Sandy Takes It's Toll

My heart goes out to all those who are suffering and contending with the forces of nature in that heavily populated area of the Eastern Seaboard that was inundated by the storm Sandy and it's aftermath.  These types of storms and their intensity are increasing as the pace of climate change accelerates unabated.

I give props to Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey.  I may not like his politics.  I may often find him a rude, inconsiderate blowhard.  But I give him all the props in the world for how has come out for his state first, and has embraced rather than scorned the federal assistance he has received.  He is not taking this as an opportunity to belittle the President, but instead is putting the interests of his state first.  Now, this may change in a day or two, but right now, it was a relief to hear.

It was an interesting contrast in leadership, too.  The President has pulled off the campaign trail and is devoting all his energies to managing this emergency.  Will mistakes happen?  Yes.  Will the federal efforts fall short of people's expectations sometimes?  Yes.  But it won't be from lack of effort on the part of the President, FEMA, the military, and other groups trying to provide assistance.  The President has also spoken out for the American Red Cross, stressing the importance of financial donations.

On the other side, we have another candidate who says he has suspended his campaign, but simply has renamed his campaign "Storm Relief" rallies.  Inside the rallies, there is the same campaign rhetoric as there was before.  The candidate is shown helping assemble canned goods and bottled water and miscellaneous stuff.  The stuff the Red Cross has said they don't need - they don't even have time to sort through it and handle it.  They would prefer cash donations, that they can direct immediately in the most effective way to handle the crisis at hand.

One candidate wants to make the federal response more targeted, sharp and effective.  They support policeman, firefighters and first responders, and would like to protect their jobs and see their numbers grow where needed.  The other candidate wants to eliminate FEMA and the federal response, and thinks we already have too many policeman, firefighters and first responders.

Imagine that.  The first test of leadership, and it came before the election.  And guess which candidate passed the test?  It should be enough to determine the outcome of this to date close election.  But the American people?  You never know.

But as for me?  I know.

Meet the Cast of Robin Hood

Meet the Cast of Robin Hood!  A great, hard-working, talented group of young thespians!

Blake Barnhill as Young Robin Hood, Emily Beck as Maid Marian and Enum Hyers as the Sheriff of Nottingham.  This is the picture used in our flyer.

Another picture of this exciting trio.

Practicing on our new stage configuration.

This flyer was designed and made by Karissa Cook, the co-director and co-writer of Young Robin Hood.  It is an extraordinary distillation of the essence of the play, and highlights the personalities of their roles perfectly.

This is our poster, also bo Karissa Cook.  It takes the cast picture from the top of this post and transforms into an image of the cast that I think emphasizes each child's personality and expressions.  Bravo!

Stay On Target and Other Monday Musings

Stay on Target.  Young Robin Hood is rapidly approaching.  There are a hundred things to worry about and try to take care of.  I still have faith we will have a good show, but there doesn't seem like much time to put it together.  Props are coming together nicely, the staging is being set, there is music coming together, we have an unprecedented amount of promotion for our theatre, and some of the kids in the cast are making an extraordinary effort to learn their lines and really come into their parts.  Co-Director Karissa Cook is doing an incredible job of helping bring the play into focus and get things done. The above poster/flyer was her poster was her work and concept, and I have never seen one more perfectly capture the essence of a play.  Bravo!

As I continue in theatre, the biggest problem I see that seems to be growing over time, is the attitude that rehearsals are not mandatory.  Our attendance has been very spotty.  I know people lead busy lives and that this is a voluntary organization, but it makes things very difficult when only a half or less of the cast shows up at any given time. Also, the desire to learn lines seems to be less urgent.  I know it's a children's theatre and we are giving as many children as possible exposure, but I do wish that would be taken a little bit more seriously.

Stay on Target.  My son's wedding is coming this weekend.  In fact, the ceremony at the Hindu Temple takes place Thursday.  Alison will be wearing a Sari for it, and I might have to be barefoot - a very hard thing for me.  Then Friday is the rehearsal in St. Simon's, followed by the rehearsal dinner at The Coastal Kitchen, which is what Alison and I are responsible for.  That's scary, but we hope to do our best.  The wedding takes place on St. Simon's at the King and Prince.  He is my first to marry, and I am very excited.

Stay on Target.  The blog is becoming a little discouraging, particularly with the pressures of other things, but I am doing my best to live up to my commitment of a blog story every day.  This may become increasingly difficult over the next few weeks, but I will do my best.

Stay on Target.  The election is becoming a huge distraction, and a terrible knot in my stomach.  Yes, I know the economy is not where we hoped it would be, but overall, I don't see the rationale behind  not supporting President Obama, and I am becoming concerned that I don't yet see the separation I expected.  Meanwhile, this area is becoming increasingly unpleasant as my son is harassed, other pro-Obama friends and family are afraid to speak out, and I see people every day who should know better but just don't seem to care.

Stay on Target.  Our house is sold, and we have contracted for another one.  However, the house we bought is not move-in ready, and we are having trouble finding a month-to-month rental that will take our cavalcade of pets.  It looks like stuff associated with this move will stretch way into tax season.  Oh, joy.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

Bible Verses Important to Me 9

   

                      “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will know them by their fruits.  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven.  “On that day many will say to me ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’  Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go way from me, you evildoers.’”

From Matthew 7:18-23

You gotta talk the talk AND walk the walk.

Beyond Beliefs Saturday Political Soap Box 44

I have finished my series of political belief posts that began with my I Believe post from a couple months ago. It helped give my commentary a little more dignified shape as we headed into the election.  It helped prevent a lot of stories about the Mittbot and Paul "Ayn Rand" Ryan.

But now that series is done.

This will probably be my last official Saturday Political Soap Box before the election.  Next Saturday will be crammed full of activities for my son's wedding (Yay!), so I don't think I'll have much time to complete one.  I will have other scattered political commentary in other posts, but not an official Saturday Political Soap Box.

