This is one of those things that got me to thinking. While I want to remain neutral in JU feuds, I did get a little intrigued by the charges against the Buddhist practices of one of JU's members. Not a Buddhist myself, I nonetheless have had to learn to understand why I shouldn't take "you're not a good Christian" charges personally, and feel the same principles apply. In my walk as a Christian, I have found there's no such thing as a "perfect" Christian; the closer one SAYS they are to ...

I have been thinking about the assertion that a third party doesn't have a chance in this day and age due to media control, etc. Personally, I think it's a lot of bunk. My position on the "wasted vote" myth is well known, and I feel that, if anything, the internet has increased the chances for little knowns to make great political strides. And, although there's not much in the way of established precedents, I can point to phenomena from this past election to support my thesis. Howard Dean'...

OK... So Lorne Michaels isn't looking for a new head writer for SNL. But, as I dream, I would like to present the following skit suggestions for SNL. I bet ratings would go up, if only from outraged viewers looking at the advertisers to ban the show. I might put up more series, but here are the first two. (fade to SNL set, Gideon is on the bench in judicial robes. caption states: "Michael Jackson jury selection") Horatio Sanz enters wearing a Michael Jackson "zipper jacket", circa ...

My neighbor's grandson is putting his application in for the town marshall's position. Now, he's a good cop as far as I know, but his big issue is drugs. The thing is, he knows I'm a Libertarian. While one the one hand, I hope he does get the marshall's position (I can see benefits to my children once they are teenagers having a good rapport with the town cop), I also know that it would be a bad idea to invite him over to the house regularly. Why? Well, even though my stoner days are lo...

It's interesting to note the initiatives in many US cities to ban smoking in public places. After all, it's what Cuba would do. Starting February 7, the island nation of Cuba, known of course for its fine (and, in the US, contraband) cigars, prohibits smoking in certain public places as part of a health initiative. Fidel Castro, once an icon as a cigar chomping leader, gave up smoking in 1986 and now considers cigars a gift best given to one's enemies. While I don't smoke, and never did ex...

So, I went down to the Post Office today and, though dismayed not to find large sums of cash randomly inserted into my box, was pleased to see that one of my requested catalogs had come in. It was a catalog for farm supply items (can we say "Green Acres", anyone?) and, most importantly, had the information I needed on the chicks I want to purchase. My wife and I had agreed that if the chicks we want to purchase were unavailable (Delaware chicks), or too expensive, we would buy the cheapest ch...

Well, I was having a conversation regarding our vehicle situation as we are hopefully within a couple of days of restoring our "pimped out ride" to the streets. The individual in question mentioned that I would be better off applying our tax money to a new car purchase than buying another used car. That all works well. In theory. The truth is, we're busting our humps just to maintain our current standard of living. We're collecting cans off the highway, we're running as many paper routes a...

Atlanta's rapid Transit system is adding TV's to its rail cars. The TV's will be preprogrammed to Atlanta's ABC affiliate or one of three on train channels for riders to view. Riders will be able to hear the broadcast through FM radio with headsets. The cost to the transit system in this case is nonexistent; in fact, they will MAKE money through advertising revenue. So this is a good thing, right? Well, aside from the fact that TV seems to lower IQ, at least from my own empirical observ...

I took a quick peek at an Amarillo newspaper headline that intrigued me. The article was addressing proposed reforms in the state Child and Protective Services (CPS). At first glance, I was encouraged. Maybe these reforms would address the countless abuses of CPS caseworkers who use their position to press their personal platforms regardless of the constitutional rights of their victims or of the community bullies who use CPS to bully their neighbors over largely unrelated disputes (I have files...

A legislator in Washington is proposing to split the state into two separate states, given the difference in the nature of largely agricultural Eastern Washington vs. the industrial and commercial Western Washington. The differences were underscored greatly in the recent election during which the two candidates duked it out over three recounts before the winner, a democrat, was chosen (the republican contender won the first two recounts). While this would, on the surface, appear to be a solut...

OK, here's a confession that oughta keep the JU attack dogs on the ready. Might get a flame or two off of it (good chance to test the ol' delete button). The truth is, I have bouts of paranoia. Not JUST that; due in large part to my horrendously dysfunctional upbringing, I could occupy more than my share of a shrink's time. But, along with other things, I have learned to DEAL with my paranoia (unique, huh? Probably what people did BEFORE psychotherapy). Fortunately, none of my "eccentricit...

Believe it or not, I'm a pretty reluctant "rebel". In high school, I had all the preppy clothes, right down to the Swatch wristwatches, with every color guard imaginable (I didn't like the rubber band ones that went across the face, though). I tried so many ways to be "normal", but it just didn't pan out for me. Why not? You ask. Well, to put it simply: STUPID laws. They stopped making sense and it stopped making sense to me to pay attention to them. Don't get me wrong; some laws are ...

The following is from Yahoo! News. As one who has had family have to deal with "eminent domain" laws, this only serves to underscore one reason among many why I favor small government.   Conn. residents fight for homes Mon Feb 21, 8:38 AM ET   Top Stories - USATODAY.com By Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY Susette Kelo continues to touch up the paint on her clapboard house that overlooks the Thames River. She still tends to her garden. During a rec...

Now, don't get me wrong. I struggle with my weight, so this is kinda personal, but something has really been irking me lately. I have a friend who has had recurrent problems with his gallbladder. Put simply, it needs to be removed. The problem? The doctors won't perform the surgery because he is too large. This man has always been a large man, even in his youth. While his eating habits are less than optimal, if you know anything about health, you would understand why diabetes and Congestiv...

I have decided it is time to use my high profile position on JoeUser to nominate a "meathead of the month" from the news stories of the month. I will try to give my choices near the end of the month, when the "meathead" harvest is ripe. This month's meathead is Jose Canseco. The washed up steroid ridden ex slugger found himself unable to retain employment in baseball (even as a DH....imagine THAT!) and has turned his attentions to writing. The only problem is, he seems to be writing fiction. ...