we shop? If I’m filled with the ghosts of Christmas! At last! does it really matter if my retailer joins in that sentiment? And what about their employees and their families, don’t they deserve the benefit of Christmas charity and prosperity?
Our 11-year-old is anxiously awaiting Christmas. You’d think it would be because of the gifts he is anticipating and that is a reasonable assumption. Most 11 year olds can hardly wait for the new video game, new electronic gadgetry or music machine that is flooding the want lists of kids around the world and he’s no exception.
But lately, there is something more… he wants to give gifts. A gift for his younger brother and one for his older sister. A gift for his mother and even one for me! Gifts all around. And he’s worried time will run out before he is able to earn enough money to buy them all. He doesn’t realize it, but he has already given me the grandest gift a child can give. He has shown his willingness to share. Not to say he hasn’t felt that spirit in the past but this holiday season it has had an impact on me.
These days it is hard to cultivate sharing. Usually it is all about what you will get that matters. That is probably the biggest turn off the Christmas holiday brings to me. I don’t like the fact that a date on the calendar dictates whether I will be generous or not. I feel that it means more when a gift is offered ”out of the blue” with no strings attached.
Now seeing our young man get excited for the gifts he is about to present to others puts a warm feeling in my heart. It is the feeling that perhaps all your parenting efforts have not gone un-noticed, perhaps through all your hits and misses, the joy of sharing has taken root and blossoms forth.
And that is a good thing.
So, if in your travels you notice… “Hey! They’re putting out Christmas decorations already!” and you are trying to decide whether it fits in your politics or not to succumb to all the hype, remember this…
There really can be “Joy to the World”, even if it is only one giving heart at a time.
This morning my BB and I were discussing an article I found on the Internet and we enlarged upon the public outcry over TSA methods in airports. Here’s an interesting snippet on the subject…
First of all, I have no problem with security cameras placed on public streets, in buildings or special events. I am out in public and therefore I am being seen by the masses and don’t mind it being recorded. I’m not about to break any law and if it means that other people will behave themselves; i.e. refrain from theft, violence or public indecency I am all for it. Some view this as an invasion of their privacy but I say no. You are out in public, you are not in private. A camera being concealed in your bathroom, bedroom, hotel room, etc. would be an invasion of your privacy because you are no longer in public and carrying on in a private manner. While you are shopping in a mall you will be notified that there are security cameras in place and these are for your protection as well as deterring crime. To me that is acceptable.
Okay, now for a little T&A for the TSA.
People are in a quandary about the security measures placed in airports. While there has been no recorded instances of these security checkpoints actually catching terrorists, they may act as a deterrent. If it means getting felt up to ensure I take off and land as scheduled, then I think that is a small price to pay. Imagine having your plane hijacked by terrorists. Would you feel better knowing that even though you are about to go down in flames at least your dignity is intact? I don’t think so.
But I will say that there should be accommodations for persons with the conditions mentioned above. Perhaps there could be a pre-screening for such individuals. When they purchase their tickets their condition could be verified. After doing this they need not go through the rigors and potentially embarrassing screenings that the general public must endure.
Or you could choose not to fly. These days it seems the perfect option to me. The fam and I flew to Florida last spring and while the trip down was uneventful, we were stunned that the airlines insisted we pay for baggage on our return flight even though we had booked months in advance of any levied fees now in force. It was another $80-90 but that was beside the point, we felt we had no choice and were being gouged. So, plans for future trips will be based on ground travel. No lines, no surcharges, no delays and no TSA.
People think that TSA officers are getting their jollies looking at x-ray images but I don’t think so. Have you seen these pictures?
or these?
can you identify any person with these images? Maybe a sense of humor would help…
Now for the later story that got me in hot water… oh! you haven’t read it yet? Here it is again, go ahead… I’ll wait.
Our society seems to be so overly sensitive about issues that are best resolved individually. Why does this mother have to sue the school district? Why does the majority have to sacrifice for the minority? It is the same as air travel. If you cannot abide by the wishes of the government, don’t fly. If your child has allergies, take the necessary precautions. But not at the expense or discomfort of others.
Peanut products have been banned from the area schools where I live. I can survive without peanuts. But they are intermingled with other foods that may be harmful to me or others with allergic reations. Fine. All products that MAY come in contact with peanuts are hereby banned as well. That means on airplanes, too. Bummer. We protect the rights of better health for some, but what about those of us who love our peanut M&M’s? Too bad.
I remember reading somewhere that red automobiles are statistically in more accidents and are involved in more moving violations than any other color. So do we ban the color red? Rock & Roll might excite young people, classical music might enthrall older persons. Tight sweaters show off buxom females, tight shirts show off a guy’s bulging muscles. Are we thinking dirty thoughts? Billboards are distracting while we drive. Magazines have alluring covers. Books have titles drenched in innuendo. Movies have gratuitous violence. Yikes! So much out there that might be harmful to us!
