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Musings of a radio talk show host
The weblog below is my online journal for our radio show, MAIN STREET OUT
LOUD. You'll find my opinions on a variety of topics as well as links to other things on the web that I find interesting.
When the spirit moves me, I may also include longer essays.
July 28, 2010
Voting:
Will Haste Make for Further Waste?
Tomorrow, the early ballots will be mailed out in Arizona. Most Arizonans that signed up for early ballots
will receive them on Friday and Saturday. Some will see names they have never heard of and see positions to be filled
that they have no idea as to their function. It will be the first idea that some will have as to who is
running in their district, in their county and/or their state. These conditions are not exclusive of Arizonans.
The scenario plays out all across the country, before tomorrow, after tomorrow and for another three months, plus a few days.
The disturbing part is that some
of these, newly enlightened ballot holders, will vote without any semblance of knowledge. They will mark
their ballot based on familiarity, popularity, ethnicity, party affiliation and other mind-vacant methods. The responsibility
that should accompany every vote, will be dismissed with the signing of the ballot and sending it off. And
afterwards, they will proudly proclaim "I voted". And they will be correct, they voted, they weren't
informed, they didn't vote from a position of strength and knowledge, they just voted.
This scenario
will play out for next few weeks, over and over again. And the shocking part is yet to come. On
the final day to vote in the primary, while many will have waited, they will know no more than the slick
ads have told them. And it will then be, with this slate in the general election, that we will eventually
cast the votes that elect the representatives to guide us. What degree of responsibility will we have used in carving
out the fate of our county, our state and our nation? I will also
vote, but not with the convenience of an early ballot. I will continue to study. I will
be as informed as I can be and I will not vote until I have made the effort to understand each entry and the consequences
of my vote. I am an American! As a young man I served my country with my physical being and today I serve her by seeking wisdom
and defending my inalienable rights by casting a ballot of informed choices. It is the least I can do to show my
gratitude for those, in uniform, that continue to defend her today. And I will vote informed; as an expression
of my deep appreciation for the great gift of freedom. Be informed before you
vote. We can't afford to make any more mistakes.
| Town Hall Meeting on Border Security |
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| Rudi Says "IT'S TIME" |
SPECIAL ADDITION:
See and Hear the Speech
"It's Time" (Securing our Borders)
After numerous requests, we added the video to You Tube for
public consideration. The speech was given Town Hall Meeting on May 27, 2010. SB1070 had been signed by Governor Brewer
on April 23rd and President Obama had invited the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, to speak to Congress
on May 21st. Views and opinions abounded, many from people that had never read SB1070 and some
opinions, from foreign heads of state, suggested America needed to reconsider its stand on immigration. As if these
governments would open their borders or allow illegal immigration to prevail. The federal government questioned:
Is the bill legal? And what about our borders? Does Arizona have a right to protect its border? Should Americans
expect our state and federal government to secure our border? How long have we been talking about this and what is being
done? The town hall meeting was a huge success, there wasn't an empty seat in the house and standing room was non-existent.
Now hear the speech that continues to be talked about, the speech that was unanimously accepted and vigorously applauded. As a side note: Rudi came to America and became a citizen through the legal immigration
process.
A special thank you to Dr. Chris Salvino for
sponsoring such an important event. Learn more about the campaign to elect Dr.Chris Salvino: www.drchrisforcongress.com
July 20, 2010
A
PROUD MOMENT IN AMERICA---FOR AMERICA---BY AMERICANS
31 years ago, my family had gathered at my parents home to watch
the moon landing. I vividly recall sitting on the edge of my parent's couch watching the slow and deliberate descent as
American technology put man on the moon. It was a 10+ on the goose bump scale and,
in this room, as in rooms all across America, respectful silence filled the air.
No one spoke during those last minutes of descent. And then,
the Eagle landed. A proud moment for America and its people.
I can recall the details as
though this happened only yesterday. Yet; it seems so very long ago since we have collectively felt such pride over a single
purpose of accomplishment as a nation.
July 8, 2010
MOST JOB SEARCHES DO NOT INCLUDE
BEGGING FOR MONEY AND SLINGING MUD
Political election
campaigns will soon be entering what is known as 'the political window'. Depending on the election day for the
primaries in a state, that time starts forty-five days before the primary election. So, in Arizona, where I reside,
that window starts July 10th.
