All told, one hundred fourteen (114) trick-or-treaters came to the door last night in a 90-minute period. And this came after I was fifteen minutes late getting home from work tonight.
I'm still trying to catch my breath. I bought four bags of candy, thinking Steve could snack at two of them. In forty minutes, 3 1/2 bags were gone. So I started handing out nickels. I must have handed out almost $6 worth of nickels alone.
At one point, I walked into the kitchen to cut open another bag of candy (this year, they were Butterfinger Caramel Cremes I think -- and no, I'm not about to root through the garbage to verify that), which took thirty seconds. Eleven kids congregated on my driveway in a line in just that time. I thought, where were they bussing these kids in from?
Then I remembered: for twenty years, we lived on a dead-end street. Even to drive from the street in the complex behind ours to the home street would take five minutes. Thirty-nine homes, only half of which had kids. Any year we had thirty kids, I would marvel at their desperation.
I remember my dad's mom saying she would have a ton of trick-or-treaters every Halloween. The exact numbers escape me... but I wonder if I beat her record this year.
What I considered strange is that I didn't hear much hubbub about candy safety checkpoints like in previous years. And Detroit's "Angels Night" mission, held again over the holiday, garnered very little news. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not, but as long as it's not more bloody PR for the city, I guess it's all good. (Though one of the drivers told me the entire Angels Night thing is pure propaganda -- it wouldn't surprise me.)
Remember this entry from last November 12, entitled "Consolation Prize For Linus"? It detailed a pumpkin patch near the airport, when I was complaining about real pumpkins laid to the side and gone to waste. As it turns out, the house on that property burned two days ago, and according to the same driver who mentioned "propaganda", all seven occupants of the house perished. Strange that I've never read that.
I passed by there today and saw the gutted shell of the house; yet there were people in the patch, picking out pumpkins without a care in the world or one cent out of their pocket. I reserve comment on that image for a moment... it's too deeply disturbing to even fathom. Death lurks by (if that's indeed what happened), and the people don't care?
Guess we need to make those gory horror flicks mandatory viewing.
October 31, 2007
October 30, 2007
They've evolved from Underdog
Some photos to share of Jenni's kids in all their glory... Halloween is shared by all of them as the best holiday of the year.
To the left is Zack, dressed to the nines in a ninja costume. For some reason I think the ninja costume is going to be the hit this Halloween - again. I guess they like holding those fake weapons...
This is Nick in a black??? Spiderman outfit. Spiderman is something he's wanted to be all year. But Spiderman's outfit is done in red, isn't it? Or does he have a dark side? Wow, what an appropriate time of year to be opening that can of bats - er, worms, eh?...
And here is Cheyanna, dressed as a witch, one year after insisting she wanted to be a princess. As the old song goes, "I've seen the world from both sides now"... I wish I could see a picture of her in the princess outfit.
To the left is Zack, dressed to the nines in a ninja costume. For some reason I think the ninja costume is going to be the hit this Halloween - again. I guess they like holding those fake weapons...
This is Nick in a black??? Spiderman outfit. Spiderman is something he's wanted to be all year. But Spiderman's outfit is done in red, isn't it? Or does he have a dark side? Wow, what an appropriate time of year to be opening that can of bats - er, worms, eh?...
And here is Cheyanna, dressed as a witch, one year after insisting she wanted to be a princess. As the old song goes, "I've seen the world from both sides now"... I wish I could see a picture of her in the princess outfit.
And Jenni? She herself went as a witch for the holiday too. She loves the holiday and is well known for watching a marathon of scary movies. She started on that a bit late this year, but she's in the process of catching up.
No fake outlaw costume for me this year. Had I been able to stay at Janice's halloween party last weekend, what would I have been? The Burger King. That would not have been pretty to say the least. I'd have hidden underneath my old Underdog costume which sits in some landfill somewhere.
They had a lot of fun at various functions, and they've shovelled in the candy supply big-time. Though I won't catch Halloween spirit like they have, it's got me tempted to hand candy out this year - first time since 2003. People will tell you that even at a young age, I enjoyed giving candy more than working for it...
