Here is a story that from time to time makes its way into my mail box. I have always found it to be quite amusing and while the story is typically told of a business executive and IT professional, the twist is a welcome relief. Enjoy! (though the titles of those involved is a welcome twist)
A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her
altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse
me, can you help me?
I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I
am."
The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air
balloon approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet
above sea level.
You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees,
49.09 minutes west longitude."
She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Democrat!"
"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you have told me is
technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your
information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to
me."
The man smiled and said, "You must be a Republican."
"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you
are going.
You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You
made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to
solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in
before we met but, somehow, it's my fault."
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Saturday, November 13, 2004
In my defense.
My darling Llama,
In my defense, I had made the pie and pudding for desert and had waited (like a good boy) until everyone was ready for the pie in order to have mine. So when I opened the fridge and realized that someone had cheated, I was a little upset. Besides, if I can't get offened when someone fingers my pudding (or now I find out my pie) without my knowledge or permission, what can I get offended at?
Lost? Click here to see Punk Llama's post.
In my defense, I had made the pie and pudding for desert and had waited (like a good boy) until everyone was ready for the pie in order to have mine. So when I opened the fridge and realized that someone had cheated, I was a little upset. Besides, if I can't get offened when someone fingers my pudding (or now I find out my pie) without my knowledge or permission, what can I get offended at?
Lost? Click here to see Punk Llama's post.
Friday, November 12, 2004
The Few... The Proud
We sit alone for hours in darkened rooms, where only slivers of light and reflections can be seen.
The gentle hum of the motors compose the score of the dark keeping us in check.
Our presence is generally accepted as necessary, though some don't think we still exist.
We are the keepers of dreams, of fears and of love.
It is through our hands that miles and miles of tales are run.
Life for us runs through a series of pauses that keep us in time at 24.
We are the few, the proud, we are your projectionists.
So the next time you are at a movie, take a second, turn around and wave.
The gentle hum of the motors compose the score of the dark keeping us in check.
Our presence is generally accepted as necessary, though some don't think we still exist.
We are the keepers of dreams, of fears and of love.
It is through our hands that miles and miles of tales are run.
Life for us runs through a series of pauses that keep us in time at 24.
We are the few, the proud, we are your projectionists.
So the next time you are at a movie, take a second, turn around and wave.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Buy P&G Products
When a company is faced with a boycott by the religious right (story), we should band together and purchase products exclusively from that company. So, when faced with a decision on which product to purchase, choose Proctor & Gamble.
Saturday, November 06, 2004
At the Copa...
I love Barry Manilow. It is this brief yet vital realization is what makes me think I was an old Jewish Floridian in my past life. Which could also explain my obsession with New York and Miami. Because as the saying goes… where there’s sand.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Makes Sense to Me
I have been having difficulty trying to put to words how I feel about civil rights legislation and the idea of my civil rights being put to a vote. Some would question why I feel so pessimistic about things changing here in America. Then I came across this quote:
"In ______ we've never taken the view you should have votes on human rights. Otherwise, minority communities would be pushed to the sidelines and denied their rights. It's a fundamental value here in Canada that questions of human rights aren't put to that sort of test.'' -- Jack Layton leader of the NDP (National Democratic Party)
His simple explanation of why matters of civil rights should not be left up to the people to vote on makes so much sense to me. I have recently come to the realization that we are founded by Christian fundamentalists. We will always be a Christian nation and no matter what gays, lesbians and bisexuals will be a minority. An invisible one at that. What I mean by that is this: racial discrimination is clear. When you see someone standing in a white hood burning a cross chanting “nigger” that is clear to everyone (even those involved) that it an act of racism. However, when I go into work and talk about the weekend I had with my husband and some of my Christian co-workers tell me that I am going to go to hell, that is not any form of discrimination.
The fact of the matter is that in all but a few states and municipalities, I can still be fired for being openly gay and I have absolutely no legal recourse. If my husband is in the hospital in most cities I am no more special than a stranger off the street. If my husband goes back to school and I work to support us both, he can potentially be taxed for the support that I give him, because it can be considered his income. There is only one problem with everything I have listed here, is they really only affect a small minority of the population.
Wherein lies the true struggle. How do we make those around us understand what the law actually says. Most people assume that because we are the “most free” nation, these laws must already exist. I was recently in a discussion with someone who said simply “that’s discrimination.” To which I replied “yes, but perfectly legal.” So, bottom line, until our cause becomes the nations cause, we will be left in the dark, without a vote, without a voice.
"In ______ we've never taken the view you should have votes on human rights. Otherwise, minority communities would be pushed to the sidelines and denied their rights. It's a fundamental value here in Canada that questions of human rights aren't put to that sort of test.'' -- Jack Layton leader of the NDP (National Democratic Party)
His simple explanation of why matters of civil rights should not be left up to the people to vote on makes so much sense to me. I have recently come to the realization that we are founded by Christian fundamentalists. We will always be a Christian nation and no matter what gays, lesbians and bisexuals will be a minority. An invisible one at that. What I mean by that is this: racial discrimination is clear. When you see someone standing in a white hood burning a cross chanting “nigger” that is clear to everyone (even those involved) that it an act of racism. However, when I go into work and talk about the weekend I had with my husband and some of my Christian co-workers tell me that I am going to go to hell, that is not any form of discrimination.