I want my Romney friends to know that our friendships will not be at risk no matter what happens with this election.  We have a democracy that is founded on a healthy debate of positions, and not everybody is going to take the same side of things.  And although they are weakening, we still should have a system of checks and balances that help prevent things from going too far off kilter.  I do concede, however, that the current elections and it's results could put an extreme stress on those precious checks and balances.

I;ll repeat my basic predictions again.  President Obama wins by a margin at what he beat McCain or greater, the Democrats gain in the house but not enough to take control, and the Senate holds to the Democrats with perhaps a seat or two gain.

So what is likely to happen depending on which side prevails?

If President Obama wins a deserved re-election, he should be leading with a slightly chastened Congress.  They should be willing to make more compromises than they have in the past.  Many Republicans will still be very virulent against working with the other party, but there may be enough who put country first and are willing to help put a conservative imprint on some compromise legislation.

On the other hand, my dream of a progressive agenda is not likely to occur.  As long as there are 40 plus Republicans willing to block the vast majority of legislation, then progress towards a brighter future will be greatly slowed.  This will mean that, although I do think some bills will pass, for the most part, progress towards a better economic future will be greatly slowed.  Even though this will be caused primarily by the Republicans, the American people may still blame the President, and restore greater majorities to the Republicans in 2014.  Odd, isn't it?  Speaking of rewarding bad behavior!

I am also worried about how some extremist elements will behave once they realize the President is re-elected and their tea party style dream of dominance is gone.  We may be in for some rocky times.  The best case scenario is just to hear from some quarters very virulent, nasty rhetoric.  Worst case scenarios is an increase of politically inspired violence in this country.  I hope not, but past experience indicates that right wing extremists do not quietly fade away.   They can be as dangerous as a wounded bear.

If Governor Romney should win the election...well, I'm not going to try to be the liberal version of Chuck Norris and tell you there will be a thousand years of darkness, but I'm afraid I can't polish this turd too much. Governor Romney does have some pragmatic instincts that might help reach common ground with some blue dog Democrats, but I don't know how much control he actually has.  Presuming a Romney presidency probably also means that the Republicans have full control of the House, and possibly the Senate.  As I've said before, the first thing that will go in a Republican Senate is the filibuster rule.  They're not wimpy Democrats.  They fully intend to take this country by the cojones and squeeze.

They will probably repeal Obamacare.  All the improvements in health care will be wiped away.  Some of my conservative friends are shouting "GOOD!!!"  Oh, my friends, you should be careful what you wish for.  All the benefits, cost controls and deficit savings will be wiped away.  I could spend the rest of this post and pages more defending Obamacare, and in the end, every one's position on this would be exactly the same as where we started.

They will select Supreme Court justices that will overturn Roe v. Wade.  Women's rights in general will gallop backwards into the 19th century.  But the will also diminish worker's rights, voting rights, and side most often with the wealthy and large corporations.  My conservative friends may feel like all this is wonderful.  What they can't argue is that it won't happen.  Because it will.

They will attempt to shred the social safety net, turn it private, give it back to unprepared states, or eliminate it altogether.  How far they will get is any one's guess, but they will attempt to do it.  Paul Ryan as vice-President guarantees it.

The increased defense spending, along with the deep tax cuts aimed at the wealthy, should leave the country more vulnerable.  I think war is more likely under Romney as we turn to a nastier, more in your face and less diplomatic foreign policy.

The backlash to this should be quite severe.  I would expect the Democrats to make substantial gains in 2014.  I think that once people realize what they've lost, and the engulfing size of the deficit (which will grow under Romney, of that I am 100% sure), they will switch sides again.  And I believe that would mean an excellent chance of a truly progressive president in 2016.

BOTH SIDES, and much of the American people, are ignoring the true time bomb in the room.  And that is climate change.  I fear for the future of the planet as both sides play the fiddle while the world burns.

So that is the outline of where I feel we might be headed, depending on who wins.  There are consequences to this election, and it will be hard to sing Kumbaya at the end.  But if we're going to survive as a country, we're going to have to find a way to cooperate.

Until after the President's victory,

T.M. Strait

This is Not the Friday You Were Looking For

No History of the Trap yet.  It may not happen this weekend.  It certainly won't next weekend, what with my son's wedding.  And then the next two weekends are occupied with the play Young Robin Hood.  And then rapidly follow the move and the holidays, which brings me into tax season.  So hopefully I will get back on track sometime, but it looks hard.  I don't want to turn into George R. R. Martin.

For the first time in my life, I'm getting a little tired of politics.  I'm just to the point where it so discouraging.  Mitt Romney is such an obviously unqualified candidate, and his running mate such an incredible extremist, that I find it hard to believe that they are in contention at all.  And of course, it is highly unpleasant to be in this area here where Romney signs are everywhere, coating the streets like amber waves of grain.  It doesn't matter whether I use soft respectful tactics or more intense satire, anything I say is completely dismissed or disregarded.  And with the play, and my own sense of shyness, I have not lived up to my share of participation with the small band of local liberals here.  So I've fallen down even in that.

In addition to the History of the Trap  I wonder if this blog is the proper venue for my stories and poems.  I'm not sure at all that I'm capable of making money with what I write, but it certainly won't be the blog.  Do I enjoy writing?  Yes, I do.  But I long to be an author.  Someone really published, someone really making money, no matter how small.  And I'm not really sure this is the place to do that.  I have watched people that I know shoot right past me in utilizing eBooks and self-publishing.  But it's hard to do in the half hour or so I have in the mornings, and the sporadic other times that I get to write, especially fiction.

I'm not sure about the personal sharing aspect of the blog.  Is it entertaining, or is just vanity?  Is it just over sharing gone out of control?  I know that this is a frequent criticism  of blogs, and I'm well aware that this entry falls well into that category. Where everything is about ME! ME! ME!  Hard to balance between being interesting or that guy when you come over to his house shows you way too many slides and home movies about his family.

I tried to launch Ripping Good Yarns, both here and on Facebook, and I must not be devoting enough time or energy to it.  Even though I left the voting up for several weeks on the Hall of Fame movie, it only got ten votes.  Probably if the whole blog was devoted to that one topic, it might have a better shot, but I'm not really interested in doing that.

