Today, American military presence in Iraq has come to an end. Obama said in a nationwide address from the Oval Office that the American involvement in Iraq has run its course and is over, militarily speaking.
This is a day to rejoice. It's a day that we have long been hoping for in America. No one wants to be involved in a war and no one wants to be involved in a war for eight years. We all knew that there would come a day when this was coming to an end and the nation of Iraq would have to fend for itself. This is a good thing. It really is.
My concern is that when we pull out, someone will be right there to pick up the pieces and resume right where they left off, conducting and supporting terrorism. The worst thing that could happen is that we pulled out too soon. How soon is too soon though? Isn't 8 years long enough to remove a dictator, build a government, and take down a regime, and take down violence.
I also, hate the fact that this happened under the watch of Obama. He is going to say that he did this all by himself, say that he ended the war in Iraq and was responsible for bringing our troops home. Great. I am glad they are returning. They have done a remarkable job and deserve to come home and be reunited with their families and loved ones. Of course I want that. I just hope that we aren't leaving before the job is finished.
The worst thing that could happen is that we pull the troops and a month from now, the government is taken over by extremists and then we have to go back in and stabilize the region again. I'm glad it's over. I'm hopeful for the future, and glad that we can focus on ourselves again. It's selfish to think about yourself, but have you seen our nation lately? We have serious problems and we need serious people to solve them.
I just don't see a serious man in Obama. I don't. I don't care for him, he didn't win my vote, and he won't get my vote in 2012. I don't like him, and I don't trust him. He's two-faced, shifty and won't give you serious answer that doesn't make himself sound like a man who doesn't want to lose his job. Rather than be a politician, he should be a leader. He should be someone that his people look up to, not one where its citizens count the days til someone else assumes power.
I'm glad it's over, but there's that fear that it's too early. Is the world ready for a free Iraq to determine its own fate? I think so. I think we are all going to be pleasantly happy and surprised. Job well done, men and women, you honored your nation, your families, and yourselves. Be proud, we are.
Mr. Obama, don't gloat, it's unbecoming.... Be a leader... Honor the men and women who made the tough choices before you, and the men and women who gave their lives for freedom.
Until next time
P
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Really? There's no other place?
I am fairly tolerant person. I don't hate people. I don't think that just because you believe in something different than I do that you shouldn't be allowed to believe in it, but this is just wrong. I just can't believe that there's no where else to build this.
If you're like me, and you've been watching the news lately, you've seen this story about a muslim mosque that people want to build near Ground Zero in New York. Now, this isn't a tirade about Islam, I don't want this message to be misconstrued that I am attacking Muslims... I am not... I just find it hard to believe that there is no other place to build this mosque than to put it just a stones throw away from The Trade Center.
Really? There's no other place? I find that hard to believe. It's almost as if someone out there just wants to create a story and create tension. You want to build a mosque, who the heck am I to stop you. Religious freedom is a protected right in this country. What I find a little insulting is that this seems to be the only place in New York where a mosque could be built.
I didn't lose a loved one in 9/11, but I can't possible imagine that this is going over well with the ones that did. I don't lump all Muslims with terrorism. I don't think that every Muslim is part of a jihad intent on ruining America. I don't believe all Muslims are evil. I do however think that this is in poor taste and is just asking for violence to be done to it when you talk about building a place that has this kind of stigma attached to it.
People are not all like minded... they see someone that belongs to a certain ethnicity or religious code, they think you all are the same person. This isn't right, it's not fair. I am not saying you shouldn't build a place where you go to worship how you see fit, I just think that this is such a touchy subject with people, it's just asking for trouble.
It's been almost ten years, and to me this feels like we are trying to rehash something that has taken us a long time to get over. And we are nowhere close to getting over this, I'm just saying, things have improved, and I would like to see them stay that way. I would love to live in a world where intolerance is a thing of the past and that this is going to have no problems attached to it, but I live in reality and in this reality people aren't going to see the positive of an Islamic Mosque so close to where a group of people claiming to be following religion perpetrated the grossest moment in American history.
