Charlotte, NC

DISCLAIMER: The photo you see on your left is not of Saturday’s accident. It’s just one I found on the web to make a point.

The Observer reported the news today: “A 49-year-old Shelby man died this weekend in a motorcycle accident in Gaston County … the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. Saturday … alcohol was not a factor in the crash …”

For the seventh time over the past three years, someone I know has died at the hands of a motorcycle. I witnessed the combined funerals of a husband-and-wife in Ashland, just prior to the last OCW event. Both were officers of the law … off-duty, enjoying a “second honeymoon”, as such. And they lost their lives at the wheel of a single motorcycle crash.
The culprit? A blown tire!

Look … it doesn’t matter who you are, or whether you ride a hawg (Harley) or motorized bicycle (Yamaha), you’ve gotta remember how dangerous the drivin’ can be! Now, before anyone jumps into my comment box to rip my head off, lemme tell ya that I dig bein’ behind the wheel of a heavy-horsepower hog; the feel of freedom is totally unmatched. And I’m definitely not puttin’ cyclist down for a moment. In fact, for the most part, they’re more skilled and aware than other drivers.

Now, we’re all gonna miss Ricky — in fact, our hearts go out to the entire Ivey family. But this tragedy brings a major “heads-up” for every biker:

No matter where you’re goin’ on yer wheels, make absolutely sure that everything on your bike is in TOP CONDITION! If you’ve got even the slightest worry about your tires’ wear, or your carb’s cleanliness, brakes or whatever, just park it and take the car. Or walk.

When you’re on the road, PAY ATTENTION!! It only takes yer mind to wander once to hit, spinout or roll. And remember — there aren’t any seat belts or roll bars to help ya!

Lastly (and I can hear bikers all the way to L. A. sayin’ this. In fact, a dude fresh off the Sturgis run told me this one), “KNOW YER BIKE LIKE YOU WANNA KNOW YER WOMAN/MAN!” I wanna include, KNOW YOUR ROUTE LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND!

We can’t afford any more deaths like we experienced Saturday, folks! So, sure … enjoy the ride; but keep it safe, okay?

KEEPIN’ IT FIT AND TRIM

Now, while we’re keepin’ our bikes sleek and fine-acting, so we should do the same for ourselves! Of course, there are loads of diet supplements and helps to get you into the shape and style you want; but, of all these, only one site can give you the lowdown on the top brands. They review the best diet pills, the pros and cons (if any) of each, their ingredients, and even give you links on where to buy them for less! And get this: They even go so far as to list some effective weight loss tips for you~

But you’ll find even more when you click on the link I’m about to give you. So, if you’re in the market for the best in diet aids, but don’t know where to go, just click on this link which will start off by telling you more about the popular supplement, Trimspa.
All in all, you’ll really appreciate this site for giving you the “heads-up” and info you need to make the best choice! So take a moment (after you’re finished here) to click there, okay??

Man, wouldn’t ya know it??  As I was startin’ to get this (and my other writes) together, the PC went down again! 
Soooo, these are gonna be a little short ’til tomorrow — at least until I get that modem workin’ (geez … how, oh how did we ever live without this marvel called “computer”?).

Anyway … we’ve got that debate comin’ up in a few hours, and I’ve gotta get in my two-cents’ worth (hey … don’t knock it; it’s all I have left after goin’ to Office Depot for new software!):

First, lemme say that — as it looks right now – yes, I’m votin’ for Obama this November (ya can’t tell what’ll come out or up between now and then, natch …).  But, as far as tonight goes …

I hope Sarah Palin kicks Joe Biden’s AXX!!  Y’see, it seems the media world (and, thus, the people who believe them) have placed her into three sexist categories:  (1) the “little, ignorant housewife who doesn’t know anything real politicians do”, (2) the “hockey mom who didn’t raise her daughter right” or (3) “sexy, alluring, former cheerleader.”   

And it’s all … well, ya know that stuff that bulls do when they have to go to the bathroom?  Yeah … now ya got it!