In fact, everything I've read or seen indicates that blogs do better when they focus on one niche, one central theme.  But if my true joy is writing a diversity of things, how can I do that?  It's a dilemma.

So, even though I am sometimes discouraged, I will keep plugging away.  Hopefully, those who follow will find the stuff they like.  I will continue to post a variety, for better or worse  and use the label thing, which I hope helps people search and focus on what they're really interested in. But who knows?

Six Times A Shadowed Maze

The first time it was in a crowd
The others wore it like a shroud
But not the answers to the scene
For it was nowhere else but green

The second time was at a dance
The others viewed it in a trance
But nought the swirling palate of care
For it was nowhere to me to share

The third time was by the sea
The others were set to free
But not to me was intention give
For it was nothing for me but the shiv

The fourth time was in a church
The others askance at such a lurch
But to me the spirit did not come
For it ended with a lonely sum

The fifth time was at a play
The others mare at auto-da-fey
But to me it was souless show
For it was a front with nowhere to go

The sixth time was not the charm
The others were digging to farm
But not for me whom the promise was made
For instead was me that was left in the shade

Ripping Good Yarns: First Movie Hall of Fame Winner

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader begin their final confrontation.

With 40% of the vote, our first entrant into the Ripping Good Yarns Movie Hall of Fame is Star Wars.  The next closest was The Wizard of Oz with 15%.  Star Wars is a very good movie.  If you haven't seen it yet, you should check it out.

I remember the summer Star Wars came out.  It was a staggered start, opening in bigger cities before it came to smaller cities and towns.  So we knew what was coming.  We heard all the buzz.  Some from our area even went to Detroit to see it.  They came back raving about how good it was.  By the time it came to Saginaw, Michigan, it was a huge event.

I and my friend waited in line for hours to get good seats at the Saginaw premiere.  It was the first time I had done any such thing.  Unprecedented to get in line and wait that long for a movie.

When I saw it, my breath was taken away.  As a lifelong science fiction fan, I was blown away with what it was actually doing.  Where so many movies I had seen in the past had backed away, this one went full throttle.  They didn't just talk about other planets, they went to other planets.  They just didn't talk about aliens, they showed a whole rich diversity of aliens.  When I saw the cantina scene, I was completely in.  That was the kind of thing I had been waiting all my life to see.

But not everyone was enamored.  At the full house showing we went to, there was a couple sitting behind us who at several points in the movies just said to each other, "That's not real!"  I don't know if they were just people who wandered into the wrong movie by mistake, or they were CGI experts from the future.  Either way, it demonstrated to me that even a movie as wonderful as Star Wars didn't have universal appeal.

Speaking of which, this was also the summer of Smokey and the Bandit.  I also saw that movie in a full house, crowded theater   Everyone around me was going nuts with laughter and cheers.  I looked at it, and thought, endangering people with automobiles was funny?  So I sat in that raucous theater,  stony and confused as to what was going on.

Not every movie is beloved by everybody.  60% of our voters picked a different movie.  But still and all, Star Wars comes the closest.

May the force be with you!!!

Young Robin Hood Gives It It's All!

It's fun to be in the Young Merry Children's Association, Robin's young assistant's.
From right to left, we have Madison Bazemore, David Bazemore, Susan Whitaker, Angel Jared and Chrisotpher Kuhbander, all with their hands up in the air.

It takes a villager!  Devin Burch playing the villager Darius studies his lines, as Emma Jacobs as Ginny/Merle spots an owl,  Okay, probably not an owl, but something.

Blake Barnhill, as our esteemed Young Robin Hood, already has his lines learned well enough to go without a script.  Bravo!

Bwahaha!  Our evil henchmen, as portrayed by Kayla Peacock, Christian Jared and Preston Kuhbander.

Here is the mighty Friar Tuck, as portrayed by Noah Cook. looking for his next cue.

Our co-director, Karissa Cook, holds the microphone for Young Robin Hood (Blake Barnhill) as Hannah Hitt studies her script.


Be sure to come see these hard-working children in Young Robin Hood!  At the Flying Dragon Starting November 9th!  Friday and Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 3 running that weekend and the next!

Little John Defends The Blackshear Forest

My son, Benjamin Strait, dons his Little John Montoya outfit in preparation for his role in Young Robin Hood.

I don't like to do two political stories in a row.  But I feel like I have no choice.  My valiant, heroic son is being bullied for his political beliefs at his local middle school. Last week a large number of boys ganged up on him and told him that Obama was gay, that his children were adopted and the Michelle was really Michael.  They said Obama kills babies.  Benjamin was surprised when one of his closest friends started to join in the chanting and derision.

Yesterday it began again.  This time Obama was a terrorist who wanted to start a world war.  One boy told him that if Benjamin could find another person who would vote for Obama, he wouldn't kill him.  My son just tried to calmly ask where they got their information.  The kids said "Fox News".  Benjamin said that Fox News was controlled by the Republican Party.  The kids said it was a channel for both Democrats and Republicans.

This is not the only assault I've heard of.  They have occurred in both Pierce and Ware County.  If you are known to support Obama, you're going to be harassed.  My son is braver than I realized, and his courage and strength of character takes my breath away.  There are adults living in this area who support Obama and Democratic positions in general who are afraid to speak out, afraid it might her their job, their family, their standing in the community.

Pierce county will probably vote 85 to 90% for Romney in the coming election.  Those kind of super-majorities sometimes behave like those who believe the other way are pariahs.  There is a tendency in some churches here to condemn liberals from the pulpit.  You are made to feel that if you are a Democrat or progressive/liberal, that you are anti-Christian.  I'm about fed up to here with it.

Do I believe that Fox News declared Obama a terrorist?  Not EXPLICITLY,  no.    They have heavily implied that he is not a true American, that he is a socialist, that he may be foreign born, that he doesn't love this country.  But did these kids literally get what they were saying from Fox News?  I doubt it.  They got it from their parents, they got it from older children, they got it from their church and in some cases, yes, they got it from their teachers.