I just don't believe that this is the only place where you can build this place of worship and devotion. It's not going to go well. And we, Americans are going to be made to look ignorant and foolish and destroy all the good work we have done since 9/11 to rebuild and move forward. Just please, think about this. Think about what it's going to do to the people who live there, who will worship there, and the city that is still finding normalcy.
Intolerance is an ugly vice that must be squashed, I just don't believe we are ready to squash it yet.
Until next time
P
If you're like me, and you've been watching the news lately, you've seen this story about a muslim mosque that people want to build near Ground Zero in New York. Now, this isn't a tirade about Islam, I don't want this message to be misconstrued that I am attacking Muslims... I am not... I just find it hard to believe that there is no other place to build this mosque than to put it just a stones throw away from The Trade Center.
Really? There's no other place? I find that hard to believe. It's almost as if someone out there just wants to create a story and create tension. You want to build a mosque, who the heck am I to stop you. Religious freedom is a protected right in this country. What I find a little insulting is that this seems to be the only place in New York where a mosque could be built.
I didn't lose a loved one in 9/11, but I can't possible imagine that this is going over well with the ones that did. I don't lump all Muslims with terrorism. I don't think that every Muslim is part of a jihad intent on ruining America. I don't believe all Muslims are evil. I do however think that this is in poor taste and is just asking for violence to be done to it when you talk about building a place that has this kind of stigma attached to it.
People are not all like minded... they see someone that belongs to a certain ethnicity or religious code, they think you all are the same person. This isn't right, it's not fair. I am not saying you shouldn't build a place where you go to worship how you see fit, I just think that this is such a touchy subject with people, it's just asking for trouble.
It's been almost ten years, and to me this feels like we are trying to rehash something that has taken us a long time to get over. And we are nowhere close to getting over this, I'm just saying, things have improved, and I would like to see them stay that way. I would love to live in a world where intolerance is a thing of the past and that this is going to have no problems attached to it, but I live in reality and in this reality people aren't going to see the positive of an Islamic Mosque so close to where a group of people claiming to be following religion perpetrated the grossest moment in American history.
I just don't believe that this is the only place where you can build this place of worship and devotion. It's not going to go well. And we, Americans are going to be made to look ignorant and foolish and destroy all the good work we have done since 9/11 to rebuild and move forward. Just please, think about this. Think about what it's going to do to the people who live there, who will worship there, and the city that is still finding normalcy.
Intolerance is an ugly vice that must be squashed, I just don't believe we are ready to squash it yet.
Until next time
P
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Better with Company
Who do you spend time with? Is spending time with people the light of your day? do you find yourself happier being with the people in your life that challenge you?
I was watching one of the best movies I've ever seen today, Up in the Air, starring George Clooney. For those of you who have never seen this movie, not to worry, I'm not going to spoil it for you, but I wanted to relay the message that struck home with me.
George plays Ryan Bingham, a man who works for a company that is hired by other companies to go in and fire their employees. He lives for the travel, trying to accomplish an almost unthinkable number... 10 million miles. His home, a one bedroom apartment with very little furniture and very little that says a lot about him, the man. The movie follows his travels from one place to another, with his new partner, played by Anna Kendrick, from Twilight. She is full of life, promise, and challenges him to think about his own life and how empty it is.
One of the things that is shown throughout the movie is him giving motivational talks about the things in your life that bring you down, and how having attachments is nothing more than a heavy backpack keeping you from living your life. he doesn't want anyone, doesn't need anyone, and believes this is the way everyone should live their life.
At one point in the movie, his little sister is getting married and the groom gets cold feet on the day of the wedding. It is left to Ryan to try and convince the groom that he needs to get over it and get married. This is not what Ryan does. He goes in and tries very hard to sound assuring but it comes off as fake and he knows it. Then, it starts to make sense to him and he says a line that to me is the heart of the movie..."Life's better with company."
How true is that statement? Aren't we all better when we're around the ones that make us better people? Aren't we better when the walls around us aren't the only things around us? We are who we spend our time with whether it is our family, co-workers, friends or acquaintances.
