News Media and the standard BS

I was just wondering.

You see, today I was watching a news network on my TV, you know which one.

It’s the one with over 75% (which seems like 90% after all these months) of their 24-hour coverage being about the Republican candidate for president and what he slips up and said to people 10, 20 and more years ago.

In most states, some of these things they beat to death are older than the statutes of limitations on such crimes as Murder, Rape, Assault, and other true criminal abuses.

But thes disconnected fools go on and on, filling their air time with digital nothings that in a few week will not even rate being stored for posterity.

So, today I made a point of switching back to this network at least hourly all day long and into the evening.

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The News Media and a Jaded America.

Here’s my question. Jus How the Hell did we get to this place where we, the American Public, became so Jaded.

We trust no one! NO ONE!

Accept it, you’re just like me, we don’t believe anything that anyone says, especially the media, or as a result of the twisted news shows, even a Presidential Candidate.

The major media machines have spent so much of their resources  attempting to debunk every word from every candidate, as well as everyone who supports them that we, the people, scoff at everything we see on our TV or Smartphone.

Congratulations CNN, etal, you have done it. You have taken investigative journalism from true journalism, right through common sense commentary all the way over to the point of “giant Killer”. I’m not just picking on you CNN, I did say etal. Perhaps you should look it up.

Admit it, you really don’t care about the truth anymore, only the sensational ound-bite.

Come on, you prove it every day, YOU DON’T CARE!

You know, I remember the day when, in a newspaper or magazine, if a person’s words were quoted they were captured within two quote marks, and looked at by the world as being sacrosanct.

And, if parts of the quote were ever eliminated, there was this little string of dots “…..” that signified a part of the quote was left out.

Today, in our world of instant video presentations, I guess the media doesn’t know how to verbally insert those little dots.

They once meant so much to any educated reader. They said that this is only a piece of the original words, and we have shortened it here, for one reason or another.

Now though, a politician or a supporter can go to a small town for a meeting with voters, and talk for an hour or so.

But in this world of ours today, the media can set up a camera and record the whole conversation and then instantly scan it for a collection of words spoken that they can then present to America.

Typically, the presented words were taken totally out of context and reassembled to present to us, the public, simply “for affect”.

In other words, they do not reflect the actual meaning of that hour of back and forth talks with numerous questions and answers, but rather they are reassembled (or used for “sound bites”) that can then be used to “attack” the candidate.

Oh, and of course, this happens to both presidential candidates. Any slip of the tongue is fodder for a “news flash” across the TV screens of Americans.

In my opinion, it’s really a form of “truth rape” and we, the public have become so used to it, so jaded by it, that we just shrug our shoulders at pretty much anything the news media says to us anymore.

So, I watch as any honest but loose-lipped candidates sit with me, on the sidelines, watching this new form if entertainment. Should in the vein of the old game shows of the fifties and sixties, should I call it “Dare to tell the Truth” entertainment?

Jaded but still watching,

Don Bobbitt, 2016

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Copyright, Don Bobbitt, September 3, 2016, All Rights Reserved

You are free to enjoy and share this article with friends but if you wish to use it commercially, then you must have the author’s permission in writing.

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Politicians should be changed like diapers – plus a joke.

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Our politicians today are a privileged group of self-serving individuals that would not hesitate to sell anyone down the river to get what they want.

One of the problems we have today is the fact that the two political parties have polarized themselves so far to the two extremes of ideology (liberal and conservative) that they have become ineffective and basically in need of being replaced by people who believe in the goals of our original government; to serve the people, and not just themselves.

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Yeah, There’s a Storm Coming. How do you Like us now?

Read my latest rant where I try to speak to the journalists and political manipulators who are trying to fix yet another national election.

They keep wondering why Trump is still there when they wake up each morning. Well, Listen and learn.

Click on the link below to read my rant against the (two-party) establishment.

How do you like us now!

by Don Bobbitt, January, 2016

Chicken Poop is still just Chicken Poop! No matter how you dress it up!

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I remember, decades ago, when they carted this old guy out on national news for his unique hobby.

He was obviously a simple farmer who was very uncomfortable with all of the attention he was getting.

What this man had done was simple and elegant.

He had a problem; He had worn his body out working on his farm his whole life and now he needed more money so he and his wife could have a better lifestyle.

He looked around, and all he had as resources was his farm itself and whatever was on this piece of land.

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TRUMP? What an Ass! But, right now he’s my favorite Ass!

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Yeah, I watched the great CNN managed (prejudiced?) Republican debate on TV.

And, honestly? I loved it.

You might wonder why I, an avowed Independent voter my whole life, would spend several hours of his time watching such a circus.

By independent, I mean, although I have voted religiously, in every election, I have never voted FOR anyone, sad to say.

Rather, I have always been forced to vote AGAINST the worst of the two candidates available to me.