Should I tell the administration of the school?  I am not sure.  I can't have Benjamin known as a tattler.  That will just increase his harassment   I am a school Principal's kid myself, and I sympathize with their plight.  Parents calling to overprotect their kids can be a problem with trying to evenhandedly run a school.  On the other hand, there is still two weeks until the election.  And I know other kids are being harassed.  It's a tough call and I have not yet fully made up my mind.

I love politics.  I love political discussion, even in the schools.  But this is bullying, plain and simple.  And it needs to stop.

Our play, young Robin Hood, is about bullying as well.  About standing up for yourself against those that would intimidate you.  I am proud to be part of such an effort to contribute towards such a positive message, and I am proud of children like Benjamin, who stand up, sometimes alone, against the kind of awful bullying that goes on, whether it's about politics or physical size or being a nerd or being gay.

Let's stand up for our children.  Let's stand against the bullies.  Let's let kids like Benjamin know they are not alone.

Shifting Grounds and other Monday Musings

I think we sold our house.

Nothing is certain in real estate, I guess.  But they made an offer. we countered, than they countered that, and we counter-countered that, and they agreed and we all signed it.  If everything goes according to plan, then we will booted from this house on December 7th, Benjamin's 12th birthday,

I think we may have bought another house.  At least we're putting in an offer today.  It is a house in the neighborhood of Alison's first choice.  It is a fixer-upper, one that will need a lot of updating, a type of house I never really wanted to get.  But it is a great layout, with sound construction, a nice lot in a very good area.  We will probably have to live in a rental or something for a few months.

I'm afraid that I am becoming a disappointment to the local Democratic parties around here.  I haven't followed through with some of the meetings and phone calls that they wanted.  I haven't had the time that I thought I would, being consumed with writing and directing Robin Hood, work, my son's upcoming wedding and our impending move.  But I also am no good at, and not to be trusted , when it comes to phones calls and contacting people.  I am not outgoing, and it's one of the things that have hurt me most in trying to participate in politics.

I'm not afraid about expressing my beliefs, as anyone who follows my blog can attest to.  But blog writing and phone calling or going door to door are separate skills.  So, it may be best to be content with knowing that I do what I do, and I do the best I can at it, rather than hoping I am something that I'm not.

I am concerned in this area, with the large majorities for Romney here, that it is becoming very unpleasant for our children here, especially those ones who are courageous enough to be Obama supporters.  My son has been "Republican-bushed" at school, with kids ganging up on him to chant about how Obama is gay and his children were adopted, and that Michelle is actually Michael.  Another pro-Obama student was harangued about Obama being a Muslim. 

If I lived in an area that was 90% Obama, and Romney kids were being picked on and indoctrinated this way. I promise you, I would be just as upset.

This is a high stakes election.  I would love to pretend to you that the outcome of this election doesn't matter. But it does.  Who we elect as President will make a huge difference to our country and the world as we move forward   I am quite clear in my mind which direction I want us to go.  It is very difficult for me to view this election through calm eyes.

But whichever way it turns out, where I'm living will treat the side that I prefer as anti-Christian pariahs   It just won't stop being uncomfortable here no matter what.  Either we get attacked for not agreeing with the Great and Powerful President Romney, or we listen to four more years of what a demonic monster President Obama is.

Even though I am not a phone caller, a door-to-door person, or much of a meeting goer, I will speak out in my own ways and methods.  You can rest assured I will not be intimidated into silence.

Until next time,

T.M. Strait

Bible Verses Important to Me 8

                                A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments.”  He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.”  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking.  Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  But when he heard this the ruler became sad; for he was very rich.  Jesus looks at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!  Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

From Luke 18:18-23

I imagine, over the course of Christian history, this has been one of the most rationalized passages of the New Testament.  Very hard for most western societies to stare this one straight in the face.

Belief Variety Pack: Saturday Political Soap Box 44

The election is fast approaching.  Since that is the case, I have decided to present this paragraph of my I believe statement together instead of separately.   Each of these have either had or are worthy of having blog entries of their own.  But I will do my best to outline them here.  As usual, feel free to flood this post with your own commentary!

Ah, elections!  The time when we should be discussing issues but instead focus on birth certificates and dogs on roofs of cars.  When the latest inadvertent misstatement is more important than the direction they'll take the country.  When the election of the other guy will lead to a thousand years of darkness.  In the face of that, I will continue to try to focus on some basic issues and what I believe is the direction we should take. And yes, I am taking a sacrifice in number of page views by going this route instead of the Mittbot Thurston Howell route or that darn Kenyan Socialist route. 

I believe in common sense gun control.  I believe in the separation of church and state.  I believe we should attack bloat in defense spending just like we do every place else.  I support gay marriage.  I would not legalize drugs, but would strive to make the punishments more even and better fit the level of crime.

I believe in common sense gun control.  and just by saying this simple, obvious phrase, I have guaranteed that I could never run for public office in South Georgia.  The NRA and gun lobby is THAT strong.  I have detailed this in my blog post American Violence: Guns and The Third Rail.  I have recently reposted it on facebook and will do so again.

I believe in the separation of church and state.  I don't think it was the intent of the founders to have state-sponsored religion, and even more importantly, I think it is an infinitely wise idea.  I don't think a teacher should be leading a prayer at the front of the class.  A undirected moment of silence is okay.  Although moral beliefs inspired by religion inevitably influence the direction of our laws and regulations, it is very wrong for theological beliefs to do so, or for a particular style of worship be imposed on everybody else.

I believe we should attack bloat in defense spending just like we do every place else. Why people all upset over food stamp abuse, but give a pass to $700 hammers is beyond me.  And now we have a major political candidate who wants to spend even hundreds of billions more on defense whether the Pentagon asks for it or not.  That and slashing tax rates for the wealthy and large corporations somehow brings the budget into balance.  Oy vey!

 I support gay marriage.  I can't do this justice in a paragraph.  I'd like to say I've held this position for years, but I have only recently come to this conclusion.  In the end, I couldn't see any rationale to object to it.  Love should be stronger than hate.  

