July 17 - Pet Peeve Monday - 2nd Amendment

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY is going to go a little deeper than past PET PEEVES about poor customer service or abhorrent driving skills. I want to address something that will probably eliminate my chances as being elected to anything other than Den Father of my daughter’s Brownie Troop.

I believe the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a farce and needs to be modified, updated, or repealed.



The debate is not simple. The Second Amendment contains archaic vocabulary and grammar. In addition there is the possibility that the Second Amendment was drafted deliberately with ambiguous meaning as part of the process of negotiation and compromise necessary for passage by a disjointed, conflicted, “representaive government”.

The Second Amendment states:

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

I could overwhelm you with facts from:

New England Journal of Medicine, June 12, 1986, Vol. 314 No. 24, pp. 1557-60 that states that: A homeowner's gun is 43 times more likely to kill a family member than an intruder therefore "the advisability of keeping firearms in the home for protection must be questioned."

New England Journal of Medicine, October 7, 1993, Vol. 329 No. 15, pp. 1084-91 that states that: In homes with guns, a member of the household is almost three times as likely to be the victim of a homicide compared to gun-free homes.

Remember the Facts are Our Friends. But, I will center my argument on the following thoughts:

1. Obsolescence

This Amendment was ratified in 1789. That was 217 years ago. “Arms” consisted of musket-loaded guns. To correctly interpret “Arms”, one could argue that anyone should be able to have any “Arms” available to their arsenal. If I can develop Atomic, Hydrogen, and even Nuclear weapons would that be protected by the Second Amendment?. I watch Bill the Science Guy. It’s possible.

If AK-47s were available in 1789, do you think the wording might have changed? The Constitution was written on parchment paper using a quill pen and ink. It was drafted by candlelight by guys wearing puffy shirts and wigs. Come on, times have changed, so should the laws, and the Constitution.

Some have suggested that banning weapons that have "no sporting or hunting purpose" would make sense. I would suggest if we were to “Arm” the deer and other wildlife, would that would make it more “sporting”?

2. Intent and Interpretation

The original intent and purpose of the Second Amendment was to preserve and guarantee, not grant, the pre-existing right of individuals to keep and bear arms. We had just completed a Revolution against an imperialist nation.

The term "people" refers to the people collectively, rather than the people as individuals.

It might also make sense to allow legislatures to recognize that in certain circumstances firearms constitute a special danger. One thinks in particular of saloons: Perhaps guns and alcohol do not mix, just as according to the laws of many states and communities naked dancers and alcohol don't mix. I reserve the right to address this in a future PET PEEVE.
In addition, you can also parse the lanuguage of the Second Amendment.

• Who or what does the Amendment mean by the "militia"?


• What relationship does "militia" today have with "militia" in 1789?


• What does "shall not be infringed" mean?

As Bill Clinton said, “It all depends what the definitin of “is” is.”

3. Qualifications of Original Authors

Our Founding Fathers were middle-aged, high-income white guys. They were slave owners, opportunists, and adulterers. Think Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

This is analogous to any Country Club today. If you insert “domestic help” for slaves and juxtaposition William Jefferson Clinton and Monica Lewinsky for the third President, the results are the same. I’m not sure who would win “Most Lothario President” award.

My PET PEEVE is that too many people wrap themselves in the flag, call themselves patriots and announce that you will “Take My Gun From My Cold, Dead Hands.”

Ironically when Charlton Heston made this infamous remark in 2000, he was holding an antique Revolutionary War-era muzzle loader.

If you believe in statistical probabilities, as a gun-owner it may only be a matter of time before that gun is pried from its owner’s hands (see above referenced articles).

People put too much faith in our forefathers. They beleive that they were infallible. Many of the signers of our Constitution were fullof whiskey not wisdom.

What’s next, millions of people following a man that wears red Prada shoes wears a zucchetto on his head, carries a scepter, and rides around in a bubble car?

BTW – I’ve had firearms training. I’ve lived in the crime centers of Los Angeles, Sacramento, and a particular seedy area of Dayton, OH. I CHOOSE not to own a gun.

Maybe I’m naïve.

July 23, 2012 - PPM - Second Amendment redux

This week's PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is an oldie but goodie.

