Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving, and doesn't have to travel too far.
And speaking of travel, it doesn't look like the Internet campaign encouraging flyers to protest new security screening by boycotting body scanners at airports had very much effect. Not too many protesters showed up.
One passenger, Greg Hancock, 61, said "It was a day at the beach, a box of chocolates," after going through a body scanner Wednesday at the Phoenix airport. I don't know if he was being facetious or not. He was sent through because a golf ball marker in his pocket set the metal detector off. His wife, Marti Hancock, 58, who'd flown on Sept. 11, 2001, and feared there was a bomb on her plane that day, has been fully supportive of stringent security, saying "If that's what you have to do to keep us safe, that's what you have to do."
And Mrs. Hancock's point is something I really understand. Because I despise what security checks have done to air travel, and dread the thought of going through any kind of screening process at all. After all, I'm not a terrorist, have no desire whatsoever to harm anyone, except maybe teams playing against the Jets, yet I have go through the same cattle-herding process as everyone else whenever I need to board a plane.
Nonetheless, at the moment there doesn't seem to be a viable alternative to screening, and above all, aircraft must be kept completely safe, so if folks want to fly they've got to accept the procedures and go with the program. If not, they're going to be grounded.
So what it all adds up to is, lot's of folks are angry, upset, frustrated, put out and seething because of the onerous, intrusive and demeaning aspects of security checks. And I certainly agree with their viewpoint. But, I also think their hostility may be misdirected. Because the FAA and air safety people didn't cause this problem, they're only doing their jobs as they see fit under the circumstances. Therefore, I believe the anger should be directed at the ones who truly caused the problem...and that's the terrorists.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/24/2010
With the Thanksgiving weekend upon us, much of the nation travels to spend time with family and friends. So, that naturally brings a lot of travel issues into light. And, although not really a holiday story, there was something in the news today about how some people get where they're going.
According to the US military's figures, the average American could buy a house for what it costs to run Air Force One for an hour. They just provided an updated estimate on that cost, which was first published by a taxpayer watchdog group, and it's humongous -$181,757 per hour. It was also mentioned that President Obama has spent more days abroad in his first two years than any other president.
I mention it today because it seems all we hear now, from the president himself and those around him, is that the citizenry needs to tighten their belts, cough up more taxes and face our terrible economic problems by all pitching in. But, in the meantime this guy flies all over the planet for free, because all those buckler-uppers are paying his airfare, which as enormous as it is is only part of the cost of his many trips.
And it's things like this that have been mainstream of politicians as long as I can remember, because everything these people demand is expected of everyone else but them. That's why it doesn't seem matter to someone like Nancy Pelosi what's in bills that pass in the house, because she has no intention of taking the time or making any effort to read that legislation herself. The hypocrisy's so thick you'd need a tree-loggers power saw to cut through it.
But, as these blogs of mine have been saying for what seems quite a while now, a different kind of clock is ticking for those in office. And as every day goes by, more of our population is becoming aware of the frauds perpetrated on them by that group. What's more, the Internet and additional accesses to information are going to keep growing, delivering hard information accurately and quickly. And to me, that means that although the turkeys devoured tomorrow are the edible kind, the elected ones will soon be history too.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
According to the US military's figures, the average American could buy a house for what it costs to run Air Force One for an hour. They just provided an updated estimate on that cost, which was first published by a taxpayer watchdog group, and it's humongous -$181,757 per hour. It was also mentioned that President Obama has spent more days abroad in his first two years than any other president.
I mention it today because it seems all we hear now, from the president himself and those around him, is that the citizenry needs to tighten their belts, cough up more taxes and face our terrible economic problems by all pitching in. But, in the meantime this guy flies all over the planet for free, because all those buckler-uppers are paying his airfare, which as enormous as it is is only part of the cost of his many trips.
And it's things like this that have been mainstream of politicians as long as I can remember, because everything these people demand is expected of everyone else but them. That's why it doesn't seem matter to someone like Nancy Pelosi what's in bills that pass in the house, because she has no intention of taking the time or making any effort to read that legislation herself. The hypocrisy's so thick you'd need a tree-loggers power saw to cut through it.
