The Issues

Where I stand…

ABORTION	AGAINST. For fear of reducing this to a bumper sticker issue – it’s not a choice, it’s a child. Your choice began when you decided to have unsafe and unprotected sex. Period, end of discussion. If you don’t want the child, put it up for adoption. My only exception is if the mother’s life is in danger. Then, the decision should be up to the mother and her doctor as to which life will be sacrificed.
MORNING AFTER PILL	FOR. I don’t believe life starts at conception. Millions of women conceive children every year only to have the egg not attach to the lining. I believe that life starts when the embryo begins to take nourishment from the mother. So, preventing this from happening is not the same as having an abortion. I don’t think this should be used as a means of birth control, but only in extreme circumstances, such as rape or incest.
DEATH PENALTY	AGAINST. Taking a life is wrong, even if it is state sanctioned.
WAR IN IRAQ.	AGAINST, BUT… I was against starting the war in Iraq, but now we’ve done it and we need to make sure that all is set before we just yank our troops out. We need to work to end the war as quickly as possible.
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.	FOR. Just take a look at the fundamentalist countries in the Middle East. I don’t want what has happened over there to happen over here. And, if we keep giving in, it will.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGES	FOR. Marriage is a religious institution and if your church sanctions your marriage, the state should not interfere.

Nissan Computers

Sorry I haven't posted in quite a few days, but Christmas is around the corner and I've been busy...

Anyway, my car's heater went out -- good timing as it is 6 degrees outside. So, it's in the shop overnight and I rented a car. I rented a Nissan Maxima. I didn't ask for the car, I only requested a car. I could've rented a Ford F-150 for the same price. I liked the way the car handled and some of the features, so I thought I'd do some research on Nissan's website regarding their cars and then, I figured I'd write a blog about it.

So, I enter www.nissan.com into my browser's address bar and I was taken to the site of Nissan Computers and I've learned that Nissan Motor is suing Nissan Computers for using the name Nissan.

Well, that's not right.

You see, Nissan Computers is owned by a man named Uzi Nissan. Nissan has been his family's name for generations. When he began his Nissan business holdings, Nissan Motors was still known as Datsun -- remember the Datsuns?

Well, that hasn't stopped a court from seeing things in Nissan's favor (the car company, not Mr. Nissan). This is outrageous.

Now that I've read Mr. Nissan's story and the corruption of our courts -- talk about activist judges -- I have decided that I cannot in good conscience even consider buying a Nissan vehicle. That, by the way, is not an idle comment, as both Cheryl and I will be needing new vehicles in the next two years. Mine is nearing the 130,000 mile mark and Cheryl's car is 14 years old.

So, I ask all of my readers to check out the story and read it for yourself. If you are as upset by this turn of events as I am, please do not consider buying a Nissan for your next vehicle purchase.

God Bless.

Dear Alcohol

Dear Alcohol:

First and foremost, let me tell you that I’m a huge fan of yours.  My friend, you always seem to be there when needed.  The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer at the game, and you’re even around in the holiday’s hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we’re stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings.  However, lately I’ve been wondering about your intentions.

While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences:

1. Phone calls.  While I agree with you that communication is important, I do question the suggestion that any conversation of substance or necessity should take place after 2 am.  Why would you make me call those ex-boyfriends/girlfriends when I know for a fact that they do not want to hear from me during the day, let alone in the wee-hours of the morning?

1. Eating.  Now, you know I love a good meal, but why do you suggest that I eat a taco with chili sauce, along with a big Italian Meatball and some stale chips (washed down with Wine and topped off with a Kit Kat after a few cheese curls and chili cheese fries)?  I’m an eclectic eater, but I think you went too far on this one.

1. Clumsiness:  Unless you’re subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer the issue home by causing me to fall down.  It’s completely unnecessary, and the black and blue marks that appear on my body mysteriously the next day are beyond me.  Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

1. Furthermore.  The hangovers have GOT to stop.  This is getting ridiculous.  I know a little penance for our previous evening’s debauchery may be in order, but the 3 pm hangover immobility is completely unacceptable!  My entire day is shot.  I ask that if the proper precautions are taken (water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to sleep/passing out face down on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily activities.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms.  You’ve been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don’t know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.  In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately.  I will look for an answer no later than Thursday at 3 pm (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions and hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you,

Your biggest fan.

P.S.  Things that are difficult to say when drunk:

1. Innovative


2. Preliminary


3. Proliferation


4. Cinnamon

Things that are VERY difficult to say when drunk:

1. Specificity


2. British Constitution


3. Passive-aggressive disorder

Things that are downright IMPOSSIBLE to say when drunk:

1. Nope, no more beer for me.


2. Sorry, but you’re really not my type


3. Good evening, officer.  Isn’t it lovely out tonight?


4. Oh, I couldn’t.  No one wants to hear me sing.

The Wisconsin Old West...

