Every once in a while we like to go out without the entire clan being there. I love my brothers, but its hard to keep up with their charm, wit and general insight.
Last Saturday we went to an upscale legendary Greenville steakhouse. The kind of place that doesn't hire teenagers, and puts more focus on the quality of the food than the number of pieces of "Flair" the servers wear.
We were seated and to my right was a table with 5 adults and 3, count'em three kids ranging from 6 months to 3 years. As soon as we sat down the toddler began this blood curdling scream for no apparent reason. I say "apparent" because on the surface everything seemed fine. He wasn't on fire, no signs of open wounds, or a menacing dogs. As usual I was wrong. There was a reason for the ear splitting noise. One of the "adults" was freaking the kid out…and every time the wailing began, this human hemorrhoid laughed out loud. He thought it was hilarious.
Now, it has been my experience that when one child begins to get hysterical, it's as contagious as watching someone yawn. The other kids feel compelled to chime in.
So there we are, looking forward to a nice steak, adult conversation, having to compete with three screaming kids and 2 cackling adults.
The "better half" was nervous I was going to stab that guy in the throat, and the smart money would have been on that. The kids calmed down after one of the real grownups told that A-hole to stop getting the baby upset.
I told all of that…to tell you this. The wife thinks restaurants should have "kid free" zones, or not allow kids at all.
When you go to McDonalds you expect kids.
When you go to Chucky-Cheese, you expect kids.
When go to a steakhouse and plan to drop $50 a head on a meal…you do NOT expect KIDS.
Its not that I don't like kids, I just don't want them, or anyone else screaming in my ear at dinner.
You may have seen this floating around the last week or so.....
Its from Bill Cosby, and he reflects on WHY he is "tired."
I'm 76. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the
Genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand, UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance..
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck them selves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves un-employable and claiming money from the Government.
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 76.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and her children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not On the way in.
From the mind of Bill Cosby. Can you imagine how many people he has pissed off with this? Not only do I agree with his position....I admire his willingness and ability to stir the pot. Larry
Since politics seems to be lead story in most newscasts.....I thought I'd give you some stats to ponder. It has to do with leadership, or the lack thereof. Its about how a particular point of view can impact cities across the nation.
10 Poorest Cities in America and how did it happen?
City, State, % of People Below the Poverty Level
1. Detroit , MI
32.5%
2. Buffalo , NY
29.9%
3. Cincinnati , OH
27.8%
4. Cleveland , OH
27.0%
5. Miami , FL
26.9%
5. St. Louis , MO
26.8%
7. El Paso , TX
26.4%
8. Milwaukee , WI
26.2%
9. Philadelphia , PA
25.1%
10. Newark , NJ
24.2% U.S.Census Bureau,
2006 American Community Survey, August 2007
What do the top ten cities (over 250,000) with the highest poverty rate all have in common?
Detroit, MI
( 1st on the poverty rate list )
hasn't elected a Republican mayor
since 1961
Buffalo, NY ( 2nd )
hasn't elected one since 1954
Cincinnati, OH - ( 3rd )...
since 1984
Cleveland, OH - ( 4th )...
since 1989
Miami, FL - ( 5th )
has never had a Republican mayor
St. Louis, MO - ( 6th )...
since 1949
El Paso, TX - ( 7th )
has never had a Republican mayor
Milwaukee, WI - ( 8th )...
since 1908
Philadelphia, PA - ( 9th )...
since 1952
Newark, NJ - ( 10th )...
since 1907.
Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.' It is the poor who habitually elect Democrats ....yet they are still POOR.
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
William J. H. Boetcker
As we move to the weekend, lit time to clean a portion of the "brain clutter."
Politics – I am embarrassed to be a Republican this election. I look at the field, listen to the speeches and then want to take a long long nap. Let me summarize it this way..when a candidate NEEDS Donald Trump to endorse you…well, it's all over.
Football – Every year at this time we get a note from our partners in programming…..Legal.
They remind the on-air personalities that we aren't allowed to use the word "Super Bowl" when referring to …..the Super Bowl. We can call it the Big Game, or some other stupid descriptor, but not the "Super Bowl." Somehow the NFL got a judge to agree that those words can't be used when referring to the Super Bowl. Damn.
The "Big Game" – Halftime entertainment. Madonna. Damn.
Ground Hog Day – Really? The meteorologists can't predict the weather 8 hours in advance…..BUT we have HUGE celebration when an overgrown rat predicts the weather for 8 weeks. Damn.
Taxes – When I drive by a tax preparation place, and see a guy standing next to the road, dressed in a Statue of Liberty costume, waving at cars…..I think "THAT" would be who did MY taxes if I went THERE.
Say it with me…."Damn."
Facebook – By August there will be 1 BILLON people on Facebook. I feel uncomfortable when I hear two women say they are going to the restroom together. Do I really want to know the issues, and joys of essentially total strangers? YES…because my boss says its good for radio. (Sorry Mark).
Have a nice weekend.....enjoy the Big Game. Damn ï
I'm going to say something that will not be popular with some folks.
Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright is my hero.
To some I'm sure he is seen as a bad guy because he arrests people.
To others he probably is viewed as a "wild west" type wanting everyone to carry guns.
To me, he is a plainspoken man, who wants the best for his community, for his employees and his family. He answers questions without the crap that is expected of public officials. He is direct and serious. Traits I find rare and more than that, valuable.
I suspect he gets a fair amount of static from county council and a number of other groups because he answers questions, pulls no punches, and points a finger where necessary. That can only cause some to be uncomfortable and when that occurs the mud begins to fly.
Its my humble opinion that the residents of Spartanburg county are lucky to have Chuck as their sheriff.
Better hop on the bandwagon now before the new season comes around. NFL's Carolina Panthers are looking to rock your favorite team's butt for many years to come. Their dark days are long over. The new era has just begun. OK...maybe that was a little over the top.
The clubhouse has changed their logo for the new season. Look at the "New" vs the "Old" logo. Can you see the new fierceness ? I hope team owner Jerry Richardson didn't come the hip with too much cash for this tepid attempt at change.
Lets thin the herd.......
1. The artist that submitted this new Carolina Panthers logo.
2. Rocky Mozzell. The pitchman for the Star Registry. How would you feel if you got THAT for Valentines Day?
Lunch will be on me and while you put down some pizza, you can check out the deals they have during February Truck Month. 