The fact of the matter is that in all but a few states and municipalities, I can still be fired for being openly gay and I have absolutely no legal recourse. If my husband is in the hospital in most cities I am no more special than a stranger off the street. If my husband goes back to school and I work to support us both, he can potentially be taxed for the support that I give him, because it can be considered his income. There is only one problem with everything I have listed here, is they really only affect a small minority of the population.
Wherein lies the true struggle. How do we make those around us understand what the law actually says. Most people assume that because we are the “most free” nation, these laws must already exist. I was recently in a discussion with someone who said simply “that’s discrimination.” To which I replied “yes, but perfectly legal.” So, bottom line, until our cause becomes the nations cause, we will be left in the dark, without a vote, without a voice.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Now What?
I can’t believe that I am hearing Democratic leaders today talking about how they did not involve enough religion in their campaigns and that in order to grow the party they are going to have to appeal to the religious right and start making religion and God a higher priority of the party. The polls show that a significant number of Americans believe that morality and religion were more important than the economy, jobs and the war in Iraq. What concerns me most about this election is not who won, but the picture that the election has painted of what a “majority” of Americans want for America.
The neo-conservative movement will have another 4 years of unstoppable power in the Federal government. What does this mean for America? Just look at the last 4 years and then realize that in their minds, they were rewarded for everything they have done. If you really think that they will be willing to reach across the aisle, to come to some sort of negotiation with the progressive movement in this country I ask you why should they?
They now control The Whitehouse, The House of Representatives and The Senate. If current political thought is correct, they will also be approving 2 Supreme Court nominations. This election will have a true and long lasting impact on the future of our Nation. I will try to become more optimistic, but it will be incredibly difficult.
The neo-conservative movement will have another 4 years of unstoppable power in the Federal government. What does this mean for America? Just look at the last 4 years and then realize that in their minds, they were rewarded for everything they have done. If you really think that they will be willing to reach across the aisle, to come to some sort of negotiation with the progressive movement in this country I ask you why should they?
They now control The Whitehouse, The House of Representatives and The Senate. If current political thought is correct, they will also be approving 2 Supreme Court nominations. This election will have a true and long lasting impact on the future of our Nation. I will try to become more optimistic, but it will be incredibly difficult.
Hillary to the Rescue
Please Hillary Rodham Clinton, make this loss worth something. Run for President in 2008.
The Time Has Come
It is now 11:00 and by all accounts, it seems that President George W. Bush has all but won a second term. Ohio looks like it will go to him and without some sort of serious court challenges (which I seriously doubt will happen) John Kerry has lost the election. There seems to be little hope that we as a nation have been able to turn away from the right wing politics of this administration and instead the early polls seem to show that between governorships, the congress and the presidency, we have gone even further to the right.
The leaders who advocate the privatization of everything from social security to education are winning. It looks like 11 more states will pass legislation that will prevent same sex marriage, most go even further to prevent any type of civil union. I hate to be pessimistic but I really do see dark times ahead for America.
When my grandparents came to our country they fled political oppression and communism looking to come to America to find freedom and hope. The American dream was something that millions have fled oppression in pursuit of and something that has been kept alive by the hopes and dreams of children in our nation. Now, the dream is beginning to fade. With record voter turn out, it seems that the true heartbeat of America is conservative.
I don’t want to go on forever because whatever I write tonight will be mostly emotional however I will say this. I will give every chance I get for the next for years to try and make a difference. I will try my best to turn the country back around and try to reverse what will be years of right wing influence. However if in four years the attitude and political temperature of my country has not changed, it may be time for me to leave.
I will write more about this issue in the upcoming days, and perhaps I will change my mind. We’ll see.
The leaders who advocate the privatization of everything from social security to education are winning. It looks like 11 more states will pass legislation that will prevent same sex marriage, most go even further to prevent any type of civil union. I hate to be pessimistic but I really do see dark times ahead for America.
When my grandparents came to our country they fled political oppression and communism looking to come to America to find freedom and hope. The American dream was something that millions have fled oppression in pursuit of and something that has been kept alive by the hopes and dreams of children in our nation. Now, the dream is beginning to fade. With record voter turn out, it seems that the true heartbeat of America is conservative.
I don’t want to go on forever because whatever I write tonight will be mostly emotional however I will say this. I will give every chance I get for the next for years to try and make a difference. I will try my best to turn the country back around and try to reverse what will be years of right wing influence. However if in four years the attitude and political temperature of my country has not changed, it may be time for me to leave.
I will write more about this issue in the upcoming days, and perhaps I will change my mind. We’ll see.
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