The O's - A Reason To Celebrate?

When I saw the end of Wednesday night's final regular season game between the Red Sox and Oriole's, I had to really try to comprehend what I was witnessing. Of course, the Orioles had just beat the Sox in the bottom of the ninth inning, knocking them out of play-off contention. Impressive, I suppose, especially against a good team like Boston.

But here's where I have a problem.....


Initially, watching the celebration brought back memories of when the Oriole's won the World Series back in 1983. But this year's team was far from a World Series team. The Birds finished yet another disappointing season with an unimpressive 69-93 record. And they're celebrating? Ok, so you've knocked the Red Sox out of the play-offs, so what? At least Boston was an actual contender. The Oriole's haven't had a winning season since 1997! What is there to get so excited about?? Has the organization been reduced to the role of perennial spoiler?

At the conclusion of Wednesday night's game, the Oriole's players resembled a flash mob the way the were jumping on top of one another. Players were hopping and bopping in from the bullpen like they were coming down the final stretch of a three-legged race. I figured it was only a matter of time before someone started break dancing on top of the pitcher's mound. The only thing missing was The Pointer Sisters belting out "I'm So Excited" from the stadium's P.A. system.

I'm sorry, I know I'm going against the grain with my hometown baseball team and I'll likely take some heat from my buddies. But I just found the excessive celebration to be way over the top. It's like watching a football team conduct a 5-minute dance routine in the end zone when the other team is still up by 30 points. It makes you look stupid.

On a positive note, the Oriole's played really good baseball going into the final week of the season. The big question in my mind is whether Oriole's can actually learn something from their strong finish this year. I grew up watching the classic O's teams and I would love to see some of that magic come back. Although, it's hard to get overly optimistic, I really do wish the Oriole's the best. It would be nice to actually celebrate making the playoffs for a change......

kw

Cheap Beer Stories

If I told you that I've never met a beer that I didn't like, I'd be lying. There are indeed some really nasty ones out there. There's been a time in almost every beer drinkers life when he or she sacrifices taste in order to save a few bucks. I can respect that and I'm not here to cast judgement. But I am here to give you what I consider to be some the nastiest beers out there. For your additional enjoyment, I've added some of my personal experiences surrounding them.


Milwaukee's Best - If you ever happen to drink one of these, throw it in the freezer for about twenty minutes first. That way, you'll have a better chance of numbing your taste buds before the horrendous "flavor" kicks in. There was a local guy that used to drop by to chat with my Dad & I when we used to occasionally work in the Linthicum, MD area. His name was Norman. He would drop by first thing in the morning half-crocked carrying a six pack of Milwaukee's Best. And the worst part was that he used to drink it warm. It used to turn my stomach just watching Stormin' Norman guzzling this warm piss water at 8:30 in the morning. Agghh.....

Pabst Blue Ribbon - Why anyone thought that this beer was worthy of a blue ribbon is beyond me. I was leaving Jacobs Field in Cleveland several years ago when my friend, Lathan, spotted a sign outside a bar that said "$1 PBR Drafts". Lathan instinctively said, "Come on, Ken. One dollar drafts! We gotta check it out!" Not wanting to curb his enthusiasm, I followed him into the bar. He ordered us a round. And only after a few sips, I was tapping out. It was so bad that the thought of drinking the whole mug repulsed me.. Next time, I will keep walking until I see a bar with a Sam Adams sign.......

Black Label - How nasty is this beer? Let me tell you. When I was a teenager, some of the neighborhood kids stole a bunch of Black Label from a boxcar. They tried to peddle this stuff through the neighborhood to the under-21 crowd (actually it was 18 back then). The asking price was something like $2.50 a case. And they still couldn't get rid of it. In fact, they couldn't even give it away. When underage drinkers don't even want free beer, it must be really bad.

Stroh's - Someone once lied to me and told me that Stroh's was a pretty good beer. So, I bought a six-pack to check it out for myself. After my first taste, I immediately wished I could get my money back. The only recollection that I have is that it tasted like it was burnt. I once took a sip from a bottle of beer that someone mistakenly used as an ashtray. Yes, it was nasty! And that's kind of what I remember that bottle of Stroh's tasting like.

National Bohemian (aka Natty Boh) - I really want to like this beer. After all, the Natty Boh man is synonymous with my hometown of Baltimore. But I have to be honest, it's not very good. I was recently winding down the evening in a local bar when I spotted the famous Natty Boh man on one of the bar taps. So, I said, "What the hell." I should have known better because when I asked for a Natty Boh draft, the bartender immediately responded, "Are you sure about this?" But I took one for my hometown anyway. And I honestly tried to finish it. But after downing half the glass, I had to dump it out.