... too many free treats for my dad!
October 29, 2007
Third roommate, takes 1 and 2
The search has been on for quite some time now to add another roommate to the mix here in order to lower individual spending bills. For three months I've been running an ad on the website adpost.com advertising the benefits of the house. However, the ad disappoints (and I admit it) by not having enough photos. (But why would I want to photograph Steve's room? I don't need to show the public photos of natural regeneration areas - HA!)
In that time, we've received one response from a British native that was to locate here on a work fellowship program. Everything seemed ready to go until the lack of photos was addressed. I sent a reply stating the problem would be fixed soon, but I've not heard hide nor hair from him since. I've not bothered to fix the problem, thinking it will take another response to the ad for me to fix the camera.
The ad may be completely worthless, but my PR skills may not be. Today one of my passengers expressed interest in moving in, saying it would save a lot of money. For one month in an absolute DIVE of a motel on Telegraph Road runs him almost $700. Geez, for $150 less per month, he gets use of a house with rent and utilities paid. He's shown some interest, but it's been tough trying to get a hold of him on the cellphone.
As I reiterate, the late though welcome severance check from Spirit has bailed me out this month. It seems to be a recurring theme to Michigan government, too. But I would hope my good days outnumber my bad days money-wise at work. It's the risk you take when driving a cab. I don't want any more close calls come rent time.
---------------------------
ADDENUM: Possible second candidate interested in the house, showed more enthusiasm and says he will call by the weekend of November 3 and 4. Again, it's thanks to good PR skills I've obviously developed over time.
In that time, we've received one response from a British native that was to locate here on a work fellowship program. Everything seemed ready to go until the lack of photos was addressed. I sent a reply stating the problem would be fixed soon, but I've not heard hide nor hair from him since. I've not bothered to fix the problem, thinking it will take another response to the ad for me to fix the camera.
The ad may be completely worthless, but my PR skills may not be. Today one of my passengers expressed interest in moving in, saying it would save a lot of money. For one month in an absolute DIVE of a motel on Telegraph Road runs him almost $700. Geez, for $150 less per month, he gets use of a house with rent and utilities paid. He's shown some interest, but it's been tough trying to get a hold of him on the cellphone.
As I reiterate, the late though welcome severance check from Spirit has bailed me out this month. It seems to be a recurring theme to Michigan government, too. But I would hope my good days outnumber my bad days money-wise at work. It's the risk you take when driving a cab. I don't want any more close calls come rent time.
---------------------------
ADDENUM: Possible second candidate interested in the house, showed more enthusiasm and says he will call by the weekend of November 3 and 4. Again, it's thanks to good PR skills I've obviously developed over time.
October 27, 2007
A success (while I was there)
Just came home from spending last night at Janice's with Jenni and the kids, helping prepare for a kid/adult Halloween party. I would have stayed for the whole thing (it ends tonight), but I wanted to be safe. Some members of the family aren't sure about me and I'd rather not start World War IV around the kids. (However, the only way they can be sure about me is to ask me, not make comments when they've never seen me.)
Things were chaotic, as can be expected when you have a household full of kids. The trip up was rather chaotic as well.
That darn night blindness thing I must have threatened to bite me throughout the 35-mile trip up there. The car has been running much better lately since I've figured out the last of its tricks. But it hadn't been tried for such a long distance at one time before (Flat Rock to St. Clair Shores). To make it worse, it began to rain slightly while waiting for Jenni in Flat Rock. Telegraph Road was going to be very tricky to manuever up.
I simply laid down the ground rules: when they saw me strain forward, all talking was to stop, as I had to concentrate hard to get around areas with either amber streetlights or no streetlights at all. Passing was a hazard. The kids obviously didn't get to say much during the trip, but I hope they understood why.
The car held up surprisingly well; didn't stall once, and we ended up at Janice's about 9 PM. The kids were up until 1 AM, Jen & me until at least 3 AM, which made for a 22-hour day for me. The kids, when together, are literal firecrackers. They're happy to see each other, and at the same time, fight for space. They fight over everything. Every half hour, something happened in that basement that required an adult. There were many threats of party cancellations.