So, by utilizing her existing knowledge (and she does have that!) and the training she’s gettin’ for tonight’s gabfest, I’m hopin’ she’ll do such a good job that it’ll leave egg on every face that’s put the lady down.
Granted (and especially if she touts the Republican standard), she’ll be pushin’ the wrong agenda, but … just this once … I’d like to see Joe stutter and hem-and-haw in awe of this woman …

More later. Now I’m goin’ back to workin’ on my PC …

Gettin’ back to the Observer for a minute …

They recently printed a piece called 5 Ways To Start A Revolution that I wish everybody would take the time to download and read.
There are a coupla points they make that can really shake things up, both in your personal life as well as in the Queen City’s, if we take the time to use ‘em!

Now, maybe it won’t seem as stirring as the photo on your right, but it can be just as important personally:
For example, get out there and CHANGE SOMETHING!! 
How often do we look at what’s goin’ on around us, whether it be in Myers Park, uptown, Pineville, West Blvd. or Derita and figure “well, that’s for somebody else to handle!”
Well, guess what?  “Somebody else” is thinkin’ exactly the same thing!  And, before ya know it, you’ve got that great “Tammany Ring” cartoon in action (awww, c’mon … look it up!).  Of course, in that case, nothin’s gonna be done!
So get involved!  Whether it’s something that needs to be addressed in the city or in your private life, CHANGE SOMETHING!

The other is LIVE DANGEROUSLY.  Now, I woulda used a little better wording, like LIVE DARINGLY!!  Though they give some unusual examples, one says Get in the game!  Brother, this whole friggin’ life is a game we’ve gotta play in order to get ahead or get some movement in society.  And we can’t do it by sittin’ on the sidelines!  We’ve gotta get to town meetings, support groups, local festivals, contribute to our favorite charities, and get involved with what’s happening here! 

And when all’s said and done, and thousands of Charlotteans can breathe a sigh of accomplishment, you’re gonna see a change in this city … and in ourselves individually … that’ll make us proud …

MOVIN’ ON UP

Okay, let’s say it is “to the east side”, as the song says. Maybe you’re planning on movin’ to SC, or some town in the midwest. You’ve got all your plans made, your boxes packed; now you’ve gotta deal with rentin’ a truck, insurance, have gas money, get return points and …
WHOA! That’s not gonna be necessary!
Y’see, there’s a company that’ll not only move ya, but will save you money in the process! In fact, their gasoline charges are built into their quotes, which you can request online (I’ll give ya the link in a second).
They’ll also give you not two days (as most movers will, if ya bend their arms!) but three to pack and load (or unload, when you reach your destination).
Behind the link, you’ll also find some great tips to help you in your move … even a moving blog to help keep you updated and informed.
So, before ya start worryin’ about who’s gonna move ya, it’ll be worth your while to check out the best moving services in the nation (hey … since 1923! Need I say more??).
Do it now … and be ready for a great and completely satisfying move!

As you probably noticed in today’s Observer, Charlie Adams (head of North Carolina High School Athletics Association — or NCHSAA if ya don’t like a mouthful of words) has recommended that their board of directors make lacrosse a sanctioned school-wide sport for the ‘09-10 academic year.

Hey … why not??  It’s popular around the world, and has a tremendous history dating back to the Native Americans in the 18th Century (at least)! And, quite frankly, it’s not any more dangerous than football or soccer … in fact, it gives the players a workout that other sports don’t give them!

Now, some schools do have lacrosse clubs, but they’re not sanctioned by the NCHSAA … if they were, they’d have more assistance and provision by the Association.  It can be handled in much the same manner as the sanctioning of soccer or any other ball game, for that matter.  All it takes for the Association to sanction is to have an open mind, realize that this is a tremendous exercise for the kids, and has great educational value if you look into its history ( for example, didja know that Native American tribes like the Choctaws would use the sport to determine its best warriors?).You can learn more about the game and its history by going to its Wikipedia page.

