Study to go off on a rant!

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This is not about religion. 


2 Timothy 2:15  - Study, to show yourself approved.

This and what follows is my opinion and only my opinion.

A few people in my town who would rather share gossip, spread rumor and otherwise ignore the truth are up in arms over an incident that did not take place at our local school.

What did or didn't happen is less relevant than who is complaining. Less relevant because they complain about many things without bothering to get the full story. So, it's old news in one respect that they complain.

This group who has complained has not bothered to learn the truth, not bothered to find out the details, not bothered to educate themselves.

In that, they are no different from groups of complainers in your community.

They complain because the rules are being applied. This bothers them because they did not know what the rules were until said rules were applied. Then, it's time to bring out the torches and pitchforks.

Let me, please, extend this heartfelt and deeply held sentiment to all those who complain as above.

Put in a TV show format so they will understand.

In the United States you have the right to free speech. You have the right to complain. You have the right to verbal diarrhea without knowing what you are talking about.

I also have the right to ridicule you for spouting off and being so uniformed a troop of howler monkeys would make more sense than you.

All together now, aone atwo athree...

In the current debate about our school system, yeah, I do know more than the people who are complaining. Yassee, I read the policy. I read the other policy. I read the other other policy. I even learned about the federal laws and policy. So, yeah, I do know more. I've instructed educators about the various policies and the laws.

2 Timothy 2:15  - Study, to show yourself approved.

These policies, especially the local one, is given to the parent(s) of every child in the school system. The Board of Education asks for feedback. Except from teachers, admin and me, I'm not aware of the BoE getting feedback until the policy is applied. It's also available online. http://tchs.turner.k12.ga.us/?PageName=%27Handbook%27.


When the rules are enforced, those enforcing and creating the rules get more feedback than a Yoko Ono concert.

As for the policy, parents sign off, sometimes, on the policy without ever bothering to read it. This means they have read it, approve of it and agree to it. Ya get that? When you sign something it means YOU AGREE!

 Except in the case of so many people, it doesn't mean that.

"Yes, I signed it. No I didn't read it."

Which, being translated into sheeple is "Yeah I signed it but you can't hold me accountable for that. You see, I'm too bloody stupid to bother reading something that has a significant impact on my life and I trust that you are doing what I want you to do, until you actually do it in which case I will object and demand changes and spread rumors about something that didn't happen in hopes of making such an uproar that something will change, which I will also ignore until something happens and I feel like doing the same thing all over again."

The current matter, paddling, is covered in a number of policies.


And yes, I know the policies. I also know that if those people who complain knew and understood the policies the way I do, they would not be complaining. Would. Not. Because they would know they have nothing to complain about, because they would have seen that the policies were enforced at the beginning of the school year.

But that requires willingness to learn. Sheeple don't learn. Sheep dogs do.

2 Timothy 2:15  - Study, to show yourself approved.

Whither truth?

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I do not frequent the "alternative media" because I get beyond tired of sorting their spin from the news. I don't listen to talk radio or watch TV for the same reason.

Color me whatever you like, but I have this habit of thinking for myself and verifying information before I  believe it.

So, crost my feed yesterday comes a story from alternate media that the president has signed an executive order to ban the import of certain weapons and ammo. It took me clicking that link, an embedded link in that story leading me to another story where I clicked YET another link to finally get to the Federal Register where this all originated.

I had to wade through a bucket load of extraneous links to make that happen too.

So. Don't take my word for what I write below. Find out for yourself.  The Federal Register, BTW, is a massive document published periodically. It contains a report of what the government does. The three pages I reference in the link is partly today's topic.

So, can the president by executive order ban the importation of ammo?

Sorry about this, but gotta swamp you for a moment.

Executive Order 13637
to designate defense articles and defense
services as part of the statutory USML
(United States Munitions List)
for purposes of permanent import
controls, regardless of whether the
Secretary of State controls such defense
articles or defense services for purposes
of export and temporary import; and to
clarify that defense articles and defense
services controlled pursuant to the
Attorney General’s delegated AECA
(Arms Export Control Act)
authority are part of the statutory USML
(along with those that are controlled for
export and temporary import by the
Secretary of State), but that the list of
defense articles and defense services
controlled by the Attorney General is
labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from
the list of defense articles and defense
services in the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms
Regulations) that are controlled
by the Secretary of State.

