Ah the Holiday Season is here, to many it is just about over. Many have or are about to head to Grandma's house or someother family gathering place, what fun. You get to hang out with the people you most likely have ran away from only to be stuck with them for 5-8 hours in a small place. People wonder why they drink after these get togethers, recall your most recent family holiday gathering.
To me its a time to relax and thank the lord I'm where I am and what I could have become.
Well, it's been another year and 2013 is looking to be a different kind of year. No Elections that matter, no more bar life and a future that is looking bright. Is a run for City Wide Office in the wings, 2013 will show the way.
I lost a good friend in 2012 but gained a few new ones as well. What Happens next is anyones guess. Here's to it. Good Luck to all, buy a ticket and enjoy the ride
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
The Duke- Tampa Base: NRA/PTA/Hollywood and you & me
The Duke- Tampa Base: NRA/PTA/Hollywood and you & me: So now the NRA has made their statement about the School Shooting in CT. What did you expect the folks at America's foremost Anti-Gun Contr...
NRA/PTA/Hollywood and you & me
So now the NRA has made their statement about the School Shooting in CT. What did you expect the folks at America's foremost Anti-Gun Control Group to say? Of course, a Good Guy with a Gun is the only way to stop a Bad Guy with a Gun. That leads to more guns, which has worked out so well in Florida. Just shoot anyone if you feel threatened, Stand Your Ground, and the rest will work out. (a better way to say it is- Shoot 1st ask questions later) By the way, there was a Cop at Columbine School and we know how that worked out.
At the end of the day WE have to take a closer look at what WE let our kids do, watch, listen and play. It's a WE problem. Not too long ago a singer performing in a Wedding Dress and humping the stage was racy, now a Boob Shot during the Superbowl even seems lite, heck you can even say FUCK on TV as long as it's a live mic & after 11pm. At some point WE have to take responsibility for our viewing/listening habits. Yea, Yea, I know our rights would be taken away, it's our 1st Amendment Right to free speech, blow out your behind if you can't see how things have gotten a bit out of control the past 40 years. So yea I guess I'm blaming the Baby Boomers. You brought us the 60's & 70's drug culture and so VERY, VERY Bad Music after the Beatles, they get a pass, but other than the Beatles your age group has just sucked. You can, Mr. & Mrs. Boomer can't even balance a budget or pass a bill that could fix things thru congress. But if it involves a tax break or way to make you a little richer while sticking to the next generation you are all for.
Parents, WTF. When you give your kids everything and I mean everything what the hell do you expect. Before you start your "I don't" speech stop and think about what you had growing up and then think about what you gave your kids. Every kids DOES NOT deserve a Trophy in Little League, there things called winners & loser. We all hope we win every time out but we all know the truth, we fail more often than we win. Face it. Teaching our next great generation that winning doesn't matter how leads to less productivity & excuses. Not every kid is gonna be a doctor or president of a corporation but no matter what position in life your child ends up in he or she will need the drive to succeed. With out that they as good as homeless. It's true and you know it. Wise up.
Hollywood....Where the hell should a person start. Just because it sells doesn't mean it's a good thing. I used to listen to Howard Stern, Howie would defend his radio show, which is a good show I know, but every once and while Howie would say something that would get him in trouble with some group. Reports would asked him about his little girl, "Howard would you let your Daughter listen to your show?" Depending on the subject matter sometimes he said yes sometimes he said no. At least he was honest. But the bigger point is, sometimes a little respect is all that is needed. $$$$'s are great don't get me wrong but if a movie is just guns, blood & guts and a bit of sex to spice it up, where does the story come in? Remember that, the Novel, the Essay, the True Story...it kinda gets lost in the BS the movie companies throw up on a screen for people's hard earned dollar. Saving Private Ryan was a good movie but even Vet's who say where a bit taken a back by the Blood & Guts.
So, there is a problem but just blaming one group is not the answer. WE have to fix it. Pass the Assult Weapons Ban, Ban Clips over 10 ten rounds, Hollywood needs to stop making us less concerned about death/how we kill, Parents suck it up- teach not cover up and look at the world around you. What can you do? I'm sure you will find that there is a lot you can fix in your world. If not we'll be here again.