I’m not trying to minimize a persons allergy. Our daughter has a severe reaction to nuts due to asthma and as a family we have to take the necessary precautions. But she goes places outside of home or school (ban the peanuts, remember?) and has to be conscious of her surroundings. We haven’t banned peanuts at the mall… yet.
Airport security is a good thing. We live in troublesome times and need to address issues pertaining to national security and personal safety. Food allergies are a very real problem and need to be taken seriously by those who have them. The general public has the right to choose to fly or not fly. The general public has the right to decide whether they will wear perfume or eat peanuts or drive a red automobile.
There is the minority that are afraid of their bodies images being seen or those images stored. First of all, chances are the images exposed are of bodies supported by brassieres, girdles, slimming pantyhose, jockey shorts, back supports, toupee’s or waist reducing jeans…
And secondly, let them imagine… you never looked better.
You think Obama’s bad…..I would hate to see what we get if you people elect a quiting Governor!
Seems to me that every politician both Republican and Democrat that ran for an office above the one that they currently held and then won that office quit their job, Obama quit the senate to become president, Biden quit his job They all quit their jobs, It does not make any difference whether they were elected or not they still quit their former jobs….I am not a Sara Palin fan and I an not an Obama basher but that quit her job thing is really getting tired
Palin left Alaska with a 18 billion dollar surplus. Her reason for leaving was exemplary. Lawsuits because of taking the position of vice president running made her a target of the liberal media which demonized both Palin and her children. Even the porn community attacked this lady who presented herself as an everyday American mom with mainstream values, concerns and the direction of middle class America. Her reason for leaving the governorship was Alaska would not get anything done with the attacks and lawsuits. Palin then joined with the Tea Party and played a big part in reshaping the candidates who ran for office in the Republican party as well as handing the Democrats their worst political defeat. Palin is family focus person and community as well. Her leadership begins in her home, her husband does not wander like say Hilary Clinton’s does another lady who wants to be president but cannot even control her own husband. Palin has problem solving abilities, when the gulf spill occurred she graciously told Obama which countries had equipment to contain the spill, being a Governor of an oil producing state, she knew instantly what to do and who to connect with. Palin’s advice was ignored by the Obama administration.. When these ships arrived in the Gulf, they were sent home and that decision was in every countries newspaper except the United States, Holland”s was where I read the article at the time and you can check it there. The reason for this decision was only maritime unions workers were allowed to clean up oil spills. Over a month passed before cleanup began by foreign ships that were brought back. Palin is also versed in our National Defense system due to Alaska position on the globe and had a security clearance and unlike say somebody like Eric Holder or Bill Clinton could not get a security clearance because of previous affiliations with radical and anti government groups. Unlike Mr Momus, Palin is qualified to be President in my estimation for reasons listed above and many more which time constraints and space prevent me from listing. Palin indeed represents mainstream America, her concerns are for her fellow Americans and if she were elected we would all have jobs by now. and Capital hill would not be a war zone. . .
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I have a tendency to agree, still it hurts me to see my country in such a quandary. People divided, loyalties questioned and affiliations splintered. But there is more interest in politics as of late than any time in recent memory, which is a good thing. There has been too much apathy in the past. More people should be involved to where the politicians start paying attention to the concerns of the people… and act accordingly.
But I think that not all pirates are brandishing cutlass’ and carrying off booty. Some are just keeping legitimate ideas from surfacing, and I think that is the worst type of pirate, the one that seems to be above such dastardly deeds, but actually causes more harm than good. Check this out…
Perhaps I am just jealous. Or maybe a billion dollars doesn’t buy what it used to. I guess when you are a billionaire you have an image to live up to, right?
You know, people always say they would do this or that if they won or inherited a fortune, but you never really know what you’d do until you do it. I’ll bet Mukesh Ambani saw Slumdog Millionaire and was touched by the desperate plight of the people living in Mumbai.
And in all fairness, Mukesh Ambani will be employing 600 staff in a new house designed to accommodate a family of five so that will help their economy. But why can’t he be more subtle, use his influence and wealth in a classy way, like Oprah?
Look what she has done with… The Oprah Winfrey Show, O the Oprah Magazine, O at Home, Oprah.com, Oprah Radio, Harpo Films, (Oprah spelled backwards) Oprah’s Book Club, Oprah’s Angel Network, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, The Oprah Winfrey Network…
At least American billionaires have the good taste NOT to flaunt their wealth.
What does being “sexy” have to do with running for the Presidency of the United States? Yuck.
Pelosi’s cause for illegals is for the Democratic vote and nothing more. Bill is right, take religion out or leave it in. You can’t have it both ways.
Barney Frank should be held accountable, but nobody talks about that except Bill O’Reilly
Whoppi has gas, she needs to blow it out her ass. You asked for an opinion, Bill is trying to explain why he thinks the chasm is growing between the President and the American people and you freak? Joy has no couth, walk off when your guest is trying to back up what he said after you want proof? Dumb ass.
