A researcher at the Stony Brook University Department of Political Science has requested that I post a link to survey they are conducting on the role internet communication plays in American Politics. The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Come on, take the survey and let your thoughts be known! Take the survey here
Sphere: Related ContentBookmark this article!
When the blogosphere erupted in wild speculation this afternoon of an image reflected in Vice President Cheney’s sunglasses, my curiosity was piqued. What could all the fuss be about, I asked myself as I typed “Cheney” and “sunglasses” in the Google search box. When the image appeared on my screen, I was somewhat disappointed that all the fuss was for nothing. The image also angered me in a way that probably only a few could appreciate.
The image, upon first glance was recognized immediately. It’s is obviously a reflection of a persons arm casting a fly rod. No, the anger was not the realization that the image was not anything closely resembling the speculations that were running rampant all over the web. The anger resulted in the fact that I was reminded he was a fly fisherman. I didn’t really appreciate being reminded of that fact!
I, along with everybody else who partakes in this sport/past-time/hobby/stress relieving activity know what I’m talking about. Fly fishing, also referred to as “the quiet sport” is more of a mental activity than a physical one, but it is different things to different people. For me it’s my “Zen.” There is something very calming about listening to the sound of the river of creek you are standing in, and realizing that everything depends on your skill to present the pattern in just the right way as to imitate it’s living counterpart to entice the fish to take your offering. If you’ve done it right, and the fish strikes, you’ve got a battle on your hands! A hefty Cutthroat or Bull Trout on light fly gear is an invigorating thrill, and requires skill and tact to land your catch. And yes, I practice catch and release! But that’s not what this is about, well sort of.
The part that angered me the most about the picture is it made me want to “politicize” my favorite pastime. After it sunk in, all I could ask myself was “how could he be able to enjoy this wonderful pastime (which he obviously is, judging by the smile on his face) after all he’s done to bring shame to America. Lying about Iraq having WMD. Authorizing the use of torture by the CIA. His part in rallying support for the invasion of Iraq. His response of “so?” when asked about public opinion polls. The list goes on and on of all the things I don’t like and trust about this man.
Then I tried to justify his apparent pleasure of being able to partake in the art of fly fishing while he has sent the sons and daughters of other fly fishermen to war by telling myself “that he’s not human, and has no sole, so I shouldn’t be too shocked.” The image invoked feelings of anger, hate, denial, and then depression. I knew he enjoyed fly fishing, but over the past 7 years that fact had slipped my mind. It had been replaced by more relevant thoughts about who and what Dick Cheney is all about, none of which I respect.
But now that spring is in the air, my spare winter hours were spent tying this spring and summer’s hatch patterns, and the fly lines have been cleaned and conditioned, but as of today I feel an emptiness inside. The picture of Cheney has dampened my enthusiasm to get back out on the water this spring. He obviously doesn’t look saddened that our country is still at war, but this picture has reminded me that we are.
I always felt that I’d enjoy fly fishing until I was no longer physically able to do it. But after today, I almost feel as if I’m no longer emotionally willing to do it. There is a lot of truth to the old saying, “a picture speaks a thousand words.” And this picture is speaking thousands of words to me that I don’t like.
Technorati Tags: Dick Cheney, Fly Fishing, Image, Sun Glasses, Reflection
Sphere: Related ContentBookmark this article!
Guns, especially handguns are being an all too familiar word in today’s headlines. Shootings in schools being the most disturbing. But what’s more disturbing is when the shooting involves a child. This type of tragedy is 100% preventable, but sadly still happens all too often.
As a gun owner myself, I take the responsibility of owning a gun very seriously, and I am very outspoken about those that are less responsible around these weapons. I wrote an article a while back discussing my views on why people would want to get their weapons custom painted pink with the “Hello Kitty” logo emblazoned on the stock. Over 100 people commented on the article, and not one of them could I post up for reasons ranging from “very” bad spelling to threats of what a certain type of gun would look like in a certain part of my body, to just threats in general. All this told me was that there are some people who need to learn to spell better, and others that are very passionate about their guns, and that’s all well and fine.