At the end of the day WE have to take a closer look at what WE let our kids do, watch, listen and play. It's a WE problem. Not too long ago a singer performing in a Wedding Dress and humping the stage was racy, now a Boob Shot during the Superbowl even seems lite, heck you can even say FUCK on TV as long as it's a live mic & after 11pm. At some point WE have to take responsibility for our viewing/listening habits. Yea, Yea, I know our rights would be taken away, it's our 1st Amendment Right to free speech, blow out your behind if you can't see how things have gotten a bit out of control the past 40 years. So yea I guess I'm blaming the Baby Boomers. You brought us the 60's & 70's drug culture and so VERY, VERY Bad Music after the Beatles, they get a pass, but other than the Beatles your age group has just sucked. You can, Mr. & Mrs. Boomer can't even balance a budget or pass a bill that could fix things thru congress. But if it involves a tax break or way to make you a little richer while sticking to the next generation you are all for.
Parents, WTF. When you give your kids everything and I mean everything what the hell do you expect. Before you start your "I don't" speech stop and think about what you had growing up and then think about what you gave your kids. Every kids DOES NOT deserve a Trophy in Little League, there things called winners & loser. We all hope we win every time out but we all know the truth, we fail more often than we win. Face it. Teaching our next great generation that winning doesn't matter how leads to less productivity & excuses. Not every kid is gonna be a doctor or president of a corporation but no matter what position in life your child ends up in he or she will need the drive to succeed. With out that they as good as homeless. It's true and you know it. Wise up.
Hollywood....Where the hell should a person start. Just because it sells doesn't mean it's a good thing. I used to listen to Howard Stern, Howie would defend his radio show, which is a good show I know, but every once and while Howie would say something that would get him in trouble with some group. Reports would asked him about his little girl, "Howard would you let your Daughter listen to your show?" Depending on the subject matter sometimes he said yes sometimes he said no. At least he was honest. But the bigger point is, sometimes a little respect is all that is needed. $$$$'s are great don't get me wrong but if a movie is just guns, blood & guts and a bit of sex to spice it up, where does the story come in? Remember that, the Novel, the Essay, the True Story...it kinda gets lost in the BS the movie companies throw up on a screen for people's hard earned dollar. Saving Private Ryan was a good movie but even Vet's who say where a bit taken a back by the Blood & Guts.
So, there is a problem but just blaming one group is not the answer. WE have to fix it. Pass the Assult Weapons Ban, Ban Clips over 10 ten rounds, Hollywood needs to stop making us less concerned about death/how we kill, Parents suck it up- teach not cover up and look at the world around you. What can you do? I'm sure you will find that there is a lot you can fix in your world. If not we'll be here again.
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Duke- Tampa Base: Work for Tampa, Live in Tampa. Schools & Guns
The Duke- Tampa Base: Work for Tampa, Live in Tampa. Schools & Guns: Hey, just a side note, if you work for the City of Tampa, LIVE IN TAMPA. Its part of any City Employee's work agreement. If you don't like...
Work for Tampa, Live in Tampa. Schools & Guns
Hey, just a side note, if you work for the City of Tampa, LIVE IN TAMPA. Its part of any City Employee's work agreement. If you don't like go work for Plant City or any other city/town that allows its Public employees collect a paycheck from its citizens, who also dont care if you are not impressed enough to live there. It's not a soap box complaint, its just the way it should be. Wouldn't a city resident be more concerned by issues that effect his/her neighborhood if the person lived there? Seems simple enough to me.
Once again a school was the spot for a killing spree. I don't know what's worst, the fact it happened or the fact that we have to ask which one....This shouldn't be happening but yet it is. No, I'm not gonna go on a gun control rant, there is much more at work here than just guns. When did it become the "It" thing to do? What kind of person goes, "Hey, I know what to do, shoot up a school" or "Hey, let's walk into a mall, during the Holiday Shopping Season, and take target practice," sure you can do it on a video game why not in real life. All I have to do is hit the "Re-Set" button and I'm good to go. Or is it the parents fault? Little Johnny/Sue, was beaten/Bullied/Uneducated/Fatherless/insert what ever else you want to blame here, hence that's why he/she took the road they did. Ending in the death of multiple friends/family or just plain innocent people. Blame the Gun laws or lack there of, if we didn't have a 30 bullet clip for that 9mm or if AK's/AR-15's/Bushwackers were outlawed none of this would have happened. Save it. Stop it. Go to a Mirror and look, what do you see? Can you see that person? That's who to blame. Think how you were raised, what does your child have in his/her room that you didn't? Now, I'm not putting all the blame on us, but think about it for a moment. Really think about it. You can try to protect our youth with Helmets, knee pads, security fences, No Football, No bullies, Stranger Danger and more. But all of that isn't a help when the little ones get home go to their room and start playing the latest "Modern Warfare" or "GTA". Gun play has even made its way into mainstream music, sports and movies. It would seem that the parents of the 60/70's made really bad role-models. From Gun violence, Wall St Scandal, Tax reform that lead to no jobs and over liberal feeling over art/entertainment have all helped drive our youth to this point.