Well, I watched this circus because, I got to see the Republican candidates dancing on their “PAC-puppet” strings, almost in fear it seemed at times, over what a big-mouth rich man might say about, or to, them.

I love it that the news journalists on all of the major networks, are stirring in their own indignant juices over this Donald Trump and his frank and sometimes troubling opinions.

And I love that they keep asking; Why do so many people like him?

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Presidential Candidates, How many do we need?

 

OK, Before you read this any further, please accept my apology for my obvious stupidity.

I mean, I must be stupid, because at this point in our nation’s history (and my life) there are so many things going on in our political process that I just don’t understand, I get baffled easily.

So, here is my problem, today;

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LMSA – Be PROUD and be LOUD

DON BOBBITT

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A commentary on how both parties in Congress are working together to distract the public into believing that the reduction of benefits for Retirees, Seniors and Baby Boomers is necessary to reduce the federal deficit.

This is their preference rather than cutting their other favorite Pork Barrel programs, or God forbid, their own bloated benefit programs.

Leave My S&^$ Alone!

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by Don Bobbitt

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I was just Thinking? – Where have the Verbal Combatants gone?

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I know! It’s a strange question, but I was just wondering.

For most of my life, i could pick an argument whenever I wanted.

People had opinions!

Now, for some reason our society has been turned into what was once called a collection of “milk-toasts”. These days, supposed “intelligent” people avoid confrontation and dodge disagreements.

A red face and flying saliva from a distorted mouth is no longer a sign that a person has strong feelings about a subject. Rather it’s looked on as being crude and impolite. And, sad to say, someone will probably mention their mental health.

Where did the need for passionate feelings go? Continue reading

I was Just Thinkin’ – Here I sit, Retired?

IWas Just Thinkin' - IRS Agents, FBI Agents

That’s right, I’m Retired!

And, here I have combined two different articles of mine for efect. The first half I wrote when I turned 65. The second half are my reflections on then, Now and what I am afraid about tomorrow and our future as retirees.

Click on the link below to read the article.

Here I am, RETIRED, Reflections of a Retiree.

by Don Bobbitt,2014

Copyright, DonBobbitt, 2014, All Rights Reserved

Sunday Morning Politics - Who is looking Out for ME?

Making excuses for the Tea Party, Trying to condone the destruction of America

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I was listening to the news yesterday and there was an endless line of Congressmen marching in front of the cameras.

The were either attacking and blaming each other for the ridiculous brinksmanship we Americans have been dragged through.

The amazing thing was that each one continued to feel that they were the ones that were right and that the “other guys” were to be blamed for the recent damage to our nation.  Continue reading

I shoulda Shot Him when I had the chance.

FLASHBACK!

Late 1800’s in the Wild Wild West!

The Good guy, wearing all white leather and a large 10-gallon hat rode into town and tied his horse (named Hillary) in front of the local Saloon.

He pushed his hat back and with silver spurs jingling he walked, slightly bow-legged into the Saloon. When he got to the end of the bar, he motioned to the bartender with a wave of his hand. Continue reading

