America's Embarrassing Export to Italy

After a three-day absence to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday, I am returning with renewed energy.  Today's post deals with an unfortunate product of American culture, Snooki.  Yes, folks, the players from reality TV show Jersy Shore have invaded Italy with their special brand of bad behavior.
Having visited Florence, I witnessed its grandeur first-hand and admired the art displayed there, including the magnificent statue of David that commands the front of Palazza della Signoria.  Why the producers of Jersey Shore thought taking these morons to Florence was a great idea escapes me.

Their drunken escapades might entertain viewers here, but Italy sees little to love about these hooligans.  Their exploits have drawn attention from Italians that border on expressions of horror during a disaster.  In fact, disaster might be the best way to describe this visit.  Last night offered a newsworthy event when Snooki crashed into a partol car, sending two police officers with minor injuries to the hospital.  Is there no end to the total lack of control she exhibits?  Perhaps more pertinent questions should be posed.  Why do people care what these boorish people do?  Who creates these ideas in the first place?  Get a life people!

Italians have dubbed their visitors gruppo di idioti (group of idiots) or something similar, and their notoriety gives me agita.  I have a great idea for Italy to consider.  Give us Amanda Knox, and we'll leave the Jersey Shore bunch to you.  Maybe with more exposure, they might learn to spend time in more meaningful ways than bar hopping and drunken brawling.  I definitely think an exchange is in order.
 

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Ham on Wry Award of the Week--Governor Rick Scott

Photo from miamiherald.com

Promises to whom?

Once again, readers, Rick Scott, the governor of Florida, has stolen the limelight under false pretenses.  Rather than signing the state budget in Tallahassee Thursday, he staged an event at The Villages, a sprawling community for those 55 and over, instead.  "Why would he do that?" one might inquire?  It has a simple answer.  He has strong political support there and can grandstand to his heart's content, one of his greatest strengths (and he doesn't have many).  Prior to taking office in January, Scott lived a life of luxury in a wealthy enclave in Naples, Florida, home to some of the wealthiest people in the country.  'How did he get elected?" the astute reader might wonder.  Simple again.  He spent $77 miillion of his own money, in addition to other contributions, to inundate the airwaves with his insipid smile and his mother assuring us, "He's a good boy."  I found that one of the most objectionable political ads I had ever seen.  What else would one expect a mother to say about her son?

Back to the signing event.  Although it was held in the town square, Democratic Club members and anyone with a sign that didn't support Governor Scott were barred from the event.  I thought we had free speech in America, but I guess that doesn't apply to Governor Scott's events.  In fact, he doesn't actually adhere to the Florida Sunshine Law either, but that's a whole different story.  I would think that anyone confident of his actions would welcome views from all sides, but not so for this governor.  That might be why 57% of respondents in a Quinnipiac poll disapproved of him, while only 29% approved.  Mind you, some of that discontent comes from people who voted for him.

Scott claimed that he slashed an additional $615 million from the budget to cut projects that "special interests" had promoted.  The Miami Herald posted the following information online May 26th:  "In his speech Thursday, Scott omitted many of the serious-sounding programs he cut: homeless veterans, meals for poor seniors, a council for deafness, a children’s hospital, cancer research, public radio, whooping-cough vaccines for poor mothers, or aid for the paralyzed."  Those darned homeless veterans always want something, don't they?  Heaven forbid that we should provide meals to poor seniors.  After all, they should be working for their own food, right?

Even members of the Republican Party found reasons to question his actions.  The following quote from House Speaker Dean Cannon appeared in the same Miami Herald article cited above: 
"House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, took umbrage with Scott’s “new found emphasis” on increased education spending. Cannon pointed out that much of Scott’s vetoes didn’t produce $615 million in cash because the items were for bonding authority or the sale of lands. Cannon said Scott only freed up $100 million, which would only increase education spending by .06 percent. 'What is more surprising is the governor’s sudden emphasis on K-12 education. The budget we sent him funds education at a higher level than the governor recommended just a few months ago, when he proposed a 10 percent cut. The governor communicated numerous priorities during session, and we did our best to accommodate him. It would have been helpful if the governor had shared this new found emphasis with us before the budget was finalized,' Cannon wrote."