I first blogged about the arcane and antiquated nature of the Second Amendment in 2006.

http://jaysjabberwocky.blogspot.com/2006/07/july-17-pet-peeve-monday-2nd-amendment.html

This was 7 years after Columbine, but before the VA Tech, Fort Hood, Arizona, and Aurora shootings.

The fact that as a registered Republican, I may disagree with the NRA may surprise some Jabberwockers.

Bottom line, I'm more like Popeye. "I yam what I yam."




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

April 16 - Pet Peeve Monday - Virginia Tech Tragedy

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY was delayed due to the continuing and developing story surrounding the horrific events at Virginia Tech on Monday.

The easy PEEVE would be to reiterate my opposition the Second Amendment. I previously blogged about this on July 17, 2006.

The NRA arguments would be that “well if everyone was armed, then they would have stopped him.” My argument is based on the obsolesce of the need for everyone to bear arms. It’s real simple. Think of the weapons available in 1788 and those that were available in 2007. The Second Amendment must be updated.

Monday was a tragedy, make no mistake about it.

It frightens me that we no longer have any safe place to go. You never know if it may be your last meal, errand, day on the job or day at school. There have been mass murders at the following locations:

McDonald’s -San Diego (1984)
Luby’s Cafeteria – Texas (1991)
The Good Guys – Sacramento (1991)
Grade Schools (Amish- 2006)
High Schools (Columbine –1999)
Colleges – Virginia Tech (2007)

There isn’t enough space to list all of the workplace shootings by disgruntled employees.

I lived less than 5 miles from the Sacramento incident when it occurred.

I would move to Montana to escape the risks, but the ATF would probably find a reason to attack.

My PEEVE is again THE MEDIA. On Monday, the first thing they had to do was to come up with a snappy graphic and title for the incident:

THE VIRGINA TECH MASSACRE
THE VIRGIANIA TECH KILLINGS
MASSACRE AT BLACKSBURG

CAMPUS KILLINGS

CNN was championing the fact that their posted student video taken during the attach had attracted 20,000, no 30,000, no 200,000 hits.

MSNBC thought it was necessary to run a constant scorecard at the bottom of the screen of the body counts of other mass murders. It then called it "Breaking News” when the VT tragedy passed the Ruby Cafeteria in total deaths.

Every network was interviewing eyewitnesses. FOX News asked each witness, “Did you see anyone get shot? Do you know anyone that got shot?”

To their credit, no witness would stoop to that level and bypass the necessary rules of notification of the next of kin. Shame on the “news” organizations for asking these type of questions. IS THERE NO DECENCY?

There is a huge vacuum in the media for a trustworthy, respected, conscientious outlet.

The media failed us with the overblown Anna Nicole coverage.

The media failed us with the Duke lacrosse case with a rush to judgment.

The media failed us last week with the Don Imus coverage. It’s too bad Imus picked a slow news week to utter his comments. If he had done so this past Monday, he would still be employed.

Finally on Wednesday, NBC was the recipient of the killer’s notes, pictures, and videos. How long will it be before NBC runs the tag line?

NBC,

the Official Network of Homicidal Maniacs, (pause) Everywhere.

October 31 - Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to All.

This year I decorated the lawn with painted Pumpkins, Ghosts, and Tombstones.

I had 5 Rest In Peace (RIP) Tombstones. Only three survived:

RIP - TV Reality Shows

RIP - Internet Poetry

RIP - Political Ads

The RIP – Second Amendment tombstone was destroyed by what I'm assuming were just random gunshots. http://jaysjabberwocky.blogspot.com/2006/07/july-17-pet-peeve-monday-2nd-amendment.html

The RIP – Illegal Immigration tombstone was stolen by my neighbor’s gardeners.

Jack decided to dress as an Ohio State football player. He currently runs a 23.5, 40-yard dash. A bit slow of foot, however, his ACT score does qualify him for early admission.

http://jaysjabberwocky.blogspot.com/2006/10/october-17-flashback-spiderman-at-5.html

For those of you that like PUMPKIN PIE, this photo is for you.

For those of you that have have had too much PUMPKIN PIE, this photo is for you.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

The Great Pumpkin has left the building.

