Just a Ghost

That is how I felt... oh, yeah, before going along further, today's rant is canned, I've headed off to find a hidey hole to winter over in. By the time I get back, if I come back (hey, I might enjoy being alone for the next while)... okay, back on track here..

Just a ghost, something few saw, and when they did, horror and fear came to their eyes, mostly.

I could walk along, and unless you were overly fearful, few would stop to offer aid, ask questions, or even nod, wave, or return the hello's and howdy's I gave, tipping my hat or nodding my head to indicate I still saw you all.

Hell, holding a sign, once, I had someone bitch about me trying to get their attention... over their gas cap still sitting on the trunk before they lost it. (Thankfully, an off duty cop saw why, and kept the heat off me, thanks to that officer, even if he thought I did not know about it.)

Dropping all those job apps, all any one remembers is the lesser amounts of time I spent playing a few games to distract my mind from the waiting, not the number of times I had job boards open, or worked on stories between filing applications, as a back up plan to getting a job.

Few remember the times me and my running mate gave helpful directions around town, expressed interest in events going on, and gave directions to events that failed to lay out some decent signage (a Certain runners' event comes to mind, when as a joke for other homeless, we held up our notebooks as if flying a sign, giving the directions to the registration desk...)

Few remember those three times we changed out flat tires, the kid we talked out of her little escapade of running away, thinking the streets better than a foster home, or the times we carried others gear for them when they were injured or just not well.

We were ghosts, to be exorcised from society, evil spirits, one and all, in the eyes of most.

And now, I am a new kind of ghost, one that talks from beyond the bounds you set, just leaving the last bits of my efforts I was willing to share out there... on my blogs... for one last dig at those who feared me.

My biggest regret is still this. That my two BEST poems never really took off. One just a tale of something fun and beautiful, which really did happen, the other a social commentary that actually said thanks for the help you gave to others around me. Those were Deerboy on a Bicycle and You Gave Them Keys, respectively. I pointed out when folks did wrong, tried to remain a good member of society, only to be scoffed at.

I could not care less, now. I accept that I am a ghost to you, just vapors most wish to wave their hands through to disperse... but like a ghost, I hope I haunt you. Even now, just days after leaving, you see my words echoing across the ether of cables and wifi, still tickling along, still teasing you to see me... as I walk away into some piece of forlorn land, not to die, but to regroup, and maybe become corporeal again.

Then again, maybe I was always a ghost, a figment of ecto-plasm that never took on flesh. And thus others felt that doing me ill was fine, as I was not real.

>shrug<

I don't know. I only care about one thing. Keep looking for the beauty in the world around you, and do good deeds just to do them, not for fame or adulation. And be at peace, for the aroma of pipe smoke might remind you of the words I once wove, like previous generations found it evoking fond memories of grandfathers long gone.

Finally Speaking Out on an Issue.

I've threatened to say this stuff for a damned long time, now. And, my silence should not be classified as fear or enforced. I was waiting. Choosing the moment when folks should fear themselves that I would point certain things out, even if only using a dim flashlight to do it. And folks, the long break is intentional, to keep the worst of my insulting those responsible, those who are supposed to watch over them, and just anyone with "delicate ears/eyes" from reading the worst of my vitriol. (Relax, if you're worried about swearing, the sulfur-smelling flames of the after-world are about it, that way, but I will not pull my punches on the fancier insults, and more demeaning ones. Considering I have taken far worse when forced to panhandle, you best learn to take some of it back.)

Welcome to Spring, Salt Lake City. Before you complain about the number of homeless people sleeping out in sidewalks, parks, street margins, and the like, realize this. Once more, after saying they would be keeping the family shelter open, they did not. So that migration of the families from the Midvale annex back down to the main Road Home is on, and with it, 350 beds are gone for the men ovewr the last 45 days. I have no clue how many the women's side lost this year, I try not to deal with many of the females, not being a snob, just not desiring any entanglements that could lead to more troubles. Got enough on my plate keeping myself alive.

