If you are going to speak publicly, do your research. I did...

Yesterday, I came across an article from the Smyth County News & Messenger with the headline "Sen. Carrico blasts governor's agenda as anti-Southwest".  Sen. Bill Carrico R-Galax, stated that Gov. McAuliffe's agenda will "cripple coal, violate our gun rights and diminish our economy."  However, in the New Virginia Economy text under energy, page 11 on the following link, https://governor.virginia.gov/media/3501/new-virginia-economy-12052014.pdf, the following is stated...

 Go global with coal technology by building a proactive

outreach program that creates an awareness of international

opportunities, conduct an “export tour” in Southwest Virginia

and increase technical assistance for future growth of coal in

international markets.  

This doesn't sound very anti-Southwest to me.

Additionally, Sen. Carrico stated the Governor is "promoting more ways" to limit the rights of people to own guns. The Governor's proposal includes...

prohibiting the possession of firearms for persons subject to protective orders and those who have committed certain misdemeanor offenses, such as stalking, sexual battery, and domestic violence, as well as revoking concealed handgun permits for parents delinquent on child support payments and closing the gun show loophole. 

In an article with The Bland Messenger, Sen. Ben Chafin R- Hansonville stated, "these proposals will only hurt law abiding gun owners and sportsmen like myself." Note to you Sen. Chafin... the expanded gun control has nothing to do with law abiding citizens. 

The point of all of this is that both of these Senators are Republicans. The Governor of Virginia is a Democrat.  Are these Senators simply attacking the Governor's plan because he is of a different Party? Seems like it since their arguments don't match up against what the facts actually are.


Later people.

The Lost Joys of Childhood

I spent the last hour or so listening to records. I listened to songs on full length albums and 45's.  Don't get me wrong, I love my iTunes. It's convenient, I can buy individual songs, and do it all from the comfort of my home, iPhone or iPad. However, as a child of the 80's, I can't help but feel sorry for kids today. Long gone are the days where the most popular form of music was on vinyl. 

30 years ago this summer, in 1983, I purchased my 1st 45. It was "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant. I was hooked. My parents had vinyl that I listened to, but the real joy was buying songs that were current and popular to my generation.  It was a thrill to go to the mall in Bluefield and spend time in the Record Bar or National Record Mart just looking at all the records, wishing I could have them all.  Oh, and the occasions when I actually could buy one was a dream come true. Did I want "Mr. Roboto" or "Abracadabra?"  I had to make the best of my $1.79.  Then, the ultimate prize, getting home to listen to it. Watching that shiny black circle go around and around on the turntable while the sounds of my purchase came blasting out of the speakers was pure contentment.  I did that for hours.  

Yes, I am a child of the 80's and glad of it. Passing the time didn't involve apps, texting, or expensive gadgets. Simple joy was found on a round, vinyl disc with the whopping price of $1.79. If you still have them and way to play them, dig out those 45's and let the childhood memories come flooding back.

Later people...

Do your research when voting

The presidential election is less than 7 months away. Time for citizens to get out and cast their vote for who they think is best to run the country. The Democrats have the incumbent, President Obama and the presumptive Republican candidate is Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts.

Over the next several months, we will be bombarded with info about each candidate. This is where I ask you good people to do your research. Make an informed decision. This blog post today will of course have a slant and bias to the left, but, it's my blog so I can do that.

I have been seeing articles from CNN that makes me wonder how anyone can vote for a Republican. I have voted Democrat since 1992, the first year I could vote. I have never once thought that my party's candidate was not qualified or had ideas that I didn't agree with. Sure, I vote by candidate, not party. It just so happens that they all are Democrats.

Issue #1...President Obama wants to introduce reform to Wall Street oil traders, saying they are somewhat responsible for oil & gas prices. Analysts say this has little chance of going anywhere because Republicans in Congress already have issues with reforms on the financial companies. So, let me ask you, if you are a regular joe, middle class trying to do your best, why would you vote for people that think its ok to allow banks to have continued what they were doing? Do you all like being screwed with? Do rural Americans know who they are really voting for? Do your research people.

Issue #2... The Buffett Rule. The so called Buffett Rule, named after multi-billionaire Warren Buffett would alter the tax code for individuals making over $1 million dollars per year. Mr. Buffett himself does not agree with the low amount of taxes that he pays. One would think that the average joe would love to see the rich pay more in taxes. I would. Yet once again, this was shot down by the Republican led Congress. So now, the average people that voted for their Republican candidates has supported candidates that screwed them once again.

Issue #3... Women's health and right to choose. Why do Republicans think they can tell women what to do with their bodies? Why does any man in government think he can do that? Women's issues should be decided by doctors and the individual woman. A number of Republicans do not like the health care law signed by the President, saying the government shouldn't be involved with people's lives to that extent. Yet the same people think they should have the right to limit or ban abortions.

I could list out more issues, but I won't at this point. Maybe another post in a few weeks. The point of this is the way I see it, the Republican party is not for the people but rather corporate America, closed minded, controlling white men, and anyone else out there without compassion.

When it comes time to vote in November, make a smart, informed decision and really think about who you are voting for and what their morals are.

Later people

Relationships

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, holiday time is busy.  Today is Wendy's and my anniversary, we have been married for 11 years.  It has been an amazing 11 years (plus 6 years we knew each other before we were married.)  There have been ups and downs just like every marriage has, and we have worked through it all.  What pisses me off is to see celebrities treat marriage like it is a new shirt or car, once a slight hole appears in the shirt or the car needs some maintenance, it is time for a new one.  What the fuck?  These people have no idea what marriage is or how to work through one.  When two people are in love and commit to marriage, they exchange vows that are "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."  Being married for 2 weeks or 1 day is hardly keeping with these vows and maybe the two people should have waited a while to get married.