The Gun Lobby will sure be out in force saying "Guns don't Kill People, People with Guns Kill people," this very well be true but I find it hard to believe that Jefferson, Hancock, Franklin and the rest ever thought a Desert Eagle .50cal or "Hallow Point" shells were coming down the pike either. The 2nd amendment yes gives you the "Right" to bear arms but doesn't say every gun made. It doesn't say you can own an AK-47. When this rule was put in place we, the people of this union, only had guns that you shot once and took a minute or two to reload, not spray off 30 shots, take a second, re-load another 30 round clip, and keep firing.
Hunters, Target Shooters- PLEASE STOP. There is no animal known at this time that is waiting out there in the woods with a Bullet Proof Vest hiding from you. There is no Target Club with more than a few folks in it you really Shot Large Cal Weapons for sport. Yea, all 4 of you, the rest may say that do but in fact it's such a small group you don't matter.
Address those facts listed above and maybe, just maybe we will never hear about, Sandy Hook, Va Tech, Batman, Colorado, Mall Shooting ever again. Or don't....you will only have yourself to blame.
Once again a school was the spot for a killing spree. I don't know what's worst, the fact it happened or the fact that we have to ask which one....This shouldn't be happening but yet it is. No, I'm not gonna go on a gun control rant, there is much more at work here than just guns. When did it become the "It" thing to do? What kind of person goes, "Hey, I know what to do, shoot up a school" or "Hey, let's walk into a mall, during the Holiday Shopping Season, and take target practice," sure you can do it on a video game why not in real life. All I have to do is hit the "Re-Set" button and I'm good to go. Or is it the parents fault? Little Johnny/Sue, was beaten/Bullied/Uneducated/Fatherless/insert what ever else you want to blame here, hence that's why he/she took the road they did. Ending in the death of multiple friends/family or just plain innocent people. Blame the Gun laws or lack there of, if we didn't have a 30 bullet clip for that 9mm or if AK's/AR-15's/Bushwackers were outlawed none of this would have happened. Save it. Stop it. Go to a Mirror and look, what do you see? Can you see that person? That's who to blame. Think how you were raised, what does your child have in his/her room that you didn't? Now, I'm not putting all the blame on us, but think about it for a moment. Really think about it. You can try to protect our youth with Helmets, knee pads, security fences, No Football, No bullies, Stranger Danger and more. But all of that isn't a help when the little ones get home go to their room and start playing the latest "Modern Warfare" or "GTA". Gun play has even made its way into mainstream music, sports and movies. It would seem that the parents of the 60/70's made really bad role-models. From Gun violence, Wall St Scandal, Tax reform that lead to no jobs and over liberal feeling over art/entertainment have all helped drive our youth to this point.
The Gun Lobby will sure be out in force saying "Guns don't Kill People, People with Guns Kill people," this very well be true but I find it hard to believe that Jefferson, Hancock, Franklin and the rest ever thought a Desert Eagle .50cal or "Hallow Point" shells were coming down the pike either. The 2nd amendment yes gives you the "Right" to bear arms but doesn't say every gun made. It doesn't say you can own an AK-47. When this rule was put in place we, the people of this union, only had guns that you shot once and took a minute or two to reload, not spray off 30 shots, take a second, re-load another 30 round clip, and keep firing.
Hunters, Target Shooters- PLEASE STOP. There is no animal known at this time that is waiting out there in the woods with a Bullet Proof Vest hiding from you. There is no Target Club with more than a few folks in it you really Shot Large Cal Weapons for sport. Yea, all 4 of you, the rest may say that do but in fact it's such a small group you don't matter.
Address those facts listed above and maybe, just maybe we will never hear about, Sandy Hook, Va Tech, Batman, Colorado, Mall Shooting ever again. Or don't....you will only have yourself to blame.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Good Bye Big Game James
Its not very often that this blog touches the world of sports, other than to comment on the Rays to Downtown Tampa talk, but tonight/this am that has changed. The Rays have traded a true Ray, James Shields aka Big Game James, to the KC Royals. This is about a close as the Bucs trading A-Train (Mike Alscott) but this one hurts a bit more. James was a Rays from the start, we drafted him, he grew in our farm system and he was our team's rock when we needed it. Sure, David Price got pub but Big James was the man was always there eating innings saving our teams bully.
