tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212352492024-02-28T01:52:44.661-08:00From Chaos Great Things are BornA rant and opinion filled blog full of rage and humor. As explained by the only man brave enough to call you on your bull. Music, humor, social comentary and more.ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-16770419760549971672009-03-16T10:01:00.000-07:002009-03-16T10:05:20.903-07:00Eleven Things I would do if I was elected President of the United StatesEleven Things I would do if I was elected President of the United States <br />(Also known as eleven reasons why I will never be elected President of the United States)<br />I am not a politician. I am not a professional pundit. I am not registered to any political party. I do not think I can fix everything. I don’t think I am the final say in decisions about what is right and wrong. Nor do I think that my opinions would solve every ill the country suffers from. However, I do believe these few changes to the way our government operates could help our country regain its place as the greatest country in the world. <br /><br />1. I would make all taxes even and based on a percentage of your income. If you make ten thousand dollars or six hundred billion dollars a year it will be eighteen percent. I would close all tax code loop holes and have no tax breaks for shipping American jobs overseas. The term “tax break” would evaporate from this nation’s vocabulary completely. This money would help fund social security as well as every other service currently covered by money being deducted from your check. No longer will you need to work from January to May just to pay the government. You can start keeping more of the money you worked so hard to earn. This could help elevate the need for filing income tax returns every year as you would not have any deductions or extra taxes to calculate. Let’s call it a real flat tax plan. Individual states can still impose a sales tax. But only if one day of the week is made tax free and in total the tax can be no higher than 5 percent. I would also impose regulations on all “fees” charged by companies to increase their bill average. Wouldn’t it be nice if when you got a phone or cable bill that you were just charged for the service and not for ten to fifteen other fees attached to it? Instead of calling them “connection fees” we should call them what they are, taxes. Now before you freak out and say this plan won’t generate enough capital please read on.<br /><br />2. I would pass a universal healthcare bill that included every person in the country regardless of income, race, creed, medical history, marital status, hair color, smell, or whatever other reason you are currently be denied the healthcare you need. I would use France and Cuba’s healthcare system as a model and starting block. If you fear this idea, please see these innovative country’s systems to understand how this will help us all live healthy longer lives. This plan would cost you absolutely nothing to participate in. It would include mental and dental health as well. I would offer all employees longer vacations and full paid sick leave. New mothers could take up to one year off to raise their newborn. Then when returning to work, they would receive free child care. The childcare will have adequate staffing overseen by trained professionals who take pride in their work and have medical training to deal with sudden problems. Prescriptions would cost five dollars, no matter what the medication, dosage, or frequency of use. There would be no more being declined for anything, if you need treatment, you will receive it. Your life is decided by insurance companies who see you as a dollar sign. They’re in the business of making money and there is no money in making you healthy. Currently there is no money in finding a cure for a disease, only in fighting the symptoms. I would invest money in research and development of cures for all diseases and fund programs dedicated to that goal. In the never ending search for the next answer to human life, I would approve stem cell research as well.<br /><br />3. I would fund a plan to send every person who wanted an education to school for free. There would be no more college loans and no more financial aid that no one qualifies for. I would bring back all the programs that have been cut in school budgets due to rising costs and frivolous spending. It’s time to take the people who do not think in the best interest of our children out of the equation. I would fully fund programs for the arts and encourage our youth to experience our rich culture. I would pay teachers a better wage and make the criteria for becoming a teacher more stringent. I would also offer bonuses to teachers who achieve greater results from their classrooms. Thus forcing teachers to be more accountable for student’s graduating to the next grade. No more letting money determine your child education. I will give teachers the tools they need to educate our young, but add limits to a teacher’s tenure. Tenure will no longer be a get out of jail free card for those who do not genuinely work to better their student’s lives. I would create jobs by offering classroom aids and shrinking the size of students per classroom. We can teach children to aspire to be more. I would also offer more common sense courses to help people learn about life in the real world such as:<br /><br />Understanding Money<br />Basic Reading in Everyday Life<br />Common Courtesy<br />Maps and Cultures of the World (Get to Know Your Neighbor)<br />You Too Can Learn To Operate a Motor Vehicle<br />Everyday Math (No really, it’s not that hard)<br />Truth in Media<br />Minding Your Own Business 101<br />Common Sense and How to Use It<br /><br />4. I would work hard to devise an alternative fuel strategy. We need to get on track to be independent of all foreign bought oil by the end of my first term. May the solution be the electric car, hybrids, methane gas, hydro electric power, or bio-diesel we need to put our best and brightest minds to work. If we figured out how to make a ‘Segue’ move on it’s own I think we need to work a tad bit harder on coming up with a new plan. We have the ability to revolutionize the world as our forefathers did so many times before. We have to break our dependency on foreign oil and start putting our hard earned money back into our nation’s growth. And seriously, drilling in our wildlife preserves is not the answer we are looking for. Finding a new plan will help us deal with the growing dangers of global warming and hopefully reverse the effects that drilling and the burning of oil has brought on the Earth. We need to think of our children and grandchildren and their futures. There is a bigger global picture, and currently we are missing the mark.<br /><br />5. I would prohibit lobbyists from giving any money or perk to members of our government. I would make all current elected officials give back every hand out they received from a lobbyist, within ninety days, or take your money and resign. We need to get the corporations out of our government. These lobbyists work for corporations and special interest groups. We have to stop allowing companies to rule our country. They do not think in our best interest. They think in their company’s best interest and the almighty dollar guides their decisions. We need to put the power back into the hands of the people. Make your elected officials represent you, and not whoever lines their pockets most graciously. I will then have an “IRS” styled team audit the government and everyone who has taken bail out money from the government and used it in untraceable or unethical ways. This would include lavish company parties and bonuses for CEO’s who ruin their companies. The banks that took billions of dollars of bail out money and now suddenly have nothing to show for it need to show this team where it all went. <br /><br />6. I would place a ban on the use of high fructose corn syrup by the end of my terms (yes terms). Start by making companies add a corn syrup free product into their lines. Go back to the healthier way of creating a sugary sweet taste, sugar. We are allowing corporations to make us fat by putting indigestible chemicals into our bodies. Take a second to read the label on almost anything you buy in a can, jar, bottle, or box. I bet that a good amount of those items will list high fructose corn syrup as a major ingredient. I know we make a lot of corn. So we need to figure out other things to do with it. If you need an idea see number four above. We are the most out of shape nation in the world. Although lack of exercise plays a large part in the problem so does the amount of corn syrup in our products. There are currently programs paying farmers not to grow fruit and vegetables due to over production. Well that practice is over. We will produce as much as we can and export our extras it to those countries around the world that go hungry everyday. I will also work to provide strict regulations to crack down and control companies who limit production just to keep the consumers’ cost up by falsifying supply and demand numbers.<br /><br />7. I would decriminalize marijuana and tax it to death. Marijuana is easy to cultivate and could become a booming new industry in the country. Let’s be honest about pot, it doesn’t hurt anyone. We could use it in place of all those anti-depressant medications constantly being shoved down our countries throat. It would add to the tax pool and help create even more jobs to bolster our economy. This would also help to destroy the Mexican gangs currently making our southern most border a blood bath. We can take the money away from the bad guys and then use it to help fund programs for our citizens. I would put an end to the “War on Drugs” and set free all non violent drug offenders thus cutting down on our prison population. This money could be turned into educational programs to help children understand the dangers of persistent drug use by using facts instead of propaganda and fear.<br /><br />8. I would insist that we stay out of all other countries’ business unless we are asked nicely to intervene. If Iraq wants us out, then let’s get out. Why are we still fighting there right now? Do you believe it’s going to fall into chaos if we leave? We are not going to be there forever, and weather we are there two days or two hundred years, chaos will ensue. That’s because the land is not ours and we have no stake in it or the oil we went there to steal in the first place. We need to take care of our land and our people. Our opinion does not need to be that of the rest of the worlds. Will we need to be involved in some aspects of the world? Yes I do believe we will. For example a place like Darfur certainly needs our help. But that stems from the fact that they lack basic human rights. They have no clean drinking water and no active sewer system. So let’s start by helping them and all third world countries to get basic necessities they need. When we pick and choose what countries we want to help it breeds anger and resentment towards us. Such anger and hatred for each other is pushing us all to the brink of extinction.