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Year: 2008

The Popularity Contest

I am constantly amazed by people who base their decision about who to vote for as President of the US based on their like or dislike of the Presidential candidate’s running mate.

I cringe everything I hear or read statements such as:

“If Hillary was the VP candidate, I know I would then vote for Obama.”

or conversely:

“I really like Sarah Palin, so my vote is going to McCain.”

Unless I missed an amendment to the Constitution somewhere along the way, I think the President is still the Chief Executive and that the buck still stops in the Oval Office at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,DC USA, not in the VP’s office.  While VPs have no doubt provided advice and counsel to their bosses over the years, the fact remains that as Chief Executive, the President is the ultimate decision-maker.   And, in my opinion, the important issue here is which Presidential candidate is best qualified to lead the country over the next four years, not whether one likes or dislikes the VP candidate.

The Great Debate

Last night’s McCain/Obama debate met my expectations.  That is, it did nothing to change my opinion of either candidate one way or the other.  And I doubt very seriously if the remaining two debates will change my prospective vote.

Maybe I’m just too much of a pessimist (or realist) to think that either candidate’s campaign promises will come to pass.  Right now I’m more concerned with just what impact the current financial crisis will have on me personally.  Truth be told, neither candidate can do much of anything about the financial mess other than inherit it!

Maybe it is time to take my money and run…or at least stuff it under my mattress for a while. 🙁

Yes, I’m still here!

It’s been quite a while since I posted anything here, so guess it is time put up or shut up.  There is no particular reason I have not been heard from in a while.  All is well here and life goes on as usual.  Except for the constant bombardment of political ads on TV for both presidential candidates that should offend the sensibilities of anyone with an IQ above that of a fruit fly.

JITH 2008

We just got back for our annual trek to the Jamboree in the Hills in Morristown, Ohio.  The crowd was smaller than usual this year.  Might be due to the over $4.00 per-gallon cost of gasoline and maybe the gradual decline in the number of big name acts over the years, coupled with the increases in ticket prices.

But once again a good time was had by all, except for an hour or two on Sunday afternoon when the venue got hit by one of those nasty Ohio Valley thunderstorms.  

My famous brother

My brother was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame a few years back, which is quite an accomplishment.  But he’s really made the big time now.  He’s got his own entry in Wikipedia!

So Much for Tradition

For years, the town I live in has had a fireworks display on the Fourth of July.  Last year, for the first time ever, a few of the fireworks accidentally ignited on the ground and caused minor injuries to a few spectators.

As a result, starting this year, the town will have a Laser Light display instead of fireworks.  Safer yes, but I suspect it will not be near as much fun.