Sunday morning

What a wonderful day outside. I love this time of year.

Read all the coverage of the One Nation rally yesterday in Washington sponored by the unions, self described socialists/communists, liberals and others. Not as well attended as Beck's rally the end of August. The press was rather critical of it and showed a number of pictures of how the Mall was left when the rally was over. I was surprised at that. Conservatives tend to pick up after themselves, Liberals leave it for someone else to do. Rather indicative of their political philosophy, don't ya think?

Yesterday on the Mall after the rally:

After the Beck rally:

Guess that is what unions are for -- to clean up after liberal rallies!!

Just about 30 days until the November elections.  The American public has not been paying attention for years and to quote President Obama's pastor "the chickens have come home to roost!!"  I have talked with people all over the US and folks are scared.  They don't know what is going to happen with taxes, health care, energy, and a variety of other issues.  They woke up one morning and saw what was going on in Washington.  The massive increase in debt, the huge increase in federal employees, the increase in new agencies along with the new rules and regulations, the huge increase in IRS agents to make sure that everyone has health care, and the list goes on and on.  For the first time people in this country are afraid that their children will not have the opportunity to have the good life that they have had.  It doesn't really matter when and under whose administration it started, it is ending up under the Obama administration and he is reaping the blame.  As he should as he has had a big hand in growing government.

But it is not just at the federal level, everywhere one looks one sees how government has broken down yet it is costing us more and more each year.  Look at what is happening here in NC.  This week's scandal was the over payment of unemployment benefits by the state and the state's attempt to recover those over payments.  It amounts to somewhere in the neighborhood of $28 million (yes that is Million).  Now the state has decided not to recover this money which means the taxpayers are not in the hole for an addition $28M.  This is in addition to the SBI scandal and the state lab scandal and Perdue's lack of reporting of "free" flights during the campaign to rumors of fmr Governor Easly's indictment.

Then you get to the local level where the front page today has a long story on the number of teachers in the local school system who have been indicted for abusing school children.  It appears the school board's attorney did not report complaints to the police department in a timely manner which meant those teachers were in the classroom longer than they should be.  There were also several cases where the teacher was transferred and the new school was not informed of the complaints.

So there is a sense out there that something has to be done.  We have got to start paying attention at ALL levels of government.  The days of just ignoring things because the "don't impact us" has to be over.  We as a country can no longer afford to not pay attention.  It is time to make major changes in this country.

So if you aren't registered to vote, get registered.  And if you are, vote on election day.

At the state level keep in mind that the Democrats have been in total control of this state since 1898 with the exception of 4 years in the state House and two Republican governors.  When one party has total control and has in effect no opposition they tend to become correct.  Doesn't matter which party it is  - it just is.    So here in NC the Democrats need to be thrown out and the Republicans need to be given an opportunity.  It will be hard as they will have to deal with a $3 Billion deficit next year; some how they will have to close that gap in order to balance the budget next year (not including the latest $23M over compensation).

Mussings at the end of the week

For the second time in two weeks I have almost been hit by a biker on the WFU campus who was going the WRONG way on a one way street. Crossing from the parking lot to Carswell, it is one way right to left. The biker this week came tearing down the road from left to right. When I yelled out, you are going the wrong way on a one way street he yelled back yea I know. This is what drives me crazy about bikers, the belief that the law does not apply to them. It does. They have to obey all the laws of the road. I wonder if the WFU police would give them a ticket if they say it happening? So, from now on I will look both ways when crossing from the lot to the building.

Went to a 5th CD Executive Committee meeting yesterday held at Shatley Springs. The owner of Shatley Springs, Lee McMillian, is a big republican -- of course the entire area is a big republican area. Shatley Springs is a wonderful place to go about once a year. Before going one should fast for a day or so. It is a family style resturant which means they place bowls and platters of food at the table and if you are not with a group they sit you where there are seats (regardless of whether or not you know them). We had breakfast and placed on the table before us were platters of country ham, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, grits, fried potatoes, baked apples, and the best biscuits one has ever eaten along with gravy. As the platters and bowls empty they are replaced. Great stuff but in no one's world low calorie.

It is always great to meet up with folks and friends from around the district. Of course this looks like a great year for Republicans.