September 18 - Pet Peeve Monday - Geneva Convention

After a three-week hiatus, I’m proud and relieved to return to my weekly, PET PEEVE MONDAY. I had taken the last two Mondays off due to Labor Day and September 11th.

With much in the news, I thought I would tackle the recent up roar over President Bush’s desire to update Article 3 of the Geneva Convention concerning Prisoner of War interrogations.

First, get your History Hats on, as I provide some Geneva Convention background.

The First Geneva Convention was known as the Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field. It was held in 1864 and was resposible in part for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Second Geneva Convention of 1906 dealt with the treatment of casualties in war at sea.

The Third Geneva Convention of 1929 concerned the treatment of prisoners of war.

The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 outlined the treatment of civilians during wartime.

Additionally there have been amendments or “Protocols” to the Geneva Conventions in 1979 and 2005.

What George Bush is proposing is CLARIFICATION of Article 3 of the Third Geneva Convention. It concerns the bolded clause below:

Article 3 describes minimal protections which must be adhered to by all individuals within a signatory's territory (regardless of citizenship or lack thereof): Combatants who have laid down their arms, and combatants who are hors de combat (out of the fight) due to wounds, detention, or any other cause shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, including prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment.

My PET PEEVE is based upon all of the outrage about Bush’s intent to CLARIFY the AMBIGUOUS language. I have two issues with the negative response to Bush’s proposal.

# 1 – The clause was written in 1929 and needs updating. My argument is that all documents, including the U.S. Constitution, should be refreshed from time to time to reflect new technologies and the changing world. My argument is provided in my July 17 Pet Peeve on the Second Amendment.

# 2 – People are against any changes because Bush proposed them. Here’s a novel idea. Let’s see what his proposed changes are before we reject them out of hand. It has been my experience that any effort to remove AMBUGUITY is A GOOD IDEA.

Now if people don’t like Bush’s proposed changes, let’s argue about content or intent. But don’t dismiss the message because of the messenger.


The below joke is a good example of the need for CLARIFICATION. It also reminds me about my April 24 Pet Peeve concerning STOP SIGNS.


A lawyer from Michigan runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by an Ohio State Trooper.

Being from Michigan, he thinks that he is smarter than the Ohio Trooper because he is sure that he has a better education. He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the Trooper's expense.

Trooper says, "License and registration, please."

Lawyer says "What for?"

Trooper says, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign."

Lawyer says, "I slowed down, and no one was coming."

Trooper says, "You still didn't come to a complete stop. License and registration, please."

Lawyer says, "What's the difference? If you can show me the difference between slow down and stop, I'll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket, if not you'll let me go and no ticket."

The Trooper says, "All right then Sir, exit your vehicle please."

At this point, the Trooper takes out his nightstick and starts beating the heck out of the lawyer and says: "Do you want me to stop, or just slow down?"

Now who doesn’t think CLARITY is a GOOD IDEA? Where’s my stick?

Below is the license plate of the Michigan Lawyer.

August 4 - 2006 Family Vacation

Today we began our annual family vacation. Last year we visited Disney World for a week. If it sounds like fun, maybe the phrase, “two-year old on the Fourth of July in 100 degree heat, walking on asphalt” will provide some guidance.

To kick off this year’s road to memories, we decided to take part in “The World's Longest Yardsale” also known as the Hwy 127 Corridor Sale. It spans 450 miles and four states, starting in Covington, KY and ending somewhere in Alabama. We only took in about 30 miles within Kentucky.

Each of us made a shopping list. Each child had a $5 budget. Below were some of our acquisitions:

School Desk ($10), Set of Junior right handed golf clubs w/ bag ($3), set of Men’s left handed golf clubs ($8), concrete painted Indian ($25)

Commentary: I needed a second children’s desk in my office for after school studying. The junior clubs are for my six-year old. As for the left-handed clubs, I only needed one club for those tough shots when you behind a tree, or your stance would put you in ankle deep water. But at $8 for the set maybe I’ll try golf left-handed. I switch hit in baseball, why not golf? How hard can that be? I got the Indian just to piss off more neighbors.