GETTIN’ THE WORD OUT 

Face it … we all like to brag a little. right?  Whether it’s about our company, who we’re voting for, our favorite bands or whatever, we wanna get the word out there for others to know about.
It’s called “publicity” — and there’ve been many  ways of providing it.
But the best is still the promotional items, where your/your company/concerns’ name or logo is printed on various items for sale or handout.  Everything from successful business to elections have been built by this method over the years.
And there’s one spot that delights in providing you the greatest selection of promotional merchandise, and can imprint your logo or name on anything!  They not only have the lowest prices for this selection (a salesperson dreams of finding a place like this!) but also will even beat any competitor’s price!
In fact, they’ll even help you create the promotional look you need! 
And I can’t think of even one place in the Yellow Pages that’ll do that!!

Listen … with the new school year upon us (and who wouldn’t wanna brag about their kid, their class or their team?), an election coming up and holidays right after that, it’s a great idea to show your support with great promotional products. Just click on that link I just gave you — and get ready to show your pride to the world!

Well, the verdict’s in …
A few clicks back, I ran a sorta-controversial rant about the dangers and evils of college drinking (remember? It’s supposed to curb binge-drinkin’ in dorms??).
Natch, a lotta collegiates came to the issue’s defense (and, Charlotte, from what I read, we’ve got some extremely sharp young folks in our midst. Ya just gotta be proud). So, since my alter-ego, The Rock Relic, has an international following, I contacted a few of ‘em (to be precise: two in UK, one in Israel, two in Japan, three in Canada and one in Denmark) to find out what they thought about this. How was under-21-over-18 drinking handled in their neck-of-the-world?
EVERY ONE of these said that we’re makin’ somethin’ outta NOTHIN’ here! LOWER THE DRINKING AGE TO 18!! Give them the responsibility and they’ll live up to it!!

One of them (the reader in Denmark) said that “the biggest insult you can hand a young person is to look down your nose and tell him, ‘you’re not big enough to handle this’. For Gods sake let them show you how responsible they really are”.

So, to all you bookpeople — whether you’re a frosh or senior — the Relic/Chuck/Eagle/Whatever owes you an industrial-strength, heavy-duty apology!

Since I’m a little short on time (but BIIIIG on workload) right now, I’ll get back with you all tomorrow.

Well, whaddya think??
After watchin’ the RNC the past coupla nights (when the main-eventers had their say), I’m not really all that impressed with McCain’s running mate, Mrs. (Gov., whatever) Sarah Palin.

Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m all for a lady to hold a high position in the new regime, whoever gets the nod. But Gov. Palin just doesn’t fit the bill! Here’s why:

First, she’s gotten a number of her facts wrong. Now, it’d take too long to list ‘em all here, so (if you can get through all the personal BS of the writer) you can go here for them (the writer copied these from a Yahoo! News Report after Wednesday night’s convention).

Secondly, the Governor has to remember that she has a tremendous obligation comin’ up that’s gonna take more and more of her time. Y’see, her youngest (the one she kept “hidden” from her brood while she was pregnant) has Downs’ Syndrome. Now, while many kids with this condition still grow and thrive (think Chris Burke, the actor; and, of course, the superstars of the Special Olympics), they do so only with the encouragement and personal care of their parents and families! And that’s gonna take time and patience!! Kinda hard to do when you’re sittin’ behind the Prez in the White House!
Also, I’m not “sold” on this thing about her daughter. No, I’m not puttin’ her down due to her pregnancy; in fact, I admire her for taking care of herself, her unborn child and marryin’ the father! Actually, it’s that boy, Levi, who worries me. He only took down his “MySpace” page (the one that said he could whup someone’s axx [he used the real word, though] and sounded so “tough”) after this pregnancy was revealed nationally! And he didn’t look too “peaceful” or “loving” while his future mom-in-law was talkin’ (or McCain on Thursday, for that matter!).
So the Governor is gonna have a lot on her hands in the future — and, to my way of thinkin’, family comes first before anything; EVEN A VICE-PRESIDENTIAL NOD!! Amen??

Well, it’s nearin’ the 5 AM hour here, and I’ve gotta get a little bit of shut-eye before headin’ back to the boards tomorrow. So, I’ll see ya Friday evening, okay? Until then, how about givin’ me a shout-out and tellin’ me what you think about this?