Busch Light - As if regular Busch wasn't bad enough, they make a watered down version. I have a good friend who pretty much only drinks this flavorless beer. It's kind of confusing seeing him on the deck of his $200,000 boat with a Busch Light in his hand. As you can guess, I never miss an opportunity to give him a hard time about it.

Red, White & Blue - It pains me to say that I don't care for something with red, white and blue in the name. But that's the case with this beer. It doesn't have much flavor but if you swish it around in your mouth, it has subtle notes of gutter water. It takes a special man to drink it. And Big Daddy Earl was such a man. Earl was the father of one of my best friends and he absolutely loved Red, White & Blue. I never completely understood why, but would stockpile cases and cases of this stuff in his basement. He would always offer me one when I stopped by the house. Since I respected the man so much, I could never turn him down. Although, I don't particularly care for this beer, I would be more than happy to tip one back with Earl, if he were here today.

If you happen to like any of these beers, more power to you. What is one man's PBR is another man's Sam Adams. Cheers......

kw

Thank You

When I first found out that my friends Kathy and Diane nominated me for CBS's first ever Baltimore's Most Valuable Blogger contest, I have to admit, I was a bit excited. I figured it would be interesting to see how far it would go. When I was picked as one of the finalists in the "Everything Else" category, I was actually a bit surprised. Although I believe that I have some interesting stories, I am still a novice at the whole writer/blogger thing.

Then, when I discovered that there approximately thirty other bloggers in my category, I figured my chances of winning were pretty slim. I checked out some my competitor's blogs and they were all worthy of winning the contest. Actually, I got some really good ideas from viewing the other blogs.

When the final vote count came in, I was shocked to see Ken's Mouthpiece as the 2011 People's Choice for Baltimore's MVB. It really is a humbling feeling to know that so many people took the time to throw a vote my way.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who voted. And a special thanks to everyone who went to the extra mile to "campaign" for me. I am truly appreciative of your support.

I hope to keep pouring my thoughts into my mouthpiece for a long, long time. So, stay tuned to more political commentary, rants, comical mishaps and "everything else"! I am always interested in hearing your thoughts. Please feel free to drop me a comment when you feel the urge.

Thanks so much.......

Ken

Raising Cain

And the plot thickens......

Following Thursday night's Republican debate in Orlando, Herman Cain overwhelmingly won a Florida Presidency 5 straw poll. Cain came in with 37% while Rick Perry and Mitt Romney finished a distant second and third with 15% and 14% of the vote. Time will tell whether this will kick things into high gear for Cain, it does indeed present and interesting scenario.

First off, let's examine Herman Cain's background. He came from humble beginnings, but he was determined to become successful. He graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelors degree in mathematics. Cain earned a Master's degree in computer science from Purdue University while he was working in ballistics for the Department of the Navy. Pretty impressive so far, huh?

Cain then went to work as a business analyst for Coca-Cola. He eventually went to work for Pillsbury where he rose to the position of Vice-President. He left his executive position to manage 400 Burger King (a Pillsbury subsidiary at the time) restaurants in the Philadelphia area. After tremendous success, Pillsbury appointed Cain CEO of Godfather's Pizza (another Pillsbury subsidiary). In 1988, Cain and a group of investors bought Godfather's Pizza from Pillsbury. The guy seems to know what he's doing.

There are plenty more impressive accomplishments from Herman Cain. But I want to get to my point........

Just imagine for a second that Herman Cain wins the Republican nomination. This would set up an interesting showdown in November 2012. Having Herman Cain running directly against Barrack Obama would drive the liberals absolutely nuts. Think about it. How will they be able to call conservatives racist when they're voting for a black man? And better yet, how will they deal with those "evil racist Tea Baggers"? After all, Cain has addressed over 40 Tea Party rallies. I'm really starting to like the sound of this!

Herman Cain has got to drive the liberals crazy. He's a self-made man, He's rich, he's successful, he's a man of faith (Cain is an associate Baptist minster), he's a commentator on that evil Fox News network, he opposes Obamacare and last but certainly not least, he's conservative! And the added bonus is that they can't throw their beloved race card at him. He's black!

Hmmm, if Herman Cain should become President, do you think the liberals will criticize him? And if they do, is it because they're racist? Can there possibly be any other explanation? Isn't that what libs cry any time conservatives criticize President Obama?

