I find it humorous, that a liberal I know, has been heard saying that he wants FOX News taken off the air. There are those in Washington who also want that.
Don't like FOX News? Don't watch it! Oh ... I see, you don't like what they say and report? And you don't want people listening to them? So, because the that, and the size of their audience, you want them off the air.
It would seem to me, that part of that 1st amendment would also involve MY freedom to listen and read what I want. If that is true, then you want to restrict MY 1st amendment right. I think that is "censorship", isn't it?
I bet you are also upset that programs, such as the past radio program Air America (BTW - I never complained about that being on, and never called for it to be taken off the air.), got dropped from the radio airways. Gee ... could it be that their ratings ...the number of people who listened ... couldn't support the cost to produce and air such programs? Guess what people, that's the way it works in TV and Radio. If their isn't enough people watching or listening, their isn't enough rating points to support advertiser buys, and THAT is what pays for the airtime.
This liberal I know wants FOX News off the air. He wants ONLY those news outlets HE deems worthy of watching. Excuse me dickhead, but I think I'll make up my own mind. No censorship for me thanks. For those in Washington who want that same thing - IT'S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, and MY RIGHTS. (And they wonder why the Tea Party growing.)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Being a "Dad", re-post
First, I want to apologize if some think I am beating this horse too much, but in my job, I see so many very poor examples of bad fathers, I just need to write and vent.
I've written before about fatherhood (you can see that post on this blog). And let me say that I am NOT a perfect dad, and have made plenty of mistakes myself. But this isn't about being a perfect dad, it's about being the best you CAN be, and know that what you do, will have some kind of effect on your children.
I work in a capacity, where every day, I see bad examples of fathers (mostly, but not exclusively). I see every day, where fathers are skirting their responsibilities to their children. In some cases (too damn many), I see fathers, fathering multiple children, with multiple mothers. And they are not taking care of ANY of them! These are not even MEN. These are sperm donors on legs.
By the way...those "moms", bare a great deal of responsibility too! Wanting the love of a man, who makes babies with multiple women, is NOT the love women need.
But to those men...those sperm donors on legs...YOU are NOT "men". Making babies is NOT manly. Mice can do that! But to help bring a baby into the world, then caring for that child, nurturing that child, providing for that child, financially and emotionally, IS what real men do.
There isn't a class on fatherhood that most men can take. Most men, learn their fathering from their own fathers, or someone else who has been something of a father figure to them. And that means good, and bad, fathering. If a man has had bad fathering, Lord hope they've had good mothering to help make up for it. Otherwise, that new father, will likely fall back on the only example they had to follow.
All that said, there are those, who consciously recognize the bad fathering they had, and work to overcome those examples and work hard at being good father. To those men, I applaud you.
We ALL make mistakes. We can ALL do, or have done, better. I am right there. But with all my mistakes, I have tried to be a good father. I think I have been a good father, and love my children more each day. Mine are grown and off on their own life adventures, but I miss them every day. I have some regrets though. And it is that I didn't spend as much time with them as I could have. I can not get that back.
Women - If you're looking for a "man", make sure he is a REAL man. Don't go for some flash in the pan dude with a good line and moves that move you. Look at "the man", and how he treats his mother, what his own father is like and treats his wife, and if that dude has multiple women and children.
Men - If you think being a man is about bringing multiple kids into the world, with multiple women, and caring for none of them....then I have a deal for you! I am offering my services to help you have all the fun you want, and none of the long term responsibilities. .... Oh... My "services"? Castration. I have sharp knives and if you just can't help yourself because you have less control than a mouse, then I can arrange for a little cut here, and little tug there, and snip snip, and you're good to go!
REAL MEN - Stand up for your women and your children. Be counted, and be counted on. And enjoy that real gift of being a DAD! It the best title I've ever had!!
I've written before about fatherhood (you can see that post on this blog). And let me say that I am NOT a perfect dad, and have made plenty of mistakes myself. But this isn't about being a perfect dad, it's about being the best you CAN be, and know that what you do, will have some kind of effect on your children.
I work in a capacity, where every day, I see bad examples of fathers (mostly, but not exclusively). I see every day, where fathers are skirting their responsibilities to their children. In some cases (too damn many), I see fathers, fathering multiple children, with multiple mothers. And they are not taking care of ANY of them! These are not even MEN. These are sperm donors on legs.
By the way...those "moms", bare a great deal of responsibility too! Wanting the love of a man, who makes babies with multiple women, is NOT the love women need.
But to those men...those sperm donors on legs...YOU are NOT "men". Making babies is NOT manly. Mice can do that! But to help bring a baby into the world, then caring for that child, nurturing that child, providing for that child, financially and emotionally, IS what real men do.
