Defending Our Own... Criminals Will Fail.
Neighborhood Watch anyone?!
I'm irritated as hell with all of the break-ins, robberies, and seemingly sly hands that have infiltrated our town. Not that this is a new crime we're being exposed to by any means. I just believe it's time we take our homes, our property, and our neighborhoods back.
I don't think we should fall victim to these common criminals and be holed up in our homes. So for me and mine, we will defend our property. I'm envisioning some sly work of our own. Strategically placed security cameras? Maybe. I think more appropriate would be the kind of snares, traps, and trickery that Macaulay Culkin used in Home Alone, only Montana style. We've got boots with spurs, branding irons, horse shoes, cattle prods, firearms, and my favorite: fireworks. I think Neighborhood Watch should make a huge comeback, maybe even with competitions to see who catches how many? Wouldn't it be great to watch 'em scatter not knowing what the hell's going on? They wouldn't know which homes actually have firearms for self defense.
I'd really like to know what makes these idiots think they won't get caught... give 'em enough rope and they'll hang themselves, and depending on the rope's placement as home defense, that could be literal. Leave your doors open with only the screen door as a deterrent? Crazy you say? Properly placed fireworks that explode with just the right friction... hmmm. A drill plugged in to an outlet that turns on when the door is opened? Wouldn't that be a fun story? Place "snaps" under things that invariably get stepped on... A frying pan hung in an inconspicuous place, a bag of marbles dumped on hard wood or laminate flooring, man that would be a riot... catching THEM off guard. My daughter even gave me an idea from something she tried when she was about 10... polish the linoleum with pledge... just try walking across that unawares... flat on the ass is where the crook would end up.
Why not? Let's get creative. Think inside the box ('er your home...) and put an end to this bull crap.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Stump Speech...
Had a very good evening watching a couple of episodes of BookTV that I recorded off of C-Span. The first one was an author named Katie Pavlich speaking on her book, Fast and Furious. She dove head first into a government scandal during Obama's presidency that surrounds an attempt to "regulate" small gun dealerships, in/near border states specifically, out of business. It was rather fascinating and alarming at the same time. My 20 year old daughter and I watched it together, paused when we had points of interest or queries to debate along the way, and overall agreed that we want to keep our right to bear arms as law abiding citizens as opposed to becoming victims to criminals and a government who are above (or below) the law.
The second episode spotlighted Kevin Bleyer and his new book, Me the People, an attempt at rewriting the Constitution, a satirical attempt at that, but nonetheless. Bleyer is a writer for The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart. He has a very lighthearted approach to his view on the lack of ownership we have of our Constitution, especially in the last hundred years. He also promotes changing that aspect, promoting knowledge and maybe amendments that would be more applicable today.
Have you ever read the Constitution? Are there specific parts you've memorized from your fourth, fifth, or sixth grade teacher standing at the front of the room with a yard stick dangling near by? (Ok, I've dated myself here... you could even get spanked at school in my day!) Do you know what year the Constitution of the United Stated was written? Do you know who wrote or helped guide the writing of the Constitution?
I will probably buy each of these books as well as get a copy of the Constitution, full or abridged, because it struck me that we all should know, practice, and appreciate the rights we have, the rights we earn, the rights that belong to us as law abiding citizens.
One of the last things discussed during his interview was the idea of a Stump Speech. A Stump Speech is the "canned" speech of a political candidate. Stump Speeches got their name when the candidates would travel around and stand on a stump in the town square, or where ever to present their campaign. They presented their views/ideas/agendas to so many different audiences that the Stump Speech was the best way to ensure a consistent message. So, Bleyer was challenged by his interviewer to come up with a Six Word Stump Speech. His reply: "Follow the Constitution; Read the Constitution."
I've thought about this for a bit now and believe that is an acceptable challenge. Put yourself to the test. Can you come up with a six word stump speech that would encompass your request of our government or your fellow citizens? I'll have mine figured out for tomorrow's post.
