It's the Economy, Stu..um.. Darlin'!

I recently got this post on my facebook page. It was in response to my off-the-cuff blurb" The Doobie thinks the only change Obama wants is the stuff in my pockets. Then he'll go after the folding money. "

"Wow, then congratulations are in order. That means your household makes over $250k a year! Go you guys! See, because everyone under that amount will have MORE money in their pockets. Power to the middle class! Finally!"

Now the person who wrote this is a lovely person. Very kind, giving, thoughtful. An all around great person.

Unfortunately, even awesome people can be convinced that ubiquitous "change" is the answer. (i.e. They can be wrong).

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You see, I don't make that much. it would be reeeaaaly nice if I did. But, as I replied on Facebook: "As a small business owner, my business earns a good deal more than I pay myself (due to operating expenses, overhead, etc). My tax filing is a Sole Proprietor. S corps , etc have far more restrictions. There are just too many benefits that fit my situation. So,that is the most economically feasible classification at this time. but, EVERYTHING my business earns is seen as PERSONAL Income. Mr Obama & his cronies don't see that distinction or don't care. To them...I'm "RICH". They will increase my tax liability to that of 37.9% up to 50%" (these are not arbitrary numbers. the info came from many places but is crystallized here: http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=0E92FEE0-3048-5C12-0002330C2A831238. )

"By all means, let's penalize success. Let's say sure...achieve the American Dream but then, we'll punish you for it. I learned a long time ago the flashiest, prettiest car isn't necessarily the best car. I could always close up my business. That'd show em. No Obama is not only the wrong choice but an expensive one. But thanks for asking."

But what if I did make that much? If so, it would be through hard work, toil, investment in time & money, etc. It's not because I got a visit from the Cash Fairy. Liberals see success as something actionable. "How Dare you succeed! others are suffering" I care about my fellow man & make charitable contributions like a responsible citizen...but where does it say I'm required to make everyone's life wonderful? There was a society that preached Universal Healthcare, Caps on income. Where capitalism was discarded and where all income was funneled back to the government for the "common good". It was created in 1922 under a gentleman named Vladmir Lenin. A police state. A socialist society where workers had no rights. I'm not ready for such a society to become the letter of the law here. i never will be. No. I have to line up on the side of more personal responsibility. More financial responsibility. Hard work leads to great reward. I know my needs better than outsiders or politicians. Why would I leave my welfare up to strangers? And Sharing the "wealth"? The more successful I become...jobs are created. the more I make...the more I contribute to organizations like Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, etc. That's how you grow an economy. That's how you help others.

There are many issues I have with McCain. He was not my first choice. But further down the list, after Brittany Spears and Daffy Duck is Barry Obama. The guy is so eager to please that he'll say whatever is expedient to get elected. Sure...politicians do that. But the guy has ZERO experience in ANYTHING. He has 145 days in the US Senate. Would you hire a lawyer or doctor with that amount of experience? I'm sure they'd do their best but there are things that experience gives you that eagerness and lofty wishes does not. Charisma does not solve problems.

Universal healthcare? It's a program that is breaking both Canada & the UK. It allows for a shoddy, over-crowded, under-funded system. People will suffer far more that under the current program. Plus, where does the money come from? The magic $250 grand club can only pay so much. Such a grand plan is guaranteed to raise ALL taxes. No matter where they come from...a physician's time is not free. And if it becomes so...what corners would have to be cut to make them comply to the system? Questions.

Energy? I'm all for Boone Pickens plan. Problem is...what do you do on no/low wind days? Easy...use existing energy (battery backup, etc) to power it. Yep. The wind...she don't blow everyday. What about the millions of oil using cars currently on the road? What happens to those? Is the government going to retrofit them all to burn cleaner energy? What's the cost? Where does this money come from? Most likely, raising taxes but i can see the govt. offering tax breaks for those that comply. What about the lower middle class & the poor? How do they get their clean energy cars? Again...the money has to come from somewhere. Questions.

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The reason that there is a US (and by extension international) energy crunch is that a Democratic Congress halted a large percentage of US exploration & farmed it out overseas. owls were saved but costs were incurred. You have raw crude purchasing and import costs. Then there's taxes on the gas. States get roughly .28 per Gallon. The US Govt gets about .18 per gallon. The oil companies? Yes...there are production costs to make raw crude user friendly but the Oil companies do purchase, refine & distribute the fuel. That aint cheap. Don't they deserve something for their efforts? Should they just give it away? I'm more concerned with the taxation. What exactly does the govt do in this transaction? Oh yeah...they LET us buy it. If drilling can be resumed here...the supply will drive the cost down and allow funding for exploration of hydrogen, nuclear and other alternatives.

