Kinder Ways

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Remember these? Beatnik - Hobo - Bum - Vagrant - Pan Handler - Derelict - Transient - Vagabond - Gypsy - Hermit - Mooch - Drone - Parasite - Squatter - Freeloader - Stowaway - Beggar - Carpetbagger - Street Urchin.

Isn't the English language wonderful? All of these terms, and many more I'm sure, are now obsolete and have been replaced by the term "Homeless Person." Are we just trying to be a kinder and gentler society by not offending these maggots of society, or are we just afraid to call them what they are?

And we have "Little People, Hearing, Speaking, Sight, Height, Weight , Skeleton, Age, Mental, Skin disability" classes. What ever happened to using words like "Dwarf, Midget, Deaf, Dumb, Blind, Tall, Fat, Gimp, Senior, Retarded, or Pimpled Faced" to describe peoples physical attributes. I fit into several of these categories myself and I'm not opposed to someone calling me a fat old man. Call it as you see it. Makes it a lot easier to get your point across.

And that is my point from the Thought Dock. I'm sure you have yours.
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Tripping Back

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After three days of spinning in the valley, and likely pissing off as many people as we made happy, we loaded ourselves into the wheeled manor and headed home. Isabella (the newborn that was the focus of our visit) cried when we had to leave.

Twenty five miles uphill to the top of the Tejon Pass via the Grapevine, and then dropping at nearly twice the rate we climbed, lead us right by my sista's house. And then 300 miles of mostly flat, mostly level, and mostly windy terrain. Passing signs reading, "Congress Created Dustbowl" marking areas that once were farmlands.

I think the last time we drove this route was when that drunken idiot driving his Porsche slammed into our rear at over 100mph, nearly killing us. Too bad he survived, I thought.

The Sacramento Delta's rice fields were flooded reminding me of the soldiers lost wading through the ones in Vietnam. Seemed odd that the farmlands we just passed though were dry, but we are still growing lots of rice.

A night's rest and back at it again. Past Redding. Everything is getting greener. Up and up again, Shasta Lake, oh so pretty. Then down, down, and down. A left turn, past the elk reserves, and taa taah! The coast. A right turn on the left coast. A few more miles.

And then I saw him. Holy Crap! It was that bum in the fisherman's outfit that I met a few weeks ago. He was heading south from Old Town. Could it be? Could he be the hero I searched all over for this past week? He had a gimmick. An outfit just like all heroes had. Superman, Batman, Mighty Mouse all had outfits.

No, not my hero. This bum has never contributed to society, but has only been a leech. No, if I had a hero, he would be someone like Ollie North, not this pile of crap.

Well, aap, I guess I really don't have a hero, nor do I see much good left in this world. All I can do is try to be good and do what I can to keep the world from eroding even further. And I pray that my grandchildren will be able to enjoy the life I have, and sit with me at the Thought Dock before it all dries up.
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Keep Things Spinning

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Spinning is the best way to maintain balance and direction. And having balance and direction is always the best way to be fair. But as a gyroscope or toy top's spin slows, so it begins to wobble and lose direction.

So it goes when you have only 3 full days to visit everyone that you would like to, without offending those that don't get the pleasure of your presence. I think you've all been there a time or two and know what I mean.

Our primary reason for the trip was to meet our new grand daughter, so everything else was scheduled around that. Even that didn't go so well. At only three weeks old, she was crying while anticipating our arrival, and cried when we had to leave each day. But what a joy she was when we were there. So beautiful and innocent. Truly an example of God's love.

Now, we had the wheeled manor filled with the 5 critters, and the grand daughter demanding that we stay in her neighborhood. But, at the same time, the mother-in-law insisting we travel another hour to stay with her. Nana won and that we did. The manor was parked and plugged in at the storage area, while we slept on the floor at her house. Pleased her, but rough on my back.

Time never slowed, but our spin did as we tried to visit as many as possible. A few hours with my sister in laws, then 20 minutes with an old neighbor, and an hour or so with a good friend. With every visit the spin slowed as no one could understand the reason for such short visits. I felt the wobble setting in.

No time to visit my daughter 60 miles north. No time for my sista and her daughters only a few miles off the path on the way home. Never a time left for an afternoon nap, dinner out, or shopping. Not even time to make a good look for a hero. It's likely that we hurt more people with no visits, or short visits, than we pleased with our presence. To those that I hurt, I know that you won't understand, but I ask for your forgiveness.

It was a wonderful time, though way too short. So, as the wobble set deeper, but before we capsized, we headed home to the safety of the Thought Dock.
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Tripping South

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One of my avid Followers commented to a previous post not long ago, asking whether I saw any good in this world, and whether I ever had a hero. So, I kept a sharp eye during our road trip south and deeper into this Land of Honalee.