I just read an article where leftwing numbskull Janeane Garofalo has her own explanation for Herman Cain's purpose in the Republican race:

"I believe that Herman Cain is in this race to deflect the racism that is inherent in the Republican Party. I feel like Herman Cain is being paid to be involved and to run for President so that you go, "Oh, they can't be racist. It's a black guy'...."

(For the whole story, go to....http://dailycaller.com/2011/08/18/garofalo-herman-cain-a-paid-prop-to-deflect-charges-of-gop-racism/)

Can you believe this crap? Is this woman serious or is she really just that stupid? Or perhaps Garofalo is the real racist hiding behind the guise of a liberal nutcase. It sounds to me like she insinuating that a black man isn't capable of thinking for himself. This woman's ignorance is frightening.


Yes, things are indeed heating up. Stay tuned for more fun.........

kw

A Recap Of The Orlando GOP Debate

The Republican presidential candidates went at it again last night, this time in the battleground state of Florida. I caught most of the debate and here's the way I saw it......

The top two contenders, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, continued to take jabs at one another. It's getting a little old. I wish they would just answer the questions and let us know what their plans are to fix this broken country.

Perry was beaten up on a couple key issues. Romney attacked his recent comments about Social Security being a Ponzi scheme. I kind of lean Perry's way on this one. If you've frivolously blown the initial investment money and now rely on new "investors" to pay for current Social Security recipients, are Perry's comments really that far off?

Perry was also criticized by Romney and Michelle Bachman on the issue of immigration. Of course, in Perry's home state of Texas, children of illegal immigrants are entitled to in-state tuition rates. Perry signed this into law in 2001. What this amounts to is that an all-American kid from "across the border" in Louisiana would pay more for college in Texas than the kid of someone who broke the immigration law and is not an American citizen. Perry argued that we need to educate these children, otherwise they'll potentially become a drag on our society. I hear what he's saying but I say, if they're here illegally, let Mexico educate them! Why should America pay the bill?? I can't help but think that Perry's views are influenced by the large Hispanic population in Texas.

Ron Paul had some good points, but he seems to come off a bit cold. I think it will be tough for him to win the hearts of the majority of America.

Michelle Bachman held her own on most of the questions. However, she seems to be losing steam as the campaign moves ahead. Personally, I don't think she has a chance for the GOP nomination.

Newt Gingrich is probably the smartest guy in the room. Not only did he have the right answers, he also had a plan. He's a no nonsense guy who has a history of knowing how to get things done. But I don't think he has the charismatic personality of some of the other candidates. I don't expect him to win the nomination, but don't be surprised if he's picked as the nominee's running mate.

The candidate that I was most impressed with last night was Herman Cain. He is a great speaker and knows how to drive his point home. He reiterated his 999 tax plan (9% corporate tax, 9% income tax, 9% national sales tax). He also made it known that he wouldn't waiver on his his support for Israel. And he told a powerful story of how Obamacare (if it had been in place during his bout with cancer) could have cost him his life. I really like this guy.

The line of the night was delivered by former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. Referring to President Obama's pitch for "shovel ready jobs". Johnson said that his neighbors two dogs have created more "shovel ready jobs" than the Obama administration.

At this point, I'm still confused on who my top candidate is. I think Mitt Romney came out of last night's debate on top. But I think I would actually vote for Gingrich or Cain if the election was held today. I'm sure I'll change my mind several more times before it's all over.....

kw

Examining The Buffett Rule

As President Obama tries to sell his new jobs plan to Congress, the issue of tax increases on the wealthy seems to be a major talking point. We keep hearing about the "Buffett Rule". In a nut shell, this a reference to some recent comments by billionaire investor, Warren Buffett. He thinks that wealthy people like himself aren't paying enough taxes. He also points out that there's something wrong with a tax code that puts him in a lower tax bracket than his secretary. So far, it sounds like a legitimate argument. But not so fast......

The majority of Mr. Buffett's income is from investments. So, it's not considered earned income. Long term capital gains (anything over 12 months) is taxed at 15%. The bit of information seems to be left out when pushing for the higher taxes. Earned income is taxed at escalating rates, where the highest wage earners are taxed at the highest rates:

Tax Bracket	Single	Married Filing Jointly	Head of Household
10% Bracket	$0 – $8,500	$0 – $17,000	$0 – $12,150
15% Bracket	$8,500 – $34,500	$17,000 – $69,000	$12,150 – $46,250
25% Bracket	$34,500 – $83,600	$69,000 – $139,350	$46,250 – $119,400
28% Bracket	$83,600 – $174,400	$139,350 – $212,300	$119,400 – $193,350
33% Bracket	$174,400 – $379,150	$212,300 – $379,150	$193,350 – $379,150
35% Bracket	$379,150+	$379,150+	$379,150+

Another thing to keep in mind is that most dividends and capital gains are the result of corporate profits, on which regular income taxes have already been paid.