If history is to repeat itself and there is no reason to
suspect it won't, then the fur will start to fly. If you live in Arizona and are reading this, you might be shaking
your head, rubbing your eyes and rereading this to make sure you read it right---the part I said about 'the fur
starting to fly'. You read it right and I wrote it with what should happen. But in Arizona, the smear
tactics have been going on for some time already. There are a couple of candidates (one incumbent and one former politician)
that have been bombarding the internet, print media and the air waves with an onslaught of charges that are
anything but in the conscience of good campaign strategies or examples of adult behavior that serve as role models for the
youth of this nation to follow.
While the 'he said---he said' comments seem to just become
more petty, the charges of improprieties, the falsehoods and the lack of commitment to party principles become more
egregious and severe. But, no matter the tasteless route these political foes have staked as their way of
winning over the voter, there is one thing they both have agreed upon. They plan to inundate us with their
lack of integrity, character and respect as long as you and I continue to send them our money. It still amazes me, the
arrogance in the process to political office.
The basic truth is that politicians campaign to
land a cushy job that affords them lots of off-time, benefits and perks that will leave them set for life after
only one term, no more than two and they do all of this on your and my dime. The country has a real unemployment
problem. People are laid off, people have stopped receiving benefits, people are on food stamps, people are losing
their homes and some have lost all hope. But, the politicians are asking you and me to pony up millions
upon millions of dollars for them to spend while they try to convince us (their prospective employer) that they are the best
choice for the job. And they do so with seemingly utter disregard for such admirable qualities such
as principle, honesty, ethics or integrity and fair play that most employers look for within a potential employee.
Read More
May 15, 2010
Today,
on the air, I presented my twelve step program, a program that, I feel, every elected official should enter. I
received an unusual number of comments and requests to put them on the MSOL web site so people could access them with ease.
Therefore, I have done so. Keep in mind, I respect the efforts and the program of Alcoholic Anonymous. There are
many twelve step programs, but they all seem to take their guide from the original program, as outlined in the Alcoholics
Anonymous "Big Book". God, or as some prefer to say, higher power, is an integral part of the AA
program. When I wrote these steps it was not my intent, nor is it today, to suggest that God could be
replaced in the steps of AA. Nor would I suggest that we could possibly compare God with mere mortals.
I did not omit God from my steps because of irreverence, but instead, to make it an absolute point to be reverent. I
altered the steps and replaced words to also be respectful of the steps, traditions and complete program of
AA.
I tailored these steps as though any local, state or federal leader
were stating them as part of their own twelve step program for economic recovery. With that said, imagine those
that represent us, actually following these steps in all of their affairs and I believe you will agree they really
could work---provided our elected officials worked "a program of rigorous honesty".
TWELVE
STEPS TO RESPONSIBLE SPENDING AND BUDGET CONTROL
Step 1. We admitted
we were powerless over spending, that our budget had become unmanageable.
Step
2. Came to believe that a constituency greater than ourselves could bring us back to reality.
Step 3. Made a decision to turn our checkbooks over to the will of the people, by which we were elected.
Step 4. Made a truthful, transparent and complete list of our past and current personal
agendas.
Step 5. Admitted to the American people the exact nature of each payoff or
bribe we entertained or took.
Step 6. Were entirely ready to have the people remove
us through the process of elections or recalls.
Step 7. We asked our constituents for
another chance to show we could overcome the error of our selfish ways--without the need of raising taxes.
Step 8. Made a list of all budget items that jeopardized the people's welfare and safety and became willing
to eliminate them all.
Step 9. Made direct deposits to all budget areas from which
we stole to feed under-funded pet projects, except when those causes were eliminated due to our previous deceitful and selfish
ways.
Step 10. Continued to balance the budget and when we were near to being overdrawn,
promptly corrected it.
Step 11. Sought through listening to the people and through being
rigorously honest, to improve our contact with the people, asking only for clarity so that we could carry out the will of
those we represent.
Step 12. Having had an economical and fiscal awakening as the result
of these steps, we tried to carry the message of a balanced budget and to practice responsible and controlled spending in
all of our financial affairs.
For a point of reference or for more information
about Alcoholics Anonymous, please go to: Alcoholics Anonymous or for a PDF file of the actual twelve steps of AA, please go to: Twelve Steps
March 28, 2010
(Yesterday, on the air, I closed with a plea for attentive driving.