So, with that annual cut, the common citizen, being a bunch of clueless idiots, scream about the ebb and flow through the areas the homeless seek for some sleep, not realizing where the real issue lies.

Your pathetic math skills. Yes, I am being insulting, but face it, you have 589 beds for the guys (last year's count, have no clue how many they offered over the winter just fading into our memories, to avoid the crime and drug usage down there, I camped out) take away 350, leaves 239, of which about a hundred are the ones reserved for the workers program (which is a joke, as guys with jobs less than 40 per week are not qualified for it, as some getting 36/wk got refused even being listed, from what I've been hearing) and the medical beds (the bulk of that count, and another joke, as some of those are taken by folks better off in an institution. But, oh, we cannot expose those folks to kleptomaniacs and those prone to violent outbursts!) Yeah. And, that does not count those who slept on the hallway floors, or in the "Drunk Tank: over the winter, which does happen, not just on the worst nights, but most, during the winter.  Yeah, that closes Sunday the 13th, which means the worst problem after the drug-addicts is loose as well.

So, 139 beds, or there-about, depending upon this year's arrangements of the bunks in the dorms. Less than  years before, as last summer, they cut the legendary "Big Dorm" in half for families to occupy. Which, while it cut some of the issues (but reports, as I left before that was done, say it merely concentrated the odor issues from the less hygienically inclined denizens), probably, just jams it out into your streets, neighborhoods, and the rest of the downtown area. Not to mention those who flee into the foothills, canyons, and down to the Jordan River and various waterways feeding to it.

Why? 

What the Hell do you think? There is NOT some magical doorway to Never-Never Land we get to walk into each year, come the good weather, when those more fortunate's pockets seal up, or the funds get siphoned off somewhere, for us to leave your world! If you think other-wise, you need a head shrink, or have an IQ smaller than your waist size. Cutting beds does not mean the problems are ended, just some bean-counter does not want to have money he's getting for auditing the place (which, by the way, is that how a charity should work? that you charge it for helping it?) to fade away.

If you need to cry about losing your city's safety, go look in a mirror first. Some of the homeless would love nothing more than to get out, and I have seen a boatload of folks take advantage of that. Promising money for odd-jobs, then stiffing them (and yes, some of the guys who do work for contractors get stiffed as well, from reports), denying them jobs because they have no stable address history, and other malarkey. Stop coddling the users and abuser of the systems, and do some real, targeted help to those who are clean, sober and sick of being stuck down there, despite every effort they make. And, no, not all homeless folks are bums looking for handouts and free housing, or that disability check. Some actually will take steps, once free of the chains being homeless lays on them, to prevent returning.

And, seeing's how I mentioned the shelter by name, boys and girls down there, there is a video and set of pictures supposedly circulating, time stamped, among some of the homeless (which, if I had access to, I'd slam onto some other folks about to be mentioned, but I'm only reporting rumors, not something I've seen, as to those pictures. I do know, that you do this, even got you to admit it once before, and some former staff confessed as well, after leaving), of the staff taking the dirty blankets and folding them back up to hand out as clean again. This is ridiculous. So, who would want to rent to or hire some poor person who, while being stuck subject to your "tender mercies" (yeah, that is sarcasm dripping thick there, folks), gets infected with lice because of this! Even I know when you do this stupid crap. One only needs watch the sudden explosion of those infested, even the most meticulously clean, to know that something happened. And, the City, County and State Health Departments need keep a better eye on this kind of crap, not give it the ol' "it's just the homeless" blind-eye to the violations. (I know some of these latter, and might make them embarrassed by naming names, or worse, tossing them into said buckets of dirty blankets after shanghai-ing them next time I hear about it, to prove you cannot warn the criminals that you are coming, it only gives them time to clean up and kiss your butts with lies.)

So, wakey-wakey, folks. You want someone to blame? Ask the folks supposedly running things, as to how they never seem to have a decent plan in place for this. And then look in the mirror. Everyone shares some of the blame on this kind of thing.