I know that when I am with my wife, I smile a whole lot more than I do when she is not around. I know that when I am alone, I don't feel like I'm my whole self. Life is better with company. Who needs to be isolated and alone? Who needs to shut themselves off from the world? Aren't you better when people are around? The reason we are better is because life seems better. The things that make us sad don't really seem to matter anymore do they? You're not thinking about the job you don't have, the car you don't own, the house you don't live in, the vacation you didn't get to go on, or the marriage you don't have.. yet.
Life is better with company and you know what, company doesn't have to mean a set number of people. It could be one, two, three of whatever number that makes you feel good about yourself.
Without something inspire you, what is the point?
I know what my wife means to me, my friends, my family... I know how they all lift me up during my down times... but I also know how my faith in God lifts me too. Life is better with company. No matter how you find it, no matter how many people it takes, find the company that makes life better and never let go of it.
Until next time
P
I was watching one of the best movies I've ever seen today, Up in the Air, starring George Clooney. For those of you who have never seen this movie, not to worry, I'm not going to spoil it for you, but I wanted to relay the message that struck home with me.
George plays Ryan Bingham, a man who works for a company that is hired by other companies to go in and fire their employees. He lives for the travel, trying to accomplish an almost unthinkable number... 10 million miles. His home, a one bedroom apartment with very little furniture and very little that says a lot about him, the man. The movie follows his travels from one place to another, with his new partner, played by Anna Kendrick, from Twilight. She is full of life, promise, and challenges him to think about his own life and how empty it is.
One of the things that is shown throughout the movie is him giving motivational talks about the things in your life that bring you down, and how having attachments is nothing more than a heavy backpack keeping you from living your life. he doesn't want anyone, doesn't need anyone, and believes this is the way everyone should live their life.
At one point in the movie, his little sister is getting married and the groom gets cold feet on the day of the wedding. It is left to Ryan to try and convince the groom that he needs to get over it and get married. This is not what Ryan does. He goes in and tries very hard to sound assuring but it comes off as fake and he knows it. Then, it starts to make sense to him and he says a line that to me is the heart of the movie..."Life's better with company."
How true is that statement? Aren't we all better when we're around the ones that make us better people? Aren't we better when the walls around us aren't the only things around us? We are who we spend our time with whether it is our family, co-workers, friends or acquaintances.
I know that when I am with my wife, I smile a whole lot more than I do when she is not around. I know that when I am alone, I don't feel like I'm my whole self. Life is better with company. Who needs to be isolated and alone? Who needs to shut themselves off from the world? Aren't you better when people are around? The reason we are better is because life seems better. The things that make us sad don't really seem to matter anymore do they? You're not thinking about the job you don't have, the car you don't own, the house you don't live in, the vacation you didn't get to go on, or the marriage you don't have.. yet.
Life is better with company and you know what, company doesn't have to mean a set number of people. It could be one, two, three of whatever number that makes you feel good about yourself.
Without something inspire you, what is the point?
I know what my wife means to me, my friends, my family... I know how they all lift me up during my down times... but I also know how my faith in God lifts me too. Life is better with company. No matter how you find it, no matter how many people it takes, find the company that makes life better and never let go of it.
Until next time
P
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
From the Heart
I am sitting in a hotel room as I write this. My wife has begun training for her new job and while she is in training, she is being put up in a hotel for the next two months. I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible while she began her training so for this week, I have come with her. So, here I am, in this hotel while she is stuck in a classroom learning.
What am I to do? Well this hotel is pretty great... free breakfast in the morning, and not just the typical continental breakfast, a full cooked to order breakfast... very nice. A restaurant, pool, gym, you name it. It is very hot outside so, I have resigned myself to at least on this day, staying in the hotel and staying cool.
My wife is such a tecky geek, she has wired both of our computers to hook up to the tv in our room and use them as dvd players. That is the one thing I wish this place had. However, we make the most of what we have... wow did that sound as cheesy as I think it did?