<br /><br />9. I would give all current illegal aliens the opportunity to become citizens or ask them to leave within ninety days. If an illegal does not want to be a citizen he will not receive any health care or other social programs. Nor will any offspring born to them while illegal receive citizenship. If caught, said illegals will be deported and unable to ever attain a visa to return. Currently the number of illegal aliens who inhabit this county is massive and continues to grow. Some are of the criminal element and are circumventing many of our society’s laws. I would then close our borders and make that the responsibility of the armed forces to protect. We would update our immigration policy to allow foreigners a chance to become citizens after they meet an attainable set of guidelines. With the tax revenue that the millions of illegal aliens currently living in our country would provide we could create even more jobs to help protect our shores and citizens. All incoming shipments would have strict verification guidelines. Nothing gets into the country without being fully searched in some form or another. Americans would be able to see that joining the armed forces did not mean you were definitely going to fight a meaningless war. They would be staying home and protecting our country. <br /><br />10. I would remove all religion from politics. Too many decisions are made by men who feel that God has spoken to them. Hello Mosses, God does not talk to you. Those are just voices inside your head. Some people would refer to that as split personalities. I on the other hand just call it crazy. When this belief is used in a decision that affects every American on a daily basis it is just wrong. Millions of citizens believe in millions of different things. Not everyone takes the stories in the bible as literally as some do. It certainly isn’t the word of God and you can not manipulate the stories to fit into whatever cause you are fighting against now. We are free to believe whatever we want to believe without the fear of religious persecution. Our founding fathers were smart enough to understand the importance of separating church and state. I will follow in their footsteps. I would legalize gay marriage and give all citizens the exact same rights that every American deserves. I would allow women the right to choose what they do with their bodies. It’s her body and she has the right to do with it as she pleases. I would also open the lines of communication in regards to assisted suicide. I for one do not want to live longer if it involves spending my final days hooked up to a machine while I lay in a pool of my own feces. It’s time to leave everyone alone that you do not agree with in one way or another. Overly religious people preach love but practice hate when it comes to something they don’t agree with.<br /><br />11. Most of all, I would tell the truth and stop allowing the media to manipulate my message. I would say what I mean and mean what I say. I would make tough decisions daily and would know that I could never make every person happy. I will eliminate the White House press secretary and brief the press corps at the end of each day myself. If I was unable to be at the White House because I was out making the world a better place I would meet with them via satellite. I would answer every question with honesty and be as informative as possible. All questions asked must deal with national problems. No personal questions about me, my family, or people I know. I also will not talk about anything that could jeopardize our national security. I want the American people to know what is going on in their country and how their lives are affected by what I do on a daily basis. I would meet all calls of corruption and ignorance head on. I would demand every government official caught in a scandal to resign within ninety days. I would pass a law that stated any government official found guilty of corruption in a court of law would be removed from office immediately. New appointees would need to be voted in by the people, not appointed by someone already in the government. The people would decide who represents them. Also any political official too old to understand how to operate the internet would also have to resign (You’ve been voted out of office already, but I’m talking to you Ted Stevens)<br /><br />I know some of you are going to say things like universal healthcare and free schooling is a form of socialism. Well here are some services we have that are already socialized:<br />The Post Office<br />Police Department<br />Fire Department<br />For the most part these services run extremely efficiently wouldn’t you say?<br /><br />If elected I would help this country regain its identity as a global trailblazer. I would make it my personal mission to better the lives of every citizen as well as the futures of our unborn citizens. America is at a crossroads. Do we take the easy and well traveled road or do we choose the left hand path and deal with possible adversity head on. These choices won’t be easy and yes sacrifices will have to be made. But as a people we need to wake up and realize that it really may be time to step back and see where we are. Our nation is in real trouble. The founding fathers would not be happy with what their country has become. It’s time to really reach down and pull ourselves up by our boot straps. With your help we can come out of this. I won’t be able to do it without your votes. So what do you say, you with me?ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-86562857918427924722009-03-13T06:37:00.000-07:002009-03-13T06:43:49.328-07:0010 Albums that Influenced My Life<!--- blog subject ---> <!--- blog body ---> <div id="pBlogBody_475581112" class="blogContent">After some encouragement from my lady, here is the list that begged to be written...<br /><br />In no particular order...<br /><br />1. J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (1981) <br />I was but a youngster of 8 years old when I got this on LP (That's right vinyl!) and was hooked from the first camera flash. I listened to this album so much my parents wanted to kill me. Especially since we had only one record player in the house (in the dining room). This album started my love for music and made me want to become a musician someday. It also made me want to learn to write, and I did - my 1st short story titled, you guessed it, "Freeze Frame". I was also young and a song about pissing on a wall was just too damn cool for words.<br /><br />2. Skid Row - Skid Row (1990)<br />Family trip to Florida in my dad's old station wagon. Driving the entire way fighting with my younger brother and sister in the back seat. What better way to tune them out? I had my walkman and wore out this tape along with Warrant's "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinkin Rich". To this day the only one I can still listen to and enjoy is Skid Row. I was just finding my identity with music and had thrown out my Debbie Gibson tapes - sorry Dave. Hair metal!! I think my mom and dad knew this album as well as I did. My dad threatened legal action if I didn't turn it down. But alas I couldn't hear him...<br /><br />3. Tesla - The Great Radio Controversy (1990)<br />High School, what can be said except if I knew then what I know now. Trying to find my way in a sea of uncertainty was tougher than I would have liked. Perhaps being a late bloomer worked out in my favor. If it wasn't for Tesla and my Toyota Tercell (thank you Aunt Ei) I don't think my maturation process would have started like it did. I can still remember sitting outside the HS working on my "system" just so that I could listen to this cassette and Tesla's other great tape "Mechanical Resonance" at top volume.<br /><br />4. Sublime - 40oz to Freedom (1992)<br />This album helped me become a bit more grounded and helped to open my ears to different musical styles. I was so into heavy heavy shit that when I 1st heard songs like "Don't Push" and "Doin' Time" they blew my mind. Be it this CD or "Sublime" my summers have never been the same. This band took different styles and threw them in a blender = Pure magic.<br /><br />5. Slayer - Reign in Blood (1986)<br />Working at Ground Round around 1994 and listening to hair metal like it was my job. I had just started playing the drums in a band that practiced in GR's basement with my friend Russ and Dave Lease. One of the people who came to watch us "jam" weekly told me about Dave Lombardo and his amazing double bass skills. Who knew that by him lending me this tape he would forever change my musical taste. It was with this tape that the maniac drumming style I adopted came to be. To this day the first few seconds of "Raining Blood" and the thunderous 'dom dom dom' of the toms send shivers up my spine. Also this song vexes me in Guitar hero! Damn you advanced!!! Although any Slayer from South of Heaven to Undisputed Attitude could also be here.<br /><br />6. Dog Fashion Disco - Adultery (2006)<br />Favorite band of all time. Could have picked anything from their catalog but this is the best album they put out. Weird, heavy, trippy, lounge, etc etc. What else can be said? If you haven't heard Pogo the Clown you haven't lived. Every band that they became after DFD broke up is equally as amazing. I can listen to every CD from start to finish and then do it again and again. I hear new things all the time. And shit, the one and only mosh pit Casey was ever in was in Baltimore when we went to go see their reunion show! ROCK ON!<br /><br />7. Chaos Theory - Scarred for Life (1995)<br />Ok so it might be passé' to put your own CD on your top 10 list, but Dan did it with CT3 and this CD changed my life. Up until this point I was still struggling to find myself as a man. This CD was released and a monster was born. From mild mannered line cook to high performance rock star (or something like that) all the while making life long friends and experiencing things not many people ever get to experience. The CD might not be the best we ever did but it was the beginning of 2nd part of my life. The term party like a rock star never seemed so right. Multiple CDs, tours, bands, and lineup changes later this lineup is still the quintessential Chaos Theory. It also spawned our biggest hit, Karate Chop. Oh and did I mention all of our music is available on i-tunes? haha sorry self plug.<br /><br />8. Metallica - ...And Justice for All (1990)<br />Steve Brown my good friend from HS used to play the shit out of this in his parents Lincoln when we would go out. I wasn't that into it when I first heard it but it grew on me fast. Still between Debbie Gibson and Hair Metal this CD along with "The Garage EP" helped me get into heavier music and out of the pop fold. It was this album and Gun's N Rose's "Appetite for Destruction" (thanks to Dave for pushing me to listen to them) that made my junior and senior year of HS shine. I can still remember Steve referring to GnR as 'Pop Metal' and me being like no way man it's heavy as hell!!<br /><br />9. In Flames - Reroute to Remain (2002)<br />When this album came out Ernie and I needed something to revitalize our love for music. That summer we couldn't stop listening to it. I can still see Ernie sitting at my dining room table playing "System" on his air guitar. It’s trashy and heavy with melody? WTF was going on! This album helped us get into new genres of metal and helped us to remember why we wanted to write music in the 1st place. <br /><br />10. Glassjaw - Worship and Tribute (2002)<br />Having decided I was sick of everything sounding exactly the same I started expanding my horizons into other heavy yet different genres. Although you could call this hardcore I never really felt it fit into any specific category. I had quite a few interesting experiences listening to this CD and we will leave it at that. This is the CD that started my love for quirky metal. Although that's the worst possible term I could come up with, it sums it up. I hate whats on the radio, I hate all the bands that sound the same. Go between genres people do something new and exciting. That's what I love about Glassjaw.<br /><br />Honorable mention: Ill Nino - Revolution Revolution, Dope - Life, Savatage - Edge of Thorns, Skindred - Babylon, Machine Head - Burn My Eyes, Mindless Self Indulgence - Frankenstein Girls will Seem Strangely Sexy, 40 Below Summer - Invitation to the Dance, (Hed) pe - any, Engine - Engine, Snot - Get Some, Cinderella - Night Songs, Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood, Pendulum - In Silico, and too many more to name.<br /><br />Anyone remember any that I missed? Anyone have any albums that they associate me to?<br /><br /></div> <!--- blogger's current book/movie/music/games ---> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="600"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top" width="60"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Deluxe-Lamb-God/dp/B001P5Q6F2%3FSubscriptionId%3D10YFNG2YAAQ0VTNNR4R2%26tag%3Dmyspace08-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB001P5Q6F2"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NVNYkMT9L._SL75_.jpg" /></a></td><td align="left" valign="top">Currently listening:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wrath-Deluxe-Lamb-God/dp/B001P5Q6F2%3FSubscriptionId%3D10YFNG2YAAQ0VTNNR4R2%26tag%3Dmyspace08-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB001P5Q6F2"><b>Wrath (Deluxe)</b></a><br />By Lamb of God<br />Release date: 2009-02-24</td></tr></tbody></table> <!