One hundred miles, then two, along the coast, taking my time, all the time, but staying on time. No Jackie Paper, or the Magic Puff could I find. Winding roads, but without toads. Gorgeous ocean views, lots of elk and deer, and a few smaller critters of unknown species that didn't quite make it across the road.

Then turned east and through the Redwood Forrest. How enchanting it was. 12 foot wide at the base, and hundreds of feet tall. The trunk, encroaching to within a few inches of the edge of the 2-lane road, bore signs of several car accidents. I wondered how many travellers would have to die before they will remove the tree, but the ecologists disagree.

Then, into the majestic wine country of the Napa Valley. Drink to that. Raise the price of grapes so that no one can afford to buy a home because the vineyards are worth their weight in gold. Now three hundred, then four hundred miles, and into the Interstate 5 corridor.

Stretching yet another 300 miles south from the Sacramento delta, to the base of the Tehachapi mountains, where once great farms sprawled as far as the eyes could see. Given way to oil derricks now rusting after having gone dry, because the ecologist hammered out the dangers of nuclear reactors. That's OK, we'll just buy our oil from our friends in Iran. But our friends in Iran changed once the reactors were dismantled. Oil is now 20 times more expensive than it was when I attended high school.

The fields in the valley are all by dry now as the waters have been diverted to quench the thirst of Southern California. Why not? We can buy all our produce from South America anyway. What a concept! Maybe all the illegal migrant farm workers will re-migrate home to their own fields.

Nearly gone are the huge cattle ranches. Driven away by ecologists demanding that cows be happy and have shade before they are sent to slaughter for food. Driven away to other states and countries while driving the price of burgers up. No mas Dollar Menu.

Now, up and over. The final 150 and to the Valley. We arrived safely, but unable to chant the tunes of "This Land is My Land. This Land is Your Land. From the ........"

And, I still can't find that darn dragon.
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And that was Yesterday; and Yesterday is Gone..

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Goodbye Michael..

Goodbye Farrah..

Like Anna Nicole Smith, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, John Kennedy, Princess Di, and everyone in between, you once were, but are no more.

You are gone and I really don't care how or why you died. Anal cancer, drug overdose, an assassin's bullet, old age, or an accident; it makes no difference to me.

I'll remember you for what you were, but I'll not join the media blitz of speculation as to how you came to pass, who will raise your children, or who will lay claim to your fortunes. Because, I know that it will all work out. Someone will care for the kids, and someone will spend your money, and someone will stand trial if you were murdered.

Well. I'm back!! Are you thirsty? I'll feed your body and quench your thirst, but first I have to rest up a bit from the reality of a SoCal visit. So, let me know what you want. I'm just here for you. Want humor? Want to see pictures and hear about my family? Want politics? Want more about me? Want my philosophy? I can stimulate your mind in so many ways. You tell me. But, keep in mind that what you might want, might not be what I think is best for you. And how many of you fell for that invitation to visit the Love Porch? Bet that was fun.. Ho! Ho! Ho! Let's learn about scrap booking while we sing along with PP&M to Puff the.......

I'm heading to the Thought Dock.

You're Gonna Miss This..

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By the time most of you read this, you've missed the train I'm on, and you'll know that I am gone. I'll be 500 miles away from home. No, I'm not really taking the train, but I will be gone, and will be about half way to my vacation destination.

Although I will have this communicator with me, I don't know whether I will be able to establish a link to the great Internet in the sky. So, I might not be able to satisfy your thirst for Thought as often as you need.

But it seems that I have filled your brains with enough mind boggling crap, with spin on it, to keep you thinking on your own for the next week or so while I'm gone. If that is not the case just turn in to Fox News to get back to speed.

But, maybe the lack of recent Thought Comments indicates that I've been too deep with your education and that you are suffering from Thought Dock Burnout Syndrome (TDBS).

I can diagnose TDBS because I created it. But you can too. If you have self diagnosed yourself with TDBS, the antidote is listening to PPM. That's Peter, Paul, and Mary for those of us that really know them. Or is it Peter, Paul, and Mamma? Mamma Obama. That'll mellow you out.

So, relax and smoke your socks. I'll be back in a week or so to get you back on track from the Thought Dock.
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OK, Let's All Line Up

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I'm sure you've seen those videos of China and North Korea. You know, the ones where everyone is dressed the same? The ones where the school children are marching in mass to their next class? The ones where a whole sports stadium is acting in unison, flashing paper plates while singing some sort of national song. The ones where the soldiers march in the streets like little Hitlers while clinging to their 1960 era weapons.

I'm sure some of you think that is quite incredible. Is that what you really want for America? But, China and North Korea are communist countries, you say. Well, socialism is but a small click away from communism.

Our President is now controlling our banks, car manufacturers, and moving in for the greatest prize, health care. Soon it will be the schools and universities. He has all ready proclaimed that he is the only one that can save America from doom.