The mountain's were beautiful and every time I drive up there I fall in love. Then I think about the winter time and the snow. Those mountain roads are curvy and narrow. I stopped on the way down to visit a friend who had just bought a place up there. He is down a very narrow road but once you get there and sit out back it is as if you were the only people on the mountain. The view was amazing. It was so quiet, all one could hear were the birds. The view was mountains and woods. I could imagine myself sitting on the deck and grading papers or reading a book. As the afternoon went on you could see the shadows moving across the hills, really beautiful.

It's Sunday and it is in the 70s and it is raining. All the windows are open and it smells so good. I love this time of year.

Lindsay and Paris

Do the judges in LA really think they are doing Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton a favor by letting them skate on their drug charges? The judge sentenced Lindsay to 90 days in jail and 90 days in rehab if my memory serves me right. She served 21 days in jail and about the same amount of time in rehab. They said she was cured and had been 'scared straight'. So how long did it take her to start using cocaine again? Two-three weeks? We all know her parents did not parent her but rather partied with her and lived (and still do) on her money. If something isn't done she is going to end up just like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, both huge talents who no one ever said NO to. The same can be said for Paris Hilton. Once again she made a deal to escape punishment. The only question is how long will be be until she is found with drugs again and will the judge this time really really put her in jail for a year. My money is soon and no he won't put her in jail for a year. Part of the problem we have in America today is that people are no longer held responsible for their actions. Bill Clinton could get away with lying under oath (for those in Rio Linda as Rush would say, that means putting your hand on a Bible and swearing to tell the truth) because it was only about sex. Newt Gingrich can get away with his cheating behavior. He cheats and lies and yet there are those who think he should be president because he is a deep thinker. Give me a break. Let him write his books which are best sellers and let him not run for president. Part of this mess comes from the fact we don't hold people accountable. It used to be that if you did something wrong you were embarrassed, now you get a reality show and make millions. Somewhere along the line we have lost our moral compasses. In a sense that is the outrage the "tea partiers" are expressing. We have all these folks that are supposed to be leaders yet look at their behavior. They all stand up there and pontificate as to what should be done while behind the scenes they are acting out "pols gone wild". Call it what you wish, ruling class, elitism, it is a feeling that they are right and we are wrong so just shut up and do what we tell you to do. Yet at the same time they are telling us what to do they are also saying the rules don't apply to us. You don't like the bad schools too bad suck it up and send our kids there but we will send ours to private school. Look at what Congress did in DC with the school voucher program -- since the teachers unions did not like it, one of the first things the new Democrat congress did was to stop it. Where do top leaders send their children to school? Not DC public schools I can assure you.

How did I get from Lindsay to DC public schools? Seems to me they are both part of the problem -- lack of personal responsibility.

Whiners and Losers

If one really needs an explanation of why people are so mad these days one only needs to take a look at all the politicians who have been defeated in a primary who have chosen then to run as either an dependent or to conduct a write in campaign. It used to be that losers were sulk and lick their wounds for a few days but almost always say they would support the nominee. They might only say so but not do anything to help them get elected or they might actively support the individual who defeated them. But this year we have seen a number of politicians who have been defeated in primaries or believe they will be defeated who have changed parties or become independent or are conducting a write in campaign. Their attitude is that the people made a mistake, I am the better person and I should be in office. No the voters said no. No you should not be in office. Elections have consequences. If you don't organize and get your voters out then it is your fault. The arrogance we see in our politicians go a long way in explaining the tea party movement and the anger that is out there today.

Turn signals and othe irratants of life in Winston Salem

One of the things that just drives me crazy here in Winston Salem is the lack of use by the citizens of turn signals. Don't you people here realize the purpose of the turn signal is to let others know what you are planning on doing. If I know which way you are going, they I might not run into you. I don't understand why that is such a hard concept for some people. One is be courteous by doing this and one is protecting themselves. ERRRRRG pay attentions folks and use your turn signals.

My other pet peeve here is that the notion of merge does not exist. When you are driving down a ramp onto a road you are supposed to give way to traffic on that road not the other way around. People come flying down ramps and instead of merging they just act as if there is no one else on the road and they drive into the line. ERRRRG again folks pay attention -- when you come down a ramp you are supposed to give way not me.

