Hi Everyone,
I would safely say that the majority of Americans get their local and national news from their TVs. Everyone has their favorite TV news channel. Since I have previously commented on this one particular news channel, I can't believe what Fox News did again. Will they ever learn?
A few weeks ago, during the government shutdown, Fox News host, Anna Koaiman reported on a story, that she reported as factual. She said that, "President Obama was using his own money to keep a museum for Muslim Culture open and operating". For those of you in the know, there is a parody news site on the web called the National Report. They are like SNL, (Saturday Night Live) where they do parody skits and report on bogus news stories. Well, well, well!! That is actually where Koaiman got her President Obama's news story facts from. No seriously, that is her source for the story! Additionally, the higher ups in Fox News, knew that the story was bogus, but they still decided to air the story anyway. Why? Ratings and misinformation are the only answers I can think of. Why else? Fox News wanted to get higher ratings and spread more misinformation regarding the President.
Fox News is not a real news organization, it is hyper-partisan TV entertainment. What made matters worse for the newly renamed Faux News is what they did afterwards. I have seen other news programs give on air apologies for their mistakes. But not Faux News. They had Koaiman retract her story via a tweet and not on air. So her apology was seen only by her twitter followers and not the general public. Shouldn't that give their viewers a moment to pause and think about their reliability? If not, it should!
I feel sorry for every single person who believes everything that they hear from Faux News. Obviously there are other TV stations that are partisan on the other end of the spectrum, but they do not air obvious lies and report them as facts. But Faux News deems the false and misleading stories fit to air. That is so they can continue their mission of spreading any and all misinformation as they deem fit. Such a sorry state of affairs! My advice; be careful of what and whom you believe. Since this is not the first, nor the second, or even their third time Faux News has done this kind of false reporting. So how can their viewers trust what they report on? Or are their viewers just Lemmings, following and believing everything that will eventually lead to their big time disappointments.
If Faux News had just one ounce of common sense, they would stop reporting lies, in this case, a bogus story that was never meant to be taken seriously, to improve their reputation. But since Faux News has done this repeatedly, isn't it painfully obvious that they care more about ratings and spreading false stories, than their reputation. If they continue down this path, in my opinion, they should be at least fined from the FCC. Hopefully Faux News will never start using SNL as their news source for factual news!
Just say no to Faux News.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
CSA #7
Hi Everyone,
It has been just over a year since I awarded my last Common Sense Award. A few years ago, a short 3 lane bridge, (just like an overpass), was replaced nearby. It took almost 2 years for the replacement and the traffic jams were unending. It was amazing to all the drivers how long it took to complete the job. So I was more than hesitant when I heard that two, 2 lane overpasses, (east and westbound) were going to be replaced on Route 84, in New York state, close to the Connecticut border. I thought to my self that this project would take years and years to complete. I watched as they prepared the site. I have to admit though that I was a bit perplexed when I saw how the site was being prepared. First I saw a huge new bridge being built in the median at a higher elevation then the original. Then I saw, what looked like a helicopter pad being built on the shoulder of the west bound side. I thought to myself that replacing these two overpasses would take longer then two years. Route 84 is a highly used highway and all I could imagine was the huge traffic nightmare that would continue until the overpasses were replaced.
Then we received a card in the mail, at about the same time that an article in the newspaper appeared regarding the replacement of the two overpasses, with dates of closing the lanes. What totally shocked and surprised me was that for the first time in New York state history, the replacements were going to be done in a new and very unique way. What I saw on the median and the shoulder were actually the new overpass replacements being built. After they were completed, they were going to first shut down the eastbound side to demolish the overpass and then "SLIDE" the new overpass into place. But, the real shocker was that they were going to demolish the overpass and install the new overpass in just 18 hours. 18 hours? How was that possible?
The day of the first closure came and unbelievably, 18 hours later the first overpass was replaced and was being used. A few weeks later the second overpass was replaced. It took a total of 36 hours to demolish and then replace the two, 2 lane overpasses. What a feat that was. Instead of taking years and years to accomplish with massive traffic jams; in almost a blink of an eye, they were totally replaced. Again, this was the very first time, this method of replacement, was used in New York state and it went flawlessly. Who knew that it was possible to slide in new overpasses into place?
So today, I award the seventh CSA to New York State for their excellent job in using great common sense to replace these 2 overpasses in record time and with minimal traffic disruption. Bravo for a job well done.
Til next week.