Part of the reason Jenni and I were up so late was because the kids couldn't get settled downstairs. There were two pup tents, one larger than the other. Arguments ensued over who should get the bigger one, the smaller one, and the rug. Heck, I'd have preferred the rug just staring into the Halloween lights I strung on the ceiling!
Angie, one of Janice's friends, bounded down the steps and virtually waked the neighborhood up yelling at them. When it got to be too much, I went downstairs to handle it.
I've found the last thing these kids need is another adult yelling at them. That's partially why they act to the degree they do. I wanted to settle it diplomatically. Without raising my voice, I spent ten minutes in discussion planning their sleeping arrangements for that night as well as the next. Jenni came downstairs and saw immediately they were calmer. The others wondered how I was able to handle it so well. I kept the reasoning to myself, leaving it to the other adults (minus Jenni and I) to grasp the proceedings - and maybe learn something from it.
All else went well during the time there, and my car actually rewarded a rare showing of guts -- by travelling seventeen miles of expressway in a row - without stuttering or anything! I got home in a little under half-an-hour. Remember, the one time I tried to take Nine Mile Road, I spent an hour on that road alone.
Finally, it looks like the car is somewhat reliable now, which doesn't come a moment too soon. And from what I hear, things didn't end up so hot at the party after I left, so my going home averted World War V.*
--------------------------------------
* Remember, George W. Bush started World War III in 2003.
Things were chaotic, as can be expected when you have a household full of kids. The trip up was rather chaotic as well.
That darn night blindness thing I must have threatened to bite me throughout the 35-mile trip up there. The car has been running much better lately since I've figured out the last of its tricks. But it hadn't been tried for such a long distance at one time before (Flat Rock to St. Clair Shores). To make it worse, it began to rain slightly while waiting for Jenni in Flat Rock. Telegraph Road was going to be very tricky to manuever up.
I simply laid down the ground rules: when they saw me strain forward, all talking was to stop, as I had to concentrate hard to get around areas with either amber streetlights or no streetlights at all. Passing was a hazard. The kids obviously didn't get to say much during the trip, but I hope they understood why.
The car held up surprisingly well; didn't stall once, and we ended up at Janice's about 9 PM. The kids were up until 1 AM, Jen & me until at least 3 AM, which made for a 22-hour day for me. The kids, when together, are literal firecrackers. They're happy to see each other, and at the same time, fight for space. They fight over everything. Every half hour, something happened in that basement that required an adult. There were many threats of party cancellations.
Part of the reason Jenni and I were up so late was because the kids couldn't get settled downstairs. There were two pup tents, one larger than the other. Arguments ensued over who should get the bigger one, the smaller one, and the rug. Heck, I'd have preferred the rug just staring into the Halloween lights I strung on the ceiling!
Angie, one of Janice's friends, bounded down the steps and virtually waked the neighborhood up yelling at them. When it got to be too much, I went downstairs to handle it.
I've found the last thing these kids need is another adult yelling at them. That's partially why they act to the degree they do. I wanted to settle it diplomatically. Without raising my voice, I spent ten minutes in discussion planning their sleeping arrangements for that night as well as the next. Jenni came downstairs and saw immediately they were calmer. The others wondered how I was able to handle it so well. I kept the reasoning to myself, leaving it to the other adults (minus Jenni and I) to grasp the proceedings - and maybe learn something from it.
All else went well during the time there, and my car actually rewarded a rare showing of guts -- by travelling seventeen miles of expressway in a row - without stuttering or anything! I got home in a little under half-an-hour. Remember, the one time I tried to take Nine Mile Road, I spent an hour on that road alone.
Finally, it looks like the car is somewhat reliable now, which doesn't come a moment too soon. And from what I hear, things didn't end up so hot at the party after I left, so my going home averted World War V.*
--------------------------------------
* Remember, George W. Bush started World War III in 2003.
October 24, 2007
One move I had bet against
Cousin Mike moved to Oklahoma City the other day. Unbelieveable. But good for him.
