Loud and...

I have always thought that the most ineffective debating tools were: simply shouting down an opponent, using the "case closed" approach, as if your words were the final solution, equating opinion and interpretation to fact, not offering the opportunity for rebuttal, and inferring that anyone who might not agree with your case is somehow less intelligent.

Of course, the majority of public debates are handled in such a fashion these days. My favorite tactic is the one where a participant attempts to shout-down the opponent, as if you can win a debate by virtue of simply having a bigger mouth and more lung capacity. There is no doubt that such a practice can end a debate, but it certainly doesn't prove the point.

I was fully prepared to sit down and write a scathing, inflammatory response to the latest rant from Rosie O'Donnell. She states that she has no doubt that the events of 9/11 were not perpetrated by a group of foreign terrorists, but in fact, these attacks were carried out by operatives acting under the command of our own government.

Of course, now there are cries for her head on a silver platter. The right-wing is demanding that she be fired from her job on The View. She's being compared to Jane Fonda, she's being called a traitor. Of course, her defenders are out in force as well, loud and clear.

I don't believe Rosie should be fired. I don't want her head on a platter. I say, simply let her have her rants, her raves, and go on to the next thing. In my opinion, this is not a matter of politics. It's a case of a highly-opinionated, extremely vocal woman doing what she does best: drawing attention to herself.

She is not, in my opinion, any different than Ann Coulter, at least in her tactics. They have different ideologies, of course, but whether a punch to the nose is thrown with the right fist or left, it's still likely to sting. Shout something in English. Shout it in Spanish. You're still shouting. And making a ridiculous statement as a Liberal doesn't mean it's any less ridiculous. This is not a political issue, it's a matter of noise.

O'Donnell cites seemingly factual material which is highly subjective at best. She claims that the buildings could not have fallen as described because fire cannot melt steel.

She is a very literal person, and those who choose to argue with her need to choose their words very carefully, because she is very liberal (as in free, not political) with her interpretations of data.

I don't think anyone with any knowledge of steel-making would dispute that the temperatures inside those burning buildings ever reached the temperatures required to create molten steel. The jet fuel burned at temperatures somewhere in the area of 1500 degrees, while steel would become molten liquid only at about 2500-2700 degrees.

On that basis, the explanation would have to be that something else went on in those Towers, no?

Of course, she failed to note that at 1200 degrees, steel loses half its strength. She also failed to note that the structures would give way and collapse long before the steel became molten. If I were as literal as she was with my interpretations, I could refute her statement that "fire doesn't melt steel" by simply stating that "steel is very much melted with fire", because they burn combustible materials to melt the steel. And most of the experts agree that the buildings fell as a result of three factors: structural damage caused by the actual impact of the 200,000+ pounds aircraft, the displacement of the fireproofing, and the heat of the fires. No single one of those factors would have likely caused the collapse on their own.

And I'm sure I could, with the help of the right scientific teams, go in and analyze the debris that's been left. If I were to find samples of the materials necessary to construct a nuclear warhead. Would I then be correct in drawing the conclusion that the buildings were brought down by nuclear explosion?

We can all cite studies. We can search the Internet just the way Rosie suggests. And for every scrap of evidence she finds in support of her theories, I could come up with one to refute her theories. There have been studies by teams in support of the "conspiracy theories." There have been studies put together to dispel those "theories." The studies I tended to give credence to were the ones that were conducted for the purposes of finding out what we need to do to prevent those kind of cataclysmic collapses from ever happening again. The bias there is saving lives, not assigning blame, or furthering political agendas.

This debate could go on and on...how could they possibly have planted the amount of charges necessary to bring down buildings of those magnitude, populated daily by that many people, and never have been spotted? Why would the government have Flight 93 crash in a field? Would well trained operatives have left anyone in a position to combat them, as was the case on United 93? And why wouldn't they have done more damage, or for that fact, more precise damage if they'd attacked the Pentagon with a guided missile? At this point, we all have our opinions and interpretations.