So I am watching some tv shows on dvd and laying back to enjoy some time in this free room with free AC... hahaha. As I'm watching, I'm noticing something. Sometimes, there comes a moment in either a really good movie or an amazing tv show that draws you in and speaks from the heart. Whether it is a really good peice of dialogue, an emotionally charged scene that can or cannot contain words, or a song.
That is what I've been noticing lately as I've been watching these dvds. A couple of nights ago, my wife and I were watching a show on dvd where one of the female leads was losing her mom to cancer. Now, I've seen this episode a few times, so I know what's going to happen and when it's going to happen, but it never fails... the scene appears, the music is playing, and the next thing you know, I'm wiping a tear from my cheek. I don't know why, don't know how, but I get moved by things like this. I don't care how it makes me look to others, I get emotionally connected.
A few months ago, one of the greatest tv series of all time ended... I am referring to LOST. A bunch of us got together to watch this series end, and by the time the finale was over, there I was, emotional and crying. I had gotten to a point where I cared what happened to these people and cared about what unfolded in their lives. There was my wife, to be there, making fun of me. I love her. She makes fun of the fact that I get as she would put it "too involved" and that I need to remember it's just a show, and that what happened didn't really happen.
Duh! I know all this, I just like to get lost no pun intended in these shows. Sometimes, I think we need to get lost in the the unrealistic, the pretend, and make believe. We all need to suspend disbelief even if for just an hour and let others speak to your heart. Emotions are a good thing... there meant to be felt... to be displayed. Take time to feel something, in the moment, that is where you will find your heart and it is there that you will find that your love is truly displayed. I'll be honest, if I didn't find myself involved in these shows or movies, I might not have had the courage or the words to tell my wife that I loved her... Sure I felt it, I knew it, and I believed it, but having never been really good at speaking from the heart; seeing others do it, made me feel like I could do it too.
You never what you're capable of unless you allow yourself to believe that your heart is stronger than you give it credit for. Feel something now, find it somewhere, live it out now.
Nuff said... for now
Until next time
P
What am I to do? Well this hotel is pretty great... free breakfast in the morning, and not just the typical continental breakfast, a full cooked to order breakfast... very nice. A restaurant, pool, gym, you name it. It is very hot outside so, I have resigned myself to at least on this day, staying in the hotel and staying cool.
My wife is such a tecky geek, she has wired both of our computers to hook up to the tv in our room and use them as dvd players. That is the one thing I wish this place had. However, we make the most of what we have... wow did that sound as cheesy as I think it did?
So I am watching some tv shows on dvd and laying back to enjoy some time in this free room with free AC... hahaha. As I'm watching, I'm noticing something. Sometimes, there comes a moment in either a really good movie or an amazing tv show that draws you in and speaks from the heart. Whether it is a really good peice of dialogue, an emotionally charged scene that can or cannot contain words, or a song.
That is what I've been noticing lately as I've been watching these dvds. A couple of nights ago, my wife and I were watching a show on dvd where one of the female leads was losing her mom to cancer. Now, I've seen this episode a few times, so I know what's going to happen and when it's going to happen, but it never fails... the scene appears, the music is playing, and the next thing you know, I'm wiping a tear from my cheek. I don't know why, don't know how, but I get moved by things like this. I don't care how it makes me look to others, I get emotionally connected.
A few months ago, one of the greatest tv series of all time ended... I am referring to LOST. A bunch of us got together to watch this series end, and by the time the finale was over, there I was, emotional and crying. I had gotten to a point where I cared what happened to these people and cared about what unfolded in their lives. There was my wife, to be there, making fun of me. I love her. She makes fun of the fact that I get as she would put it "too involved" and that I need to remember it's just a show, and that what happened didn't really happen.