To many, raising taxes on the rich, especially during hard economic times, seems like a popular way to generate revenue. How dare those people live in million dollar mansions and drive Bentleys. The rich are probably not going to get much sympathy from blue collar America. But here's my problem......when did it become so bad to become successful in America? After all, isn't that part of the American dream?

Let's not ignore the fact that wealthiest Americans already pay the majority of the overall tax bill. The wealthiest 5% pay over 50% of the total income tax. And the top half of all taxpayers pay roughly 95% of the total tax bill!

(http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/incometaxandtheirs/a/whopaysmost.htm)

And the rich people of America are often the same folks who create the jobs. So, if these people are squeezed for even more tax money, can we really expect them to hire more employees? If anything, I would expect the direct opposite.

There are some who may argue that the capital gains tax should also be increased. I don't like this idea at all. Americans are already a bit skeptical when it comes to investments. There has to be an incentive for people to take a financial risk. If the risk isn't worth the reward, why even try? I say leave the capital gains taxes alone.

I have heard some politicians talk about the idea of a flat tax and/or a consumption tax. I would not be opposed to these ideas. However, I think it would get spun into another class warfare argument just as the Buffett Rule has been.

I'm not saying that it would be devastating to the rich to pay more taxes. But I also think there are countless families who are living off of the system who can contribute as well. Maybe they can work towards a more productive life and put an end to generation after generation of entitlements. You can call me cold if it makes you feel better. But I know for a fact that there are plenty of people who abuse the welfare system. And there doesn't seem to be much urgency on the government's part to do anything about it.

Hey, here's an idea everyone might actually agree with. If Warren Buffett thinks that he's not paying his fair share of taxes, why doesn't he ease his conscience by writing Uncle Sam a check for a few billion? Better yet, how about if he sends me a check. I'm pretty sure I can spend it more responsibly than the government.

kw

Sawing Logs In Pasadena

I've been dealing with insomnia for quite some time. I first wrote about my slumber issues in my blog entitled "Sleepless In Glen Burnie" (April 2010). I'm no longer living in Glen Burnie but I'm still having the same sleep issues. I think I may have finally figured out the reason why.......

Even after a healthy dose of Tylenol PM's, I still find myself waking up several times of night to the sound of someone sawing logs. Of course, that someone is none other than my wife, Tina. She'll deny that she snores, but trust me, I'm there to witness the commotion every night.

So, what do I do about it?

I always start off with a few subtle nudges. If I'm lucky, this will temporarily knock her snoring out of rhythm, allowing me to grab a few minutes of much needed shut-eye. But then it will inevitably start back up.

Then, I'll nudge a little harder. This always a tricky maneuver because if I nudge too hard, I wake her up and then I have to hear, "Stop pushing me! Now, I'm awake! You're so inconsiderate!"

Yeah, her snoring keeps me up every single night. But I'm the inconsiderate one? I can't win!

One time, I squeezed her nose in an effort to quiet things down. This resulted in a series of snorts and other disturbing noises that started to frighten me. By the time I gave up on this brilliant idea, she she woke up and wasn't very happy. I caught an earful until she fell back asleep approximately thirty seconds later. Meanwhile, I headed off to the medicine cabinet for another dose of Ny-Quil.

A few weeks ago, I woke up thinking that we might be having an aftershock to the recent earthquake. But it was just some turbo-snoring coming from the other side of the bed.

Every now and then, things will take a strange twist and instead of the traditional log-sawing, there will be a whistling sound. Some nights, it sounds like the intro to The Andy Griffith Show! 

Even the cats are annoyed by Tina's snoring. They will sometimes retaliate by knocking things over in the middle of the night. The problem with this is that, on the rare occasional that I'm actually asleep, the loud crash wakes me up. As luck would have it, Tina usually sleeps right through it. But it gives me the perfect excuse to wake her up to ask, "What the hell was that?" Then, while she's trying to figure out what's going on, I try to catch a quick power nap.

So, if you ever see me walking into walls or chugging 5-Hour Energy shots, now you'll know why......

kw

A Stimulating Idea

I've been following President Obama's latest campaign to push his latest stimulus package (aka...The American Jobs Act). This one will come will a bargain basement price of only a half trillion dollars. I don't get it. After spending $787 billion in the American Recovery And Reinvestment Act of 2009, are we really any better? Countless people are still unemployed, the housing market still sucks and the price of gas is still close to $4 a gallon in many places.