Did you ever want to live in the old West? Slap a six shooter to your side and ride into the sunset hunting down Jesse James and Billy the Kid?

Our State Senate of Wisconsin has just pushed us one step closer to be able to do just that. (All right, you won't be able to hunt Jesse James or Billy the Kid, but you get the idea.)

The Wisconsin State Senate passed the Concealed Carry bill. Now, next week the State Legistlature will be voting on the matter.

What are our Senators thinking?

Wisconsin State Senate...

The Senate put off until today the vote on the anti-gay ban. I am begging you to please contact your Senator as soon as you get this and beg them to vote No for the amendment.

This amendment will not only ban gay marriages, but it will ban civil unions. It will invalidate all living wills gay people currently have with their partners. It will, also, invalidate the living wills that straight unmarried couples have together. Further, this amendment will make it legal to give health benefits to domestic partners -- no matter what the sexual orientation.

We have to stop the amendment now, not wait until it comes for a vote in November. It is despicable that our Senate has chosen to not protect rights of the citizens of the state of Wisconsin.

Further, this amendment, which should matter most to you, our friends and family, is the fact that it will hurt Cheryl and myself. It will hurt us in our jointly owned property, our health benefits and our family.

Please contact your State Senator and ask them to not vote for this terrible and disgusting amendment. The number is SJR 53. If you don't know who your state senator is, please go to this link: http://165.189.139.210/WAML/

Class Reunion...

Back in October, I went to my twentith high school class reunion and you know what, it was pretty good. I really had a much better time than I thought I would. I thought breeze in, talk to a couple of people, be a wallflower, much like I thought I was in high school and that would be that, but it wasn't.

People I thought never even noticed me in high school came up and gave me hugs and asked about my life. People I never noticed in high school did the samething. It's was surreal, I think that's the correct word. I got asked questions, like, "Do you still work with computers" (Yes). "Did you ever become a cop?" (No). "Do you still write?" (Yes, but the not the same stuff I wrote in high school).

Anyway, I was just thinking about it today and thought I'd mention it. If you graduated from either Waukegan East or Waukegan West 1985 and missed the reunion -- you missed a really great time.

And, if you thought no one noticed you in high school -- you might be pleasantly surprised.

God Bless

Cole Hein

"Cole Hein has an undiagnosed illness that can make him stop breathing and possbily lead to his death! Cure4Cole.com is part of an international effort with the help from Lamar Outdoor advertising to find anyone with information that could help save Cole's life!"

Go to the website, read the story. There's no asking for money, just asking if you can help find a diagnosis. If you're a doctor or know one or a nurse or anyone that might have an idea, please help. If you have your own website, please post about Cole on your site. Someone, somewhere should know what's causing this.

They are asking for cards:

"Please feel free to write Cole some happy mail and let him know you were by his website. Please DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY! We are hoping to break the world's record for cards recieved (another way to get the word out about Cole)
Po Box 4096
Redwood Postal Outlet
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
R2W 5K8"

BTW, anything in quotes is directly from the site.

Professor Christopher Wolf

Marquette Law School professor Christopher Wolf for stated at the Public Hearing regarding the anti-gay amendment, "It's absurd to say everybody should be treated equally." Direct quote. This guy teaches law? Where does he get the idea that it is absurd that everyone should be treated equally? Isn't equality (even though at the time it was only for land-owning white guys) one of the main reasons we broke from the British? Isn't democracy all about equality?

Surely, an educated man could not have meant this in the context from which it was taken. Surely, somehow this must be a misquote.

I hope so or I really feel sorry for the law students at Marquette because of the piss-poor education they are receiving.

Thought...

In the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers wrote:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

So, in keeping with the Declaration of Independence, just how can it be okay to vote for an amendment that will deny liberty (and, quite possibly, life) to a group of people? How?

What is so wrong with those people who oppose gay marriage that they cannot see beyond the nose on their own faces?

forty years ago, interracial marriage was frowned upon. If you had asked for an amendment to ban interracial marriages, it probably would've passed and, yet, now, we would consider that unspeakable to deny two people the right to marry.

Am I the only one who thinks this way, because it is beginning to feel that way.

God Bless.

Rosa Parks

Fifty years ago, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. Fifty years ago, this small woman, by remaining seated, took a stand for human rights everywhere.

Please, no matter what your race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, take the time today to remember Rosa Parks. Let's try to walk in her footsteps, showing us to not stop until everyone is treated with the respect and dignity that human beings deserve.

God Bless