But, as these blogs of mine have been saying for what seems quite a while now, a different kind of clock is ticking for those in office. And as every day goes by, more of our population is becoming aware of the frauds perpetrated on them by that group. What's more, the Internet and additional accesses to information are going to keep growing, delivering hard information accurately and quickly. And to me, that means that although the turkeys devoured tomorrow are the edible kind, the elected ones will soon be history too.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/23/2010
The growing public outcry about terrorism concerns and pat-downs at airports continues to get headlines, because inconvenienced folks are outraged at being physically searched for threats. And the more they holler and scream, the more I remember about the flying I used to do myself, because for quite a few years it seemed to me I was almost always airborne.
Now, during those years the security checks were nowhere near what they are now, and certainly pre-9/11. Nonetheless, plenty of folks were upset even then that they were being inconvenienced, especially since I don't think they deemed themselves harmful.
I myself began to dread how distasteful air travel was, and how much it inconvenienced me. Considerable extra time was taken due to the need of arriving so far before departure time, merely to get through pre-flight checks. Then, I sat in lounges for what seemed like forever, waiting again until boarding began. In all, somewhere around two wasted hours or more of my time was taken every time I flew.
Then, of course, if you add in other delays, for equipment checks, late arrivals of incoming aircraft for turn-around or continuing flights, and quite often, inclement weather, the time spent in airport lounges or bars in total was immense.
Of course with all that time frittered away in airports, I think one becomes a "profiler" of sorts simply by experience and exposure. Because you tend to see how people react under certain conditions, and at times, can sense who's going to do what and when merely from observing their mannerisms, appearance, and certain demographic characteristics, such as age and dress.
For example, an easy guess would be the guys whose flashy shirts were unbuttoned down to their waists and wearing so much gold around their necks you wondered how they could stand erect. In their case it was even money that they'd either stay in a bar for the duration of the wait, and perhaps not board at all when the time came because they'd become incoherent. Or else they'd stand at the podium outside the boarding ramp and try to hit on the female agents.
Then there were the infrequent flying high-rollers who were so impressed with themselves they demanded to see everyone up to the chairman of the airline, because men of their stature and importance rated immediate take-off, regardless. Diametrically juxtaposed to them were the families who had all their worldly possessions packed in big green plastic bags and cardboard cartons, and argued loudly about how they didn't want their stuff flying as baggage. Those were also the ones whose kids screamed for entire flights, and turned around in the seat in front of you and threw applesauce in your face.
The quietest types tended to be the experienced business types who sat apart in the lounge, then boarded early because they flew first-class and kept their heads buried in their Wall Street Journals, sipping dry Martinis as the dregs of society squirmed, clawed, and muscled their way to their seats in the back. And those same, elite pre-board types were also the first off upon arrival, so they were half way to their destinations in limo's by the time most peons reached baggage claim.
As the list goes on there are many more categories and types by which experienced flyers, or knowledgeable others might categorize passengers. And I can certainly understand why some might think profiling would work and make things move faster. But, I don't really think that's the point. Because all it takes is one small mistake and the ball game is over.
So, in my opinion folks should just understand how dramatically things have changed and that this isn't a game, nor is pre-boarding scanning or searching an inconvenience that should be removed because a lot of spoiled, unknowing, selfish types think they're more important than others safety. But, what's most sadly important in the matter is, apparently it's going to take another disaster to shut these morons up.
That's it for today folks
Adios
Now, during those years the security checks were nowhere near what they are now, and certainly pre-9/11. Nonetheless, plenty of folks were upset even then that they were being inconvenienced, especially since I don't think they deemed themselves harmful.
I myself began to dread how distasteful air travel was, and how much it inconvenienced me. Considerable extra time was taken due to the need of arriving so far before departure time, merely to get through pre-flight checks. Then, I sat in lounges for what seemed like forever, waiting again until boarding began. In all, somewhere around two wasted hours or more of my time was taken every time I flew.
Then, of course, if you add in other delays, for equipment checks, late arrivals of incoming aircraft for turn-around or continuing flights, and quite often, inclement weather, the time spent in airport lounges or bars in total was immense.
