I was trying to reserve comment on the current workers’ strike going on at Ralph’s, VONS, and Albertson’s, but after this past weekend, I feel I must share a different point of view...mine.
Let me first offer the disclaimer that this is my personal opinion and it is not meant to offend anyone, etc. We all know someone who works at a grocery store, and in fact, my first job at 15 was bagging people’s groceries. 95% of my first paycheck went to pay my union dues and I had no health insurance for the entire eight months that I worked there. I have no problem with workers using their right to picket a company when they feel they have a grievance with that company. I do, however, have a problem when those picketers put people in danger, inconvenience their lives, and try to push their position on other people, sometimes with force.
When you watch the news reports about the strike, you are not hearing what is really going on in some places. As most of my readers know, I often relay Teresa’s experiences because I so seldom leave the office anymore that she is the one taking care of our household needs right now. On Friday, Teresa came home with a story that a friend of hers from work had told her. Teresa’s friend’s mother shops at the Ralph’s on La Paz and Aliso Creek in Laguna Niguel, the second closest Ralph’s to my home, and when this Laguna Hills woman went to walk into the store, she was physically stopped and pushed by a worker from that store who did not want her to shop there.
The OC Sheriff was called and the Ralph’s picketer was rightly arrested. That very well could have been one of my loved ones that was being assaulted for going into a store in the United States of America to spend hard-earned dollars on food! That, folks, really pisses me off!
Now on to a Ralph’s in Mission Viejo for Friday night fun. Picketers at this Ralph’s dumped the garbage dumpsters and some shopping carts into the store’s loading dock so that when the non-union driver showed up to make his delivery, the non-union workers at the Ralph’s had to double as garbage men and remove the mess. Once the mess was removed, the driver was attempting to back into the loading dock, but one set of picketers was standing behind the truck to try to stop it and another set of picketers was covering up the truck’s rear view mirrors with their signs. Luckily, no one was run over. The crowd got so unruly that the OC Sheriff was called in to help the truck driver.
Store managers are walking female non-union workers out to their cars at the end of shifts because of threats. And lastly, let me give you my personal experience, which is actually Teresa’s personal experience.
My sweetheart worked six days this week, about 46 hours, paid for her own health insurance because she is a business owner and was not able to shop at the store she normally shops at, the store she feels comfortable at, out of fear of having to deal with one of these people, and on top of it, had to undertake a two-hour ordeal just to shop at the Stater Brothers this Sunday, her one partial day off.
Picketers are affecting the lives of my loved ones then have the nerve to demand my sympathy? Sorry picketers, but you can go to hell! We are business owners who pay for our own health insurance, pay our own state employment taxes, and pay our local taxes, which unfortunately, are currently paying the OC Sheriff to go out on picketer-related calls. Picketers are exercising their American right to picket while at the same time, bullying other Americans into not being able to exercise their rights of not living in fear and being able to spend their hard-earned dollars where they want to, and are also attempting to force American-owned corporations to operate their businesses in a manner they see fit as opposed to how the corporations see fit.
Not only are these picketers not getting my sympathy right now, they are quickly gaining my anger and disgust. I’m supposed to boycott Ralph’s because they’re evil corporate villains while workers are picketing, but then once the workers are back at work, drawing a salary from that company’s profits once more, I am supposed to go back to shopping there and support the store like I have been all along? If they are so freakin’ evil, why are these folks going back to work for them when the strike is over?
I watched a teamster on the local news talk about how concerned he was for the public’s safety because replacement drivers didn’t know how to drive as well as he did, but if this guy was actually concerned about anyone else besides himself, and actually really concerned about the public’s safety, I think he’d be behind the wheel of his truck despite all things as opposed to standing by, holding a sign while unsafe drivers are out on the streets with us.
Though I know all picketers are not being violent and unruly out there, each and every one is still affecting all of our lives to get their point across. We’ve shopped at the stores they work at and have paid their salaries all this time and when it comes time to get their point across, time to ensure their lives are not affected, we’re the ones that have to endure our lives being affected? I don’t think so.
When it comes time for me to go to the store, I’ll shop at any of these three stores during the strike and once the strike is over, I plan to not step foot in any of those three stores again if I can avoid it. They work hard and have problems...well, so do we, but you don’t see us attacking them over it, do you?
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Friday, October 3, 2003
Some Horrid Hiring Stories...
Let’s face it...good people are hard to find. It is important for us to make sure that our hiring processes are not costing us extremely talented and dedicated personnel.
Whether we conduct the interviews ourselves, or delegate that responsibility to one of our managers, I think it is important for all of us to continually monitor our hiring practices to ensure quality. Let me share with you some of the situations that I have recently heard of prospective employees enduring.
First, be sure that the person doing the hiring knows the ins and outs of the company’s policies and procedures. Imagine that you go on an interview, let the person doing the hiring know that your main focus for taking the job is not necessarily the pay rate, but the hours and the health benefits offered by the company. Later, after accepting the job, you come to find out that your training is during hours you said you would be unavailable and the health insurance benefits that you were told started in two months, actually do not start for six months.
How many times have we all been on job interviews where we were told that a decision would be made by the end of the day and that if we did not hear from the person doing the hiring by the end of that day, we could assume that we did not get the job? I had my share of interviews back in the day and folks back then got back to you right away, but what I am hearing is that now-a-days, prospective employers are telling prospective employees this, not getting back to them at the end of the day, taking a few days to consider applicants without contacting them, then calling to offer jobs two to three days later.
Naturally, a prospective employee has other interviews and in each case, the prospective employee had taken another job by the time the person who told them to assume they did not get the job without a call by the end of the day called them back. In each case, the prospective employer lost the candidate that they felt was most qualified, simply because they did not follow through.
Keep in mind that even if you have not made a decision, if you have told prospective employees to assume they did not get the job if they do not hear from you by the end of the day, you should call and let them know you are still considering the candidates. Why would they do anything other than assume they did not get the job if they have not heard from you? All we are talking about here is professional courtesy. Make the calls in your last hour at the office, or on the way home, but do not leave people hanging...that’s just rude and translates into bad business.
Lastly, though it is important to take the time necessary to consider candidates for a position, we must also consider and understand that in many cases, the candidates are interviewing with other companies so though decisions should be thorough, we must take care not to drag out the interview process too long.
