Tuscon--the Heartland of America

I watched the President on national television from Tuscon on Wednesday evening as he spoke to the assembled masses reeling from the tragedy which occurred over the weekend.

The stories of the victims were compelling--lives extinguished or changed. I was moved that two husbands protected their wives from the bullets--even so, one of the wives died as did one of the husbands. They truly embodied the charge of Paul to husbands in Ephesians 5:25, Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. (NET Bible)  They both were willing to sacrifice themselves for their wives--no truer sign of love exists on this planet.

I was heartened by the stories of the heroes--those who ran towards the bullets and the shooter to subdue him, rather than away to safety. Those willing, without time to examine the consequences, to do what was necessary to protect others--they have true giving spirits.

The people were gathered on Saturday doing something guaranteed by our Constitution--assembling peacefully in public.  The shooter was striking at one of the very freedoms so many other heroes have given their lives to obtain and protect since 1776.

I admit--as I observed the proceedings, I was shocked by the celebration-like atmosphere instead of the more mournful tribute I had expected. I had expected tears and platitudes and eulogies. In reflecting on the event, though, I see how this was a celebration of life, of heroes, and more importantly the American spirit. We are strongest when we are united--and it seems we become united in the face of tragic adversity.

Continue to pray for everyone associated with this tragedy--

Of Guns and Crazies

It is a tragedy.  Please do not misunderstand me--the shootings in Tuscon are the work of a crazed person who needs to have his DNA removed from the planet.

But then I read the following from and article titled: Congressman Pete King to Introduce Gun Safety Bill After Arizona Shooting

Rep. Peter King said Tuesday he plans to introduce a new gun safety bill in Congress in the wake of the mass shooting in Arizona that killed six people and wounded 14 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

King said his bill would make it illegal to knowingly carry a gun within a thousand feet of "certain high-profile" government officials.

And, I think--really? Just what we need, another unenforceable law on the books which will only be used to pile on top of other offenses when someone does something stupid and criminal. And--how does someone "unknowingly" carry a gun?  Even better--who can determine if someone "knew or not" that they were packing a gun?  Really?

And if they were able to charge Jared Loughner, the shooter in Tuscon, under this law--who would benefit?

Would the injured be less so or would the dead be alive again?

No!

The problem is not going to be fixed by another almost meaningless and unenforceable law passed by representatives out of touch with what is happening in society.

We have enough laws which are essentially unenforceable and it breeds contempt for the entire legal system of the United States. We need smart and enforceable laws--not laws enacted for special interests designed to make it appear someone is doing something to address a problem. What is really happening is that the deeper social and mental health issues become lost in hot button issues and laws.

For example--look at speed limits. Who of us would not be totally enraged to receive a ticket for speeding 1 mph over the posted limit?  We all believe, in fact the deployment of speed cameras in Maryland has confirmed, that we can be exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph before running a risk of a ticket.  Why not raise all of the posted speed limits by 15 mph and enforce them as stated?

We must impress upon our representatives that laws need to be sane, meaningful, and enforceable. If only criminals are going to be charged after the event has occurred--then what is the deterrent value of the law? What does it add to the betterment of society? 

Say a prayer for the victims of this tragedy.

Too Cold to Think

January 11, 2011 Storm results

The prospect of another Nor'easter making it way through the region has everyone on edge. It seems at the hint of snow everyone in the Mid-Atlantic region begins to panic and there continues to be a mad rush on the grocery store. Come on people--we survived dueling blizzards last February. The Snowpocalypse should remind everyone that 1-4 inches is a mere nuisance. So get over it.

Although they are calling for the Chesapeake to freeze over if the cold weather continues. The last time that happened was 1977.

The temperature has been cold--just too cold lately.  It had to warm up to snow.

I know when I go outside I just prepare myself for a wintry blast. Not snow--just really cold. I am amused when Makayla goes outside how she fluffs her fur to keep the cold away. She becomes a real fur ball and is very pretty all fluffed up.  She doesn't seem to mind the cold too much.

One bright spot was the removal of Patrick's1996 Honda from the driveway on Monday. Now I have an open spot. I'm thinking of buying another Jaguar--just because.  Not really. It is weird to think that I have an open spot in the driveway after having it filled by a non-functioning car for the past year. Maybe I'll rent it out to someone who has a boat that needs a parking spot.