Of course with all that time frittered away in airports, I think one becomes a "profiler" of sorts simply by experience and exposure. Because you tend to see how people react under certain conditions, and at times, can sense who's going to do what and when merely from observing their mannerisms, appearance, and certain demographic characteristics, such as age and dress.
For example, an easy guess would be the guys whose flashy shirts were unbuttoned down to their waists and wearing so much gold around their necks you wondered how they could stand erect. In their case it was even money that they'd either stay in a bar for the duration of the wait, and perhaps not board at all when the time came because they'd become incoherent. Or else they'd stand at the podium outside the boarding ramp and try to hit on the female agents.
Then there were the infrequent flying high-rollers who were so impressed with themselves they demanded to see everyone up to the chairman of the airline, because men of their stature and importance rated immediate take-off, regardless. Diametrically juxtaposed to them were the families who had all their worldly possessions packed in big green plastic bags and cardboard cartons, and argued loudly about how they didn't want their stuff flying as baggage. Those were also the ones whose kids screamed for entire flights, and turned around in the seat in front of you and threw applesauce in your face.
The quietest types tended to be the experienced business types who sat apart in the lounge, then boarded early because they flew first-class and kept their heads buried in their Wall Street Journals, sipping dry Martinis as the dregs of society squirmed, clawed, and muscled their way to their seats in the back. And those same, elite pre-board types were also the first off upon arrival, so they were half way to their destinations in limo's by the time most peons reached baggage claim.
As the list goes on there are many more categories and types by which experienced flyers, or knowledgeable others might categorize passengers. And I can certainly understand why some might think profiling would work and make things move faster. But, I don't really think that's the point. Because all it takes is one small mistake and the ball game is over.
So, in my opinion folks should just understand how dramatically things have changed and that this isn't a game, nor is pre-boarding scanning or searching an inconvenience that should be removed because a lot of spoiled, unknowing, selfish types think they're more important than others safety. But, what's most sadly important in the matter is, apparently it's going to take another disaster to shut these morons up.
That's it for today folks
Adios
Monday, November 22, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/22/2010
I wrote yesterday's entry early, consequently Gang Green had yet to play. Then, when they pulled the game out with about twenty three seconds of time remaining, I was too stunned to type for the rest of the night. So I didn't sit down and amend the blog. And this makes about five in a row, or so, where they've gone down to the wire or more, because two wins were in overtime.
Ordinarily, I'd write this off to chance and think of as in keeping with Jet tradition, because I don't know of any other NFL team that over it's history has gone down to the wire in so many games. Events like the famous Marino false spike, and then his winning pass for the Dolphins. And who can ever forget the Heidi fiasco where they managed to lose in something like a tenth of a second, after the network had switched from the game to the movie, so no fans at home saw the game end. Those are just two of the major highlights, but the list of last minute losses and give away's is really quite long and cemented in Jet history.
Yet, despite the losing tradition, this year seems a little bit different. Because, although I'm having a hard time believing my own typing...they seem to be playing better football, but are just a little bit inconsistent over the course of their games. Yet, when they're up against the wall, these guys don't fold like their predecessors...they step up, suck it in and win.
I was so surprised by their recent performance, especially yesterday's incredible save, that I actually turned on the sound to listen to an analysis on TV this morning. I did it simply because I was curious if these guys agreed with me. And as it turned out, they don't.
The two I listened to were ex-players, not jock-sniffer, wannabe, never was, "experts'", who never tossed anything more than a Big Mac down their neck. It was Neon Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin, both super stars in their time. And, according to them this years Jets are the real deal, which they attribute to Mark Sanchez quarterbacking, far better than your average second year pro, and the depth at the key positions, particularly receivers, linemen and defensive secondary.
They attribute the teams strength to the coaching staffs ability to figure out their weaknesses, then going out and finding the guys they need, and most of all, insuring that everyone fits in and all play as a team. The most recent addition played a big part Sunday, Number 10, Santonio Holmes.
As for me, maybe I've just been around this team too long. because I won't believe anything anyone says, til I see the results. And the only thing I'm sure of at the moment is that I no longer need a cardiologist. Because if I survived the end of Sunday's game still standing, it's obvious that nothing can give me a coronary.