For example, one prospective employee went on a job interview on August 12th and was told that the employer was interested in hiring her, but that a second interview was required. Then, there is no word from the prospective employer until two weeks later, when on August 26th, the prospective employee is asked to come in for a second interview on August 28th, a full 16 days after the first interview. Naturally, the prospective employee had already been hired by someone else, again, a loss to the employer.
Whether we conduct the interviews ourselves, or delegate that responsibility to one of our managers, I think it is important for all of us to continually monitor our hiring practices to ensure quality. Let me share with you some of the situations that I have recently heard of prospective employees enduring.
First, be sure that the person doing the hiring knows the ins and outs of the company’s policies and procedures. Imagine that you go on an interview, let the person doing the hiring know that your main focus for taking the job is not necessarily the pay rate, but the hours and the health benefits offered by the company. Later, after accepting the job, you come to find out that your training is during hours you said you would be unavailable and the health insurance benefits that you were told started in two months, actually do not start for six months.
How many times have we all been on job interviews where we were told that a decision would be made by the end of the day and that if we did not hear from the person doing the hiring by the end of that day, we could assume that we did not get the job? I had my share of interviews back in the day and folks back then got back to you right away, but what I am hearing is that now-a-days, prospective employers are telling prospective employees this, not getting back to them at the end of the day, taking a few days to consider applicants without contacting them, then calling to offer jobs two to three days later.
Naturally, a prospective employee has other interviews and in each case, the prospective employee had taken another job by the time the person who told them to assume they did not get the job without a call by the end of the day called them back. In each case, the prospective employer lost the candidate that they felt was most qualified, simply because they did not follow through.
Keep in mind that even if you have not made a decision, if you have told prospective employees to assume they did not get the job if they do not hear from you by the end of the day, you should call and let them know you are still considering the candidates. Why would they do anything other than assume they did not get the job if they have not heard from you? All we are talking about here is professional courtesy. Make the calls in your last hour at the office, or on the way home, but do not leave people hanging...that’s just rude and translates into bad business.
Lastly, though it is important to take the time necessary to consider candidates for a position, we must also consider and understand that in many cases, the candidates are interviewing with other companies so though decisions should be thorough, we must take care not to drag out the interview process too long.
For example, one prospective employee went on a job interview on August 12th and was told that the employer was interested in hiring her, but that a second interview was required. Then, there is no word from the prospective employer until two weeks later, when on August 26th, the prospective employee is asked to come in for a second interview on August 28th, a full 16 days after the first interview. Naturally, the prospective employee had already been hired by someone else, again, a loss to the employer.
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Does Quality Suffer When Business Is Booming?
On a trip to the Fashion Island Daily Grill on Sunday for breakfast, the extremely slow service gave us time to talk about the nature of why we were receiving slow service.
Why is it that I could walk into the restaurant on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and get perfectly wonderful service, yet when I walked into that same restaurant on Sunday at 11:00 a.m., I received absolutely horrible service?
Now, before you think immediately to factoring in church, the golf course, and any other things that drive more people to the restaurant on Sunday, I would like to propose a point...Whether the restaurant is more crowded on Sunday or not, should I not expect the same level of service on a Sunday?
I think it is up to the manager of the restaurant to ensure that there is enough staff on hand on a busier day, not to just expect that the customers will allow a lower level service because the restaurant is busier. Believe it or not, I was told by the waiter that the bad service I received was because there were just so many tables today...I found it funny because it didn’t look like they brought in more tables...yes, ha, ha, I know what he meant, but why was the service level lower because it was more crowded?
I think the answer is because management did not take the proper steps to ensure that the same high quality of service can be provided, whether the restaurant is half full or completely full.
My point here is that I think each of us need to look at how we provide service to our customers when times are slow and compare it to the service we provide when things are busy. Is the customer suffering because you are busy? They shouldn’t be. It is up to us to take the steps necessary to ensure consistency of service no matter how slow or busy things are for us.
Why is it that I could walk into the restaurant on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and get perfectly wonderful service, yet when I walked into that same restaurant on Sunday at 11:00 a.m., I received absolutely horrible service?
Now, before you think immediately to factoring in church, the golf course, and any other things that drive more people to the restaurant on Sunday, I would like to propose a point...Whether the restaurant is more crowded on Sunday or not, should I not expect the same level of service on a Sunday?
I think it is up to the manager of the restaurant to ensure that there is enough staff on hand on a busier day, not to just expect that the customers will allow a lower level service because the restaurant is busier. Believe it or not, I was told by the waiter that the bad service I received was because there were just so many tables today...I found it funny because it didn’t look like they brought in more tables...yes, ha, ha, I know what he meant, but why was the service level lower because it was more crowded?
I think the answer is because management did not take the proper steps to ensure that the same high quality of service can be provided, whether the restaurant is half full or completely full.
My point here is that I think each of us need to look at how we provide service to our customers when times are slow and compare it to the service we provide when things are busy. Is the customer suffering because you are busy? They shouldn’t be. It is up to us to take the steps necessary to ensure consistency of service no matter how slow or busy things are for us.
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Online Ads...On The Rise?
Even more evidence that the dot-com black hole may have reached infinite zero and is again expanding can be found in the latest numbers for Internet advertising.
C’mon, you remember when there were salesmen who wanted to sell you banner ad space on their web site? They were the guys that would take shares of stock instead of money as payment.
Anyway, enough of the history lesson...Believe it or not, spending for online advertisements is expected to be higher in 2003 than 2002, the first increase since 1999.
If that doesn’t shock you, how about what that figure for 2003 will be...$6.3 billion. Still not surprised? Online advertising will increase for 2003, but other media such as radio, TV and print will not.
C’mon, you remember when there were salesmen who wanted to sell you banner ad space on their web site? They were the guys that would take shares of stock instead of money as payment.
Anyway, enough of the history lesson...Believe it or not, spending for online advertisements is expected to be higher in 2003 than 2002, the first increase since 1999.
If that doesn’t shock you, how about what that figure for 2003 will be...$6.3 billion. Still not surprised? Online advertising will increase for 2003, but other media such as radio, TV and print will not.
Friday, August 1, 2003
Why Is Ben On The C-Note?
