Posts (page 2)
I just came across a link to San Jose's NBC11 link to a documentary they produced on the Japanese Relocation Camps during WWII. While I haven't seen the entire documentary, I think educating people on the fact that Japanese-Americans, a majority of whom called the United States their home, or who were naturally born Americans, were forced to relocate for "their own safety" after Pearl Harbor. While many did so willingly, as a way to help their country, the reality is that most lost their homes and their possessions... not to mention their dignity.
A few weeks ago, my MacBook Pro started shutting down all by itself when on battery power.... kinda sucks when you're working on something and the system doesn't go through the normal shutdown/save-your-stuff routine when battery power is low.
Thanks to WR Hearst, the sound-byte has come to rule the media, whether it reflects reality or not. The philosophy is to ignore context and provide a sub-context to a fraction of a quote... in order to sell newspapers. In today's world, creating controversy sells.
If you've been trying to find Bill Clinton's "McCarthy" quote -- here it is:
"I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who love this country, and were devoted to the interest of this country, and people could actually ask themselves, who's right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics"
It doesn't sound like McCarthy to me -- it sounds more like someone who's observed what everyone but the fanatical have been seeing for as long as the politicking engine has been around... political games turning personal to steer folks away from real issues. While it's easy to single Obama out since Hillary is Bill's wife, his statement has more strength outside of the context of the presidential campaign.
My guess is that this will be one of the memorable quotes about the state of political campaigning for generations, but whose immediate meaning will be lost to our own...
With criticisms of Bill Richardson being launched from all sides, I wonder if the super delegate endorsements for the next President of the United States has more in common with high school student body politics than being good for the People. These unpledged delegates can endorse and vote for anyone -- maybe the one seen as the "winner". The unfortunately reality is few people want to be associated with the loser of a campaign - supporting the "winner" certainly won't hurt.
I just read that one of Obama's co-chairman for his presidential campaign compared Bill Clinton to Senator Joe McCarthy because Clinton said, "you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country..." Talk about taking a sound-byte totally out of context!
After nursing an injured foot and ankle for 3 weeks, I'm finally back on my bike. It was amazing how much muscles atrophy when not used for short periods of time. Things were a bit rough the first 1/2-mile with pains in my right foot and ankle, but after stopping and doing a couple of more stretches on the side of the road, everything was much better!
San Jose is an interesting place to live - however, over the years, I've noticed something. The number of judgemental, self-indugent, self-entitled pricks seems to be increasing. Race, creed and religion don't matter. The only thing that does appears to be a common denominator is affluence.
With a glare, sneer and a shake of the head, these people have placed judgement upon thee. Why do I target affluence? I live in an area of East San Jose that is a paradox in and of itself. There are quite a few homes with multiple families, poverty in the public school system is high, and most of my community learned English as a second language. It's also an area with multi-million dollar homes where Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, highly paid high-tech works, executives, VPs and CEOs live (not to say that they all live in multi-million dollar homes). Then again, most of us in San Jose live in almost million dollar houses, even with the housing slump. We'll see how long that lasts.
Why do I feel this way? Well, it's simple. In an area with such diversity, everyone is exposed to everyone else. However, the only people I've ever seen place judgement on others are those with some level of affluence. When I walk into a tacqueria where no one but myself is fluent in English, I don't see anyone rolling their eyes at me when I butcher my pronounciation of "carne asada burrito".
Now imagin a typical tacqueria goer entering a 5 star restaurant, let's pick any of the decent ones in downtown San Jose. While some restaurants won't really care (this is underdressed Silicon Valley afterall), imagine all those restaurant patrons paying $25 for an American brasserie version of macaroni & cheese and chicken, or $40 for a nice piece of $15 stake after working hard around the house or the yard, or better yet, just roll out of bed and walk inton one of these restaurants. Yes -- it's about the atmosphere and the executive chef. Now think about all those patrons staring you down because you're not part of the club -- I'm not talking about the restaurant, I'm talking about the patrons... my point is that I have never seen someone with seemingly less affluence place judgement on others in their community, other maybe being impressed with someones affluence.
That's not to say that all affluent people are pricks -- just enough of them to make San Jose a less enjoyable place to live. Before you say that I'm just jealous, while I wont' consider myself wealthy, my household comes is within the top percentage of household incomes in San Jose. I'm definitely comfortable.
- 1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
- 2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counsellors called in for traumatized students a nd teachers.
- 1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
- 2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.
- 1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
- 2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
- 1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
- 2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.
- 1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.
- 2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
- 1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.
- 2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
- 1957 - Ants die.
- 2007 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
- 1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
- 2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy
I knew something strange was happening when I was strangely drawn to Mike Huckabee for the 2008 Presidential elections -- and I'm a life long registered (and active) Democrat!
The next time some kid comes by your house pleading to buy trial subscription to the San Jose Mercury News, I have only one thing to say... DON'T!
- Kid wants to go to college and will get a scholarship
- Kid is going to college and needs money
- Newspaper is a XX week trial period
- Trial subscription will automatically end
- I don't need to do anything more