Duh! I know all this, I just like to get lost no pun intended in these shows. Sometimes, I think we need to get lost in the the unrealistic, the pretend, and make believe. We all need to suspend disbelief even if for just an hour and let others speak to your heart. Emotions are a good thing... there meant to be felt... to be displayed. Take time to feel something, in the moment, that is where you will find your heart and it is there that you will find that your love is truly displayed. I'll be honest, if I didn't find myself involved in these shows or movies, I might not have had the courage or the words to tell my wife that I loved her... Sure I felt it, I knew it, and I believed it, but having never been really good at speaking from the heart; seeing others do it, made me feel like I could do it too.
You never what you're capable of unless you allow yourself to believe that your heart is stronger than you give it credit for. Feel something now, find it somewhere, live it out now.
Nuff said... for now
Until next time
P
Thursday, August 19, 2010
It's just not right
Some things in life just aren't fair.... they just aren't fair. I have been a serious golfer for about 16 years. I have trained, practiced, played, and taken lessons. I have worked very hard to improve my game. There's that one thing that eluded me this whole time, a hole in one. I've come close... oh, I've come close... inches, but I just can't seem to feel that emotion of knowing that with one swing of the club you were able to achieve greatness on the course. Sure, I've holed out from 170 yards on a par 4, I've made birdie, I've saved par, I've chipped in from the rough and the bunker, but no, no hole in one for me.
I'm getting to my point, I just wanted to set up my anger for the years of practice I've had and still have no hole in one.
Yesterday, August 18th, 2010. I was playing at San Juan Hills in San Juan Capistrano with a friend. We were playing behind a group of four. On the back nine, hole number 14. One of the members of this foursome, who had only been playing for a few months was on the tee. The hole, par 3, 117 yards away. The club in his hand, a 7 iron. We are on an elevated tee, hitting down onto the green. There is a lake to the left, and the hill to the right. He hits a shot that is barely off the ground, sailing harder than it should be towards a hill side bunker where someone has left the rake sitting on the hill. The ball hits the rake on the fly, hard. It then travels back toward the green where it hits the flag stick and drops in the hole. A HOLE IN ONE! Are you kidding me? This is just not right. The luckiest miss hit I've ever seen. And I've had some lucky miss hits.
The man rejoiced and his own playing partners celebrated his accomplishment but at the same time couldn't understand how or why this man was able to get such a lucky shot. I simply stood in shock and awe.
You'd think my story ends there, but NO, there's more.
The 18th hole, 145 yard par 3. The same man who just four hole earlier had been the recipient of his first hole in one shot, stood on the tee again, this time, with a 6 iron. He takes his swing and the ball gets maybe, maybe, a foot off the ground. It is hit hard and makes it way towards the green where it rolls up, makes the turn, heads towards the hole and drops in for his SECOND HOLE IN ONE OF THE DAY! I mean are you freaking kidding me? Are you seriously telling me that this man who has one of the worst swings I've ever seen, get two hole in one shots in one day? How is this fair? How is this just?
This is just not right! I am upset. I am hurt. But at the same time, I am determined. I am ready to play. I am ready to take my game back onto the course and try to get that thing... that feeling.. that one amazing shot. I will have my hole in one before I die... I will.
This may seem trivial to a lot of you, and I agree it is. But, I love the game, and when you play, this is what you're trying to do all the time, so yeah, I want it. I want it bad. It's my time. It's my turn.
Until Next Time
P
I'm getting to my point, I just wanted to set up my anger for the years of practice I've had and still have no hole in one.
Yesterday, August 18th, 2010. I was playing at San Juan Hills in San Juan Capistrano with a friend. We were playing behind a group of four. On the back nine, hole number 14. One of the members of this foursome, who had only been playing for a few months was on the tee. The hole, par 3, 117 yards away. The club in his hand, a 7 iron. We are on an elevated tee, hitting down onto the green. There is a lake to the left, and the hill to the right. He hits a shot that is barely off the ground, sailing harder than it should be towards a hill side bunker where someone has left the rake sitting on the hill. The ball hits the rake on the fly, hard. It then travels back toward the green where it hits the flag stick and drops in the hole. A HOLE IN ONE! Are you kidding me? This is just not right. The luckiest miss hit I've ever seen. And I've had some lucky miss hits.