Right now, his trailer sits vacant with most of the furnishings & fixtures intact. The trailer has to stay in his father's name because his father plans on spending nights there while he's in Michigan. Apparently, all Mike's necessary items went down in one carload, a nineteen-hour trip that went without a hitch. And suddenly, his older brother Johnny and I are the only ones on that side of the family still in the state.
I would never have predicted Mike to make this move, even as recently as seven months ago. I never could have believed that Mike would have actually left Spirit. He was so gung-ho about the place until recently. Through my experiences there as well as what he witnessed in those last few weeks, however, obviously changed even HIS mind.
I used to joke with him that he wore a shirt with an "S" underneath... but the "S" didn't stand for Superman, it stood for Spirit. He was married to that place, for all we knew. Now it comes as a shock when we realize even Mike can get turned off by a bad work environment.
Steve worries about Mike in particular, because he hasn't landed a job in OKC yet. Mike's not been one that's been wise about money, we must admit. Too many bills and not enough paychecks. But the fact is, he's been following his heart.
He was able to reconnect with his hidden high school sweetheart, Cindy, through MySpace. By "hidden", it means he had a secret crush on her; and after the reconnection he found out she had that same secret crush on him. The crush went unanswered for over 15 years. Now they are together and I have seen him in photos more happy than I ever have.
He (along with Steve) used to tease me about all the girlfriends I had in the past. Mike went 32 years without one, so I would even sense some resentment in his teasing. Steve was a little more critical about Mike than I was; I always believed anything was possible. Still, it's shocking to a point when it actually happens. You can prepare for something all your adult life, and when it comes, you feel as if you never prepared for it at all. Yet sometimes, the shock can be a good thing.
Mike realized at the same time as I did that Michigan has no hope for the immediate future. Yet I didn't think either of us had the guts to do something about it. Lack of money is not a crutch, it is a sad fact of life for us. I always thought I would make the move first, but look what happened. And I feel happy for him.
Sure, I wish I could say it was me that could move, but every move I make is stamped with "Proceed with Caution". I don't think he's blown the caution to the winds, like some of his friends say. Steve and I both worry about him. But you cannot defeat the heart, or the mind when it agrees with the heart and provides the determination and inner gut to do this.
If anyone deserves a better life (outside of me), it's Mike. It's been 33 uneasy years for him. Now he gets to shake that off and start the new life he's always wanted, but had doubted he'd ever get -- before now.
Bravo, cousino.
Right now, his trailer sits vacant with most of the furnishings & fixtures intact. The trailer has to stay in his father's name because his father plans on spending nights there while he's in Michigan. Apparently, all Mike's necessary items went down in one carload, a nineteen-hour trip that went without a hitch. And suddenly, his older brother Johnny and I are the only ones on that side of the family still in the state.
I would never have predicted Mike to make this move, even as recently as seven months ago. I never could have believed that Mike would have actually left Spirit. He was so gung-ho about the place until recently. Through my experiences there as well as what he witnessed in those last few weeks, however, obviously changed even HIS mind.
I used to joke with him that he wore a shirt with an "S" underneath... but the "S" didn't stand for Superman, it stood for Spirit. He was married to that place, for all we knew. Now it comes as a shock when we realize even Mike can get turned off by a bad work environment.
Steve worries about Mike in particular, because he hasn't landed a job in OKC yet. Mike's not been one that's been wise about money, we must admit. Too many bills and not enough paychecks. But the fact is, he's been following his heart.
He was able to reconnect with his hidden high school sweetheart, Cindy, through MySpace. By "hidden", it means he had a secret crush on her; and after the reconnection he found out she had that same secret crush on him. The crush went unanswered for over 15 years. Now they are together and I have seen him in photos more happy than I ever have.
He (along with Steve) used to tease me about all the girlfriends I had in the past. Mike went 32 years without one, so I would even sense some resentment in his teasing. Steve was a little more critical about Mike than I was; I always believed anything was possible. Still, it's shocking to a point when it actually happens. You can prepare for something all your adult life, and when it comes, you feel as if you never prepared for it at all. Yet sometimes, the shock can be a good thing.