Obama also mentioned the need to fix our highways and bridges. Did I miss something here? Isn't this what the last stimulus was for? Where did all of the that money go?

Of course, now there's the current brewing controversy surrounding the solar panel company, Solyndra. The company was on the fast track the bankruptcy and Obama and crew thought it might be a good idea to throw them a $535 federal loan. Of course, now the company has officially filed for bankruptcy, leaving the American tax payer on the hook for the half billion dollar loan. How's that hope and change working out for everybody?

So, how would I have handled it, you ask. Well, it's always easier to Monday morning quarterback but here's what I would have done with the $787 billion. First, I would have kick-offed my plan with the campaign slogan "Yes, We Ken!" To help sell it, I'd probably put up a few subtle billboards along I-95 with a picture of me playing lawn darts with George Washington. Maybe I'd even get some bumper stickers that would read  "Hope This Works!"

Then, I would simply give the $787 billion to the Americans citizens......

Yes, that's right. According to the 2010 census, there's roughly 308,000 people (that we know of) in the United States. If you divide that number into the dollar amount of Obama's last stimulus package, it comes out to roughly 2.5 million dollars per person! (Sorry, if you're here illegally, you do not get to pass go and collect the $2.5 million.)

So, I've just made everyone in America fat, rich and happy! The housing market would boom as countless people would run out to buy homes. The auto industry would be rescued as people rushed out to buy new cars. The retail industry would flourish as parents would head to out buy their spoiled kids even more extravagant electronics. The restaurant industry would boom because who wants to cook when you're a millionaire? Even the banking industry would likely see some stability as people would have money to invest once again. Everyone in America would be doing the Happy Dance!

What about the jobs, you ask. Think about it. Do you really need a job? I just gave you two and half million dollars. Meet me at the bar and let's celebrate!

Of course, nothing is free. This money would have to be borrowed from our buddies in China. But what's another trillion dollars? We still owe the Chinese from the last stimulus and got nothing in return for it. At least with my plan, everyone becomes an instant millionaire! And no need to worry because we'll all be dead when the time comes to pay it back!

Will this frivolous spending have a negative effect on the future of our country? My magic 8-ball points to yes. But is it really that much different than the irresponsible spending the government has been doing lately?

kw

9/11 - Ten Years After

Ten years ago today, all hell was breaking loose in America. Although the tragic events unfolded over a few hours, it felt like a lifetime. I'll bet that everyone still knows exactly where they were and what they were doing on September 11, 2001. And chances are, none of us will ever forget.....  

Even after all of these years, when I see the images of  September 11, I can still feel the raw emotions that I felt back then. Although the pictures and news clips are often tough to watch, I still watch them. I never want to forget the way things unfolded on that September morning.

In the initial days following the attacks of September 11, there was an ironic twist of beauty in the way that America became instantly united. I instantly wondered why it takes a tragedy to bring us all together.

Remembering the compassion and acts of heroism of 9/11 still makes me emotional even ten years later. The bravery of the first responders at the Twin Towers is something that I'll never forget. While the buildings were burning and on the verge of collapsing, these guys still ran in to save as many people as possible. Many of them never came back out........

  

A lot has happened in the past ten years as a result of the events of 9/11. We have have sent countless troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, including several friends and family members. Thousands of these brave men and women never came home. A tragic reminder that freedom isn't free. Our troops have sacrificed so much for America over the years and words can't describe the respect that I have for them. They are simply the best.

Someone recently asked me if the events of 9/11 changed me in any way. I thought that this was an very interesting question.

Basically, I think I'm the same person that I was ten years ago, but I believe that my appreciation of life and more specifically, life in America has increased dramatically. Of all of the places on this earth, I was born in America. Does it really get any better than that?

Although I've heard it countless times, I still get goosebumps every time I hear The Star Spangled Banner. And I'm still in awe of anyone wearing the uniform of the United States military. Although professional athletes often get the spotlight, don't forget who our real heroes are........

I've spoken to a few anxious parents who were in the process of sending their sons or daughters over to Iraq or Afghanistan. I know how I felt when my only son was deployed to Iraq. I worried every day while he was gone, but the pride of knowing what he was doing for our country carried me through. The message that I try to give other parents is that their son/daughter is doing an admirable thing for which our country will be eternally grateful. They are now a member of an elite group called the United States Military. And that's something to be proud of!