By now, I guess you’ve read about the little bold lady who lived in Denver (our Denver, I mean …) who had so many childre … er, pets … she didn’t know what to do.
Look — on the surface, there’s nothing wrong with rescuin’ little barks and fleaflickers; it’s what they call a “noble gesture”.
But remember: If you’re gonna take in any pet, you’ve gotta be responsible for its/their care and upkeep! Never … never have more pets than you can safely love and care for!

But 400??? Awww, man … gimme a break here! There’s a lady I know in Parkersburg, W. Va. who had 1,000 taken from her last month — ONE …THOUSAND!! (Don’t believe me? Here … read for yourself!)
And, on top of that, she’s a breeder … and, I must say, one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever had the chance to speak with.
Now, whether it’s Denver, N.C. or Parkersburg, W. Va., the cases in both cities teach us some valuable lessons:

• Though it’s a wonderful gesture to save an animal, we have to remember that their rescue carries with it a lot of responsibility for the pet’s well-being.
• If you have too many animals to care for (and be honest about that!), then turn ‘em over to an animal rescue organization that’ll put ‘em up for adoption.
• This, in no way, is a reflection of the owner’s character or persona. That person can be as sweet and well-meaning as possible … but just has a heart too big to say “no”. He or she should be supported by family and friends, who also should help the owner to keep things under control!

HURRICANE CARLOS TO HIT TOWN! Actually, it’s Carlos Mencia, the fab stand-up and improv comic who’s coming to Ovens Auditorium this Friday (8 PM) with his At Close Range gig.
Now, if the man can keep the bleeped stuff under wraps, he’s gonna put on a show that’ll knock your socks off (so wear extra, or have ‘em in yer pocket!). I’ve seen him a coupla times already while I’ve been on the road, and he’s hilarious! This is definitely a show worth takin’ in — just be sure to get there early so you can get good seats!

LIGHTING IT UP

No, this isn’t about smoking … unless you wanna include “smoking hot” deals on lighting fixtures (see??). We’re all lookin’ for brighter, attractive new lamps, chandeliers, and bathroom lighting (in fact, didja know that psychologists say good lighting actually improves your mood?). And, of course, when we go shopping for those, we know there’s gonna be a price to pay, whether in time spent in traffic, in checkout lines or whatever, or in the high mark-up that so many places have.
But, at the link I’m about to give you, you’ll find a spot that’ll not only provide a wide selection of the most gorgeous lamps, sconces, bathroom lighting and more — but at prices that’ll make your wallet breathe a lot easier!!
And, get this: They give you free shipping on orders over $75 annnd (if you’re wondering how good this place is to shop with) you can even view their security certificate online! How many places will do that for ya?
So go ahead and click on the link that’ll get you the best lighting you’ll ever want! Believe me, you’ll see things a lot clearer … and feel a whole lot better … when you visit and get your lighting needs from these folks!

WOW!! Y’mean it’s Labor Day already?? Geez … and here I wuz, just gettin’ over July 4th …

Natch, it’s a day when loads of Americans can sorta kick back and relax a bit … but, as you know, one part of the nation is bein’ robbed of the holiday as-we-speak! So, while we’re doin’ our cook-outs or relaxin’ at the park, let’s all remember that, down on the Gulf Coast, it’s gonna be a day of worry, apprehension and tension.
Since you’ve read this far, how about takin’ a moment to bow yer head and say a quick one for those folks, huh?? I’ll be here when ya get back to the post …

Now, as far as today’s festivities go:

Remember to play it safe on the roads, okay?? There’s the Labor Day Parade that’s gonna hit the downtown area, and there’ll be a number of streets closed. Now, the parade’s start at Ninth and Tryon and go to Third and Tryon. and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you’re plannin’ on driving uptown, stay away from The Square in the morning; and remember that there’s gonna be a lot of parade-goers headin’ home (or to cookouts) afterward, so be careful!

So, whether you’re goin’ to Freedom Park or to a local wing-ding, have a peaceful, enjoyable and relaxing time! And take a minute to remember how blessed you are to live in Charlotte — with or without gas (thought I’d forgotten, huh?).

By the way: If you wanna keep up with gas cut-off situation, I’ve been told you can get the latest from Piedmont Natural Gas online.