Mike realized at the same time as I did that Michigan has no hope for the immediate future. Yet I didn't think either of us had the guts to do something about it. Lack of money is not a crutch, it is a sad fact of life for us. I always thought I would make the move first, but look what happened. And I feel happy for him.
Sure, I wish I could say it was me that could move, but every move I make is stamped with "Proceed with Caution". I don't think he's blown the caution to the winds, like some of his friends say. Steve and I both worry about him. But you cannot defeat the heart, or the mind when it agrees with the heart and provides the determination and inner gut to do this.
If anyone deserves a better life (outside of me), it's Mike. It's been 33 uneasy years for him. Now he gets to shake that off and start the new life he's always wanted, but had doubted he'd ever get -- before now.
Bravo, cousino.
October 19, 2007
Don't call Sam -- call Terry
Whatever lawyer is out there, famous or not, I'm about ready to call them. Short, sweet and to the point: Spirit's severance check to me is STILL not in the mail and is STILL not deposited into my bank account, as promised by the station manager back on August 29.
Phone calls have been made, and have either not been returned, or been treated to lip service. Apparently, nobody in the department (which comprises one single room) ever sees each other. How can this be, when they are scheduled to work the same hours and the same days?
Not having what was promised to me is proving to be heart-wrenching. Rent is a never-ending fiasco at the 1st of every month. With my cab fare share, I can get the rent, but what about the utilities? Steve still owes me money, and to his credit he's been working his can off. He's been giving me what he can, and it has helped. But the budget I had in mind for the rest of 2007 was based on the pair of checks Spirit would give me. I got one of them at the beginning of last month.
Who knows if they're even going to send it through?
This could prove damaging, I think, if it keeps going like this. Throw a lawyer on the case, and they'd be out more money than if they just paid me now. The station manager wouldn't look too brilliant, either.
Actually, now that I'm on the outside looking in as far as the airline goes, near the tops of the Google list for Spirit is this blog by blogger Alex Rudloff, simply saying not to fly Spirit (NOTE: This link puts you at comment #436; please navigate that page for links back to the initial page of comments if you so choose).
I added my two cents into the responses from the public, which at the time labelled four hundred people. Four hundred! Third on the Google list for most hits. Absolutely amazing. Does anybody look brillant over there now?
I've seen the redesign of the planes (another messy, loud color look), and that their uniforms are even going to have sponsors. Did I really want to be sponsored by Geico? Wouldn't that equate me to the Caveman?
If that's the way management thinks of me when they decide, or they forget, to send me what was promised me through a corporate email, hopefully a few calls from me will change that in a hurry.
Phone calls have been made, and have either not been returned, or been treated to lip service. Apparently, nobody in the department (which comprises one single room) ever sees each other. How can this be, when they are scheduled to work the same hours and the same days?
Not having what was promised to me is proving to be heart-wrenching. Rent is a never-ending fiasco at the 1st of every month. With my cab fare share, I can get the rent, but what about the utilities? Steve still owes me money, and to his credit he's been working his can off. He's been giving me what he can, and it has helped. But the budget I had in mind for the rest of 2007 was based on the pair of checks Spirit would give me. I got one of them at the beginning of last month.
Who knows if they're even going to send it through?
This could prove damaging, I think, if it keeps going like this. Throw a lawyer on the case, and they'd be out more money than if they just paid me now. The station manager wouldn't look too brilliant, either.
Actually, now that I'm on the outside looking in as far as the airline goes, near the tops of the Google list for Spirit is this blog by blogger Alex Rudloff, simply saying not to fly Spirit (NOTE: This link puts you at comment #436; please navigate that page for links back to the initial page of comments if you so choose).
I added my two cents into the responses from the public, which at the time labelled four hundred people. Four hundred! Third on the Google list for most hits. Absolutely amazing. Does anybody look brillant over there now?
I've seen the redesign of the planes (another messy, loud color look), and that their uniforms are even going to have sponsors. Did I really want to be sponsored by Geico? Wouldn't that equate me to the Caveman?
If that's the way management thinks of me when they decide, or they forget, to send me what was promised me through a corporate email, hopefully a few calls from me will change that in a hurry.
October 15, 2007
Why do they promote bad runs?
