Entry #11 Organized Blogster

   Hello to all of you new students that are in Professor Nielson's English class.

      Don't let his smile fool you. Obviously you didn't talk to any students that had him as a Professor in the past, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this rite now. Just kidding.

         Before taking English 101 with Prof. Chris, I had done a little research regarding the course material that he covered. When I realized that blogs were part of the course as well as the grades, I panicked!!!!! I was (still am) an advanced, middle aged man with very few (none) social networking skills. I had no idea what a blog was and frankly didn't care to know.
         I've never gained anything from quitting, so I decided to give it a try. I AGONIZED as I posted my first blog, but somehow I managed to get through it. The second one I posted seemed just a little bit easier. Not much, but a little bit. The more that I started to post entries, the more I began to actually enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions with others, but I didn't have the skills to introduce anything other than words.
         It wasn't until my 4th post, that with some help from a friend, I was able to include pictures. By then I thought I was the SH&#! Truth be known, I didn't know SH&# (still don't), but I enjoyed my new found skill.
       My next major task was to figure out how to ad videos to my posts. I'm sure all of you non-advanced middle age students are holding your bellies laughing by now. I hope so anyway, but keep reading, I am going to make a point here eventually.
     
          I'm ashamed to tell everyone that it took me until blog #4 in English 102 that I became able to place video in a post. Now I became the big SH&# x2!!! Check this out.

           I wasn't the king of soul, but I felt like I was the King of blog. Still holding your gut as you laugh at the old guy? I sure hope so. Don't hang up just yet.
          My latest addition to my blogs was learning how to insert a link  into my posts. Believe it or not, that took me almost two full semesters. I hope everyone reading this is laughing so hard they're crying by now.
          If you haven't closed this blog out yet and gone on to a different one, now is the time to pay attention. After two semesters of blogging, I'm still in the infancy stage of my blogging ability, style and creativity, but every time I post a new one, it becomes not just easier, but a lot more fun. So as you begin posting your class required blogs, try to become more creative, insightful and inspiring to your readers. It probably won't open up a whole new world for you as it did for me, but maybe as you keep trying to ad new things, be more creative and inventive, you can enjoy your self-learning process as much as I have. The choice is really up to you.





              YOU
           COULD
          BE  THIS
        OR  THIS.

                 

         





     


After all, I went from this to this!!!






       And I really enjoyed it.
               Cane Man

ENTRY #10 Not so Crabby

        After reviewing my previous blogs, something occurred to me that I didn't much care for. Most of them seem to read as angry or at least a little cynical. I hope that I haven't been viewed by younger readers as that "crabby old man".

          Maybe I am in my outlook on current events. I'm not sure if we get like that simply because of age, or because of what we have seen/experienced over the years. Fortunately, I am not as cynical in my personal life. In fact quite the opposite, so I am going to try and post a non-cynical blog. Wish me luck!

          I'm going to try to encourage younger readers how to enjoy their lives, using myself as an example. Like many, if not most people, I have had many obstacles throughout my life. I compare obstacles to hurdles. I simplistically break humans down into two categories: hurdle builders and hurdle jumpers. 

         We've all seen the hurdle builders somewhere along the way. the people that find a million reasons why they can't reach the finish line. These people also don't deal well with any difficulties that might come their way. Of course it's always someone else's fault, therefore they have the "right" to possess negative emotions. I can't even imagine having lived my life like that. It must be like living in hell right here on earth.

         Now lets talk about the hurdle jumpers, which I hope at least some of you are. If not, it's not too late, believe me. Jumpers, as I'm sure you all can guess, are the polar opposites to builders. Jumpers make it to the finish line no matter how high the hurdles are. Jumpers don't blame others for their problems. Jumpers don't feel negative emotions, because jumpers know that they can control their emotions by locating that "silver lining". Jumpers live much happier, more fulfilled lives than builders. Which would you rather be? It's all up to you.                                                                   

         I have had many friends over the years tell me that I should write a book about the trials and tribulations of my life. The problem is, I consider myself a  jumper and always tried at least, to findce the positive side to a negative event. I'm not patting myself on the back. I'm simply trying to encourage the jumper approach to life and maybe even convert a few builders into jumpers.