Have you ever wondered why Benjamin Franklin is the only person featured on American paper currency who is not a former President of the United States? To find the answer, we must travel back to Ben Franklin’s day, but make a quick stop in an America on the brink of civil war.
When Abraham Lincoln took over the presidency, despite nearly one hundred years of existence, our fine country still did not have a federal, nation-wide currency. Realizing that war was eminent, and that a federal currency would be needed to fund and control war-time spending in the North, Mr. Lincoln ordered the first printing of the US federal dollar.
So, what did America do for money for the first hundred years? Would you believe that local banks printed currency notes themselves? You went to your bank, withdrew a note for a pre-designated amount and traded it with a store owner for goods on the pretense that the store owner could go to your bank and draw on the bank’s funds or have money put in his account to cover the amount of your purchase.
Bank notes back then worked much like a check works today. One of the main problems with this bank note system was that at any given time in pre-Lincoln America, up to 2/3 of the bank notes being passed around were counterfeit. In fact, one of the major British war efforts in the 1770s was to flood the American colonies with fake bank notes to destabilize our new, independent economy.
Some of the bank notes were easily forged by the monarchy, while others were very difficult to copy. And whose were the most difficult to copy? Why, the ones designed and printed by Mr. Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, or course. Hence, the well-deserved honor of gracing the $100 bill.
When Abraham Lincoln took over the presidency, despite nearly one hundred years of existence, our fine country still did not have a federal, nation-wide currency. Realizing that war was eminent, and that a federal currency would be needed to fund and control war-time spending in the North, Mr. Lincoln ordered the first printing of the US federal dollar.
So, what did America do for money for the first hundred years? Would you believe that local banks printed currency notes themselves? You went to your bank, withdrew a note for a pre-designated amount and traded it with a store owner for goods on the pretense that the store owner could go to your bank and draw on the bank’s funds or have money put in his account to cover the amount of your purchase.
Bank notes back then worked much like a check works today. One of the main problems with this bank note system was that at any given time in pre-Lincoln America, up to 2/3 of the bank notes being passed around were counterfeit. In fact, one of the major British war efforts in the 1770s was to flood the American colonies with fake bank notes to destabilize our new, independent economy.
Some of the bank notes were easily forged by the monarchy, while others were very difficult to copy. And whose were the most difficult to copy? Why, the ones designed and printed by Mr. Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, or course. Hence, the well-deserved honor of gracing the $100 bill.
Saturday, May 24, 2003
CA State Legislature Of Mexico
What is wrong with the California State Legislature? They’ve forgotten what country California is in! You’re an illegal alien living in California. You’re breaking US law and you should be jailed and deported. You want to become legal? You have to file for a Greencard, right? Not anymore. Walk your illegal ass into your nation’s consulate in California, get an I.D. card issued by that consulate, and you can go get a CA Driver’s License. Now you can cash checks, open a bank account, and drive on roads you didn’t even have to pay for. Are you a terrorist? Even better for you. Sneak into the US, get your Consulate I.D., then go get your Driver’s License, and you can by-pass your visa, student visa, etc. all together. Why the hell would the Legislature do this? They feel illegal aliens should be able to live a “normal” life with driving, checking accounts, etc. even though they are breaking federal law. How long will it be until these liberals want to secede from the Union? You’re putting the lives of US citizens at risk to make non-citizens’ lives a little easier. Federal lawmakers want illegal aliens who have committed crimes detained until their immigration hearing because right now, 1 in 5 who are not detained flee. Our CA Legislature is fighting so that no illegal aliens are detained. John Lee Malvo, one of the D.C. snipers, would have been detained under new federal laws, but would have been set free to kill us in CA.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Hillary Never...
As the 2004 Presidential election gets underway, it is time for me to honor the vow I made to stop at nothing to keep Mrs. Willy Jeff from returning to the White House!
Do I have a problem with a woman being President? No, and in fact, I would like to see Dr. Condoleezza Rice make a bid someday.
Do I have a problem with cheating, Whats-In-It-For-Me, full of it Hillary being President? You bet.
Why do I say she is full of it? Where do I begin, folks? Here's an example...If your family lost someone in the 9/11 tragedy in New York, the good Senator would have been happy to come to the funueral to pay her respects, but there would have to be media coverage of the funeral first. She attended three funerals out of nearly 3000 victims then has the balls to say that she attended a large number of 9/11 funerals?
When writer Steven Brill wrote about this, he received a threatening letter from the good Senator’s office. She’s a liar, like her husband, but at least Willy Jeff has a genuine love and concern for this country.
Hillary is just in this one for herself, folks, and anyone who cannot see that is a poor judge of character. How many times during her stint as First Lady did you hear her say, “I love New York,” but once there was a Senate seat available, she sure wouldn’t shut the hell up about it, would she? A woman in the White House? Yes. Hillary? Oh, please, America....No!
Do I have a problem with a woman being President? No, and in fact, I would like to see Dr. Condoleezza Rice make a bid someday.
Do I have a problem with cheating, Whats-In-It-For-Me, full of it Hillary being President? You bet.
Why do I say she is full of it? Where do I begin, folks? Here's an example...If your family lost someone in the 9/11 tragedy in New York, the good Senator would have been happy to come to the funueral to pay her respects, but there would have to be media coverage of the funeral first. She attended three funerals out of nearly 3000 victims then has the balls to say that she attended a large number of 9/11 funerals?
When writer Steven Brill wrote about this, he received a threatening letter from the good Senator’s office. She’s a liar, like her husband, but at least Willy Jeff has a genuine love and concern for this country.
Hillary is just in this one for herself, folks, and anyone who cannot see that is a poor judge of character. How many times during her stint as First Lady did you hear her say, “I love New York,” but once there was a Senate seat available, she sure wouldn’t shut the hell up about it, would she? A woman in the White House? Yes. Hillary? Oh, please, America....No!
Saturday, May 3, 2003
Regime Change In Cuba...