Cab passengers better not think that their driver can't guess what's going on when they're into something suspicious. They also better not assume that their driver won't report what's going on, in exchange for the proper fare being received.
I had my first ugly fare today, a young couple who were obviously going on a drug run to Delray in southeast Detroit. Myself, I have no interest in transporting people to get a fix. But it's a necessary part of the business, and per the contract, you can't refuse a fare, so I had to take them.
Safe to say I will try to avoid the immediate area around the office during mid-day.
I think they were worried half the time that I was going to blow their cover, which I wish I could have done. Because a cab driver can be held liable for trafficking if caught. Thank goodness for them I stick to the rules of the road on a regular basis.
If these drugs are illegal, why do cab companies let drivers transport the pushers and the buyers to do their thing? The dispatcher can locate areas on a map, but can't see the area the driver is going to, so I guess the judgement is left up to the driver. On a bad money day, you're more tempted to just transport them. But I just wonder why we're allowed to do that? Shouldn't we be busting ass and taking names, following the law to its letter?
This particular transport left something to be desired - even conning the company out of half the cab fare. Guess that what happens when they don't get their regular driver - who they can't trick. I'll call it "lesson learned" and file it away for a rainy day.
The rest of the week is going okay so far, by the way.
I had my first ugly fare today, a young couple who were obviously going on a drug run to Delray in southeast Detroit. Myself, I have no interest in transporting people to get a fix. But it's a necessary part of the business, and per the contract, you can't refuse a fare, so I had to take them.
Safe to say I will try to avoid the immediate area around the office during mid-day.
I think they were worried half the time that I was going to blow their cover, which I wish I could have done. Because a cab driver can be held liable for trafficking if caught. Thank goodness for them I stick to the rules of the road on a regular basis.
If these drugs are illegal, why do cab companies let drivers transport the pushers and the buyers to do their thing? The dispatcher can locate areas on a map, but can't see the area the driver is going to, so I guess the judgement is left up to the driver. On a bad money day, you're more tempted to just transport them. But I just wonder why we're allowed to do that? Shouldn't we be busting ass and taking names, following the law to its letter?
This particular transport left something to be desired - even conning the company out of half the cab fare. Guess that what happens when they don't get their regular driver - who they can't trick. I'll call it "lesson learned" and file it away for a rainy day.
The rest of the week is going okay so far, by the way.
October 11, 2007
And it all comes back to term limits
Newspaper readers, take note of the fine print: What Michigan averted on October 1 could likely happen again on November 1.
I had to explain to a couple friends that October 1 didn't end the budget crisis in this state: they only agreed to a one-month extension of the current teetering budget.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon are taking much of the heat from this. There are some fledgling recall campaigns being organized for at least five state congressional people. At the center of the rhubarb is how to close a billion-dollar deficit without making cuts to their special interest groups.
The newspapers won't tell you that. They won't mention the groups. Maybe they don't need to, because the average Joe knows what's going on better than some of these staff writers let on.
Criticism runs the gamut. But one point they cite, now more than ever, was the term limit package voters approved several years ago. I for one was a term-limit supporter at that time. Too many career politicians in the state, too much cronyism, too many people voting for them time & again because of name recognition... voting based on past service to the state, not thinking about their current rate of service.
However, the term limit system has had a few elections to flow freely. And people are now pointing out that those on the House and Senate floors lack the experience, the authority, or the respect from their peers to muster an acceptable budget package without shrouds of doubt behind them.
Who are some of the dinosaurs still lurking? Not on a state level, but U.S. Congressman John Dingell still resides on Capitol Hill. Opponents running against him used to call him "Bigfoot". He was their main target of their campaigns to get term limits imposed. There's been a Dingell in Congress forever, they said. The call for fresh blood was obvious, and the state citizenry bought into it.
Now, Dingell looks wise compared to some of the people from Michigan. On a personal note, he even helped Jenni greatly, dealing with a corrupt social worker who was denying Jenni the services she deserves and needs. With an Andy Dillon there in Dingell's place, would the same thing have happened?