The man rejoiced and his own playing partners celebrated his accomplishment but at the same time couldn't understand how or why this man was able to get such a lucky shot. I simply stood in shock and awe.
You'd think my story ends there, but NO, there's more.
The 18th hole, 145 yard par 3. The same man who just four hole earlier had been the recipient of his first hole in one shot, stood on the tee again, this time, with a 6 iron. He takes his swing and the ball gets maybe, maybe, a foot off the ground. It is hit hard and makes it way towards the green where it rolls up, makes the turn, heads towards the hole and drops in for his SECOND HOLE IN ONE OF THE DAY! I mean are you freaking kidding me? Are you seriously telling me that this man who has one of the worst swings I've ever seen, get two hole in one shots in one day? How is this fair? How is this just?
This is just not right! I am upset. I am hurt. But at the same time, I am determined. I am ready to play. I am ready to take my game back onto the course and try to get that thing... that feeling.. that one amazing shot. I will have my hole in one before I die... I will.
This may seem trivial to a lot of you, and I agree it is. But, I love the game, and when you play, this is what you're trying to do all the time, so yeah, I want it. I want it bad. It's my time. It's my turn.
Until Next Time
P
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
It's Ok.
Who said that everyone has to think the same way? Who says that we all must have the same thoughts about the same things and view things in the same way? News flash, we have brains, we have personalities, and we have opinions. It's OK to think differently than the other guy. It's OK to have an opinion.
I've been noticing a lot lately that when I have conversations with people, or when I see people post something on their FACEBOOK that they believe in, it sometimes gets met with mockery, or the phrase, "I disagree with you." Sometimes it is followed up with some rational thinking behind the disagreement, other times it is followed up by put downs and insults just because the way they think isn't the same as the herd.
Look at the title of my blog, the thoughts and OPINIONS of Preston. I am entitled to think the things I want, and say the things I want to say. You don't have to agree with me. You don't even have to like the things I say. Point is, this is what I feel and I am sticking to it.
It's hard today to go against the current. There are so many things out there that people are speaking out against like the economy, our leaders, our votes, crime, war, social injustice, you name it.
I saw a news report last week just after Prop 8 was overturned. On the show were two ladies who were showing their support for the overturn and proclaiming a victory. I have no problem with that. They are entitled to express their opinion. What gets me is that when they interviewed a lawyer who was taking up the Prop 8 side in the appeal and he stated why he was taking on the case and that it wasn't right that one judge could overturn a majority vote, the women attacked him for thinking the way he did and called him intolerant. He was making it clear that he wasn't attacking the issue of the bill, but the fact that it was easily overturned by one person. The women didn't want to see his side, didn't care. They simply wanted to tell him that he was wrong and he should be ashamed of himself for thinking the way he did. To me, these ladies were the ones being intolerant. They didn't want to hear what he had to say, because it didn't go along with that they believe. So be it. Move on!
I'll be honest... I voted yes on prop 8. I am a Christian and I don't condone or agree with this lifestyle choice. And I'm done preaching. I don't think though that marriage is something that should be decided by the courts or government. There are many thing that government should and should not be in the business of and marriage is one of them. Now, I know, my opinion on this matter doesn't meet with everyone else on the planet, and I am perfectly OK with that. It's not a big deal to me that everyone agree with me.
Having the ability to think for ourselves is a great gift. It's a great freedom to be able to have a thought and argue it rationally with those who disagree with you. What irks me is when the argument becomes a bigger deal than the issue. So I disagree with you, is the world coming to an end because of it? I doubt it. You may not agree with your own political party. Fine. Say what you think. You may not agree that a movie is worth seeing (avatar), don't see it. Don't cave in to the pressures of the world just because you don't agree. It's OK to have your own opinions. It's OK to have a thought different than the world.
Here's what's not OK.... attacking people for their way of thinking. Ridiculing others because they think differently. Forming an opinion without getting all the facts first... That is where we dig our graves. Sometimes we form a decision without knowing the circumstance, the situation, or have all the details. Before you form an opinion, get the facts straight... that will make your argument stand up should and when you get attacked for it.