--- blog subject ---> <!--- blog body --->ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-49591255057326306162008-10-02T13:05:00.000-07:002008-10-02T13:07:50.850-07:00Bailout? More Like Payout.<p class="blogSubject"> Bailout? More Like Payout. <br />Current mood: <img src="http://x.myspace.com/images/blog/moods/iBrads/scared.gif" align="absmiddle" /> distressed </p> Here is one of the most telling signs of our government's ass backwards way of thinking. Let's give $700 billion (to start) to the banks so they can clean up the mess that they created. Why didn't the government call me to offer me a bailout plan when I was financially struggling in my early 20's? Was it because I wasn't already rich? Or perhaps it was because I hadn't greased the palms of lawmakers enough. Make sure to go read this article on MSN (http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2008/09/30/the-best-temp-gig-in-history.aspx) about Alan Fishman of Washington Mutual bank. With our government pushing it's great bailout we are once again shown the light. This guy worked for WaMu for 3 weeks and is walking away with a $19 million severance package. That's not a typo. It's more proof that our government is only concerned with the rich and could care less about the middle class. This guy is getting our hard earned money for running a bank into the ground. I am sure that the writing was on the wall before his 3 week tenure started, but come on. When all is said and done and our government shoves it's "plan" right down our throat what will America be like? We are all feeling the crunch during these times. Everything costs too much for the average person to get ahead in life. When are 'We the People' going to stand up and take control of our country. Our government wants the power to buy up anything it wants. It wants to have control in the private sector so that we can be more like communist China. I know that's a reach but look at the eerie similarities to the plan they have. The bailout's $700 billion is only a start. Has anyone bothered to read this bailout? It's open ended and not goverened by the same rules. That means they can continue to spend our money, buying buisness for themselves, and no one can do anything about it. I'm getting scared here people, and what the fuck?? AM I THE ONLY ONE?? Did I take the crazy pills here?<br /><br />Is it time to move to Canada yet??<br /><br />Canada = free health care, open imigration, equal taxes, clean streets. Sounds better than the garbage filled streets of racism and rich bias we live in. Did we foget to take pride in our country? Casey was drving home from work the other day and noticed a couple throw a whole bag of trash out their window. She pulled up beside them and asked if they really just did that. You know what they said to her?? "Mind your fucking buisness." CLASSY!! It is her buisness. It is all of our buisnesses. I could go on for hours about all the stupidity and idiocracy that consumes our country but I'm not going to. All I am going to say here is that I am saddened by the state of our country. We are no longer the "Greatest Country in the World" it's great to say that you are, but we have to do something to keep ourselves there.<br /><br /><br />Last thougths about what I think....<br /><br />1. We need to get the f out of Iraq right now. Pack up the boys and bring them home. $1 billion a day is being wasted there. WASTED!! What have we acomplished so far?<br />Save money to help the banks, save our soldiers, and protect our land. I can't keep giving all my hard earned money to the government and their cronies.<br /><br />2. I want Obamma to win in November. But I am going to go on the record here and say that he will not win. There are too many racists and idiots in this country for this to happen. I read things everyday that make no sense about his experience. He isn't a Bush and isn't someone who has been working in the wings with the current administration. He is the only hope we have for saving this country. He might be no better than McCain in the end, but at least it's hope. McCain is going to continue down the path we are on. Continue down the path like your old drunk uncle. Stop harboring feelings of inadequacy and bigitory. it's time to move on and accept that any man no matter his race or creed can be just like you. We all bleed red.<br /><br />Read and article, open a book, and start to think.<br />It's time we took the power back.ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-73146411537293956062008-07-01T05:15:00.000-07:002008-07-01T05:19:07.298-07:00It’s Not News! It’s CNN<table class="blue_border" style="border-collapse: collapse;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%"><tbody><tr><td><br /></td></tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Shame on you CNN for deciding that gossip is more newsworthy than anything else around the world. I was standing in the post office in Princeton yesterday, waiting in the long line (12 people in line and only one lane open - surprise, surprise). I glanced over towards the television mounted on the wall and noticed CNN was on. The only reason I realized it was CNN was because of their logo in the corner. For the entire 20 minutes I was stuck in line, CNN covered Madonna. They had "experts" in studio to discuss her maybe, or maybe not, getting a divorce. I watched the ticker run across the bottom of the screen.... bombing in Bagdad, gas hits another all time high, elections in Zimbabwe, etc. But what does CNN decide to spend the better part of 20 minutes on? That's right Madonna. What the hell has happened to journalism? What has happened to the Bob Woodward's and Carl Bernsteins? I'm sure Peter Jennings is rolling over in his grave when he sees how much real journalism has disappeared. We've gone from breaking actual news stories to gossiping. It's like listening to 6th graders talk about each other. The he said she said mentality is destroying America! There I said it! We are all becoming gossip girls! Everyone just talks shit about each other and tries relentlessly to get into each other's business. Why do you care what everyone else does? What's wrong with minding your own business and taking care of yourself for a change? I don't give a rat's ass about why Madonna is getting divorced. But I do care that the President passed another military spending bill that our grandchildren and their children will have to pay for. Why isn't that being covered with as much scrutiny on CNN as Madonna? I think that CNN should leave the gossiping to the entertainment channels and start reporting on real news. That's right, real news. Things that are important to our way of life. Stop covering stars that get enough attention without your help. Maybe it's our fault as a nation that this happened. Maybe we made journalists report gossip because the majority of the populace wants to hear about it. It's always entertaining to hear about celebrities getting into trouble or doing something we don't have the ability to do. I just don't think it needs to be covered by a news channel claiming to be a reputable news source. It's not news, its gossip CNN.<span style=""> </span>Average no talent hacks are becoming stars because of our thirst for reality TV. And again reputable news sources feel the need to cover the life and times of people who won the social lottery.<span style=""> </span>I have zero interest in what my neighbor is doing let alone what some idiot of orange county is doing.<span style=""> </span>It's time for people to spend less time wishing they were someone else and more time taking care of their own.<span style=""> </span>Then maybe we'll be lucky enough to have a news channel that actually reports news. But until then I will continue to view these "news channels" for what they are, retreaded gossip rags.<span style=""> </span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-77714388168074924072008-06-28T09:30:00.000-07:002008-06-28T09:32:45.538-07:00I'm Feeling Economically Stimulated<p>The skies have opened and the all mighty light of the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> government has finally shown down upon me! It started as average, ordinary day, filled with the same old silliness I've come to make a habit. But in fact it was a most special day! Cue the trumpet fanfare! My economic stimulus check has arrived! I almost can't wait to spend it! I've been thinking of all the things I'm going to buy. Oh the choices! But then my evil "rational" personality chimes in. "Save It!" it slithers in my ear. Damn you rational side! Why do you vex me? Have I not been saving for what seems like forever?? </p> <p>But let's just suppose I get it. Just for a second, humor me. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>This is what I take the point of the stimulus check to be: The government gives us some of our taxes back. They want us to go out and spend the money that they are giving us back on whatever crap we want. Best case scenario for them would be that we do spend it, because that would then stimulate the economy. Saving it will not stimulate anything, including interest. So to summarize, the government gives us back some of the money we made working. They want us to spend that money on stuff. So the people who make the stuff get our money for the stuff they made. Then presto! The economy is stimulated! Makes sense I suppose. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>I know this is getting long winded, but bear with me. I have a point. I promise. <o:p></o:p></p> <p>I'm not heading to the rich get richer point that I could go to. Because believe me that has most certainly crossed my mind. My check will probably go to pay for gasoline, and we all know how I feel about gas prices, so we'll leave it at that. I think the whole "stimulus plan" in theory is a great idea. But just to offer an opinion why don't we cut the taxes on certain things that are taxed high and used often. Like gas for example. Some of the gas price is actually tax. Taxes put in place by the state and federal governments. So if we dropped that tax an equivalent of what our stimulus check was worth might that have the same effect on the economy? Stretching it out over 365 days would make it a pittance. It's an average of $1.64 a day. <span style=""> </span>Although this check is great to get, it's not doing anything to those who could've used it before it became tough to keep up with their bills. Anyone who has trouble staying afloat will see this check as a blessing. Believe me, I was there. It took me many years to get my self back on track. But the average $600 that an individual is going to get back isn't going to get many people out of the hole. I imagine this plan to be the equivalent of a getting a "rub and tug". Except, you end up with just the "tug". Then later on you find yourself wondering, "Why does my back still hurt?" You're going to feel like you got a great deal, probably forget that $600 is gone before you blinked an eye, then realize the government missed the real point. It'll take a lot more than $600 to really help you feel economically secure. With people losing their homes everyday I'm pretty sure this check isn't going to do much to help them. </p> <p>I do appreciate the money though, I'm certainly not complaining. And you can't have it back. I promise Dubua, I'll put it to good use, no matter what I buy.</p> <p>I'm just one man with a distored view on what the culture tells me should be reality. So join me in asking questions. Stop conforming to what the TV tells you is the way to live. Make up your own mind! THINK!</p>ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-81446214423895510092008-06-12T05:39:00.000-07:002008-06-12T05:55:34.260-07:00Random Thoughts for the Week 6/10/08Last night my wife told me that my last couple of posts seem like angry rants, so although this one follows the same direction, I promise to end on a happier note.