I would not legalize drugs, but would strive to make the punishments more even and better fit the level of crime.  In many ways, the war on drugs has caused more problems than it has fixed.  But I am not a drug oriented person (except for caffeine and sugar) so I'm really uncomfortable with saying that mess is A-okay!  On the other hand, I think penalties and punishments should be rethought.  One form of cocaine used mostly by poor urban folks shouldn't be punished multiple times more harshly than the type of cocaine used primarily by rich white people.  Marijuana?  I just don't know.  I've never tried it or had interest in it, but it seems to me like in reality, it is not as bad as alcohol.  It'll still screw up your driving, I think.

Thanks for reading my short take on this wide variety of topics.  Please feel free to ad your own comments.

History of the Trap: May Shadows Part 1

SYNOPSIS:  After being visited in prison by Morgan LaDona Tigh, Lance Martin has agreed to Dr. Duncan's request to detail what happened in the time that Lance is calling "the Trap."  Lance begins his journal by describing the morning before the trap fell, where we learn his father was the Principal of Loren High, that Lance is a Junior, and has a sister named Diane who is a sophomore.  After a couple hours at school that morning, where we see how different is relationship with Morgan is, we also meet Lance's best friend, Artie Pentler, and their gang. Just as Lance is ready to ask Ginny Estill out, the Trap falls, and they witness the horrible death of two P. E. students as they are caught in some kind of electrical storm.  After a very rocky, scary day, the students were called to gather in the gym, where some students broke out.  After the rally, Lance and his sister meet with their father and find that he doesn't know much more than they do.  Lance spends his first night in the trap, listening to late night screams and sounds of electric zapping. As April passes, it begins to sink in that the trap might not end.  When this scene opens, it is now May 1st.  

Chapter 4

May Shadows

1

There were not only teachers and students caught with us there at Loren High School.  There were also staff people.  Several cooks, a couple of janitors, some Para-professional assistants, a school nurse, a yard maintenance man; all were in with us.  One of these was Alberto Foreman, an Hispanic janitor.  In his sixties, he was one of the oldest persons in the trap.

Often shuffling due to gout flare ups, he was unfailingly fastidious about his work.  He engaged students rarely, but was friendly if they spoke to him.  Heavy set and short, closely cropped black hair, thinning mustache, he did his work slowly but carefully, as if it were the most important thing in the world.  This cleanliness that most of us took for granted without a single thought.

Alberto did get help a week or two after the storm held us in place.  A team of students was at his disposal to help keep the school clean.  And with so many students in so close a quarter, things could get very bad very fast.

The students working with him had grown to respect him, and followed his direction fairly well.  At first they were frustrated because they wanted to do the job more rapidly than he did, but they gradually learned the importance of doing a job thoroughly.

Freddy Darick was helping Alberto that first morning of May.  It was early when Freddy went to the supply closet to get some more cleanser for his cleaning bucket.  Freddy was surprised to find out that the supply closet was already unlocked. He had gotten the key from Alberto, and wasn't sure why he would do that if the closet was already open.  He turned to Alberto who was cleaning just up the hall.  "Hey, Alberto!  The door is already unlocked!  Did you know that?"

Alberto came over, looking slightly puzzled.  "No, I did not.  I have not been in there this morning.  And I know it was locked last night.  I am very careful about these things."

Alberto turned the knob, and found that it would indeed open.  "Maybe Mr. Tate or another administrator has come by to check supplies, I don't know."

Freddy looked down.  "Oh, my god, Alberto!  What is that?"  He pointed to a red pool of liquid edging out the door. 

Alberto cautiously swung the door open and they both saw the body, sprawled next to the shelf of bleach and buckets.  Mr.  Franks stared at them emptily; his throat slashed from ear to ear, blood everywhere.

It was our first murder.  It would not be our last.

Far from it.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!

Dream Spinners of Abalon

Where did you go when the lights went blue?
When did the time cease to run true?
Share me the the promise of someplace else.
Show me the dreams of the Pirates of Pelts.

The reeve of the wave came crashing ashore
The dance of the moonlight rested no more
They came out in a skimmer of shawn
The dream spinners of Abalon

Don't you want to dream with us?
Don't you want to spin with us?
Don't you want to dance tonight?
Don't you love the blue moonlight?

Want to go to the Pariti fair?
We can spin you there!
Want your arms around the maiden fair?
We can dream you there!

She danced away from the spinners towards me
Her hair swirling aflame, alive and free
Her eyes bright and steamy pierced my soul
Her gown a furling, ebony like shiny black coal

She extended her hand and I did not know what to do
The dreams she offered me left me shivery and blue
Should I take it and let her spin me a dream?
Put my hand in hers and enter the stream?

I take her hand and off we go
Out of Abalon and into the show
Past the Parati fair and the Farentin woods
Through the Tyvale Glen and into the coulds...

Ripping Good Yarns: How the New Fall Shows Fall

How have the new Fall TV shows fared so far?

My own ability to sample has been hampered by a busier fall calender, primarily my involvement in writing and directing Young Robin Hood. So although I intended to preview more shows for review here, I have come up short.  Thankfully, I have my fellow rippers, and hopefully you can provide input on other shows.

Each show previewed I have scored on a scale of 0 to 10 for both myself and for Alison.  A score below 5 usually indicates that one or the other of us will not be watching the show regularly.

666 Park Avenue

Set in a hotel in New York City, this show features at it's center the talented actor Terry O'Quinn (Lost's Locke), and has both ongoing stories and self-contained anthology style elements.  It is supposed to be a very scary show, but so far has been pretty mild and unsurprising,  It reminds of shows like Love Boat and Fantasy Island, but with a slightly harder edge.  It is a fragile premise and may be difficult to sustain over time.  Tom - 5.  Alison - 7.  Ratings to date; fair to poor.