There isn't a class on fatherhood that most men can take. Most men, learn their fathering from their own fathers, or someone else who has been something of a father figure to them. And that means good, and bad, fathering. If a man has had bad fathering, Lord hope they've had good mothering to help make up for it. Otherwise, that new father, will likely fall back on the only example they had to follow.
All that said, there are those, who consciously recognize the bad fathering they had, and work to overcome those examples and work hard at being good father. To those men, I applaud you.
We ALL make mistakes. We can ALL do, or have done, better. I am right there. But with all my mistakes, I have tried to be a good father. I think I have been a good father, and love my children more each day. Mine are grown and off on their own life adventures, but I miss them every day. I have some regrets though. And it is that I didn't spend as much time with them as I could have. I can not get that back.
Women - If you're looking for a "man", make sure he is a REAL man. Don't go for some flash in the pan dude with a good line and moves that move you. Look at "the man", and how he treats his mother, what his own father is like and treats his wife, and if that dude has multiple women and children.
Men - If you think being a man is about bringing multiple kids into the world, with multiple women, and caring for none of them....then I have a deal for you! I am offering my services to help you have all the fun you want, and none of the long term responsibilities. .... Oh... My "services"? Castration. I have sharp knives and if you just can't help yourself because you have less control than a mouse, then I can arrange for a little cut here, and little tug there, and snip snip, and you're good to go!
REAL MEN - Stand up for your women and your children. Be counted, and be counted on. And enjoy that real gift of being a DAD! It the best title I've ever had!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Officer Down, Code Three
Office Down ...Code Three - Words no Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) wants to hear come over the radio. Yet, in 2010, a staggering number of deaths occurred (162) in the ranks of those wearing the Badge, working to protect us here at home. While every death is sad, the last LEO death in 2010, and the first in 2011, were those of Arlington (TX) Police Officer, Jillian Michelle Smith, and Clark County (OH) Sheriff's Deputy Suzanne Waughtel Hopper, as specially heart breaking. Officer Smith on Dec. 29, 2010, and Deputy Hopper on Jan., 1st, 2011. Both killed by gunfire.
(Before I go further here, I will provide the following Disclaimer: I am a former Police Officer, having served as a patrol Deputy Sheriff, and as a small town Police Officer. I was no super-cop and no hero, and was just a regular Cop on the street. I do not profess to be an expert on the subject. I am only offering my own insight, and food for thought to anyone who reads this.)
Two things strike me with the two LEO deaths noted above -
1. The Arlington PD Officer, had responded to a call of a domestic dispute, that was believed to be "over", and she was there taking a report. While not a "routine call", most often, we think of these calls as one where the incident has ended, and the other party has left the area. In this case, while Police Officer Smith was obtaining the information from the Reporting Party (RP), the suspect returned and surprised the Officer, and opened fire on the Police Officer and the girlfriend. It should also be noted, that as the gunman opened fire on Police Officer Smith, Smith shielded an 11 year old girl who was also in the house.
But to my point - This LEO "thought" the incident was over. Everyone "thought" it was over. She was then going about collecting information, when killed by the assailant.
2. In the case of the Ohio LEO death (As of this writing, many of those circumstances are yet to be made public.), one report indicated that the Deputy was trying to take a photograph of a footprint. She wasn't "confronting a suspect", but rather investigating some incident that may have already occurred. The murderer ambushed Dep. Hopper while she was otherwise distracted. (How many times do LEOs get tunnel vision and miss a sign of impending danger? I sure as hell had, too many times!)
Again - This LEO "thought" the incident was over, at least for that moment, and she was "gathering evidence".
Our men and women in Uniform, wearing their respective Law Enforcement Badges, take a risk EVERY TIME they leave their homes and start their shifts. There isn't a "routine" call. And as we see from the past two LEO deaths, "incidents" aren't always over when they arrive to a call.
For those who have never served in such a capacity, let me ask - Have you ever thought some "Cop" was being a bit too "serious", when you've seen him approach you, or someone else, with their gun-hand at the ready? Have you watched, as LEO's were responding the "another false alarm" at some store or bank you know, and you thought they were being ridiculous? Have you seen and heard them being a bit "over the top", when they authoritatively order people to move back away from a scene or crowd? Ever think they were "badge heavy" arriving at a scene of some disturbance? Have you ever thought that their very life could be at risk, if the right set of circumstances such evolve?
Their training, experiences of other LEOs, or their own person experiences, have taught them that they can't take any circumstance, or person, for granted. Their very lives could be in jeopardy at ANY moment. A LEO must remain constantly vigilant to the "what ifs". Even sitting down in a restaurant to eat their meal, could be their last. Think I'm being over-dramatic? (I'm no longer carrying a badge, and I still try to sit with my back to the wall!) They know, all too well, that sometimes, THEY are the target of someone wanting to take a Cop's life. And that person, could be ANYBODY they meet. ANY BODY. Try living a "normal" life, acting carefree and casual, with that knowledge and experience. The trick in their line of work, is to be THAT vigilant, and not have YOU know it. TO remain "politically correct", while doing all they can to protect you, and themselves!
