Deep Something

And You Thought The FL Legislature Couldn't Get Crazier

August 1, 2009 B. John 220 Views 0 Comments Carey Baker, Constitutional Amendment, Florida Legislature, healthcare, Healthcare Reform, Scott Plakon

Never sell the wingnut Replublicans in the Florida Legislature short. Last year they were busy saving us all from Automobile Testicles, and tried to eliminate daylight savings time (the logic being it would be less confusing for Senator Bill Posey). So now, two of our distinguished legislators have called for a Florida Constitutional Amendment to prohibit Floridians from participating in, an as yet non-existent, healthcare insurance reform.

Constitution Featured Gay Issues Politics Society

Why Free Speech Isn't Private Speech

July 31, 2009 B. John 316 Views 1 Comment Benjamin Settle, Domestic Partnerships, free speech, Larry Stickney, petitions, Public Expressions, R-71, Restraining Order, TRO, Washington State

Washington State recently enacted a domestic partnership registry and granted most of the same rights held by married people to domestic partners. Needless to say, the wingnut fringe of the Republican party came unglued, and launched a petition effort to repeal the law. The organization sponsoring the drive has sought and received a temporary restraining order to keep the names of the petition signers secret.

Culture Entertainment Featured Fun Stuff

And Now, The Answer to Everything

July 28, 2009 B. John 170 Views 2 Comments Craig Ferguson, Jonas Brothers, life, Youth

Finally, someone has come up with the unifying theory of everything. Thank you Craig Ferguson. This is three and one-half minutes of well spent time.

Culture Family Featured Fun Stuff Technology

Where I Was 40 Years Ago

July 20, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 199 Views 0 Comments 1969, Buzz Aldrin, Cronkite, July 20, Moon, NASA, Neil Armstrong, Schirra, White Lake

Everyone is writing about where they were 40 years ago today when Armstrong and Aldrin first set foot on the moon, so I thought I should also chime in. It was certainly one of those defining moments. I was at White Lake, NC with family and friends.

Culture Featured Fun Stuff

And That's The Way It Was

July 18, 2009 B. John 159 Views 0 Comments Johnny Carson, Journalist, Kennedy, King, news, Reporting, Television News, TV Journalism, TV Journalist, TV News, Walter Cronkite

Despite his having been out of the public eye for so long, it’s sad to know that Walter Cronkite, who died yesterday at the age of 92, is some how no longer there, in the background, keeping alive that last vestige of the true TV journalist. I’m old enough to remember Cronkite, and all the memorable events he reported. Hope you enjoy the video clips, including Johnny Carson’s hilarious take on Cronkite’s retirement.

Constitution Featured General Politics

And To The Republic…One Nation?

July 4, 2009 B. John 205 Views 0 Comments 4th of July, america, America the Beautiful, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Independance Day, July 4th, National Anthem, Ray Charles, Star Spangled Banner

One can’t be as opinionated as I, and not post a message on Independence Day. As I have stated before, I remain concerned about the condition of our Republic. We no longer seem to be one nation…we have devolved into red and blue states, with the extreme right and left pulling the center apart. We’ve become a nation of “haves” and “have nots” We have lost touch with that primary Constitutional principle of “the common good.”

Art Culture Featured Fun Stuff

Something Amazing

July 1, 2009 B. John 202 Views 0 Comments Castle, Paper Sculpture, Sculpture, Tokyo, Uminohotar, Wataru Itou

The internet is great because you sometimes stumble across things that just take your breath away. I came across such a thing this morning. What is most likely one of the largest and most intricate paper sculptures (and certainly one of the most beautiful) is on display in Tokyo at an exhibition called Umi no Ue no Oshiro (A Castle On the Ocean ).

Culture Entertainment Featured Politics

Wow, What a Week Last Week Was

June 29, 2009 B. John 186 Views 0 Comments

It’s pretty hard to get over last week. Governor Sandford in S.C. taking off for a week to play with his girl friend in Argentina. Then we have the death of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and here in Tampa Oxiclean sales person extrodanaire Billy Mays, and then Sunday night, the 51 year old former director of the Florida Aquarium.

Featured Gay Issues Politics Presidency Society

DOMA, Obama and the DOJ

June 15, 2009 B. John 271 Views 1 Comment Constitution, DADT, Department of Justice, DOJ, DOMA, ENDA, Gay Marriage, Hate Crimes, Loving v. Virginia, Obama, Scott Simpson, Smelt v U.S.

Mr. President, I was finally prompted to write you after reviewing the Motion and Brief submitted by W. Scott Simpson, Chief Trial Counsel of your Department of Justice in the case of Smelt and Hammer v. United States. I’m no attorney, but even a layman can determine bigoted and hateful reasoning when it rears its head. I voted for you with high expectations that your administration would return this country to the principles of fairness, respect, and government of, by and for the people as set forth so eloquently by our founding fathers. Thus far, I am gravely disappointed in the actions of your administration.

Business Congress Economy Featured Politics Presidency

Single Payer Health Care-The Only Option

June 7, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 198 Views 0 Comments bill moyers, Health Insurance, healthcare, Healthcare Reform, Insurance, Universal Healthcare

Leave it to Bill Moyers to be the voice of sanity in an otherwise insane discussion about healthcare reform. A recent report showing the majority of bankruptcies in America are healthcare related (and most of those people have healthcare insurance) should be causing Americans to demand that our Congress Critters take a serious look at single payer as the only real way to reform healthcare.

Culture Featured Fun Stuff General Society

Everything I Needed to Know I learned at a 5th Grade Graduation

June 2, 2009 B. John 186 Views 0 Comments 5th Grade, Campbell Park, Elementary School, Politifact.com, Robin Hayes, St Petersburg Times, Stephen Buckley, Virginia Foxx

This morning I went to a nephew’s 5th grade graduation ceremony over in St. Petersburg. I found it telling that the speakers two main points were about responsibility: taking responsibility for yourself and your own actions; and being responsible in the friends we choose.