Being Green

The idea of introducing elements of "living green" into our daily lifestyle is hardly a new concept to most people. The last few weeks we've all seen a very good nation-wide campaign to educate people in the ways of incorporating green living options into our everyday lifestyle.

Speaking (or writing) as someone who's fairly conservative, I have to say that its unfortunate that Democrats have been seen as the folks who've owned these issues from the onset. And Big Money Republicans have traditionally been seen (and incorrectly so) as anti-environmental polluters. There is a paradigm here on this issue that would surprise most. Polluting and wasting is by far an American problem and not a political problem that is contributed to by everyday Americans at all income levels. It's apathy, laziness, and lack of respect that contributes to every day violations by neighbors and strangers right next door.

And it's easy to make the bad assumption that when a company is found dumping waste into lakes and streams, that 1) the company owned by a Republican (based on the belief that only rich Republican millionaires are capable of being CEOs), 2) the violation is advocated by Republicans, and, 3) that those who vote Republican aren't equally as angry and outraged at violators, polluters and so forth as would say - Democrats would be.

All of this classification by the left is ridiculous. But its also a foundation for Democrat candidates to run on/raise money one as traditionally, Republicans have never made environmental issues a top priority in their campaigns (if they mention the issues at all). Actually Republican candidates have been mute on the issues, even though THEIR biggest fundraising constituents have the most to gain by protecting the environment and keeping waterways and forests clean and protected.

Who are these folks? Hunters, fisherman, companies that deal in environmental clean up, and a host of other strange bedfellows that Republicans tend to forget about during election time.

Like everything, there is fraud and hyperactivity in every constituency. Al Gore and his merry men spent an astronomical amount of money to warn the world that Global Warming was annihilating the Earth and unless we do something - tomorrow - then we are all doomed. And that's the problem when fringe elements hijack causes. Even scientists disagree with Al Gore and his money-making phonies. It hard to take seriously anyone like Al Gore who tries to take credit for inventing the Internet. Isn't it?

But more to the point of the everyday violations that annoy me right here in Colchester, Connecticut.

What if the concept of "being green" is so remote that you have to start with the idea of "being clean"? What if the local population is so ignorant of acceptable behavior that "being green" is like a graduate level course, out of sight, out of mind from the norm?

Here are some observations about first steps to being clean in this environment....

1. People here seem to be disproportionally lazy. Garbage such as McDonald's wrappers and containers, soda cans, etc are often seen littering the streets of main and side roads. How lazy and ignorant can one be? Most destinations have garbage bins - can't these hicks put their garbage in a garbage can? What is the big thrill of throwing garbage out of your car pr 4x4 window?

2. The Town of Colchester doesn't even provide garbage bins in the town center or other places where garage can be discarded. Thus the town (run by Democrats) won't lift a finger to contribute to garage pick up. Colchester town officials set a poor example for residents by not bothering to provide receptacles.

3. Police officials don't pull people over for littering, gunning their engines in excess of every noise violation known, and they won't even chase speeding motorcycles as per their policy (another topic for another day).

4. Instead of using public works officials to clean up the messes along town streets (including the adjacent woods just off the road), town officials seek volunteers to do clean up around town. And the town's view is that if it doesn't get cleaned up, so be it. A pretty poor attitude shared with me by our public works department.

5. Attitudes about trash-riddled roadsides and building lots, and other areas of public disgust are chalked up as "country living". The truth is that this thinking is total BS and a cop-out. The problem stems from laziness, and the belief that "no one is going to do anything about it anyway." The problem is further exasperated by a lack of education on such topics in the schools and a failure of town and police officials to fine and punish violators.

Who'd a thought that being green was more complicated out here than it is in metro areas. In Farmington they argue about how uneco-friendly the recycle containers there are, out here they can't even recognize what a recylce bin looks like.

Good God. What a mess.

Colchester, CT

Let's Go Sox

Finally, baseball season has arrived! I just hate these West Coast games since I'm usually in bed by 10:30 pm (so as to get an early start).

Dice K gets the mound in an hour. The goings are early so there's not much to be taken out of the first week or so of season. But let's face it, every win counts, particularly if it means winning the division or making a play off spot - and doing so by being only one or two games ahead of the next team in the end.

Repeats are rare. We've got the players to do it. But its a long season.

Time to crank up Joe Castiglione and enjoy the sounds of the boys of summer.

GO SOX!

More on Rev. Wright and his loyal parishioner Barack Obama; the disappointment grows

The more you think of it, the angrier you get.

This is not just some one-off candidate running from a fringe party from obscurity. No, instead this is the Democrats most-likely nominee who is embroiled in a racist, anti-white, anti-American scandal caused by his 20 year friend, mentor, and spiritual guide, Rev. Wright.

It's funny. When Don Imus went on WFAN last year and made a single racist remark about the NCAA woman's championship team - without hesitation, Barack Obama called for Imus' dismissal, yet when the shoe is on the other foot, we get a lecture about how we don't know Rev. Wright, and lots of comments of personal support. Last time I checked, Don Imus created a wonderful place in the Midwest for kids with Cancer to get treatment and support - that apparently counted for nothing.