I'm sure the folks we got in return will be good players for the Rays but none will be Big James.
Thank you James Shields, this Rays fan will miss seeing you in a Rays Uni
I'm sure the folks we got in return will be good players for the Rays but none will be Big James.
Thank you James Shields, this Rays fan will miss seeing you in a Rays Uni
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Charlie's a Democrat Now & Other Points
Wow, who would have guessed that Charlie, our former Gov. and man who lost to the Cuban master- Marco, would become a democrat? Just about every person in Florida that who has half a brain. I guess a hug from President Obama can change a man, what's next- Changing Gay people straight? Water into Wine? The Obama Hug has power, how else can you explain his re-election in 2012? Now Charlie is free to take on a very bad Republican Gov. in Rick Scott, sorry Alex it would seem that Charlie is coming for your prize and I don't think you can stop him. Charlie is Florida and he should know by now his chances outside this great state are slim, unless Dog Catcher is a Federal Position or maybe he could pull off a "talking head" gig at MSNBC....Good Luck Charlie, welcome to the world of the Democrat's- it's a party that has more sharp edges than a chain saw.
The USF Football team signed a new coach-from WKU, Willie Taggart, a former standout highschool QB from Manatee. He's a darn fine recruiter, a look at his roster at WKU shows that, and he believes he can change USF direction. Heck, I could as well as the bum begging for change could but Willie has the goods to do it. He did it at WKU. Good Luck Willie
The Bucs are on TV this weekend, a Thank you to Philly Fans and to Fox. Fox held up the Bucs, make sure the games on TV or you don't get John Lynch. Bucs fans if you are not at the team make sure you have a TV tuned to Fox13 Tampa, let's repay the good ol folks at Fox back with some high ratings!!
The USF Football team signed a new coach-from WKU, Willie Taggart, a former standout highschool QB from Manatee. He's a darn fine recruiter, a look at his roster at WKU shows that, and he believes he can change USF direction. Heck, I could as well as the bum begging for change could but Willie has the goods to do it. He did it at WKU. Good Luck Willie
The Bucs are on TV this weekend, a Thank you to Philly Fans and to Fox. Fox held up the Bucs, make sure the games on TV or you don't get John Lynch. Bucs fans if you are not at the team make sure you have a TV tuned to Fox13 Tampa, let's repay the good ol folks at Fox back with some high ratings!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tampa The city that sleeps
The City of Tampa is a busy place, Office workers moving to and fro. Homeless people in the parks, they bring color to the hustle & bustle of the Tampa's core. The Restaurants are busy, lunch time is the best. Cabs & Buses jamming the traffic on Ashley & Kennedy, folks on bikes, hipsters really trying to be Green only add to the mess. But as the sun begins to set the city starts to change, the Office workers head to the parking garage or open air parking lots, and make their way home. The Buses & Cabs move on the airport of S. Howard Ave for their fares. The few bars in the City's core begin to fill up for the all important Happy Hour 4-7pm where the attorneys and movers/shakers talk about world they control. Hattricks seems to be the one place they all hang out, darn fine place at anytime but when the night comes this fine establishment become a ghost town. Of course Hockey Games, Concerts and other Events bring some life to the Downtown area but by & large those are few and far between.
As for the Weekend, the city could be used a movie lot, no one is out, nothing is open and hardly a car can be seen.
The Mayor is on the right track by addressing the needed infrastructure to bring the city to life. Who wants to live in a city that rolls up after 5pm each weekday and is a parking lot on the weekends. The new condos in the City's core are a start. The Encore is a great move. The Riverwalk is long over due.
Keep it up Mayor Bob. One day we may get the City this area richly deserves.
As for the Weekend, the city could be used a movie lot, no one is out, nothing is open and hardly a car can be seen.
The Mayor is on the right track by addressing the needed infrastructure to bring the city to life. Who wants to live in a city that rolls up after 5pm each weekday and is a parking lot on the weekends. The new condos in the City's core are a start. The Encore is a great move. The Riverwalk is long over due.
Keep it up Mayor Bob. One day we may get the City this area richly deserves.
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