General Rant

Starting Again

For quite a while I was regular in my posts to my blog. Recently I decided to start on this journey again. Why? Not because I think anyone reads it or I give two-shits about what people think. No, I have found myself referring back to the blog as a diary: photos, events, things I did. The advantage of having this blog is so I can look back at events in my life and maybe share those with my kids.

Today it is September 4, 2021. I am at a Hilton timeshare in Orlando with Mandy, James, Ty, and Everly to spend the weekend. I have a 100km bike ride in two weeks, I have a 200-mile bike ride in 8 weeks. My dog Rabbit passed away one year ago this upcoming week. Yesterday I had news at work (law) blindside me. Today I am relaxed.

My Dad is doing well, at 82. He is living with a woman (not happy about it), but he seems happy. I have two dogs, Sadie and Chopper. I have a gorgeous house, a pool, extra cars that I do not need, a motorcycle, a storage unit, a law practice, and a software company. I am constantly going, going, and going. Kids are in school (Ty in 4th grade, James in 8th grade, Jack a junior at UF, Marcella just graduated, and Haley is working).

My life at 54 – good. My life at 54 – hard. My life at 54 – stressful and taking care of others. My life at 54 – I struggle to find time for me. My life at 54 – doing things for others all the time. My life at 54 – worried about 64.

Six weeks ago today I was in bed with Covid. Six weeks later I am fine, but for a nagging cough. Six weeks later I am riding my bike and playing with my kids. Six weeks later I am glad I had the health and stamina to fight the Covid battle and win. But, six weeks later I realize I need to do more about insurance and planning for my future and my kids future.

Recently someone mentioned – we are “just 9 meals away from anarchy” to me (a nice summary here: https://internationalman.com/articles/nine-meals-from-anarchy/).

Just like my older posts, I continue to be concerned: concerns over disasters (hurricanes, EMPs, solar flares, social unrest), I watch in dismay at the hypocrisy of a media supporting a president who is obviously lacking capacity and a vice president in the wings who her own party resoundingly rejected during the campaign, I see a scared population wanting everyone to wear masks but refusing to acknowledge the deaths that have occurred are in those with obesity (78%) or other underlying health issues, questions regarding science cannot be asked without being called a deplorable or denier, and values that built our country are cast aside as we cannot hurt anyone’s feelings.

It has been a while since I have written. It seemed safer to say nothing and keep my thoughts to myself. This may be my only rant, or there may be more. My goal in starting again though is to take a snapshot of what was, what is, and what might be.

September 4, 2021 by Big Government General Rant

Decisions – Made or Avoided (5/9/2012)

Decisions – Made or Avoided (5/9/2012)

This is the second in a series of columns I am writing around pursuing dreams and changing our lives. I recently wrote about opportunities, often thwarted by inaction and fear. Once an opportunity knocks on our door, deciding how to react is as critical to stepping through the door as recognizing the opportunity itself.

I have identified several decision making processes, most leading to failure: by committee, analysis paralysis, avoidance, and relying on others. I assert it is far safer to make a decision, good or bad, and have the opportunity to change course than to make no decision at all. “The truth is that many people set rules to keep from making decisions.” – Mike Krzyzewski

In large corporate organizations it is easy to see how decisions are made by committee. This allows the individual to avoid responsibility and disappear into the group. The same holds true outside of the professional environment. Many people are guilty of surveying friends, and asking “what do you think?” until time forces a decision. As an example, a man may consider buying a new truck and discuss the details with his friends, co-workers, and family. Most likely he knows what truck he wants, but he fails to make the decision. Through committee he can blame a ‘lemon’ on everyone but himself.

Another form of decision making is analysis paralysis. Using our truck buyer as an example, this type of decision making is based on the relentless collection of data: facts, figures, reviews, and reports. Data analysis becomes the excuse for failure to make a decision because there may be an additional piece of information either for or against the choice. Perfection regarding the choice is sought, however no decision is ever perfect.