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A "Windfall Profit" tax like Obama proposes will drive costs even higher, cost jobs and limit our ability to explore other options. And who determines what is "too much" money for the Oil Companies to make? What happens if Pickens plan becomes successful? You don't think the Govt will tax wind? They'll find a way. Further more, not re-establishing our own oil drilling program means money can continue to fund terrorist supporting countries overseas. Money that helped make 9-11 happen. How is drilling not a winning proposition? Supply & demand. Increased supplies forces pricing down. Pres. Bush announces an Executive lifting of the drilling ban & the price magically dropped. Coincidence? OPEC makes the rules now. We can change the game easily. So why not drill? Questions.

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I support all energy exploration. Everything. But right now...we need oil to run things. That part CAN'T be changed easily. Questions.

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There are many other reasons...and there are MANY. Simply put: Obama's platform is flawed. It penalizes success while championing mediocrity. What he explains makes no fiscal or financial sense. But far more troubling is what he can't explain. Change. Change what? Change how? Change when? How Much? For who? His answers cause more questions and, in hard economic times, consumers don't need to pay more. And it wont just be the "Rich".

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It's popular to bash the President. He's not perfect. But the problems we face are not solely on his shoulders. the Democratic Congress controls a lot of these issues (see the no vote on drilling for proof). But it's easier to focus on just one target. Then explain to me why congress has a lower approval rating than he? People do know the truth. You just have to coax it out of them.

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A little known fact is that I have strong political beliefs. I don't share them often because Conservatives are demonized but the press as war-mongering, rich folk who hate the poor & are racists. Nothing is further from the truth. I was liberal when I was younger. But, now that I've worked hard, made a life & have begun to create a future for my family...I see how easily someone can take it away with the stroke of a pen. All to make the world "better". And done, Without my having any say so in the matter. But in this election, we all have a says so. Don't buy into "Change" as an all encompassing placebo. THINK about what to change, how that gets done & what are the consequences. often, It's not as simple as the politicians make it seem. No I'm not rich. I'm middle class. And I'd like it to stay that way. But I do aspire to greater things eventually. And for me to have that opportunity, Obama's "Change" will take more than I can give.

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And as for my kind friend who started me on this diatribe? She's still an awesome person. One of the best. A valued friend. She has every right to her opinion. But so do I. :)

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And with that...my soapbox is holstered. For now.

In The Spirit of The Election Season...

I have decided to use my evil powers for good by designing & selling (at a modest sum) t-shirts bearing the design below:

Is it art? That's Subjective. But I think it says what needs to be said.

I created the Choose Wisely '08 brand (and it's accompanying website) as an outlet to vent my frustration at the messianic tenor that the depicted candidate's campaign has come to display. Apparently, someone's reading his own press & believes he's the Savior of The Universe. As we all know...that's Flash Gordon. So where does the Big O get off?

Feel free to support the cause at http://www.choosewisely08.com/ . You know you want to.

Free enterprise. It's what this country's all about. At least it should be.

Back To Four

It took some time.

A lot longer than I had anticipated.

The memory of Lucy still lingers to this day. There were times where I caught myself staring at an empty spot on the floor for what seemed like hours. Imagining her there. Missing her.

My wife missed her too. It was tougher for her, at times, so soon after the loss of her Father. There were some really tough days and nights. To be honest, we both were pretty much stunned, hurt & dazed for quite a while.

Then there was Belle. The one who shared nearly every moment of every day with Lucy. She hung her head lower and often laid on Lucy's pillow. Obviously mourning the loss of her valued friend. Her sister.

But, as the Beatle song goes..."Life goes on within you & without you."

I think we all needed a sea-change.

And then there was Addie.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the three of us (myself, Ellen & Belle) ventured out to a local PetSmart. It was adoption day. Dozens of homeless, often abandoned or abused, dogs sat in their individual pens awaiting a "get out of jail free" card. None really leapt out as "the perfect choice". A couple were cute enough. But one caught our attention. Her name was Irene. While most dogs barked, played and did...you know...dog stuff, Irene sat in her cage napping. Maybe she had been to a few of these & figured "let the chips fall where they may... I need a nap".

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She was small, around eight months old and a mixed breed. After interrupting her slumber, we took her to the side to see how she and Belle reacted to one another. We figured that Lucy was the dominant dog and Belle might like the new playmate to be smaller. This would allow Belle to "graduate" into the role of head honcho. They seemed to like one another. Checking each other out. The typical sniff-a-rama. Not much was known of Irene's life before being rescued. Probably for the best. But she had a nice disposition, had all of her shots & was recently spayed. After much hand wringing and reed thin consideration of other dogs, we made the decision. Irene was coming home.

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Two things would have to be done. One...the name. Irene was the name of my wife's beloved grandmother. While on the surface, it seemed like a nice homage. But, we thought a clean slate was in order. We decided to name her Addison or Addie for short. The second...we couldn't fall into the trap of comparing her to Lucy. Lucy was a one in kazillion dog. Sweet, quiet and easy going.