Four spiral notebooks ($1), cast iron dinner bell ($25), President’s book ($1), George W. Bush bobblehead ($5), pink and purple set of silverware ($1)

Roller blades ($2), Richard Nixon 1960 campaign button ($1), pack of 5 John Wayne Movies ($5), Eight Men Out DVD ($2), house shaped wall rack ($2)

Three happy children with new rings ($0.25), necklaces ($1), ear rings ($1), and hair bands (0.50) – Priceless. BTW the two girls (who look like their mother) tapped out their $5 budgets while my little man came home with $2.70. It only supports the theorem of my possible doctorate on “The Direct Correlation between Genetic Genders and Spending Habits.”

What was interesting or disturbing was that the deeper into Kentucky we drove, the more guns for sale we noticed. At one of our final stops, one could also purchase mortar shells and a bazooka. My July 17 Pet Peeve about the Second Amendment exemplifies why the “right to bear arms” is one once good idea whose time has passed.

At any rate, we had a nice drive, found some bargains, and made some memories. My best purchase was today’s USA Today for $0.75. The College preview issue's headline is below. I hope the January 9, 2007 headline has a similar theme. Our next stop on our vacation is a Family Pig Roast in my hometown. With apologies to Lynn Truss, author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, we won’t be roasting the family pig. I believe the pig is not, has not, and probably never will be a family friend or member. It will be delicious however, after bacon (baking) in the sun.

November 3, 2008 - PPM - Who Stole My Sign?

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is again focused on the election. I’m EXTREMELY PEEVED that someone decided to STEAL the McCain sign I had placed in my front yard.

My McCain sign had been able to survive the long, hot, dog days of August. I had my sign up before McCain selected Sarah Palin on August 29 (see blog.)

Here is a picture of my daughter and THE sign on her first day of school.

My McCain sign had been able to survive the horrific 70 mph winds of September 14. These winds cancelled school for two days and knocked out power to some residents in the area for 7 days. Yet, my sign survived. Below is a picture of the tree limb damage and my resilient McCain sign.

Unfortunately, my McCain sign could NOT survive the little minds of a few Obama supporters. During the dark of night, they stole my sign, while also turning over a few Halloween decorations.

The next day we had a small dinner party. I engaged my guests to help me erect the below sign.

I was thinking about referencing the Second Amendment on my sign, but that would epitomize “The Audacity of BS.” I have previously stated my rejection of the current intention of the Founding Fathers in drafting the “Right to Bear Arms.”

Ironically, I severely slashed my thumb when installing the tiki torches that were to surround and protect my NEW sign.

While bleeding profusely from my lacerated appendage, I immediately remarked, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Not one of my guests seemed to get the historical reference.

It is one of my favorite Thomas Jefferson quotes. It’s much better than the “I did not have relations with that woman, Sally Hemings.”

My original thought when I learned of the sign theft was that an ardent McCain supporter just wanted a McCain sign for their yard. My optimism was dashed when I learned other McCain signs in the neighborhood were also snatched.

My PEEVE is how sad of a statement is it that YOUR candidate cannot win the war of ideas, that YOU have to resolve to guerrilla tactics and take my property.

Were you just trying to illustrate the Obama policy of “Sign Redistribution?”

Does the Obama Supporter think that by stealing my sign, I’m going to get to the election booth on Tuesday and suddenly forget to whom I pledged my support?

Dah, no Double Dah!!!

You’ve done nothing but INSPIRE me to vote at least twice. That’s what Obama would want or more exactly, WWOD, What Would Obama Do?

April 2, 2012 - PPM - Voter ID Requirement

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is about Voter ID laws.

The Pew Institute,a non-partisan organization reported last month that more than 24 million voter-registration records in the United States – about one in eight – are inaccurate, out of date, or duplicate. Nearly 2.8 million people are registered in 2 or more states, and perhaps 1.8 million registered voters are dead.

It would seem reasonable that you should have to show some form of Photo ID in order toexercise the greatest right we have as American CITIZENS, the Right To Vote.

After all, you need an ID to Drive, to get a job, or to even check out a library book. Why are so many Democrats against a simple check of authenticity?

If you have never traveled, had a job, or read a book, MAYBE you SHOULDN’T be allowed to vote.

Everyone wants to preach about the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. They thought that only white, land owners should get the right to vote. How could they be so right about the Second Amendment, yet totally miss this one? People have selective memory as well as “selective acceptance.”

