I sure as heck wish I knew what I was supposed to be doing with the rest of my life. All this work experience and education can't be for nothing. I'm forty years old, what am I supposed to be doing? I have so many diverse interests, I just really want to take what I've learned and do something good with it and enjoy it!

There is something I am quite sure of though and that is we have a finite period of time on this earth and we can't take "it" with us, whatever "it" is. So, might as well enjoy "it" while we're here. In the small period of time we get to live life, seems like so many of us squander it. I guess I wonder how to best make use of the time? And when we go, what's to show for all we've done? Once we're gone, we're gone, no second chance to get it right.

I figure I'm 40 years old, I've got 60 years left if I'm lucky. What am I going to do with them?

Dear Tina Derby of New Hampshire...

Right now, millions of people across the country are reading the Associated Press story about new state laws taking effect today. And while reading that story they are shaking their collective heads in anger. The article discusses the ban on texting while driving enacted in your home state of New Hampshire. In the article, you are very adamant in your refusal to have any part of this ban! No! You're bold, you're standing up for your rights by insisting that you won't be discontinuing the practice. When told of the $100 fine for texting while driving, you replied, "I'd better start saving my money."

Along with that story was a photo of you behind the wheel on the highway, texting with both hands while not even holding the steering wheel. Nobody's going to tell you what to do eh?

















I thought to myself, "she can't be serious?!"

But the photo makes it pretty clear you mean business.

The other drivers on the road who are just trying to get to and from work, drop their kids off at school, take their dog to the vet, or heading for a family vacation, not to mention the pedestrians like the kids crossing the street to get to school, the homeless people and their shopping carts, the old lady walking her dog, all of them would really appreciate if you would keep both hands on the wheel and pay attention to what's going on around you. It's really not much to ask right? And this isn't aimed just at you but all the other people out there who think there's something more interesting going on on their cell phone than on the road around them (be they driver, pedestrian or cyclist!)

It's unfortunate that state governments have to create a law such as this, as if we need more government intrusion into our lives. But the reason this law was created was because citizens and law enforcement just had enough of this kind of behavior. The problem with this law is that there isn't a harsh enough punishment to deter the dangerous behavior. As is evident in your remarks, a $100 fine is no big deal. Chances are that if the punishment included a night or two in jail, that would get your attention. Of course people would sue, claiming that it is hardship to spend a night in jail, and there's always some attorney out there willing to make a name for himself by fighting for a person's right to be stupid.

The way I see it, you can do whatever you want with your own life, but you don't have the right to make that decision for others.

US intelligence failed us...

In a recent post, "Flying with Fish" brings up some interesting points in regards to Janet Napolitano's claim that "the system worked" in regards the attempted terrorist attack on a Northwest Airline jet by a radical Nigerian Muslim.

At the same time she claimed the system worked, her boss, the Commander-In-Chief talked of a "systemic failure of the system"

Hmm...time for a change?

With all the implemented rules and regulations involving no pillows or blankets on the lap, termination of wi-fi and use of electronic devices, no access to overhead baggage, and remaining in one's seat, all during the one hour prior to landing, the only thing NOT listed, is the ONE thing that would have prevented the terrorist from even being on the flight would have been if someone in the US intelligence would have done his/her job.

When the terrorist's father entered the US Embassy in Nigeria and warned officials his son was planning an attack, they shrugged it off claiming it was NOT a credible threat.

Not a credible threat??

The father of a terrorist takes the time to walk into an American embassy and tell officials that his son is preparing to murder Americans and the threat is not credible? Who is running the show people?

In this case it wasn't TSA's fault this guy was on the plane, all his paperwork and credentials were in order. This one is the fault of the intelligence officials within the US government, whose primary responsibility according to the Constitution is for the security of this nation.

Yeah I'm feeling safer today....

I don't know what made me think of this but the other day I was watching Fox News and caught a clip of something that happened on the Hill. I don't know why, it bugged me, maybe because it seems they're so caught up in their partisan crap they've just forgotten how to be gentlemen.

Joe Lieberman was speaking for ten minutes and had only a sentence or two left to wrap up when time ran out. He politely asked for just another minute to finish his thought. It's quite common for Senators to request this, I mean what's the harm right?

That's when Junior Senator Al Franken (sitting in as presiding member of the Senate) protested and said,

"In my capacity as senator from Minnesota, I object."

I mean was it REALLY a big deal Al? Come on you ass, let the man finish his thought.