<br /><br />1) I had the displeasure of catching a moment of the E channel's entertainment news the other night in passing. I overheard the hostess refer to all the camera men surrounding some star as "the Paparazzi" in a condescending voice as to imply irritation. Um hello, E hostess, yea <i>you</i> are the paparazzi.... That's the equivalent of piece of corn wondering why it's surrounded by shit in a septic tank.<br /><br />2) When gas gets to $5 a gallon will the government do anything then or will they just continue to line their pockets with $100 bills? Has anyone else come to the stark realization that we will never see gas below $3 again in our life time? At this point $3 a gallon would be a blessing. It's hard for me to take any elected civil servant seriously these days. Especially when they are continuously referred to as "oil men." You'd think that if they were "oil men" that they could do something about the out of control costs. A better name would be "money men" since they seem to have an uncanny knack for taking as much of it as they can shove in their private off shore bank accounts. Then I read in the news today that our Republican representation vetoed a proposed bill that would tax big oil companies on "unreasonable" profits they could make based on the excessive price of gas. What is so wrong about that? Big oil already has billions of dollars in tax breaks given to them by our government. What else could our government possibly do to help them? The real question is why do they continue to help billionaires and continue to stick it to the middle class. Where are our big tax breaks? I'd be happy to pay a higher tax if I made billions of dollars a year. Our president is in bed with Big Oil, has been since his days in Texas. He had already said that if the bill got to him he would veto it. Of course he would! Do you think he would want to upset his greedy friends? I can't even begin to imagine the deep level of corruption that starts in our state governments and works its way right up to the big cheese. I am in 100% agreement with Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) it's time to vote on the impeachment of "Dubua."<br /><br />You can read an article on this at <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vYml6LnlhaG9vLmNvbS9hcC8wODA2MTEvY29uZ3Jlc3Nfb2lsX3Byb2ZpdHMuaHRtbA==">http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080611/congress_oil_profits.html</a><br /><br />The price of gas is sending our economy into an out of control spiral that has affected virtually every facet of everyday life. Prices on food, services, disposable goods, transport, and delivery have all risen drastically since this gas crisis has started. Companies are starting to have to raise prices on everything just to break even as they slowly but surely see their bottom line going into the red. Why is it that our government can't stop taking handouts from big corporations? And for that matter why is it that the media can't stop gossiping and start covering the important issues? Why is this not a bigger news story you ask? Could it be because Jessica Alba had a baby? Thanks CNN I never would have known (or cared) unless you talked about it during Headline News. The media in this country is a joke anymore. We have free press here and all you can do is dodge the important issues and highlight the information that no one should care about. Did anyone know that <span id="redesign_default">on Tuesday a U.S. Government Accountability Office survey was released detailing unfit soldiers being forced to serve? Of course not! Want to know why? Hardly anyone covered it. Didn't hear too much about it on the news or read much about it in the paper. I had to search for it on the internet and then luckily found an article published by the Denver Post. </span><span id="redesign_default">I urge you to read up on the survey's findings, it is truly disturbing.<br /></span><span id="redesign_default"><br />(Read it here <a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRlbnZlcnBvc3QuY29tL2NpXzk1NDQ3Nzc/c291cmNlPXJzcw==">http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9544777?source=rss</a>)<br /><br /></span>3) Animals have always liked me, don't know what it is. Perhaps they can just sense that I mean them no harm. We rescued a cat the other day that someone dumped near our house. I couldn't keep him because I've already got three, but he was such a little lover that he clearly belonged to someone. I took him in out of the rain and cleaned him up. I posted various "cat found" postings on the net and even called local shelters looking to return him to his owner. After two days there were no replies and no leads. So with the help of my vet I set out on a mission to find him a home. People had contacted me through the ads I posted with great interest. I felt strange just handing him over to a stranger since it was very apparent that there were people who wanted this cat for reasons other than a pet: cat fights, testing, bait, etc. What is this world coming to that people feel the need to torture or kill defenseless animals for fun? That's sick not fun. I hope that someday we get invaded by aliens and their sport is making people fight to the death, and the 1st contestants are these sick people. Given that's quite a stretch but hey it's nice to dream once in a while. I just think that what comes around goes around. I am fully behind any laws that will raise the criminal ramifications of such acts. I was contacted by a woman from Rescue Pets (<a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnBldHJlc2N1ZW9mbWVyY2VyLm9yZy8=">http://www.petrescueofmercer.org</a>) about taking him and helping him find a home. They work throughout Pet Smarts and various other local agencies to rescue and place animals with good families. I urge you to always go to your local shelter or through one of these adoption agencies when you are looking to get yourself a new pet. I went to the Burlington County Animal Shelter here and it almost made me sick to be in there. They have a euthanasia rate at about 70% for all animals brought there. There were tons of very friendly cats and dogs for you to adopt. From new born to older animals there is something there for everyone. Please help save a life. And if you have to give up your animal for any reason please do not take him to the shelter unless it is a last ditch effort! Organizations like Rescue Pets will take them and try to place them. They are no kill organizations. Some local shelters are also no kill, but it would be best to call before ever taking a pet there. Also these organizations need donations and volunteers, please see your local pet rescue for more details. If you have a pet and can't keep it, abandoning them to fend for themselves is never the answer. Your pet relies on you to survive. How would you have felt if your parents dropped you off in the woods when you were young? If you can't take care of a pet then the bottom line is you shouldn't get one.ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-52990961610554427092008-05-31T08:26:00.000-07:002008-05-31T08:27:31.613-07:00Random Thought 5/29/08<p>Here are my thoughts for the week, feel free to comment or start a discussion. I like it best when you agree with me :-) but you don't have too. </p> <p>1. Congress is going to investigate the "sport" of horse racing! Go Figure! It's not like there is some fucked up war going on right now. I mean isn't this just the best time in our lives as far as our personal wealth? How much does gas cost you these days? Shit what about food?? Oh but I forgot people are mistreating horses (Ed note: not that I condone that) hurry Congress before it's too late!! For the horses that is. PS great job on spygate and Clemens you might as well pick something from all sports and go for the gusto. Who's paying attention to you bailing out private banks like Bear Stearns (who aided in funding and caused this mortgage crisis) with our money anyway? That's what I pay taxes for right?</p> <p>2. I'm on the "anybody but Bush" bandwagon for the most part (Go Nader) so I don't have a strong opinion on either Democratic candidate. But is it just me or is Barack sounding more and more like a preacher every day? I know that these speeches and appearances are just the hype machine in full motion. I think I saw this somewhere before, oh yea that's right, church. Not that he's preaching religion. It's just his delivery. Try this exercise - listen to him talk. Then, when he finishes a sentence say, Amen. </p> <p>3. I want to personally thank Lenox, Coach, and others for sending me fantastic 10% off coupons! Now I can spend my whopping $600 economic stimulus check from the government on something fancy! Who doesn't love being trendy? I mean that is why you decided to mail out this extremely uncharacteristic coupon (for your over priced product) at this specific time isn't it? You know what 10% of an $800 pocket book is? Jack Shit, that's what. </p> <p>4. I fully understand why New Jersey passed the cell phone ban for drivers. Honestly most people have enough trouble driving as it is without the added distraction of holding and talking on a cell phone. This morning I witnessed a woman driving near where I work, she was on her cell phone turning left at a light onto a major road. She ran over the median as she turned and then swerved in front of another car to avoid hitting a road sign. But she managed to keep the phone in her hand while she did this, great job! What would have happened if she hit that other driver? Do you think she would have continued to talk on the phone? Perhaps she would have told whomever she was talking to that she would have to call them back when she got back in the car. It might be time for the police to start enforcing this one. Bluetooth is the safe way to go these days, and it's cheap enough for everyone to afford. Pay attention to driving your car for a change, you can gossip later. </p> <p>5. Someone please tell our president that the word "awesome" is not presidential. He used it with the Pope ("Thank you, your holiness, awesome speech."). He also used it in talking about the troops (U.S. forces are "an awesome bunch of people"). How long before he starts talking about how "rad" McCain is? i.e.: John McCain is not only gnarly but he's phat! I can only shake my head as the rest of the world quietly giggles in the background. The Daily Show did an <i>awesome</i> montage of all the times he's used his new favorite word. View it here http://tpzoo.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/tds-replays-%e2%80%98awesome%e2%80%99-comments-from-bush/</p>ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-4016705962782948772008-05-08T08:19:00.000-07:002008-05-08T08:20:41.190-07:00What Happened to Driver's Education?<span style="" times="" new="" roman="" serif="">I'm becoming more concerned with the state of driving on the roads of New Jersey every day.<span style=""> </span>I have a decent commute to and from work daily, and it has given me the chance to witness the deterioration of other peoples driving skills first hand.<span style=""> </span>I am by no means claiming to be a professional driver or insinuating that I have some advanced schooling in the driving arts.<span style=""> </span>I am only voicing the opinion that perhaps, just perhaps, we need to make driving school mandatory and require licensed drivers to take a driving test again later in life.<span style=""> </span>I am also slightly inclined to recommend a raise in the legal driving age, but we'll get to that later.<span style=""> </span>Driving is the culmination of maneuvering, guiding, or steering the progress of a vehicle for the purpose of getting from point A to point B.<span style=""> </span>At an older age (or before a certain age) your reflexes, decision making, and accuracy are dulled to the point of regression. How is it possible to still operate a moving vehicle with the skill needed to do so without causing harm to others?