Why just say no to sex doesn't work

Tony Perkins, a nice, but completely misguided soul, thinks the way to stop teen pregnancy is abstinence only. His misguided logic is this – we use just say no to drinking, drugs and smoking, why not use just say no to teen pregnancy. It’s silly, but does he think that 'just say no' to drinking, drugs and smoking works? Sure, for some who probably aren’t even interested in drinking, drugs or smoking it reinforces a good value. But SOME kids are doing illegal drugs, drinking under age, and smoking underage. A significant portion of SRS work in each state is devoted to kids who have issues along these lines. So, since 'just say no' didn’t work for these kids, what do we do – well, we do something. That’s why a comprehensive sex ed program (that certainly can include abstinence as an option) is the answer.

The significant issue that Tony misses is this: drinking, drugs and dragging on a cigarette for two people doesn't create a life. That’s the irony, these pro-life folks really seem to devalue life. They seem to think that all that is required is to just say no. We know that doesn’t work, but they just think saying it louder and longer will. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.

Don't use UPS (United Postal Service)

This is the wost shipping business of them all. They lie about delivery attempts (phantom delivery attempts) and fail to notify you of any problems - why the hell do they ask for your phone number and e-mail when you send anything if they aren't going to use it.

Do not special order from Lowe's

If you make a special order, they promise they will call you and tell you when it is in. That is only half true. They call you, using a cryptic 800 number that looks to be a telemarketer, but they don't leave a message. So while you sit and wait for a call from the local store, you are coincidentally annoyed by this toll free number calling, and you think it is someone asking for money for a campaign or something - and since they never leave a message, you assume this proves your instinct not to answer. When you Google the number 866 864 4664 and call it back, they even go so far to say 'if you saw this on your caller id it means your special order is in at Lowes.' You know, I am just not white trashy enough to call back unknown numbers on my caller ID that don't leave a message. It dawned on me that maybe this was the call I was waiting for. So I call the store in East Wichita, only to find they are now closed. I do get someone on the phone who sympathizes with me, but says I will have to wait until the store opens. Well, I never got the message, but I certainly hope they do.

Poor Don Imus

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iIxwtWUx29jRyCtPa13npGFSEyogD91G4LH01

I feel sorry for Don Imus. I have never listed to any of his shows. I only know about him from the controversial comments he has made on race, his recant, his rehire, and now a redeux. It seems to me that people are now on a hair trigger just waiting for him to say something racial so that they can pounce all over him. He says he was misunderstood and my guess is that’s true and there will be some sort of public self flogging where people will all agree that he was taken out of context.

The issue I have is this – why is he, or anyone, on talk radio? This is not rhetorical. The reality is that people are ONLY hired for talk radio because they are edgy and in fact required to irritate people so that they can gain a following. Sort of like Rush Limbaugh. I wonder if Rush even believes half of what he says. I wonder if his addiction to OxyContin (http://opioids.com/oxycodone/rushlimbaugh.html) came from feeling so bad about what he has to do to make a living. These are political sideshow carnival barkers – there is little truth there, just inflammatory rhetoric. Folks, they are paid to do this. If the ratings are down, they are told to become more outrageous. This latest round of free media hype only strengthens Don's rating. What a vicious cycle especially for something that is only theater.

George Carlin - hero

George Carlin was a hero to me. This was a man of true brilliance. He replaced Lenny Bruce as someone who pushed the envelope of thought about the importance of individual thought and dismissed the all too popular groupthink. I remember listening to his seven dirty words album in high school and thought how cool it was that someone would say those things in public. I saw him twice in Vegas and over the years watched several of his television shows. What I first giggled about in high school I came to respect in adulthood. Words matter, but more importantly it is the thought pattern (or lack thereof) behind them. His influence will be missed. I wonder who will push the envelope now.