.................................................................................................................................

Today, let us remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Keep the number 2996 in mind. That's how many people never came home as a result of the attacks. Each one of these folks had a family who will likely be on a emotional roller-coaster ride today. Keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.

Let us remember how we felt as a country ten years ago. At least for a while, we had no differences. We were one big family of Americans. Do you remember that? Maybe we can try to treat each other with that respect and compassion again. For all the people who died as a result of 9/11, I think it's the least we can do.

Here's an idea......If you see someone in need, lend them a hand. If they attempt to compensate you in any way, just ask them to help someone else out in the future (aka... paying it forward). At the very least, if you see an American without a smile today, give them yours.....

Ironically, sometimes the worst times bring out the best in the human spirit. This was never more more evident than on September 11. 2001. America has always been a resilient nation. When we are united, there is nothing big, strong or evil enough to bring us down!

May God bless the families of the victims, may God bless our troops and may God bless the United States of America!


   

The American Jobs Act

After watching President Obama's address to the Congress last night, I think he made one thing perfectly clear: he wants Congress to pass his "American Jobs Act" immediately! To make his point perfectly clear, he repeated it seventeen times.

Ok, I'll give the guy credit. At least he came up with a plan. With the ailing jobs market, having a jobs plan is a pretty good place to start. But will it really work? And if it does, how many jobs will be created as a result of it? After all, the price tag on Obama's latest "stimulus" plan is estimated to be around $450 billion. This is only a couple of years after Obama pitched his first $800 billion stimulus plan. And that sure hasn't jump started the economy the way it was supposed to.

Ok, onto the speech......

First off, I was happy to hear Obama stay on the topic of jobs. With the reelection season heating up, I was worried that he would transition into campaign mode (it's not like we haven't seen this before) and get sidetracked. Of course, Old Faithful (aka the teleprompter) would be there just in case.

I also like that he was interested in bringing jobs back to America, However, this thought quickly lost steam when the CEO of General Electric was noticed conveniently sitting next to the First Lady  (the Chairman of GE is under fire for shipping jobs off to China). Seeing the GE bigwig in the VIP section just didn't look good when the President was pushing for more "Made In America" labels.

I liked that, according to Obama, the average working class family will get a tax break. The social security payroll tax would be cut for workers as well as employers. Since I don't expect to collect a dime of social security money, the less I have to contribute, the happier I am.

I liked that there would be emphasis to hire those who have been unemployed six months or more. And there would be tax breaks for companies to hire veterans. I agree that we need to do everything for our returning veterans. After sending them off to war halfway across the world, the very least we can do is give them a job when they come home.

Overall, I like the benefits of the American Jobs Act. But I kept asking myself, "How are going to pay for this?"  There will be $253 billion in tax cuts and another $194 in new spending. That's a lot of money for a government that's already in a massive amount of debt. Hey, I know past Presidents have ran up big debts too, but this administration is throwing around billions like dollar bills at a stripper bar!

The Republicans have essentially been backed into a corner. They're unlikely to vote for a bill without having a clear explanation of how it will be paid for. And, if they don't pass the bill, they'll look unsympathetic to the countless of Americans who are out of work.

So, whether or not the American Jobs Act is the solution to beefing up the American workforce, I think we can all agree that something needs to be done. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the Congress over the next couple of weeks.....

kw

Should Welfare Recipients Be Drug Tested?

      

Back in July, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a controversial bill into law that requires welfare recipients to take mandatory drug tests. Of course, there are passionate arguments on each side. Many people feel that the welfare system is often abused with no oversight from the government. And they want a reassurance that recipients are at least trying to better themselves. Staying off of drugs is certainly a right step in the direction of a self-sufficient life. And let's face it, proponents of the bill certainly don't want to subsidize recreational drug use (and in worse cases, full blown addiction) while they're out busting their own asses to put food on the table. Even if they're working hard to put beer on the table, I think that they have a legitimate beef.

On the other hand, opponents of the bill argue that their civil rights are being violated, namely the Fourth Amendment. In fact, to no one's surprise, the ACLU is already planning a lawsuit. They already have a lawsuit on behalf of state workers who are currently required to take drug tests.

So how does this thing work in Florida, you ask.....

Basically, eighty percent of Florida's roughly 100,000 welfare recipients are children. They are understandably exempt from the drug tests. However, Mommy and Daddy will have to shell out $30 for the mandated tests. If they pass, they get their $30 back, and the postman keeps dropping off the government checks. If they fail, they do not pass go, do not collect $30 and the mailbox becomes a little lighter next for the next year. They would be required to designate another individual to receive benefits on behalf of their children.

