Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Interesting Pitchman

This is not a slam against Mike Rowe.  The man is working, but I find his pitch to be an interesting paradox.  I believe he believes in his pitch, but I believe he's just the face and voice of an agenda.   Our government can't keep everyone signing up for federal student loans for college!  Then, there is also the factor that fewer and fewer people, these days, even realize the value of skilled labor.  I absolutely believe in the message that Mike Rowe is pitching, but I just cannot help but notice the fact that this man, by his own, bio gives full confession to being a good spokesperson and by the list of sponsors, is apparently quite persuasive.

To look at him, he's "the image" of a hard working man who is happy in his skilled labor career.  His site actually has a list of available jobs, as well.  His personal life doesn't really bear out his image, but more on that later.  He is working!

The following link contains a great deal of promotion, but I wanted to include the last headlined section I perused, and Mr. Rowe's closing paragraph.  https://www.mikeroweworks.org/about/

How about some good advice?

In the long history of bad advice, you’d have to look pretty hard to find something dumber than Work Smart Not Hard.

So…with a little creative license (and no respect for the original), I’m pleased to present a new platitude with a different attitude. And if you’d like to help spread the word, I’ll try to talk you into buying one. Posters are $12, or as much as you want to give, and all proceeds go to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.
- Mike Rowe
According to Wikipedia, Mr. Rowe was indeed a college boy, and every position in his resume seems to bear witness to the man really not participating in jobs that get your hands dirty . . . Unless, of course, there's a contract with a camera rolling.  Mr. Rowe reportedly lives in San Francisco, is past 55, with no wife or children mentioned.  
Again, this is not a slam against Mr. Rowe, but rather to point out the reality that he's a spokesperson for a concept that is being pushed very hard by powerful people.  In all support of Mr. Rowe, he is clearly using his talent and style to convey a message.  The man is making an honest living, promoting a "concept" that needs to be remembered.  Somebody's got to "keep things running!"  
The promotion of "keeping things running" is, in my opinion, just another part of the agenda being proposed for a society that is already so far in bondage, most don't even recognize it.  Whether this is "a conspiracy theory" or "critical thinking" is up to each of us to determine.  Here's my theory.  There are enough people with college degrees and federal student loans to make an entire office workforce of indentured servants, but these people cannot take care of the infrastructure of civilized society.  That's where the blue collar and vo-tech careers come in.  These careers that have been relegated to the back burner of "undesired careers" are necessary trades.  They are especially necessary for a nation of dependent people.   Dependent citizens will need people to take care of the infrastructure.

As our society drifts further from truth and reality, we need to keep in mind, most of what is being promoted, is for the profit of the sponsors, the welfare of the system, and a paycheck for the participants of the promotion, rather than the individual listening to the promotion.

 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.  a Proverb of Holy Scripture



Sunday, February 10, 2019

Disrespect or Dementia ?

In this culture of polarization, perhaps I should not be so black and white and give consideration to a blurred grey area, but I simply cannot find one.  Many of Nancy Pelosi's constituents and supporters have commented "concern" about Barron Trump's attention or lack thereof through late night speeches and events.  The fact that these events have taken place past a normal bedtime for a pre-teen, then there's the boredom factor . . . for a twelve year old boy, I hardly see the commentary as insightful.  Then there is the reality that those who have suggested labels are hardly qualified to do so. 

On the other hand, Nancy is 78 years old and should by now, know what appropriate behavior is, unless she's experienced some sort of health event or is simply declining, at this point. 

At first in watching her behavior and how much "stuff" was sitting in front of her, as opposed to VP Pence, I thought she was just poised aggressively to be disagreeable, but I'm not so sure, now.  Does this make you wonder if she is like this behind the closed doors of the House with anyone and everyone who dares have a different perspective?  In looking back through some of the SOTU addresses in her previous time of Speaker of the House, she was of course, friendly to President Obama. 


A few years earlier, however; she appeared to be poised in dealing with President Bush, also.  We know she didn't agree with him politically, but she at least displayed the appropriate pomp and circumstance for the event and his position.



Somewhere in a previous comment or video, I'd suggested that perhaps this open hostility was just part of Washington theatre, but now I have to wonder.  


I'm no doctor, but in looking back over the photos, Nancy Pelosi's behavior through the 2019 State of the Union Address reminded me of my old days working in the Nursing Home.  I realize many older folks have trouble and can even become combative after sundown.  Nancy will be 79 next month.  Perhaps she can simply no longer manage her emotions and behavior in some circumstances . . .

She actually stated that the President was not invited to the House to give the SOTU Address through the government shut down.  I'm not sure who should be credited for the democrat women to be wearing white, but Nancy certainly showed her support for the "cause."  The iconic image of her sarcastic applause aimed at the president is clearly one for the history books.  There was a time when citizens served in politics for a time, then returned to their own home and livelihood to age gracefully at home.  It may already be too late to avoid aging disgracefully in office.  Nancy seems to be wielding a great deal more power than previous Speakers of the House, while her behavior seems quite unfitting for that of a public servant. 

CNN reported a 76% approval rating for the President's SOTU Address.  Perhaps the Speaker of the House is struggling to actually relate to or represent the interests of the majority of Americans.

Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.  a Proverb of Holy Scripture






Tuesday, February 05, 2019

Fearfully Polarized and Potential Redefinition

To be honest, I'm not on board with the wall.  I'm not against it, fully, I'm just aware that a wall could not only keep intruders out, but could also keep Americans contained.  Then there is the fact that anyone who disregards the already established laws will find a way over, under, or around a wall!

I was born in the late 50's, and without divulging all the family dysfunction, I had a foretaste of this "freedom in exchange for safety" mentality long before it became fashionable in America.  I grew up listening to how scary the world was and since I was 5 when President Kennedy was assassinated, it seemed believable . . . for a time, but not for long.  Once I got to school and found out other kids could leave their own backyard and return home safely and show up for school the next day, I began to question the paranoia.  I had the sense or fear to not question it aloud, but the disregard of fear took root and has blossomed into courage through the years.  Now, at 60, I read headlines and realize our "public servants" are not serving "we the people" and the media is simply using emotional manipulation to keep Americans at odds with each other and all stirred up.

The government shutdown was over the lack of funding for "the wall."  Then our Representatives spent a week working on a bill they knew would not pass to resolve the issue!  Considering the tax dollars that pay the House of Representatives, shouldn't they spend their time more productively?  In crunching a few numbers, it would seem they cost us nearly 3M dollars in salaries, drafting a bill they knew would die.  A week on a bill they know won't pass seems to be a case of "time NOT well spent!"  How is that serving the people who elected them?  Why is this acceptable?  Now, there is talk about declaring a "National Emergency."  I have a few words of my own regarding "National Emergency."


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