So. let's all line up to see a doctor, line up at the bank and line up to buy the car he thinks you should buy. Get in line at school and at college. There, they will have a special long line for the White Americans.

He says he knows it all, because he was raised by a Muslim father, and had the struggles of being a half-breed. He knows how to shake hands with our Muslim terrorist enemies. He knows all about health care because of his mother's death because of her inability to afford the best treatment. So, why didn't he help her pay for a good doctor rather than give fault to Medicare?

If Barrack Hussein Obummer continues on his path, he will soon rule with an iron fist as he proclaims himself as the Messiah. It's all in the Book.

Think about it folks. Very scary.

The Great Sugar Daddy

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Some one very dear to me watched a local news clip today about workers also losing their health insurance when they get laid off. It was asked, "Why can't there be sort of a slush fund held by the insurance companies to allow for continued (free) medical care during these hard times?"

I asked, "So where would this slush fund come from?" I was told that a small part of every one's premiums could be set aside by the insurance companies for the hard times. Yeah, just tax me more (raise my premiums) to support the less fortunate ones.

Holy Crap! The Thought Dock is now in danger of being conquered by the over whelming and ever growing liberal socialists in my very dear family. It seems America is rap­idly approaching the position that most Americans are entitled to be sup­ported by those who work, and pay for their welfare and desires while doing nothing to earn anything (I borrowed this sentence from another published article).

I need that cannon now more than ever, or at least a 50 caliber gattling gun. I'll hold them off as long as I can. Never Surrender!!
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Pass the Candy, Please

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I don't know anyone who doesn't like candy. My absolute favorite is See's Dark Chocolates. I always choose a box of them when ever the opportunity presents itself, and they never go to waste.

Think about an assorted box of chocolates or nuts for a moment. The candies look similar on the outside, but they are drastically different inside. It's natural for all of us to have personal preferences, whether it is for the taste of chocolates or nuts, what neighborhood you live in, who you're friends are, or the music you like. There is certainly plenty of choices.

Now, I'm sure that at some time, someone has passed a box of those assorted chocolates to you, and you realized someone else has all ready selected your favorite. And sometimes, someone has actually taken a bite from one or two, then put them back after realizing they didn't like them. Ever get passed that tray of mixed nuts only to find that all the cashews are missing?

"How disgusting." You've chastised you kids putting back that candy after tasting it. Maybe you even forced the child to eat it anyway. Maybe you've even forced yourself to eat a nasty one just to be polite. I've been there myself a time or two. "Such a waste," you might say when you find the bitten ones that no one else will eat because they know those taste like crap. That's what happens when you believe every piece of candy in that assorted box has the same great taste. Now, that's being foolish. I think it's only natural to spit something out you don't like and try something else.

Well, I don't buy into the assorted theory (socialism) anymore. I only eat what I like, live where I like, and choose friends that I have something in common with. And there is nothing wrong with that. It's not to say that I won't go out on the limb to taste something new, or meet new people. But, after I try it and find I don't like it, I don't keep on forcing things to work. If you fix me dinner, and I don't like it (actually that seldom happens), I won't eat it just to be nice. I'm not a bigot, but I know what I like and what I don't.

Our government has made us all into a box of assorted cholcolates. They tell us everyone is all the same, neighborhoods are the same, and that we should all be able to adapt to one another, for the greater cause. In a sense, one would agree that we all look kind of the same, speak similar, dress the same, and share the same dreams. But inside, we all know that is not true. We are all different. Not necessarily better, but just different. Now if you admit that, the liberals call you a bigot.

Employers are forced to draw blindly from the box because the government tells them that everyone in the box is the same. But they are not. They are individuals and each have their own strengths. And if you peek into the box before selecting, they call that discrimination. Or, after making your selection and finding out first hand the person was unqualified, and terminate him, you get sued.

If you select a neighborhood to live in because most of the residents are like you, or share your values, the socialists call you a bigot. They encourage you to voluntary desegregate and integrate into a new neighborhood. They actually give cash incentives to those that do. And they bus the children of proud parents who built top notch schools, into areas where even the locals won't stay. They insist that makes things equal.

Well come to the Thought Dock and share a chocolate with me. Now, you won't have much of a choice because all I have here are dark chocolates. Don't fret. It's Ok with me if you spit one out, but next time bring your own. I'll try one of yours, but I will spit it out, if I don't like it.
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I've Sat The Bench With Some Of The Best

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In Those Days, not everyone always got to play in the game, because games were meant to be won, and the coach always played their best. And often, I didn't get to play. Actually, in the early days, I really sucked, and hardly ever played at all. But, every once in a while, the coach would put me in when we were ahead 22-2 in the last inning, although he told me not to swing because he said I'd just strike out. One time, I thought I'd prove him wrong and swing. He was right. I struck out.

I used to cry in private after those games, just wishing that I could be not as good as the best kids, but just good enough to play. I worked harder and practiced more, and as I matured, I got better. Better enough to play first string at most any sport I tried.

