Stuff

Lots of things happening recently that I need to comment on - just so the top of my head won't explode.

1. Judge Sotomayor. No surprises here are there? First, she was on the "short list" from the very beginning. Second, is there really any surprise that Limbaugh, Gingrich, Hannity, or the Republican Right-wingers would attack her? She is, after all, being nominated by a Democratic President. Doesn't matter that Poppy Bush first brought her to prominence; nor that she has more experience than the other Supremes; nor does her rags to riches story count for much. Instead, it makes more sense to cherrypick a statement or two out of thousands; label her a racist; and take the typical "Just say No" attitude that is pervading these guys, no matter what Obama does.

2. The Death of an Abortionist. Some nutcase went into a church last Sunday and shot and killed a doctor who performed abortions. How incredible. So many people just don't see the irony and hypocrisy in that action. It's not okay, under any circumstances to terminate a pregnancy, some say - but it is okay to murder, in cold blood - in a church, no less, a guy that provides abortions, which, as near as I can tell are still legal. Many of these same folks also think it's just fine to wage a preemptive war that has been responsible for killing thousands and to torture our enemies. They do this all the while quoting scripture. Something seems wrong with this. Believe me, I am no fan of Abortion. My opinion is that it should only be used when a Mother's life is in danger, or in the case of rape or incest. This old fart is also a former (If you can ever be a former) Marine - so, I am not necessarily a pacifist. But, I believe in righteous wars - ones that we have no alternative but to wage. I also, do not think torture should EVER be employed by anyone. Certainly not us.

3. Obama to speak to Muslims today. I already know that the righties will be calling for his head. He will likely call for a new beginning. He will also admit America has made mistakes in the past. I truly don't understand why so many people think this is a sign of weakness. It is one of the things I had driven into my brain by my parents and teachers alike. Admit your mistakes, apologize for them. Learn from them. I don't think I'm that much different from most people of my generation.

4. General Motors in bankruptcy. Very rarely do people ever comment on my blogs. That means they either don't read them; think I'm full of s***; or simply don't give a rat's a**. No matter - if anyone is gonna comment this is the one that will get them to. Here's what I think. I think that, to a point, GM gets a bit of a bad rap on one thing - "They haven't been making the cars America wants". I have a little bit of a disagreement on this. Why? Have you noticed all the damn Hummers, Suburbans, GMC Trucks, and Chevy Trucks on the road. These big gas guzzling monsters were just exactly what the American public wanted. Until gas prices started closing in on $4 a gallon, nobody really cared. Suburban moms were driving their big ass SUV's picking up their 2 kids from soccer and little league games, while talking on their cellphones. Retooling a factory takes a bit of time. And, the incentives given to foreign car makers in some states to build factories gave them an advantage over the big three - who were saddled with expensive retirement programs. So, when idiots were saying things like GM was paying $60 an hour to a factory worker, the reality was - that included the retirement benefits for thousands of retired workers.

5. Personal. Yesterday was the love of my life's 60th birthday. I met her on a cold Nebraska night in January of 1970. My first night in Omaha. I had come to assist my company with the opening of the first ever 800 number call center devoted to hotel and car rental reservations. About 6 weeks later, I was offered the position of Assistant Manger, and I wisely accepted this transfer. We began dating and were married on May 1, 1971. She was 20 when I first met her so I have known and loved her for 2/3 of her life. We both took our vows seriously when we married, and, for some strange reason, she continues to love me today. A day without her in my life would be empty.

Old Fart Mike