I was Just Thinkin’ – PORK BARREL Issues

This little article includes my rant about the stupidity of Congress and their continuing inability ro agree to resolve issues.
It is my opinion, mine only, and I do this, for no other reason than to lower my blood pressure.
This is not an effort to change the minds (really?) of those that we have put in charge of our lives and our futures.
In case you have been living in the same hole in the ground that Punxsutawney Phil calls home, here is a little news bite that I just witnessed.
First, you must be aware that the Income tax reduction that was put in place several years ago, by the Bush administration, has ended.
Just to give you some perspective on this tax reduction, if it is not renewed, the typical person that has an income of $50,000, will see a tax increase, of approximately $1000 for the year.
So,let’s keep it simple with the math.
Just divide that $1000 by 12 and you get $83.33 per month that you will not have, personally, to pay bills, buy food, or whatever you needs may be.
$1000 divided by 12 months equals $83.33
Now, why my rant?
Well, as the story unfolded on the TV show, it turns out that the show stopper is another example of “Stupid Is as Stupid Does” by Congress, or so it seems to me.
This time it seems that with both parties holding up approval of an extension to the tax break is actually both the Elephants and the Donkeys.
I call them by their animal names because it helps me understand the obvious lack of “Potty Training” on their part.
Why Potty Training?
Using this phrase help me explain why the members of the two parties are constantly walking around PISSING on each other rather than resolving the issues that are critical to pulling our economy back up by its bootstraps.
What is the Issue this time?
This time the Elephants say they are ready to approve the tax exemption but the Donkeys are the problem.
Why are the Donkeys a problem?
You will love this!
According to the Elephants, the Donkeys/Elephants, (who know which is the original culprit here) had attached one of those Pork Barrell issues to the Bill for the approval of the tax reduction extension.
And what was this oh-so-important issue?
Why it’s the approval for that Keystone Oil Pipeline from Alaska through Canada and into and across part of the US to Texas.
And what is the issue with this giant, lobbyist-driven Boondoggle?
Why, don’t you understand? The Donkeys, yes the Donkeys, are refusing to approve the Bill due to ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
Environmental Issues? What environmental issues you might say?
Well, they don’t really have a handle on that, at the moment, you see.
We NEED TO STUDY the POSSIBLE environmental impact of such a project as this one.
They haven’t found an endangered animal, not even a Snail.
They haven’t found any seismic situations that might cause a broken oil line.
They haven’t even found a site whose beauty might be sullied by such a pipeline.
Nope! They just want to study everything, just in case there is an issue that pops up that needs management.
And, the Bill has now affected the economy through; Federal worker reductions, reduced Medicare payments, and EPA standards on Boiler emissions, just to name a few of the little Boogers that they have attached to the underside of the bill that was supposed to help us, the middle-class Americans just get a decent tax break.
The Bill is HR 3630.
This is why i have these rants.
Our representatives in Congress, even when they have a clear and clean-cut issue that can help everyone in the middle class of America next year, just have to screw things up.
This, when they need to help us all with a continued tax reduction during this critical time for our country.
But, no, they play their petty games and do this to us all..
Now, I don’t want to make any plant, animal, or anything else extinct. I don’t want to endanger the environment, in any way.
But, when you intentionally attach such a volatile project onto one that we, the whole country needs approved, you are really telling us, the public, one thing.
CONGRESS REALLY DOESN’T UNDERSTAND!
They don’t understand the true needs of the people.
They don’t understand the state of our economic problems,
They don’t understand how PISSED, we, the public, are with them.
END of RANT!

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A Seniors View of His Medical Insurance Future

Ryan-pic by DonkeyHotey via flickr

It seems that we Seniors are eating too much Chicken at the political picnic!

And, if history is any lesson on how corporations and governments operate, I and the rest of us Boomers, are in serious trouble.

I figure that once the younger people of America get put on “Coupons” for their future insurance,
I assume we older ones with be the next ones who get the shaft. 

It would be a natural and obvious next step for the government as Medicare costs go up, if for no other reason than that there will be less people on Medicare and thus the shared costs will be less. This in itself would drive our Congress to give we remaining participants our own “Coupons”. And applaud themselves for doing it.

Here is the thing about COUPONS that we should all remember.
1- let’s say that Congress approves and issues a Coupon for $150 per month for you to go out and buy insurance yourself with independent insurance companies.
2- Everyone goes out and purchases insurance coverage for $140 per month at first.
3- Then, 3 years later inflation has made the insurance companies charge $170 per month.

Where do the “Coupon”  holders then stand?
Well, they write a check for the difference themselves, every month, until Congress meets and approves an increase in the value of a COUPON.
4- So, after another year, they place a bill before congress for a COUPON increase $170, right?
5- Well, If you assume there are 50-Million people on Medicare that’s $20 times 50-million or over 1-Billion dollars would be added to the National debt.
6- So with this kind of potential increase to the debt, there will be a lot of fighting over whether an increase will be approved at all.
7- And if it is approved then they will, in all probability, add provisions to cut the coverage available and thus reduce that awful 1-Billion dollar future debt.

This is my scenario analysis and as we Boomers and Seniors die off, our combined influence and leverage in congress will slowly decline until we are an insignificant force to be dealt with, at the worst times in our lives, when we are in our eighties or older.

And, if my scenario is correct, by the time Congress did anything to raise the coverage and implement the change, the insurance companies will probably have raised their rates to $180.

See the problem?

So,get ready to be put on the perpetual CATCH-UP Wheel of shrinking Medical Care.
Bamboo_01Don

 

The Republican Convention in Tampa and our Tax Dollars used

The Republican National Convention is to be held in Tampa Florida, shortly, and the article that I read in the local paper included these interesting numbers for us all to consider.

1- The Federal Government (that means us!) is paying $50-MILLION dollars for Convention Security.  Now that’s a lot of money, but even worse, you must remember that each party will receive the exact same amount of moneys from the Federal government for the security of all of those drunken privileged few that get to attend these conventions.

2- The article also mentioned that the Federal Elections Committee is providing $18.2-MILLION Dollars to the RNC’s Committee on Arrangements to “make Mitt Romney look good” What does that mean? These funds will come from those of us that allowed the federal government to take $3.00 from each of us  on our tax documentation.

Combine all of the Federal Funds involved and you get $136-MILLION in TAXPAYER Dollars for these political parties to, and I quote; “watch people wearing stupid hats and see a lot of balloons drop.”

As the article says.

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT WE ARE $15-TRILLION dollars in DEBT?

Bamboo_01Don Bobbitt