When your brain stops spinning, this means the president can act pursuant to a law Congress passed. It also references “defense” repeatedly.

Here’s the issue. What does “defense” mean? If that means guns like pistols, shotguns, rifles and ammo for the same for the civilian market, then yeah, the prez can ban in the import. If it means items related to what the military can use, then the prez has no authority here over the civilian market.

Reading further into the matter, I come across this language:

“foreign policy and national security reasons.”

“7 CFR part 447”

“based on the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by the unrestricted access of foreign parties to U.S. goods and technology and the existence of certain boycott practices of foreign nations.”

“This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments.”

“THE U.S. MUNITIONS IMPORT LIST (USMIL)”

Several categories are listed as “reserved” which means there’s nothing there right now. Categories listed are: "CATEGORY VII—TANKS AND MILITARY VEHICLES" and "CATEGORY VIII—AIRCRAFT AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT"

You now have the information. What you make of it is up to your, but at least you have the real story on which the spin is based.

When realities collide

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Being young, stupid and having been shot not too many years before, I was quite full of myself when I stood up before a panel of internationally respected journalists and gave them my 19-year-old's opinion.

At hand was when does a journalist stay a journalist or set aside news gathering to help. I said screw journalism, help  the people!

Me bud Doug Rogers (a freakin' amazing shutterbug) broached the topic on FB: Question for the photogs: Should photographers take pictures of people getting their legs blown off or should they stop (we are assuming that there are enough people there to help)? (in light of the Boston Marathon Bombing)....You already know what I think..

You'll get to what he thinks at the bottom of this piece.

I replied:

This is an ages old argument. However, in this case there is more than just wounded people and journalists with cameras.

1) EMS, nurses and a TRUCKLOAD of people qualified to deal with medical issues were already on scene. This is exactly why the loss of life is so low.

2) Unless the photog had emergency medical training, trying to help in this case would be getting in the way. So, take the pictures.

3) There were loads of other people also trying to help.

In the case of disaster where there was no help, screw the camera. I am a human first. If someone died because I was more interested in a picture - no. I'm not that kind of person.

Whom would you want to explain your actions to?

1) The family of the dead person. "Sorry. Yanno, I have a job to do. Had to get the news."

2) The editor. "Sorry. Person was dying there and I tried to save them."

As a newspaper publisher, I know what I expect my employees to do. You are a human first and a photog next.

Another commentator in this thread looked at it from the victims' perspective: If my legs were blown off, I would be upset if a photog was surrounding me capturing this horrific experience in my life. I would not want to come across any photos of me either. I think there is a tasteful way to capture tragedy. People crying, hugging, helping others, etc. would be more touching and interesting to me.

There's a gut shot for us journalists. At the same time, the comment is irrelevant. I remind everyone the purpose of the media is to make money. Us journalists don't get a free ride. We have bills to pay just like you do. We earn money by delivering the stuff you want to see. In this case, people may say they do not want to see people bleeding with shredded arms and legs. Reality says different. Reality says those are the money shots.

As Don Henley sang "We need dirty laundry."

There's also the question of documenting the event. Without any doubt, the Boston Marathon bombing is the most photographed terrorist attack ever. It will not surprise me if there are more than 1 million static images and more than 100,000 hours of video.

This event needs a human face and that includes tragedy.

I am reminded of the very first disaster covered with something more than just words. The Hindenburg. I am reminded of how Vietnam changed the face of war coverage. I am reminded of how the second battle in Iraq further changed war coverage by sending reporters out with troops.

I've had to cover gruesome events. I still recall the first murder scene I covered. I still CLEARLY see the aftermath of a head-on semi collision and - nah. You don't need to know more. I covered it. I took pictures until I ran out of film.

There was nothing I could do to help. So I documented to the best of my ability. I gathered everything I could and sorted it out back at the office. In the field, in the moment and on the scene is not the time to do intensive editing.

See the whole thread here: and find out what Dougie Fresh thinks

https://www.facebook.com/doug.rogers.7902/posts/10151441599477881?comment_id=26889512&offset=0&total_comments=11&notif_t=feed_comment_reply

Rocking da house

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Eddie James, the singer famous for the song "I Am" was in Lee County on Wednesday night performing at a Church of God. Clan Genius packed up and hauled out to hear this mighty man. This video is nowhere NEAR the experience of seeing him perform live with his kids on stage as well.

