Owning a condo in Florida is a two-edged sword. On the upside we're lucky enough to have a place for us and the family to go to pretty much when ever we want to enjoy-usually-beautiful weather and beaches.
The downside is of course in the news as we speak. The threat of a hurricane. The last storm to impact us directly was Irma and as hurricanes go it could have been a lot worse. Our condo association is still dealing with carport issues even after 3 years but our condo in particular sustained very little damage which I was able to fix myself.
Now it's wait and see for Dorian which is expected to hit land as a cat 4 storm. That's very serious but with any luck at all, for us at least, it's track seems to be taking a northerly route thereby pretty much missing the Naples area on the west coast. But who knows?
More on this Monday when much more will be known.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Tear them down or keep them? That is the question.
In the last post I told you about a controversial issue of a somewhat local nature. Well, here's another on a national level.
Actually this one has been around for some time but recently flared up in the news again. It involves the issue of whether or not confederate monuments should be left standing or torn down.
The tear-down proponents argue that the monuments represent a time when the nation had slavery and by erecting these things we are approving that particular institution. The let-them-be proponents argue that for good or ill they are as much a part of the nation's history as any other. So they should remain a part of the story.
The reason this has come up is because we are now living in a time of significant intolerance, hatred and racism. Never since the race riots of the 60s has it been so bad. What could be the cause of that? I think you know where I'm going with this. The answer is that we have the great misfortune to be led by the chief racist and white supremacist of all time-Donald Trump.
Trump has spent the last 3 years going around the country talking, tweeting and ranting thereby inspiring his base to commit unbelievable acts of violence and hatred but, hay, that's just Donny being Donny.
Anyway, as soon as the nation dumps Trump things will settle down until the next round of arguments.
I'm not sure where I stand on the issue. Both sides have some merit to what they're saying. Let's see how it plays out.
Actually this one has been around for some time but recently flared up in the news again. It involves the issue of whether or not confederate monuments should be left standing or torn down.
The tear-down proponents argue that the monuments represent a time when the nation had slavery and by erecting these things we are approving that particular institution. The let-them-be proponents argue that for good or ill they are as much a part of the nation's history as any other. So they should remain a part of the story.
The reason this has come up is because we are now living in a time of significant intolerance, hatred and racism. Never since the race riots of the 60s has it been so bad. What could be the cause of that? I think you know where I'm going with this. The answer is that we have the great misfortune to be led by the chief racist and white supremacist of all time-Donald Trump.
Trump has spent the last 3 years going around the country talking, tweeting and ranting thereby inspiring his base to commit unbelievable acts of violence and hatred but, hay, that's just Donny being Donny.
Anyway, as soon as the nation dumps Trump things will settle down until the next round of arguments.
I'm not sure where I stand on the issue. Both sides have some merit to what they're saying. Let's see how it plays out.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
Newtown is like any other small town in the U.S. Aside from concerns with international and national politics, we have our share of local issues to fret about.
For example here in Newtown and actually the state of Connecticut there's a whirlpool of discussion regarding the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. Most stores in Newtown have stopped using plastic although you can still get plastic bags at some groceries but you have to pay extra for them. People are encouraged to get permanent cloth bags.
A few days ago, in an effort to keep this going, someone posted on Facebook a picture of a sea bird caught in a plastic bag that had been left at a beach somewhere along the CT shore of Long Island Sound. The point they were trying to make was obviously that we need to eliminate the use of plastic as much as possible.
Someone from the other side chimed in with the comment "What on earth does that have to do with Newtown?" Hence the title of this post.
I don't usually involve myself in these local skirmishes. It tends to bring the craziness out in people but in this case I couldn't help myself. I responded that it has everything to do with Newtown! After all we don't live in a vacuum. We're part of a larger community. For example when people go to the beach, they often shop for snacks and drinks to bring along. They then proceed to toss those bags into the car along with towels and whatever else people take to the beach. Once there, they get everything out, kids start eating, the now empty plastic bag gets away in the breeze and, well, you know the rest.
I wasn't the only only to respond. A whole bunch of other people said I was right and started with their own comments-some of which were a tad harsh-which is why I avoid getting involved. Anyway, the guy who made the original comment wisely cried uncle and the whole thing eventually died down. But the original point still holds. Everything we do affects others in one way or another. Let's try to make it a good effect, shall we?
OK, go ahead and respond!!
For example here in Newtown and actually the state of Connecticut there's a whirlpool of discussion regarding the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. Most stores in Newtown have stopped using plastic although you can still get plastic bags at some groceries but you have to pay extra for them. People are encouraged to get permanent cloth bags.
A few days ago, in an effort to keep this going, someone posted on Facebook a picture of a sea bird caught in a plastic bag that had been left at a beach somewhere along the CT shore of Long Island Sound. The point they were trying to make was obviously that we need to eliminate the use of plastic as much as possible.
Someone from the other side chimed in with the comment "What on earth does that have to do with Newtown?" Hence the title of this post.
I don't usually involve myself in these local skirmishes. It tends to bring the craziness out in people but in this case I couldn't help myself. I responded that it has everything to do with Newtown! After all we don't live in a vacuum. We're part of a larger community. For example when people go to the beach, they often shop for snacks and drinks to bring along. They then proceed to toss those bags into the car along with towels and whatever else people take to the beach. Once there, they get everything out, kids start eating, the now empty plastic bag gets away in the breeze and, well, you know the rest.
I wasn't the only only to respond. A whole bunch of other people said I was right and started with their own comments-some of which were a tad harsh-which is why I avoid getting involved. Anyway, the guy who made the original comment wisely cried uncle and the whole thing eventually died down. But the original point still holds. Everything we do affects others in one way or another. Let's try to make it a good effect, shall we?
OK, go ahead and respond!!
Sunday, August 11, 2019
An addition to your 'must read' list
Buy or borrow this book and read it. You will thank me a thousand times over.
Monday, August 5, 2019
The death toll rises!
Two more mass shootings in less than 24 hours. The public reacts with outrage and demands that something be done. Politicians send thoughts and prayers and Donald Trump, according to the Washington Post, offers a solution:
"Trump calls for ‘strong background checks’ after massacres, suggests pairing gun legislation with immigration reform."
He just can't help himself can he. By linking gun control to immigration reform he suggests the root cause is immigration related. No matter that the shooters were young, white lunatics who openly profess racism.
I did a little research into the gun laws from one state to the next. The inconsistencies are incredible. You go from several states like Delaware with very strict gun laws to several others that have virtually none. Take Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona for example. They are wide open. By a hand gun or anything else you want, walk out of the store, strap it on and you're good to go.
I think that's a good place to start. Enact federal laws that cover all states. Breaking those laws would then be a federal crime regardless of what the states do. That would be a start.
In the meantime it would seem our thoughts and prayers aren't getting it done.
"Trump calls for ‘strong background checks’ after massacres, suggests pairing gun legislation with immigration reform."
He just can't help himself can he. By linking gun control to immigration reform he suggests the root cause is immigration related. No matter that the shooters were young, white lunatics who openly profess racism.
I did a little research into the gun laws from one state to the next. The inconsistencies are incredible. You go from several states like Delaware with very strict gun laws to several others that have virtually none. Take Wyoming, Idaho and Arizona for example. They are wide open. By a hand gun or anything else you want, walk out of the store, strap it on and you're good to go.
I think that's a good place to start. Enact federal laws that cover all states. Breaking those laws would then be a federal crime regardless of what the states do. That would be a start.
In the meantime it would seem our thoughts and prayers aren't getting it done.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
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