Hey, I'm not casting judgement and I don;t want to come off as being unsympathetic. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everyone in this country financially independent. I realize that the need for welfare does exist. But is asking recipients to submit to a random drug test really that bad? After all, countless American workers are required to take drug tests in order to keep their paychecks rolling in. So, why shouldn't we expect the same requirement from welfare recipients?

My understanding is that the overwhelming majority will pass the tests anyway. Now, why is that? Could it be because most welfare recipients aren't on drugs? Or perhaps it's because drug users won't submit to the tests or apply for benefits in the first place?

So, what do you think of all this? Do you think that all welfare recipients should be required to take a drug test? Or do you think that it's a blatant violation of the Constitution's unreasonable search and seizure protection?

Personally, I have no problem with the drug testing, so I'm not likely to join up with the ACLU anytime soon. However, Michigan passed this same kind of bill several years ago only to have it ruled unconstitutional by an Appeals Court. So, will we have the same result in Florida? Or can we expect to see drug testing coming to a state near you?

kw

Uniforms Gone Wild

The Maryland Terrapins had an impressive 32-24 over Miami last night in the season opener. Yeah, the Hurricanes were missing several of their key players, but a win over Miami is always sweet. However, instead of everyone talking about the victory, the new Terps uniforms seem to be the topic of discussion today. Some people loved them and others seem to absolutely hate them. I would have to side with the latter group. I just find the uniform and helmet combo a bit too busy. I have to wonder how many people had the urge to adjust the color setting on the TV after seeing these uniforms.


(OK, I give up. Where's Waldo?)

Just curious......I wonder if the coach feels the urge to wear a striped tie with a plaid shirt on gameday?

Call me boring, but I like the old traditional Terps red and white attire. It was tastefully simple and quickly identifiable to college football fans. With these new uniforms, I have to look away every few minutes or I start to get dizzy.

All right, maybe I'm being a little too hard. After all, there have been many other teams with crazy looking uniforms. Remember the old Houston Astros uniforms from the 80's? As if hitting a fastball off of Nolan Ryan was hard enough, now batters had to stare into this rainbow of colors:


(J.R. Richard and legendary strike-out king Nolan Ryan)

And, of course, there were the shorts that the Chicago White Sox wore during the 1976 season. I mean these guys make it all the way to the big leagues, and now they're forced to wear bar-league softball uniforms? Who came up with this idea?


(No wonder this guy looks pissed!)

The San Diego Padres had their problems back in the 70's too. Of all the colors they could pair together, they somehow settled on brown and yellow?


(Are these ballplayers or a couple of Banana Splits?)

And then coming back to Maryland, who can forget those loud uniforms that the Baltimore Bullets donned back in the day. Normally, the sight of red, white and blue makes me feel patriotic. But when the Bullets mixed it all together like this, it totally backfired:


(If this guy looks confused, I can certainly understand why)

Even the Baltimore Orioles had their fashion mishaps back in the 70's. This was one bad ass pitching staff but they look more like a bunch of pumpkins in these bright orange uniforms:



Personally, I like things straightforward and simple. Take the New York Yankees. Love them or hate them, their uniforms, although quite simple, project a powerful image. If they're still playing baseball 200 years from now, I guarantee you that the Yanks will still be wearing the same ol' pinstripes. Tradition is a beautiful thing!

So, if the Maryland Terps' goal was to make a visual statement last night, I think they succeeded. The new uniforms have certainly grabbed the attention of media sources all of the country. But I say go back to the old red and white uniforms and just keep winning. That will bring all of the attention you'll ever need....

kw

Baltimore - The Worst Drivers in the Nation?

Ironically, as Baltimore hosts it's first Grand Prix race this Labor Day weekend, a report was released that ranked Baltimore drivers as the second worst in the nation (the top honor went to nearby Washington DC).

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/09/01/report-baltimore-d-c-drivers-worst-in-the-u-s/

According to the recent Allstate report, Ft. Collins, Colorado has the best drivers in the country. Having been to Ft. Collins, I can see why they claimed the top prize. The roads are spacious and people just seem to be a lot more courteous. And although Colorado gets it's share of snow, the drivers there don't panic at the sight of the first snowflake. In the Baltimore area, the mere mention of a snowfall creates pandemonium as people risk life and limb to score bread, milk and toilet paper at the local grocery stores.