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Addie is the complete polar opposite.

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Oh she's sweet. Cute. Lovable. But I have never seen such an energetic dog. She's 14 lbs of solid muscle, wants to play at 4am and that idea about Belle being the dominant dog? Nice theory. Nobody told Addie. But they play throughout the day. At least until Belle decides she's had enough and retires to her kennel for a little peace & quiet. But Belle was happy again. We all were.

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It took us all a while to get acclimated. Addie too. But a few weeks, a pair of chewed tennis shoes and a little lost sleep later...

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The new family dynamic is firing on all cylinders.

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And somewhere Lucy is smiling.

Yeah...I'm just not that interesting.

So...

it's been quite a while since I've updated the ol' bloggy Mcblog. More than a few times, I've thought about taking pen to paper (or is that cursor to screen) and composing my thoughts on Global Warming (scam) or the upcoming Presidential election (bigger scam). I just haven't been so inclined as of yet. Perhaps after my vacation...

What I will do is share a recent video I happened across. I found this via USA Today's entertainment blog, Pop Candy. Pop Candy is a great place to go to check out all things pop culture. Music, Movies, TV, Books... all groovy things. Short and to the point. It's blogoriffic! Right up my alley.

But the video...

As I commented on a few blogs back, I really dig the BBC TV show, Doctor Who. It is nearing the end of it's current season and can be seen in the US on the Sci-Fi Channel (I'm sure the channel's marketing department would prefer I just call it SCI-FI but that's not how I roll. I'm a rule-breaker). This season is as good as...if not better...than last season. It's well written, well acted and well executed. So much so, that my wife has become hooked on the show. She typically hates all things Science Fiction. With. a. passion. Proof positive: She has never seen any of the Star Wars films and will happily tell you so. She just doesn't get it. She doesn't want to. Period. And that's cool. In the same vein...I'll never get the allure of Sex and the City. Some things shall remain a mystery. But Doctor Who. This show...she digs. There's just something about it...

But the video...

David Tennant is the current Doctor. If the previous sentence confuses you, I'll refer you to Wikipedia for a summation of the show's history. In an episode from last season, the Doctor is forced into hiding by an alien race called the Family of Blood. The Doctor tells his companion, Martha Jones, that those who are pursuing him could trace him across the universe, and he must undergo a transformation to escape certain doom. It seems his pursuers have a short life-span & seek to kill the Doctor, absorb his immortality and conquer the universe. You know...the little things. To "hide", The Doctor plans to transform into a human (he's not one, you know) for three months, by which time, his pursuers should all be dead. His Time Lord essence is stored in a pocket watch and Martha is charged with guarding it. A side effect of the transformation is that he will have no memory of who he is, who Martha is and the jeopardy he is in. They will also hide their time machine, the TARDIS, until the danger has passed. The place he has chosen to hide...1918 England in a boy's military academy. I gotta hand it to him. That's the last place I'd look. It is a two part episode, Human Nature and The Family of Blood. Both great episodes!!

But the video...

With his memory gone, the Doctor leaves a video for Martha. It is a list of things for her to remember while they are in hiding. On screen, The Doctor gets through four items. But Martha's attention is diverted. The video continues to play in the background, while Freema Agyeman, as Martha, does various thing in the foreground. Apparently, the filmmakers needed Tennant to continue "the list" as background filler. Obviously, the audio to this was not played in it's entirety. I just find it amazing that Tennant appears to visually continue with the list while interjecting some pretty hilarious and impressive stream of consciousness to complete the scene.

Okay!! Okay!! the video....




So there you have it. I'll say it again... The show is excellent! You should check it out. Is it for everyone? Of course not. Just like Monty Python, Bangers & Mash, Rugby and The Sex Pistols aren't for everyone.

But wouldn't it be a groovy world if it was?

Except maybe Rugby. I just don't get the Rugby.

Not my best post ever but still completely satisfying.

To me.

And, in the end, it IS all about me.

Okay! Okay! I'm Awake Already! An Ode to Dulcet Tones and Good Friends.

In my many years on this planet, I've been blessed quite a few times. I have great parents. Certainly not Ward & June (who let's face it were boring) but without a doubt...very awesome parents. I have a wonderful wife that puts up with my annoying quirks & interests. Sure...there's the occasional eye roll but it's done with love. An awesome job that makes me feel business savvy. Belle & Lucy who we've discussed. But I also have some pretty incredible friends.