Whether you collect firearms of every type, and caliber, or just own one for personal reasons, it doesn’t matter to me. What does matter to me is when a little girl accidentally shoots herself with a gun she finds in her parent’s bedroom that has not been stored correctly or safely. This kind of shit is inexcusable!
Do I feel bad for the little girl’s parents? Of course I do, because they did not ever intend for their little girl to find the weapon in the first place, but she did. And now the little girl is in critical condition fighting for her life in a hospital in Michigan. This tragedy was so preventable, but sadly it still happened.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this family, and I hope for the best for the little girl’s recovery.
As I’ve said before, I’m not against responsible gun ownership, but I am against some of these people that have guns, that really have no right to own one. Case in point, the guy who used his gun to put a hole in his wall so he could finish installing his satellite dish. This stupid decision resulted in him killing his wife, because she was standing on the other side of the wall as he fired. This tragedy again was 100% preventable.
Technorati Tags: Guns, Responsibility, Ownership, Accidents,
Sphere: Related ContentBookmark this article!
I’ve heard some pretty stupid and callous things in my life, but what San Diego Republican Representative Darrell Issa said about the 9/11 attacks on New York takes the cake. He dismissed the attacks as “simply” a plane crash. He also stated that the Federal Government had done enough to help New York cope with a “fire” that “simply was an aircraft” hitting the World Trade Center.
Which gene pool do these quacks come slithering out of? His remarks are about as enlightening as the moron who claimed “what America needs is another 9/11!” Just the fact that this idiot is able to “trivialize” the attacks that happened on September 11 proves that there are indeed people who are using up our valuable air supply!
9/11 was just a plane hitting a building and resulting in a fire. Bhopal was simply another chemical spill. Chernobyl was simply another nuclear meltdown. The Titanic was simply another ship sinking.
The list must go on and on of all the simple catastrophes that have happened in our lifetimes, and the times of our fore fathers. A great loss of life because of an accident, is not simply an accident to the survivors, or those left behind. But to have one of the most horrific, deliberate, and catastrophic attacks on our soil, on our brothers and sisters, on our homeland, trivialized as “simply” a fire caused by a plane hitting a building is not only ignorant, but also repulsive!
I’m starting a fund to raise some money to send Mr. Issa to New York, where I’m sure his thoughts and views will be most welcome! Good luck to you Mr. Issa, you won’t be missed.
read more about this idiots comments here
Technorati Tags: Darrell Issa, 9/11, World Trade Center, Terror Attacks
Sphere: Related ContentBookmark this article!
If anything would have smacked as a conspiracy in the Democratic Nomination race, it would have been if anything had happened to Barrack Obama during a rally at Dallas’ Reunion Arena.
In what is a mind boggling decision by the Secret Service to order security details at the rally to let people into the event without being checked or inspected, is just plain stupid!
The order to put down the metal detectors and stop checking purses and laptop bags came as a surprise to several Dallas police officers who said they believed it was a lapse in security. “Sure,” said Deputy Police Chief T.W. Lawrence, when asked if he was concerned by the great number of people who had gotten into the building without being checked. But, he added, the turnout of more than 17,000 people seemed to be a “friendly crowd.”
I just can’t believe that the person in charge of the Secret Service’s detail to protect Obama would give the order to not screen people at such a public event! Every person in this race, be it Clinton or McCain, or Huckabee, or Paul deserves to be protected by the Secret Service. Not only deserves it, but I’m sure they expect it as well.
The last thing this country needs is another John Hinckley trying to prove a point.
Read More about this security lapse here
Technorati Tags: Barrack Obama, Secret Service, Security Lapse, Dallas
Sphere: Related ContentBookmark this article!
Email Vicezilla