Florida can't afford much more of Rick Scott.  His avid supporters fail to realize that the budget cuts will affect all of them adversely.  Services like police and fire protection, children's services, programs for special needs people, and road projects have been cut, while growth laws were changed, leadership funds (read that to mean any company can donate directly to a legislator) were re-established, and other laws enacted that place heavier burdens on taxpayers while making it easier on corporations.  Soctt says he wants to promote jobs, yet his actions have cut existing positions.  Is this a case of The Emperor's New Clothes?  Wake up Florida.  This is your alarm sounding.

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Sarah Palin's on the Move

According to several news sources, Todd and Sarah Palin have purchased a new home in Scottsdale, Arizona.  The 4.4 acre walled compound sold for $1,695,000 and comes complete with a home theater room, a lavish backyard replete with an elaborate swimming pool, and a walk-in wine storage area, among other features.  Not bad for a couple who probably couldn't have afforded digs like this prior to her bid for Vice-President.  It seems they're "moving on up" in the world.

One might question why they chose Arizona.  Various media outlets speculate that Palin will launch her campaign for President from here, giving her easier access to Republican movers and shakers.  Since I'm not on Palin's list of BFF's, I have no idea whether she actually wants to run for President or just wants to keep her face in front of the cameras.  I shudder at the image of Palin at a G8 conference with the likes of Angela Merkel.  Despite her attempt to convince us that she reads prolifically, I have doubts.  Game Change  gave several accounts of her total lack of geopolitical savvy and her refusal to study the information on index cards intended to bring her up to speed.  Who can forget the interview with Katie Couric when Palin couldn't articulate what she read on a regular basis?  She's adept at folksy saying like, "How's that workin' for ya" though. 

Several stories postulated that the chose Arizona because Bristol Plain just plunked down $172,000 cash for a home that sold for $329,960 five years ago.  I guess Dancing with the Stars must have been a lucrative experience.  Amazing, when we consider that prior to that gig, she had little experience in the work world and no advanced education.  Television exposure has done wonders for the entire family.

But, hey, this is America, land of opportunity.  I can certainly give Palin Kudos for knowing how to work the system.  She has a knack for gaining maximun exposure for anything that she does.  I, for one, keep thinking, "Where's the beef?"  More substance and less form, please.

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A Farewell from Oprah

Rarely, have I had the opportunity to watch Oprah's show because of my work schedule.  Today, I made certain that I blocked out that hour because I wanted to see the manner in which she would handle the end of her 25-year run.  Monday and Tuesday's extravaganzas featured glitz, glamour, famous people from a variety of genres, and tributes galore, according to the media.  In stark contrast, the final show used a simple set with an emphasis on Oprah's connection with the audience.  She spoke with the audience as one would converse with a group of friends and recounted lessons she had learned from the 4,561 episodes that aired.

I could wax on about my impressions, but I won't.  Put simply, Oprah spoke humbly and was visibly moved by the frankness and openness that typified her issue episodes.  She firmly declared her belief in God and revealed that she makes decisions based on the insights she receives in her communication with the Creator.  The overriding message in her nearly hour-long presentation dealt with personal responsibility.  She recounted some of the people that had graced her stage who had enormous difficulties and yet chose to live with what they had, like the mom who had lost both of her arms and legs and the woman whose face had been so horribly disfigured that she no longer resembled her former self.  Toward the end of the show, Oprah introduced her fourth grade teacher. Mrs. Duncan, whom she credits with giving her a healthy dose of self-esteem and made her feel loved and appreciated.

As Oprah moves on and spends more time on OWN, her tv network, may she continue her policy of dealing with topics that are often kept hush-hush.  She has allowed people to rid themselves of shame and disgrace by speaking honestly about problems that no one wants to face: sexual predators, child pronography, abusive spouses, etc.  Her immense following can help in making much-needed changes in our society.  She transcended the role of talk show host long ago and has, instead, become a member of her followers' families..  Oprah has demonstrated how to come to terms with who she is and has found her purpose.  In doing so, she encouraged all of us to find our special purpose.  Thank you, Oprah, for opening the door to enlightenment for millions.  I hope one day we can all rejoice in our membership to the family--the human family.

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"It's the End of the World as We Know It"

Harold Camping, the Califronia pastor whose doomsday prophecy made headlines, was proved incorrect when the world survived the May 21st deadline for destruction.  Certainly, evidence was mounting with Japan's tsunami, multiple earthquakes, disastrous tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri, and record-setting floods along the Mississippi, but we survived.  Mr, Camping hunkered down for two days to reflect on why the catastrophe did not occur, and has now offered an explanation.  He was wrong!