I have received numerous emails asking that I post that segment of the show for everyone to read. With time to reflect
I have altered the original commentary ever so slightly. Its original form is available in the archives.
I hope it makes you think enough so that you will replace your bad driving habits with a new respect as to your obligation
when operating any vehicle or watercraft. You might notice that the commentary has no title.
The title is missing---so are people that sat around the dinner table last Sunday.)
To begin with, the entire staff of MSOL extends its deepest sympathies and sends its condolences to each of the individuals,
and their familes, that were involved in the fatal incident this past Thursday on Carefree Highway. The carnage riddled accident
involved a dump truck, four vehicles and a vulnerable group of nine riders on eight motorcycles. The mental image of
this tragedy, though chilling and gut wrenching, can in no way be as sanguinary as the actual scene.
The fatal accident has claimed four innocent lives and many others are still hospitalized, in critical or serious conditions,
suffering from an endless list of injuries.
The following shouldn't have to be written, spoken or even hinted,
yet some are so wrapt in their world of "it's all about me" that we not only have to say it, but some need it
drummed into their heads: PLEASE, WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL, RESPECT THE OBLIGATION YOU HAVE, TO CONTROL YOUR VEHICLE
AND TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU. Cell phones, navigation screens, DVD players, laptop computers and Ipods
hooked to ear phones all have their time and place--but, that time and place should not involve the operator of a moving vehicle.
If you need to make a call, feel the need to text, plot a route, check emails, put on or freshen your make up, comb
your hair, obstruct your hearing by doning headphones or check the internet---PULL OVER into a safe location. Put the
car in park, turn off the engine and talk, text, plot, read, reply, make yourself glamourous, *blast out your ear drums and
go prematurely deaf and chat on-line to your heart's content. (*Note to the sound blasters that feel everyone
likes what they are listening to---take that sound system to a remote location where only you can hear it.)
But, before you call someone, bluetooth or not, before you text someone, before you deliberately obstruct your hearing with
earphones, glance away at a DVD, enter an address on the navigation system, apply lipstick or check the internet WHILE DRIVING,
ask yourself this quick question. "Will my actions be justified
if I kill someone's child, a baby's parents, a grandparent or a child's loved pet--today?"
When will we learn---in particular--when will YOU learn that Thursday's fatality could have just as easily
been caused by you, could have just as easily included you, either as a driver or any of the victims. Lives have been
taken, families will suffer, futures have ended and courses have been altered-- FOREVER.
March
15, 2010
How Bad Is
It? State Law Presented as Substitute For Parental Control and Direction? Recently, the Arizona Senate proposed a bill that would prohibit writing, reading or sending text messages and
e-mails WHILE DRIVING on a state highway. The bill was defeated, revived for review and passed and is, at present, waiting
for a full senate vote.
I would think that the essence of the bill would get nothing but a nod of approval
by most of us, but I wonder if that would be true of the comments made by supporters of the bill. I can't believe
that we need this law to begin with, I mean how ignorant might we be to feel that such an activity while driving, is a sane
deterent to keeping our eyes on the road as we go 55, 65, 75 miles per hour down the long and winding road? Have things
gotten so bad on the homefront that we need this? And I am not talking about the homefront, in relationship to war,
but instead, I am talking about the homefront as in 'FAMILY AND HOME'.
How did I get to this place
from the bill? Let's look at the supporters' stated reasons for the need of such a bill.
Read More
February 25, 2010
Mental Health
May Solve Political Problems
When I first read the headline in the Arizona Republic this morning, I thought
someone had found some answers to many of the questions that we are asking regarding solving the problems in our state and
national arenas.
What else was I supposed to think? Here is--exactly--what the headline screamed with
authority: Mental-health overhaul clears Senate committee. And, I thought; it should clear
more than just a committe of senators, shouldn't it? If it would clear a Senate committee then surely
it would move on.
Read more
February 7, 2010
Even Mother Nature Has Heard Enough Snow Jobs
There is a snow storm happening in the mid-Atlantic
states, such as hasn't been seen since Congress started looking into the Teapot Dome scandal and the Lincoln
Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C.
I am not one to wish the hardships of winter upon anyone and I am not
one to take lightly the hardships that extreme weather storms, as this one, can weigh upon the ill-prepared, the elderly,
the young, the needy and the homeless. With that said, I can't resist focusing on a certain location
where those affected by this storm are anything but needy.