Elsewhere in the news, Barabara Bush who knows a little bit about how things work in the political world apparently had a few words about Sandra Palin, when interviewed by Larry King. Mrs. Bush's suggestion was "she seems very happy in Alaska." And then she added, "I hope she'll stay there."
Now, I don't know about you, But Mrs. Bush's comment seemed pretty cold to me.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Ordinarily, I'd write this off to chance and think of as in keeping with Jet tradition, because I don't know of any other NFL team that over it's history has gone down to the wire in so many games. Events like the famous Marino false spike, and then his winning pass for the Dolphins. And who can ever forget the Heidi fiasco where they managed to lose in something like a tenth of a second, after the network had switched from the game to the movie, so no fans at home saw the game end. Those are just two of the major highlights, but the list of last minute losses and give away's is really quite long and cemented in Jet history.
Yet, despite the losing tradition, this year seems a little bit different. Because, although I'm having a hard time believing my own typing...they seem to be playing better football, but are just a little bit inconsistent over the course of their games. Yet, when they're up against the wall, these guys don't fold like their predecessors...they step up, suck it in and win.
I was so surprised by their recent performance, especially yesterday's incredible save, that I actually turned on the sound to listen to an analysis on TV this morning. I did it simply because I was curious if these guys agreed with me. And as it turned out, they don't.
The two I listened to were ex-players, not jock-sniffer, wannabe, never was, "experts'", who never tossed anything more than a Big Mac down their neck. It was Neon Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin, both super stars in their time. And, according to them this years Jets are the real deal, which they attribute to Mark Sanchez quarterbacking, far better than your average second year pro, and the depth at the key positions, particularly receivers, linemen and defensive secondary.
They attribute the teams strength to the coaching staffs ability to figure out their weaknesses, then going out and finding the guys they need, and most of all, insuring that everyone fits in and all play as a team. The most recent addition played a big part Sunday, Number 10, Santonio Holmes.
As for me, maybe I've just been around this team too long. because I won't believe anything anyone says, til I see the results. And the only thing I'm sure of at the moment is that I no longer need a cardiologist. Because if I survived the end of Sunday's game still standing, it's obvious that nothing can give me a coronary.
Elsewhere in the news, Barabara Bush who knows a little bit about how things work in the political world apparently had a few words about Sandra Palin, when interviewed by Larry King. Mrs. Bush's suggestion was "she seems very happy in Alaska." And then she added, "I hope she'll stay there."
Now, I don't know about you, But Mrs. Bush's comment seemed pretty cold to me.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Sunday, November 21, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/21/2010
Since we live in America, there's another brouhaha brewing, because it just wouldn't be right if folks just sat back, faced facts, and kept their mouths shut. So it seems that some are now upset over body search methods at airports.
A headline story concerns a woman, Cathy Bossi, a Charlotte-area flight attendant, who said that in August, two female Transportation Security Administration agents took her to a private room for what she calls an "aggressive pat-down." They stopped when they got to feeling her right breast, where she'd had cancer surgery.
Referring to one of the agents, Bossi said, "She put her full hand on my breast and asked, "What is this?'" Bossi replied "It's my prosthesis because I've had breast cancer." The agent then told her, "Well you'll need to show me that." Bossi said she then removed the prosthetic breast from her bra.
According to a TSA spokesperson, agents aren't supposed to remove any prosthetics. But they are allowed to ask to see and touch any passenger's prosthetic. The agency also said it will review the Bossi matter.
This is just one of many in a backlash against passenger pat-downs and high-tech scanners producing digital images of the body's contours. Additionally, Florida Representative John Mica is pushing for airports to consider ditching TSA agents altogether in favor of private contractors, while some travelers are using the Internet to organize protests aimed at the busy travel days surrounding Thanksgiving next week.
After reading all this, I did some homework, mainly because I used to fly an awful lot for business, by my count during a seven year stretch flying the shuttle between NY and Boston more than 630 times alone. Add to that all the other trips I've taken for work and pleasure and the total's got to be well over a thousand.