I would offer that only TAX PAYERS and people able to pass a basic civics lesson should get the right to vote and decide who should lead our country. And, oh yes, THEY SHOULD HAVE A PHOTO ID.

We have all seen what uninformed and undocumented voters did in 2008.

2006 Pet Peeve Summary

Here is a summary of my 2006 PET PEEVES. Asterisks represent blogs that have received interesting feedback (always favorable, of course) from readers.


April 3 – Daylight Savings Time
April 10 – Disorganized / Distracted Grocery Shoppers
April 17 – Everything Has To Be Political
April 24 – Failure to STOP

May 1 – Illegal Immigrants **
May 8 – Highway Rock Gathers **
May 15 – One Name Celebrities
May 22 – TV Series Finales
May 29 – Jimmy Hoffa Search

June 5 –Commencement Speakers
June 12 – Athletes without Helmets **

July 3 – Exploited Holidays
July 10 – Can I have Fries with that Poor Service? **
July 17 – Second Amendment **
July 24 - Newsreaders Gone Wild
July 31 – Children on Phones**

August 21 – Phobias**
August 28 – Reality Show Racist

September 18 – Geneva Convention
September 25 – Revisionist Historians

October 2 - Drinks on the House**
October 9 – Survey Says
October 16 – Do Not Call Lists**
October 23 – No Talking Zone**

November 6 – Non-Voters
November 13 – The Wave
November 20 – Fragile Children**
November 27 – Uncivil War

December 4 – Inappropriate Gifts**
December 11 – No Smoking MEANS No Smoking**

Oct. 5, 2015 - PPM - Understanding the GRAVITY of the Situation

This week's PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is the immediate OVER REACTION to an event.  It can be international, national, or local. 

We recently had another mass shooting.  This time it was in Oregon, but it could have been anywhere. That is what is troubling, is the random nature: schools, restaurants, movie theatres, etc.

But what is more troubling is the immediate knee-jerk call for "Gun Control." Anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows that I have issues with the Second Amendment. 

My PEEVE is that everyone complains about the NRA and the gun laws AFTER a mass shooting.  The complaining quickly subsides because there is never a solution that would have PREVENTED the shootings that just happened. The person is usually mentally ill, but has not been diagnosed.  The guns were purchased legally.

The solution after the Charleston shooting was to ban the Confederate Flag.  WOW!  That helped. What flag was flying in Oregon?

All of the rhetoric and speeches only polarize and divide us.  Even President Obama admitted that he was politicizing this latest shooting. THAT HELPED.

Until calm minds and thought leaders address the issues, we will be discussing the same topics and hardened positions up till and through the next shooting.

September 22, 2008 - PPM - Article II, Section 1

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY (PPM) is topical because we are currently in an election year.

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787, but not fully ratified until 1789, a full 13 years after our Declaration of Independence. Amazingly, people gripe about the pace of progress of Iraq’s new government.

There are many issues within our Constitution that bother me. I’ve previously blogged about the Second Amendment.

People want to consider our Founding Fathers as infallible. Does anyone remember their solution for slavery? They weren’t any more intelligent or politically savvy than today’s Congress. How is our current business regulation policy going?

My PEEVE is about Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the Constitution. Before you Wikipedia it, let me be specific.

My PEEVE is about the clause that states:

“No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.”

NOBODY has the ability to decide where they were born. We can only decide WHERE we live.

NOTE: I have 3 kids that were born in Kentucky but I am working to get that removed from their Birth Certificates.

Now, I’m not influenced by my chance meeting last week with Arnold Schwarzenneger’s wife, Maria Shriver. Arnold has proven his ability to lead our largest state, California. However, Arnold cannot be our President becasue he was born in Austria. Based upon her politics, I doubt Maria would vote for Arnold any way.

I’m concerned that this law and its relevance are out of date. This Constitutional Clause eliminaties several outstanding candidates. Don’t we live in a GLOBAL time?

There were some Democrat operatives that were trying to establish that John McCain should be disqualified to be President because he was born in the Panama Canal Zone, a U.S. Territory. Never mind that McCain served his country and was a POW for 5 and ½ years. What else can he do to prove he is a True American?

It’s time to eliminate this obsolete, restrictive requirement. Because of this clause we have prevented the following people from leading our country:

Albert Einstein, born in Germany, was probably the smartest man of his time. Einstein could actually say, in fact, why, yes, it is Rocket Science.