Revolution

What if the power went out and didn't come back?  An interesting premise very well told.  It is building an intricate story, with many interesting layers, and some great flashbacks.  There are elements that superficially appeal to conservatives, such as local militia/dictatorship that confiscates firearms and overtaxes, and some have commented on one of the primary villains physical similarities to President Obama.  But I believe the story telling is going to be way more intricate than that.  The characters have to fully develop, and Alison feels the plotting is predictable, but I'm 100% on board - for now.  Tom - 9.  Alison - 6.  Ratings to date: good.

The Mindy Project

A nice little half hour comedy, featuring the infectiously charming and neurotic Mindy Kaling. playing a very intelligent ob-gyn doctor, who is often looking for love in all the wrong places.  They have already done a good job as well of surrounding her with a great supporting cast.  Sometimes comedies have trouble getting their sea legs down, but this one is way ahead of the curve.  Tom - 7.  Alison - 10.  Ratings to date - fair.

Animal Practice

Atrocious storytelling, with humor found (supposedly) with animals at risk, and vets suggesting impractical if not downright dangerous treatments.  Entertaining monkey, though.  Tom - 0.  Alison - 1.  Ratings to date - Abysmal.

Arrow

Based on the DC character Green Arrow, AKA Oliver Queen, this is an interesting show that virtually ignores the Green Arrow character as portrayed in Smallville.  As a long time comic fan, I have unfortunately gotten the constant reboots and do overs.  This one hints at a broader DC universe, including a character named Dinah Lance, whom I suspect at some point emerge into her Black Canary persona.  Not a bed show, but I'm not really used to seeing Green Arrow kill people, so the edge is harder than I prefer.  Tom - 7.  Alison - not watching.  Ratings to date - very good for the CW.

Elementary

This actually is not a bad show.  The premise is interesting if a little exaggerated   Almost like, what if Sheldon was pretending to be Sherlock Holmes.  Ultimately, it falls into the vast pot of crime procedurals that dominate the CBS airwaves.  Good, but not good enough to follow, with everything else we have.  Tom - 4. Alison - 4.  Ratings to date - good to fair for CBS.

Last Resort


Absolutely awesome show, with appeal across the political and storytelling spectrum.  An exciting premise that may wear thin after awhile, but who knows? The writing team behind it are very good, so maybe there are more twists to sustain it than I think.  Excellent characters and writing.  Tom - 10.  Alison - 3.  Ratings to date - poor.


We also have Nashville on DVR but have not seen it yet.  It looks like a lot more like something Alison would like than myself.  But I will let you know.

So that's what I've observed so far.  What about you, fellow rippers?  Be sure to let us know what your opinion is so far!

Miracles Continue This Weekend!

One more weekend for this fabulous and important show!

On the left, Elizabeth Beck plays Kate Keller and Nawin Hyers plays Captain Keller, the parents of Helen Keller.  Amara Grace Jeffords plays Anne Sullivan and Kayla Peacock plays Helen Keller, as pictured in the lower right corner.

These three talented young actresses are Emma Jacobs, Emily Beck and Tassie Jeffords.

A picture form the first week where Helen Keller was played by Elizabeth Beck, Kate Keller was played by Elizabeth's mother, Kimberly Beck, and the Captain was played by Nawin Hyers (who will play the same part next week).

The Most Persistent Myth in American Politics

Don't usually get my posts directly inspired by a TV show, but sometimes The Rachel Maddow Show will do that to you.  She had a great topic last night, with polling that demonstrated that the one area that people perceived Romney as slightly better than President Obama is in the area of the deficit.

The idea that Republicans are better at reducing or eliminating deficit is neither logically or factually correct.  It can be clearly demonstrated, that over the last 32 years, that the debt has grown substantially more under Republican presidencies than it has Democratic ones.

Many seem to block out that huge swarms of debt were accumulated under Reagan/Bush, Sr.  They further forget that that debt was substantially reduced by Clinton, and had actually left office with the nation in surplus.  This was completely reversed by Bush, Jr., engendered by the Bush tax cuts, two unfunded wars, a Medicare giveaway to private business, and a whole attitude that spending didn't need to match revenues.  A belief, as expressed by Vice President Dick Cheney, that "deficits don't matter".

Along comes President Obama, stuck with the worst economic slump since the Great Depression, and who, like all Presidents before, organize stimulus to try to lead us out of it.  Other than that, the direction of the deficit has been downward, and the number of federal jobs has been shrinking.  I'm not bragging that he did this.  Cutting government spending and jobs is not necessarily the smartest thing to do when we're still mired in a painfully slow recovery, but that's what's happening.

So now Governor Romney comes up with a plan that will add $5 trillion to the deficit in reduced tax revenue, and rapidly accelerate defense spending.  So, on the surface, his plan will not reduce the deficit, but will instead substantially increase it.  So how will he get things back in alignment?  How will ha eliminate the current deficit, AND make up for the increased shortfall he will create?

By roasting Big Bird on a spit?

That's like trying to eliminate a beach by removing one grain of sand.

This is what he will have choose from to balance the budget:

He says he will cut tax loopholes.  But he has ruled more out than he has ruled in (okay, in actuality he's ruled nothing in - it's all smoke and mirrors).  To really close the gap he will have to attack middle class deductions and credits, such as the mortgage deduction, child care credit, charitable deductions, and much more.  He'll have to.  He'll have no choice - if he's sincere about the deficit.

He may think he doesn't have to worry about it because the economy will just grow so gosh darn fast that it eliminates the deficit.  That is an iffy proposition at best.  You can't just say you can balance the budget simply by wishing the GDP higher.  And his deliberately increasing the budget gap just makes the ability to do this tougher.

He may go the Ryan way and strip the government of all benefits, entitlements  whatever you want to call it, aimed at the middle class, the working poor and the truly destitute.  Except for picking on the truly impoverished  I wish him luck with that politically.  The "Keep your government hands off my Medicare" crowd might suddenly wake up and realize the goose they smell being cooked is their own tea-party drenched selves!  As Pogo would say, "We have the met the enemy and he is us!" 