So, in my research, here's what I found. There are 809,611,003 airline passengers who traveled in America for the year 2008. The most recent annual data available from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Most air travelers in America traveled domestically, representing 80.5% of the total annual total, and, for what it's worth, more passengers traveled in July than in any other month.
So that means almost a billion people, (that's with a "B"), traveled annually in the US two years ago, and today the numbers likely higher. And with all those folks going through airports, any one of them (or more) could be a bomber. And who's to say, despite all the profiling techniques in the world, that one of them's not? Because, all we need is one little slip-up and who knows what target will be disintegrated?
The president himself asked if there are alternatives to body scanners and pat-downs and was told that at the moment, there's not. So, passengers at some U.S. airports must pass through full-body scanners that produce a virtually naked image. If they refuse, they can be forced to undergo time-consuming fingertip examinations, including clothed genital areas and breasts, by inspectors of the same sex as the passenger.
The way the scanners work, naked images of a passenger's body, without the face, are viewed by a screener in a different location, who doesn't know the identity of the traveler. There are nearly 400 of the advanced imaging machines deployed at 70 US airports, thus not all airports have them and not all travelers are selected for scans.
As I see this situation, and as as someone who's flown a lot and seen lot's of bozos on aircraft albeit they weren't terrorists I don't think...whatever airlines must do to keep their planes safe is alright with me. Because, the alternative's something that might resemble the events of 9/11.
And as for the groups of complainers to scans and searches, in total they don't amount to a blip compared to a billion safe flyer's each year. Nonetheless, I think another alternative should be given to them. For folks who really don't want to be either scanned or touched...they can stay the hell home.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
A headline story concerns a woman, Cathy Bossi, a Charlotte-area flight attendant, who said that in August, two female Transportation Security Administration agents took her to a private room for what she calls an "aggressive pat-down." They stopped when they got to feeling her right breast, where she'd had cancer surgery.
Referring to one of the agents, Bossi said, "She put her full hand on my breast and asked, "What is this?'" Bossi replied "It's my prosthesis because I've had breast cancer." The agent then told her, "Well you'll need to show me that." Bossi said she then removed the prosthetic breast from her bra.
According to a TSA spokesperson, agents aren't supposed to remove any prosthetics. But they are allowed to ask to see and touch any passenger's prosthetic. The agency also said it will review the Bossi matter.
This is just one of many in a backlash against passenger pat-downs and high-tech scanners producing digital images of the body's contours. Additionally, Florida Representative John Mica is pushing for airports to consider ditching TSA agents altogether in favor of private contractors, while some travelers are using the Internet to organize protests aimed at the busy travel days surrounding Thanksgiving next week.
After reading all this, I did some homework, mainly because I used to fly an awful lot for business, by my count during a seven year stretch flying the shuttle between NY and Boston more than 630 times alone. Add to that all the other trips I've taken for work and pleasure and the total's got to be well over a thousand.
So, in my research, here's what I found. There are 809,611,003 airline passengers who traveled in America for the year 2008. The most recent annual data available from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Most air travelers in America traveled domestically, representing 80.5% of the total annual total, and, for what it's worth, more passengers traveled in July than in any other month.
So that means almost a billion people, (that's with a "B"), traveled annually in the US two years ago, and today the numbers likely higher. And with all those folks going through airports, any one of them (or more) could be a bomber. And who's to say, despite all the profiling techniques in the world, that one of them's not? Because, all we need is one little slip-up and who knows what target will be disintegrated?
The president himself asked if there are alternatives to body scanners and pat-downs and was told that at the moment, there's not. So, passengers at some U.S. airports must pass through full-body scanners that produce a virtually naked image. If they refuse, they can be forced to undergo time-consuming fingertip examinations, including clothed genital areas and breasts, by inspectors of the same sex as the passenger.
The way the scanners work, naked images of a passenger's body, without the face, are viewed by a screener in a different location, who doesn't know the identity of the traveler. There are nearly 400 of the advanced imaging machines deployed at 70 US airports, thus not all airports have them and not all travelers are selected for scans.
As I see this situation, and as as someone who's flown a lot and seen lot's of bozos on aircraft albeit they weren't terrorists I don't think...whatever airlines must do to keep their planes safe is alright with me. Because, the alternative's something that might resemble the events of 9/11.