William Shatner, born is Canada, was the able Leader of the Star Ship, Enterprise, before his promotion by Star Fleet.

Bruce Willis, born in Germany, has saved Cities (Die Hard), Airports (Die Hard 2), States (Die Hard 3) and the Country (Live Free, or Die).

Come on, we need leaders like John McClain, or was that John McCain.

January 31 - Exploratory Committee Update

Since I began blogging last March, my cognitive recognition of world events has been raised. My Pet Peeve Mondays have provided not only an outlet to release a little angst at minor nuisances like:

Day Light Savings Time
Waitresses That Provide Too Much Information
Children On Phones

but it has also let me address larger pictures issues like:

Second Amendment
Revisionist Historians
Non-Voters

Last Monday, I Peeved about Exploratory Committees and their hypocrisy. I felt strongly about the subject and sent off a Cliff Notes version of my blog to USA Today. Today they printed my missive.

Finally, the USA Today Editorial Board did not utilize their editorial control to change the context of my letter. It was printed verbatim.

Joe Biden must have read the letter, because he entered the Presidential Race today. He DID NOT form an EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE. He did not pass GO and collect untold monies because of a loophole. He went straight to the deep end of the pool.

However, Biden will not have my support due to his rambling speeches, his penchant for plagiarism, and his incredible insecurity about his hair.

He was bald in the 80’s, but underwent some strange hair replacement procedure. It probably involved some illegal stem cell experiment.

At least Rudy Giuliani wised up and lost the comb-over and embraced his baldness. I do respect the fact that Biden’s kick-off campaign was held at the local Hooters.

It says a lot about a man’s character, or lack there of, when he tries to pull the wool or in this case, hair over his own eyes. Donald Trump, are you listening?

December 18 - Pet Peeve Monday - Year End Compilations

This week’s PET PEEVE MONDAY is Year-End Compilations.  It happens every December:

• The year in review in music, sports, news, literary existentialists, etc.


• Top 100 Song Countdowns


• Ten Worst Dressed Celebrities


• The Ten News Stories That Changed the World

My favorite is the photo montages they play at the end of newscasts accompanied by sad, sad music of all the people that died that year.  How do they decide what order to scroll the pictures of the poor departed souls?  Is it alphabetically, chronologically, or by that person’s perceived level of importance?

I use it as an exercise to practice my math.  I yell out the ages of the person that died.  Quick, 2006-1934?  71, no 72.  Actually, to be honest it depends on their actual birthday and death day.

With next week being Christmas, this is the last true Monday of the year.  So ironically, I will provide a summary or compilation, if you must, of my 2006 Pet Peeves.  

I’ve also added a quick link to the right side menu, so that you can be reminded at any time during the year as to what bothers me.

Here is a summary of my 2006 PET PEEVES.  Asterisks represent blogs that have received interesting feedback (always favorable, of course) from readers.

April 3 – Daylight Savings Time
April 10 – Disorganized / Distracted Grocery Shoppers
April 17 – Everything Has To Be Political
April 24 – Failure to STOP

May 1 – Illegal Immigrants **
May 8 – Highway Rock Gathers **
May 15 – One Name Celebrities
May 22 – TV Series Finales
May 29 – Jimmy Hoffa Search

June 5 –Commencement Speakers
June 12 – Athletes without Helmets **

July 3 – Exploited Holidays
July 10 – Can I have Fries with that Poor Service? **
July 17 – Second Amendment **
July 24 - Newsreaders Gone Wild
July 31 – Children on Phones**

August 21 – Phobias**
August 28 – Reality Show Racist

September 18 – Geneva Convention Revisions
September 25 – Revisionist Historians

October 2 – Do Not Pass Go, Go Straight to Rehab**
October 9 – Media Pollsters
October 16 – Do Not Call Lists
October 23 – No Talking Zone**

November 6 – Non-Voters
November 13 – The Wave
November 20 – Fragile Children**
November 27 – Iraqi Uncivil War

December 4 – Inappropriate Gift Giving
December 11 – No smoking MEANS NO SMOKING**

August 6 - On Vacation - UPDATED CROSS INDEX

I will be on vacation through August 14. Vacation? I’m taking three small children, 2000 miles from home, to a location with rotary phones and no internet access, and only one TV. Chances are that I will not be able to update my blog. I will probably gain enough material to get me through this year and next however.