         We've all heard the saying "life is what you make of it". I prefer to the saying "every day is what you make of it". We are the only ones that have control over how we respond to certain situations. Here's one small example of builder vs jumper attitude towards an unfortunate incident. A builder wakes up to a flat tire one morning. He or she gets all upset about this major inconvenience in their life. They'll probably have a rotten day and complain about it to anyone that will listen. The same scenario happens to a jumper. The jumper's first thought is "Boy am I lucky. I could have had a blow out at 70mph on the highway". Then that person spends the rest of their day feeling fortunate. Who probably has more friends? The only people that want to be friends with builders is other builders so they can share their self imposed misery with each other. Fun,fun,fun (not). 

           If your not a jumper, become one. It's really not that difficult to find an up side to a down situation. It took me a little longer than I'd like to admit, but the payback has been ten fold plus. If nothing else remember this: bad things usually make for great stories later on that we get to laugh about.

     

Entry #9 Commercials' 60 degree tiangle

       

          Throughout this semester we have studied, reviewed, reviewed and reviewed the importance of of incorporating the rhetorical triangle in our work. We learned that each corner of the triangle must be used to form a valued credible impression to our readers. This is done in an effort to convince our audience of something. Here is a basic example of the rhetorical triangle. Note that each corner is a 60 degree angle.

          After doing research for my earlier blogs (#2 & #7) and my WP #1 (History of Advertising) this semester, I learned quite a bit about advertising. The one thing that I noted most about advertisements both past and present, is that they tend to employ only the Pathos corner in their ads. Please take the time to view these short TV commercials. The first one insults our intelligence while attempting to use the emotion of laughter/joy to sell their product. The second one, which we viewed in class, attempts to sell their product to us under the guise of love and warmth. 

                   

           Neither commercial offers any credible sources of the validity of their products. They seem to only use one corner of the rhetoric triangle. As noted in my WP #1 evidence seems to support the fact that commercials do help product sales. Apparently they don't need to include either Ethos or Logos to sell their products.
           I have a first cousin that owns a small advertising firm in Michigan. About twenty years ago we had dinner one night and I asked him about the reasoning behind these commercials that insult our intelligence. He explained it very well. He explained that the most important part of any form of advertising is to get the consumer to let their guard down. He said that by allowing consumers to think they are intelligent because of stupid commercials, we don't consider the need to become defensive. He also pointed out that people remember stupid commercials and sometimes even discuss them with friends and family, thus making those commercials a "Must See" commercial.
           I have seen a few ads that attempt to incorporate important facts in their ads, particularly the automotive ads. They all seem to have the best gas mileage, best safety record, best something or other in their class. They all appear to receive these awards for the same claims from different automotive statistic groups. Having personally worked at the International Auto Show in Detroit (still the most prestigious show in the world), I can tell you for a fact that the auto companies wine and dine the hell out of these "independent" automotive statistics representatives. I have sat in the same downtown restaurants as these meetings occurred.
           Certainly not all commercials ignore 120 degrees of the rhetoric triangle, although none come to mind for me at this writing. Maybe you can comment back to me about current or past ad that uses even two corners of the triangle. I'm looking forward to hearing about any commercials that include more than 60 degrees. .....Cane Man

ENTRY #8 The Able Disabled

           

          We have all seen signs like this every where we go. Many people may wonder how they could get the privilege to park in those great spots. Most of them think that they would  have to actually be disadvantaged in some way to get that privilege? Think again. 
                  

        No where does the law require that anyone in the vehicle retain the physicians original report of their disability.This allows friends and family members to use/abuse placards of others, especially Mom and Dad. 

        Until I became unable (don't like the term disabled) to walk as I once did, I never really paid attention to the people that parked in these spots. Now as I drive around parking lots trying to find an available handicap parking (HP) spot, I'm amazed at how many "handicapped" people are able to get out of their vehicles just fine and appear to have no disability what so ever. Everywhere I go I see people into HP spots, jump out of their vehicles and dash into a variety of establishments, up to and including fitness centers. Check out these examples.