Anyway, I say good for Bill O’Reilly. You have to admire him for continually coming back on the View. I will read his book.
With all due respect to my last post, you gotta LOVE this! A fan of the group Weezer is opening up a collection to bribe this band NOT to record anymore music? That is hysterical! This morning I saw this on MSN and had to - had to - HAD TO put it in a post. Some of the performers on this list … okay, ALL of the performers on this list should be bribed not to record anymore, but are there others? Let me know what you think…
Meanwhile… why should we limit ourselves to “musicians”? I’d love to get a collection together for Julia Roberts. Please! Julia! No more half-baked movies! Take the money! AARRRRGGhh! Or how about Jennifer Aniston? Please Jenn, make my day… no more movies! Hey! Why didn’t I think of this before? Lets take up a collection for ol’ what’s her name? You know, that Hilton dweeb? Who cares if you have ANY F’ing BFFs? Get off the air! Take the money! Wow! This is great!
Howard Stern, yuck! Your time has passed! Take the money and get your annoying self off the air! Rush Dumbell! Pa-leezze! Shut up! Here, take the money! Al Sharp-tongue! Stash the cash and shut up! Oh! I love this!
Simon says, Simon! Shut the hell up! Take the money and run! Oprah! OMG! Oprah? Helloooo peooople! Shut the hell up! You should be paying me! Ellen! Here, I’ll write you a check! Doctor Fill? I’m up to the brim! Shut the hell up!
It’s pretty darn bad when fans are willing to pay their “favorite” entertainers to STOP trying to entertain them, but maybe that is what we have come to.
How about we take up a collection for sports figures? Lebron! Stop! Or reality “stars”? Heidi! Enough! Even authors? Hell yes! Steven King, shut the hell up!
Better still, let’s make them pay us back!
The last couple seasons of Survivor sucked! You guys owe me big time! Dancing with the Stars? Dance around this! My time is too valuable!
Maybe… just maybe… people are going to demand more from the “artists” that entertain us. Maybe the void, this insatiable vacuum will finally be shut down and we’ll actually start getting people with talent instead of the star maker machinery behind the popular song.
I can say to my BB a dozen times, “I love you” but it seems to have more meaning to her when I write it down just once. Whether on a card, a note, or a letter, the sentiments I vocalize many times a day pale in significance to the scrawl of my hand. Those very words, I love you… etched in that moment of time are held like an official document or a piece of evidence that makes the hearing of it circumstantial but the tangible proof more credible somehow. The written word is more eloquent and she never tires of reading it.
Which brings me here, to the writings of my blog and the past four years of sporadic entry. Many things have changed since May 2006 and the whimsy that placed me at the keyboard in the first place. I re-married. I re-located. I re-considered my politics. Through all of those months and thousands of words stretched into 400 entries here at AMRFP, I learned something about myself. She reminds me of it every day…
But there is more to it than that. Do the entries I have posted stand the test of time? Did I think or say something here that proved false? Were my convictions misplaced? Are there inaccuracies here that have somehow misled?
and I still believe that original, first post of May 2006 and with each entry I tried to remain true to that theme of Advantages of Mutual Respect and Fair Play because I truly believe that is what the world needs and if you live it, it will come back to you.
and it is lovely to see you each and every time. Walk along with me to the next bend. But when and where does the next bend lay (or lie?) And what was AMRFP originally? A celebration of truth, justice, freedom of speech, mom’s apple pie, Jesse Winchester and the lifestyle of a free radical thinker (don’t tell your mother, she knows)
I guess I got a little cynical… is that a bad thing?
I remind myself of the Bible’s description of the betrayal of Jesus found in the book of John. You remember, how Jesus was left by his disciples and condemned by the religious leaders of the day? They were supposed to be on the watch for the Son of Man but gave in to their own interpretations of what he should be. And when Jesus clearly did not recognize the religious leader’s hierarchy, they gave him over to the authorities to be put to death as a fraud. While Pilate could find nothing wrong with the man, as a king Jesus was a threat to Caesar and Pilate had to act. He washed his hands of the matter and sent Jesus off to be impaled, placing a sign over his stake in Hebrew, Latin and Greek that read: Jesus the Nazarene – The King of the Jews. Of course, the priests and rabbis took immediate offense at this and declared, ” Do not write ‘the King of the Jews’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’ “ After which Pilate famously declared, “What I have written, I have written.” John 19:22
I have tried to stay neutral on some subjects, but it has been difficult. Sometimes you just gotta let it ride…
So, starting with post 401 and from this day forward I will try to remain true to what I originally set out to do with this blog. There have been many fringe benefits along the way. There have been some repercussions, too. I will make every effort to place as a priority mutual respect and fair play.
