Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The War on Cars...

Hi all...

Those of us who live in Toronto hear constantly about the so-called 'War on Cars.'  We are led to believe that cyclists want nothing more than the elimination of cars from the road.  It is nonsense.  We merely want to ride safely.  I suspect that cars want nothing more than that as well.  Sometimes, cyclists are dimwits.  There have been several I have wanted to run down.

Today, I was riding south on Bathurst St coming to my corner.  There was a car ahead of me signalling to turn onto my street.  He clearly saw me coming, and held off on making his turn until he knew exactly where I was.  I held my left hand up to signal my own turn.  He saw that, and realized that we were both going the same way.

He made the turn extra wide, giving me plenty of space to make my turn, or to avoid hitting me if he had misread.  We both made the turn safely.  He pulled into one of the parking lots to pick someone up.  I pulled up next to him.

Me: I want to thank you for making an extra effort not to kill me.
Him: I want to thank you for being responsible.  When you signalled your turn, I knew what you were going to do.

We shook hands.  I went home for lunch.

It can be that way.

Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Throwing My Kippah into the Ring...

Top of the evening everyone...

Some of you may remember that I finally ran for President four years ago.  I was not pleased with President Obama.  Mitt Romney was less than impressive.  I wrote an entry about it.  Here it is: I Have a Problem.

It is now four years later.  We are all witness to the political spectacle that is this year's Presidential election.   Please allow me to add a couple of thoughts.

Donald Trump...oy.  Had you asked me, or anyone else for that matter, a year ago, I would have said that he did not stand a snowball's chance in hell of getting the nomination.  I also said then that he was saying things that needed to be discussed.  His utter lack of filter was putting serious concerns on the table.

That was then.  This is now.  Jennifer is absolutely right in her blog entry of this week about locker room talk.  My friends, please allow me to speak of men's locker rooms.  Whatever Jennifer has said is correct.  However, she simply does not have the experience of being in the men's locker room.  I do.

The men's locker room is not particularly noisy.  People tend to be quiet.  If there is a conversation, it is between two people, or maybe among three people.  It is not across the room.  As well, the general level of class that I have seen is more or less appropriate to daily society.  I flatly reject the insult of locker room talk in justifying Trump's statements.  Gentlemen, to be a gentleman is to be a gentleman at all times and in all places.  This includes the locker room.  A male President of the United States is always a gentleman.

That brings us to Secretary Clinton.  She is smart.  She is competent.  In theory, I could vote for her.  I have two problems.  One is mine, and it is not a political problem.  This e-mail 'scandal' is important.  For the record, she is not a criminal.  To call her that is horrendous.  However, the e-mail 'scandal' presents a question of leadership.  I have two .mil e-mail accounts.  'Mil' is short for 'military.'  All federal employees in the US are required by law to use government e-mail for all government business.  Having been on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing for violating that rule, I take umbrage at her getting away with it.  It is far worse when one realizes that her security clearance is far higher than mine.

That being said, a friend pointed out that there was no malice.  Folks, let it go.

The other issue is not so much a Secretary Clinton issue.  It is the minions that she brings with her.  During the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, protestors burned two flags outside the convention centre.  The two flags were the US flag and Israel's flag.  I absolutely support and defend the right to burn the flag.  Under no circumstances will I keep company with those who do so.  As people who would burn those two flags gain influence in the Democratic party, I cannot vote with that party anymore.

And so, I formally announce my candidacy for the Office of the President of the United States of America.  My platform is this: I am not the other two.

Unlike last time, I am hoping for actual votes.  If you believe in me, please tell a friend.  If you do not, I understand, and still like you.

BR - if you are reading my blog these days, please note that I will nominate you for AG.

Have a good evening everyone.

R/SCG