Rally at the Capitol

What a turnout! It was about 30 degrees outside and snow was falling midway through the rally. It's very rare that I enjoy being wrong but this is one of those occasions. The only effect the weather had on the rally was a positive one. The snow and cold amplified every participants passion, I thought the opposite, I was happy to be proven wrong. 

When the first bus pulled up it was full and that was a good sign. As the time went on more and more people showed up from every direction. Every time I would look around I would see dedicated supporters of tax cuts , carrying signs, playing drums and pouring from every corner of the Capitol. I met a lot of people and saw the true grit of a person when they believe in something. It started with some music, classic rock songs from the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney and Bread. There were tents with information and access to emailing your local politician to voice your concern over tax increases. I thought the speakers did a great job and we had a great group that represented everything from U.S. House Members, State House Member, Candidates and Local Groups. I was really proud to be a part of this rally. The speakers had a lot of energy and the crowd was even louder. Next year should be even better, not to look ahead because everyone who participated in this years rally had a lot to be proud of.

Back to Basics

For the dedicated followers of Talk That Talk, all three of you, I apologize for how lazy I've been. I also apologize for my last post being a rant about the Shaq trade to the Phoenix Suns. Talking with some people who believe in my goal I think now is the time to really get something going. That something is the Elephonkey party. It's time for young adults to take control of their political views. Not the views their parents taught them, not the views their teachers taught them. It's time to develop your own political views from your everyday life.  I believe in less taxes because I just visited the taxman this year and it wasn't pretty. I got a great rebate but I also saw how much they took. I thought to myself if they're taking that much from Sarah and me, who don't make that much, how much are they taking from other people and the rich? And if they're getting that much money why is everything, for lack of a better, word going to shit? I believe that the government should stay out of people's personal lives. Who's business is it if some dude is sleeping with some other dude? Who cares if the woman down the street is really into to the waitress at her favorite restaurant. Who cares? Apparently a bunch of politicians that feel entitled to running everyone's life. I'm willing to put down the small amount of money I have left from my tax return that most politicians have some pretty dysfunctional families. Anyone want that action? Just pay now to make it easier. 

I believe that we live in a world where no one will take responsibility for their own mistakes. That's a sweeping generalization, because I know that anyone who believes in the Elephonkey Movement believes in owning up to their mistakes and their bad decisions. Before I end up rambling on forever now is the time to gather your thoughts, sit down and really think about the candidates. Whether it's House Senate, U.S. Senate or all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. One party may say something you want to hear, but there is also something that may frustrate you as well coming from that party. The Elephonkey Movement is about change. You may recognize that slogan "change". Change comes from us, the people. Not a politician that says they can bring it. Let's make our own change. Let's send a message to the politicians that enough is enough. I myself will vote for a party that will not win. I will lend my support to the Libertarians, maybe the Green party or I'll write one in. The Elephonkey Movement needs to take the best of both sides. But that can't start by constantly putting someone from one side of the aisle or the other back in power. 

Shaq Attaq

Kind of an odd transition to post about third party politics then take a quick turn to NBA Basketball, but hey it's my blog and I guess I can do what I want with it. As I'm writing this, none of the trade speculation is official. If the rumors are true, the Miami Heat might be the smartest basketball team on the planet. Rumor mills are working overtime the past couple days with speculation of a trade between the Heat and the Phoenix Suns. The Heat will send one of the 10 best people to ever play basketball, Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns. The Suns will send All-Star Shawn Marion and Guard Marcus Banks to the Heat. The reason I feel the need to write about this is, talk about a freaking steal for the Heat. The Heat trade a player who is having his worst season of his career and who has an inability to finish a season for two players that will be playing in the NBA a long time. Yes I know that Marcus Banks isn't anything special, we had him on the Wolves, but I'll take him as a backup to "White Chocolate" Jason Williams. Here's my gripe with this trade, Shaq is done, Shaq, I believe is 36 years old. Shaq was one of the greatest players to ever play the game. His size and dominance is unmatched. But that was a long time ago. He is heading to a team that runs up and down the floor. Now the Suns have given up Shawn Marion, a guy that fit great with the offense in Phoenix for an old guy who can't run. The Suns want to make a run in the Western Conference, in my opinion they had a better chance with Marion and Banks then they do with Shaq. This trade was pretty bone-headed. The only other question I have is, when did Kevin McHale become the GM for Phoenix? You know what, that's not fair to Kevin McHale, even he wouldn't make that trade.

Elephonkey or Donkephant?