<span style=""> </span>Case in point: The driver of a late model Buick going 29mph in a 50mph zone with 10-15 cars stuck behind them. Why does this happen? Does the driver not notice the speed limit sign? Do they fear a higher speed will cause them to crash or lose control of the vehicle?<span style=""> </span>Do they not notice the extremely long line of cars behind them virtually begging for a passing lane?<span style=""> </span>Some of you will say, "But what are they supposed to do?" I don't have a clear cut answer to that, but my 1<sup>st</sup> suggestion would be to pull over and let the other cars go by.<span style=""> </span>It leads me back to the initial idea of retesting drivers.<span style=""> </span>Would you get your license in the 1<sup>st</sup> place if you couldn't successfully maneuver an onramp?<span style=""> </span>I'm sure you have been behind someone who decides at the last minute that instead of merging into traffic they want to slam on their breaks and wait until there is a huge opening for them to merge with. Why should anyone get amnesty just because they passed their driving test 40 or 50 years ago? The bottom line is if you can't drive safely and drive well then you shouldn't be licensed to drive.<span style=""> </span>It would cut down on the amount of accidents as well as some traffic problems. (Ed. Note – That's an opinion, I don't have any scientific evidence to back that up or anything) <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" times="" new="" roman="" serif="">I hear the naysayers now, "But how will these people get from place to place?" How about public transportation?<span style=""> </span>I'm sure that if our government put their power to use for something beneficial for the people than a good solution could be created.<span style=""> </span>I am not insinuating that the only problems are older drivers either. There are plenty of just plain old ass holes on the road as well. I'm sure you have all met these people who are under the impression that they are way more important than you, and that they have the right to do anything they need to just to get where they are going (And where they are going is WAY more important than where you are going).<span style=""> </span>We've all been on a road where 2 lanes merge into 1. You look in your rearview mirror and here they come, the ass holes.<span style=""> </span>They are speeding up faster into the merging lane just for that chance to be able to sit in the bumper to bumper traffic a few spaces in front of you. <span style=""> </span>What's the point? If more people would use some common sense and be a little polite on the road you'd see the traffic jams less severe. If the traffic is merging from three lanes into two, and you decide that going all the way down into the main traffic area to join the great merge is the way to go, then you are an idiot. All you are doing is making the traffic worse as well as causing countless other drivers to sit longer. So that in turn makes you an ass hole. Perhaps you don't want to sit behind all the other people who want to be home just as badly as you do. Perhaps you have to pee so much that your bladder is going to explode. Or perhaps you are just rude and inconsiderate. <span style=""> </span>These are the same ass holes who like to flow in and out of traffic with no turn signals. If you pull into my lane and cut me off well then sure I am going to be pissed off at you when you don't signal that you are going to do it. Are you under some impression that people are going to move for you no matter what dumb move you make at 75mph? Turn signals are not only a safe way to let other drivers know what you are doing but they also help other drivers make good decisions based on what you are doing. When I am trying to turn onto a road and you are traveling with the flow of traffic and then turn into where I am with no signal do you realize that you just made it harder for me to get onto the road? I could have turned out while you were slowing down and perhaps not been stuck there waiting for another opening, but no, instead I am still sitting there because you again were rude and inconsiderate towards your fellow driver.<span style=""> </span>I think that the DMV should create a new ticket and law, the ass hole. This way when any accident occurs due to you being an ass hole you get an automatic 5 points and lose your license for up to 90 days.<span style=""> </span>Plus you have to wear a huge scarlet 'A' on your shirt for no less than one year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" times="" new="" roman="" serif="">Now anyone who knows me knows that I am, at times, also guilty of many offenses while driving. My road rage tends to get the best of me on numerous occasions. Nothing is more annoying than the car in the left lane going slower than all the other traffic. If you are in the left lane and not passing the car next to you then you need to move over. There is no need to be in the left lane if you are enjoying your leisurely drive. NJ State law states that you must keep right except to pass. There is never any reason to ride neck and neck with another car on a freeway. You can easily merge behind them and continue the exact same speed. The left lane is for faster traffic, the right lane is for slower moving traffic. This is another rule learned, yet seemingly forgotten, from Driver's Education. Another pet peeve is drivers who see the light ahead preparing to turn yellow, not yet turning yellow, and choose to slow down.<span style=""> </span>If the light is green, there are no cars in front of you, and you step on the break, chances are the car behind you is going to be pissed. I know I don't want to sit at the light just because the guy in front of me slowed down (and usually ends up running the late yellow, early red light anyway).<span style=""> </span>It seems like now whenever anyone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle they tune out the world around them. No longer can you see other cars or other drivers, you only see your destination and other things in your path to arrival. If you'd take two seconds to look around, or perhaps anticipate what someone else is going to do based on the traffic pattern, you'd probably hear less people beeping at you. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" times="" new="" roman="" serif="">Now let's touch briefly on raising the driving age for a second before I go on my final rant about why I hate other drivers.<span style=""> </span>You have to be 21 to drink, 18 to vote, and 18 to buy cigarettes. You have to 25 to rent a car, 18 to see an 'R' rated movie, and are considered a teenager until you hit 20.<span style=""> </span>I am not against training teens to drive at 17, but I am against licensing them at 18. I was 18 before (although a decade or so ago) and I remember what it was like back then. I was confused, still finding out who I was in life, and I had no place driving. You just don't make rational decisions when you are that young. You are too busy being a tough guy or trying to impress the tough guys. Common sense and experience is not something you have an abundance of at that age. If we were to extend the training period for 8 months to a year and require teens to log real time behind the wheel with an instructor we might find that the level of driving skills may increase across the board. I also agree with stricter penalties for younger drivers. If you cause and accident based on your negligence or disregard for other drivers then I think you should lose your license and be forced to do another driver training course before having it reinstated.<span style=""> </span>This might encourage the youth to spend less time looking cool and more time understanding that driving is a privilege that you must take seriously for yourself and the well being of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="" times="" new="" roman="" serif="">I have discovered that I could go on and on with things that are annoying about other drivers but I don't have the time to keep going and I'm sure that by now you've gotten the point. If you have experienced any of these people on the road then you know what I'm talking about. <span style=""> </span>There are many kinds of people on the road with you. Everyone is driving somewhere they need to get to, just like you. If we all took just an extra second to consider other drivers we would have a safer roadway.<span style=""> </span>But since I'm sure that is asking way too much, I will accept not driving slow in the left lane, at least maintaining the speed limit on one lane roads, and using your turn signals. I'm not asking you to change everything about the way you drive, just to consider why you are doing what you do. I want to get home as fast as I can, and I do tend to drive faster than the normal driver (ask my wife), but I still drive safely and courteously. When was the last time you stopped to let someone merge into traffic in front of you?<span style=""> </span>Do one good driving deed a day and hope that it comes back to you. And if that doesn't work, lay on the horn!! That's what it was made for.</span>ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-64372406356569910262008-03-14T07:39:00.000-07:002008-03-14T07:40:13.935-07:00Spitzer helps Prostitute with her American DreamWe’ve become a sad country America. It all started with Monica Lewinski. She got famous for sucking off Bill Clinton. Her parents we’re very proud of her accomplishments. Hopefully we will get to see her career continue on soon. On the Surreal Life perhaps? Now young girls across the country are lucky enough to have a new role model to look up to: Professional Prostitute Ashley Alexandra Dupré. This aspiring musician not only has sex for money, she also has been approached by the likes of Penthouse and Hustler to do a big spread in their magazines. Becoming famous has never been so easy! And now Spitzer can be in the same category as Clinton in this regard. He helped someone get famous by having sexual relations with them. Again I am sure her parents are proud! All I’m saying here is kids, don’t be like her. Have some self respect and try to become famous the right way, by doing something worthwhile. It’s tough for someone like me to give a shit about someone who is famous for being rich or for being a whore. (i.e.: Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian). And guys stop helping these girls achieve their dreams of exposing themselves in porn magazines-sex tapes-beaver shots! It must be a supply and demand type thing. Sure these girls are pretty to look at but the ex-Gov paid about $4000 for Ashley’s services. No punane is worth that much, not even if you look like Spitzer does. As this continues to play out I am sure we will see more and more of the prostitute on the news, in interviews, and probably in some naked photos of some point. And I’m sure that her fantastic musical talent will reap the benefits and we will soon have her debut CD right in the bargain bin rack next to Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton’s stellar debuts! How did we ever get so lucky?ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-87737301769381222692008-02-28T15:12:00.000-08:002008-02-28T15:14:07.433-08:00Clemens vs. CongressI am here to say to Congress that as an American citizen I really don't care that much about Roger Clemens and whether or not he took performance enhancing substances. If he did, then that's sad for him and sad for baseball. But I assure you that it is no way shape or form worthy of Congress's time or effort. Hell its not even worth TV channels like CNN's time, who feel the need to run story after story about this. Aren't you a real news channel? This could be another elaborate smoke screen to blind the American people from the real issues facing them. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Henry Waxman and Republican Tom Davis should stop worrying about a game (that's right guys, baseball is just a game) and start focusing their attention on much more important issues. When you were elected do you think your constituents wanted this to be what you focused on? (<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-steroids-clemens&prov=ap&type=lgns" target="_self">Congressional committee asks Justice Department to investigate Clemens</a>) Here is a short list of some of the Oversight committees that would make more sense than wasting tax payers money on finding out about a game someone may or may not have cheated on:<br /><br /> How about a committee to look into a president that lied to get us into a war for oil?Waxman and Davis are very concerned about how Clemens lied under oath, well what about Bush? This is just my opinion, I know that the war is much more than just oil. But you can't help but wonder when Halliburton gets no bid contracts and the real enemy isn't even in Iraq. You want to try Clemens for perjury then the same should apply to everyone who takes the oath to serve and protect our country don't you think? Hell I'd even settle for a committee to investigate just one of the lines of bull that "Dubua" has fed us: Iraqs involvement in 911, wire tapping, torture, Katrina response, WMDs, Valerie Plame, his relationship with the Saudis, etc etc etc.<br /><br />How about a committee to look into our failing health care system that leaves millions of American citizens without basic health care and costs the rest of us an arm and a leg? Our health care system ranks pretty much last vs. the rest of the rich countries in the world. And below dictator ruled Cuba! (<a href="http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/15/1198/" target="_self">US Health System Ranks Last Compared to Other Countries: Studies</a>). We are certainly not naive about the simple fact that US heath care is about making money for the pharmaceutical companies - there is more money in the treatment than in the cure. So while people get addicted to prescription drugs that have side effects that sometimes are worse than the problem they treat, the companies continue to turn record profits, and we as a people continue to suffer.<br /><br />How about a committee to look into why billions of dollars in revenue is generated by oil companies and yet the cost of gas just continues to sky rocket? Isn't it strange that Exxon/Mobil sees their biggest profit ever in 2007 and the price of gas/oil keeps going up? <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/01/news/companies/exxonmobil/index.htm" target="_self">(Exxon Mobil sets annual profit record) </a>I fully understand that they are in a money making business, but why do I have to pay hundreds of dollars a month so I don't freeze to death in my home?<br /><br />How about a committee to seriously look at immigration reform instead of building a wall on our southern border. It's sad that there are some people in this world that judge people by the color of their skin instead of their actions. So many people are trying to fight immigration reform that it's starting not to make any sense. Why would we not want to have the millions of illegal immigrants in our country made into citizens? It would help the economy greatly! Think about the amount of tax dollars that could be generated if they all started paying income tax. Hell it might even save social security! Now I know that the slave drivers in American business would never want to actually pay someone a fair and decent wage, but maybe it's about time that we wake up and stop playing the tough guy. They are here already. They are using our resources, driving, living, and enjoying the life that America offers. But instead we decide that we should build a wall, on only part of the border, to keep them out. Great idea! They will never think to go around/under/over it! It would be nice to see the racism and horrible treatment of people come to an end for a change. But maybe that's too much to ask for, we do have steroids in baseball to worry about after all!<br /><br />This list could seriously go on and on. And again before you jump all over me for just speaking my mind, i'm not insinuating that all of my opinions are more than just that, opinions. I just wonder what the US would be like if more people opened their mouth instead of just letting themselves continue to get walked on. We've got corruption from the highest office in America why should anyone under him be any different? We live in a democracy where the American people are supposed to be able to vote on issues and elect our chosen leaders. The system we operate in is nothing like that. The only votes that matter are the electoral votes that the (Presidential) candidates get not the common vote. I mean seriously did everyone forget already how Gore won the popular vote in 2000? How can anyone have faith in a government that spends more time worrying about Roger Clemens than more pressing issues? This list is short and far from detailed enough to sway Congress's moral authority on the subject, but you can't blame me for trying. It's become very clear to this American that our government is more concerned with trivial game playing than ending serious problems around the world. You think anyone in Darfur cares about Roger Clemens?ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1139929417251347652006-02-14T07:03:00.000-08:002006-02-14T07:03:37.310-08:00My Hunting Adventure with Tricky DickyMy Hunting Adventure with Tricky Dick. A comical parody of Dick Cheney and myself's day hunting quail in Texas.<br />I had awoken late that brisk January morning to the sound of quail calls outside my bedroom window. I shook off the cobwebs and threw my legs over the side of the bed. A long night of doing shots with Rummy and Condi had left my throat with that distinct taste of bile. I needed a quick drink of water to help it subside. I walked into the bathroom and looked at my sunken eyes in the mirror. "Jesus, I look like hell." I said as I brought the warm water up to my face. I could still hear the quail calls from outside my room getting louder. I walked out of the bathroom and put on my pants. No sooner had I gotten my t-shirt when my bedroom door came crashing open and a large ominous figure leaped in. He blew the quail call again and the piercing sounds reminded my headache to get back to work. As if sensing my discomfort Dick came over and put me into a head lock. He began to give me the most painful noogie of my life.<br />"Aww yea, get out of that boy!" Dick yelled through his maniacal laughter. "If I didn't know any better I would say you don't wanna shoot at anything trapped in a cage today son". I smirked a half smile and he finally let me go. I sat back on the bed and finished getting dressed. Dick continued to jump around my room blowing the quail call over and over. "Hurry up!! Hurry up!! Hurrrrrrrry!!" Dick continued to demand, clearly getting frustrated over my slow start. "The boys are downstairs waiting for your slow ass." I stood up, grabbed my jacket, and followed Dick downstairs.<br />As we walked down the stairs, Dick skipping stairs and whisteling the Star Spangled Banner, I could see the regular crew assembled in the foyer. There was Jeb Bush, Bandar Bush, Harry Whittington, and the always outspoken, always annoying Katharine Armstrong. Armstrong owned the Ranch in south Texas and was always happy to tag along to make sure no one caused any trouble. By trouble she meant Dick. Dick was always trying to one up someone. His witty banter was always good for a laugh but it always seemed to be at someone else's expense.<br />Katharine went to fetch the dogs as we packed up the last of our gear. Personally I never understood why we took dogs onto the ranch grounds since we were just walking over to shoot some quail that were raised in a cage. How could they get away? I could hear Jeb and Dick arguing about some policy that no one really cared about. "Blah you are a pussy!" Dick screamed at Jeb. "How can you be from your father's loins?" Jeb's faced began to turn red. His anger at Dick poking fun at his shallow gene pool was always cause for some fight. We were getting ready to leave when Bandar dropped to his knees, on the bright rug he always carried with him, and began to pray. Dick was not happy with that at all. He kicked some dirt towards Bandar. You could hear Harry giggling in the background. Bandar ignored Dick's insults and finished his prayer. "I need to make sure I have extra protection when there's a Dick like you around", Bandar said. Before Dick could get his comeback together Katharine has returned with the dogs. "Let's goooooo!" Dick exclaimed as he turned around and started to run into the brush. I watched as he ran about a hundred yards in front of us. You could see him for a mile with his bright orange Halliburton hunting outfit.<br />Most of the walk through the woods was boring and there wasn't much chit chat at all. Jeb didn't really like hunting. He just went with us to impress Dick. Everyone seemed to need to impress Dick. Everyone of course but me. See I didn't really like Dick. He was, for lack of a better word, a dick. Maybe it was the way he treated his friends. Maybe it was the way he treated the planet. Whatever it was he just rubbed me wrong. We ended up splitting up a little in search of the elusive quail cages. I could hear Dick blowing that damn quail call through the entire forest. Then I heard the gun shot. I was walking with Jeb and Bandar when the shot rang out. "Oh goody", Bandar said as he began to trot over to where the sound came from. He ran like a bow legged girl. It was at that time that I noticed the dogs barking loudly and heard Katharine shout for help. I started to run with Jeb in close pursuit. Was it me or was Jeb whimpering? I turned back to look and tripped over a pile of branches. I came down hard on my knee and was almost trampled to death by Jeb. He was babbling something I couldn't make out. Where the hell was he going? "Um, Jeb, hello?" I said as he continued towards the rest of the party. What the fuck is going on I wondered as I pulled myself up. "No seriously, I am ok, thank you!" I proclaimed as I began to run towards them. I began to grow concerned since we hadn't gotten to the cages yet. What the hell was he shooting at? As I stumbled into the clearing I saw Dick and Jeb standing over Harry's body. There was still steam rising from the wounds and from the barrel of Dick's gun. Harry had clearly been sprayed by birdshot pellets and was in a considerable amount of pain. The one side of his face looked like it had been filled with tiny steaming black holes.<br />"What do we do now", Jeb shouted at Dick "You shot him in the face, you shot a 78 year old man dead in the face". Dick slapped Jeb forcefully and Jeb let out a low feminine cry.<br />"Is he dead", Bandar inquired. "What will we do with the body?"The body??? What the hell was going on? It was clear that this was no accident. There wasn't a quail for a mile around. And that smile on Dick's face, it made me uneasy. "It's an accident, I didn't know he was there." Dick explained. "I saw the whole thing", Katharine said as she rushed into the middle of the group. She grabbed an imaginary microphone and said "A bird flew up, the vice president followed it through around to his right and shot, and unfortunately, unbeknownst to anybody, Harry was there and he got peppered pretty good with a spray of 28-gauge pellets." A thought suddenly occurred to me. Peppered? He got seasoned? What did Harry do to Dick? And why did Katharine just say that like she was addressing the media? My heart began to beat faster as the situation began to show its true face. Almost as if he smelled my fear Dick looked at me with a sinister glare. "Everything all right Brian", he asked as he stood up over his trophy. Harry's eyes we're starting to glaze over a little. Bandar was talking on the phone to someone in a language that all my years at Mercer County College couldn't help me decipher, and I could only hope he was calling for help.