"It was awesome," quoth the youngest of Clan Genius (Susan).

Jesse also express, in his own way, that the concert and show were beyond reproach and he had a most wonderful time.

So yeah, it was a night well spent and worth so much more than we dropped in the offering plate.

Yeah. Offering plate. No charge to attend the show. When was the last time you got to see top selling recording artist live for free.

When the night was over Eddie James and his literal bus load of kids left. Yes. Bus load. Eddie runs a program for kids who have been in trouble with drugs. He averages 40 teens and young adults at the time and has adopted many who have gone through his program.

Yeah. Adopted them.

Anyway, the show was a major hit among the young crowd. Kids packed the front of the church, bouncing, jumping, yelling, singing and carrying on. Exactly like they should be doing, especially in church.

Especially. In. Church.

Gonna take some of you a while to get that.

What a night.

Fortunately for most of the young'uns in attendance Wedensday, the concert was not unusual. They are used to church services where they can express themselves.

When I was the age of some of those kids, my church was sit down, stand up, kneel, carefully walk forward and intone at the proper moments. I remember my mother telling me repeatedly if I didn't like something "you can just sit in the car." One Sunday we pulled up at church and I grabbed the Sunday paper to read. "What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I'm going to sit in the car," I replied.

I did not sit in the car, but neither did she threaten me with that again.

If church had been fun, like it was Wednesday night, when I was younger, I probably would have continued to attend through my later teen and young adult years.

Church should be fun. Let kids have a good time. Let them rap, crank the guitars to 11 and pound the skins loud enough to cause tremors. God says we are to enter into his presence with joy and thanksgiving. I think God enjoyed the show Wednesday night too.

Beating you to death with your own horse

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OK, so the title is a badly mixed metaphorical analogy. By now you should be used to that.

Afore I get started, please read this by my longtime friend. Now, please exclude the comments about abortion, Christianity and religion. Examine the substance of what she says.

I believe this can be summed up nicely in the two statements I ripped from her blog:

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, or whatever. I am being forced as an religious context deleted to support something that is a violation of my conscience.

Cut the apron strings. Stand on your own two feet.

Oo. Well said, well said, well said. BooYAH!

Gratuitous RHPS image.

Point 1: She is forced to support something with which she has moral and ethical disagreements. I suspect a majority of people object to being forced to support that which goes against their conscience.

I also know these people, if given the opportunity, would take strong measures to prevent themselves from being forced to support stuff they disagree with. They'd even enact laws and create criminal penalties to prevent being forced to give that support.

Careful with that dead horse, Eugene!

When you decide to legally eliminate support for things you disagree with, then parity, equality, fairness, etc etc etc require that you extend the same right to other people. What are they going to eliminate? What pet projects of yours are gonna be cut? What will be made illegal?

Fortunately my friend has the answer in part two.

Close enough.

S'right. Get off your butt and on your feet. Unless of course you can completely support yourself on your butt. In which case, more power to you.

Stand on your hands for that matter.

One-handed pushups? Rock it like Jack Palance!


If asked, the majority of people I know would also endorse this concept whole-heartedly. Would you? Really?

I doubt it.

Most people will support that idea.

Except when it gets personal.

Except when it it becomes uncomfortable.

Except when it affects them (you) directly.

Except when I apply your reasoning and logic to things you do which I disagree with. Then, I'm wrong, again, and have obviously misunderstood your point. Except I didn't. No one likes to have their own words used against them.

The problem is most people are in full support of parity, being equitable, etc etc etc etc for everyone else. They (you) want special treatment.

Yeah. You do. Argue with me all you want, but when it comes right down to it, your rights are far more important to you than my rights are to you. Again, argue all you want. The empirical evidence is weighted so heavily to my position, yours might as well be on Mars.

Pick a topic. Abortion. Gay marriage. Employment. Taxes. Government supplied services. G'head.

Few are the people who will truly stand up and say "Yeah. I said it. I meant it and if you apply it to me, I'm gonna like it!" I'm trying to be that kind of person, but I admit I have a ways to go.

And you're an expert how?

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In my community there is a person who swears I am beyond an idiot and have no idea how to do my job. 

In case you wonder, I run a newspaper.

This person, who insists I'm clueless, once worked for a newspaper. This person was fired at the end of the probationary period.