MESOTHELIOMA

It sounds like a terrible disease … and, actually, it is. In fact, it’s a serious cancer that comes from exposure to asbestos. As you know, many public buildings — especially schools — are being tested and, at times, necessarily renovated (or even torn down) due to the amount of asbestos that’s used in ceilings, etc.
Throughout the nation, there are thousands who have been afflicted with this disease — and many don’t exactly know where to turn to learn more about it and its effects.
But, now, there’s a site that’ll give you all the information you need; articles, news updates, treatments, diagnoses, and even clinical trials of and on the subject! It also has info for patients and families, doctors, and so much more!
So, if you or someone you love is suffering from this disease, please take the time to find out more about mesothelioma by clicking that link you just passed.
Your life may depend on it …

For awhile now, I’ve been gettin’ e-mails from around the nation and California about our little neck-of-the-woods — as well as about this site and its writer.
And now’s the time to answer ‘em — and I’ll do it in three special posts two that’ll be included next month along with the regular ones, and one that we’re gonna do right now!
Now, I’m gonna do this in the same way I did with THE FORE INTERVIEW: The questions are gonna be written here just as I received ‘em. They’ll be in the italic print, with my answers in bold:

“Why would anyone want to move to Charlotte anyway? It’s like every other big city.”

Man, you’ve gotta be kidding! Why would people wanna move here? Well, let’s see: better living conditions, more available opportunity (notice I didn’t say “jobs”. There’s a BIG difference!), friendlier hometown people, and the best education a kid could possibly get!
And “like every other big city”?? Lemme tell ya a little secret: We were the FIRST to proclaim independence from Britain back on May 20, 1775 — almost a full year before the Declaration of Independence was signed!
“… like every other big city”?? Read the next question …

“What’s in Charlotte that other cities don’t have?”

Hmmm … have ya ever had Lance crackers (you know … those little six-cracker cellophane packs)? Or shopped at Family Dollar? Or do ya bank with Bank of America? Sure, other cities have those, but we’ve got the headquarters of ‘em all!
Or how about some of the best pet care in the nation? One of the largest number of churches per capita? And Pineville’s known as one of the antique capitals of the nation!

“I have a friend who’s been to Charlotte. He says it’s to (sic) rushied (sic — I assume he means “rushed”). How can u live in a place like that?”

First, I’ve chatted with you before, on one of my other blogs, so I know you’re from a small town in Missouri. You’re not used to a fast-paced, progressive citizenry. That’s not knocking your neck-of-the-woods (I personally enjoy the “laid-back” style), but, y’see, Charlotteans are busy going somewhere with their progress! And they’re determined to get to where they’re going!
We have our peaceful, laid-back times, too (just check out Freedom Park, the neighborhoods around The Plaza, Matthews and Pineville for proof).

Now, I’ve got more of these questions comin’ up in September, so stay tuned …

COFFEE TALK IS BACK!!!

Yep … the column that I wrote for The Pineville Pioneer, Pineville Pilot, SouthEast Charlotte News and read weekly in three other area newspapers from 1986-’93 is back … and on the web with new editions every day of the week!
The only differences are that (1) it’s no longer “hard-copy” and (2) it now takes on a national scope!
BTW, the first major ish gives a nod to Pineville, where it all began. Now, you can find (and bookmark) it at Coffeetalk.today.com, and you’re all invited!
Matter of fact, why not leave yer comments and ideas on it? What I wanna do is use your thoughts and concerns as topics as we go along. (And, yes, for this, I’m pullin’ out my old Eagle get-up!!)
So, as I usedta say in the intro of the old column, “C’mon in … the doors always open!”

Okay … so I was (nearly) scammed yesterday (hey … I am HUMAN, y’know …). Here’s what happened (and, listen … keep yer eyes peeled, okay? It could happen to you!):

As most of you know, I’ve got a popular identity as The Rock Relic — thus, I subscribe to different legit oldies-rock music groups on the web. Well, a “member” of one of these groups (turns out, he wasn’t part of it at all!) emailed and invited me to join some new “group” called Grouply. Heard of it yet? Well, if yer in the entertainment biz, you might yet …

Anyway, the dude who invited me (some freak named Bob Steed … aka Bob Postie) asked for my Yahoo! address and password (yeah? I was dumb enough … I’ll admit that. But, then again, how well does your judgment work after a straight-48?).