Don't you just love how the local rag sheet, the Winston Salem Journal, is going to provide us with a special service, a better weekly TV guide, one that is much more informative than the one we have been getting for years and years. Aren't they great, and oh by the way it is going to cost you $33.75 a year. Thanks for nothing. I do believe that this is final straw, when my subscription comes up for renewal and I am going to drop it. And I hate doing it. I am from the generation that loves to sit and read the paper over a cup of coffee in the mornings. I really like the feel of the paper in my hands. It isn't just the same on the internet -- I find I don't read as much or as closely as I do with a paper. But the newspapers are making it impossible to read them these days.

Bursa Inik - Istanbul

Started the day out in Bursa where we ended the day yesterday. We went had lunch in a beautiful place -- the Botanic Garden Iskender Restaurant. Saw my first dervish; good looking chap as the Brits would say. He was totally smitten with my new friend Ilene who is tall, black and beautiful. He followed her all over the place. The Botanic Gardens were wonderful. We sat outside under a grape arbor at a long table covered with a white cloth and sliver utensils. Food was excellent. We then went to the Silk Market and helped the Turkish economy. Scarfs are incredible. Each store had their own designs and colors they specialized in. After that we went to see a shadow theater presentation. Interesting but we did not understand what they were saying. However, it was well done -- hand puppets on sticks -- amazing talent. While we did not understand what they were saying, they did explain the story to us so we could follow it somewhat.

This morning we left for Iznik or Nicaea We visited the Iznik Foundation for a presentation on Iszik tiles -- the people that run the foundation have reinstated the ancient art of tile making and are using the old methods and materials. Very interesting and the tiles are amazing. They had laid out on the table a set of tiles they were doing for a mosque in Mexico that was being restored. We then had lunch in their gardens -- again under a grape arbor with a long table and white cloth. All around us was the heady smell of roses. The garden was full of them. Iznik is by the Marmara Sea and is full of flowers and roses. We stopped by the former cathedral where the Council of Nicaea was held. It is in pretty poor condition but you could still see the murals. The Ottomans took the place over and turned it into a mosque.

More later. Off to dinner

Another day in Turkey

I finally got my camera back but had no internet last nigt in the 5 star hotel in Galilopi. So maybe I'll get some pictures up later tonight. We toured the Galilopi battlefield and cemetery yesterday and visited the museums. The entire peninsula is stunning. You can see the straights and see why the British and the Germans (and a lot of other folks) wanted to control this access point – including Jason and the Gold Fleece. We saw the wooden Trojan Horse used in the movie Troy. You only need to spend a short time here to realize how close everything is and why this area has been fought over for thousands of years. We are currently close to the border with Bulgaria (or Bulgaristan on most Turkish maps) and Greece. Amazing how close they are. No wonder they fought over this territory. We have visited numerous mosques and I am amazed at how beautiful they are. We saw one yesterday that used to be an orthodox church (many centuries ago) – the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. You could see the old church in the bones of the mosque. In fact this mosque is one of the only ones that has the name of both Ali and Mohammed written on the walls. It represents the non-religious nature of Turkey (almost in a sense a non-partisan view of religion). Earlier in the day we went to an old healing center which used music therapy – one of the professors at a local university who plays one of the old instrument met us there and played several sample music pieces for us – including as he said, one for the urinal!!!!

Fascinating listening to it and we all felt refreshed when we left.

Guess I did not finish up Wednesday – after touring around Istanbul, going to the Grand Bazaar and the Hagia Sophia Museum, we ended the day by going to the Turkish Institute of Cooking and we cooked a wonderful Turkish meal – 5 courses. Food was wonderful. So when we have our international dinner I will be able to help out our Turkish fellow!!!

Before I end today I want to mention my colleagues on this trip. I was a little nervous about meeting them and spending 10 days traveling around Turkey with people I don't know. I am not really someone who travels with a group; much prefer one other person or alone But I have to say that these past days have been great and I have really enjoyed getting to know these folks. There are four college presidents – presidents of small colleges -- and several deans. In addition there are several others that are heads of programs. I have met and made several new friendships. They are a varied group, black, white, native American, men, women. We have all gotten along and it is fascinating to watch everyone maneuvering within the group.