It's been said that the people in state politics now don't have a backbone and cannot vote their clear conscience. They have to rely on a state prototype that's no longer effective. They can't get out of the shadows of their predecessors, so they vote likewise to continue the tradition.
Michigan's government, as a result, looks very weak to us, and to the nation in general. The union consists of 49 states plus Michigan, according to one survey I read.
If they were laughing October 1, there'll be sides splitting all over the place on November 1.
Think of the state of Michigan and its citizens for a moment, folks. The citizens, NOT the companies.
And save us from final damnation on November 1.
I had to explain to a couple friends that October 1 didn't end the budget crisis in this state: they only agreed to a one-month extension of the current teetering budget.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon are taking much of the heat from this. There are some fledgling recall campaigns being organized for at least five state congressional people. At the center of the rhubarb is how to close a billion-dollar deficit without making cuts to their special interest groups.
The newspapers won't tell you that. They won't mention the groups. Maybe they don't need to, because the average Joe knows what's going on better than some of these staff writers let on.
Criticism runs the gamut. But one point they cite, now more than ever, was the term limit package voters approved several years ago. I for one was a term-limit supporter at that time. Too many career politicians in the state, too much cronyism, too many people voting for them time & again because of name recognition... voting based on past service to the state, not thinking about their current rate of service.
However, the term limit system has had a few elections to flow freely. And people are now pointing out that those on the House and Senate floors lack the experience, the authority, or the respect from their peers to muster an acceptable budget package without shrouds of doubt behind them.
Who are some of the dinosaurs still lurking? Not on a state level, but U.S. Congressman John Dingell still resides on Capitol Hill. Opponents running against him used to call him "Bigfoot". He was their main target of their campaigns to get term limits imposed. There's been a Dingell in Congress forever, they said. The call for fresh blood was obvious, and the state citizenry bought into it.
Now, Dingell looks wise compared to some of the people from Michigan. On a personal note, he even helped Jenni greatly, dealing with a corrupt social worker who was denying Jenni the services she deserves and needs. With an Andy Dillon there in Dingell's place, would the same thing have happened?
It's been said that the people in state politics now don't have a backbone and cannot vote their clear conscience. They have to rely on a state prototype that's no longer effective. They can't get out of the shadows of their predecessors, so they vote likewise to continue the tradition.
Michigan's government, as a result, looks very weak to us, and to the nation in general. The union consists of 49 states plus Michigan, according to one survey I read.
If they were laughing October 1, there'll be sides splitting all over the place on November 1.
Think of the state of Michigan and its citizens for a moment, folks. The citizens, NOT the companies.
And save us from final damnation on November 1.
October 8, 2007
Choose your strike target
Welcome to the land of the strike, folks.
General Motors just recovered after a brief strike against the UAW. Chrysler is their next target, and odds are they could go on strike too. Last on the list is Ford, which has gone through the most turmoil of any of the Big Three the last couple years.
Now there's rumblings that one of the three casinos in Detroit could end up on strike as well, slashing the tax rolls of Detroit day-by-day. Remember that all three casinos were threatened with shutdown during that marathon to October 1 the state just had.
In Michigan's blase economy, it stands out as no surprise that these strikes are so imminent. But they couldn't have come at a worse time regardless.
The state needs stability fast... which is all that can be said.
General Motors just recovered after a brief strike against the UAW. Chrysler is their next target, and odds are they could go on strike too. Last on the list is Ford, which has gone through the most turmoil of any of the Big Three the last couple years.
Now there's rumblings that one of the three casinos in Detroit could end up on strike as well, slashing the tax rolls of Detroit day-by-day. Remember that all three casinos were threatened with shutdown during that marathon to October 1 the state just had.
In Michigan's blase economy, it stands out as no surprise that these strikes are so imminent. But they couldn't have come at a worse time regardless.
The state needs stability fast... which is all that can be said.
October 5, 2007
They played "Chiffon" once too often
I loved that commercial for Chiffon margarine in the 1970s. You know, the one known for "It's not NICE to fool Mother Nature!"
By chance, was it played over and over and over again in the 70s and 80s? And did Mother Nature get so fogged up over it that she's exacting revenge on the planet now?