No other word from the guy or the “group”; normally, legit ones send welcome emails, tutorial or user/password reminders). From this goon, not a word …

BUT …

I did get a zillion (okay … one-hundred-ten, then) emails on some of the worst topics imaginable (no, I deleted all of ‘em!).

Worse than that, though, was realizing what I’d done and that this creep could be sendin’ emails out from my inbox (remember, he had the password!).

So I checked my “sent” folder. Nothing. But there was one little ditty in my draft section … and, man, it coulda gone off like a bomb if the perp had sent it!

Now, I know a lot of folks around the QC who’s involved in music in every capacity — a few news reporters, and some TV people. If any are reading this, remember:

GROUPLY IS A FRAUD!! TREAT IT (and any emails from a “Bob Postie”) AS SUCH!!

I know this is a short one, and has no other news in it, but THIS is something that’s gotta be spread … (oh, yeah … I changed my passwords to all my sites after gettin’ the 411 from my musical mates in the UK and California)

Remember the last words of Emo Phillips in concert? Ahhh, well … live and learn!”

So just consider this a “heads-up” from someone who does and has …

Y’know, the more I read Mary Curtis’ blog in The Charlotte Observer on-line edition, the more I like her!
Today, she covered the need for men to have physical check-ups. Now, I just had mine, and, while I’m in good shape (cough!) for a man of 105 (wheeze!), a lot of us guys (yes, that was “lol”. I’m only 58, fer cryin’ out loud! Geez …) don’t get ‘em!

Awww, I’ve heard the same excuses time and again: “Only wimmin need them thangs!” or “I ain’t havin’ no doctor put ‘is hands on my @!*%)” Oh, they all sound so macho and cool, don’t they??

Truth?? THEY’RE SCARED!! They’re afraid the doc’s gonna find somethin’ that’ll make ‘em “less-of-a-man”!!
But the real deal is this: If you guys are REALLY men, you’ll have a regular check-up so ya won’t haveta spend yer life with tubes, bags, in wheelchairs or on gurneys! Ya say you love life, women, cars, sports, or any combination thereof … why not take the sensible route and be sure you’re gonna be here to enjoy it??

So, guys, TAKE THE PLUNGE!! As Mary reminded us when she so eloquently told about Rev. Burke, the “biggie” for most of us guys is prostate exams! Believe me, there’s nothin’ funny about cancer … in fact, prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death among all males. And 1 in 6 of us will have prostate trouble … so why take the chance and let it get out-of-hand??

It only takes a few minutes (shoot … ya stay in the waiting room longer than the exam takes!!) … can ya handle a few minutes if you know it could save your life??

Thanks, Mary, for giving all of us a “heads-up” with your fab blog! You’ve got a real fan here!

Man, are they SERIOUS?!?!

By now, you’ve heard that certain colleges want to lower the drinking age to EIGHTEEN! And why?? ‘Cause they wanna end “binge” drinking on their campuses! Now, how do they do that?? By makin’ it lawful for ‘em to get plastered at a younger age! (Ummm … is this makin’ any sense yet??)

Hey … it doesn’t matter if they’re 18 or 118 (well, that would matter! In fact, it’d be a miracle worthy of a guest shot on Letterman …): If people wanna binge drink, it doesn’t matter what the rulebook says: They’re gonna do it!

But college presidents from around a hundred U.S. universities (yep, including Duke!) are wantin’ lawmakers to cut the guzzle-age down. They say the laws that are on the books now actually encourage binge drinking on campus.

Ummm … HOW?? Is it the thrill of breaking the law?? Or is it because security and regulations are so lax at these schools that they can get away with it??

Oh … wait a minnit: “binge drinking” … “on campus” … are we hearin’ special-interest here? In other words (and correct me if I’m wrong), change the law so this or that specific school can benefit? What about high school seniors who are 18? Or drop-outs?

Look: Research has found more than 40% of college students reported at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence. In fact, one study says that more than 500,000 full-time students at larger colleges suffer drinking-related injuries each year and about 1,700 die in alcohol-related accidents!