Could someone please explain to me why in the world the American people are willing to travel thousands of miles to bring freedom to people, yet we tolerate oppression in our own front yard. I am pleased with the prospect of true freedom for the people of Iraq, and more so, for the symbolism of a truly democratic Arab nation in the Middle East, but why is it that we continue to do nothing about Castro? What deal did we cut with this guy in the past that has kept our government from actively pursuing the liberation of the Cuban people? We send professional baseball teams down there to play against Cuban teams instead of pressuring Castro to free the Cuban people. Despite what is called “pressure” from the U.S. government against Castro’s dictatorship, as recently as this month, dissidents that are suspected of talking to U.S. diplomat James Cason have been arrested. It is time for America to use diplomacy, pressure from our allies around the world, and economic sanctions to remove Castro’s dictatorship.
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Welcome To My America...Fat Cat Nation
Writing about politics is not a decision to be taken lightly. While I have brushed on the subject from time to time over the years, I feel that the political climate in America today warrants a more careful and close examination moving forward. The 2000 election provided some insight into an America that is becoming more divided among political views, even after a brief period of unity following 9/11. The 2004 election will no doubt be more of the same.
Each side has dug in their heels and will continue to simply push back rather than to even attempt to compromise. This will make politics in America a rough ride for the foreseeable future. Gone are the days of good-natured and spirited political difference and barbs. Here to stay are the back-handed, personal attacks and comparing anything you don't agree with to Nazi Germany.
There was a time when Americans could handle not winning every time and lost gracefully. There was a time when hard work and dedication were respected and honored, and a lack of hard work and dedication was looked down upon for its true laziness. More and more people want something for nothing, have no respect for the law, and lash out at those who do, and those who have because of their labor.
And that is why there is no time like the present to turn my watchful and critical eye to the state of politics in America today. And while I would never call my brand of satirical, one-sided (my-sided), “right”eous, but still analytical views journalism, there are far too many sources out their that still call their slanted brand of storytelling exactly that. One-sided, politically-correct jab-and-retreat reporting has met with completely biased, unfair shots to the back, yet all of it is somehow still considered journalism today.
Well, I feel it is time to fight back. I feel it is time to demand reasonability from the unreasonable with my own brand of political slant, something that I like to call "My America"...a place I like to call "Fat Cat Nation"...
Taking a certain stand on issues, then going as far as to share your views through the written word is a God- and nation-given right not to be taken lightly. So, what has moved me to write about politics today and in the future? Sure, it's the terrorism that I have seen since I was born an American to an American family that traces its history back to the mid-1700’s on one side, and 1899 and the land bridge to the new world on the other, but there are also another reason.
Though Americans do need to move on and continue to live their lives, that does not mean that 9/11 should be forgotten. You go out there among the masses and listen to what nearly a third of them are saying and doing as our young men and women are risking their lives at home and abroad for our freedoms, and you see that people are already forgetting the horrors of that day. The flag stickers people put on their cars and the flags people put up on their houses on 9/12 are fading and being left to wear already. Those who didn’t put flags up are out attacking police officers and their fellow citizens and even trying to stop supply shipments to our troops as I write this. So, I am unfortunately only able to conclude that while some of us are going to never forget the sacrifices and horrors our nation has endured so that each of us can live the lives that we live, there are far too many who are already taking the sacrifices people made on that day and the sacrifices of our soldiers for granted.
So, I feel like now is the time to get the word out and to do what I do well. Tell stories. This time, they will be political stories about the land I love. So, I hope you will join me in my journey here as I do what I can to incite America to pride, self-respect, and true democracy’s trust of the best-planned government in modern human history. Join me in thanking and supporting our soldiers as well as the families of those who have lost their lives, giving us the lives we live. This is how I want my America to be, and now it is time for me to take a stand, not against a Fat Cat Nation, but for one...
So, who created Fat Cat Nation? Let me be the first to say that it wasn’t me. While I put together the little collage above, that is all for which I can take credit. For once, I must give credit to the young libby bullshitter, the flag-burner, the violent anti-violence protestor, the greedy bastard, the lazy whiner, the deceitful back-stabber, Willy Jeff, and the ungrateful anti-American. I didn’t even come up with the name Fat Cat Nation!
Let’s take a look at that collage...On the far left, you see a heavy-set guy on the cover of an OC Weekly from 2000. What you don’t see is me standing just to his left when this picture was taken. Do you think the OC Weekly photographer told this guy that they were going to put his picture on the cover and make fun of his weight? Aren’t libby people supposed to be against mean people who make fun of other people’s weight because they love everybody?
This picture and tag line are so typical of the hypocrisy that I continually witness first-hand. So, why Fat Cat Nation? Well, I spoke to this guy and he seemed like a nice guy. I had a sandwich, too...why didn’t they take my picture? I lean more to the right, so according to the libbies, I’m supposed to be the mean son-of-a-bitch who hates people, right? So, you take a guy who’s volunteered his time to take pride in America and you slam him for doing so? Needless to say, when I saw this cover, I said, “Fat Cat Nation, huh? You want it, ya bastards, you got it!”
Next to the Fat Cat Nation guy, you see a scan of one of the US flags I display with pride in my home. It’s one of eight up right now with more to come. I think Dana Rohrabacher said it best when he addressed flag burners with his sentiment that if they must burn the US flag, at least they could have the decency to wrap themselves up in it before lighting it on fire. Every time I saw a flag ablaze, it put me one step closer to Fat Cat Nation.
To the right of the flag, a drawing of a WWII pilot with a caption I know anyone in uniform would take to heart. No matter what non-supporters say, our men and women will do what they need to do to protect us all and their right to be non-supporters.
Below the pilot, is a creation of my brother. Meet Uncle Sam Hain, a symbol of folks out there consumed by greed. We love our money, but we know there are things in life that are much more important.
To the right of Uncle Sam Hain is a picture of the front-end of my car. You’ll notice my tribute to 9/11 victims in the red, white, and blue stripes on my headlight. What else does this picture symbolize? Well, there are lazy whiners out there that would tell you I’m a capitalist pig for driving that car and I must say that the car is a symbol of my protest against that view. Before someone comments on what I drive, I hope they’ll have the decency to start their own business, get involved in philanthropy and politics, start trust funds for those in their care and be sure to put in 105 hours of work a week over all seven days. To borrow from the WWII pilot, “You Shut The Fuck Up." I earn it and I give back to those in need.
Above the car, the answer to the back-stabbing, lying, selfish bastards out there in the business world...the F.U. Tie.