Peter
It has been just over a year since I awarded my last Common Sense Award. A few years ago, a short 3 lane bridge, (just like an overpass), was replaced nearby. It took almost 2 years for the replacement and the traffic jams were unending. It was amazing to all the drivers how long it took to complete the job. So I was more than hesitant when I heard that two, 2 lane overpasses, (east and westbound) were going to be replaced on Route 84, in New York state, close to the Connecticut border. I thought to my self that this project would take years and years to complete. I watched as they prepared the site. I have to admit though that I was a bit perplexed when I saw how the site was being prepared. First I saw a huge new bridge being built in the median at a higher elevation then the original. Then I saw, what looked like a helicopter pad being built on the shoulder of the west bound side. I thought to myself that replacing these two overpasses would take longer then two years. Route 84 is a highly used highway and all I could imagine was the huge traffic nightmare that would continue until the overpasses were replaced.
Then we received a card in the mail, at about the same time that an article in the newspaper appeared regarding the replacement of the two overpasses, with dates of closing the lanes. What totally shocked and surprised me was that for the first time in New York state history, the replacements were going to be done in a new and very unique way. What I saw on the median and the shoulder were actually the new overpass replacements being built. After they were completed, they were going to first shut down the eastbound side to demolish the overpass and then "SLIDE" the new overpass into place. But, the real shocker was that they were going to demolish the overpass and install the new overpass in just 18 hours. 18 hours? How was that possible?
The day of the first closure came and unbelievably, 18 hours later the first overpass was replaced and was being used. A few weeks later the second overpass was replaced. It took a total of 36 hours to demolish and then replace the two, 2 lane overpasses. What a feat that was. Instead of taking years and years to accomplish with massive traffic jams; in almost a blink of an eye, they were totally replaced. Again, this was the very first time, this method of replacement, was used in New York state and it went flawlessly. Who knew that it was possible to slide in new overpasses into place?
So today, I award the seventh CSA to New York State for their excellent job in using great common sense to replace these 2 overpasses in record time and with minimal traffic disruption. Bravo for a job well done.
Til next week.
Peter
Sunday, October 6, 2013
What's Good for the Goose............
Hi Everyone,
By now, you all know that when I write about the utter lack of common sense which most politicians seem to be missing these days; I am an equal opportunity abuser, be it a Republican or a Democrat. I call them out like I see it, using my common sense in combination with facts not spin.
As we all are so painfully aware, Washington D.C.'s dsyfunction has now fully boiled over into a government shut down. People have been arguing about whose fault it is all week. Whatever side of the fence you may be on, check these out.
Some interesting facts:
1)- There are currently 433 members of the US House of Representatives; 233 Republicans, 200 Democrats and 2 vacanies.
2)- There are approximately 38 +/- Tea Party members in the House, which only represents 16% of the total GOP membership in the House.
3)- A 9/26/13 poll showed that 22% of adults support the Tea Party. Which means 78% do not support the Tea Party!
4)- A few days ago, 100 GOP House members, (which is 42% of the GOP House total) stood on the steps of the US Capital and said that they would reopen the government by voting yes on the budget that President Obama submitted.
5)- The GOP talking points say that the majority of Americans don't want the ACA. Maybe that is true in only some of the states they represent but:
6)- In a recent poll, 57% (which is a majority) of Americans do want the Affordable Care Act.
7)- Mitt Romney, while Governor of Massachusetts, supported and implemented an "ACA" for his state; which became the template for the US version.
So where is the disconnect?
Here are even more interesting facts:
8)- The Affordable Care Act has been law for about 3 1/2 years.
9)- A minority of GOP members, specifically the 38 +/- Tea Party members have been vehemently opposed to the ACA and have tried to kill the ACA over and over again.
10)- The House has now voted over 40 times, (see my 7/21/13 blog), to abolish the ACA. All to absolutely no avail, but has so far cost a whole lot of money, while also wasting a whole lot of time.
11)- The GOP even tried to abolish the ACA through the US Supreme Court and lost. Even Chief Justice Roberts voted against them, go figure?!
12)- Mitt Romney's biggest platform agenda was to abolish the ACA, even though he supported and implemented such a program in his home state. Well that didn't work out to well for him in 2012 did it? Remember that he got trounced in the Electoral College vote in that presidential election.
13)- The GOP controlled House would not vote on a budget unless the ACA was defunded. Which was just another attempt to abolish the ACA.
14)- Then Ted Cruz held a filibuster for some 21 hours. What did he accomplish? The only thing that he accomplished, that most everyone agrees on, is that he got his name out in the national media; probably so he can be a presendential candidate in 2016.
15)- Now they want to delay the effective date of the ACA by one year.
They just don't give up and it will hurt them in upcoming elections for years to come. This very small minority of House members, 38, is holding the entire American people hostage as well as holding their own entire House of Representatives hostage, (please refer to the above number 4 again). The result of their absurd actions has now concluded in the shutting down of the US government. There are now hundreds of thousands of American government employees out of work and not being paid.