In my opinion it's time for a third party. Maybe not even a third party but a group of ideas that takes the social awareness of the left and the fiscal responsibility of the right. Democrats/Liberals whatever you want to call them have great ideas when it comes to social views; gay rights, women's right to choose, etc. Conservatives/Republicans whatever you want to call them, have great ideas when it comes to fiscal responsibility; less government, lower taxes, personal responsibility, etc. Unfortunately this magical view doesn't exist. I shouldn't say it doesn't exist, it exists in a lot of the youth of America. People like me and the few people that read this blog I believe/hope think like this. We went to schools that celebrated all religions, all sexualities. Our generation isn't narrow-minded. We understand that there is more to life than making sure gay people don't get married. Our generation has embraced an open mind on social issues which is fantastic. However in my opinion it seems that our generation hasn't embraced personal responsibility. How many 20-somethings still live at home, how many are on their sixth year of college for a four year degree? The direction that politics is heading in is going to be more divisive that it already is in my opinion. When it comes to this Presidential election I can't vote. Not because I'm too young or not registered. Because there isn't a candidate that appeals to what I want. I want more of my money, I want less government interaction. I'm sick of people telling us how to live because the Bible said you should live a certain way. It's time to adapt to the culture of America's youth. There is a lot of us and both sides need to change a lot of things. What this world needs is a Hybrid, and no not the one from Toyota. We need a hybrid political party, we need an Elephonkey or maybe even a Donkephant.

Time of the Year

So far with this blog I've vented on some topics concerning Politics. With my job being centered around Politics I suppose that's not very odd. I did say that my blog would be about other topics as well including life and sports. Well today I got the itch to write about sports. Some of you that know me, know that I am a huge Cubs fan. I love the Cubs more than any team that has ever played a game competitively. Baseball in January? Yes I know that the temperature is below zero but my lovely Wife just planned a trip to Mesa, AZ where I will take in Cubs spring training. Baseball in January is a great idea in my book. Most everyone knows the plite of the Cub fan for those that don't it's simple. They haven't won a World Series in 100 years. That's triple digits. My Grandfather lived a life time and never saw it. My Ma has been alive nearly 60 years and she's never seen it. They've been cursed (literaly and with expletives from the frusturated fan) they've also been poorly run and fans have lived by the motto "wait 'til next year". But now things have changed. Lou Pinella is in town and the Cubs are doing what all great American companies should do, put the profit back into the product! Fantastic players will soon wear the "other" pinstripes. To understand Cub fans you must step foot into the most magical place on earth, Wrigley Field. My Wife was there for the first time last year. She never quite understood why I was so worked up about the Cubs. Then she made it to Wrigley. When you first step into Wrigley you see the neighborhood surrounding the field. You see the sunshing, you hear the organ playing. There's no digital scoreboard with trivia, there isn't a mascot driving around the field. There is the Cubs and the opponent and it reminds you of simple fun. Even when they don't win it's still just a great place to be. So as I work with the lovely Sare Bear to put together our trip I will work on containing my joy of seeing my favorite players. I'm ready for this season, I'm ready for them to lose, I'm also ready to enjoy every minute of it. Go Cubs!!!!!!

All the Negativity That's in This Country Sucks

My own spin on a great quote from Rick Pitino when he was Coach of the Boston Celtics. The quote is "all the negativity that's in this town sucks." Now he was talking about the fans and their dislike for his job as Coach of the Celtics. I use it because of all the negativity that surrounds this election. Not that there is anything new about negativity in politics, my experience working in talk radio has really opened my eyes. But the negativity I see isn't just from Conservatives, it's also from Liberals. Both sides have their fair share of kooks. The things that complete strangers have said to me over the phone would make jaw's drop. I've had threatening email's directed to me and the host. I'm frustrated with the approach of people when it comes to disagreements with beliefs. Yes politics matter, but at some point we have to realize that there is more to life. And when you spend all your time consumed by politics you'll be like me, cranky, bitter and tired of it all. I suppose that outcome is in direct contradiction of how I want to feel. Hmmm.

Really?

Over the last couple of days while I've been gathering stories for the show and watching cable news and the History Channel. I've found myself tilting my head, staring at the screen (computer or T.V.) saying, really? If you read the news you've probably noticed all the talk about Global Warming. The mighty Al Gore has led the charge in convincing everyone that humans are ruining the Earth. Now I know that this is old news. His "informative" movie has been out for a while and it has now replaced most Science text books in schools. I was watching a show on the History Channel talking about Global Warming and if my Wife wasn't sleeping next to me I probably would have thrown my incandescent light bulb lamp right at the T.V. Al Gore is telling people that if you don't change your ways your grandchildren will look at you with there big eyes, crying, asking "why didn't you do anything?" According to Al Gore in 40 years Brainerd will be the next Atlantis. This guilt trip that the rich, celebrity environmentalist put the average Joe through is absurd. Has anyone ever read a text book? I didn't read many as a student, but I do remember a certain word being used in Science class. That word is cycles. The Earth is above and beyond the understanding of people, in my opinion. The Earth goes through cycles. I watched that fear mongering show about Global Warming and the next show talked about prehistoric life and how climate change ended life then. There were no cars, industry and people then and the climate changed. I could rant all day long and anyone who may be reading this is probably sick of it by now. But unlike most people I don't give a crap what some rich, Hollywood elite has to say. And when I see all this contradicting info about the climate and history I get confused, because when I'm sitting in my car and it's struggling to start because it's 10 below I just look out the window and say to myself "really?"