Time is the one challenge we all face regarding successful decision making and for some, delay becomes the ultimate decider. Time can successfully steal conscious decision making by forcing a deadline to pass and then becomes an excuse by allowing one to state, “I ran out of time.” Often this is conscious avoidance, or procrastination by true description, and the blame is not the clock but the clock-watcher.

Lastly, relying on others to make our choices is the most dangerous form of decision making. For example, as children our parents do this for us or at work supervisors give direction to employees and constantly make decisions for their teams. Thus, it is easy to become guilty of seeking authorities like doctors, teachers, clergy, and even parents to make decisions.

It is critical to empower ourselves and take responsibility for making timely decisions in our lives. Opportunities constantly flow forth and although the desire to step forward may burn within us, bad decision making habits will prevent reaping possible rewards. I assert the risk of a bad, personally made decision is far less than the lost opportunity guarded by the safety of inadequate decision making processes.

May 9, 2012 by General Rant Self Improvemet

Out of Sync

Out of Sync

Annually I experience the same odd weekend in late January or early February void of understanding the fascination of watching steroidal, beast-like millionaires engage in gladiator activities on a Sunday evening. I think my concern would wash away if the obsessed fans were willing to move from the couch and do more than head to Wal-Mart to purchase corn-syrup enriched foods to add to their excessively high caloric intake. For days beforehand morning and evening news programs beam critical messages to the masses about the must-watch game, the cannot wait to be seen commercials, and the over-hyped halftime show. Unable to afford it, but still willing, consumers will purchase new televisions to achieve bragging rights among their friends. Grocery stores peddle mountains of soda and chips at the gateways to their stores and decorate like another holiday has come. On game day over zealous fans will don tribal colors to cheer for their millionaires and some will paint their skin or even forever mark themselves with tattoos. Hilariously, the word “we” will be used more than ever to claim membership on a team although no fan would be allowed near the celebrity players.

With 45.8 million Americans on food stamps it is likely the SNAP card will purchase soda and chips to celebrate the day. For an afternoon the unemployed, those facing foreclosure, and many worried about job security will disregard the true American concerns instead asserting this ritual game as more important. Sadly, these same hurting neighbors will know more about the players, their names, hometowns, and meaningless statistics than they do members of congress, their state legislature, or local elected officials. Ironically, many support the “occupy” movements and fall victim to the populist arguments of today, but fail to realize their own celebration of the ultra-rich further distances the classes. While players unionize to find fairness in the absurd revenue generation, the owners are elevated from the lifestyle of their fans by wealth beyond most imaginations. I wonder how many fans realize a player earns more in one season than most fans will earn in a lifetime?

So, another meaningless game has come and gone and an afternoon of life was given to further reward those our president is suggesting we despise. Of course, many men will take their sons to football practice to teach them the gladiator like throws, and tackles to hopefully make superstars of them, or more importantly demonstrate their masculinity to their tribal friends. The reward of the annual ritual of millionaire game playing is the small boost to the economy and distraction from woe, but the tragedy is the blind following of the masses being entertained like the citizens of Rome as the empire faces collapse.

February 5, 2012 by Controversy Depression General Rant

Alimony

Alimony is like winning the lottery – a lifetime of income incentivized to take from another. I have no objection to a “rehabilitative alimony” scheme to help a former partner gain traction. But a lifetime of lottery winnings arbitrarily tied to another’s success is theft and indenturement. Please read and consider support improving outdated family court laws.

Alimony battle heats up in CA and FL

November 26, 2011 by General Rant

I call Bullsh*t

I call Bullsh-t (11/2/2011)

It is disappointing to see the criticism emerging around the Herman Cain presidential candidacy. The irony spewed forth by the media is appalling and I call bullsh-t on this issue. For whatever reason there is a generally accepted media opinion of republicans as racist. The election of Barak Obama was a historic moment for America, the first non-white elected to office. There will be many other firsts to the presidency in the future, this is just the start.