But we all have opinions, and we all have intepretations. None are right or wrong, they're simply ours. I don't have the expertise to debate the issue scientifically. I simply interpret the material offered to me, and draw my own conclusions. I am not an expert, and I would be foolish to stand up and tell any one of you accept my interpretations or opinions as fact. Our parents should be the only ones in our lives to get away with saying "because I said so!"

I don't want anything to happen to Rosie O'Donnell. I think she should just be allowed to go on doing what she is doing every day because she has little or no credibility, in my opinion. And it's my opinion; I'm not telling you how to feel about her. She employs all the wrong tactics. A classic example of the "no room for rebuttal" is the fact that she doesn't allow anyone to comment on her blog. She makes her statements, and shuts the doors. She shouts down opponents, resorts to namecalling and other mocking behavior when she is challenged. Her answer to argument would likely be "because I say so." And that shoots her credibility in the foot. I don't think she's wrong in her opinions and interpretations, although I do think she tends to be irresponsible in using the platform that she's been given.

If Rosie O'Donnell had more credibility, I'd have probably been more upset, and likely to have launched that tirade. But to me, she's nothing more than a noisy celebrity simply exercising her lungs, and her rights. She's not likely to foment the overthrow of our government. She's just a talking head on a show that I don't watch.

This topic is very important to me. I watched those Towers that day in person, with my own eyes. I had friends who died in those buildings. And I'd like to think that my words and opinions would matter a whole lot more than they do. But I have to remember that those facts would probably skew my judgement a little. So my credibility would probably be questionable as well. So I don't pass judgement on Rosie O'Donnell's views on the subject. I simply hear or read them, interpret them for what they are, and move on.

We all, in this country, have two options here. We can believe that our nation came under attack by a group of foreign combatants, and that they declared war on us on 9/11/01. Or we can believe that our own government perpetrated one of the most hideous crimes in American history against its own citizens.

It's going to take someone far more intelligent, informed and credible to convince me to ever accept the latter.

Oh, and my comments section is wide open to anyone who'd like to state their own opinion. However, telling me to "get a life" or anything insulting along those lines, will result in your comment being deleted.

Because I said so.
Sorry. Couldn't resist.

11 things

Well I got in the mood to do one of those "meme" things, since I've seen some really interesting ones the last couple of days. I'll give it a shot trying to keep up the standard...

1. Driving, to me is a necessary evil. It's like paying the bills. If there were a way around it, I'd give it up in a second.


2. I'm a very streaky person. Not a streaker. I mean that when I find something I like, I tend to eat, watch, listen to it too much.


3. I have a short attention span when it comes to "favorites". Like, right now, the most beautiful celebrity to my eyes is Jami Gertz. Check back in a couple of weeks and you'll see what I mean about the attention span


4. I love kids. I love the nonsense, the chaos, the silliness.


5. I write my blog entries in HTML instead of compose mode, which just confirms that I am a geek.


6. I am an over-doer. I know it's annoying when I gush in my comments. In my defense, I really mean what I say, I just know I should tone it down. It can reek of stalker, but I'm really not. If I think you're great, or you write something funny, or brilliant, I really feel the need to say so. I'm workin' on it.


7. You know how people get annoyed when someone says "like" at the beginning of every sentence? That peeve applies to me when it comes to the word "amazing". I've heard digital cable, cellphones, yogurt, neighborhoods, music and perfume described as "amazing" today alone. It's overused, diluted, and takes too much away from someone who truly is "amazing".


8. I can't play UNO. I think if I've played 10,000 rounds in my life, I've won 3. But I have a lot of fun with that game. I play chess respectably, I hold my own at Roulette, Poker, (although not too often for money, not much of a gambler)even Gin Rummy and Canasta, although I get whupped at Canasta.But UNO is my downfall. I'll play anytime though!


9. I used to pride myself on being "slow to anger". I have since learned that that's not a good thing because when it happens, I'm terribly slow at forgiveness. I'm working on that. The worst heartbreak comes, not at the hand of a lover, but from a friend, and I have a hard time giving my trust back. It's hypocritical of me, because I've been forgiven a number of times. I'm working on it, as I said.


10. I'm a "random giver". I love giving little gifts. I love wishlists. I like to think that when someone uses a gift I gave them, they'll think of me.