To the right of the tie guy, Willy Jeff flipping the bird at the GOP. In my eyes, this so greatly symbolizes the dual personality we endured for eight years. You know he loves America, but you can’t figure out his disrespect for the office he was given. He wasn’t respectful, so I’ll forever call him “Willy Jeff” in return.
To the right of Willy Jeff, the red, white, and blue ribbon, my symbol of thanks for the sacrifices that have given me the life I live. That is a scan of the ribbon I received in return for donating to help 9/11 victims and first responders. I will carry that ribbon with pride forever.
And lastly, the President of Presidents standing before the Sacramento Capital Building the year I was born. What is more American than Uncle Ronnie, ying to Willy Jeff’s misguided wang?
And so, while it has been a long time coming, today, I welcome you all to Fat Cat Nation...
Each side has dug in their heels and will continue to simply push back rather than to even attempt to compromise. This will make politics in America a rough ride for the foreseeable future. Gone are the days of good-natured and spirited political difference and barbs. Here to stay are the back-handed, personal attacks and comparing anything you don't agree with to Nazi Germany.
There was a time when Americans could handle not winning every time and lost gracefully. There was a time when hard work and dedication were respected and honored, and a lack of hard work and dedication was looked down upon for its true laziness. More and more people want something for nothing, have no respect for the law, and lash out at those who do, and those who have because of their labor.
And that is why there is no time like the present to turn my watchful and critical eye to the state of politics in America today. And while I would never call my brand of satirical, one-sided (my-sided), “right”eous, but still analytical views journalism, there are far too many sources out their that still call their slanted brand of storytelling exactly that. One-sided, politically-correct jab-and-retreat reporting has met with completely biased, unfair shots to the back, yet all of it is somehow still considered journalism today.
Well, I feel it is time to fight back. I feel it is time to demand reasonability from the unreasonable with my own brand of political slant, something that I like to call "My America"...a place I like to call "Fat Cat Nation"...
Taking a certain stand on issues, then going as far as to share your views through the written word is a God- and nation-given right not to be taken lightly. So, what has moved me to write about politics today and in the future? Sure, it's the terrorism that I have seen since I was born an American to an American family that traces its history back to the mid-1700’s on one side, and 1899 and the land bridge to the new world on the other, but there are also another reason.
Though Americans do need to move on and continue to live their lives, that does not mean that 9/11 should be forgotten. You go out there among the masses and listen to what nearly a third of them are saying and doing as our young men and women are risking their lives at home and abroad for our freedoms, and you see that people are already forgetting the horrors of that day. The flag stickers people put on their cars and the flags people put up on their houses on 9/12 are fading and being left to wear already. Those who didn’t put flags up are out attacking police officers and their fellow citizens and even trying to stop supply shipments to our troops as I write this. So, I am unfortunately only able to conclude that while some of us are going to never forget the sacrifices and horrors our nation has endured so that each of us can live the lives that we live, there are far too many who are already taking the sacrifices people made on that day and the sacrifices of our soldiers for granted.
So, I feel like now is the time to get the word out and to do what I do well. Tell stories. This time, they will be political stories about the land I love. So, I hope you will join me in my journey here as I do what I can to incite America to pride, self-respect, and true democracy’s trust of the best-planned government in modern human history. Join me in thanking and supporting our soldiers as well as the families of those who have lost their lives, giving us the lives we live. This is how I want my America to be, and now it is time for me to take a stand, not against a Fat Cat Nation, but for one...
So, who created Fat Cat Nation? Let me be the first to say that it wasn’t me. While I put together the little collage above, that is all for which I can take credit. For once, I must give credit to the young libby bullshitter, the flag-burner, the violent anti-violence protestor, the greedy bastard, the lazy whiner, the deceitful back-stabber, Willy Jeff, and the ungrateful anti-American. I didn’t even come up with the name Fat Cat Nation!
Let’s take a look at that collage...On the far left, you see a heavy-set guy on the cover of an OC Weekly from 2000. What you don’t see is me standing just to his left when this picture was taken. Do you think the OC Weekly photographer told this guy that they were going to put his picture on the cover and make fun of his weight? Aren’t libby people supposed to be against mean people who make fun of other people’s weight because they love everybody?
This picture and tag line are so typical of the hypocrisy that I continually witness first-hand. So, why Fat Cat Nation? Well, I spoke to this guy and he seemed like a nice guy. I had a sandwich, too...why didn’t they take my picture? I lean more to the right, so according to the libbies, I’m supposed to be the mean son-of-a-bitch who hates people, right? So, you take a guy who’s volunteered his time to take pride in America and you slam him for doing so? Needless to say, when I saw this cover, I said, “Fat Cat Nation, huh? You want it, ya bastards, you got it!”
Next to the Fat Cat Nation guy, you see a scan of one of the US flags I display with pride in my home. It’s one of eight up right now with more to come. I think Dana Rohrabacher said it best when he addressed flag burners with his sentiment that if they must burn the US flag, at least they could have the decency to wrap themselves up in it before lighting it on fire. Every time I saw a flag ablaze, it put me one step closer to Fat Cat Nation.
To the right of the flag, a drawing of a WWII pilot with a caption I know anyone in uniform would take to heart. No matter what non-supporters say, our men and women will do what they need to do to protect us all and their right to be non-supporters.
Below the pilot, is a creation of my brother. Meet Uncle Sam Hain, a symbol of folks out there consumed by greed. We love our money, but we know there are things in life that are much more important.
To the right of Uncle Sam Hain is a picture of the front-end of my car. You’ll notice my tribute to 9/11 victims in the red, white, and blue stripes on my headlight. What else does this picture symbolize? Well, there are lazy whiners out there that would tell you I’m a capitalist pig for driving that car and I must say that the car is a symbol of my protest against that view. Before someone comments on what I drive, I hope they’ll have the decency to start their own business, get involved in philanthropy and politics, start trust funds for those in their care and be sure to put in 105 hours of work a week over all seven days. To borrow from the WWII pilot, “You Shut The Fuck Up." I earn it and I give back to those in need.
Above the car, the answer to the back-stabbing, lying, selfish bastards out there in the business world...the F.U. Tie.