But is Baltimore really deserving of having the worst driver label? Although you could possibly interchange various East Coast cities, I would say that Baltimore does indeed have it's share of brain-dead motorists. In my opinion, there are are several reasons for this. Let's look at a few......

First off, even though it is against the law to talk on a cell phone while driving (without a hands-free device), most Baltimore drivers still do it. Take a look around the next time you're driving around the city. It's not uncommon to see a woman yapping on a cell phone while she argues with her kids in the back of the minivan. I see this scenario all the time. Texting while driving is also illegal, but it doesn't stop people from doing that either.

I have also seen Baltimore drivers:

• Eating their lunch while steering with their elbows
• Shaving
• Putting on make-up
• Having an intimate afternoon delight at 50 mph
• Watching a movie

And Baltimore drivers have absolutley no patience. Any traffic back-up has the potential to send Baltimore drivers over the edge. This sometimes spills over into an all-out episode of road rage.

And drivers in this area love to lay on the horn. I've seen drivers lose it in the McDonald's drive-thru because they didn't think the line was moving fast enough. As if sounding the horn is going to make their Quarter Pounder with Cheese cook a little faster. Sometimes, it turns into a chain reaction and you'll have a whole sympathy of car horns. And if you happen to be sitting at a red light and don't step on the gas the instant the light turns green, expect to get blasted by the driver's horn directly behind you.

With all of this being said, I believe there are some obstacles that Baltimore drivers do have to contend with....

For instance, all of the red light and speed cameras around Baltimore certainly have to have some impact on driving statistics. Obviously, the number of traffic citations goes up. Of course, government officials claim that these cameras are "for our safety". Personally, I think the officials are full of bullshit. People will slam their brakes in order to avoid receiving a phantom ticket. And this always creates the potential for a rear end collision. But, it's all for safety, they tell us. Yeah, right!

The countless potholes around the city is another source of driving contention. After all, it's kind of tough to steer you vehicle when a pothole just swallowed one of your front tires!

You'll often see panhandlers walking through busy city streets. If you're distracted, by texting for example, you could easily mow one of these familiar Baltimore landmarks over. Along these same lines, there's been a recent rash of hit and run accidents where in at least two cases, people have died.

The only good thing about being worst is that there's always room for improvement. If you find yourself driving around Baltimore, beware and be careful.....

kw

Baltimore Grand Prix

As the Baltimore Grand Prix prepares to get under way, it has already started to generate it's share of excitement. Many of the main strips through downtown have been either rerouted or shut down completely. This has turned downtown traffic into a total clusterf*ck. And commuters are more frustrated than a midget with a yo-yo.

I read an article earlier where the Baltimore Oriole's manager was concerned that some of his players wouldn't be able to make it to Camden Yards in time for the game due to the gridlock. Does it really make a difference at this point  if the Oriole's players show up or not? Nonetheless, what Einstein scheduled Baltimore first Garnd Prix on the same weekend that the Oriole's were in town?

The good news about the big race is that it's expected to bring in a fair amount of revenue for Baltimore. The direct economic impact is predicted to be around $70 million. And the city is expected to receive more than $6 million in annual tax revenue from this and future races. The bad news is that the politicians will inevitably find irresponsible ways to spend it.

But there are some things that I'm concerned about. For instance, I really hope that there are no potholes along the race course. I've seen potholes in Baltimore that could swallow a Cadillac Escalade. I can't imagine what would happen if one of these little race cars hits one at 150 mph. By the way, I wonder if any of the race cars will be sporting spinner rims?

And where are they going to hide all of the "Will Work For Food" guys? Can you see one of these
panhandlers stumbling across Pratt Street while Marco Andretti is making a pit stop? That would make a lasting impression of Baltimore to the rest of the world.

And I sure hope that there is plenty of security at this event. Hey, they don't call Baltimore "the city that bleeds" for nothing. There will surely be plenty of degenerates looking for opportunities to prey on the countless tourists. Hopefully, Baltimore's finest will have plenty of wood shampoo to deal out to these thugs.

And it's got to drive the Mayor and Governor nuts that cars will be going over 100 mph through the city and they won't be able to shell out any red light or speed camera tickets.

I have to admit, I would like to see these cars blazing around the Inner Harbor. I've driven around the area over the past few weeks and the set-up looks pretty impressive. But I seriously doubt if I'll go anywhere near downtown this weekend. I just don't have the patience to deal with massive crowds. I'll likely check it out on TV.

It will interesting to see how everything turns out. If you happen to go, let me know how everything went......

kw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is3TcCBqfC0&feature=related