11. I don't know when to shut up.

A Little Weirdness Before Sleep...

I needed some loafing-around time today after PT. I lay on the bed and flipped through the channels, winding up on the movie stations.

I watched a little of an older movie, "She's All That" starring Rachael Leigh Cook, then saw some of "Million Dollar Baby", starring Hilary Swank, before finishing up with "Just Like Heaven", with Reese Witherspoon.

I mentioned the stars' names like that because I want to know if you can help me out here. Those three Ladies all have a similar style of speaking. I find it strangely sexy for some reason, watching them speak. (Hey, I said this was weirdness). A friend said what they all have is an "overbite". Do any of you know what I'm talking about, and is it an "overbite" that we're talking about?

I dunno, I just think it's pretty, but I'd love to know what it is called.

Extra, Extra?

It's getting to be a regular occurrence for me, magazines I read, or newspapers I look at, reporting financial difficulties, or ceasing publication. InfoWorld (a geek mag that I read) is reportedly folding its print operations, and I hear the SF Chronicle is stumbling, just to name a few.

I'm not sure that I'm ready to give up all print media. The idea of the tech magazines and journals going completely digital makes some sense, since their readers don't go too far without a laptop, PDA, etc., in tow, but I don't know if I want to do without my newspapers just yet.

For me, the only source of real news, in depth, has been the actual physical newspapers. I log on to FOX and CNN too, of course, but by the time I get done filtering through all the Anna Nicole stuff, the Celebrity gossip, and the nonsense I don't want to read, I typically find a paragraph or two on what I'm actually looking for.

Is it me? Do any of you feel ready to surrender your hard copies of Time, People, Vogue, Barrons, and others? I always thought it a ritual for a bride-to-be to get a few copies of "Modern Bride" and "Brides" into the mix. And what about the daily crossword or Sudoku?

I've tried a few subscriptions to the online versions of such things as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Star Ledger, but I don't know if I want them to be the only way I read the news. And going through the endless process of signing up, registering, creating passwords, well I'm not that patient at 7 AM, for one, and Internet isn't typically available on the commuter train.

What's your take? Have you abandoned the print media? Am I a dinosaur here?

Spotlight 25

I watched my usual silly shows, "Still Standing" and "Reba" on that Lifetime network tonight. During those broadcasts, the network repeatedly advertised an upcoming special, "Spotlight 25".

The special was going to highlight a select group of 25 year old women, their stories, profiles, etc., with a focus on the lifestyle of these "Generation Y" women. I decided to stay with it, and I'm glad I watched.

A real quick synopsis of the topics the show touched on:

Considering that sexual experimentation was something new to the Baby Boomer generation of women, how is it with the Gen Y ladies? They feel freer to have casual sex, sex doesn't always require feelings and relationship committments at first, but the group agreed that they were all now looking to start on the road to settling down. They outlined the challenges (men aren't necessarily looking to settle down in this new age, just yet) and advantages (a whole new world of opportunity with Internet, etc.)

Women of this age want careers, but not ones that completely engulf their lives. They discussed the reputation of Gen Y'ers as "job hoppers", and the pro's and con's of such a rep.

The concept of the Quarter-life Crisis. A tendency to compare oneself to peers. Financial independence is fleeting. Major debt hanging over them. Tuition loans, credit card debt, no savings, a need for savings. Impulse-spending...celeb mags heavy influence. Clothes shopping. Rampant sense of entitlement, blamed somewhat on the parents. The woman in the spotlight at this point had no clue about finances. A strong pull to keep up the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

I think the host, Willow Bay, did a good job getting the group talking. There were a few profiles done of individual women that added a nice touch to the show. It's always good to see people in action to illustrate a point or two. I think it was a good insight into what seems to be an energetic, ambitious, intelligent segment of society, especially in an age where young people are getting a bad rap from some other segments of society. Now mind you, this particular group has some serious issues to overcome (the life crisis at 25? uh oh!) but I think it was good that there was some time in the spotlight for some productive young people.