<br />Dick came into my personal space and got close enough so I could smell the evil being excreted from his pores. A bead of sweat formed on my brow and he wiped it off with his finger. He put it into his mouth and sucked the sweat off. His lips curled and I knew that this day would haunt me forever. Jeb had fallen to the ground and was holding his knees to his chest. I thought I heard him call his mommy and say a prayer. Dick, standing about an inch from me, looked me dead in the eye and said, "He's going to be all right, it's just a flesh wound." And almost like clockwork I said, "He's going to be all right, it's just a flesh wound." Dick then said, "These aren't the droids you are looking for." I repeated him again like a man with no control over his own voice. I was scared for the first time in my life. What was going to happen to me, and for that matter what the hell was going to happen to poor Harry? He lay there bleeding out of his chest, face, and arm. Delusion had begun to take over and he was mumbling something about filibustering. Dick walked back over towards his prey and kicked him lightly to make sure he was still alive.<br />Bandar put out his prayer rug and together he and Jeb placed the wounded Harry into it. Harry was crying out as they rolled him up in the rug. I was sure that they were going to drop him into the bog never to be seen or heard from again. With that thought fresh in my mind, it occurred to me. What the hell is going to happen to me? Before I could form another rational thought, Dick's Hummer came barreling through the trees and came to a grinding halt in front of the party. Dirt and twigs we're flying out from under the tires literally peppering the entire party with dust.<br />George Dubbua jumped out of the monster truck, his American flag bandana briskly flowing in the wind, and slammed an American flag into the ground at his feet. His camouflage pants looking like they had just come out of the package were a perfect compliment to his bare chest and bullet belt he wore over his shoulder. "Here I am gentlemen, to bring freedom and democracy to this impoverished land. Heh heh"<br />"Shut up George", Dick exclaimed. "Pick him up and put him into the back." The lackeys did as they were told and all packed into the Hummer. No one talked on that long ride back to the house. I still didn't know what was going to happen but was relieved to see an ambulance waiting outside the house. We put poor Harry on the stretcher and they took him away. We all entered the house, not speaking a word, and went our separate ways. I showered, unable to get the Dick stench off of myself, and got dressed. I descended the stairs to see George running around with two model fighter planes playing WW3. "Broooom Vrooooom, ka-ka-ka bang booooom", he gleefully shouted. George stopped when he saw me on the stairs. I had my bags packed and was hoping to make some quick goodbyes and then head out the door. George reminded me about the importance of national security, and how some things were better left to the PR machine to handle. Dick had already left but had given George a note for me.<br />It read...<br /> Dear Brian, What a fun time we had today playing squash in the yard. You are quite an accomplished player and have a great future in the game. Sometimes we write the rules as we go along in this game, cause after all we are Americans. Americans who have a duty to better the country. Don't you think? I'll see you soon, as I am sure you already know, so take care. Sincerely your digital ruler, Dicky"Mission Accomplished" George proclaimed as I crumbled up the note. He began to march in place. He saluted me and then went back to playing with his model airplanes. I opened the door and my car was waiting for me out front. I got in and looked back at the house. I don't know if I will ever be back here, but I will never forget it. I turned the key and heard a whoosh of air underneath my seat. Damn! I should've checked it out before I got in...ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1139326459434520712006-02-07T07:34:00.000-08:002006-02-07T07:34:19.446-08:00Super Bowl XS...thats extra small for all you XL fans.<br />Mike Holmgren and Paul Allen must be pretty upset this morning. As the sun rises on the Pacific Northwest, so does the first day of healing from that super loss begin. I am sure that Mike, Paul, and most of the Seattle team will be watching film on one of the worst Super Bowls in the history of the NFL. This game as much as any in the history of the game could be fuel for the conspiracy theory nuts. Never have I seen a game that looked more fixed than this one. Blown calls, bad penalty flags, and non calls were glaringly obvious throughout the entire game. It seemed like the NFL and the refs wanted to give the game to the Steelers.<br />I am neither a Seattle fan nor a Pittsburg fan. I am, unfortunately this season, a Philadelphia fan. So understand that the outcome of the game meant little to me. I am a fan of football and all I wanted was a good game to watch. Here is my take on the game.<br />If anyone thinks that Darrel Jackson pass interfered on that first Seahawks touchdown you are nuts. He had already turned his body. Yes he did touch the guy. But he had put his hand out and there was no push off or momentum changing contact. There was way more contact all day long. That penalty led to a Seattle field goal instead of a touchdown.<br />You can debate about the 1st Steelers touchdown when Big Ben took it in himself. It was so close you have to go with what the guy saw on the field. I think it if was called the other way it would have been just as scrutinized as giving him the touchdown was.<br />Joey Porter definitely got into the head of Jerramy Stevens. He called you soft Jerramy. And you went out and proved him right with that multi-drop game. You even dropped a sure touchdown that would have put your team up. At that point you’ve got to pull the guy. I mean his head just wasn’t in the game. You could have had the league MVP in the game instead of on the sideline when you’re down in the super bowl. Not that Joey had much of a game either, I think I really only saw him in on one good play.<br />A bag flag that helped set up the Steelers with good field position was the low block called on Matt Hasselbeck after he threw an interception. He tackled the guy that intercepted him. That’s not a block that’s a tackle. Did he go through another Steeler to make the tackle? I think it’s a nonsense call no matter how you look at it. If I was a coach and my QB came and made a tackle on the guy who intercepted him I would slap him on the ass and tell him good hustle. In 100 other games the same play would not be called that way.<br />The next Darrel Jackson touchdown could also be argued. He was in bounds at the 1 foot line, the ball crosses over the pylon and then his other foot knocks down the pylon on his way to being out of bounds in the end zone. Now the play should have been reviewed but it was under 2 minutes in the 1st half. I thought if the ball crosses or touches or whatever the pylon then it’s a touchdown. Again it could have gone either way but it ended up in the Steelers favor.<br />What was the biggest penalty in the NFL this season? Illegal Block in the back on kick returns. How many called yesterday and on whom? How could you forget about your favorite call all season refs? Instead we get a phantom holding call on the Seahawks right after Jerramy Stevens gets them back in the game with a great reception to the one yard line. Outcome: Missed Seattle field goal.<br />Did the NFL get all caught up in Jerome Bettis’s homecoming? Even the half time show, a weak concert by the Rolling Stones, and bland commercials made this show boring. The NFL is so concerned with making the game an event that they forget about the game. It’s almost like the NFL has lost sight of its audience. You get a little boob flashed during the half time show one year and it’s watered down for the rest of eternity. ABC (AKA Ed Sullivan) even put the Stones set on a delay. For who? for what? (Thank you Ricky Waters) Are the Stones (who don’t really know anything about American football) going to offend someone with their racy lyrics? I think more people were offended about the lack of connection with the Detroit music heritage. Hey NFL it’s called Motown, put that in your Rooney Rule and smoke it.<br />I don’t know if any of the plays here could have changed the game or if the outcome would have been different. I’m not saying the Steelers didn’t make good plays. That fake reverse with Randle El was awesome. Even Big Ben’s staying behind the line of scrimmage while scrambling and then finding MVP Hines Ward for a long completion was amazing. At the end of the game did you know who the MVP might have been? Hines is the clear choice but it’s almost by default. Who else stepped up for them during the whole game? Hines made a good amount of great catches (5 actually) and it made sense to give him the award… and his new 2007 Escalade. I think it makes great sense to give a millionaire a car that the majority of the people watching the game can’t afford. The rich get richer… and Hines has another car to add to his arsenal.<br />This game will be a distant memory soon enough I’m sure. Free agency and the draft are coming soon, and for now that’s all us Eagles fans have to look forward to. This games mediocre content and horrible officiating brought this years winner a place in the history books. I personally hope that this makes the NFL look at its part time officiating crews and helps them to understand how detrimental to the game it is when you have hacks out there calling the biggest game in sports. But let me give credit where credit is due, so congratulations Pittsburg, you (and the refs) brought it home for Jerome.ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1138284275480559112006-01-26T06:01:00.000-08:002006-01-26T06:04:35.490-08:00Music Downloading Is Not the End of the WorldI have for years been a firm supporter of the music industry. Well I suppose that is only in the sense that I continued to buy CDs from my favorite artists. I have been on the music downloading bandwagon since day one, blowing through such great programs as Napster, Kazaa, Limewire, and more. I stopped impulse buying of CDs before I heard them. That probably cost the music industry an easy $50 a month. I have listened to the industry talk about how all this downloading and file sharing is ruining them. But I am here today to tell them the truth.<br /><br />Downloading doesn't hurt you. Offering a sub par product does.<br /><br />I am a music whore. I can't get enough music in my life. My CD collection is massive. My MP3 collection is massive. My Ipod is maxed out. Nothing is more frustrating then running out and getting the newest CD from your favorite band just to get it home and discover that at best there are two good songs. Case in point, the new System of a Down CD, Hypnotize. I am a big fan of SOAD. But this latest CD is a let down. I think that it might have been a better decision to take the 12 best songs off of their 2 CD output this year and just put out one. But no, the money that would be lost on such an endeavor is scary. Like any corporation the music industry only cares about money. They do not care about what you like. Do not care if they ruin their artists. And most importantly the industry does not care about you. They care about making you like what they want you to like. It's more about getting you to spend your hard earned money on the newest fart in a can CD from Beyonce then it is on developing quality artists. How many of the same sounding bands can be shoved down your throat? Nickleback? Nicklecreek? Nickledimepenny? I can't tell one from the other and honestly I don't want to.<br /><br />So here is what I say to the industry. You want my money then you need to do one of two things. Make the product worth the $12-$15 you want me to pay for it. Or reduce the price to under $8 and offer a money back guarantee on garbage. There is more quality and talent on independent music labels then anywhere else. But those labels lack the true money and backing to really market their artists correctly. So unless you pay close attention and read underground magazines you are going to miss out. I dont bother to pay attention to reviews of CDs in major music magazines like Rolling Stone simply because their reviewers dont give honest reviews. How can you give 5 stars to a CD that sounds identical to another band. Its a money driven business that we the consumer are stuck in the middle of. I always thought that Payola was illegal but anyone with some sense can see how backwards the whole industry is. The only way the consumer can feel safe is to hear the music before buying it.