I should read up on Al Gore. I need to make it a point to see An Inconvenient Truth one night - Steve has a copy on his computer. I've heard Gore has plenty of good points to offer on the future of this planet.
Look at what has transpired here in the last couple years. The last days of my time off for my condition coincided with the crashing of Hurricane Katrina into Louisiana; not to mention Rita and Wilma later in the year. This years' California wildfires. The alarming lack of water around suburban Atlanta. The constant reports here in Michigan that our lake levels are dropping to record low levels. The video footage of the great ice barriers crumbling due to increased warmth in the Arctic. The tsunamis we've heard so much about. Last year's Michigan winter was virtually non-existent; very mild and rather dry.
Maybe I can make a better educated guess on what's causing the weather to go haywire after watching Gore. My reasoning could end up anywhere between Ozone Layer and auto emissions to the Second Coming.
How many acres are burning as we speak? How many have burned in the last ten years? How many more acres of forests do we have country-wide? And how long before we burn every last tree down to the ground? Even Michigan had a wildfire in its Upper Peninsula this summer, so we are not immune by any means.
The last two years, we've been spared catastrophic hurricanes. But who's to say the Gulf Coast won't get socked in the near future? Hurricane amounts come and go in cycles, and meterologists say we are only in the beginning stages of the next cycle.
What happens when all the pipelines and wells run dry in the southeast? We've seen what happens (2004) when all the power goes out, but do we ever think of a world without water? It seems impossible, since 70% of the earth is water. You can bet some pundits would suggest we transport Great Lakes water down there, but we must pay attention to our own dropping lake levels.
The ice barriers hold so much water potential in their solid form and help promote the current temperature planet-wide. You lose those, and the water evaporates away, we lose something else: the overall stability of the planet, perhaps.
I'll watch Gore's video as soon as I can. And I must admit they don't sell Chiffon anymore, I use Parkay... so hopefully I don't fool Mother Nature one more time.
On a serious note, though, it's the truth: none of us can afford to.
By chance, was it played over and over and over again in the 70s and 80s? And did Mother Nature get so fogged up over it that she's exacting revenge on the planet now?
I should read up on Al Gore. I need to make it a point to see An Inconvenient Truth one night - Steve has a copy on his computer. I've heard Gore has plenty of good points to offer on the future of this planet.
Look at what has transpired here in the last couple years. The last days of my time off for my condition coincided with the crashing of Hurricane Katrina into Louisiana; not to mention Rita and Wilma later in the year. This years' California wildfires. The alarming lack of water around suburban Atlanta. The constant reports here in Michigan that our lake levels are dropping to record low levels. The video footage of the great ice barriers crumbling due to increased warmth in the Arctic. The tsunamis we've heard so much about. Last year's Michigan winter was virtually non-existent; very mild and rather dry.
Maybe I can make a better educated guess on what's causing the weather to go haywire after watching Gore. My reasoning could end up anywhere between Ozone Layer and auto emissions to the Second Coming.
How many acres are burning as we speak? How many have burned in the last ten years? How many more acres of forests do we have country-wide? And how long before we burn every last tree down to the ground? Even Michigan had a wildfire in its Upper Peninsula this summer, so we are not immune by any means.
The last two years, we've been spared catastrophic hurricanes. But who's to say the Gulf Coast won't get socked in the near future? Hurricane amounts come and go in cycles, and meterologists say we are only in the beginning stages of the next cycle.
What happens when all the pipelines and wells run dry in the southeast? We've seen what happens (2004) when all the power goes out, but do we ever think of a world without water? It seems impossible, since 70% of the earth is water. You can bet some pundits would suggest we transport Great Lakes water down there, but we must pay attention to our own dropping lake levels.
The ice barriers hold so much water potential in their solid form and help promote the current temperature planet-wide. You lose those, and the water evaporates away, we lose something else: the overall stability of the planet, perhaps.
I'll watch Gore's video as soon as I can. And I must admit they don't sell Chiffon anymore, I use Parkay... so hopefully I don't fool Mother Nature one more time.
On a serious note, though, it's the truth: none of us can afford to.
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