One last bit. If folks tell you that they plan to end homelessness, get out the hip-waders. The best that will ever occur is keeping the numbers down, not end it. Face it, our ancestors were all homeless, that is why we came to America, a nation built by the homeless folks who immigrated here, one home at a time. And, don't say we never valued the homeless. We still idolize some. Many of the cowboys of the Old West, well, the drifted, homeless, from job-to-job, working a season here, a drive there, then drifting about, looking for something. If you buy and read westerns, you glorify the homeless cowboy, miner, or explorers who were just that, without a home, until they settled down, or died. The homeless have a better lineage than the homed, in a sense. When you read our roll-call of past members, you'll find a folks like a couple tossed out of a garden of legends, a guy who your God handed some stone tablets too (and all his people, too), a dude who dunked folks in the Jordan River of the Middle-East, and his carpenter cousin (What's his name? You know, that wanderer from Nazareth, by the Sea of Galilee?). And don't forget, the folks on the Mayflower, Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, and slew of others we hold up as American Icons.

This ends today's rant, but this war will go on. And, if you don't like me talking up, look to your hole cards, folks. The drifter at the other side, he might be holding something special, say pocket bullets or a suited marriage, to use some poker parlance.

Sweeping things under the rug ain't solutions, folks.

So... confession time.

The spot I like at the SLC Main Library gave me a rather wonderful, yet terrifying, glimpse into the minds of those who profess they want to help reduce the impact and scope of homeless problems in town, last week.

They had a little conference, of folks from various support agencies, and several things that might help will come from it, but one thing I heard has me wondering if the help providers do as much drugs as the addicts they seek to aid.

Aid and Abet, if what that moron says comes about.

Look, I agree, to reduce the clutter that the families have to muck through along South Rio Grande on Hell's Block, you need to find a way to move all the drug addicts and drunks off the walls of the Road Home and St. Vincent dePaul's buildings, just to make the sidewalks navigable and safe, but creating a "smoking area" where the cops are not to enforce the laws about narcotics and alcohol usage ain't an answer. It's sweeping the filth under a magic carpet, and acting like you solved the problem.

Yes, i do listen, morons. I may not speak, but I figure any "Brainiac" who claims to really want to help the homeless would at least talk to the more upstanding members (e.g. the non-addicts and non-criminals) before tossing out ideas willy-nilly. If folks thought Pioneer Park can be dangerous at times, or any part of the area Hell's Block (which is really more than a block, being the whole of Salt Lake City's skid row, from 200 South to 600 South, between 300 West and 600 West, with various jerrymander sections used by the druggies and drunks spiralling off that area) wait until this idea gets implemented.

Look, the real issues are indeed the need of a place for those who make no efforts to move out of the Shelter or Missions to move on. Targeting the druggies will just move them into the city, spreading east, as they did last year, bringing the crime, filth, and attitudes with them. You do not deal with addiction by creating a place to use and OD, you deal with it by sensible measures, say things like laws and funding for mandatory rehab for addicts and drunks after say six violations, even if not prosecuted... which indicates a pattern of self-abuse and public endangerment. You do it by looking at targeting the dealers that flock around Hell's Block, and taking away the CI's protection, as most of them are freaking dealing shit, feeding the cops their competitors, or those owing them money, instead of giving them a free rein to rule that area.

This idea moves forward, you will still have the fights, the stabbings, the crime, the drug-use, the overdoses, all the problems, just in a place where less of it will be seen, and thus it can escalate faster to much more dangerous levels, ones that will require the cops going in with guns drawn, not just a hand on the holstered sidearm they have to use now.

Wake up, stop feeding the addictions. Yes, we tobacco (which, unlike the narcotics, is legal to use) smokers could use some places to smoke, in peace. But, dammit, stop jamming the narcotics users in with us.

And stop thinking we are just bums who use, no matter our efforts to walk away.

Another, even better target? Yeah, I have one. A goodly number of the homeless in the shelter get an SSI or SSDI check, a GA check, or other assistance. Target that group, which has the monies that fund a good deal of the drug use, and includes many addicts in it, at getting them into some form of housing, thus removing the "Millionaire" (as those who get no funds call these folks) factor from the equation. Yes, many of them have issues that prevent getting normal housing, or desire not to go in with the addicts, drunks, and criminals. Some of those issues are related to felonies they committed, so it locks them out of a vast portion of the housing available, even if those events were not violent, not repeated, and quite a while ago. Finding a better solution towards getting those folks housed will do far more.