<br /><br />For me and most of the people in this country downloading is the only way to protect ourselves. I am not looking to destroy artists or ruin anyone. I am just trying to spend my money on something worth while. I still buy CDs when I think they are worth it. Places like Itunes and other pay to download sites are fine, but their selection is minimal. You can't take someone so immersed in the subculture and try to sell them some watered down version of the real thing. Until then I think I'll be ok. Just don't shut anymore of my sites down!!ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1138117569353377862006-01-24T07:45:00.000-08:002006-01-24T07:46:09.400-08:00You Know You're a Pothead...It started as a joke, and now has become a blog!!!!<br />Some of these will most certainly apply to you! Feel free to comment some other ones too, maybe this will make it as one of those reposted lists?? haha we will see...You've been a Pot Head if...<br />You've ever said pack the bowl again<br />You think "puff puff pass" or "puff puff give" has a nice ring to it<br />You can smell it 100 yards away in a concert<br />You have multiple bottles of visene in various locations "just in case"<br />You can't believe someone "smoked without you"<br />You know "Wake and Bake" isn't about cooking<br />You know cigars as "Philly's" and it's a hassle that they come with tobacco inside<br />You know that if you are desperate you can always find a "nug in your rug"<br />You can make a bong out of a juice bottle, a tube, and duck tape<br />You have named anything you have ever smoked out of (King Bong, Chibus)<br /> You know the difference between "Schwag, Beezers, KB, and Dank" by appearance and smell<br />Purple Haze is much more than a Hendrix song<br />You know that "Hydro" isn't just a comic book character<br />You have a "friend" that you only talk to because they always have herb<br />You have a nickname for it (Herbal Excellence, Big Tom Cruise, Silly Willy Schwage a Dilly)<br />You fully understand why it should be legalized<br />You hear things in your favorite songs that you never realized were there before<br />You have "rules" (rule #3 when you say you've had enough, you take one more hit. And then that's enough)<br />You have ever watched a movie then forgot what it was about<br />You ate a whole pint of ice cream and then followed it up with pretzels, a bowl of cereal, and hot pockets.<br />You can easily quote lines from "Dazed and Confused" or "Half Baked"<br />The inside of your car is always dirty<br />You have a legitimate argument about why you're not 'addicted'<br />You belong to the ˜Find a lighter, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck" klepto club<br />People are looking at me. They know man, they know.<br />You've ever had to abandon your shopping cart in a department store and leave because you were "getting bugged out".<br />Every idea you ever have you need to write down<br />You forget to write down every idea you ever have<br />You lived the words to ˜Sweet Leaf"<br />You begin to explain something to a friend and go on a tirade about something random. Then you forget what it was you were trying to explain in the 1st place.<br />You are such a vet that you can do ˜anything" stoned, and do it better<br />You wish you lived in Canada, Amsterdam, or Nevada<br />Your idea of an ideal vacation is Amsterdam (They have a lot of culture)<br />You can accurately portray a stoner (and do a fine impression man)<br />You have a personal preference between Duchies, Spliffs, Blunt, and Joints<br />You know how to roll.<br />You shed a tear when you see the police burning crops on the news.<br />You buy gum or altoids by the case<br />420 is a holiday<br />2 words - Cannabis Culture<br />You know 10-50 different words to describe ganjah. (Pot, Hemp, Bhang, Marijuana, Joint, Reefer, Dope, Ganja, Smoke, Weed, Herb, Marihuana, Hash, Sensemilla, Green, Greenbud, Thai-stick, Green-sticky, Dirtweed, Shake, Indian Canamo, Huang Ma, Mary Jane, grass, Ace, Aunt Mary, Bales, Boo Boo Bama, Buddha, Bush, Buzz, Cheeba Cheeba, Chronic, Dank, Doobie, homegrown, Maui-Wowie, MJ, Puff, Rasta, Reefer, Skunk, Smoke, Spliff, Trees, twigs, Whacktabacky, Whackyweed, Sweet Lucy, Stick, Stack, Shwag, Nuggets, Ragweed)ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1137725762149794682006-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:002006-01-19T18:56:16.196-08:00Spam MailAfter years of having an AOL email address I am finally growing up and riding myself of the American Online burden . My email addresses have become a haven for trash and junk and all kinds of shit that I don't care about.<br />So I decided to work my way away from AOL. Set up my @comcast email and started fresh. Within three days of having this new email address I already started to receive spam. Hot Stocks, Canadian Drugs, so and so wants me to confirm my email address to receive a free gift, and huge cock pills began to fill my email box.<br />My question is this. How do they get my email address?<br />I set up a secondary email account and started using that one. Figuring that maybe because it was my main identity with comcast maybe it was sold to 3rd parties. Whatever.<br />But nope. The new one has almost just as much junk email. And the worst part? I haven't used it. It's set up for nothing. I have been using the @chaosnj address and that has worked so far. Well so far until this morning. I had a hot stock tip.<br />Which leads me to my next question. Who actually takes these tips?<br />At this point although owning some stock would be a good thing, the price of gas has driven up my heating bill to near record cost. What does that mean? No extra income to say, invest in my future. Not that I would take this email stock tip in the 1st place. But I guess someone somewhere thinks that the hottest stock around (available only to insiders) just amazingly (due to some email fauxpau) dropped into their lap (only you and top level CEO's were informed). That is frikin' amazing. Bottom line? You are stupid.<br />I just want to sign online without worrying that someone wants all my personal information to run some crazy pyramid identity theft scheme. I don't want pop-ups for cialisI don't want to help a doctor in Rwanda with his financesI don't want to gamble at the hottest online casino out there. I don't need a cyber blow job (nor do I want one)I don't think that I have won something every time something says "click here, you're a winner"<br />At the end of the day I just want to read my email (please please please send me some, I am soooo rone-ree) and check out some news. Why do these people insist on bothering me? I want to see legislation that makes it a crime to spam just like its a crime to call someone on the do not call list. I want a do not spam list. Sign me the fuck up.ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21235249.post-1137725719972931792006-01-19T18:54:00.000-08:002006-01-19T18:55:19.976-08:00People don't know how to driveI know that I drive a little faster than the rest of the population. I also know that some people would say I drive "crazy" or "like a maniac" but honestly I don't see what the hell you are talking about. Just because I know how to drive doesn't mean I drive like a nut job. I just want to get where I am going.<br />Case in point: how many times have you been stuck behind the person going slow in the left lane? This moron has got to be able to tell that there is a line of cars directly behind them. If you are in the left lane and you are going under the speed limit then guess what? YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. The left lane is for passing slower traffic (which stays in the right lane). Hence the "slower moving traffic keep right signs".It's not for Sunday drivers or for when you are turning left 6 miles ahead. You will have plenty of time to get into the left lane when you get near your turn. A lot of times you are the reason that there is a traffic build up. I can't tell you how many times I am driving to or from work and get stuck behind someone going the same speed or less than the cars in the right lane. If you are neck and neck with the car next to you then get the fuck behind them. You are obviously not going to win the race.<br />another annoyance is the "slow turner", this guy isn't sure enough about where he is going or how he is going to get there. He makes his turn like he wants to make sure his car actually can turn. If you want to get into the Rite Aid then by all means. turn the fuck in. Don't dilly dally like you want to make sure there is really a parking lot and not a hole into the center of the earth. It's really there, I am almost 100 positive it is not an optical illusion. So get in there. Make your turn and mean it. Don't you want to get where you are going? Think about the people behind you who want to keep going. Parking lots are big just so that it's easy to get into them.<br />And people who slow down everytime something is going down on the side of the road. IE: construction, someone changing a tire, something bright and shiny, etc. What are you looking at? And why the hell are you slowing down? Why, on a two sided, double split roadway, would you need to slow down when there is something going on way across the street. Hey jack-off it has nothing to do with you. Either mind your own buisness and keep going, or get the hell out of the way. I don't care if you pull over, get out of the car, and go check it out. If that's your thing then indulge yourself. Also you don't need to slow down to under the speed limit because a cop has someone pulled over. Hello, he's already pulled someone over, you're safe. I'm not saying wizz by and knock his Tropper hat off, but geeze do you need to drop below 40? Come on...<br />Also maybe its time we raise the driving age. I mean I'm not saying that all 17 and 18 years old can't drive, but I have seen quite a few that certainly shouldn't be behind a wheel. Maybe we just need to make the test more difficult or something. I work with some younger kids and honestly they are absolutely terrible drivers. The one young girl has already had two accidents. How does that happen? Well lets see. She isn't coordinated, isn't even mildly alert, about as bright as a 10 watt bulb, and has as much sense as a rock. The driving test is a joke. It certainly doesn't teach any defensive driving techniques or even real situations. The test is more like a how to park class. At least take them out on the road or something. I don't ever worry about my driving, I always worry about other peoples driving. These girls don't even understand basic laws like Who gets to turn 1st at an intersection, yeilding, and passing.<br />Also I am a firm believer that you should have to retake your drivers test at certain times of your life. When you are too old to walk, you shouldn't drive. If you don't have good motor skills then maybe you shouldn't be driving a motor vehicle. I think if you retire you should have to retake the test. I mean there are people driving who are legally blind. How does that happen? I don't want to take everyone's license away when they get to 65, but have you ever driven behind a senior citizen or watched them manuver through traffic? It's freakin scary man. Plus if they can't remember the date how are they going to remember how to drive? Their coordination is shot by that age. Plus they nod off a lot....<br />I am sure that there are a million people who will have the opposite opinion, but I just wanted to put it out there. I was once told that no matter how much I thought I was going to love to drive, that when I got older I would grow to hate it. Well I don't hate it at all, but I do hate other drivers.<br />GET OUT OF MY WAY DAMN YOU!!!!!!ChaosBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16549257696841196580noreply@blogger.com0