My regular blogging will return around August 15.

As I approach five months as a BLOGGER. I thought I would offer a Subject / Topic Cross Index to any new readers to catch up.

Three days per week are devoted to specific categories: Pet Peeve Monday, Where Are They Now? Wednesday, and Friday Funny. In between are an eclectic bag of musings, stories, similes, homilies, anecdotes, etc.

By the way, if you would like to receive an email notification of new blog postings, simply send me an email request and I can add you to an automated notification system: Jay's email

Here is a summary of my blogs to date. Asterisks represent blogs that have received interesting feedback (always favorable, of course) from readers.


PET PEEVE MONDAY

April 3 – Daylight Savings Time
April 10 – Disorganized / Distracted Grocery Shoppers
April 17 – Everything Has To Be Political
April 24 – Failure to STOP

May 1 – Illegal Immigrants **
May 8 – Highway Rock Gathers **
May 15 – One Name Celebrities
May 22 – TV Series Finales
May 29 – Jimmy Hoffa Search

June 5 –Commencement Speakers
June 12 – Athletes without Helmets **

July 3 – Exploited Holidays
July 10 – Can I have Fries with that Poor Service? **
July 17 – Second Amendment **
July 24 - Newsreaders Gone Wild
July 31 – Children on Phones


WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WEDNESDAY

May 10 – What About Brian?
May 17 – What happened to Bobby Brady?
May 24 – Jerry, Come out, come out, wherever you are?
May 31 – Where is Jimmy Hoffa?

June 7 – America’s Cup – 1985, Crewmate Ed – Lost At Sea?
June 14 –Local Village People Loses Seaman **
June 28 – Star Jones **
July 5 – The Other Guy form Miami Vice
July 12 – Urban Leaguers
July 19 – Finola Hughes **
July 26 – Gumby

August 2 – Rainbow Man **


FRIDAY FUNNY

March 31 – Liza Minneli
April 7 – George Carlin
April 14 – Tree Falls in Forest
April 21 – Madeline Albright Pumping Iron
April 28 – Special Delivery (Pizza w/ everything including a corpse)

May 5 – Jim’s Hole In One **
May 12 – Yard Art
May 19 – Runaway Bride Update **
May 26 – Beating Anorexia

June 2 – John Kerry’s Favorite Joke
June 9 - De-Motivational Speaker **
June 30 - Jesse Jackson Joke
July 7 – Hog Heaven
July 14 – Jeeebus **
July 21 – Buck Private
July 28 – Clinton Bust **

August 4 – Knock, Knock, Who’s There? **


The 5 People I Meet in Hell
April 28 - #5 – Oprah Winfrey **
May 2 - #4 – Star Jones **
May 11- # 3 – Eva Longoria **
# 2 – Coming Soon
#1 – Coming after # 2

SPORTS

April 4 – Baseball – The One Constant
April 22 - Bowling Alley-Gations
April 29 – Baseball Today
April 30 – The Kentucky Derby
May 5 – Golf – Hole In One **
May 27 - The Indianapolis 500
June 8 – Jason LaRue **
June 10 – The World Cup
June 12 - Ben Roethlisberger
July 9 – Mascot or Muskrat Love?

CELEBRITIES

March 31 – Liza Minnelli
April 5 – Katie Couric **
April 7 – George Carlin
April 18 – George Michael **
April 21 - Madeleine Albright
April 30 - Howard Cosell
May 9 – O.J. Simpson **
May 18 - Ron Howard
May 27 – Scott Sharp
June 2 – John Kerry
June 14 – The Village People **
June 28 – Star Jones **
June 30 – Jesse Jackson **
July 19 – Finola Hughes **
July 28 – Hillary Clinton **


TOPICAL TOPICS

March 29 – Illegal Aliens
March 30- Having Three Kids **
May 1 – Illegal Immigration
May 16 - Alligator Aggregation **
June 6 – US Airway Cut Backs


PROJECTS

March 29 – Bike Rack
April 13 - Planter Preparation
April 19 - Bridge Repair
April 23 - Tree house **
June 27 – Bike Trip Summary **


MISCELLANEOUS
April 15 – Twenty Years Later
May 14 – Happy Mother’s Day **
June 13 - The Next Ben Franklin?
July 1 - Retirement – One Year Later **
August 4 – The World’s Longest Yard Sale **

2012 Pet Peeve Summary

Here is the JAY’S JABBERWOCKY PET PEEVE SUMMARY. 

