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...but I support the Mud Island Skate Park.
I don't have any kids (yet) that skate and I don't anticipate attempting to skate anytime soon.
So why am I supporting this venture?
Because I have had my eyes opened to the stunning, near-unbelievable fact that people in this sad sack city actually *care* about something.
Memphis is a city with a terminal case of low self-esteem. Oh how we love to complain! Wahh, the crime is terrible! Wahh, racial tension! Wahh, our Coach abandoned us! If there is one thing Memphis excels at it is Monday morning quarterbacking. We will gripe and complain while never getting our hands dirty.
But not the skaters.
I’ve been to the Mud Island meetings. Two of them, actually. And I have seen a group of people willing to participate in “the system” ™. And it may stun you to realize that these people are not whatever stereotype you managed to cobble together in you mind. They are kids, parents, working adults, black and white.
They represent [brace yourselves] diversity. Yes, I know, it’s hard to believe! In a city where the ground is supposedly salted with racial hatred, the skaters are about as varied an amalgamation as you will meet.
Detractors will cry “the only reason these skaters are involved is because they want something!”
And they are right.
The skaters are, to a degree, operating with their own interests in mind. They do want something: they want Mud Island to become an integral and vital part of the city. They want it become a destination. They want people from around the worlds (yes, including skaters, professional and otherwise) to make it a “must see” hot spot.
The skaters I’ve spoken with are fully aware that the proposed skate park will only take up a small portion of the Mud Island Park (a fact that a lot of opponents seem to have trouble grasping). The Skaters are there, offering other ideas, from family friendly ventures to more local-oriented (less corporate) retail and restaurant ventures. They have ideas. They’re rolling up their sleeves and they are participating.
Finally, I know critics will want to deride this post by picking apart positive buzzwords like “hope” and “change”. Feel free. I know it’s easy to tear apart wide-eyed optimism, I’ve done it for years. I’ve griped. I’ve complained. I’ve sat on the sidelines offering people reasons why their ventures would fail.
And look how productive that has been.
I’m going to try something different now. I’m going to take something of a leap of faith and actually try to fathom…not a perfect Memphis, just a better one.
MEMPHIS DOESN’T (have to) SUCK! |
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First of all, some how my default icon got changed to a banner reading "One party, One God : Republicans for a unified theocracy". I wish I could say that was the weirdest thing to happen to me in the last 48/72 hours.
Ok, I'm going to keep this as general as possible because...well...you'll understand...and I only bring this up because I know some of you out there only keep in touch via the facebook and livejournal accounts.
In the last 48 hours Katie and I have lost our unborn child to a rare neurological tube disorder called Anecephally.
We are understandably distraught.
Our child was 20 weeks old.
My wife is a beautiful woman who I admire for her grace, compassion and courage. She is doing exceptionally well considering the situation. Thank you for your prayer regarding her healing and coping.
We are handling the situation as well as can be expected. We are very fortunate in that we are surrounded by friends and family who 100% stand by and support us every step of the way. I appreciate any sentiments or well wishes you may have regarding our healing. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we still have a ways to go regarding closure.
Those of you with children, please appreciate the blessings you have. Life is a rare, unique gift that can be torn asunder with one misplaced chromosome or gene. God bless you all and thank you.
Love, Ben |
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Ok, folks no more political nonsense.
It's divisive.
And we got a new guy coming in, so I think that we all can agree that no matter what you believe or who you voted for, we all can hope for the best. For the sake of the country.
Let me tell you about something I think is awfully damn cool - not having cable tv.
Yep, NOT having cable is awesome.
And understand something right now, my wife and I loved (I stress - LOVED) cable. We watched all kinds of nonsense and Tivo'ed stuff that we were marginally interested in. There was no real filter, we were tv-junkies. Anything and everything. We would waste nights sitting in front of the tube watching bottom of the barrel Reality TV junk.
We knew it was bad. We knew we could 'cut it' and save money. And we had the best of intentions...but it took awhile.
About three months of debating and procrastinating.
Then we did it.
We bought a HDTV tuner card off of woot.com and hooked our PC to our HDTV, creating a Media Center pc. Using the computer as a dvr and connecting a good antenna got us all the basic channels in HD plus a few weird televanglists...we were set.
We saved a ton of dough. We watch only the essential shows we love, instead of nonsense. And if we miss something, it's easy to watch online via Hulu.com or the networks.
The important thing is that while we still watch tv, we severed the nightly ritual of binging on crap. There are plenty of nights the tv stays off. We read, play games ( I suck @ scrabble - btw), we spend time TOGETHER in stead of sitting in front of the glowing tube. It's nice. |
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Obama ='s Socialist?
Really?
