Cat's Blog - A Blog About Nothing

Caught in a Bad Romance: Women’s Suffrage

Cats r Flyfishn — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:42:21 +0000

April 28, 2012 is the date for the rally against the war on women at each state Capitol building.

Power, Control, Absolutely!

Cats r Flyfishn — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:33:32 +0000

Power is a strong drug. Every candidate that is running for the presidency is doing so because they desire power. The amount of power wanted varies among the candidates and is dependent upon their degree of self-absorption. They all say that they have all the answers to all our problems when in reality, they just want control.

Often times, people enter politics with good intentions. They may start out as a “Mr. Smith”. After spending time as an elected official, people begin to comprehend and appreciate their position of power and control and that is when they begin to change. Yes, change does happen.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is about power and how power corrupts even the best among us. Frodo had “the ring”, the one that controls them all. No matter how hard Frodo tried, he found it impossible to resist the power that came with wearing the ring. It took someone else to toss the ring into the fire because Frodo just couldn’t do it. The power was too strong and the power was destructive.

Elected officials often find themselves in the same position as Frodo. They find it hard to resist the power that comes with their position. The longer they are in politics, the more entrenched in power they become. Even after they are voted out, they come back seeking to be elected in a different position of power. The power of holding a government office is addicting.

Money is the means of achieving positions of power. If we want this to change, then we must be the ones to push “the ring” into the fire by taking the money out of politics and by limiting the number of terms in office. It is time to amend the Constitution.

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton

Chinese Restaurant Syndrome

Cats r Flyfishn — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:04:23 +0000

Last evening, I had dinner at the local Vietnamese restaurant. I always order the same thing which is a rice vermicelli dish with vegetables and meat or chicken or tofu. About 1/3 of the way through my meal, it started. My head felt like it was in a vice, my fingers began to swell and my heart beat increased. I recognized the symptoms immediately. It was a reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG). I asked the waitress if the cooks put MSG in the food that they prepare. She said “yes”. Then I asked if they would withhold MSG if requested, and again, she said “yes”. Really? Would the kitchen keep MSG out of my next order? How would I know if they honored my request? I wouldn’t until I finished my meal. If I don’t have a reaction, then there was no MSG in my meal OR there was very little in my meal, not enough for me to notice. The sad part is that I have eaten at this restaurant many times without having a MSG reaction, except once about 5 years ago. I had ordered a Chinese dish at that time so I blamed the MSG on my choice of meal. Then it happened again last night after eating a Vietnamese dish. Now I know to ask before I order food from any Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese restaurant. I’m excluding Chinese restaurants because I don’t eat at Chinese restaurants.

Here’s a link to a website with more details about monosodium glutamate. This stuff is in almost all processed foods. If it causes such severe symptoms, it can’t be safe.

The Food and Drug Administration claims that MSG is safe for humans. I wonder.

Shop ‘Till You Drop

Cats r Flyfishn — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:08:21 +0000

The big, box, retail stores are now moving their “black Friday” sales to Thanksgiving Day. This bargain hunting has become another “holiday” of sorts. Personally, I want no part of this shopping insanity.

Before leaving the house, ask these questions.

Do we really need more of the Chinese junk that is offered in the big, box stores?
Will our children suffer irreparable, emotional damage if they don’t get exactly what they want for Christmas?
Do we really know what other people would like to receive? If we did, there wouldn’t be huge exchange lines the day after Christmas.
Are we spending our money that will leave our local communities just for a “bargain”?

Just like everyone else, I enjoy receiving gifts. It may be the thought that counts, but I don’t need more “things” around my house. When it comes to purchasing clothes, I prefer to buy my own clothes. Some of the best gifts that I have received where gifts that were made by the giver. Homemade food and homemade drinks are especially enjoyable. Other favorites are gift certificates to either a bed and breakfast or to a local restaurant. We always appreciate items made by local artisans. These gifts support small, local businesses and keeps the money in the community.

This Christmas, try something different. Show that you care about your own community by supporting local businesses. Pass up the ‘super savings’ offered by the big, box, retail stores. Shop local or make gifts. The time spent shopping could be spent making something special for the people you love. The receiver will always remember the care that you took in creating the gift. This makes the gift special and not just another big, box, retail purchase.

Dismantling Medicare

Cats r Flyfishn — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:38:02 +0000

Representative Paul Ryan has a plan to reduce the federal deficit. It will lower the tax rate for America’s wealthiest at the expense of seniors. Oh, sure, he says, “It won’t effect anyone that is currently over 55″ which is probably true. He wants to tear families apart by pitting the younger generation against their parents and grandparents. That’s not family values that I could support. One of the lies is that the Medicare voucher system will be just like what government employees receive. LIE. The government pays 75% of the health insurance premium for each employee with the employee picking up 25% of the cost. If premiums increase, then the cost increases but the percentage never changes. This will not happen in the Medicare voucher system as the “cost of living” increase does not match the rising cost of health care.

There is no way that seniors will be able to afford private health insurance and as they age, the premiums will take a larger and larger percent of a senior’s income. Doctors are not required to take Medicare or treat Medicare patients. The same holds true for health insurance companies which are not required to insure anyone. Older seniors will find that they may be dropped from their health insurance coverage just at the time of their life when they need it the most.

Shame on Republicans for lying and trying to scam Americans. Shame on Republicans for taking from the poor and giving to the rich.

We Can Embrace Both

Cats r Flyfishn — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:13:27 +0000

Let’s Remember

Cats r Flyfishn — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:55:17 +0000

Had enough of the dishonest Republicans? Tired of the Tea Party selfishness?

I hope that President Obama shows this much passion during his State of the Union Speech. It is his passion that inspires Americans. It is this ability to inspire Americans that frighten the selfish Republicans.

Why Is Helping Someone Considered A Cancer?

Cats r Flyfishn — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:55:46 +0000

Pat Boone, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Ronald Reagan and others, have been beating the drum to the public that liberals are out to destroy our country. According to them, liberals are a cancer to our society and they need to be stopped.

This is America and liberals are just as free to express themselves as conservatives are.

From a Diary that I respect, jamess explains this further. Read it here.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Cats r Flyfishn — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:23:44 +0000

Creamy Mushroom Soup.

Here’s the bumper sticker

Cats r Flyfishn — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:50:46 +0000

We Won’t Pay For Their Crisis