You may not agree with me, fine... I accept that... you don't like it, try to convince me otherwise. I will tell you this though... you will never ever ever ever get me to admit that the man sitting in the white house is and was the best man for the job and should get my vote... My opinion on this is so.... Worst President Ever. And that includes Ulysses Grant, Gerald Ford, Chester A. Arthur, and William H. Taft, who was pretty bad.
That is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Until next time
P
I've been noticing a lot lately that when I have conversations with people, or when I see people post something on their FACEBOOK that they believe in, it sometimes gets met with mockery, or the phrase, "I disagree with you." Sometimes it is followed up with some rational thinking behind the disagreement, other times it is followed up by put downs and insults just because the way they think isn't the same as the herd.
Look at the title of my blog, the thoughts and OPINIONS of Preston. I am entitled to think the things I want, and say the things I want to say. You don't have to agree with me. You don't even have to like the things I say. Point is, this is what I feel and I am sticking to it.
It's hard today to go against the current. There are so many things out there that people are speaking out against like the economy, our leaders, our votes, crime, war, social injustice, you name it.
I saw a news report last week just after Prop 8 was overturned. On the show were two ladies who were showing their support for the overturn and proclaiming a victory. I have no problem with that. They are entitled to express their opinion. What gets me is that when they interviewed a lawyer who was taking up the Prop 8 side in the appeal and he stated why he was taking on the case and that it wasn't right that one judge could overturn a majority vote, the women attacked him for thinking the way he did and called him intolerant. He was making it clear that he wasn't attacking the issue of the bill, but the fact that it was easily overturned by one person. The women didn't want to see his side, didn't care. They simply wanted to tell him that he was wrong and he should be ashamed of himself for thinking the way he did. To me, these ladies were the ones being intolerant. They didn't want to hear what he had to say, because it didn't go along with that they believe. So be it. Move on!
I'll be honest... I voted yes on prop 8. I am a Christian and I don't condone or agree with this lifestyle choice. And I'm done preaching. I don't think though that marriage is something that should be decided by the courts or government. There are many thing that government should and should not be in the business of and marriage is one of them. Now, I know, my opinion on this matter doesn't meet with everyone else on the planet, and I am perfectly OK with that. It's not a big deal to me that everyone agree with me.
Having the ability to think for ourselves is a great gift. It's a great freedom to be able to have a thought and argue it rationally with those who disagree with you. What irks me is when the argument becomes a bigger deal than the issue. So I disagree with you, is the world coming to an end because of it? I doubt it. You may not agree with your own political party. Fine. Say what you think. You may not agree that a movie is worth seeing (avatar), don't see it. Don't cave in to the pressures of the world just because you don't agree. It's OK to have your own opinions. It's OK to have a thought different than the world.
Here's what's not OK.... attacking people for their way of thinking. Ridiculing others because they think differently. Forming an opinion without getting all the facts first... That is where we dig our graves. Sometimes we form a decision without knowing the circumstance, the situation, or have all the details. Before you form an opinion, get the facts straight... that will make your argument stand up should and when you get attacked for it.
You may not agree with me, fine... I accept that... you don't like it, try to convince me otherwise. I will tell you this though... you will never ever ever ever get me to admit that the man sitting in the white house is and was the best man for the job and should get my vote... My opinion on this is so.... Worst President Ever. And that includes Ulysses Grant, Gerald Ford, Chester A. Arthur, and William H. Taft, who was pretty bad.
That is my opinion and I am sticking to it.
Until next time
P
Friday, August 13, 2010
"It's Been a Long Year"
Who among us hasn't made a mistake in our lives we wish we could take back? Who among us hasn't done something that still haunts us to this day? I think it's fair to say that we are all guilty. We are all flawed. The only difference between us and others might be our status; where we rank in society. Now, before I go on, I want to make it clear that I do not support, admire, or respect his life's choices. I don't particularly care for the way he treated his wife and family, and I don't think he's going to forgive himself anytime soon, but as for the rest of us, could we please get off Tiger Woods' back?