Finally, he may decide, as past Republican Presidents have, that what the hey?  Deficits don't really matter after all.  And with Fox News not bleating about them every few minutes, maybe people will buy it.

Will you?

Changing Times and Other Monday Musings

Benjamin's life changes starting today.

He will no longer be able to play video games or watch television on school weeknights.

What brought on this new policy?  He brought home two B's this last grading period.  He ha gotten all A's the last two years.  He is now in the crucial middle school period, and we know that is an age when people often embark on their eventual course in life.  Not their career, per se, but their basic nature.  He is more than capable of getting as, so we are going to so everything we can to structure an environment to do so.

All parents are different in their approach.  Some don't put any pressure on grades at all.  Others put even more than we do.  Some don't allow any television or other nonsense in the first place.  Some have no restrictions at all.  On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being openly hostile to school and grades and 10 being where grades are the be all and end all of existence, Alison and I are about an......8.

And with politicians continuing to chip away at the Hope Scholarship, it's going to become harder and harder for Benjamin to get Hope and to keep Hope.  And, even though we are saving towards his schooling, getting the Hope Scholarship is absolutely essential for his college attendance.

We continue to look at homes.  Two in the City of Blackshear have taken forefront.  One is a home that would need very little work at the top of our budget range, and in a neighborhood that is good but not completely ideal,  The other is a home in a premium neighborhood  for an unusually low price, but that would require a lot of work.  And I do mean A LOT of work.

I am supposed to chaperon at a Cotillion event tonight, along with Alison   I am not really thrilled by that, because I'm not really an etiquette rules guy.  I'm not rude by any means.  I consider myself polite, albeit people have sometimes confused my innate shyness for rudeness.  I'm just not sure I'm up for being told I'm not bowing right, or whatever it is that they do.

The Tigers have started their series with the damn Yankees in spectacular fashion, winning the first two games of the series at Yankee Stadium.  But this is baseball, and I won't feel really secure until the Yankees have been completely vanquished.

There is a whole lot of fussing on Facebook about politics.  Not just the back and forth going on between those supporting one politician or another, but those fuming at the idea that politics is even being discussed at all.  I do have some sympathy for those not interested in politics   I really do.  But we live in a representative democracy, and politics and making informed decisions about these things are absolutely essential to the proper functioning of that democracy.  It would be nice if so much wasn't at the school yard level ( of which I freely admit my participation and responsibility, and more about ideas.  But trust me.  I've seen the page view count differences on my blog between when I try to tackle ideas as opposed to when I try to be controversial and anti-other party, and I know which one's catch people's attention.

 It's the old dilemma.  Everybody says they want to watch good news.  And then everybody winds up watching OJ or Casey Anthony.  Human nature!  What are you going to do?

Bible Verses Important To Me 7

                      “For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.”

Then these righteous ones will reply, “Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you anything to drink?  Or a stranger, and help you?  Or naked, and clothe you?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?”  And I, the King, will tell them, “When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!”

From Matthew 25: 31-46

A fine example of not just what we’re supposed to believe, but what we’re supposed to actually do.

A Tax System for the 21st Century Saturday Political Soap Box 42

It may seem hard to believe, but I am a CPA (Certified Public Accountant).  In the past, I have worked mostly in general ledger/financial statement preparation and cost accounting.  But for the last almost fifteen years I have worked in small accounting firms.  Currently I am a working for a firm that I have been at 13 years 4 months and 14 days.  I have to be a broad accounting generalist working in general ledger/financial statements, audits, inventories, payroll, and yes, taxes.  I have seen the insanity of our tax system up close and personal.  For those of all political persuasions who are disgusted by it, I join in your disgust.

Ah, elections!  The time when we should be discussing issues but instead focus on birth certificates and dogs on roofs of cars.  When the latest inadvertent misstatement is more important than the direction they'll take the country.  When the election of the other guy will lead to a thousand years of darkness.  In the face of that, I will continue to try to focus on some basic issues and what I believe is the direction we should take. And yes, I am taking a sacrifice in number of page views by going this route instead of the Mittbot Thurston Howell route or that darn Kenyan Socialist route. 

I believe the tax system needs to be completely abolished and redone.  We need to enhance and preserve it's progressivism and move it into the 21st century.  Individual income tax should be eliminated.  I propose a four tier system that I cannot do justice in this brief blog post.  Just to sketch though, it involves 1) payroll taxes covering social security and medicare for all, 2) a financial transaction fee when investments are sold, purchased or exchanged, 3) a progressive sales tax that raises with the expense and/or luxury level of each item, and 4) a corporate/business fee based upon gross income, with the only deduction being from how much domestic payroll over a living wage the business pays.

Payroll taxes covering social security and medicare for all

Special notes to show how this part is different than the current system -

        - there would be no cap on either, so that it would continue to be drawn out no matter how much a person made.  Since there is no other direct form of wage taxes, the wealthy would continue to bring home mammoth portions of their paycheck

        -health insurance would be covered in full by a medicare for all plan.  Would this increase the percentage of income taken out from your wages to cover it?  Oh, yes!  But...you would have nothing...NOTHING...more that you had to pay for health care insurance....that would be your plan.  No more insurance premiums  no more worry about medical bankruptcies, no more worrying about whether something's going to be covered, no more worrying about pre-conditions or policy portability.  Stressed about freeloaders?  Well, I hate to break it to you, but you're ALREADY covering them, and as they go to the hospital or care in the most expensive way right now (ER, medical crises), you're paying A LOT more for them than you would under this plan.

     -there would need to be some mechanism so that sole proprietors, partners and S Corporations could contribute as well.

A financial transaction fee when investments are sold, purchased or exchanged

    -forget capital gains taxes.  We can stop arguing about that.  No more paying based on gain.  Conversely, no more taking losses when investments go bad.

    -this would just be a tax when money is moved from one investment to another, whether that be cash, to another stock, or to another instrument of investment.  At what rate I cannot say.

    -an example would be, you buy a stock for $1,000 you might have to pay a 1% transaction fee ($10).  If you sell the stock at, say $900, you might pay $9.  If you sell it for $1100, you might pay $11.  It is irrelevant whether you made or lost money.  You are neither punished nor rewarded,,,it is just a slight cost of investment, like a broker's fee.