So whatcha wanna do — up the odds a bit?? Try this one:

Federal records show that 157 college-age people, including those under 21, drank themselves to death from 1999 through 2005!

Still wanna change the law??

Y’know, it’s crazy! I’ll be the first to admit that I usedta chug, drug and bug-out (been totally sober for 28 years now! Y’can thank my then-year-old son for that. Write me if you wanna know how …). I wasn’t a pretty sight when drunk (okay, okay … I’m not even when I’m sober. But at least now I can take it … lol). The effects of alcohol on a young person (I’m talkin’ about the psychological effects. You know the rest …) can … no, are (whether in short or long-run) devastating!

So, IMHO, there should be NO WAY that we pander to these colleges, risking the life-and-limb of innocent drivers, children, and others … just so their school won’t have their students doin’ some “binge drinking” on their campuses (psssst … it’s gonna happen anyway, so the “new law” wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans!).

I wanna thank a special person here: Years ago, I had the pleasure of communicating with HHS Director (now University of Miami President) Donna Shalala who served under President Clinton. She’s one of the most outstanding, genuine and child-safety-oriented people that’s ever held a government post! And, God bless her, she’s refused to sign this petition! She says (and we’ve gotta admit, she’s right!)
“I remember college campuses when we had 18-year-old drinking ages, and I honestly believe we’ve made some progress. To just shift it back down to the high schools makes no sense at all.”

One more thing: Is it just me, or does anybody else see some irony here?:

We’re tryin’ oh, so hard, through TV ads and local/state regs, to get our kids to stop smoking. We say it’s “bad for their health” or “they can die from it.” But …

WHY IS DRINKING UNTOUCHABLE??

I mean, I’ve yet to see a fatal car crash, a woman beaten or killed, a child hurt … just because someone had “too much to SMOKE!” No, it’s they’ve had “too much to _____” (fill in the word)! So why not protect the kids from that??

Yes, smoking can kill you — over time. But drinking?? It can be instantaneous!

Giving the 18-year-olds the right to drink is like puttin’ a gun in their hands and askin’ ‘em not to pull the trigger! If anything, there’s a crying need to discourage that.

Let’s hope the lawmakers decide against these “special-interest” colleges …

for the kids’ sake!

So the new COP (Chief of Police), Rodney Monroe, says he’s gonna make changes that’ll beef up crime-fighting in every Queen City community, huh??

Hey … I’m all for it! Some of the ideas he has, like cracking down on gangs, improving their patrols, smaller focus areas — and especially having more units in neighborhoods — oughtta be a boost to our area!
In a way, it sorta takes ya back to the old days, when things … wellll, they were a little safer.

Look … during my ‘rasslin’ days (as announcer, remember?), I did a lotta footwork in the Ashland/Huntington area of Ky/WV, and I/noticed a/lot (Sorry … heh-heh! … couldn’t resist …) that many of the crimes happenin’ were actually from out-of-state perps. They fed mainly on neighborhoods, created or joined gangs, etc.
The police? They were busy … er, doin’ something, but that didn’t include patrolling neighborhoods or havin’ a decent gangbusting unit or two (or three …)

The Charlotte area’s residents deserve what Chief Monroe is proposing. If he’s successful (and, look — it’s gotta be a combined effort; we’ve gotta work with ‘em on this!), then the Queen City could end up a role model for other law-enforcement agencies across-the-board! Or across America, for that matter …

Let’s get behind the man on this and support the issue. ‘Nuff said!

THE LITTLE BLACK BOX

Have you ever gone into a college, high school — or even the mall — and seen a big plasma or LCD screen with repetitive, informative messages or displays on it? Then you can thank the world of digital signage for that!
It’s one of the best advertising and promotion tools available to businesses, but it’s also a godsend to students who want to know the latest updates on classes, fees — even emergency procedures!
This is one tool that I’d recommend to any place of business (or institution of learning)!
Now, to find out more about how your school or business can benefit from the little “black boxes”, just click on the link I’m about to give you. Once there, you’ll find it’s not only easy to get started, but you’ll have all the support you need! They’ll explain what it is, why you should have it, and then, after all is said and done, present it to you at a very affordable cost!
Imagine, though; you’ve made a sale, helped a student, drawn more prospects your way — and any of these could be far more effective than just trying to email or hard-copy your info to them!
So, for the best in digital signage equipment, just click on the link you just passed …
and have a successful and profitable year!

