Peradventure

4.14.07 Don Imus Fired 3:52.43

I do not condone what Mr. Imus said. However, I guess it all depends on who you are that lets you be the judge and jury. The main accuser of Imus, Al Sharpton doesn't exactly have the right to cast the first stone. In the case of Tawana Brawley in 1987, Sharpton charged that the young lady was raped. When a grand jury investigation was conducted, the story was found to be false and that Sharpton was guilty of defaming a county prosecutor. For doing this, Al Sharpton did not lose his ministry as he might have demanded of someone else. Where were the outcries and protest then?

In 1995, when Sharpton led a protest against the eviction of a black tenant from his record store by a black pentecostal Harlem church, Al was against 'white interlopers' coming in and renting the store after the black tenant slated to be evicted. The store was firebombed and Sharpton apologized for the racial slur. Again, where was the outcry against Sharpton? And where were the protestors then? Or, is one type of slur better than another? I do not ask that Imus have his job back. I only ask for fair treatment. The speech of Imus was reprehensible, but all he did was speak. He did not falsely accuse someone or destroy property. I only wish for equal treatment under the law, or does Sharpton forget what the civil rights movement was all about?

4.11.07 no more valedictorians for Ralston 7:31.42

This was on omaha.cox.net. "(Ralston, NE) -- The Ralston Class of 2011 would have no student named valedictorian if a measure proposed yesterday is approved. The Ralston School Board discussed the issue at their meeting yesterday, stating the quest for the title places too much pressure on the students to raise their grade point average. If the change of ranking is approved, future top Ralston grads would receive another type of special recognition for their achievements."

So now, our kids are so weak-minded that they have too much pressure to do well? What happens when they have to make that big sales pitch to the high-profile client? No wonder are kids are so weak? Is the Ralston school board even thinking about what they are doing to the kids? Are we protecting kids so much now that they are insulated against every problem? Do you think that kids in Japan or China are protected like this?

7.19.06 Channel 22, The Entitlement Channel 11:44.08

I flipped through the Omaha Cox TV Channels and I found these two black gentlemen whining about the state of the world, especially the sitting president. They then went off on a tangent about how corporate America gets all these tax breaks but the poor should also get something. This is why the poor are the way they are, there are no incentives, and no one has raised the bar. In my opinion, all welfare, corporate, farm, or otherwise should be done away with. Unfortunately, there are too many out there that have entitlements and now expect them. Failure was once awarded with a pauper's grave. Now it is awarded every month with a check from the taxpayers. My grandmother always said that God helps those who help themselves. I understand if someone is laid off or gets down on their luck, but this shouldn't be a way of life. For people who suffer hard times, there should be some system like financial aid available for them. As the old cliché goes, a hand up, not a hand out.

2.27.06 PETA, emails me 10:30.31p

Shock of shocks, email from PETA.

Thanks so much for this information. We immediately passed it along to the appropriate staff members.

The best thing you can do for all animals raised for food is spread the word about vegetarianism. Write letters to the editors any time you see an article about the meat industry or local farms similar to the one you write us about; let everyone know that, if they are eating meat, they are supporting cruelty.

Sincerely,

Shelly Breitbeil
Manager, Member Mail Division
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

So, to sum things up you're cruel if you eat a whopper. You're also missing out on great grilling and I'm sure there are a few cattlemen that might have a say about this. I'm sorry, but these people are unbelievably naive. Haven't they ever seen Wide, Wide World of Animals? First, I grew up in a Red State (quit whimpering!) and we even have indoor plumbing. Whatever happened to freedom of choice? You can eat vegetables, but not meat? When are liberals going to quit with the double standards?

Let me tell you, I sent her back a nastygram. Apparently, it's okay if it's cattle, but God forbid if it is someone's cat. They said nothing about what they would do, PETA merely started pushing their agenda. If you have some free money this year, give generously to the Beef Board and the Cattlemen's Association.

2.14.06 emailing PETA 1:33:04 a

I just e-mailed PETA about OPD shooting the cows. I don't know why PETA has to lie to the American public. I think they should really be called PFV (People for Forced Vegetarianism). I can't wait to hear their response.

2.14.06 pick your cable channels 1:10:14 a

I just found this on MSNBC. It is about time.

FCC: Pick-and-pay cable TV would save money
Cable companies fear change would diminish wide distribution

AP Updated: 4:13 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2006 WASHINGTON - Most cable TV subscribers would save money if allowed to pay for only the channels they want, a Federal Communications Commission study said Thursday, reversing the agency’s earlier finding that consumers wouldn’t benefit.

The analysis by FCC staff provides new support for consumer groups and conservatives pushing for a pick-and-choose pricing system to replace the bundled services offered by the cable industry. Cable companies fear that would diminish their wide distribution.

The study gives added ammunition to lawmakers and regulators who see “a la carte” as a way to clean up raunchy television by giving parents more control over the channels their children watch.

“I am pleased that the commission has concluded that ’a la carte’ offering could reduce consumers’ cable bills by as much as 13 percent,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who plans to introduce legislation next week to create and promote use of the la carte system.

“The report confirms what I have believed for years — if consumers are allowed to choose the channels their families view then their monthly cable bill will be less,” he said.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the industry’s main trade group, did not immediately comment Thursday.

Currently, Congress requires cable companies to offer a basic service package that includes local broadcast stations. The companies also offer expanded basic packages that typically include bundles of cable networks such as ESPN and CNN. For HBO, Showtime and other premium services, consumers pay an additional fee.

