Republican National Convention, 2016

This country is going to get what television and cable executives, and the 15 second Internet attention span, has cultivated in the citizens of the world, over the past 15 years.

I take this back to the first President Bush public rebate, hatched to remove the surplus revenue that President Clinton built up. Everyone, who got a check, took that $800 check, ran to Walmart and purchased their first large flat screen TV, sat down, and plugged into reality TV, and Trump's iconic "You're FIRED!," for the next 15 years.

I feel that the Republican "me first", "Not in my back yard", mentality has done severe damage to our country, its citizenry, and as a matter of "trickle down economics", the world. The hard lined Republican mentality has just about destroyed the GOP, established political grid lock in just about every aspect of government, and continues to foster an elitist "smaller government" attitude, while giving large corporations and rich individuals rewards in the form of tax breaks, incentives, and control of the population.

Its a shame really, when social media outlets, in some instances fed by corporate based entities, like political action groups, are rife with emotionally fed, ill-willed, slanderous, misquoted, and fabricated facts and statements, are used to continue, and further develop, an emotional hatred of one person, a group of people, even a country, race, religion, or sexual preference.

When did we citizens of the literate world, stop using the common sense that comes with the ability to read, and divine, or tease a reasonable truth from some thread of information on our own? Why do base emotions rise in us, when we read, or hear, of something opposed to an individual's personal belief system?

In the US, you have the Right to believe in, and practice, just about anything you want to, within reason. No one is going to take those Rights away from you, they are guaranteed by the Constitution, with the exception of Constitutional Amendments... Oh, and Presidential Executive Orders, I forgot about those.

Think about your options this Fall when you vote. There is always an option. While not voting is an option, I think this cycle, I might choose someone in the "third party" this year. I don't know yet, I'm still reading up on these folks. Who know's, this year might be the year that the Republicans, and the Democrats, signal a change in the political landscape.


Campy Out!

Believe in yourself, not in what the news tells you!

If we watch "the news", we begin to believe "the news."

I've been on a news sabbatical for over a year now. Sure I hear what terrible things happen by word of mouth and on the radio. The news is so meaningful, to so many these days.

I'm usually struck sad by the number of people, shops, and other public places that have "the news" on all the time. Its no wonder people get a terrible view of the world.

I'm here to tell you, the world is healthy. People are smarter and kinder than we give them credit for. When we see pictures and movies of people rioting, and continue to watch that shit, the media knows it, and they keep it coming, because it sells commercial air time, which is how they get their money. PERIOD!!

Its all about market share, commercial airtime, and pulling in new viewers, not because the news is important to us, its because they sell airtime to commercial vendors, who want to reach our eyeballs at any cost.

Sure killing sucks, racial bigotry sucks, gun control or lack of gun control sucks, religion sucks, politics sucks, negative shit sucks, but negative shit sure sells a bunch of commercial air time.

Good news? It's out there, but people don't want to feel good about being good. Jerry Springer saw to that change in our lives. Good news don't sell air time to no one right now.

If we changed the game, and stopped watching what "the news" executives put in front of us, they'd have to change what they sold. But that requires work on our part, and I don't think we're ready as a society. Which doesn't mean that there aren't more good people, doing good things, for good reasons, than there are butt heads in the world.

I firmly believe that there is much more good in any one of us, than there is evil in the whole world.

Campy Out!

This Shit is Getting Old...

If you believe that Obama is the center of all things evil...

I guess you could believe Clinton could continue degrading America. In which case, the Republican party will complete its long over due implosion, and give the country two, or three, lesser Conservative parties.

That would make me happy, not because of the demise of the Republican party, but because it would be a significant change in something old... are election process.

I'm not a Clinton fan, nor am I a fan of sensationalized media, senseless memes, anything religious, politics, and emotionally charged rants.

I support global awareness, human potential, social programs, fiscal responsibility, and most importantly, any kind of change.

I'm not afraid to try a new way, even if it failed before. Staying "the same" isn't good for anyone, unless you want to get slow, old, and grouchy, or like being a Republican.

I'm not happy with the Presidential options this year. I'm more upset with the whining and negative advertisement B.S. that political action groups, major news organizations, and social media groups are spreading.

I'm not happy with staying "the same."

I expect Hillary will win, the Republicans will whine... again, and probably challenge the election, a few Republican groups will continue to fan the dead horses (no pun intended) of Benghazi and the email server, just like Trump fanned Obama's birth certificate.

I expect the NRA will continue to fight any legislation concerning the second amendment.

I expect the Republicans will continue to try and appeal, or defund, The Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare, which used to be called Romneycare).

I expect Democrats to continue to increase social programs and social spending.

I expect nothing to change in politics. Crazy people will continue to make decisions based on political ideation and political money, instead of making decisions based in what will benefit all American citizens, and increase the well being of everyone.

I expect radical American citizens will continue to kill other American citizens in acts of domestic violence.

I expect the large "news" organizations like FOX, CNN, and MSNBC, will continue to make Billions of dollars off the sheep that continue to watch them and their commercial advertisement spots.

I expect this personal rant to change, nor affect, anyone's mind in the least.

This shit is getting old...

Enjoy your summer!!!

Campy Out!

Who are you more afraid of? Terrorists or Tobacco?

People have been killing people since the beginning of time.

Here's a few lists I put together during some "down time." Whether we humans are killing out of jealousy or self protection, for sport, or for food, or just because someone may be different, it has always been part of our human nature.

Click on these links:
(There's nothing scholarly here, just more stupid unverified information from a simple Google search.)