Reducing the money down there might just make an appreciable dent in the crimes, narcotics, and other problems. But that answer takes time, effort, and something society seems to lack these days, intestinal fortitude.

And, while I'm ranting a bit, how about doing something more productive than tossing the mentally ill back into the shelters or onto the streets. Right now, there are *3* functioning fecal matter artists smearing their wastes around places in public. In locations that range from public restrooms in the downtown and strip to the UofU restaurants, to public parks, and even lately on the sides of businesses, and enhancements to existing and new graffiti. Sorry to those on the Left who believe in keeping folks as part of Society who are so disturbed to rehabilitate them, and those on the Right too cheap to spend the money to actually solve issues, but these are walking health code violations, and after three offenses need to be locked up long-term, for treatment, true rehabilitation, and never allowed to be left unsupervised afterwards, as their recidivism is too nasty to leave the "art" they preform in the public view, where some kid could wind up touching it, and getting very ill.

So, to those who think we homelss are stupid, lazy, and useless... yes, some are, but this boy just offered you up options for some. For others.... well, real, meaningful, long-term work that comes with a living wage might be an option. Just don't offer it to me. After three years plus of searching for employment, and being denied, I've taken up a new way out, and plan to carry it through. I will write stories, trying to sell them, market my e-books of poetry as well, and just be a thorn in your sides, politically, to remind you that some of your ideas smell as bad as the above mentioned 'aritists" works.

Just a rant about rude e-smokers

Been a while since I ranted here, but I have a bone to pick today, so I guess it's time.

E-cig smokers are a bunch of jerks and snobs.

This comes from an encounter with one yesterday, to total slime bag, who, despite Utah laws now saying you cannot use those devices anywhere that normal smoking is prohibited, had to walk into the library bathroom and use his stupid device. Must have been a total wuss, as it was a wonderful day, at that time, about 40 degrees on the F scale, sunny still, and very little wind. But, these dumb asses, judging by his behavior, not only deserve the right to use their devices anywhere they damned well please.

After I walked out of the can, refusing to be around idiots when they are doing stupid things like that, commenting to take it outside, he waited to get on the elevators later on,  catching me on my way OUTSIDE to smoke my pipe in the DESIGNATED Smoking Area here. He created an unpleasant ride down, daring to accost the law-abiding person about how he could use where ever he wanted, and there was nothing I could do about it.

So, I did the honorable thing, advised him that the laws said otherwise, if I caught him doing it again, I would advise the library security of his violation of rules, and shrugged him off.

He had to get the last word, trying to get me to swing on him, I guess. Dumb ass, like I said. But most folks, even this writer, can be at times. Even after I warned him, he pushed, daring me to rat him out. So, I turned my back on him as I got off.... and here is where the arrogant punk proved he was just a bully and coward at heart. He loudly told me to "go get a haircut and shave, you hippie."

Yeah, he made his point, but when I spun and dared him to try, he had to scuttle off to the computers, probably to boast about putting a homeless guy in his place on some social media site. Me, I waited until today, thinking it over....

And here is my conclusion. Ain't it funny how everyone breaks some law, no matter how pure and righteous we all think we are? And why is it okay for one person or one group to break a law, but nobody else can do so?
Why do folks see the hippie, not that other dude, up on the walls of so many homes and churches?

You know, one thing I have learned, being homeless, I am in good company. Moses was homeless. Noah, well, I guess the ark might count as a home to some, but in my judgment, he was homeless. John the Baptist? Homeless. Joseph with that funny coat? Homeless for a while. Lot and Abraham, homeless bums like me, the former several times. Mohammed spent time homeless, that fellow I mentioned earlier about the picture hanging so many places? Trust me, the carpenter from Nazareth did his time preaching homeless.