But it is too cold to think about that now.

Stay warm and go easy on the shoveling.

Tell Me Again about Saturday

What a day it was.  It started early and ended late.  I worked harder Saturday than I did all week.

I look forward to weekends--I can get stuff done, and chill a bit too.  Of course an NFL Football Playoff Weekend also means that there should be some quality time with the TV urging on my favorite team.

0645 - Up for the day to catch up on the news and usual stuff--walk dog twice, get paper, read computer news and complain about the battery life on my iPhone
0740 - Out the door to a Men's breakfast at Bob Evan's
0800-0915 - Men's breakfast @ Bob Evan's --funny enough, our server was named Evan. Weird.
0930 - At the house to get tools
0950 - At Patricks to begin TV electrical project
1120 - Depart Patrick's to go home to change for Lucas' Birthday party
1200-1400 - Lucas Birthday party
1430 - Back to Patrick's to complete project
1630 - Home--assist with putting away last Christmas decorations
1800 - Complete the removal of Christmas decorations and put them away
1815 - People arrive to buy Patrick's old 1996 Honda (departed the driveway yesterday)
1930 - Run to Patrick's to help sell stereo equipment to the people who bought the car
2015 - Back home totally exhausted try watching Jets at Colts but can't keep eyes open
2020 - Eat dinner with Chris--pot roast that she started during the morning and slow cooked all day
2115 - Asleep in my chair
2130 - Awakened from my sleep and told to go to bed
2200 - Crawl into bed--fall asleep
2230 - Phone rings and the caller tells me that Colts are going to lose--64 seconds left in game. I decide not to turn on the TV
2232 - Snoring begins uninterrupted.


I hope your Saturday was nearly as much fun as mine. I never was able to carve out time for an afternoon nap--

Monday Musings - January 10, 2011

1. Wow--the second week of January already.  Time is already flying.

2. Strange week in the news--new Congress, new White House Chief of Staff, same old taxes though.  And it is tax season.

3. Be happy where you are.  It's hard sometimes because I want to be somewhere I'm not.

4. Do palm trees grow in North Dakota?  Answer. Yes, in a greenhouse.

5. Football playoffs have begun with some shocking surprises.  Won't it be sad next year after the NFL owners have strangled the golden goose not to have football? Way to go Ravens--the only favored team that actually won.

6. Saturday--a new definition: a day to accomplish all of those things that were put off during the week.  A 12-hour work day is anticipated so that returning to the day-job on Monday will seem like taking a day off.

7. Out of control. I dreamed the other night of sliding down a snow-covered hill on the old runner sled that I had when I was a kid. I realized that when I was a kid I loved that out of control feeling of careening down the hill barely able to steer. Now--I need to be in control and I don't think I'd find it much fun.  Sad.

8. The house looked empty yesterday when we got up and Christmas was all packed away. We are still finding the little things we missed though.

9. Quote of the week from Jax made while we were playing with a big truck during Lucas' party: "Poppop, you go hide and I'll get the gas." He was playing two games at the same time.

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 -- Review

This is my first wine review of 2011, and it is also the first time that I will have reviewed a newer vintage of a wine that I previously reviewed.

I reviewed the 2006 vintage of this wine and that review at this link: 2006 MA Cab-Sav. I really enjoyed the 2006 vintage and highly recommended it. I was excited about sampling a bottle of the 2008 vintage.


The 2008 vintage of the wine has a nice deep color, which is very pleasant to experience. It has a nose full of dark berries and cherries with a hint of vanilla for some sweetness. The initial taste confirms the nose--the berries and black cherries are definitely there as well as the vanilla and a hint of tobacco and pepper. The wine has a nice feel in the mouth, silky. The tannins are very light.  The taste, however, did not linger and the wine has no finish. It just ends after the initial excitement of the nose and taste.

I was disappointed with the finish and the overall balance of the wine. There is no complexity to support the taste and the flavors. It is an easy drinking wine, but there are a lot of wines like that for much less cost. I was not convinced that this wine would get any better with age. It doesn't have either the tannins or structure to perform in this manner.

RECOMMENDATION: At about $18 per bottle, I think there are better wines out there to enjoy. This is a nice, easy drinking wine but it lacked complexity and balance.