Have we been asleep the past eight years?
* The Bush administration gave us largest Government handout in U.S.history (the medicare prescription drug act)
* The Federal Government has grown 10 time's since the Bush administration was in Office
* The Bush administration has borrowed more money than the previous 42 Presidents combined
* The Bush administration took a record surplus and turned it into a record deficit
* The Bush administration wire-tapped American Citizens without warrant (including our own troops over seas)
* Nine banks were nationalized
* Our troops are being used for "nation building"
* The Patriot Act
* The Military Commissions Act
* Limiting free speech via the broadcast decency enforcement act
But hey, we got those sweet economic stimulus checks and no one took away our guns. So just keep on waving you little plastic American flags and telling yourself how scary-terrible it will be with Obama in office.
You know, because he's a socialist.
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"All right, you think you're all so smart?" said Campbell. Then he challenged them to play studio exec as he pitched one of his past projects. "I'm Frank Marshall," he began. "I've produced all of Steven Spielberg's movies. Interested? Okay, I've got a book written by Michael Crichton. I'm going to get John Patrick Shanley, the Academy Award-winning writer of Moonstruck, to adapt it. It'll be shot by Allen Daviau, who did E.T. Will you make this movie? Well, congratulations! You just made Congo." - BRUCE CAMPBELL |
| » To my fellow Obama supporters... |
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Ok guys and gals, first things first - how did your looting go last night? Get any good stuff in the riots? Yeah, me too! I even got an I-Phone! Wow! It was great! We even burned down a few white owned business' before setting City Hall on fire!
Next, conversion to Islam. I know all of the conversion centers and Christian Death Camps won't be going up until January but I've already started reading the Koran and preparing for our new Government mandated faith. This is going to be awesome!
Speaking of awesome, I got an application in at the new "Straight baby abortion clinic"! You know the place, right? It's where the government kills all straight babies to help build up the ranks of the "gay army". Anyway, I hope to get a job there this spring, if not I'll just sit back and collect my monthly $100,000 welfare check subsidized by traditional families that make more than $100 a week.
My favorite part about last night? The chant of "Socialism for all! Socialism for all! Soon we will crush the free market beneath our heels!" It really brought us leftist-intellectual-elite-traitors together!
And the fact that he beat Joe Biden to death - on National T.V. - and made Louis Farrakhan his V.P.?!? AWESOME!! Any day now we'll have the boarders open and have our North American Union!
OH WAIT!!!
None of that happened?!
Really?!?
Black and White celebrated side by side.
John McCain made a damn classy concession speech.
The world didn't end.
Our problems haven't instantly gone away, just as they haven't gotten worse.
But our country lived up it's potential and it's ideals.
Nov. 5th, 2008 @ 08:20 am
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| » Respect. |
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I never hated John McCain. I respect the guy. I didn't agree with his choice of running mate, but oh well. I think the guy himself is a decent fella with differing opinions. Note - I'm talking about the man. Not the party as a whole.
Anyway, it's 9:30 and things look to be going Obama's way. Which makes me happy, but I just wanted to say that I respect McCain. He has been a worthy, respectable adversary. My hats off to you old timer.
Also, I miss Tim Russert. The new guy is good...but he's no Russert.
Nov. 4th, 2008 @ 09:21 pm
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| » Want -vs.- Need plus WATCH THESE! |
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I wanna do a lot of things this weekend. Some will happen, some won't. Here's the list.
* Pass out candy and comix to trick r' treaters
* Go see Rock n' Rolla
* Go see Zack and Miri make a Porno
* Go visit former Step-Father in Dover, AR
* Start mega-cleaning house in preparation for in-laws visiting for Thanksgiving
* Go to Memphis Roller Derby
* Take a shot of Gentleman Jack every time Palin or McCain mention Joe the Plumber
So much to do, so little time...
Oct. 31st, 2008 @ 08:22 am
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| » SHOT IN THE ARM! |
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Gah!
Just got a flu shot. This is the fifth year I received a flu shot...they're free here at work. The worst I ever received was a sore arm but damn! This time I felt nauseated as soon as the needle hit my skin. I feel woozy and vomitorious.
Is that word?
If not, it should.
I should have listened to the conspiracy kooks, this potent combo of Government Nano-bots and the A.I.D.S. virus are getting to me!
Oct. 30th, 2008 @ 09:54 am
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| » Burnout... |
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My pal Gann asked a question which got me thinkin'... In my last post / gripe-session I bitched about politics and Gann asked if I was forced to watch the annoying tirades to which I answered no, not really. I mean we usually have the office tv on CNN in the mornings but I'm not forced to watch it these political blowhards...or am I?
[cue dramatic music!]