I ain't a hippie, either. There is only one Grateful Dead song I've ever liked, and all the hippies claim that was the "sell-out" song. Don't do dope, or any drugs beyond my pipe tobacco and coffee (unless donuts and ice cream can be proven to be narcotic substances, which I personally would contest). And, unlike a true hippie, I reject commune life as ideal form of community living.

NOW, when the rest of you can obey the laws, all of them, you can criticize me for having to break laws to survive, as your society, and it is yours, not mine, seems to deem me unworthy of being a member.

Oh, and all you E-smokers? Get your lazy butts outside to smoke. Getting wet and cold is good for you, ya wussies. And if you can't take criticism about your double standards, well, I have a rope you can relieve yourselves on, just let me know when you need it suspended from some tree, no need to return it, either.

What determines your worth?

Had to post this somewhere today. Not happy about my situation, but like the judging of worth by a piece of paper even less. 

Something I need to lay out there folks. I am both long-term unemployed and homeless. Never got unemployment as when I "resigned upon request", never got that in writing, so it was reported I "Quit without notice" which even in a right to work state, denies you unemployment benefits. That was a decision made by some chumps with degrees. So, when folks try saying a degree makes you a better person, well, you can conjure as to why I might disagree with that.

A degree is a piece of paper, issued by others who have them as well, that just says you studied, maybe actually learnt something, and paid for it, or had others pay for it. Under NO circumstance does a degree convey wisdom, mercy, or true intelligence. Don't believe me? Your choice.

Folks who measure worth often equate some piece of paper, be it a deed, degree, or stacks of cash or stocks as worth. The true worth of a person is in the three areas I spoke of. I may not be as wise as Solomon was said to be, may have lapses in my mercy, and not as intelligent as once showed promise to be, but I have a worth.

Do you really have the worth your think you do? Meet the eyes of the person in the mirror when you answer. They might disagree.

You are forsworn if you take the Pledge of Allegiance.

No, I am not joking.

Look, this is part of my trouble with America, and why I have tossed in the towel on the concept of America as a nation, and its society. The hypocrisy is driving me nuts.

You vow, mentioning God, to be One Nation, and have a class society, to strive for Justice for All, while promoting targeting of certain sections of your population and their crimes over the rest.

If America had any sense, you'd all pull your heads out and offer better to your citizens. If I thought I had a chance of leaving and making it in another country, right now, I'd take the ride offered and go.

Let's look at what a FAIR concept of "Justice For All" should look like. Just a moment. That's all. And what I am about to lay out is just the tip of the iceberg your nation (ain't mine anymore, ya'll kicked me to the curb and curse me for being a homeless scum bum) is getting broken up on.

Stop "Selective Enforcement". Either reduce your laws down to a lower number, or better yet, be fair, and go after those white collar jerks who break the same laws as the homeless and poor with the same level of intensity. And enforce the laws that apply to their crimes, instead of acting like those are such rate cases you don't need to.
Step Two, how is "Justice" served by a set dollar fine that hits a poor person harder than a rich one? Make fines a percentage of wealth/income/assets instead, which might make a hell of a lot more sense, and hit keep rich brats from breaking the law as much as they do, once they find out it might actually have hurt mommy and daddy's pockets enough that there will be severe consequences. And don't lie to me about kids not being kids, and rich kids never get in trouble. Hell, they do it constantly, knowing their family will bail them out or better yet buy off the crime from ever showing on their records.
Same goes for companies. Making a fine based on the company, as well as the impact of that crime, might let a small company survive criminal actions by its employees as easily as a big corporation, and make the big boys fear breaking the laws, as they would now face real fines that hit them enough to end certain policies and procedures they never should have done anyway.

Yeah, I've been thinking. Not that America will listen. You all screwed this up, I'm just that little voice out here in the wilderness, pointing it out. You fix it, I'm tired of your crap and cleaning it up.

That is all for this week. I'll be back later in September to razz you idjits some more.

Secessionists are damned fools....

Look, I never agree with what my government does 100% of the time. Just cause you lost an election is no reason to take your toys, go home and say you will change the minds of other folk by force though.