Hey Barack... so do you think Imus should be reinstated? Or is this a one way street?

This isn't going away. For the past two days, I've heard a lot of anger out of the then-Obama supporting crowd. Seems that even if the media is trying to prop him back up with accolades of "bravery" and "courage". What courage? The courage to change the topic? Sorry Barack, the soccer moms aren't buying it. Nor are the folks gathering around the water cooler at work. It's hard to dismiss as a one-off.

It's hard to equate 20 years of a strong relationship with someone who harbors such anti-white, anti-American sentiment, and simply dismiss it as "not important". Actually, its very important.
Choosing a house of worship is a very particular act that requires thought, and requires a connection of sorts on a spiritual and even and intellectual level.

Make no mistake about it. Barack Obama knew exactly what was being spewed and taught from the Black Nationalist lectern. He knew that the church's motto included "being apologetically black". Doesn't seem like a place that a white person would be welcome, does it?

The bottom line is that we now know what Obama thinks. All this nonsense about unity and something new is just a line of baloney - just a clever little scheme to campaign on. Now that we know his Pastor's thoughts, maybe we'll find out that he's also a member of other organizations that profess other elements of black nationalism. What else is behind the phony veil?

And how is Grandmother doing? I bet she's thrilled to be considered a White Racist now. She must be excited about all the new looks she receiving from friends and strangers alike. Class act!

Bill Clinton was right a few weeks ago in a statement he made. He just said it at the wrong time.... "This whole thing is one big fairy tale." It most certainly is. And not all of Aesop's fables have a happy ending.

Barack spells doom for Democrats; Hillary lives on

Is it me or is Barack standing in another white man's shadow? Oh wait, no racist jokes please.

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To say that this has been a poor two weeks for Barack Hussein Obama is an understatement and a half.

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It's clear to anyone that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr is a racist, or black nationalist as the media is now referring to him. The problem for Barack is that not only has Wright overshadowed Obama's message of unity and hope, but its turned Obama's campaign into a spiraling mess.

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And its raised questions about the authenticity of what Obama claims are his core beliefs.

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Like it or not, people judge you by the company you keep. And when given the chance to throw Rev. Wright under the bus, take the high road, and save his campaign, Obama took the wrong course of action. Instead of coming out strongly against the vile and despicable anti-white, anti-American rhetoric of Rev. Wright, he embraced him as a family friend, and a friend for life. Good God! He couldn't even follow the script.

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Obama said he could no more rid himself of Rev. Wright then he could of his white Grandmother who admitted fear when black men walked by. Dumb response. What's the point?

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Oh, I get it. Duh. There's enough racism to go around everywhere, so forget it. He did a better job throwing his wife's grandmother under the bus, anyone else in your family you want to belittle to try and help elevate Rev. Wright?

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In the early 1970s, Richard Nixon gave his famous "Checker's speech", and today in Philadelphia with the statues of our Founding Heroes looking on, Obama gave his version, and failed to live up to the easy standard set by Nixon.

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What's worse is what is being seen on every television channel across the globe (and I don't mean endless clips of Rev. Wright, although I'm sure that doesn't help) - Black Nationalists running their wide mouths spewing hate and anger in defense of Rev. Wright. And by each word, they run Obama's camp further into the ground. While blacks trumpet the "unfair treatment in a white man's world" malarkey, the ground that Obama won seems to be eroding fast.

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Neutral whites, independents, and some white Democrats are beginning to question the authenticity of Obama's claims that he can reach out and unify people based on race, creed, gender or party. If Rev Wright's horrific comments aren't enough for Senator Obama to not only distance himself from Wright, but repudiate him, then Senator Obama may not have any business running for President whatsoever.

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As Hillary looks on with a gleam in her eye, she has to smell blood. The shark frenzy around her phony tear, and gender bashing seems mild to the racist rants of Rev. Wright and his loyal parishioner Barack Obama.

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Hillary is rising fast. A few more primary wins, and its off to the convention for a blood bath where she could become the nominee. It's going to become brutal. And the DNC isn't stupid either, they are seeing a mess for themselves if Barack is the nominee and the party has endure six months campaign commericals showing Rev. Wright superimposed over Barack Obama.

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For Republicans, this election cycle is a nightmare turned sweet. George Bush's last four years have been ugly. And Republicans went ahead and choose a cranky, aged, mean, old Democatic collaborator as their nominee. Yet the Democrats in their infinite wisdom have managed to give Americans the choice of a wide-eyed, unlikeable feminist, or an inexperienced Black man who took his Biblical learnings from a Black Nationalist preacher.

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Wow. Who'd of guessed it? Like it or not, John McCain is going to be the next President of the United States. The Democrats have killed themselves. The great repudiation of George Bush will never happen.

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I don't know whether to be happy or sad at any of this.