My gripes are as follows...one is realistic and well founded, the other is personal.
Gripe ONE - The campaign process is too long. As it stands now, most candidates announce their intention a year-and-a-half to two years in advance! This means a.) you gotta have some deep-ass pockets to run a campaign, just to "go the distance" and b.) I am going be good and sick of you smiling face by the time you take the Oath of Office (if you even win). A year-and-a-half of running leads to voter burnout and apathy. How about we shorten this thing up and boil it down the the nitty gritty essentials of politics instead of months and months (and months) of ballyhoo, mud-slinging and hype?
Gripe TWO - I'm getting old. I accept this. And as part of getting old I am asked to hate that which I don't understand...and I do not understand a certain mold of modern hipster: The Apple Youth.
The Apple Youth (as I have dubbed them) are a somewhat clean-cut, tech-savy, politically active, small-carbon-footprint-leaving, hanging out at Starbucks, up-tight crowd, constantly striving to make their peer-tested and approved opinions known via video blogs that are uploaded via their I-Phones while their Honda Prius charges up at a free-trade farmers market. They're concerned, they're active and they want you to know it.
Now if you read that and you said "hey, I like Mac products!" or "hey, what wrong with "being involved" or caring?!" The answer is, of course, nothing. Any of the above listed activities are fine. Kosher. Respectable. But it's this ego-stroking sense of letting everyone know that annoys the ever loving **** of me!
Be involved. Be concerned. Do good things.
But try not to be so damn annoying about it. It's one thing to have a blog. People have to go to it. Find it. Track it down. But the moment you start up-loading your thoughts to CNN? You become a condescending prick.
[p.s. condescending means "to talk down to"]
;-)
This ill-defined, half-thought-out screed of self-deprication was brought to you by Pointblank75. I approve this hyppocritical message.
Oct. 21st, 2008 @ 01:36 pm
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| » Republican or Democrat... |
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Whichever you are I hope you can all agree with me on this simple statement - I am friggin' sick of Gen-X (or Gen-Y, whatever) expressing their vapid, dopey political opinions via video blogs on CNN. I could really give two $#!=z what "Carl" in Kentucky thinks of Obama or "Everett" in San Francisco thinks of McCain. SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!
Oct. 21st, 2008 @ 08:16 am
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| » Re: "Bring it" |
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Regarding "bringing it".
You know, for parties, get-togethers, hootenannys...
I don't "bring it"...because I don't have to.
I have an elite staff of thirty six roadies that show up in town three to four days in advance. I trust these professionals to set things up, check gear, test levels...all so I don't have to!
So this weekend?
At this Halloween party?
Don't ask me if I brought it.
Jeff, Karl, Trevor, Tim, Gerry, Phillip, Paul, Lil' Jimmy, Mike, Vinny, Neil, Foster, Two-Tooth Tom, Annie, Paulette, Michelle, Jon, Kill 'em All Al, Millz, Gregor, Billy Bad Ass, Joseph, Cooter, Harry, Fish Biscuit, Will, Vic, Jenny, Elbow Grease, Miller, Lily and Night-time Nell brought it for me!!!
Oct. 16th, 2008 @ 08:21 am
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| » Oy America (for my Republican AND my Democratic friends) |
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One thing we can all agree on - there are idiots (and lots of 'em) on BOTH sides of this Presidential Race!
For my Republican pals (to roll their eyes to...)
CLICK THIS (if ignorance is work safe then this is Work Safe)
For my Democratic pals (to roll their eyes to...)
CLICK THIS (a little bad language and a lot of stupidity, beware)
And yes, I don't know how to link to YOUTUBE videos...I are teh dum
Oct. 7th, 2008 @ 11:39 am
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| » Ok... |
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The Vice-Presidential debates are pretty much over. They just have to make their closing statements but other than that - they're done.
I could be considered an Obama supporter. I agree with him more so than McCain...but still and yet I try (stress - TRY) to remain objective about things. I try to give folks the benefit of the doubt.
Hell, I'm one of the few Obama supporters that could actually say that the first debate was little more than a "draw".
But tonight?
Binden moped the floor with Palin.
Hands down.
You want me to sum up Govenor Palin's comments? Ok : "Alaska, you betcha', "nook-yu-ler", hockey moms, home-spun wisdom, maverick (tm), [wink to the camera], joe six pack".
That was it.
Sure, after that Katie Couric interview a lot of folks would have you belive that Palin was capable of little more than sticking her thumb in her nose and farting into the mic...she didn't (which could be considered something of a small victory, I guess) but - wow. Charming? Sure. Informed and capable of leadership? I'll get back to you...