Quite frankly, those supporting secession at this time must face the music. They stand against the Union, are ignoring the Constitution and are thus both committing Treason and Terrorism against the United States of America. They can talk about it to their heart's content. Taking the actions they have is Treason, and if they try to use force in forcing the decision, they have crossed into Terrorism, and are subject to the full penalties of the Patriot Act and other laws passed by their own factions in the last few decades.

I can bitch and moan, I can say I think about a time that to defend the Constitution and its Amendments that I may have to rebel against the branches of government that stem from the trunk of We The People... but I never go more than grousing and try to remember to point out the ways that have to be expended before I can do such. Like making an effort to fix things, honestly and faithfully within the system.

But to start the actions they have turns my stomach. Look, these fools are not doing this to "Save our nation for God.." or any of the other cries they are giving. Quite frankly, they are sore losers, who want everything their way, and as they cannot do so now, "The South shall rise again" mentality they hold tells them its time for a Civil War to get their way. Its a power trip... "We'll show you who's boss." Or

Insert a big sigh here, then walk with me a moment, folks.

We can fix our nation's problems without another Civil War. Yes there are problems out there. Top on that list is folks don't want to compromise anymore, and extremists rule the main parties... All of them.

I want the damned fools preaching secession to think really hard... are you willing to set brother against brother again... to tear apart our nation, at a time we cannot afford to be torn apart if we wish to remain as the leader in Democracy and Freedom on the Earth. The crossroads we stand at is one with no paved roads, as we have already taken too many steps down the less safe roads of over governance and extremism on both sides of the aisle. I cannot even have a civil discussion about my thoughts on issues now without being called a moron. Or worse.

Face it. The problem is not me. Its all of us, me included. We have to learn to compromise again. To accept the fact we will not get everything we want, as long as the other guy does not get everything he wants as well.  We do need to fix things, like the Electoral College issue. Like the fact that Congress gets to set its own wage and benefits. Maybe even find some way to return to some level of civility. And we need to do it soon.

Flame me all you want, call me a wuss, a damned fool as I called you. I don't care. If you act upon these petitions, and actually tear the Union apart, I will stand for the Union... For the Stars and Stripes, and by the Constitution. For now, I am still just a guy... but once upon a time, I took an oath... to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign .. and domestic. If you took that oath as well, you better think twice before signing on a secessionist. Especially if you said... "so help me God.." as part of it.

Look inside America. Its time to sit down and talk CALMLY for a change... both sides of the extremes have to give... or the Center will not hold with you. Or hold you up when you fall in the mud you seem to like throwing around.

Part of Democracy is not always getting your way. And the biggest part, is accepting that, moving on to the next issue, and stop trying to be a jerk about it. Grow up folks.

Teetering on the brink

Its been a while since I shot off my mouth. So I guess I am overdue here.

Like I have said before, we all have opinions, just as we all have smelly backsides. And no one likes sniffing someone else's (unless they are truly sick puppies). This is your warning. I am about to offer up my opinion on things. You probably will think I am crazy, stupid or just an ass. All of these are your perogative to think about me, but I have the right to speak and write, and intend to use it.

The economy of our nation is still screwed up, teetering on the brink of a real disaster. The root cause is not just the division of wealth, but the costs of housing versus the wages paid to the lowest end of society. This, not the crisis in Europe, will be what the hell brings us down.


Before you all pop off of here, wait and let me point out that rent inflation is higher than the rate of wage increase at the bottom end of the scales. Why should someone who is making minimum wage (or less if tips might be added, and not much comes in the way of those in a tight economy, believe me, I know from past experience) work two or three jobs just to keep a roof over theiir head?

Some of you fools out there may think, you get what you earn. But these folks busted ass to get a paycheck, and you want them to double that load, often with kids in the household, to make ends meet?

You're damned fools, if so.

Look, any economy has to be healthy in the middle, and with our middle class suffering something beyond decimation (which is only a 1 in 10 reduction folks), we cannot claim to be a healthy economy, or nation for a long while.