Genocides

Wars

American Deaths from Terrorism

List of firearm deaths by Country

Annual Deaths from Tobacco

Annual Deaths from Preventable Causes

Annual Suicide rates by country

And Finally:
The National Vital Statistics Report on Deaths (2013)

It's not that I'm complacent about terrorism, war, genocide, and generally wicked mean people, I'm just concerned that as an "advanced society" we have chosen to focus on individuals that cause events that cause hundreds of deaths each year, rather than events that cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year!

If human lives are truly sacred, only on this planet, and nowhere else in the universe, doesn't it seem a little incongruent to get upset at a confused bunch of people who kill out of hate and fear, rather than to get upset at a bunch of really super rich corporations who make tobacco products that kill almost half a million Americans each year???

What is really important?

Campy out

"The Don"

Every successful politician, and business person, has to sell themselves to either, the public, or a board of directors, respectively.  Once a deal is cut, usually by winning a hard earned vote, in both circumstances, and the office of President awarded to the politician, or the money is released to the business person, then the real job starts, free from the awful process of selling to the affected voters.

Don't get too nervous about this. I see it as an opportunity for our country to realign and adjust to what is reality, rather than what is politically acceptable, not politically correct. Look, I believe Mr Trump to be a very smart man, who just happens to have a very keen business finger on the pulse of America, at the moment. Who know's what Mr. Trump's true intentions are, or what the intentions of any politician are for that matter. We can only hope that we don't end up with another President like James Buchanon, for his inept leadership skills, or Andrew Jackson, father of the Democratic party, also nick named "Indian Killer" for proposing, and signing the nearly genocidal "Indian Removal Act of 1830."

I believe that this circus of a political system has been run by professional bullshit artists like the Clintons and Bushes, corporate lobbyists, network entertainment businesses parading as "news" company's, and deep pocketed king makers like the Koch brothers, for too long.  I think it's very humorous that a very successful American citizen is making a mockery of the political establishment in a (very familiar to me) New York fashion. 

Mr Trump is full well within his Rights, to exercise his desire to run this country, just as much as you, or any American born citizen is. Likewise, the voting American public has been entrusted by The Constitution, to choose, in their collective opinion through a popular vote, the best candidate for The President of the United States.  

This pre-election nomination process has been nothing, if but humorous to watch unfold. Quite frankly, I'm looking forward to the next few months.  The Republicans are self imploding at present, and it's cracking me up.  The Democrats are next, just wait for the show to unfold.  America, and the world, loves a good reality show. Well here it is! For at least the next 9 years, keep your eye on the American electoral process, it will be a good show, and it won't be on a "pay for" network!

Campy Out!

My New Favorite Weather Man!

Frankie McDonald has autism, and he's been doing weather for a few years now. After watching this guy do weather for about two months, I can honestly say I'm impressed!

He's a rough around the edges, a bit loud, repetitive, yet he's honest, accurate, and he cares about getting extreme weather alerts out to the people via the internet.

Laugh, but give Frankie a go.

Frankie's Links:
Snowmageddon 2016
Canadian Interview
Frankie's YouTube Page
Frankie's "Be Prepared!" Tee Shirts

Campy Out

What can you do?

Smile, it may be your last!

Smile as if it will be the last time you'll be able to smile... ever, 

Parkinson's WILL take your smile.

Laugh as if it will be the last time you'll be able to laugh... ever, 

Parkinson's WILL take your laugh.

Read as if you'll never be able to read again... ever,

Parkinson's WILL take your vision.

Walk like you'll never walk again... ever, 

Parkinson's WILL take your legs.

Whatever you do, do it, and experience it as if it will be the last time you will do it... ever, 

Parkinson's WILL sneak up on you and rob you of it eventually.

Never blow off an opportunity to do, make, or go, somewhere different, 

tomorrow IS NOT guaranteed

Above all,

Treat EVERYONE as if it will be the last time you see them... ever. 

Parkinson's will not rob you of the people you love, but YOU sure can.

Campy Out!

Gun Control. My Solution? "Roger's Gun Law"

If guns were lying around like cell phones, in one generation, guns would be a non issue.

In reality, any legislation that our state or federal government enacts will only, and I'm quite serious about this, only affect law abiding people. That's it, plain and simple. I understand the frustration on both sides, it's visceral.

Bad guys will always be bad guys, they don't care about laws. People will get shot, mean people don't care.

The rare mentally ill person will have moments when they slip into a zone where they will use any available weapon.

People will get shot, who knows why mentally ill people do what they do.

Law abiding, good citizens will forfeit certain weapons, forfeit certain accessories, obtain background checks, training,certification, and licensing as required, buy smart guns, secure guns as required, pay gun owner premiums on weapons and ammunition, and if required, pay a tax, all to own a weapon.

People will get shot, accidents happen.

What's the answer? This is going to sound really stupid, but please think about it.

I'd like to suggest Rogers Gun Law:

1. GIVE a hand gun to every tax paying US Citizen in America, old enough to drive,

2. Require annual training, and verification that the weapon is usable, well maintained and

3. The owner demonstrates proficiency in the use and maintenance of that weapon.

I'm sure some people are laughing, and some are about ready to puke. I believe an action such as Roger's Gun Law, would, make guns invisible within one generation. American's own a cars, kitchen knives, razors, loads of household poisons, rope, small gas motors, chainsaws, and a myriad of other potentially lethal items that we take for granted, and we don't even register the significance of the item, because they're all around us, every day.

This law would also start a whole new industry in America. Great idea Rog!

If guns were lying around like cell phones, in one generation, guns would be a non issue. People would still get hurt, killed, and robbed with weapons, but chances are the bad and sick, well at least the bad, people would think twice about using a weapon to commit their crime.

Campy Out!