Resurrection

Yes, folks. The bdons blog is being resurrected! It's been almost two years since my last post, and it's funny to go back and read some of what was going on in the world then (simultaneously scary, in the context of what is going on in the world now).

Given the political, economic, and cultural climate in America today, I felt compelled to share my views with people on what it all means; or maybe doesn't mean. I hope you'll visit often, as I intend to post one to two pieces a week, in addition to perhaps a random rambling. Most posts will center on what's going on in politics and the economy; this won't be a "hey, here's what up in my life lately" type blog (although I love those of you who keep those). So I hope you'll visit if you want to here one man's point of view, or get some new insights into some current issue. And I am always open to ideas, questions, suggestions, so please use the Comments post to "interact". I hope you enjoy!

Cheers!

I watched the movie "Borat" yesterday - for anyone who likes to laugh (and can laugh without getting all offended - see post below) I highly recommend seeing this movie. It is hilarious. But I have two questions:

1) How did he not get death threats from specific groups of people? I won't say what groups, because I want to encourage you to see the movie and maybe some curiosity will help. But oh man, he really got away with some crazy stuff.

2) Were the people in the movie actors? Because some of the stuff he does, you have to wonder if they were in on it. Especially Pamela Anderson - I won't say more, but if you watch the movie you'll know what I am talking about.

Anyway, it is worth the $5 or whatever to rent or get on-demand if you have not already seen. Enjoy!

Grow Some Balls America

We have sooo lost control of our own country! We are so concerned with "political correctness" that we have actually lost true control of our country. Latest examples of artist censorship: Howard Stern; Don Imus; JV and Elvis; and now, Opie and Anthony. So who makes the decisions around here?

Political correctness has often been associated with the "liberals" (as we are so lovingly referred to as). Well, reality check folks - 2007 PC is not a liberal movement anymore. We better figure out what our priorities are before it is all too late.

Case in point: the Red Cross orgainzation is actually getting rid of their red cross logo because somebody complained that it conotates religion ???????

Reflections on Tragedy

As sad as the entire event is - my thoughts and prayers go to anybody affected by this tragedy in any way, shape, or form - the Virginia Tech shootings are the best thing to happen to Al Sharpton. As a follow up to my last post, did you know that after Imus was fired, Sharpton was receiving death threats? Now, the entire Imus event is ancient history and somewhat irrelevant in the grand scheme (I would argue that it always was). It took something as sad as what happened at VT for people to realize just how silly we all can be sometimes when trying to fill a 24-hour news channel with content.

So after all of it, maybe one positive thing did come out of Blacksburg - perspective.

Perspective on the fragility of life - it is not guaranteed to anybody, although we often float day to day assuming we have tomorrow. Perspective on what is really important - yes, Imus was insensitive to a group of people, but did it really need to become what it did? Taking it where it went just gave more power to the phrase he used, rather than simply ignoring it and thereby defusing its explosiveness. Along with all the other useless crap that news channels debate the hell out of every day. Perspective on human interaction - this kid ran around that campus for years with signs of mental instability, and nobody really bothered to care or take the time to do anything significant about it. And then they act surprised when he loses it, and even more surprised to learn that he was so severely disgruntled by humanity.

Take time every day to recognize where you are, and why. Whether it be enjoying your work, or loving your spouse, or playing with your children - or just reading the thoughts of some blowhard with a blog. Enjoy life as you live it, because as far as we know, this is the only one you get!

I Told You So...

Posted on January 17, 2007...

Are we done with the Duke lacrosse rape case yet? I think it is clear to anybody out there that these guys did not rape or even assault this woman. Common sense tells us it is unlikely - why would rich white lax players rape a black stripper/hooker when they rule the roost with Duke co-eds anyway? And evidence tells us as much - the prosecutor fixed the lineup, the accuser has changed her story three times, all three story changes take more and more blame off of the accused, and two of the three accused have digital records that put them somewhere else at the time of the alleged attack anyway. Come on!

I wouldn't normally say it, but it is deserved in this case...TOLD YOU SO!

I'm Baaaaack

The wait is over, bitches! I am back! As my previous post stated, I was in a six week management training program for my job and I was literally unable to find five minutes to throw up even a random post. But alas, that matters no more!

I have to take a few minutes to weigh in on this Don Imus issue. In my mind, the evolution of this event demonstrates almost everything that is wrong with today's America. Yes, what he said was bad, and wrong. But it was a joke! Certain people who claim to be out for the interests of minorities took this as an opportunity to further their own personal agendas and to fatten their own wallets - yes, that's you Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson. Where are you on gangsta rap, the source of these types of terms and stereotypes? Where are you on more serious issues like poverty, illegitimate children, teenage pregnancy, poor inner city education? - all issues that more widely and more negatively affect the people you claim to fight for than a silly comment from a shock jock?

But here we are - victims of group think. We let the media run with the story because there was nothing else for them to run with, we let disingenuine "activists" leverage the situation for their own personal gain, and we let those "activists" control corporate money in order to control speech and end a 35-year career in a violent crash. I am not even an Imus fan - never listened to him a day in my life - but even I can admit a lynch mob tragedy when I see one.

Hiatus

I know it's been a while since my last post. There is good reason behind that. I was recently moved into a management role at work (I've never really talked about work on this blog, but all you need to know is I am in a new role) and I have been shipped to Manhattan for 6 weeks for an intense training program.

I'll have to take a hiatus during this time, because my schedule just doesn't allow me enough time to maintain. If something important comes up, rest assured I will make an effort to visit and comment, but for all intents and purposes you might as well not visit me on your Favorites list until the first week of April!

See ya!

See?

I called the big game - maybe I should write for ESPN Page 2 or something. Nah, I think I was in agreement with a pretty wide concensus anyway.

To be honest, I was surprised by how close the game actually turned out to be - scorewise. The Colts dominated the ball for most of the game - they both ran and passed the ball effectively, the Chicago offense went almost one full hour (real time) without running a play, and the Chicago D was visibly worn by the end of the 3rd. Anybody watching this would have expected the score to be much more lopsided. Although Chicago's defense didn't hold up enough, they still did better than most teams would have in a similar situation. They just gave up 12 too many points in the end.

To the Bears fans that were so loud and cocky about this game - maybe you learned a lesson about quiet confidence. And like I told you, the city sold its soul for the mid 90s Bulls and you have yet to pay your dues yet. Maybe the Cubs will win this year?

Nahh.