Ah. Well, at least this person had SOME idea of what I go through each week in producing a newspaper.

Considering the semantic content, this person's complaints are universal. Which doesn't make sense.

Lemme put this in slightly more personal terms.

You do something, your job. I don't know what it is. I don't have to know. You do it.

Your job takes a certain set of skills, abilities and a few other things which you bring. The job has requirements you must meet. Etc.

Now, here I come. I have never done your job. I have only a vague idea of what it takes to do your job. All I see of your job is the public face. I do not know what you have to do where I cannot watch. Frankly, if I had to do your job, I wouldn't make it through the probationary period and might not last the first day.

"You," I say, "are an idiot and have no idea what you are doing."

You grind your teeth, mutter expletives under your breath and mentally question my sexual habits and ancestry.

You are mad, in other words, because here I come criticizing how you work and there's no way I could do your job.

Sound familiar? Truthfully, you can't count the number of times someone has told you that you are not fit to do your job. Reality is they are the ones who are clueless.

Lean in a bit closer.

How many times have you gone off on someone about how they do their job when you really don't understand what they do and how it has to be done?

How many times have you bitched about law enforcement? How much do you know about their training, the liability they face, the paperwork they have to do, the restrictions they work under and - lean in close again - the idiots they have to deal with on a daily basis?

How many times have you bitched about government spending too much and you have no idea what's in the budget? Do you even know how much real control elected officials have over the budget? When government plans to cut programs and services, how much complaining do you do?

How much do you really know about what it takes to be a full time reporter? Ever sat down and tried to read a file of foot-thick government reports?

How much real experience do you have in running a retail store? Ever filled out monthly sales tax reports? Quarterly income tax reports? Dealt with a wholesale supply company?

What do you really know about the RN does in a hospital? Are you willing to wipe backsides, listen to people scream in pain, watch people die knowing there's nothing you can do, and have to coddle people whom you believe are a waste of good oxygen?

I cover high school sports and often hear parents and other adults on the sidelines screaming at the coach. I have, a number of times, turned to them and said "If you think you can do better, go to college, get a teaching degree, learn to become a coach and apply for the job." I get yelled at in return, but I am right.

My point today is, it's easy to complain but incredibly hard to intelligently and rationally criticize. So, the next time someone goes off on you about how inefficient and ineffective you are at your job, remember you do the same thing to them.

They ain't MOLLY HATCHET but...

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As far as I'm concerned, the best Southern Rock band on the planet is MOLLY HATCHET. My first experience with them was with the No Guts No Glory release. I wore the cassette out and probably damaged my hearing.


When listing my top bands of any any genre, MOLLY HATCHET tops the list. The rest of the list may wobble a bit depending on my mood that day, but the top 20 includes in no particular order today: Judas Priest, Tom Petty, Ozzy, George Clinton, Johnny Cash, Brian Setzer, Pink Floyd, The Ramones, The Doors, AC/DC, David Alan Coe, SRV, Koko Taylor, Clapton, Hendrix, Unknown Hinson, Seth Yacovonne, David Wilcox, Robert Cray, Skynyrd, ZZ Top and a few others. So that's more than 20. I told you it is a fluid list.

A Canadian band that sounds like they should be based in Jacksonville, Muscle Shoals or Macon is a rising star in my list.

http://www.zedhead.ca/

I listened yesterday to The Walrus interview Zedhead frontman Fogman on www.irock109.com . Walrus, who once shot me which firmly cemented our friendship beyond measure, plays cuts from folks I've never heard of. Some of the time I wish he hadn't. Sometimes I'm beyond glad he did.

Zedhead, links to their FB page, is one of those groups.

Growling vocals. Screemin' geetar. A moanin' blues harp and working man lyrics. It's the kinda music that makes me want to find a better set of speakers. By better, I mean louder. They play blues-driven music that is exactly what I like to fire up when I'm in the mood to escape from the world for a while through music. Their music takes me to a place no one but me can reach.

Zedhead is already a popular band for motorcycle conclaves and they are gathering serious attention in Europe. Their American following is limited, but growing.

With the state of music today, I do not know if Zedhead will achieve rock star status. One thing I do know, if their kinda music is what drives your soul, like it does mine, it won't matter what the rest of the world thinks. You'll listen. You'll thank the muses which drive Zedhead and you'll be upset that you didn't find out about this group sooner.