How ironic that, at the center of this storm,
is Washington, D.C. It is almost as though that relatively small area is the target. Could
it be that this administration and this Congress have upset more than just the people of this great nation?
Could it be that the arrogance and the deaf ears of those that are supposed to represent the people has gone too far?
And could it be that voters and nature are now working together to send a message to those that occupy the offices on Capitol
Hill?
Read More
December 31, 2009
Clueless
in Washington
"HOME"land Security----- We're not talking about here, there and everywhere.
We are talking about our country. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to Mexico and a couple of states and
a few territories. Yes, it seems a large area to cover, but relation to the North American Continent or Asia or some
other great mass, it is smaller than you might realize.
And, while complex, Homeland Security must have
some basic rules and guidelines that it just has to follow. I would think that one of them might
be the adherence to communications regarding potential critical information shared between the CIA, the FBI, the Secret Service
and Homeland Security. After all, didn't we decide that might have helped us to be on alert prior to the 9-11 attacks?
I don't understand why we are falling for the seemingly stunned attitude in Washington
over the latest breach of security, regarding the near catastrophic event on Christmas Day. Doesn't it make sense
to think that on one of the most recognized holidays, a day of Christian significance, that someone of the Muslim radical
community might think this would be a good day for killing Americans?
Doesn't
it make sense that on such a day, that with information, from the father of a Muslim Radical, that Homeland Security and the
TSA might be on the lookout for this person. His father said he might be traveling by air and he sensed his son was
just not right----and WE EVEN KNEW HIS NAME, yet we did nothing. And why? We definitely know why.
Read More
December
5, 2009
Maybe Tiger Should Have Held Onto a Wood and Stayed Out of the Woods
It's the same old story,
no matter how many times it is told and no matter who's name you use when telling it. Whether it's a politician,
athlete, entertainer, business person or some other public figure,when they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar
or their hands on the cookie, they deny and they deny and they deny. (Deny is the mild form of lie that just has a softer ring
to it).
When the denial becomes rather thin, they then say they are sorry and typically, they give some excuse as
to why. Eventually, no matter the clever and deceptive prowess, the truth comes out and they ask for forgiveness and
ask us to mind our own business and go back to paying them, buying tickets or supporting them for whatever it is that they
do to earn lavish life styles at the expense of adoring fans and supporters.
Just a quick observation:
In
all fairness, they are a lot like you and me in one sense, we are pretty good at the denial bit ourselves when confronted
with the same situation and circumstances. But, that is about as far as I would go with the comparison.
Read More
November
30, 2009
Pushers in Washington and Users on Main Street
Washington continues
to amaze even the most skeptical with their spending programs. Its as though they use them as a
pusher uses drugs. They promise a feel-good result and though these drugs are questionable, they are seemingly
legal. Washington has figured out a way to get Main Street high, and they have done it in such a slick
way that neither the pushers nor the users have to look over their shoulder as to who might be watching the selling and use
of these drugs. Main Street principles and hard work seem to have been stepped over in search for another
quick fix--another program that increases the size of a government that just continues to spend and spend. What about the consequences? Of course there will be the occasional court cases,
but not the type that require a public defender, instead, more like the kind that requires a business attorney to account
for the money that was used to buy a quick fix or a good bankruptcy attorney to wash away the debt and bring relief from the
troubled assets (remember T.A.R.P?).
Read More
October 26, 2009
Don't Bring a Stick to a Gun Fight
Have we become numb or indifferent? Have we forgotten our commitment or have we simply found distractions
that have become more important to many of us because we, or our families, are directly affected? We
are engaged in a war and the death toll, civilians included, continues to mount, not so much from conventional weapons, but
more so from suicide bomb incidents. Great numbers are killed in single incidents where vehicles, heavily
loaded with explosive devices, are driven into populous areas with unsuspecting workers, shoppers and visitors.
And let's not forget to add to these numbers the devastation from I.E.Ds planted in the roads, along the roadsides,
in walking lanes and anywhere else the extremists feel they can take enough innocent and/or unsuspecting lives without being
detected. And, how can we overlook the lives taken by those that have explosives strapped to their bodies that they detonate
once they are within the deadly proximity of those that these radicals have been sent to kill.
We continue to add
to the rising count of American military service personnel, both men and women. These numbers are made up of the brave
souls that volunteered to enlist, to defend, to stand for freedom and to oppose oppression, tyranny and a multitude of other
inhumanities.