And then it happened. Youth sports became socialism. Rules were created mandating that every one had to play. Some leagues didn't even keep score during the game for fear of demoralizing the losing players. But what about the players that would have won? No, "Hip, hip, hoorays" allowed. Player were only allowed to shake hands and say, "Good game" to their rivals. Everyone got the identical trophy at the end of the season, no matter how they played.

And it goes beyond sports today. Most every school student elevates to the next grade level regardless of his performance, because it is too embarrassing for them to be held back a grade. It's all about giving praise and treating everyone equal.

And it's into parenting. We're all into this socialism crap so deep that we can't even see what it is. Many parents and grandparents (sometimes even me) treat the kids equally no matter what. They each get the same dollar value for gifts without consideration of the the age or need of the kid. They are often given the same weekly allowance regardless of their behavior, or how well they did their chores. The kids are seldom held accountable for their bad decisions.

Well, things don't seem to be working. While there are lots of hugs and praise going on, kids suffering from low self esteem, now more than ever, go to campus and kill their classmates and teachers. Some kill their parents, and many just kill themselves.

Should we be giving more trophies and hugs, or have we been going off in the wrong direction for the last two decades?

You decide. I'll be at the Thought Dock.
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Making The Grade

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A Follower in Texas sent me this and I thought I'd pass it on. I did shorten it up a bit, hopefully without distorting the message.

An economics class at Texas Tech told their professor that they believed socialism works because it ensures that no one would be rich and no one would be poor. The professor, as an experiment, applied socialism to his teaching method to show the class the effects of socialism.

The professor then told the class that all grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade. No one would fail and no one would receive an A.

The grades from the first test were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
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On the second test, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too; so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

The 3rd test average was an F. All failed, to their great surprise. The professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when reward is taken away; no one will try or want to succeed. Could not be any simpler than that.
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Well, maybe there is more to Texas than beautiful women, country music, Nascar, and bow legged cowboys!
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Blowing In The Wind

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Can someone help a brudda out? These questions have troubled me for most of my life. They might have simple answers, perhaps too simple for my mind.

So, why does a carton of orange juice cost less than the bag of oranges needed to make it yourself? And why is canned corn cheaper than the four ears it takes to fill it?

Why do wood chips and sawdust cost more by weight compared to a nice straight two by four? Aren't the chips just waste from processing the board?

Or, how can a huge public bus bellowing a plume of black smoke to carry it's 36 passengers be greener than 6 smaller cars carrying six passengers each? Or, how can a gigantic diesel locomotive pulling a few commuter cars with 50 passengers each be efficient?

Why does deisel cost more than premium gasoline when it is easier to refine?

And, would the headlights from a plane travelling at the speed of light illuminate another plane in front of it that was also travelling at the speed of light?

For me, the answer my friend, is blowin' in the wind.
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Peter, Paul, Mary,and Tied Dyed Clothing

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I always thought the Kennedy's states on the Right Coast were liberal, second only to San Francisco. But I think this beach is right in there with them.

Oregon has it's very own PBS Station and last week aired four full hours of Peter, Paul, and Mary. I never realized they had sung so many songs. You probably have heard them all, and likely liked most of them, but I was never their fan. They are at the top of the liberal list, and this State loves them.

This Land of Honolee loves President Obummer. He was an overwhelming favorite by an incredible 87%. We have Martin Luther King Boulevards everywhere even though we have only a 1% Black population. And we celebrated Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez' birthdays.

Few here drive foreign cars, wear make up, brush their teeth, or shave. A saying here is that the police have difficulty identifying corpses due to the lack of dental records. Many of the 65 and older crowd are stuck in '65 and still smoke dope, and wear tied dyed clothing of all sorts. Folk music seems to prevail, with Country a distant second. Weekend street fairs are eveywhere selling home made jewelry, musical instruments, home raised veggies, and Quail eggs.

One of the biggest funerals ever in Eugene occurred when a homeless person died in his sleep on a chilly night a few months ago. And at a town hall meeting that I attended last month, most people seemed to favor additional funding of homeless shelters over funding the jail system.

And during the construction of our home, twice a heavy equipment operator stopped his $350hr excavator to rescue a lizard from the shovel and hand carry him to the safety of the lake.

Finally, with tonight's local news, I learned that this State does not believe a human life begins until the newborn takes it's first breath. Therefore, the lady that lured a pregnant woman to her home through Craigslist, killed her, then cut her unborn child from her womb to keep it for herself, only to have both mother and child die, can not be tried for the double murder.

Where have all the flowers gone? So far, I am safe at the Thought Dock. But if any of you know where I can get a used cannon from Army surplus, I'd surely be interested. I have just the place for it.
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A Different Beach

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People here are mostly retired. The population has stayed about 10k for the last ten years, and I don't think it will grow much in the next ten. There is little work here, and most of those that do work are in the service fields.