To the right of the tie guy, Willy Jeff flipping the bird at the GOP. In my eyes, this so greatly symbolizes the dual personality we endured for eight years. You know he loves America, but you can’t figure out his disrespect for the office he was given. He wasn’t respectful, so I’ll forever call him “Willy Jeff” in return.
To the right of Willy Jeff, the red, white, and blue ribbon, my symbol of thanks for the sacrifices that have given me the life I live. That is a scan of the ribbon I received in return for donating to help 9/11 victims and first responders. I will carry that ribbon with pride forever.
And lastly, the President of Presidents standing before the Sacramento Capital Building the year I was born. What is more American than Uncle Ronnie, ying to Willy Jeff’s misguided wang?
And so, while it has been a long time coming, today, I welcome you all to Fat Cat Nation...
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Goodbye, Huntington Beach...
Well, that monstrosity Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa looks like it’s about done. There’s 517 rooms and 52,000 square feet of conference space. To quote OC Business Journal, “This is an exciting time for Huntington Beach! Visitors will be coming from all over the world...” Yeah, exciting news unless you’re one of the poor, unfortunate souls who actually lives in HB. You thought downtown HB was crowded before, try going to lunch or dinner down there this summer. So, who in Huntington Beach is benefiting by this? Well, if you’re a local business owner, you might get some increased traffic, but think what you are losing. You are losing the Huntington Beach that we grew up in. HB city officials, including that damned city council, are looking to make what was once our home town a world-wide tourist destination. The HB Visitors Bureau is ready to launch a new campaign that will target convention planners and leisure visitors like never before. I wonder how many buses OCTA will have to add to their Beach Blvd. route to accommodate all the out-of-city workers who will be coming to clean, service, and maintain this new place...Oh, well, I guess we knew it was coming, right? I spent most of my life there and I for one am going to miss what HB used to be.
Monday, February 24, 2003
My “Fellow” “Americans”...
So, I’m flipping channels the other night and come across a little TV show called “Are You Hot?”. Now, maybe I don’t see a yellow-tinted-glasses-wearing Lorenzo Llamas or a badly-aging Rachael Hunter judging the looks and sex appeal of the common idiot masses as entertainment, but apparently there are millions out there who do.
Please note that when I talk about America, it’s usually, “us,” but when it comes to reality television and the dramas we all just have to watch, folks, there’s usually me and everybody else. I’ve never watched a single episode of The Sopranos. Do I totally love real-life mobster stories? You bet. Do I totally love an intriguing mystery/action novel? You bet. Do I enjoy being the only one in the room that hasn’t seen a single episode of Survivor, Fear Factor, or Who Wants To Marry Some Dumbass Who Wants To Marry Someone On Live TV? See the pattern? You bet!
There was a time when I enjoyed going to a little Italian Restaurant/Irish Bar called BirraPoretti’s at South Coast Plaza. The law aside, I started going there when I was 15 and spent countless hours upon hours enjoying their wonderful Italian food, Guinness on tap, and conversation with the well-dressed, properly-mannered clientele that made up the crowd there for many-a-year. I actually wrote some of my best stuff at one of the tables in the back corner of the bar there.
Then, about four years ago, after decades of a prosperous business model, some dumbass decided to move the tables out of the corners and put big screen TVs in their place. I can call on over twenty witnesses that will tell you, when they put those TVs in, William said, “I give them five years, tops, then they’ll be out of business.” TVs led to the dress code, the dress code led to football jerseys and a slip in food quality, which led to the menu changing, which led to no where. Guess whose doors are closed forever? Thanks, TV! You ruined Birra’s for me!
Now, just when you thought reali-shitty TV could not get any worse, Fox is proud to bring you, “Married By America.” On this one, single folks who haven’t been able to find their significant other are going to be paired up in matrimony by their fellow idiots...sorry, I mean peers. So, these morons are going to let “America” pick their soul mate and then they are going to get married before even meeting each other while “America” watches.
No matter what we’re arguing about and no matter what position you are in during the argument, there seems to be two “Americas.” There’s a 98% and a 2% that used to be a 97% and a 3%. There’s a something-% and a something-% when it comes to every aspect of America. So, while there’s 98% who enjoy reality TV, there’s the 2% of us who do not. So, what’s wrong with those of us who think MTV should show some god-damned music videos once in a while and force those f-ing Real World kids to get lives and jobs? What’s wrong with those of us who aren’t shocked and amazed that some construction worker is experiencing guilt over lying to a group of gold-diggers who are after his fictitious money? Nothing, really, it’s just that we’ve made the choice to experience life ourselves, instead of relishing in other people’s triumphs and defeats (if you can even all them that) while we sit in front of an appliance.
There is so much wonder going on in my romantic life that I don’t need to worry about who J-Lo is screwing this month, even though whenever I watch a 24-hour news channel, I have to turn off the last 15 minutes of every hour because they want to tell me. There are so many wonderful and intriguing people around me that I’ve never had to watch “Friends.” There are too many wonderful things out there in the world to be learned and enjoyed and there is so much to be done in the short time we own this wonderful gift of life. Am I the only one whose life is so full that I don’t have time, nor care enough, to know who’s getting the rose and who’s getting booted of the island, or fjord, or whatever the hell it is this season?
All right, All right, now, I’m not just bashing reali-shitty TV for no reason here...I have a message. See, like I said, there is in America, always two “Americas,” and there is no exception here. How is it that I am able to recite the gist of these shows without every having watched a single one? Between advertising, the buzz, and the media (Fox News Channel is still owned by the same “Joe Millionaire” Fox, people), they’re bombarding the 98%. You don’t want to be the only one at the water cooler tomorrow who didn’t watch, do you?!
So, watch up, 98%, because that still leaves 2% of us that are going to look back and relish in our accomplishments. We’re going to smile, knowing our kids can’t tell you who won American Idol this year, but could tell you the socio-economic reasons Saudi Arabia backed the Taliban (both sets of information are coming from the same appliance, people). One group of kids will settle into couch-potato-ism and another set of kids will one day lead America. 2% is going to hand a generation’s worth of growth, industry, and prosperity over to our kids, knowing that thanks to things like reali-shitty TV, our kids will have even less competition than we did. 98% is going to leave their kids Yoga DVDs by actual Real World cast members and a generation full of Darvas, Richard Hatches, people who will put their heads in a box full of scorpions if the price is right, and sports fanatics who can’t turn the game off long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” to their wife or kids. And yes, I’ve even seen that. Grown men actually reading the closed captions on a game while they sang, one eye on their kid and one eye on the game!