Oct. 2nd, 2008 @ 09:28 pm
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| » An interesting read... |
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Note - I'm not doing this to alienate anyone. We all have different opinions and it's what makes this country great. I promise to respectfully honor those different political beliefs. That being said, I found this interesting...
The Truth About Sarah Palin (from www.rollingstone.com aka "The Liberal Media")
Sarah Palin's credentials as a "reformer" are nothing but spin. She has sided with Big Oil, lobbied to increase pork spending and abused her public power to carry out personal vendettas. Here's a guide to separating myth from fact.
MYTH 1
THE MYTH: "She took the luxury jet that was acquired by her predecessor and sold it on eBay. And made a profit!" — John McCain, at a campaign stop in Wisconsin
THE FACTS: No one bought the jet online. It was eventually sold through an aircraft broker — at a loss to taxpayers of nearly $600,000.
MYTH 2
THE MYTH: "I told the Congress 'Thanks, but no thanks' on that Bridge to Nowhere." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: Supported the infamous pork project in her 2006 run for governor, even after Congress had killed the bridge; derided its opponents as "spinmeisters." Reversed her stance a year later — but kept the money, doling out the $223 million in federal funds to other pork projects throughout the state.
MYTH 3
THE MYTH: "We ... championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: As mayor, employed a lobbyist who also worked for Jack Abramoff to secure $27 million in pork spending for Wasilla — more than $4,000 per resident. In her two years as governor, requested $453 million in earmarks. Alaska ranks first in the nation for pork, raking in seven times the national average.
MYTH 4
THE MYTH: "I found ... someone who stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money." — John McCain, introducing Palin
THE FACTS: Signature accomplishment as mayor: building a $15 million hockey arena that plunged the city into debt. Broke ground on the project without finalizing the city's purchase of the land; the resulting fiasco cost Wasilla $1.3 million — roughly $200 per resident.
MYTH 5
THE MYTH: "Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems — as if we didn't know that already." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: "I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can't drill our way out of our problem." — Sarah Palin, July 2008
MYTH 6
THE MYTH: "We began a nearly $40 billion natural-gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: With federal approval years away, not a single section of the pipeline has been laid. State could end up paying the pipeline's contractor $500 million — even if it never breaks ground on the project.
MYTH 7
THE MYTH: "She's from a small town with small-town values." — Fred Thompson, convention speech
THE FACTS: Wasilla and the surrounding valley recently named the meth capital of Alaska, with 42 meth labs busted in a single year.
MYTH 8
THE MYTH: Palin has "taken on the political establishment in the largest state of the union." — Fred Thompson, convention speech
THE FACTS: Served until 2005 as director of fundraising group associated with indicted senator Ted Stevens.
MYTH 9
THE MYTH: "She's fought oil companies." — John McCain, introducing Palin
THE FACTS: Collected $13,000 in campaign contributions from oil and gas lobbyists, including Exxon, BP, Shell and Chevron. BP was a sponsor of her inaugural ball.
MYTH 10
THE MYTH: "She's been to Kuwait. She's been over there. She has been with her troops. The National Guard that she commands, who have been over there and had the experience." — John McCain, highlighting Palin's national-security credentials
THE FACTS: Never had a passport before 2007, when she made a brief photo-op trip to visit troops in Germany and Kuwait. Has never been to Iraq, and has not met a single foreign head of state.
MYTH 11
THE MYTH: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: As governor, sought travel reimbursement for 312 nights she spent in her own home.
MYTH 12
THE MYTH: “The only difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom is lipstick”. — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: There are a vast number of differences between pitbulls and hockey moms.
Oct. 2nd, 2008 @ 08:40 am
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| » F.Y.I. |
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The last stop in Sarah Palin's journey from benefit to albatross will be tonight's debate.
Oct. 2nd, 2008 @ 08:07 am
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| » NEWS |
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(In or around) MAY 16th I will become a father.
Wow.
Sep. 30th, 2008 @ 10:44 am
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| » Ok folks... |
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Your :
You're : a contraction of YOU and ARE
Go forth into the world and spread this information as gospel.
Sep. 29th, 2008 @ 08:29 am
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| » Saying what needs to be said... |
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Ok, I watched the debate last night.
If you remove any and all preference from the situation and look at it objectively you can say the truth - neither one really won.
They preached to their choirs. Thus Obama fans claim he won while McCain folks proclaim victory. Neither one delivered a knock out blow or worthy "kewl" 30 second soundbite. And I say this as a Obama supporter. It's important to remain as open-minded and objective as possible...and last night was a 13 round fight that ended in a split decision.
And besides, $#*! all of that posturing and nonsense - Paul Newman died.
Sep. 27th, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
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pointblank75's journal