When an economy collapses, it happens because the base everything is built has deteriorated. And folks, AFFORDABLE housing for the lowest class is a necessity. Try living at that wage and finding a home in this nation. In the inflated urban areas, the boomtowns of the northern plains, and some other spots, you can't. Not without some supplement, be it social welfare or criminal activity.

Well, that is my bit. Start looking back to the past, we don't need more apartments with all the trimmings folks. We need more that are bare bones, studios up to 4 bedrooms. No pool facilities, no jacuzzi, no covered parking, no clubhouse, just somewhere nearby or on property to do laundry, a small common patio area and the like. Stop wasting my time on the big complexes, build some small urban ones again. Not condos, apartments. And then rent them at a rate where a person can make ends meet, set a small amount aside to build up that nest egg and move on later.

Until next time, you can release your nose. BTW, your ideas and opinions smell as bad as mine.

Dave's idea of a good foreign policy.

Why does everyone think I have to share THEIR politics, religion and dreams?

Hell if I know, damned if I give a rat's hindquarters about them either. Folks have disrespected my views as being to radical, too controversial, too idealistic, and when I dash that same cold water on them, the freak out. Too bad....

its time for you to know what I feel about foreign policy and why.

i am a limited isolationist. Limited in I realize we live in a big world, and crap spreads across borders, but I am tired of being the ones the world turns to for solving every problem. Espeicially as the world seems to think we Americans are pigs anyway.

The US of A needs to cut off financial aid to other countries to save our own butt, but we are too scared, even now, to do it. Look, had we cut aid to the developed countries of Europe a long time ago, some of them would have developed a much better fiscal policy. So, we start with this list here, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy,Spain, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark, over the next three years, your monet gets cut in half, then after that, its payments for bases on your turf only, and we will kill a few of those too, cause you don't really seem to want us there. This is not a disolution of NATO, but us forcing you to step up to the plate. You want actions, from now on, you have to get your hands dirty, we are in rebuild mode on our forces, after 10 years of non-stop grind on them.
The rest of Europe, you have 6 years, get your houses in order, we are cutting yours by 25% per year for the next 6 years, then pulling the plug to see if you live or die. Your choice folks, but the party on US dimes is over.

Africa, you get 10 years, 10% reductions, if you complain, the funds crash to zero, and you have to have real, democratic reforms. Middle East, ditto, but you have oil so guess what, 2 years.... that's all you get, all that anti-American hate just got cashed in, and guess what, we don't really like you either...

Asia, 5 years boys and girls, 20% reductions for all nations each year, Zero after that. Oh, and you children get matching trade tariffs, no more free trade deals...

Speaking of trade, the US will be withdrawing from the WTO... its just another way to make us open our markets and give you folks reasons to protect yours. We are sick and tired of it, so the hell with ya all.

Now, Isreal..... look, its up to you, but we don't have to save your asses. In fact the prophets all say some day you will be all on your own. We will turn on you, unless you lighten up, learn to truly negotiate, live and play fairly with others. I have NO problem with starting Armegeddon tomorrow, it would be a blessing in some ways, but to be fair, 5 years, tops... and that is on the same Asian cut down, 20% per year, and no more Vetos in the Security Council, we will Abstain from now on.... unless its a blatantly unfair move.

The rest of the Americas.... Guys, the Monroe Doctrine save most of you from things you could not imagine. But its over.. you are big kids now, and if what you do gets you an ass-whuppin, well, we will televise it in Prime Time as our new national sport, and laugh at your stupidity. Just stop exporting your criminals to us, or we will use your primest real estate as our new proving ground for anti-matter weapons.

Now, as to dealing with America: Don't. We are sick of the rest of you. You whine, cry and won't pull your weight. Learn to do so, and remember this, you kicked most of us out of your countries... and we are the rabid dogs who have used nukes in anger.

Yes, here it is, piss off or attach US interests, you get the city you reside in nuked. Gee, ain't that simple... don't like it, don't poke at us, and we will let you rot in you sewage that you were supposed to use the money we gave you to remove instead of invest in a portfolio for the leading members of your juntas.

Simple? Yes. Practical, no.