Please note that when I talk about America, it’s usually, “us,” but when it comes to reality television and the dramas we all just have to watch, folks, there’s usually me and everybody else. I’ve never watched a single episode of The Sopranos. Do I totally love real-life mobster stories? You bet. Do I totally love an intriguing mystery/action novel? You bet. Do I enjoy being the only one in the room that hasn’t seen a single episode of Survivor, Fear Factor, or Who Wants To Marry Some Dumbass Who Wants To Marry Someone On Live TV? See the pattern? You bet!
There was a time when I enjoyed going to a little Italian Restaurant/Irish Bar called BirraPoretti’s at South Coast Plaza. The law aside, I started going there when I was 15 and spent countless hours upon hours enjoying their wonderful Italian food, Guinness on tap, and conversation with the well-dressed, properly-mannered clientele that made up the crowd there for many-a-year. I actually wrote some of my best stuff at one of the tables in the back corner of the bar there.
Then, about four years ago, after decades of a prosperous business model, some dumbass decided to move the tables out of the corners and put big screen TVs in their place. I can call on over twenty witnesses that will tell you, when they put those TVs in, William said, “I give them five years, tops, then they’ll be out of business.” TVs led to the dress code, the dress code led to football jerseys and a slip in food quality, which led to the menu changing, which led to no where. Guess whose doors are closed forever? Thanks, TV! You ruined Birra’s for me!
Now, just when you thought reali-shitty TV could not get any worse, Fox is proud to bring you, “Married By America.” On this one, single folks who haven’t been able to find their significant other are going to be paired up in matrimony by their fellow idiots...sorry, I mean peers. So, these morons are going to let “America” pick their soul mate and then they are going to get married before even meeting each other while “America” watches.
No matter what we’re arguing about and no matter what position you are in during the argument, there seems to be two “Americas.” There’s a 98% and a 2% that used to be a 97% and a 3%. There’s a something-% and a something-% when it comes to every aspect of America. So, while there’s 98% who enjoy reality TV, there’s the 2% of us who do not. So, what’s wrong with those of us who think MTV should show some god-damned music videos once in a while and force those f-ing Real World kids to get lives and jobs? What’s wrong with those of us who aren’t shocked and amazed that some construction worker is experiencing guilt over lying to a group of gold-diggers who are after his fictitious money? Nothing, really, it’s just that we’ve made the choice to experience life ourselves, instead of relishing in other people’s triumphs and defeats (if you can even all them that) while we sit in front of an appliance.
There is so much wonder going on in my romantic life that I don’t need to worry about who J-Lo is screwing this month, even though whenever I watch a 24-hour news channel, I have to turn off the last 15 minutes of every hour because they want to tell me. There are so many wonderful and intriguing people around me that I’ve never had to watch “Friends.” There are too many wonderful things out there in the world to be learned and enjoyed and there is so much to be done in the short time we own this wonderful gift of life. Am I the only one whose life is so full that I don’t have time, nor care enough, to know who’s getting the rose and who’s getting booted of the island, or fjord, or whatever the hell it is this season?
All right, All right, now, I’m not just bashing reali-shitty TV for no reason here...I have a message. See, like I said, there is in America, always two “Americas,” and there is no exception here. How is it that I am able to recite the gist of these shows without every having watched a single one? Between advertising, the buzz, and the media (Fox News Channel is still owned by the same “Joe Millionaire” Fox, people), they’re bombarding the 98%. You don’t want to be the only one at the water cooler tomorrow who didn’t watch, do you?!
So, watch up, 98%, because that still leaves 2% of us that are going to look back and relish in our accomplishments. We’re going to smile, knowing our kids can’t tell you who won American Idol this year, but could tell you the socio-economic reasons Saudi Arabia backed the Taliban (both sets of information are coming from the same appliance, people). One group of kids will settle into couch-potato-ism and another set of kids will one day lead America. 2% is going to hand a generation’s worth of growth, industry, and prosperity over to our kids, knowing that thanks to things like reali-shitty TV, our kids will have even less competition than we did. 98% is going to leave their kids Yoga DVDs by actual Real World cast members and a generation full of Darvas, Richard Hatches, people who will put their heads in a box full of scorpions if the price is right, and sports fanatics who can’t turn the game off long enough to sing “Happy Birthday” to their wife or kids. And yes, I’ve even seen that. Grown men actually reading the closed captions on a game while they sang, one eye on their kid and one eye on the game!
Monday, February 3, 2003
The Lesson Of Columbia
The first time I saw the space shuttle Columbia, I was six years old, sitting on the floor of my grandmother’s den, watching the very first launch of a space shuttle into space in 1981. The very last time I saw Columbia, I was lying on the floor of my living room, talking on the phone with my brother who was not even born until over four years after Columbia made her maiden voyage into space.
On the morning of January 28, 1986, I was on a whale watching field trip with my sixth grade class and I missed the launch of the Challenger. I was actually sitting on the beach in Newport, eating lunch when I heard what had happened that morning. I had gone to sleep just a couple of hours before we lost Columbia on Saturday.
I pride myself on my patriotism and being appreciative of the gifts I have been given by this nation, but I am afraid that I, too, was guilty of complacency when it came to our space program.
One of the first things I bring up whenever talk turns to 9/11 is my shock...not my shock at what happened, but my shock that our entire nation had its head so far in the sand that no one saw it coming.
I began to talk about an attack on New York even when I was in high school in 1990, and I definitely was talking about it in 1998 when I made the comparison of our state of the nation in 1998 to our state of the nation in 1941.
In 1981, I took great pride in the success of Columbia and in 1986, I grieved with the rest of our nation at the loss of the Challenger crew. Throughout my life, I have enjoyed reading about the space program, watching the launches and live interviews with the crews from space. I also still marvel at the progress of the International Space Station.
I am currently compiling pieces for decorating my bedroom which I am calling the “America” room, but even as I was putting together pieces reflecting the Civil War, World War II, our Cold War culture, 9/11, and the spirit of old New York, the thought never crossed my mind about including our space program.