And as for the groups of complainers to scans and searches, in total they don't amount to a blip compared to a billion safe flyer's each year. Nonetheless, I think another alternative should be given to them. For folks who really don't want to be either scanned or touched...they can stay the hell home.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Saturday, November 20, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/20/2010
Another slow news day in the press, but one item caught my eye. Apparently Nancy Pelosi hinted that she still "wears the pants" in the House while taking a jab at Representative John Boehner, saying it's because "he cries sometimes when we're having a debate on bills."
To me, whether Representative Boehner cries over bills or not, Ms Pelosi once again completely missed the point of what's happened in Congress. Earlier this month, under her leadership her party lost more seats in the House than ever before. Had the Republicans come up with a few more solid candidates they would have taken the Senate too. And the president just came back from an overseas trip where he accomplished zip, zero, nada.
So, what the handwriting on the wall is clearly saying is that a very large part of the American public, now joined by the leadership of several foreign nations, has no use for her party at all. But, what will she do about listening to them or changing direction? The answer is, absolutely nothing at all.
Consequently, the Republicans have a huge opportunity in front of them, if they don't blow it themselves. Because they've been given another chance to succeed, whether they earned it or not. And frankly, I think a party of chimps could have prevailed in the last election, provided they weren't incumbents.
So, what the Republicans have to do now is simply deliver what they promised. Unwind the sham of a health care bill, lower taxes, reassure business that DC won't turn around and fleece them so they'll begin hiring people and stop their flow of dollars, ideas, and talent to overseas nations. And above all, recognize that, as their titles say, they are representatives of the people who voted them in...not some foreign nations or a test case for failed social reformation projects.
In all, however, the incoming House couldn't have an easier time. Because they know for sure that the entrenched hard core politicos and old-timers still believe they're impervious to defeat and will go on ignoring the electorate. So, if the newcomers simply do their jobs as promised, with no fanfare or noise of any kind, next time around their majority will get larger, and this country will once again run like it's supposed to.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
To me, whether Representative Boehner cries over bills or not, Ms Pelosi once again completely missed the point of what's happened in Congress. Earlier this month, under her leadership her party lost more seats in the House than ever before. Had the Republicans come up with a few more solid candidates they would have taken the Senate too. And the president just came back from an overseas trip where he accomplished zip, zero, nada.
So, what the handwriting on the wall is clearly saying is that a very large part of the American public, now joined by the leadership of several foreign nations, has no use for her party at all. But, what will she do about listening to them or changing direction? The answer is, absolutely nothing at all.
Consequently, the Republicans have a huge opportunity in front of them, if they don't blow it themselves. Because they've been given another chance to succeed, whether they earned it or not. And frankly, I think a party of chimps could have prevailed in the last election, provided they weren't incumbents.
So, what the Republicans have to do now is simply deliver what they promised. Unwind the sham of a health care bill, lower taxes, reassure business that DC won't turn around and fleece them so they'll begin hiring people and stop their flow of dollars, ideas, and talent to overseas nations. And above all, recognize that, as their titles say, they are representatives of the people who voted them in...not some foreign nations or a test case for failed social reformation projects.
In all, however, the incoming House couldn't have an easier time. Because they know for sure that the entrenched hard core politicos and old-timers still believe they're impervious to defeat and will go on ignoring the electorate. So, if the newcomers simply do their jobs as promised, with no fanfare or noise of any kind, next time around their majority will get larger, and this country will once again run like it's supposed to.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
Friday, November 19, 2010
BloggeRhythms 11/19/2010
Slow day today news-wise, but maybe some in Congress are waking up. Because there's a very good chance that if earmarks aren't completely ended, they'll at least be suspended for a couple of years.
To that end, I found some interesting data about earmarks themselves. They only add up to 1% of the federal budget, but that amounts to $16 billion dollars which equals the median federal income tax paid by 6.9 million Americans. So, while politicians are throwing bones to friends, constituents and contributors, they're taking $16 billion out of taxpayers pockets to do it. But in the end, I guess, its not difficult to spend someone else's hard-earned money to bolster your personal cause when you really don't give a damn about anyone else's financial issues or anything else about them.