The are few youth (111 graduating high school this year), and jobs for them are nill. Most of them just move to another city where the salaries and opportunities are better when they finish school, leaving behind the Golden Aged ones. On the weekends and through the summer, the young people return in droves to play at the beach, ride the dunes in buggies, and to fish the many lakes and rivers. I like that.

I've hung with the older crowd throughout my life. But here, most of our friends are much older than us, not by just a few years, but some by decades. And that takes a bit getting used to.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love this place and the friends that we have made. But rather than conversations about work and play, our social conversations now seem to be centered on the financial or medical issues facing us. I know, that's actually good for me as it will help to prepare us for the inevitable, but it is different for me.

It is tough sometimes to deal with those issues all the time. Just since we moved here, two neighbors, and a good friend have passed away. That's something that I'm not accustomed to. I know that as I age further, it will become more and more frequent though.

This place is a lifestyle change for us. I'm now more patient while waiting for the food to be served promptly or correctly while dining out. My driving has become even more defensive now with so many older persons on the street. Well, at least I never hear the other driver's ghetto blaster wailing out some rap music.

My blood pressure is normal now, anf I'm a lot fatter. Naps are getting common, but I laugh a bit more. Even the Thought Dock is so very different, but that's what really keeps me going.
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Don't Tread On Me

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You know? I've really changed after having been an enforcer for 33 years. Here is my new attitude.

I really don't care what you do as long as you are old enough to make a conscience decision, and what you do doesn't affect me. So, if you are capable of making a decision, do what you want, but don't bother me.

You see, I no longer care if you drink yourself to sleep every night, or if you load up on dope. I don't care if you won't wear a seatbelt or a helmet, jump from a cliff tethered by a rubber band, or just jump to your death. I don't care if you are Gay, or wear tie dyed T-shirts, or if you beg on the streets; just don't rub these things in my face. If you worship Buddah, or are a Muslim, that's OK, but just don't push your crap on me.

Now, as a Christian, If I'm in a position to help with your vices, I will. But if I can't get through to you, I'll let go. My life will go on, but yours might not, and I won't care. It's your choice.

I wouldn't care if the government made dope free. Just pile it out on the corner, and let the fools come and get it. That would quickly sove the dope problem because all those fools would soon die. And we'd be better off.

We don't need laws to force people from doing their thing, in their own house. We don't need to tax cigarettes and liquor, or use those taxes to save those same idiots. We only need laws to keep those idiots away from those of us that live respectfully. We only need laws to protect us from the idiots and creeps, like Speeding, DUI, Robbery, and such.

I've come to realize all this because I have found myself at the Thought Dock. All alone, away from all of those creeps doing their thing. All alone and finally at peace.
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Well - Since You Asked

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Thank you all for participating in last week's discussions and posting your vote in the poll. Actually, the results of the poll were not quite what I thought they would be. Did any of you change your mind as the postings and comments progressed? It was a really debatable subject and many views were discussed.

OK, since some have asked, and I know you all are wondering, I'll put my personal views on record.

Three decades ago, when Equal Opportunity evolved into Affirmative Action, I was easily convinced that it was the right way to go. It appeared then, that many minorities were not being hired or promoted simply because they were not White. And to me, that had to be discrimination. So, I bought into it all.

Now, after seeing the issue from the employer's point of view as a manager during my last 10 years, I see things quite differently. Any employer wants to hire what he believes to be the best possible employee, because the employee is a critical ingredient to his success. I really don't think the employer really cares whether he hires a Black, Jew, Female, or anything else, as long as he/she is best for the company.

I believe an employer has the absolute right to hire who he wants, without any forced mandates. After all, it is his business, and he should have the right to run it however he pleases. Imagine what would occur if Major League baseball were forced to hire 44% women, or professional basketball was forced to reduce their Black stars to 18% to be more in line with American demographics. Or a landscape company in LA forced to hire Blacks, when many people think Asians make the best gardeners. What about hiring that White cook for a Chinese diner, or for a Louisiana Barbecue? Would you like a doctor to treat your cancer if he/she were not the best, but given the job only because of their color or gender?

Let's face it. We are all not equal. We each have our own individual strengths and weaknesses.
Affirmative Action attempts to make us all equal. Just a bunch of drones. Why have a selection process at all? Why not just a lottery system? Well, that's what AA is and does. And that is socialism.

Have you ever compared the efficiency of a small business, not governed by AA, to most any civil service entity in your area? You can bet your butt, that if my wife and I ever get that small business we've often talked about, we will hire only the best available, even if he/she were a minority.
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And that's my Thought from the Dock.
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Welcome To This World

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Who:..Isabella Sophia G.
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What:..Our Sixth Grandchild-The 3rd Grand Daughter
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Compliments Of:..Michael and Lara G.
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When:..June 03, 2009
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Where:.. Tarzana, California

Well, isn't she beautiful? My wife seems to think she looks like her. Well, then she must be beautiful! Actually, I think she looks like me...But that can't be. But, after I get her to the Thought Dock, she will think just like me! I do see the father's line in her nose, but I see Mom most everywhere else. Look at her hair. So thick and full. No Daddy there!

