Tea, Taxes, and the "Two Party" system.

Politically I lean conservative: Smaller government, less interference in our daily lives.  Sadly, in our two-party system, neither side represents this point of view.  Both parties use fear-mongering tactics in a power grab.

The Republicans use "the enemy without", Terrorists, Communists, people "out there" who aren't like us.  They want to grow the government, and reduce your rights, to protect you from external enemy.

The Democrats, on the other hand, employ "the enemy within" argument;  using class warfare to identify those "inside the country" who don't meet their societal ideal. They want to grow government and reduce your rights, in order to "right the wrongs" inflicted by the internal enemy.

Both parties are bankrolled by corporate and banking influences; their constituencies are not the American people they claim to represent. 

This is the theme of the Tea Party. They aren't first; there are also the Libertarians.

There are some who believe that the corporate backers are an international cabal, that controls not only the government but also our media and more essentially, our money supply; hence the Fed, the US Tax Code, and he national debt.

This is the theme of the Anonymous (Occupy) Movement.

I think it would be a mistake to ignore either point of view because it doesn't fit the two-party model.

What a long, strange week it's been...

It was supposed to be another typical Christmas weekend for us, which means:
Last minute shopping, and
A trip to PA to spend Christmas with Jill's family.

Instead, it featured:
Lower Gastro-intestinal infection (with all the major side effects)
A trip to the emergency room Christmas Eve,
Lots of chicken noodle soup (Progresso), a ten-day course of Flagyl, and gatorade. Lots of gatorade.

On the edge of complete recovery, a slightly tweaked ankle became incredibly painful and we wound up in the ER again, under premise of an ankle sprain. Ouch.
Except that the symptom of intense pains began to subside on its own, even before we got to my primary care doctor.

The G-I thing is basically over. I'm back to normal food, normal digestion, just finishing out the antibiotic. I have an apppointment scheduled with a gastroenterologist on Tuesday. A colonoscopy is in my future for 2012. Yay me.

The ankle thing is looking like gout I've had it in the big toe enough times to recognize it. But it may explain several less-painful stiff ankle situations I've had in the past.

I have an appointment with a podiatrist on Thursday. We will have a lot to talk about. Also scheduled Thursday is a screening for gout. I'm sure it's gonna come out positiive.

This was my Christmas. I guess I'm not as young as I used to be. There's always next year!

Cataclysmic converter.

I recently put my 2002 Toyota Corolla into the shop after literally driving the brakes off the car. Over $800 in brake repairs (rotors, calipers, pads up front, pads & adjustment rear), and $300 in other repairs. Mostly just daily driving and infrequent maintenance.

The check-engine light was on, giving a "failed catalytic converter" error code, according to Toyota. They estimated the replacement at about $2000. This is difficult to swallow for a 10 year old car...repair or replace time? The car uses oil. Might be as simple as replacing a pcv valve, or as expensive as rings. The model-year range had a reputation for too-small- pistons and it is not uncommon to hear of high oil use over 100K miles. Mine is up to about !85K.

Trouble is it still runs quite well, gives me 30mpg, and is reliable. I wouldn't mind holding on for another year and replacing it with a new car.

If we're talking engine repair, it gets worse. Evidently you can kill a toyota. They die a slow expensive death.
I might be shopping for a used replacement - soon.

Playoffs rant redux..

This was meant to be more insightful than just a casual sports-fan blog. But most of my posts thus far have revolved around the Redskins.
"No sir, I don't like it."
So here goes. To paraphrase Peter King, this is what I think I think this week: And none of this is brilliant (or even original) thought:

1) Let's get the Redskins out of the way first. During pre-season, Rex Grossman predicted an NFC East title. Now, we all understand the impact injuries have had, but seriously Rex. Playoffs?!? Cue Jim Mora in 3..2..

2) Tebow. Elway's drive without Elway's talent. Despite Tebow's attribution of his success to Christ, it has to be said that Denver's defense has stepped up and kept them in the game. Still, a 4-1 start is nothing to sneeze at. He is certainly blessed.

3) Penn State. It was tough to see JoePa kicked under the bus. Still, the University had to clean house in the wake of the scandal.
Sadly, this will play out as the corruption of power, on multiple levels. How much of that took place between the Head Coach, the AD, and the President will be the true tale. Sad times in Happy Valley.
Still, Paterno could have, and some might say should have, retired years ago. Certainly he didn't need the money. What would keep a man there at his advancing age? Who's the player, and who's being played?

4) The more the other Republicans talk, the better Gingrich sounds.

5) Talk radio is obnoxious.

6) Don't eat too much and sleep through the football on Thanksgiving. Important games. Whoda thunk?

7) Despite our economic troubles, we are truly blessed in this country, like no other society has ever seen. That said, the current attitude of "Just be thankful you have a job" to justify poorly conceived directives in the workplace is appalling. It wouldn't fly in better economic times.

8) Best quote about tarpon fishing: "Tarpon fight like your spouse" -- Mike Bundy, LTD

9) The extended-range electric concept (think Chevy Volt) needs a little more work. Once the engine switches on, you're getting 37mpg. Worth $45K?

10) I heard Pink Floyd "Run Like Hell" at McDonalds on Saturday morning. Just one more bullet point to prove The End is Near.

Have fun everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!

Redskins Zeitgeist

1) Zorn was a good guy, but in over his head.
2) Zorn took a lot of heat...and the paycheck...like a man.
3) Zorn showed class and dignity, in the most undignified of circumstances.

4) Allen is nothing more than a PR guy for Snyder.
5) Allen had no influence on the decision to go after Shanahan.

6) Maybe Snyder's learning to leave the game to the profrssionals.
7) Snyder's up to the same old game. Meet the new ex-head coach Shanahan.

8) Portis' true colors are coming out now. Not a team player. Trash Campbell in the press? Campbell may have his own set of problems, but he has dealt with everything - even his frustrations - without resorting to personal attacks.
9) Is there more of this on the "team"?

Why do I want to call him Mike Shenanig-han? :-)

It will be an interesting off-season.

Fail to the Redskins

Let's see:
O-Line injuries
Cooley out
Portis - concussion
Missed tackles
Stupid penalties
Dropped or mis-handled catches.
A terrible tackle leading to a 4th Q Atlanta TD
Fundamentals. Failure. Futility.
This is not looking good.

There is no i in "career path"...

I was informed this week of our company's intention to re-platform our corporate systems around a Windows-server based ERP system. That means we're moving away from IBM i (iSeries, AS/400, or just plain '400 to us).

I have mixed feelings about this. The bad is that it hastens the horizon of my career phase that was based around being an iSeries developer. The good is that it takes me out of a "comfort zone", and provides the opportunity to work productively in newer technologies. It also presents a welcome learning curve.

Welcome again to the new normal. How do you like the view?