2011 – 24 Pet Peeves

2010 – 20 Pet Peeves

2009 – 23 Pet Peeves

2008 – 34 Pet Peeves

2007 – 36 Pet Peeves

2006 – 30 Pet Peeves

 

Here are the 2012 PET PEEVES:

December 27 – Fiscal Cliff

December 10 – Right To Work
December 3 – Bowl Ban(ghazi)

October 22 – Undecided Voters

August 13 – Taxing My Patience

July 30 – Get A Job

July 23 – Second Amendment Redux
July 16 – Campaigner In Chief

June 11 – The Audacity of Unions

June 5 – Selective Recall

May 28 – Spelling Bees

April 2 – Voter ID

March 26 – Miss Conception

February 27 – Politicians on Drugs

February 20 – Racial (In)sensitivities
February 13 – Twitter Twits

January 30 – Political Endorsements

January 24 – State of Dis(union)
January 16 – Tax Returns
January 9 – Bainful Discharge of Envy

 

December 11- Pet Peeve Monday - No smoking means NO SMOKING

On November 7th, voters in Ohio passed Issue 5 by a wide margin. Issue 5 was the measure that eliminated smoking and second-hand smoke from restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and most public venues. I had encouraged people to support this measure in my November 6th blog. Issue 5 had 67.3% approval in the Cincinnati region.

This week’s PET PEEVE is NOT about the lawyers who are now trying to undo the will of the people, through injunctions, lawsuits, and general double speak.

The State of Ohio, as any bureaucracy, was not ready to provide penalties when the smoking ban took effect on December 7. The pro-smoking lobby and supporters took this as “A Get Out of Jail Free” card. They have instructed people to “smoke ’em if you got ’em” until penalties are defined.

This week’s PET PEEVE is directed at all of the people that are STILL SMOKING in bars and restaurants in DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

Here’s a novel idea: how about NOT breaking the law? Do you really need the threat of punishment in order to do the right thing? I believe social scorn should be enough penalty should someone light up.

Since when do we have the choice as to what laws to obey and what laws to ignore?

One of my early PET PEEVES had to do with people who DO NOT STOP at STOP signs. It applies here as well.

You cannot decide which laws to follow. There are parts of our constitution that don’t thrill me, (2nd Amendment). However, I respect it because it is the law of our country. Without law and order, we would have anarchy and chaos.

The smoking ban is IN EFFECT as of December 7. The people have spoken by an overwhelming majority. We voted to take back our personal health, and to eliminate smoking and second hand smoke in public places.

I will not patronize any businesses that do not comply with the “No Smoking” law just because penalties have not been determined. It is the law. If they chose not to follow this law, how can I be assured that they are following other fire, safety, and health laws? Maybe, they will try to squeeze a few more meals out of that expired meat or poultry because no one is looking. If I find someone smoking in a restaurant, I will hand the business manager the following card and quietly take myself and my money elsewhere.

The proprietors that ignore the ban say that they need the smokers for their revenues. What they fail to realize is that their economics may improve when they are smoke-free. They feel they will comply when penalties are in place. What they have miscalculated is that some people, including myself, will not patronize their businesses now or at any point in the future because of their criminal behavior.

When I find businesses that do follow the law, I will leave the below card.

Opponents to the ban are predicting “chaos” because of the ban. They expect enormous business failures, mass migrations to Kentucky, and the downfall of society as we know it.

Here is my prediction. People will once again be able to socialize with their friends and families without having to immediately shower upon returning home. The people provided a clear mandate that they wanted clean air when they dine, drink, or dance.

Bon Appétit

Note: If anyone wants copies of the cards to print out for yourself, please send me an email request.

To report non-compliant businesses: The toll-free number is 1-866-559-OHIO. Otherwise, you can notify them online at nosmoke@odh.ohio.gov