Truly a gift from God. Congrats Mike and Lara!

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Summin' Things Up - Vote Now

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Well, that was fun. I enjoyed sharing the LAPD stories with you along the subject of Affirmative Action. I also enjoyed your comments! I knew it was a sensitive issue when I began, but honestly, I didn't expect so much discussion from the Followers. I hope you all enjoyed the posts as much as I did. I did try very hard to describe the actual incidents factually, and without a bias or spin, although you all know, I do have bias and spin, and I've got my own opinion that will reflect in the poll. Rest assured, I'll only vote one time like every one else.

In conclusion, I leave you with this last tidbit. Several White New Your City Firefighters have taken their grievances to the Supreme Court. They claim, that although they tested highest on a promotional exam, the City passed them over in favor of Black candidates. Initially, they won their case in State Court, but recently Judge Sonia Sotomayor, reversed that decision. Perhaps some of you know that President Obumer has appointed Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court and she is awaiting confirmation. The confirmation hearings are what prompted the discussion about Affirmative Action this past week. So, Sotomayor might get to hear the case again if she gets confirmed.

Please review the prior posts and the discussions that followed as comments. I would then like you to take the poll. I know a few of you have all ready voted, but I can't change that. If, you are one that voted prematurely, and after reading the entire week's posts and comments, you want to change your vote, please let me know,and I will find a way to let you do that, even if I have to create a new poll. I am very interested in determining how you guys really feel about the subject.

Thanks to everyone that contributed. I'll give you a break for a while and return to a less serious topic for a bit. While you are waiting for the controversial stuff to reurn, be sure to watch Fox News every moment that you can. Doing so will keep your Bp up while you wait for me.

Just another idea from the Thought Dock..
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Out of Reach

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In 1973, at just under 5ft-9in, I was the shortest police officer to ever be assigned to the now infamous Rampart Division. Although 5-8 was the minimum height then, all the Rampart cops were giants because that was the toughest police precinct in the world. Many times I thought I'd never survive the fight while I wished I was 2 feet taller.

In about 1978, after transferring to a slower division, I met Tina. She had just graduated from the academy and was assigned to work with my old partner, Tim. Some of you have met him, although not by that name.

Well, Affirmative Action had been in place for several years by then. And unknown to me, they had reduced the height/weight requirement for hiring. Tina was a very cute and personable person, but I don't think she was five feet tall or even weighed 90 pounds. She was the tinyist police officer I had ever seen. As a side note, I realized that she could not reach the officer's message clip board, and there was a note hanging there for her. So, being the helpful person that I am, I attached a long string leading downward from the note with a sign attached to the end reading, "Pull here to remove." Got chewed out for that one.

Tina forced change to the LAPD. Due to her petite size, she would move the seat in the police car all the way forward in order to reach the pedals. That would cause Tim to ride shotgun with his knees against his chest. Tom asked for help and the LAPD purchased it's first police cruiser with bucket seats. From that day forward, we had bucket seats.

One night Tim and Tina encountered an obnoxious homeless wino in an alley. He was just the typical wino type, usually drunk, but harmless. Tim had dealt with him before many times. But this time, the wino went berserk and attacked Tim, knocking him to the ground. The wino pinned Tim on his back and beat him repeatedly. Tina, tried to pull him off, but couldn't. She called for assistance, then began hitting the wino with her baton, to no avail. The wino ripped Tim's gun from his holster and Tim begged him not to shoot. Tina ended the near tragedy with a single gunshot to the wino's head.

It was the first shooting involving a female police officer in LAPD history. Tina was hailed as a hero for saving Tim's life. Tim didn't quite see it that way and was troubled by the killing for the rest of his career. Tim told me as he teared up while drinking a beer, that although the wino was about to shoot him, there was no reason that the incident progressed to that state. He believed that had Tina had sufficient size and strength, the wino would have never had to die. Tim never returned to working the streets, but Tina went on to achieve new heights in rank with the Department.

As more and more protected classes found their way on the job, more things changed. And I won't say that any of those things were bad. Bucket seats, power steering, and air conditioning were great changed that everyone benefited, although they didn't contribute to the car's safety, or performance during a pursuit, which is what's really important. So were new, separate locker rooms, weight rooms, showers, and toilets for the protected class. But gone were the days of mandating physical fitness and self defence training. Instead, pepper spray, and more powerful guns were issued, as the job got more dangerous. Rodney King resulted not from a bunch of racist cops, but by under trained cops not proficient with their weapons at hand, or their wrestling skills.