But wait, isn't today's blog titled, "What's good for the Goose....."? Why yes it is. Since I was taken back a bit, but not really surprised, to learn that while the government is shut down, these protected politicians still receive their full paychecks. What the hell?! If that isn't absurb, I don't know what is! So, I am now suggesting that a new common sense law be passed, asap. The law is very simple and direct. Any time the US government is shut down, for any reason, all members of Congress will not be paid, (no salary, no reimbursements of expense accounts including: meals, airfare, car rentals, hotels, personal car mileage, etc., etc. Then let's see how long a government shut down lasts, or if there is even another one. When politicians wallets/pocketbooks get hurt, they will quickly sit up straight and think long and hard, before they vote that would stop them from being paid. Of course and as usual, don't hold your breath.
And yes, I firmly believe that the budget could and should be cut some, but not at the expense of the ACA. A small minority of people should NEVER, EVER be allowed to hold everyone else hostage. Enough is enough! Note to GOP: you lost, get over it and do the job you were elected to do. PASS A BUDGET!
Please, please always remember, people are entitled to their own opinions, but to their own facts!
Til next week.
Peter
By now, you all know that when I write about the utter lack of common sense which most politicians seem to be missing these days; I am an equal opportunity abuser, be it a Republican or a Democrat. I call them out like I see it, using my common sense in combination with facts not spin.
As we all are so painfully aware, Washington D.C.'s dsyfunction has now fully boiled over into a government shut down. People have been arguing about whose fault it is all week. Whatever side of the fence you may be on, check these out.
Some interesting facts:
1)- There are currently 433 members of the US House of Representatives; 233 Republicans, 200 Democrats and 2 vacanies.
2)- There are approximately 38 +/- Tea Party members in the House, which only represents 16% of the total GOP membership in the House.
3)- A 9/26/13 poll showed that 22% of adults support the Tea Party. Which means 78% do not support the Tea Party!
4)- A few days ago, 100 GOP House members, (which is 42% of the GOP House total) stood on the steps of the US Capital and said that they would reopen the government by voting yes on the budget that President Obama submitted.
5)- The GOP talking points say that the majority of Americans don't want the ACA. Maybe that is true in only some of the states they represent but:
6)- In a recent poll, 57% (which is a majority) of Americans do want the Affordable Care Act.
7)- Mitt Romney, while Governor of Massachusetts, supported and implemented an "ACA" for his state; which became the template for the US version.
So where is the disconnect?
Here are even more interesting facts:
8)- The Affordable Care Act has been law for about 3 1/2 years.
9)- A minority of GOP members, specifically the 38 +/- Tea Party members have been vehemently opposed to the ACA and have tried to kill the ACA over and over again.
10)- The House has now voted over 40 times, (see my 7/21/13 blog), to abolish the ACA. All to absolutely no avail, but has so far cost a whole lot of money, while also wasting a whole lot of time.
11)- The GOP even tried to abolish the ACA through the US Supreme Court and lost. Even Chief Justice Roberts voted against them, go figure?!
12)- Mitt Romney's biggest platform agenda was to abolish the ACA, even though he supported and implemented such a program in his home state. Well that didn't work out to well for him in 2012 did it? Remember that he got trounced in the Electoral College vote in that presidential election.
13)- The GOP controlled House would not vote on a budget unless the ACA was defunded. Which was just another attempt to abolish the ACA.
14)- Then Ted Cruz held a filibuster for some 21 hours. What did he accomplish? The only thing that he accomplished, that most everyone agrees on, is that he got his name out in the national media; probably so he can be a presendential candidate in 2016.
15)- Now they want to delay the effective date of the ACA by one year.
They just don't give up and it will hurt them in upcoming elections for years to come. This very small minority of House members, 38, is holding the entire American people hostage as well as holding their own entire House of Representatives hostage, (please refer to the above number 4 again). The result of their absurd actions has now concluded in the shutting down of the US government. There are now hundreds of thousands of American government employees out of work and not being paid.
But wait, isn't today's blog titled, "What's good for the Goose....."? Why yes it is. Since I was taken back a bit, but not really surprised, to learn that while the government is shut down, these protected politicians still receive their full paychecks. What the hell?! If that isn't absurb, I don't know what is! So, I am now suggesting that a new common sense law be passed, asap. The law is very simple and direct. Any time the US government is shut down, for any reason, all members of Congress will not be paid, (no salary, no reimbursements of expense accounts including: meals, airfare, car rentals, hotels, personal car mileage, etc., etc. Then let's see how long a government shut down lasts, or if there is even another one. When politicians wallets/pocketbooks get hurt, they will quickly sit up straight and think long and hard, before they vote that would stop them from being paid. Of course and as usual, don't hold your breath.
And yes, I firmly believe that the budget could and should be cut some, but not at the expense of the ACA. A small minority of people should NEVER, EVER be allowed to hold everyone else hostage. Enough is enough! Note to GOP: you lost, get over it and do the job you were elected to do. PASS A BUDGET!
Please, please always remember, people are entitled to their own opinions, but to their own facts!
Til next week.
Peter
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