Tiger screwed up, yes he did. He is going to have to live with that for the rest of his life. What I am tired of is hearing about how he has retreated into becoming one of the worst players on the tour right now. Yes, he had a terrible week at Bridgestone last weekend. But come on, certainly there has to be something else to talk about! His private life is in shambles and here we are trashing the one thing he has left... his game. If I were on tour, I would be pretty mad that no one is talking about how well I'm doing. It's all about Tiger and his problems.
If you saw his interview after last weekends tourney, you heard him answer a question with the statement, "It's been a long year." How true is that for him? It has indeed been a long year. From the media spitting all over him, his friends abandoning him, (which some of which was his fault) to his high profile divorce. (Which is also his fault).
I think we, the media, the fans, the so-called experts of the game and life in general, need to relax and realize it's not going to be the same Tiger out there each week until he learns to forgive himself and have fun again. He has his demons he must wrestle with, he has his own insecurities to get over; so it might not be out of line for the rest of us to cut him just a little slack.
He messed up, yes he did, but who are we to judge him? Who are we to criticize him? Let the man have his private life and repair his heart, his professional life will be corrected after the first is taken care of.
I respect the man's game. Always have. He will bounce back. But, like he said, it's been a long year for him and his game isn't his top priority. And it shouldn't be! How could anyone be expected to be the most dominant player in the world when you have this hanging over your head. Yes, he caused all of this, he created all of this, his wife is not to blame. All of it, and I mean all of it, falls on Tiger and Tiger alone. But let the man fix it himself, I'm quite certain that he doesn't need all the "professional" and "personal" advice from people who don't know him.
Let's leave him alone and let him fix himself. I'm really quite certain that there are more important things to talk about. Our economy does still suck, oil was leaking in the gulf, we have a lazy president, california votes no longer mean anything, and people are out of work. Plus, if you're a golfer, Tiger isn't the only one out there... let's focus on the positive people and so much on the negative. It's been a long year, and this is only making it longer.
Until Next Time
P
Tiger screwed up, yes he did. He is going to have to live with that for the rest of his life. What I am tired of is hearing about how he has retreated into becoming one of the worst players on the tour right now. Yes, he had a terrible week at Bridgestone last weekend. But come on, certainly there has to be something else to talk about! His private life is in shambles and here we are trashing the one thing he has left... his game. If I were on tour, I would be pretty mad that no one is talking about how well I'm doing. It's all about Tiger and his problems.
If you saw his interview after last weekends tourney, you heard him answer a question with the statement, "It's been a long year." How true is that for him? It has indeed been a long year. From the media spitting all over him, his friends abandoning him, (which some of which was his fault) to his high profile divorce. (Which is also his fault).
I think we, the media, the fans, the so-called experts of the game and life in general, need to relax and realize it's not going to be the same Tiger out there each week until he learns to forgive himself and have fun again. He has his demons he must wrestle with, he has his own insecurities to get over; so it might not be out of line for the rest of us to cut him just a little slack.
He messed up, yes he did, but who are we to judge him? Who are we to criticize him? Let the man have his private life and repair his heart, his professional life will be corrected after the first is taken care of.
I respect the man's game. Always have. He will bounce back. But, like he said, it's been a long year for him and his game isn't his top priority. And it shouldn't be! How could anyone be expected to be the most dominant player in the world when you have this hanging over your head. Yes, he caused all of this, he created all of this, his wife is not to blame. All of it, and I mean all of it, falls on Tiger and Tiger alone. But let the man fix it himself, I'm quite certain that he doesn't need all the "professional" and "personal" advice from people who don't know him.
Let's leave him alone and let him fix himself. I'm really quite certain that there are more important things to talk about. Our economy does still suck, oil was leaking in the gulf, we have a lazy president, california votes no longer mean anything, and people are out of work. Plus, if you're a golfer, Tiger isn't the only one out there... let's focus on the positive people and so much on the negative. It's been a long year, and this is only making it longer.
Until Next Time
P
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