What say you? Can we post some blame for the death of that wino, or the beating of Rodney King, on Affirmative Action? Now, don't give up on this subject. There is only one more post related to this series to follow. And don't forget to vote when it's all said and done.
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Entry Level Orals

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The first step toward becoming a police officer in Los Angeles is to pass a written examination. The second was an oral interview, the only portion of the process that the candidate is given a weighted score, as all the other sectors are pass/fail. Next comes a background check, physical ability test, and a mental evaluation, but not necessarily in that order. Once a month for the last 10 years of my career, I sat on the interview board for new police officer candidates.

I chaired a three member interview board for entry level oral interviews once a month during my last 10 years of service. The remaining board members were professional civilians selected from the community.

Now, it used to be that a candidate was ranked for hiring by the score he/she obtained in the oral interview process, highest first, providing they passed the other screening tests. But that changed with Affirmative Action. Since AA, protected classes of candidates can be selected for employment, regardless of their interview score (as long as they achieve a 70% or better), in any order, if the LAPD is still behind on achieving their parity goal. In essence, that means a non-protected class with a higher interview score, may have to wait while protected classes with lower scores are hired. And this concept carried into promotions and specialized assignments as well.

Well even this couldn't provide enough protected class hiring. It was determined that many of the protected class applicants could not pass a background check, the physical ability test, or show adequate work experience. So, LAPD reduced or eliminated these requirements all together. You can now be accepted as an officer if you have a prior history of narcotic use, been involved with gangs, had theft, DUI, and misdemeanor assault convictions. The mental (ink blot) test was eliminated and the physical ability test was lowered so that most anyone that could breathe without a wheezing while walking would qualify. And bonuses were awarded for things like speaking a foreign language, so some candidates that couldn't score a 70 in their interview because they didn't speak English well enough, actually were raised to the qualification level because of the bonus. You no longer have to show a history of applicable work experience, so selling chocolate dipped bananas from your unlicensed food cart in the park, is good enough.

So how does this affect the overall big picture? Your comments are welcome. Still blurry for you. I've given a few real examples with the prior post, but some more will be detailed in the next. Some of you like this crap, others think I'm full of crap. But all this crap provokes Thought from the Dock.
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The Protected Class

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The court actually coined the term "Protected Class" and defined who would be a part of of that category. And the term truly meant "Hands Off" or "King's X" as it pertained disqualifying applicant for hire. The LAPD was ordered to bring their labor force into parity with the LA demographics fast, no matter what. But, it went even deeper. To retain those protected classes that were hired, LAPD did everything they could to promote them, not discipline them, never assign them to less desirable assignments, and keep them happy at all costs.

Before the days of Affirmative Action, in 1976, Officer McCreedy, a White male, would snag a 25-cent newspaper from a lawn on his beat to take with him to the donut shop to read most every morning. When a resident complained, he was fired. It all had to do with what LAPD called a violation of Moral Turpitude. The Moral Turpitude list included, any theft, any sex crime, any lie, no matter how petty, and anything else that embarrassed the City.

In 1998, an officer's boots disappeared from the locker room. Posters were placed in the hall ways of the station, and announcements were read aloud about the missing boots at roll call for several weeks. The facts that the boots had custom soles and the officer's name inside were not released. Several weeks later, the officer recognized footprints from his boots left on a wet sidewalk by a peer, Officer Williamson. Williamson was summoned to the station, but insisted the boots he wore were his. When he was ordered to take the boots off to allow further inspection, he refused. A search warrant was obtained and the boots were removed revealing that they in fact were the stolen boots. Following an investigation, the Captain recommended that Williamson be terminated. However, the Chief reduced that penalty to a written reprimand. Williamson was a "Protected Class" and was retained, despite the still written policy about Moral Turpitude. It was also revealed that Williamson had convictions for theft and marijuana use, prior to his appointment to LAPD. But those, once automatic disqualifiers had been removed when AA began to take hold.

About the same time, Sergeant Smitson, a protected class employee, performed a strip tease routine in a male only tavern while wearing his police uniform. He was terminated, but the court ordered his reinstatement with back pay. Although the LAPD had rules regarding wearing a uniform while off duty, the court ruled that because Smitson didn't wear his pistol during the routine, it was not a uniform. In 2001, Officer Turndale, another protected class employee, posed nude for Playboy wearing only an LAPD uniform shirt and badge. The LAPD didn't even pursue that one.

Your comments.. How do you think these actual incidents affected the quality of law enforcement in Los Angeles? Please keep in mind that the names that have been used in this, and all posts, have been changed to protect the protected.

Tomorrow.. More things from the Thought Dock about what the LAPD did to comply with AA.
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Meeting Court Quotas

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During the late 70's, the LAPD lost several court battles related to the hiring of police officers. Back then there was only the Equal Employment Opportunity law, which was very vague. I'm not certain, but I believe Affirmative Action (AA) came as a result of the LAPD lawsuits.