I don't want anyone reading this to think that I am saying every marriage should last forever.  There are some that just don't work out, either one of the people gets into it and after a few years, something changes and marriage doesn't feel like it used to.  Or, maybe one of the people doesn't go into the relationship honestly and ends up being completely different from when they first met.  Whatever the case may be, if the feeling is not mutual and after trying everything to see if changes can be made, the best option may be to end the marriage.  But at least try to work together and communicate with each other what the issue or concern is.  If both people truly love each other, then compromises can be made to get going back on track.  A person truly committed will decide what is important and what is silly to argue over.


In March, my parents will be married for 40 years.  I know that times were tough in the beginning, but they worked through it and did what they could for my sister and I.  It was only recently that I deeply realized what they did for us.  My father working outside for the phone company for 37 years.  My mother taking care of our home. Marriage isn't all glamour and being seen at the newest restaurant in town or having the biggest house.  It is about a commitment that two people make to share their lives together through good times and bad.  Some people in this world just don't get it.  Many conservative people out there say that allowing same sex marriages will weaken the institution of marriage.  Bullshit.  These celebrities and reality TV shows are taking care of that, not two guys or two women that are  committed to each other and wanting to share their love.


If you are reading this and you are married, I hope it is a happy marriage.  If there are problems, take a step back and evaluate what is most important.


Later people.

Simple observation

I will probably raise some eyebrows with this post. Maybe piss some people off. It is my opinion and we all can agree to disagree. The following is based on my visual observations over the past 10-15 years or so. What I have noticed while living in Charlottesville and working in Richmond's West End is that suburban white women think they are the shit. Especially white women with children. I know what you're thinking, aren't you married, don't you have a mother & sister? Yes, yes, and yes.  However, my wife is not white and my mother & sister are not suburban.

These women drive through the shopping center parking lot in their minivans or big ass SUV's with a purpose. "I am on a mission to get my shopping done no matter how rude I have to be. I am a white woman with a family and money, don't fuck with me."  That's what I pretend they are thinking.

Also, they are very upright looking when they come to the store. Always dressed like they are going to a nice restaurant or something like that. Damn, loosen up ladies, it's the fucking Target, not a 5 star hotel. Live a little, wear a t-shirt and jeans or something like that. Not to say that all white women are like this.  There are the ones that look like they just got back from Bonnaroo and would shop at Integral Yoga or Earth Fare (if we were so lucky to have one in Charlottesville.)  These women are more mellow and smell like patchouli, much more relaxed, even when the kids Moonbeam and Lotus are with them.

I bet you all are wondering why I am writing all this. Well, it has been on my mind for a bit and I thought about sharing. When I was younger, I assumed I would marry a white woman. When I met Wendy, I didn't go looking for someone that was another race, it just happened. But, I am sure glad it did or I probably would be miserable.

Later people.

Complexities of man

Men across time have created great things. Either through physical or intellectual means, the majority of advances we have today were created by men. Before you get yourself worked up that this is a pro-man post, let me go ahead and squash that. I know that women have accomplished remarkable things as well. What will follow will clear this up.

Men have no problem creating, fixing, or taking care of everyday tasks. However, try to get a man to express his true feelings. Silence. That is what will follow when asked a man to share his inner feelings. Why are we like that? Is it in our genetic code that blocks us from expressing ourselves? The answer is no. The most likely answer is society.

Society dictates a lot of what people do or don't do. For a few years, I wanted to get my eyebrow pierced, but I didn't because I thought people may look at me and think, gee, that guy is a weirdo. I finally came to the decision that I am 37 years old and if I want to pierce my eyebrow, then I am going to. I have one life and I don't want to be on the verge of death thinking of the things I wished I had done in my life. Sorry, I got sidetracked...back to feelings and emotions.

For some reason, men are expected to be hard and stoic with no visible signs of emotion. Sometime long ago, well before I was born, this idea was formed. The man was the protector and the woman was the emotional one. We live in a different world today, but these gender ideas still exist. If a man does express what he feels, most likely he is drunk or high and can play it off later.

Then there is the masculinity code red...crying. Never, ever cry in front of someone. This is nonsense. If you feel like crying, then go ahead and let it out. It is not healthy to keep emotions built up in you.

I am guilty of the above, but I am working on it. It is hard to do, but if who the person you are expressing yourself with loves you, then the whole experience becomes a lot easier. Any guys out there reading this, open up to your wife, partner, kids, or whoever. You'll feel better.

Later people.

West Virginia

When someone says West Virginia, a majority of people in the US will think of media induced stereotypes...toothless hillbillies, uneducated rednecks, family members fucking each other. Enough of this shit. This is 2011, a time when we should be intelligent enough to stop spreading these tales & images of a backward state.

True, West Virginia has its problems. There are rampant prescription drug issues, higher poverty rates and health issues. I don't think it's the people that are lazy or bad, it's the lack of resources that most of us take for granted. Lack of quality jobs, highways, medical care drive the issues. If the government would stop treating West Virginia like it is worthless and improve the infrastructure, jobs & progress will follow.

In Southern West Virginia there are the Hatfield-McCoy trails for ATV's. Hundreds of miles of trails have been made in Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming, and soon Mercer counties. These trails have produced entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry. Citizens have remodeled old homes for B&B's, opened restaurants and repair shops all catering to the visitors to the trails. If these people were lazy, would they do this? I don't think so.

There are a number of communities in West Virginia that are rebuilding its economy through tourism. Fayetteville, Tucker County, Greenbrier County to name a few. The people of these areas realize that the predominant industries of the past (logging, chemicals, coal) are largely gone and it is time to step up and make a change.

We as a people need to make a change. Stop treating West Virginia as a punch line in a joke and realize the amazing opportunities that the Mountain State has to offer.

Later people.