Read more
September 10, 2009
POINT MADE FOR MANDATORY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
Before I present my
case for MANDATORY health care coverage, let me make one thing clear about the outburst during the President’s speech
last evening. The comment was uncalled for and showed a lack of restraint. It
certainly warranted an apology, personal and without exception. Whether it was directed at the President
of the United States or any other person, the accusation has no place in the public arena of politics or, for that matter,
anywhere else. Crude, rude and uncivil behavior contributes nothing to the welfare of this nation and it
sets the wrong example for our youth. That being said…………… The President’s speech certainly sparked a litany of comments after his address
on Health Care. Not so much of what he said, but what was said from the floor. Congressman
Joe Wilson of South Carolina, with his ‘spontaneous’ outburst emphasized the real need for a modern and extremely
comprehensive health plan; specifically designed to cover the ails that seem to plague many in Washington, D.C. But, I would offer we need MANDATORY health
care coverage for a nation with an increasing number of sick people. People that have a tendency to speak
before thinking, people that can’t control their mouth and people that seem to have a screw missing or at least loose
enough to cause some serious damage. We have much too much disrespect of others and the trend of name calling and accusatory language seems to have taken
a prominent position in Washington. It goes beyond having a foot in the door; this is quickly becoming
an epidemic. Pelosi and her 'unpatriotic' comment, Charlie Rangel and his 'you are too stupid'
comment when asked about his ½ million dollar omission on his tax return and Harry Reid with his
'you can smell them' comment over tourists in Washington. Then add the ‘dignity’ comment
from the Texas Congresswoman and the ‘no matter what my constituents think, I will vote what I think is right’
comment from another congressman. I think a team of doctors and scientists could easily get a grant and start working on finding a cure for ‘mouth
before thought’, more commonly known in medical circles as MBT (any real medical condition is referred to by letters
only). They should set their offices and laboratories in the wings of Congress and the Senate.
As to costs, much will be saved when it comes to purchasing specimens. They won’t need to
stock up on mice, not with so many rats available. While we are without an antidote to eradiate MBT; as long as this condition threatens our
systems, we would be wise to make this coverage mandatory for every person in Washington. And, as
needed, we could extend that coverage to others. And by the way, we certainly would strike out the pre-existing
condition clause of any policy regarding this malady. Then again: Maybe we could all just take a deep breath and engage our brains before we open our
mouths? Who knows, if we think first, we might even find the cure for obesity---since we wouldn’t
have to eat so much crow or humble pie. And that includes me with the rat comment (I couldn’t resist).
August 19, 2009
FLASH: DASH FOR CASH IS SUBJECT TO CRASH
Just one thing before I start. I didn’t just jump on this band wagon; I have been
voicing my concerns over this industry, bailouts and programs since late last year. So, as you can see,
this Administration, this Congress and this Senate listens to me just as much as it listens to you. My view of this oversight
comes in the last paragraph of this article.
'Cash for clunkers' has dealers on edge and hesitant to make any more deals.
The industry has an underlying hum and it isn’t coming from a fuel efficient engine. The program is on hold and
that move is initiated by the same industry it is supposed to help. Why? The program
may have run its course and there may not be any money for subsequent deals. There are many speculations
and even some calculations, but no one, not one person, not one agency can give anything that might resemble real facts.
And so we scratch our heads and ask: How can this be, how can this be happening again? Unfortunately, once again, this administration
has come up with yet another program to spend tax payer money, without a viable method to control the spending.
It seems as though we have been stuck on this crooked path since this ‘hurry up, give me the money’ started
last September. Remember when Henry Paulson said that the financial markets needed a 700 Billion dollar
bail out (T.A.R.P)? That program continues to be questionable and much of the money is still unaccounted
for or not being disclosed as to its use. And since that fiasco, it seems that every ensuing program just
mirrors the unbridled spending and waste. You would think that once would be enough and someone would get
the clue to ride a different pony. Let me clear your mind as you continue to read. When it is all said and
done, the ‘cash for clunkers’ program will have cost more than Congress figured, will uncover some real nightmares
to deal with, somewhere, the end result of these transactions (the recycle bin) will crush parts of the industry to the point
of needing a bailout and we will be put in the position of having to pony up once more. Stay tuned.
Surprised? I bet you are thinking I could have left this paragraph to your imagination, right?! Some
auto dealers are as good as out of business. Why?
Read more....
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