The second episode spotlighted Kevin Bleyer and his new book, Me the People, an attempt at rewriting the Constitution, a satirical attempt at that, but nonetheless. Bleyer is a writer for The Daily Show, with Jon Stewart. He has a very lighthearted approach to his view on the lack of ownership we have of our Constitution, especially in the last hundred years. He also promotes changing that aspect, promoting knowledge and maybe amendments that would be more applicable today.
Have you ever read the Constitution? Are there specific parts you've memorized from your fourth, fifth, or sixth grade teacher standing at the front of the room with a yard stick dangling near by? (Ok, I've dated myself here... you could even get spanked at school in my day!) Do you know what year the Constitution of the United Stated was written? Do you know who wrote or helped guide the writing of the Constitution?
I will probably buy each of these books as well as get a copy of the Constitution, full or abridged, because it struck me that we all should know, practice, and appreciate the rights we have, the rights we earn, the rights that belong to us as law abiding citizens.
One of the last things discussed during his interview was the idea of a Stump Speech. A Stump Speech is the "canned" speech of a political candidate. Stump Speeches got their name when the candidates would travel around and stand on a stump in the town square, or where ever to present their campaign. They presented their views/ideas/agendas to so many different audiences that the Stump Speech was the best way to ensure a consistent message. So, Bleyer was challenged by his interviewer to come up with a Six Word Stump Speech. His reply: "Follow the Constitution; Read the Constitution."
I've thought about this for a bit now and believe that is an acceptable challenge. Put yourself to the test. Can you come up with a six word stump speech that would encompass your request of our government or your fellow citizens? I'll have mine figured out for tomorrow's post.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
So, it's a first...
A first attempt at a blog, that is. I'm a writer. I've always been a writer but have that innate fear of putting my writings out in front of others. I also haven't been disciplined enough to write every day for the sheer reason of writing. It seems I'm constantly arguing with myself about the content, the audience, the genre, the tone, the plot... gee, maybe that's because I'm not a fiction writer.
I find truth stranger (and most times more interesting) than fiction any day of the week. There are, of course, a few exceptions and I definitely have favorite fiction and science fiction authors that I love to read. I have also found that writing fiction in tandem with someone makes it much more enjoyable and productive... there's always a new twist each person takes. It may be the first work of fiction I share when it's finished.
So, being inspired recently by a very positive, driven individual pursuing her dream in Chicago, I'm determined to at least write every day. I will need to get over the fact that it may be meaningless drivel to me or anyone who may read it and just try to improve day by day... finding interesting questions and issues that I enjoy researching.
Every morning, I will wake with the inspiration of: Being better than I was yesterday, last week, last month, last year. It's up to us to learn from our actions and reactions every day... whether that means trying to leave the house five minutes earlier, or procrastinating less, or being more diligent in some area or relationship that really matters. Maybe it's trying to use more tact in our interactions with others... it's not so much about walking on egg shells because so-and-so needs to be treated with kid gloves, but more about this: "You must be the Change You Want to See in the World." Mahatma Gandhi
We'll see what tomorrow brings~ rain or shine, I'm grateful to just be.
I find truth stranger (and most times more interesting) than fiction any day of the week. There are, of course, a few exceptions and I definitely have favorite fiction and science fiction authors that I love to read. I have also found that writing fiction in tandem with someone makes it much more enjoyable and productive... there's always a new twist each person takes. It may be the first work of fiction I share when it's finished.
So, being inspired recently by a very positive, driven individual pursuing her dream in Chicago, I'm determined to at least write every day. I will need to get over the fact that it may be meaningless drivel to me or anyone who may read it and just try to improve day by day... finding interesting questions and issues that I enjoy researching.
Every morning, I will wake with the inspiration of: Being better than I was yesterday, last week, last month, last year. It's up to us to learn from our actions and reactions every day... whether that means trying to leave the house five minutes earlier, or procrastinating less, or being more diligent in some area or relationship that really matters. Maybe it's trying to use more tact in our interactions with others... it's not so much about walking on egg shells because so-and-so needs to be treated with kid gloves, but more about this: "You must be the Change You Want to See in the World." Mahatma Gandhi
We'll see what tomorrow brings~ rain or shine, I'm grateful to just be.
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