The network hasn't made it completely clear whether or not this is a one-time event, or something the plan on doing again. If they do, I think there's a few areas for improvement. I did have a few problems with the broadcast. Nearly 1/4 of the hour was spent broadcasting commercials, which sure made it tough to stay with the flow of the show.

I found something else very distracting, and that was the way these women spoke. As in their voices. There seems to be this trend for speaking in "bedroom voice" these days, this throaty, almost raspy tone that can really grate on your ears. Some of the women really sounded as though they were just waking up or something. Hard to explain, but it really started to get to me, particularly when they spotlighted this woman. It's weird. I never noticed it before, but once I did, it bugged the hell out of me. (if you want to see what I'm talking about, there's a film clip from the show on the program's site...click on it when you get to the page, and the host starts right off in the "voice". Sorry, it's one of those pet-peeves of mine)

But overall, I think it's something they should experiment. I think if they produced segments covering different age groups, they might have something here. I hope you all saw it, and if not, I hope Lifetime rebroadcasts it.

Peace

It's easy to forget the simple things in life, and how much joy they can bring us. We get so caught up all the time with everything we deem "important", and the good stuff can be so easily overlooked.

I finally made my way back to the Church I normally attend tonight, 5 PM Mass. I'd been making my weekly pilgrimage, due to physical constraints, at a different place, but this week I made the effort to find my way "home".

The Mass that I've so come to love is ministered by a group called "Life Teen", and while I'm well past my teenage years, I don't think that joy needs to know your age in order to find you.

Life Teen, in many ways, brought me back once before. After what I witnessed and experienced, first-hand, on 9.11.01, I was, for the first time, very angry with God. Right or wrong, my faith had been tested, and I'd given in to that anger and allowed it to cause me to turn my back on my Religion. In my heart, no God that I'd come to love, worship and honor, would have ever allowed what took place that day. And off I went. To funerals, Memorial services, one after the other, saying goodbye to friends and business associates, some of whom were never actually found and identified. And with each Mass, I drew further and further away from my heart.

I think it's very appropriate that, a few years later, it took the love and faith of a group of teenagers to show me just how juvenile my reaction had been. My anger got the best of me, and I allowed it to bury a faith that had been solid and strong for so many years. Yet this group of fresh faces, beautiful voices and loving souls took hold of my heart, and brought me back from the bad place I'd gone. A faith that I'd rejected, I now seemed unworthy of.

But, as I said, these kids showed me the way back. They led me out, and proved to me that God's will is not for us to question, but to accept as for our own good. Their song, their enthusiasm, their genuine love for each other, as well as everyone around them was the call that I needed to hear.

I've made my peace now. I've done what was necessary to come back into the Fold, and it's an awesome feeling. They welcomed me back, probably very unaware of the effect they've had on my life.

I'm just glad they did. And I'm grateful. It was so very good to see and hear them again.

And The Week in Review

Just wanted to look back at the week, because it was a pretty good one this time around. It was kind of a week of "inspiration"...nothing worthy of a movie, but for me, a good step forward. Yep, had me some moments of inspiration and motivation, and some people to thank.

The Inspirations

Got some serious physical therapy time in. I managed to do everything the PT asked (more like told), just the way I was asked, and without being too wimpy. I've strengthened things a whole lot in the past month, and particularly this week. Ms. Meta, your mix was in the iPod, and helped me push jussssssssst a little bit more 'cause I know you're trying, so it made me try.I got rid of the crutches completely this week. So, thanks to you, once again.

I saw something in the paper this week that really got me going (as in anGRRy) and I sat down and did something I haven't done in a long time: I wrote a letter, on paper, signed it and mailed it. It was a letter to "the Editors" of the newspaper I was reading, something I've done, umm, never. I followed through for once. Someone made me understand that the only way the "other" side of the coin ever gets a voice is for those of us who believe that this country owes us nothing, and that sometimes the right thing might not be the most "popular" thing at the moment. So, thank you Ms. Kristen, for that inspiration. See it here...

I don't know if Ms Nemesis is a reader or not, but something she wrote about inspired me to remember that every little thing we do matters, and no matter how little our contributions are, as long as they're added to the mix, they can help make a difference. If everyone makes even a tiny effort toward a goal, the goal becomes a little easier to achieve. So thanks Ms Nem.