On a more personal note, I ran into an acquaintance of mine last evening who I chat with every now and then. He's in a different generation than I am, so although we have much in common, we don't really "hang out" as friends. But, what I do know about him quite well, is that he's quite bright, very articulate, and extremely well read, particularly on current events.
He seemed very happy and excited as he joined myself and some others, and within a short while, explained that he had written a book, and just learned that a publisher had agreed to publish the work. Now, it's far too soon to go into detail about the book itself, it's at the earliest stages of production. But I'll certainly write more about this as the project's completed.
The thing that interested me though, was that although the writer was quite ecstatic he really couldn't describe his feelings completely to others. And that's why I'm typing this entry, because I can identify with his elation in a way that non-writers can't. And that's not to denigrate non-writers, it's just to try to explain why my acquaintance felt such excitement.
What writers really do most of the time is stare at blank pieces of paper, or computer screens. At times, words and ideas flow from their fingers in torrents and pages fill very quickly. At other times it's an endless, wearying trial where words, ideas or any worthwhile thoughts either don't exist or refuse to show up. And, for the most part, writers work completely by themselves, putting their thoughts and words out there for others to determine whether they're of value or not.
And that's why when a professional in the publishing business whose major task is to separate writing wheat from chaff, says we'd like to publish your work, there are few accomplishments in life that can equate with that. Consequently, it's hard to put your feelings in words, because very few can grasp the full meaning, unless they themselves are writers. And please, don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that writers are better, or special, or in a class above others. I'm simply trying to say that they're unique in the same way that successful professionals in any field are, and that they usually relate best to their peers.
So, for now, I'll just wish the writer well and am as sure as one can be at this stage, that the work will be well worth reading. Because, if he writes half as well as he articulates his thoughts, the book will wind up a best seller.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
To that end, I found some interesting data about earmarks themselves. They only add up to 1% of the federal budget, but that amounts to $16 billion dollars which equals the median federal income tax paid by 6.9 million Americans. So, while politicians are throwing bones to friends, constituents and contributors, they're taking $16 billion out of taxpayers pockets to do it. But in the end, I guess, its not difficult to spend someone else's hard-earned money to bolster your personal cause when you really don't give a damn about anyone else's financial issues or anything else about them.
On a more personal note, I ran into an acquaintance of mine last evening who I chat with every now and then. He's in a different generation than I am, so although we have much in common, we don't really "hang out" as friends. But, what I do know about him quite well, is that he's quite bright, very articulate, and extremely well read, particularly on current events.
He seemed very happy and excited as he joined myself and some others, and within a short while, explained that he had written a book, and just learned that a publisher had agreed to publish the work. Now, it's far too soon to go into detail about the book itself, it's at the earliest stages of production. But I'll certainly write more about this as the project's completed.
The thing that interested me though, was that although the writer was quite ecstatic he really couldn't describe his feelings completely to others. And that's why I'm typing this entry, because I can identify with his elation in a way that non-writers can't. And that's not to denigrate non-writers, it's just to try to explain why my acquaintance felt such excitement.
What writers really do most of the time is stare at blank pieces of paper, or computer screens. At times, words and ideas flow from their fingers in torrents and pages fill very quickly. At other times it's an endless, wearying trial where words, ideas or any worthwhile thoughts either don't exist or refuse to show up. And, for the most part, writers work completely by themselves, putting their thoughts and words out there for others to determine whether they're of value or not.
And that's why when a professional in the publishing business whose major task is to separate writing wheat from chaff, says we'd like to publish your work, there are few accomplishments in life that can equate with that. Consequently, it's hard to put your feelings in words, because very few can grasp the full meaning, unless they themselves are writers. And please, don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying that writers are better, or special, or in a class above others. I'm simply trying to say that they're unique in the same way that successful professionals in any field are, and that they usually relate best to their peers.
So, for now, I'll just wish the writer well and am as sure as one can be at this stage, that the work will be well worth reading. Because, if he writes half as well as he articulates his thoughts, the book will wind up a best seller.
That's it for today folks.
Adios
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