    -it may be possible, given our level of computer sophistication, that individuals could be given a break or exemption for transactions under a certain dollar value, either individually or on accumulated year basis.  You could exempt the first $1,000 of each transaction, or for an individual for a year, the first $25,000 of total transactions (as an example).  But understand, the more you exempt, the higher the transaction rate would have to be to generate the same level of revenue.

A progressive sales tax that raises with the expense and/or luxury level of each item

    -since there other tiers of taxation, this may not have to be as sky high as some National Sales Taxes that have been promoted.  For us liberals, the regressive nature of this tax is rather daunting,  That is why I think the rate should be adjusted depending on the nature of each item.  BUT, everyone should pay some tax.  Even necessities should have a rate, even if it is low.  

    - an example, JUST an example, would be if someone were to buy a loaf of whole wheat bread, the tax rate might be 3%.  A $3.00 loaf of bread might then cost $3.09.  A loaf of bread that might have rare milled wheat that was shot out of the butts of cats, designed for the sophisticated gourmet, might be taxed at a higher rate, say 10%.  So this special loaf that is $7.00 would cost $7.70.  Overall, people who are willing to spend extra on luxury or status items are less concerned with cost.

    -a conservative version of this, the Fair Tax, would hand everybody a check each month to cover necessity spending.  I thought conservatives didn't like just handing people government checks, and I think my plan would avoid that while at the same time keeping some progressivity.

A corporate/business fee based upon gross income, with the only deduction being from how much domestic payroll over a living wage the business pays


    -a tax based not on a complicated tax-basis profit loss statement and balance sheet, but a corporate fee based solely on gross income.  Good lord, counties and cities do this, it shouldn't be that hard.  Again, you don't get into how much they made or lost, it's just a straight up fee.  A cost of doing business.

    -the ONLY deduction should be domestic payroll,  You hire people at a living wage, you get to take that in some fashion right directly off the fee.

   -the level of the transaction fee could vary with industry or type of business.  Again, I have seen this at the city and county level.  We are not re-inventing the wheel here.  The difference in rates could be established by regulation and/or Congress.  It would give our Congress something to do. I would hate for them to get too bored.


Is all this likely to happen?  Only if I become dictator, I guess.  But mark my word.  We can't keep going like we are.  Big changes are going to have to happen.  And whichever party gets out front of this the quickest, is likely to be the dominant party for the next generation.

So, wake up, Progressives!  This is one area where you're running behind!

We need a new, progressive tax system for the 21st century!

Somebody take up this ball and run with it!

History of the Trap: April Promises Part 5

SYNOPSIS:  After being visited in prison by Morgan LaDona Tigh, Lance Martin has agreed to Dr. Duncan's request to detail what happened in the time that Lance is calling "the Trap."  Lance begins his journal by describing the morning before the trap fell, where we learn his father was the Principal of Loren High, that Lance is a Junior, and has a sister named Diane who is a sophomore.  After a couple hours at school that morning, where we see how different is relationship with Morgan is, we also meet Lance's best friend, Artie Pentler, and their gang. Just as Lance is ready to ask Ginny Estill out, the Trap falls, and they witness the horrible death of two P. E. students as they are caught in some kind of electrical storm.  After a very rocky, scary day, the students were called to gather in the gym, where some students broke out.  After the rally, Lance and his sister meet with their father and find that he doesn't know much more than they do.  Lance spends his first night in the trap, listening to late night screams and sounds of electric zapping.  When this scene opens, it is now two weeks later, Wednesday April 30th.  

5

Final Jeopardy!

It had come down to three students.  David Yankovich, of course.  And also Lisa Carlson, Sue Boschman's very bright friend.  Finally, there was a surprise freshman, Larry Wiesman.  Larry was a small fellow, skinny with black hair and thick glasses.  He was one of only a handful of Jewish students at our school.

A few days ago two teachers, Mr. Branch and Mrs. Branch (they married last year) organized a nightly contest, tailored after the game show Jeopardy.  Mr. Gary Branch was a Government teacher and Mrs. Lisa Branch was an English teacher.  They were the only married couple to be caught in the trap together.  They were just trying to come up with something that would distract the students for awhile, let them escape into something else.  Participation had grown to be about a couple hundred.  It wasn't for everybody, but for those students of a more academic and less athletic bent, it was a fun way to pass the time.

They started out with a multiple choice question that had four choices to it.  You picked one of the four and went to a section of the cafetorium that corresponded with what you thought was the correct answer.  When the correct choice was announced, anybody who got it wrong had to step aside and just become part of the audience.

These rounds continued until there were only ten or fewer left.  These players then moved to a table in front where things became more intense.  Mr. Branch would give an "answer" and the first one to ring a bell would get to give the question.  Mrs. Branch would determine who rang first.  The first three players to get three right would go on to the next round.

Mr. Franks, our math substitute who picked the wrong day to fill in, and Mr. Bowtin, the popular Sociology and Psychology teacher, helped watch the crowd.  The students who participated in this were relatively well behaved, but there sometimes would be dispute over rules and outcomes.  Tonight there seemed to be a dispute that seemed to get so out of control that Mr. Bowtin had to come in and help Mr. Franks resolve.

But now they were down to three and they were down to final Jeopardy, with David Yankovich holding a slight lead.  The category was US Politics and the answer was....politician most famous for five o'clock shadow.  Larry and David knew the answer, but Lisa incorrectly went too far back in history and named William Henry Harrison.  David correctly bid just enough to stay ahead of Larry Weisman, emerging the tournament winner for the second time.

David Yankovich took his victory smugly, as he felt it was his rightful do.  Mrs. Branch put the medal of victory on him, a necklace with an old band medal on it.  The trumpet shaped medallion was considered the "horn of victory".

It was a night of victory and fun that would soon be forgotten.  As we left, it was the last time we saw Mr. Franks alive.  Except for the murderer, of course.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!