Ms Tammy, you're not only an inspiration, you're a hero. I hope you know that, even though I might not tell you every day. I'll work on that. Thanks for making me feel like a complete wuss if I feel the urge to complain about my nonsense. And that's a good thing. If you haven't had the pleasure, please take a few minutes to visit her blog. "My Life as a Warrior"

I was reminded this week how important my job of "parent" is. Not that I forgot, mind you, no, that's not what I mean. I think what I'm trying to say is that we can do so much in our children's lives by the little things we do. And it's so vital that we remember that things we could very easily overlook are very important to the little People in our lives. And in a day and age where parenting, in many cases, has become a big game of "Pass the Buck", it sure is refreshing to be reminded that "good" parenting isn't a lost art. So thanks Ms. Emily and Ms MammaMia. You guys inspire me to keep up the hard work that comes along with being a parent. Ms. Emily's AOL Journal is here

I was, lastly, inspired by one of the best. She has made a career out of making me feel better. She reminds me that I count, that I actually do matter. She lets the world, once in a while, be all about me. She inspires me to just face the world the best way I know how, and that I owe apologies to no one for just living the life I do. And she does it while dealing with a lot of things in her own life. She keeps a great AOL Journal that you can see here. So thank you, Ms. Cassie, for a lifetime's worth of inspiration. Everyone should have a friend like you.

So why would I write something like this? 'Cause I seem to complain a lot. I know that I come off as surly and grumpy. It's mostly my way of trying to be funny, because I know life isn't really so bad. Humor can make the bad stuff go away, and I think that idiotic behavior brings out the writer in me. But I also want some folks to remember that the things they do matter, and this is just one way to do it.


PS, is it ok to link the blogs of the people I mentioned? If you read it, and see your "name" please say so in the comments, ok?

Thanks. Gotta go to sleep now.

Yayyy!

So there's an educational process I have mastered now. It's a whole series of things all tied together to bring us to one solid conclusion. Here, let me illustrate...
Yeah, we do it something like this. Drinking affects the ability to stand, walk, and do many other motor functions. Knees, spine and other assorted and sundry bones coming apart affect the ability to stand, walk, and many other motor functions. Combine the two, and, well you get the picture. Not a good duet.

And, along with those fun things, you get a treat the day after: H-A-N-G-O-V-E-R.

So, having completed the formula, we arrive at our final conclusion: Stupids shouldn't drink.



It's all good though. I was never much of a drinker anyway. I was always the dork designated driver. So it just kinda stuck. Every once in a while I would find a chance to cut loose, but then I'd always remember why I am not much of a drinker. I hadn't had anything to drink in a long time anyway. Not a drop.

So, I figured, what the heck? Have a drink along with everyone else. No harm in that, I guess.

I was not in a place that required me to drive, or for that fact, do anything responsible.

And umm, I was with my parents.

We only drank some wine.

No more drinking, lol.

I am a lightweight.

Oww.

How To Deal?

I remember in one of my child psychology classes some many years ago, the professor discussing how part of the growth experience of a child is the realization that its parents are not all-powerful and perfect. It teaches the child that human beings have limitations that we must learn to live with. The concept is essential in that it starts the child on the road to self-reliance.

On the other hand, one of my life's major frustrations had been coming to terms with those limitations in myself. I think the worst times in my life come when I see a loved one hurting, and I realize that I cannot make it "all better." I understand, of course, that part of life is enduring its difficulties, that those difficulties can help build character. But it doesn't calm my frustration when someone I love is hurting.

I'll never stop looking for the magic wand though, ya know?

Subliminal Messages

By now, most of us Bloggers here have become familiar with the little "word verification" images that we have to read before entering comments on most Blogs.

So I guess it was inevitable that Blogger started personalizing them, or encoding them as messages to each and every user. At least that's what I think.

It all sounds very "conspiracy theory"-ish, but look what I found as I was leaving a very dumb comment:










See?

Legal Matters

So this is Phil Spector, who is set to go on trial for murder shortly.