Actually, he explained that May 21st was, instead, a judgment day, one that made a final separation between believers and non-believers.  The real Rapture will occur October 21st.  I know most readers will share my immense relief at that news, because it gives us more time to prepare.  Of course, since Camping believes that Christ is judging the world, I guess that autmotically eliminates much of Earth's population from being saved.  I find it quite interesting that a retired civil engineer is privy to this magnitude of "insider information."  He must have had an epiphany at some point while working on a particulaly inspirational project that led him to such wisdom.  Oh, I forgot to mention something important.  He predicted the end of the world would happen in 1994, too, but that was just a test, I guess.

Maybe we should all take a moment to thank Mr. Camping for creating such a hubub about the "end game."  It might make us stop and think about what's really important to us.  Most of us don't subscribe to Camping's theory, but what if the world did end?  Would we need McMansion's, luxury cars, expensive jewelry and clothing, lavish furniture?  Fill in the blanks with anything that comes to mind.  For those who haven't made a "bucket list", take advantage of this opportunity to do so.  We have just under five months to discover whether the world will end.  Let's enjoy ourselves in the meantime.

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An Absence of Literacy

I have long bemoaned the demise of literacy in this country.  As an example, the distiction between bring and take has all but disappeared, and this holds true for journalists and newspeople, who should know better.  It has become commonplace to hear someone utter something like, "Bring your car to the repair shop."  If you don't understand the distinction, check a grammar site on the internet for an explanation.. When I hear someone confuse bring and take, it sounds like a two-year-old's scream to my ears.

For today's post, I turn once again to the St. Petersburg's Times to illustrate the post's title.  Howard Troxler column Sunday dealt with e-mails he had received in response to a previous column about new laws that change voting procedures and voters registration in Florida.  The following quote reveals a person who does not care enough to check what he writes before sending it.

Liberals and democrats rant and rave when anyone wants to equalize the voters rights. For over forty years moving or changing a name, meant simply to updated your information on Election Day. Of course it meant no one could challage your vote, so you could hop around to any polling place, all without the dreaded act of respondability, the Word that liberals and Democrats fear the most, it means they have to do something, and its not free, or at someone elses expense. Yet today we want people to take the step towards respondable personal acts, as american have been freeloading for too long. So to you Mr. Troxler, I want the Governor to ink this Bill and let get back to one vote per citizen. Just like are fore fathers wrote it.

"Challage?"  "Repondability?"  "Are fore fathers?"  These examples point out some glaring errors in communicating the mesage, and I'm certain the astute reader can find several others.  I won't comment on the message content, just the grammar and syntax.  Heaven help us if the writer graduated from a Florida school system, or worse a Florida college or university.  Fortunately, Mr. Troxler did not reveal the author's name, or it might have caused that person great embarrassment.  I just hope that this was not an example of the best responses.

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A Mind Boggling Article on the Spread of AIDS

An article appeared on the front page of today's St. Petersburg Times, which spurred me to write a brief post.  It detailed the story of a young gay man, who had purposely been infected with HIV that had turned into full-blown AIDS.  His only sexual partner had offered assurance that he was HIV negative.  So much for a relationship built on trust. 

The article reveals two terms I had never heard:  "gift giver" and "bug chaser."  The first identifies a person who intentionally infects people with AIDS.  The second refers to people who seek partners that have AIDS, so they will be infected with it.  That's right!  People exist who want to have the disease.  That's the part that boggles my mind.  I had some awareness of gift givers, even though I didn't know these people had a designation.  A few years ago, I caught part of an Oprah show that featured three women who had relationships with men that knew they were HIV positive and did not inform any of their partners of that fact.  But to want AIDS?  Really?  What are "bug chasers" thinking?  Do they not understand the ravages of the disease, despite all of the advances made?

The article speculated about some possible reasons "bug chasers" embark on a quest for AIDS, but no studies have been conducted to determine their motivations.  As if ordinarly life doesn't have enough woes, these people thirst for more.  I am flummoxed by it all.  If anyone reading this can explain, please comment. 

As for the "gift givers" out there, the only protection from them out is to use preventive measures.  No other means can guarantee safety with a partner.   I welcome any and all views about his craziness.  

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