politically speaking

I am starting to resent the lack of any discussion amongst the pundits. I listened to Stephanie Miller on AirAmerica radio this morning for awhile and I am convinced that I would be unable to have a conversation with her.
Her sidekick (don't know his name) laughed at the President for saying that Democrats were "genetically disposed" to something, tax increases, I think. He said that it should be "pre-disposed" and isn't George Bush an idiot for not knowing the proper grammatical usage! Ha-Ha-Ha!!!.
Well, of course, Mr. Sidekick obviously doesn't know much about grammar. "disposed" means 'Having or showing a tendency or likelihood' (Houghton-Miflin Thesaurus). "Pre-disposed" then, means having a prior tendency. "Genetically disposed" means having a genetic tendency or likelihood. "Genetically pre-disposed" means having a prior genetic tendency. What is prior to a genetic tendency? It's a redundant adjective. Tortured use of the language.
But the truth is that I could not care less about his misuse of the English language. It was his superior attitude that he knew the answer and President Bush was just an idiot who was beneath contempt.
I wondered whether I, as a conservative, could have any kind of conversation or discussion with Miller and/or sidekick. I thought not. If I want to discuss abortion rights with them, I am confident that they would just accuse me of being a right wing fanatic nut job for thinking that abortion might not be the best way to deal with an unwanted pregnancy. I don't feel like I could call them and talk to them about it. Their positions are as dogmatic and religious as any on the right.

Sports Notes - Baseball is Dead

As a result of the Dodgers being swept out of the play-offs AGAIN I have to write a few besbol thoughts. I can't believe that this wonderful sport is dying (if it's not dead already). Oh, I know, you're going to say that millions of people attend each season and they sell a billion caps every year. But watch the sport for awhile. Americans don't play bb much anymore. The steroids problem, the lack of homegrown talent.

I am convinced that the best talent goes to the NBA or the NFL. Baseball is just too slow for most people in this MTV age.

But don't misunderstand. I am not asking you to change it or speed it up or glitz it up. It is a beautiful sport. To be a fan you just have to appreciate the fine points of the game. It is slow, chess-like, punctuated with exposions of action and conflict.

Sorry to see it go.

Scandals

I don't trust anyone who calls for someone else's head. That is how you get the hypocrite tag. I want people to act better. I am sick of hearing about our government leader's weaknesses. They all have some kind of weakness. They are just people (even Clinton). The thing is, I want people to acknowledge that they have weaknesses and that they are trying to fight them.

How easy is it for you to overcome your particular weakness? Have you been able to stop smoking? Have you lost those extra pounds you have been carrying around for five years? Fortunately, most of us don't have illegal habits. The illegality of some habits make them harder than others to indulge. Thank goodness. But if you haven't hurt someone, just stop the behaviors. We believe in the standards even if we are not always able to live up to them.

Today Thoughts

I am wondering how some people always seem to be "up" and "positive". I sometimes struggle to keep that smile on my face. Is there some trick to it? or do you just "do it" to quote my friends at nike?