In essense, the court created AA and stated that when ever two "equally" qualified canditates applied for a single position, weight would be given to the minority candidate. AA applied to gender and minority races, and most everyone supported the logic of AA, including myself.

As the years passed (now over 20), new cases were brought before the court claiming that the LAPD was still not hiring minorities in sufficient numbers. The LAPD argued that there were not enough minorities even applying for a position, and not enough of those that did, could meet backgound, education, and experience requirements; therefore, the LAPD could not comply.

The court responded by further defining and expanding the "protected classes" to include, sexual preference, religion, national origion, and almost anything else. Left out was the White Male class. The court also ordered that the ultimate goal of AA was to bring the LAPD into parity with the people it served, no matter what. That meant within the timeline set by the court, LAPD would have to be comprised of 44% women, 18% Black, 27% Hispanic, and the rest divided among gays, immigrants, and White males. The court put on record that there would be no acceptable reasons for the LAPD not to reach the goals within the timeline.

In order to comply, the LAPD realized that they would have to level the playing field to ensure that almost anyone qualified for employment. Since short and unfit people could not climb a wall, or carry a weight, most physical requirements were removed. Since a large portion of LA residents were criminals and gang members, the LAPD reduced it's background requirents. Since most women applicants seldom had any work experience related to police work, work experience was elliminated. And immigrants speaking a foreigh language were bonus applicants, even though they could barely speak English.

So how has Affirmative Action affected the LAPD? In the following posts during the week, I'll give you only first hand experiences in the matter. Please comment with your thoughts. I have placed a Poll near the top of this page, but ask you not to cast your vote until after reading the final post and comments on the subject which will conclude this Friday. The poll is anonymous, but you can vote only once. I don't care about the results, but I thought it would be fun and inlightening. I only want to promote a Thought for the Dock.
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It Was Me Who Got Beat

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A young female police officer, whom I'll call Judy, was on patrol in Los Angeles. It was March 3, 1991, and Judy's third day on the street with her Trainer after graduating from the academy. Judy and her partner responded to an Officer Needs Help call (the Department's highest priority call) and subsequently stood by and watched the beating of Rodney King. Remember him?

LAPD policy, at that time, and as it is today, requires a new police officer to complete six months of academy training, then an additional 12 months of field training before becoming a permanent officer. But, Judy was taken from the streets the day following the beating, and was assigned to work the desk in the Station where I worked until the conclusion of the trial against the officers, nearly two years later. Coincidental, Judy was the State's star witness and her testimony helped send two of the officers to prison, and a third to the unemployment line.

I lost track of Judy, until the Spring of 1995. It was then that I competed for a promotional assignment to Detective. Judy, having only three years seniority, never having completed her formal required training, and with only a few months working some bicycle patrol at Venice Beach, was awarded the position. Now I wondered, how could someone with her limited background be selected over a 20 year veteran, having years of training officer experience, traffic, gangs, narcotics, and even an undercover detective assignment of for 5 years? Was it a reward for her testimony? But I let it go, until....

A week later, I was summoned to meet with one of the three Board members that conducted the promotional interview. I had never met the guy before the interview and he was of significant rank within the LAPD. He explained that he was troubled over Judy's selection and showed me the original score cards of the three Board members. Each member scored me 100% and recommended that the Chief promote me. Of the 30 or so candidates for the job, none had scores of 85% or higher, and Judy's score was 77.5%, the lowest of all. He told me that he would retain that evidence and would testify in my behalf if it went further.

Well, after thinking about things, and obtaining legal advice, I filed suit in Federal Court alleging reverse discrimination. During the investigative stage mandated by the court, a recent Federal Court Ruling was uncovered from a similar case. In that case, the Court ruled that to support a discrimination charge, an "Unqualified" candidate had to be selected over a "Qualified" one. Since each one of the candidates had scores of 70% or above, all were qualified. Therefore, the court ruled that there was no discrimination in my case, and it was dismissed.

As a side note, Judy, after giving her new job a try, surrendered it and went back to the bike detail. And I obtained my promotion on my next attempt.

What is now referred to as Affirmative Action actually got it's roots in Los Angeles. And I've always supported the intent of the law, even though I knew it would never benefit me. In many instances I can see the positive results that has been accomplished. But over the years, the law has been changed, and it might be time to go.

In the days following, I intend to discuss this Affirmative Action further, only because it is a concern of the upcoming Senate confirmation to the Supreme Court. I'll warn you in advance that I will be frank, but I'll speak only about incidents that I know of first hand. Some of you will likely be offended because it is a sensitive subject, especially if you have been touched by it directly. Feel free to comment appropriately if you want, or not read my blog if you choose.

Or wait for the next post from the Thought Dock.
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