I am forced to place myself in a category of Americans who had taken the dangers of our space program far too lightly. Saturday, I mourned with the rest of the nation at the loss of the Columbia crew, as well as the symbolism of the loss of the first space shuttle to venture into orbit.
If you watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture, there is a grouping of artwork on the recreation deck of the ship that shows the ships that bore the name Enterprise. One of them is the space shuttle Enterprise, the only of one the six shuttles never to actually fly in space.
It was a novelty in 1979 to show the space shuttle Enterprise in the movie, but as we sit here in 2003, this is now just one of the many small things in life that will remind us of our space shuttle tragedies for years to come.
Whenever I saw a space shuttle, I almost immediately remembered the Challenger. Now, I have two tragedies to remember. Science fiction attempts to teach us where we are going in the future, and also, what we need to do to get there. Remember back to 1979...who could have known then that by 2003, two of the six space shuttles would be gone, and who could have known that we would be stuck in a quandary on February 1, 2003, about how to get our long-term space explorers home from an International Space Station?
On top of it, who would have known in 1979 that in 2003, one of our options would be to rely on the help of our Russian friends? There is in all of this, a lesson to be learned. We lost Challenger in 1986, but we went back up. We lost Columbia in 2003, and we will go back up. We tamed a wild continent called America, even though it took 200 years. We will tame the final frontier, no matter how long it takes.
I am sorry that somewhere between 1986 and 2003, I took for granted the bravery and sacrifice of each person that straps on a space suit and then straps themselves to a controlled explosion to get into space. These people, just as much as any soldier on the battlefield, have helped make America what it is today through their bravery. These are the people who would climb into Discovery, Atlantis, or Endeavor today, despite everything, to go and do their job, whether it be research, defense, or bringing stranded astronauts home.
These are the people that died in a capsule fire, trying to get us to the moon...these are the people that spent the last seconds of their lives, some in 1986, and some in 2003, aboard a space shuttle. Such determination can be summed up in one small phrase...“We are Americans.” I have learned my lesson...I will not forget again...
On the morning of January 28, 1986, I was on a whale watching field trip with my sixth grade class and I missed the launch of the Challenger. I was actually sitting on the beach in Newport, eating lunch when I heard what had happened that morning. I had gone to sleep just a couple of hours before we lost Columbia on Saturday.
I pride myself on my patriotism and being appreciative of the gifts I have been given by this nation, but I am afraid that I, too, was guilty of complacency when it came to our space program.
One of the first things I bring up whenever talk turns to 9/11 is my shock...not my shock at what happened, but my shock that our entire nation had its head so far in the sand that no one saw it coming.
I began to talk about an attack on New York even when I was in high school in 1990, and I definitely was talking about it in 1998 when I made the comparison of our state of the nation in 1998 to our state of the nation in 1941.
In 1981, I took great pride in the success of Columbia and in 1986, I grieved with the rest of our nation at the loss of the Challenger crew. Throughout my life, I have enjoyed reading about the space program, watching the launches and live interviews with the crews from space. I also still marvel at the progress of the International Space Station.
I am currently compiling pieces for decorating my bedroom which I am calling the “America” room, but even as I was putting together pieces reflecting the Civil War, World War II, our Cold War culture, 9/11, and the spirit of old New York, the thought never crossed my mind about including our space program.
I am forced to place myself in a category of Americans who had taken the dangers of our space program far too lightly. Saturday, I mourned with the rest of the nation at the loss of the Columbia crew, as well as the symbolism of the loss of the first space shuttle to venture into orbit.
If you watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture, there is a grouping of artwork on the recreation deck of the ship that shows the ships that bore the name Enterprise. One of them is the space shuttle Enterprise, the only of one the six shuttles never to actually fly in space.
It was a novelty in 1979 to show the space shuttle Enterprise in the movie, but as we sit here in 2003, this is now just one of the many small things in life that will remind us of our space shuttle tragedies for years to come.
Whenever I saw a space shuttle, I almost immediately remembered the Challenger. Now, I have two tragedies to remember. Science fiction attempts to teach us where we are going in the future, and also, what we need to do to get there. Remember back to 1979...who could have known then that by 2003, two of the six space shuttles would be gone, and who could have known that we would be stuck in a quandary on February 1, 2003, about how to get our long-term space explorers home from an International Space Station?
On top of it, who would have known in 1979 that in 2003, one of our options would be to rely on the help of our Russian friends? There is in all of this, a lesson to be learned. We lost Challenger in 1986, but we went back up. We lost Columbia in 2003, and we will go back up. We tamed a wild continent called America, even though it took 200 years. We will tame the final frontier, no matter how long it takes.
I am sorry that somewhere between 1986 and 2003, I took for granted the bravery and sacrifice of each person that straps on a space suit and then straps themselves to a controlled explosion to get into space. These people, just as much as any soldier on the battlefield, have helped make America what it is today through their bravery. These are the people who would climb into Discovery, Atlantis, or Endeavor today, despite everything, to go and do their job, whether it be research, defense, or bringing stranded astronauts home.
These are the people that died in a capsule fire, trying to get us to the moon...these are the people that spent the last seconds of their lives, some in 1986, and some in 2003, aboard a space shuttle. Such determination can be summed up in one small phrase...“We are Americans.” I have learned my lesson...I will not forget again...
Thursday, January 16, 2003
When One President Clinton Isn't Embarrasing Enough
Speaking of decency and integrity...Just when the wound to honor from the first President Clinton in was beginning to heal, everyone is talking about the next President Clinton. Alec Baldwin said that if George W. Bush was elected President, he would leave the country. Well, we know he was full of it because he’s still here, but I’ll make my own vow right now...If we are subjected to a Presidential run by Hillary Clinton, I’m not leaving the country because that is when my fight is going to truly begin. How full of crap is she? She’s currently co-sponsoring a bill that will address the “situation” of out-going Presidents abusing their pardoning power, a bill that became necessary when her family left the white house. Willy Jeff is still under investigation for his pardoning abuse and Hillary is working to keep it from happening again. She does owe him for Monica, though, right? Yeah, let’s keep this group of people in the White House, America.
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