Look, this is what I want to do, not what we should do. A realist would approach me now with some ideas and an open mind to negotiations to meet halfway. And of course then Welsh on the whole deal in the end, thinking oh, the US won't hurt us. Like I said, we have Nukes, and we like using them. Keep breaking agreements, and see what our next offer is... it may be, oh, you want a nuclear bomb? Here ya go! Kra-THOOOM!

Meet us half way, keep your end of the deal, and stop acting like we are Satan, and you might get treated fairly in return. But world, you have a lot of bad attitude and pissed off citizens here to soothe and be nice to before you get fair receptions to your needs again.

One last thing, you Tea Party idjits and Libertarians, I find that your views, while similar, stink. so move along, and sotp trying to get me to join your paths... you fail on other points... which we will discuss in my internal policy ideas next time... after I get the stink of this off my flesh.

I don't need drugs even if you do.

I have a couple of topics to deal with today, but will try not to blend them all into one big mishmash. It may not go over well,

As so many folks over the years have accused me of doing drugs, its time to clear the air, permanently, on the record, and smack them into the wall, face first.

Just because you have or had a drug use issue, does not mean I do, did or ever will. I have never taken more than a prescription drug, and don't even like those much. I have over-reacted to most meds given me in the past, even simple anti-biotics. I don't drink constantly, I either drink for social comeraderie, or to ease a physical pain or dull emotions for a short while. I can live without my pipe, even though I would prefer to have it just as it reminds me of someone I wish I was wired more like than not.

The funny thing is this. those who make these accusations often have some substance abuse of their own that they deny or have set up on the altar of self pity that the addict recovery groups make. My vices are simple, I like a drink, I like a smoke, I love my ice cream and other junk foods. But, I can take them or leave them, as I please, to quote the words to M*A*S*H's theme song.

Look, in all my years of being on this planet, one thing has come down to me. Over two thirds of the folks I know use "recreational drugs", abuse their booze, or take perscription meds in amounts and methods not condoned by the FDA, their doctors, pharmacist, or common sense. Yet, these folks get jobs right beside me, and never get caught, even if they do something stupid.

Take the job where the buddy of the boss I could not fire when I was in charge, got my position, I had to still do all the work, while he screwed off and sold drugs out the side door of the company. His brother was part of the deal, even though he never got caught, and in the end, he got the job, and I was out the door, even after the cops came looking for the dealer. If I had been allowed to fire the two idiots for insubordination when I tried, things would have been different, but I don't have a flux capacitor, and can't afford a deLorean.

Too many times, I am surrounded by those who despite breaking the laws about drugs, who get drunk too much and at the wrong times, and lost something, usually my temper, sometimes my job, and often the respect of others. I am not the one screwing up first, but I pay the price.

I have had friends and family who were alcoholics, dated women who washed down anti-depressants with booze while telling me *I* needed medication, and been surrounded by more folks who faked for their drug tests than I care to dream about. I had several bosses and co-workers who damned near maimed or killed me with their working under the influence, or managed to hurt someone else. Yet in the end, the druggies kept their jobs most times, their positions in society, their lives, and I lost everything. Not the way it should have been, the way most folks say it is. No, its the ones who walk the straight and narrow, who don't come to work drunk/stoned or hungover that tend to pay the biggest price. We are the ones the others hurt, kill, or leave in such a rage over their behavior and the failure of society to punish them that we take the beating for not being sensitive to their needs.

What about my needs? Huh, jackasses? Look, this is all I am going to say. If businesses want to save a ton of money, ditch those drug tests. You rarely catch the users, and all it does is encourage them to get more radical in their usage and demands that we accept their endangering their co-workers. And can that crap about tolerance of their medical condition and allowing them rehab if it causes an accident or they get busted using on property. Just fire their asses when you do catch them. Those of us who obey the rules will thank you.

To the rest of you, if you do drugs, walk away from me, don't tell me about it. If you do, I will let you get what you deserve, and refuse to hit the safety stop from now on. You made the choice, live with the consequences. Or die with them. I refuse to support you and your lifestyles.