In Thursday’s report, FCC staff said its November 2004 report was wrong to conclude that the average cable household — which watches about 17 channels — would likely face a monthly rate increase of up to 30 percent under a la carte

The other thing that I've always found interesting is that in the cities if you don't have cable at all, your television reception is poor. Sure you can buy antennas and other special equipment, but you shouldn't have to. But once you get cable, oh how it gets better. Coincidence? Of course, I can't wait to see what the cable companies have to say about this one. You can pick where you go on the Internet, why not on television? And as rates, the FCC needs to make the cable companies quit robbing the American consumer. Let the customer pay less. Let the cable companies be deregulated just like the phone companies. Now is the time.

2.11.06 cow shootings 2:47:53 a

Check this out: 02-10-2006 3:14 AM

(Omaha, NE) -- Two cows that escaped from the Nebraska Beef plant near 36th and J streets in Omaha Thursday evening had to be shot and killed. Police were forced to shoot one cow near 41st and J streets, while the other was killed in a backyard near 46th and J streets. Police say the 15-hundred to 18-hundred-pound animals got loose about 7:30 last night and ran through the neighborhood, knocking down fences and refusing to be corralled.

Was this really necessary? Where are the PETA people now? Should they be at the police station sometime tomorrow morning or will they just take their usual lunch of humus? Call me crazy but here's a tip for Omaha's finest: you might try luring them with hay. And here's a crazier idea: call a vet and tranquilize them. Do our police really need target practice that badly? Did none of these officers grow up on a farm? I'm sure the OPD could find better things to do with their time and bullets.

1.30.06 sunday biking 1:45:04 a

I thought it would be my first long ride of the year. Was I wrong! The racing bike had a flat and I was forced to take the mountain bike out and use the highest gear all the way. It seems the rear derailleur is out of whack. Looks like it's either a loose cable or just needs adjustment. I just wasn't ready for my first ride of the year. I was pretty out of shape. What a way to ruin a nice day! At least I can say I did go out there and ride. I didn't ride the bike last year until sometime in June. The century ride will have to wait a month or four.

11.19.05 mass transit 11:33:35 a

Omaha is trying to refine it's infrastructure at the cost of traffic jams. It has a grand plan and the most obvious improvement is the Qwest Center. But one thing you won't find in the AAA guide on Omaha is its public transit. MAT runs buses in the evening in West Omaha and I have to wonder why. There are few, if any people that ride these routes. I can't believe there aren't better places in the city that might utilize them instead of waste the public taxes on unnecessary bus routes that transport no one. Hopefully, better management will be in place to address this. Until then, Omaha will just have to foot the bill for this inefficient dinosaur.

11.10.05 omaha traffic 11:20:09 a

Omaha's local paper, the World-Herald, recently talked about managing traffic when large events such as concerts and motivational speakers make their way to the Qwest Center. The article was sparked by a traffic tieup on November 1, when motivational speakers like Rudolph Giuliani, Tom Osborne and Suze Orman came to the Qwest Center. Traffic headed east that morning was backed on I-80 easet all the way to Highway 50 from downtown. It is a fine thing to fix traffic for great events, but Omaha, once again fails to see the even larger picture, the backup of day-to-day traffic in many parts of the city. All a prospective tourist or homebuyer probably knows about Omaha is Buffett, beef, Huskers, and College World Series. Maybe now the Qwest Center. However, anyone living in Omaha knows about the abysmal traffic problems that plague our city. For several years a myriad of simultaneous construction projects have many times impeded the flow of traffic. I can only base this upon driving in traffic myself and that of other drivers. Omaha has yet to answer that. A project that should be done by the end of 2006 will try to alleviate the busy Old Mill area at 114th and Dodge. However, there is the immediate problem of congestion on main streets like Maple, Blondo, and Center. Not to mention the problems in the new subdivisions. To me, this is where the problem emanates from. I don't have any of the answers, but I do have at least three suggestions. One, force new subdivisions to build four lanes to the new areas, which will cut down on traffic tie-ups later on. Second, to try and space out construction projects so that they are spaced out enough from each so that there aren't so many at once. Finally, a bypass or two around Omaha itself. Most major cities have them, it is time for Omaha too.

10.31.05 welcome 12:51:39 a

I just want to introduce myself. Here I am. Tonight, I fulfulled a lifelong ambition to see Paul Mccartney. He played in Omaha on October 30, and it was one of the most magnificent experiences of my life. At 8:00 pm it all began with a man playing mixes of Paul's songs. A while later a mini bio played on the big screen and then there was Paul himself, opening up with "Magical Mystery Tour." He played other songs such as "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Band on the Run," "Eleanor Rigby," "Good Day Sunshine," "Back in the USSR," and many others. He is still right up there among the top performers, even at age 62. Often people have a list of things they wish to do before they leave this life, and that was one of the biggest for me. However, the highlights of the concert were when he played "Yesterday" and "Let It Be." "Yesterday" he played with the guitar he had used on the Ed Sullivan Show and "Let It Be" he played with a single candle for light. Yes, Mr. McCartney still has it. He was funny, touching and so very talented. One of the things a concert like that makes you realize is that in the day-to-day junk of life, traffic, work, lines, we forget that there are some great things out there, open fields, quiet, and Paul McCartney. The good of life is there, it's just that so many wish to remain frustrated and don't remember how short a time there is for us and how small we are in relation to the universe. How small not getting the promotion or the new car really is. And nature, whether it is wonder or terror, like the string of hurricanes, is always there with the truth.