I'm not a lawyer. But if there were one piece of advice I could muster for this man, it would be:
Get a haircut

Left is Right

I often watch "Real Time With Bill Maher". I don't watch it because I'm a Libertarian, or a Liberal, but because I really like to look at both sides of any argument or issue to better make decisions.

This week's episode was more of the same. The show has a lot of interesting content and discussion, but it always gets back to politics, and decidedly Left-Wing politics at that.

Maher takes President Bush to task over the Patriot Act, and the overwhelming Big Brother approach to government these days. He said that Bush has asked us to sacrifice a lot, and Maher stated that those sacrifices included 6 of the 10 basic civil rights.

Granted. The government has gone over the line under Bush. There are a lot of things going on that most of us wish weren't happening. I wouldn't dispute that for a minute. Our government ideology these days seems to be "business as usual until someone catches on."

What irked me tonight wasn't so much those statements. What got under my skin was Maher's comparison of the sacrifices being asked of us during this Iraq War to those asked of the Nation under the Presidency of Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt.

He listed the sacrifices: rationing, War Bonds, even made mention of women being asked to turn in their silk undergarments for use in parachutes. He made it all sound so patriotic, so "high road", and how much more noble the government was back then. He railed against the Bush Administration's mistreatment of a segment of society today.

He forgot one thing.

The Internment of Japanese American CITIZENS during World War II. Thousands of people of Japanese descent were forced out of their homes, forced to live in deplorable conditions simply because they were Japanese in descent.

Racial profiling, anyone?

For the first time, Maher almost had me agreeing with him.

Almost.

Weak in Review

Now this is not, in any way, an entry about the people who might be mentioned in here tonight; they're just the most prime examples I can think of at the moment.

It still bugs me that someone who was once a friend of Antonella Barba's thought it would be cool to release those pictures on the Internet and do some damage. I assume it was a friend, and probably a close one, because you don't typically pose for those kinds of photos with someone you don't like.

And we're getting day-to-day reports about Britney Spears' progress in rehab. There was an article the other day about how she is drinking gallons of Coke per day. We're hearing all kinds of tales about the stuff that's going on inside those walls.

So where is this going?

Whatever happened to loyalty, discretion, valor and honor?

Who the hell is leaking the Britney stories? No wonder she wants to rent out an entire wing of the Center. I just find it a little unsettling. The Courts can't get at some patient records because of Doctor-patient confidentiality rules. Hell, these days, forget the Medical rules, just open the tabloids. You'll get all the info you need.

I guess with the way things are, you'd better watch everything you do. They used to say that if you didn't want your Mother or spouse to see it, you'd better not do it.

Yeah, good advice these days.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! (Happy St. Patrick's Day)

So leave it to me to get on here so late with a St. Patty's wish. Well, I guess it's better late than never, right?


Quiet day here at the homestead. The weather kept a few of my friends from traveling down to have dinner here at the Old Guys' Home. So you're all gonna have to pack up and come by for a visit; I have way too much corned beef left over here, ok?


The Nor'easter didn't cause too much havoc here. We got a couple of inches of snow/ice packed down out there, but the sun took care of a lot of it. All ya got to do is git here!


March Madness sure helps pass the time these days. Saw some pretty decent games so far here in the early going. Excitement doesn't usually take off until the Sweet 16, but I can't complain about what I watched today.

So, who's your pick for National Champ?

See ya later...off to read.

I Wanna Be's an Expoit

How does one get to be an "Expert"? I've been watching the news on CNN. In the course of presenting the various news stories, CNN has included interviews with a series of people, whom CNN identified as "Experts": Political Expert, Human Resources Expert, Terrorism Expert. (that terrorism expert, what exactly does he do? We'll cover that some other time, ok?)

So I figured out that I have most certainly missed a boat or two in my life.


The Human Resources expert, in a story about "Employee Health, gave us his valuable insight. "Employees make or break a company. Employees can't be relied upon if they're sick or injured."

That's it?

I have so got to get me a job like that. Even I could come up with something like that! Listen: "Employees can't do their jobs if they don't come to work."

How's that? Am I an expert now? Please?