I dunno … is it just me, or is anybody else out there sick and tired of the abusive perps in our community gettin’ away with their crimes?

Obviously, I’m talkin’ about the Observer article, where another impulsive idiot (who thought himself the “owner” of his girlfriend) shot her and her sister. Fortunately, and as of this writing, it looks as if the two ladies will pull through.

But it brings up three questions:

• Why was this jerk released from jail in the first place? If he was in there for DV, wouldn’t it have at least made sense to have him monitored when he left?
• Why are abusers (especially male, though there are female abusers, too! Trust me … I’ve been through that …) let off with a slap on the wrist? Don’t the courts realize that abuse isn’t just a “one-time thing”? It becomes an enjoyable habit with these perps … they love the feeling of power — especially over an innocent victim. Hey … IT’S ASSAULT, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!! ASSAULT THAT CAN LEAD TO MURDER! They’ve gotta treat it as such …
• Why is it so easy for abusers to hide from police when they’ve committed the crime? These idiots are yellow-bellied COWARDS who only want to control whatever is weak. They can’t handle the strong … they can’t handle the responsibility of facing up to what they did, especially in front of anyone bigger or smarter than them!

  It’s a true shame … and it doesn’t just happen in the Queen City, either! It’s across-the-board, coast-to-coast … and, sadly, often the courts are just as responsible for the outcome as the perps themselves!

  Okay … so what are the signs of abuse? Listen …

  If YOU’RE in a questionable relationship; if YOUR partner is exhibiting any of the following signs; if HE or SHE won’t seek partners counseling with you … then you’d better think twice about stayin’ with that person!
  Study this wheel closely:
  
  If ya wanna make a copy of it, go to http://crisis-support.org/images/whatdom.gif. For more information on abuse, PLEASE go to this page, okay?? It’s a tremendous help …

  Let’s hope they catch the jerk who shot the two sisters. And, this time, maybe park him behind bars for GOOD!

Alright, I’m gonna stick my neck out here and say that the flap over SC’s capitol building, the Rebel flag and the NAACP is totally crazy!

Yeah, I know it’s a “symbol of the South”, right??

WRONNNNNNNG!!!

It’s a symbol of separatism! It’s when eleven southern states became PO’d because the Feds were pushin’ high industrialization and (can you believe this??) freedom from oppression for all African-Americans!!

So what’d we do?? We got mad and made our own little nation (uh … inside another nation!). And the “stars and bars” was our “flag”.
We decided to fight and kill our own brothers, cousins, uncles, etc. rather than give up slavery (that’s one of the issues! Gotta face it!)!!

So we treat that flag with honor?? Man, it’s a total disgrace … a period in our history that we oughtta be ashamed of! And for every African-American, it’s rightly a symbol of the worst of oppression!
As long as that friggin’ thing flies anywhere, it’s going to be a reminder that we, at one time, were cruel!

Before I get off the subject, lemme leave ya with this cartoon:

INSURING FOR LESS

Look … we all need life insurance, no what financial shape we’re in. And, being a former insurance man myself, I can tell ya that, with rising costs of preparations, funerals and burials, it’s absolutely essential!
Now, of the different insurance packages available, the best and most affordable is the term life. Not only are the premiums easy on the wallet, but, more importantly, it’s pure insurance protection!
Of course, when looking for the right company, you can spend hours checking with different agencies, hearing about various plans, etc. and still end up a bit frustrated with your search.
Why not go with one that’ll actually put you first, stand behind what they offer, and prove they deserve the superior (A+) rating they’ve received? How about if I told you they won’t require a medical exam from anyone (just a few short questions)? Okay … let’s throw in premiums as low as $3.27 a month for adults?. And prompt, personal service!
Not bad for your peace-of-mind, huh?? Then all you have to do is click on this link for the best in term insurance.
Do it today, okay?