In 2008 accusations flew that conservatives were anti-Obama because he was black. The problem then became one of questioning any comments, statements, or plans by candidate Obama as being made by a racist, not by a person of differing opinions. Conservatives were shut-down and ultimately afraid to speak their mind regarding the questionable path down which President Obama wanted to take America.

Fast forward three years and conservatives are again targeted by the liberal media bias as racist. Ironically, conservatives are now racists because many support a black man running for president. Herman Cain is a capable businessman with more experience and personal successes than Barak Obama. Instead of organizing communities he ran the Federal Reserve of Kansas City and one of the largest food retailers in the country. His 1994 debate against President Clinton over healthcare reform highlighted his capabilities as a knowledgeable man regarding issues. Personally, I have enjoyed Cain’s conservative radio show and never questioned his race as a factor regarding his views.

Over the last three weeks MSNBC has been at the front of the hypocrisy regarding these issues. On October 14, Ed Shultz, host of the “Ed Shultz Show” commented, “You think about white Republicans who don’t like black folks,” Schultz explained. “It’s almost as if this guy is trying to warm up to them and tell them what they want to hear.” Last week On Martin Bashir’s television program, Democratic strategist and MSNBC analyst Karen Finney said that Republicans are supporting Herman Cain because of his race.

It appears in America to not be racist one has to be a democrat. It also appears even if you are black, you can be racist if questioning the education gaps and the possibility some fault lies personally with people. For my entire life democrats have successfully pandered to minorities in our country under the guise the only solution is through government to increase personal well-being. Most businessmen and Herman Cain too, will argue that success comes from individual achievement, not government charity. I do not want to be part of the government plantation and argue my support of Herman Cain does not make me racist. To MSNBC and the liberal media I call bullsh-t.

November 4, 2011 by General Rant Mainstream Media

Lawyers

Lawyers (8/31/2011)

The problem in America with health care costs, insurance and even consumer costs is lawyers. I fly airplanes and recently was reading a placard in the aircraft, finding it idiotic because it states the obvious: “…failure to properly latch seat and heed all instructions can result in bodily injury or death.” That placard is there due to a widow successfully suing Cessna when he adjusted his seat while climbing out on take-off. The incident was certainly not Cessna’s fault but a jury ruled otherwise.

Some adventure sports like white water rafting and parachuting require a waiver before participating; again to head off lawsuits. Every amusement park in America has a warning to pregnant women and back pain sufferers at the front of each line to mitigate law suits. Similarly, my wife is pregnant and we were required to sign an 8-page disclaimer releasing the doctor of liability if the baby is harmed during birth due to law suits.

Recently I was in Mexico with my kids and took them to an attraction consisting of natural park area, snorkeling, tubing, and other experiences. Walking through the park there were no hand rails to protect against a fall, there were no cameras watching our every move, and there were no warning signs at each ride In fact, it was probably the nicest, cleanest, most cost-effective, freest park experience I have ever head; it existed without the oversight of lawyers fueling idiocracy.

Three weeks ago I traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama and saw shocking “ambulance chaser” billboards. The law firms advertising were seeking clients who cleaned up the oil spill and “might” be exhibiting “any” symptoms of illness. Talk about fishing for monies and setting up for a class action lawsuit.

It is nearly impossible to turn on the evening news in Orlando, Florida without the advertising of a particular law firm shopping for clients to call regarding the latest disease, tragedy, or injury. The only justification for the persistent advertising is the successful income stream generated by settlements made just under the radar of large companies. These under $20,000 lawsuits filed frivolously but settled readily by insurance companies cut costs instead of risking larger expenses in court, a steady windfall for law firms.

Examples abound but now I must ask, is this the lawyers’ fault or the juries making it easy to win “life’s lottery” with a lawsuit. I don’t know that caps on lawsuits are the right answer but I would assert less monies to attorneys and more to victims would make lawyers less likely to shop for victims and more likely to pursue justice.

September 6, 2011 by Capitalism General Rant