As with most people, my friends display common interests with me. There's Bill V. who knows the upwards & downwards of movies and excellent (and most often undiscovered) music. There's David I. with the love of B-Movies, Comics & Theology. There's Keith who marvels me with his creativity & design prowess. Jody shares my love of Football & Beer (not necessarily in that order). Astor is a great sounding board, animation aficionado and all around good guy. Tony is a strong businessman and stealthy prankster. Brian is a bit of a prankster too but also one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet. David L is my oldest & dearest friend whom I've shared many confidences & adventures (not necessarily in that order). Of course, there's more to these friends & our friendships than what I've stated here but for more info...you have to come to poker night. And our wives...they're so awesome...they might just get their own post. But back to the task at hand...

The next friend on deck is Brent...

Brent is, put simply, a genius. With that statement...now HE'S rolling his eyes (As you may have gathered...I get that a lot from people). He is without a doubt a truly great guy. Knows exactly what to say to make me laugh. Knows what record to put on to make me tilt my head (much like a dog hearing a high pitched whistle that signals something good is coming-Think Pavlov with three part harmony).Was my long suffering roommate during my Athens years. But, even beyond that...He's also a incredibly skilled musician & songwriter.

Through hard work, personal toil & outright unbelievable skill, Brent released his debut CD/LP "Brent Cash : How Will I Know If I'm Awake" on the Marina Label. He poured his heart, soul & an occasional harp into this masterpiece & every drop of talent shows through.

I have delayed trumpeting this album due to our friendship. Selfish? Most likely. But I wanted Brent to get a taste of the lavish praise others outside of our circle of friends would heap upon him. In years past, both Brent & David L. (also another tremendously talented musician/songwriter) were difficult to convince that I was not being a "yes man" to the songs they played for me. I truly liked them from a musical enjoyment stand point. Trust me...I can be painfully honest and am not any easy "sell". If Don Johnson were a close personal friend, I would have advised him against recording Heartbeat and stick to the day job. You know you would too. But I Digress...

If you haven't heard it, go to www.brentcash.net. Give a listen by pressing the 'Sounds' link. What you'll hear is music made like it hasn't been in some time. No Phony hi-tech wizardry. Actual Instruments. Well Crafted Songs. High Quality Production.

Some have said that the songs sound as if they are from another era. I can understand that somewhat. But only by the virtue that they are created with the mindset and intent that has long been missing in the Music Biz. ..."What it has in common music of the 60s & 70s is the craftsmanship & artistry that was given to the songs...even innocuous three minute odes to love. Brent delivers songs like 'Only Time', 'Everything That's Grey' 'Digging The Fault Line' and 'Good Morning Sunshine' that display a similar creative mindset. Even my current favorite 'This Sea, These Waves' displays all the vibe of a classic Bossa Nova song by Jobim. But, there are also songs that defy the "Sunshine Pop" label like 'And Had We Ever', 'More Than Everything' and the incredible duet 'Love Is Burning Down Tonight ". Ok. At least that's what YOURS TRULY eloquently stated at amazon.com. Bashful I aint.

However, it was described best by Bill V. The album "sounds like a Sunday Afternoon." Quite right. So if you don't have it...get it. Brent Cash How Will I Know If I'm Awake is available at most retail outlets like: amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or cd universe.Get it on CD, mp3 download or the ever groovy White Vinyl LP.

I'm as proud as I could be. Brent has created a critically praised pop masterpiece. Congrats Brent & Well done!!

I've always said that I have brothers & sisters that I was born with. They're great folks that I don't see enough of. But, I also have a family that I chose. My Mates. We Band of Brothers. We haven't fought in any wars but I'm sure there's a story or two that would instantly perm your hair.

Now...it's time to get David L. back in the studio. Once that's done, I might be able to finish my novel.

I have a novel? In due time good peoples...In good time.

#2 in a series: Yes...I'm easily amused

In a continued effort to display things that outright crack me up...

I present the following:



Again. It might not be your cup of tea. I, however, think it's comic genius. Even funnier (to me), it's been labeled as Dramatic Squirrel on YouTube. Now, I'm no zoologist...but that aint no stinkin' squirrel. The first time I saw this, I'm fairly sure Diet Coke came out of my nose.

That's the trouble with blogs. In the end...it's all about me.

And now for Something Completely Different...

I needed to lighten up the mood here at the ol Blog o' Doob TM.

On my good friend Bill's Blog (The White Whale), there was discussion of great themesongs/opening titles of TV shows. It's certainly a lost art. Bill has made no secreti in the past about his affinity for the opening of The Streets of San Francisco (A Quinn Martin Production TM). It's true. It's pretty Great. The same could be said for a lot of Quinn Martin shows of the 60s & 70s. Ironside, Barnaby Jones, Mannix. The guy must have OWNED TV back then. I even think Quincy had a pretty clever intro. So I went to You Tube TM to refresh my memory.

Lo & behold...I found this:



Those who know me realize that this pretty much laid waste to me for a good half an hour. I've never been known for a highly evolved sense of humor. I like the easy laugh. I like the cheap laugh.

This Theme Song with lyrics is both.

I just wish I'd had done it.