Next time you get "stopped" by a Police Officer or Deputy, just politely do what the Officer asks you to do. Don't try to be their friend, just be polite and follow their instructions. When approaching a stopped Police car, slow down and give them some space. Most the time, any contact by a LEO goes without incident. Most the time, how any such contact goes, is up to the citizen during contact with a LEO.
We've sure started 2011 off in the worse possible way. The families of those LEOs lost deserve our prayers and condolences. Those who serve us each day, deserve our thanks, our prayers, and our cooperation.
Lastly, try to remember this - Law Enforcement Officers are not paid for what they do. They are paid for what they might have to do. And honestly, it isn't near enough.
For what it's worth, from this ol' broken-down ex-Cop. - Dan
PS. To those who do wear the Badge, if you haven't read it, read the book by Pierce Brooks, Officer Down, Code Three. May you go home, every day.
(Before I go further here, I will provide the following Disclaimer: I am a former Police Officer, having served as a patrol Deputy Sheriff, and as a small town Police Officer. I was no super-cop and no hero, and was just a regular Cop on the street. I do not profess to be an expert on the subject. I am only offering my own insight, and food for thought to anyone who reads this.)
Two things strike me with the two LEO deaths noted above -
1. The Arlington PD Officer, had responded to a call of a domestic dispute, that was believed to be "over", and she was there taking a report. While not a "routine call", most often, we think of these calls as one where the incident has ended, and the other party has left the area. In this case, while Police Officer Smith was obtaining the information from the Reporting Party (RP), the suspect returned and surprised the Officer, and opened fire on the Police Officer and the girlfriend. It should also be noted, that as the gunman opened fire on Police Officer Smith, Smith shielded an 11 year old girl who was also in the house.
But to my point - This LEO "thought" the incident was over. Everyone "thought" it was over. She was then going about collecting information, when killed by the assailant.
2. In the case of the Ohio LEO death (As of this writing, many of those circumstances are yet to be made public.), one report indicated that the Deputy was trying to take a photograph of a footprint. She wasn't "confronting a suspect", but rather investigating some incident that may have already occurred. The murderer ambushed Dep. Hopper while she was otherwise distracted. (How many times do LEOs get tunnel vision and miss a sign of impending danger? I sure as hell had, too many times!)
Again - This LEO "thought" the incident was over, at least for that moment, and she was "gathering evidence".
Our men and women in Uniform, wearing their respective Law Enforcement Badges, take a risk EVERY TIME they leave their homes and start their shifts. There isn't a "routine" call. And as we see from the past two LEO deaths, "incidents" aren't always over when they arrive to a call.
For those who have never served in such a capacity, let me ask - Have you ever thought some "Cop" was being a bit too "serious", when you've seen him approach you, or someone else, with their gun-hand at the ready? Have you watched, as LEO's were responding the "another false alarm" at some store or bank you know, and you thought they were being ridiculous? Have you seen and heard them being a bit "over the top", when they authoritatively order people to move back away from a scene or crowd? Ever think they were "badge heavy" arriving at a scene of some disturbance? Have you ever thought that their very life could be at risk, if the right set of circumstances such evolve?
Their training, experiences of other LEOs, or their own person experiences, have taught them that they can't take any circumstance, or person, for granted. Their very lives could be in jeopardy at ANY moment. A LEO must remain constantly vigilant to the "what ifs". Even sitting down in a restaurant to eat their meal, could be their last. Think I'm being over-dramatic? (I'm no longer carrying a badge, and I still try to sit with my back to the wall!) They know, all too well, that sometimes, THEY are the target of someone wanting to take a Cop's life. And that person, could be ANYBODY they meet. ANY BODY. Try living a "normal" life, acting carefree and casual, with that knowledge and experience. The trick in their line of work, is to be THAT vigilant, and not have YOU know it. TO remain "politically correct", while doing all they can to protect you, and themselves!
Next time you get "stopped" by a Police Officer or Deputy, just politely do what the Officer asks you to do. Don't try to be their friend, just be polite and follow their instructions. When approaching a stopped Police car, slow down and give them some space. Most the time, any contact by a LEO goes without incident. Most the time, how any such contact goes, is up to the citizen during contact with a LEO.
We've sure started 2011 off in the worse possible way. The families of those LEOs lost deserve our prayers and condolences. Those who serve us each day, deserve our thanks, our prayers, and our cooperation.
Lastly, try to remember this - Law Enforcement Officers are not paid for what they do. They are paid for what they might have to do. And honestly, it isn't near enough.
For what it's worth, from this ol' broken-down ex-Cop. - Dan
PS. To those who do wear the Badge, if you haven't read it, read the book by Pierce Brooks, Officer Down, Code Three. May you go home, every day.
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