                                                            

                                  

                                                            

                         Apparently even  some law enforcement officers feel free to park in HP spots as well. 

        

                                                             

           I belong to to a fitness center in Phoenix that I go to every day. There is a middle-aged fellow that also shows up every day. He parks in an HP spot, goes in and works out for two hours like a triathlon athlete. During his workout, there are several senior women that belong to the "Walker Gang" that come in daily as well.

                                                              

          I have watched the middle-age triathlon man observing  the 'Walker Gang" women struggling to walk from the far side of the parking lot into the fitness center, in an effort to improve their physical situation. T-Man smiles and waves as if he has done nothing wrong and showing no empathy whatsoever. 

         The people that I have seen abusing the HP spots, much like the T-Man, seem to have no guilty feelings or remorse whatsoever. How does a handicapped person drive and get in and out of a vehicle like this while feeling no shame or guilt? Note this person feels the need to occupy not only one HP spot but two. Apparently this person feels the health and welfare of their vehicle is more important than that of two human beings. 

          On Tuesday March 3rd of this year, the Arizona House of Representatives approved House Bill  2662. This Bill reduced some speeding fines to $15 for driving less than 10 mph over the speed limit under certain circumstances. That will certainly not begin to cover the cost of our public service workers.

          A few years ago. Phoenix raised the fines for unlawfully parking in HP spaces from $140 to a minimum of $288 up to a maximum of $562. These fees would have a much better chance of covering the costs of our public service workers.

          After reading the "fines" link above. I was pleased to find that the Phoenix Police Department has been cracking down on HP violators. I also noted the direct line phone number 602-534-7722 to report violators. I think I will use this number frequently to help stop insensitive people from thinking of themselves only, as they watch the "Walker Gang" struggling to pursue everyday activities. 

          The saddest part is that most able people don' pay attention to this issue, because it doesn't directly impact them. As stated in this blog's second paragraph, I never paid attention to the people parking in the HP spots util I became unable. Now I wish I would have. 

          

Entry #7 Two Wrongs Always Makes it Right, Write back

     

         Having been a young child in the 60's, I distinctly remember television commercials during after school programs, like this one for Xerox.

If anyone doesn't find this Xerox commercial offensive enough to the female gender, Check out this tire commercial from about the same time.

It's amazing how the television perception of the female gender was so biased 50 years ago.

The really sad part is that's the way women were perceived back then, even outside the world of TV. Even sadder is the fact that except for a few women at that time like Gloria Steinem  most women were willing to accept their role in life in America as second class citizens. 

         Fortunately, as a society we no longer belittle people simply on the base of gender.View this commercial as an example of how indiscriminate we have become. 

         This (stupid dad) Verizon commercial was removed after much pressure from a men's rights group named His Side

 led by Glenn Sacks.

                                                           

          It's nice to see how far our society has progressed in the past 50 years. American men and women have finally become able to put gender aside and treat each other as equals. Makes me wonder where we will be in 2055?  .....Cane Man  

       

EC Entry Capitalism: A Hate Story

          Recently I viewed the movie Capitalism: A Love Story, which was directed by film maker Michael Moore and released in 2009. Throughout the movie Moore examines the possibility/probability that capitalism is nothing more than corporate CEO's and the U.S. government (sometimes intertwined) brainwashing Americans into believing in a simple competitive market called capitalism.

          It is my opinion that Michael Moore does an excellent job at attempting to tug on a variety emotions to persuade viewers to view capitalism as he does. He introduces information that could insight fear, anger, laughter and even guilt just to name a few. He also introduced some prior unknown information. According to film critic Roger Ebert, the film footage of  FDR's private White House State of the Union Address concerning a second bill of rights had not been seen by the public prior to this movie.

     
   I should probably point out that my opinion may not count for much, or should it? My childhood years growing up in the 60's and 70's was a mirror image of the beginning of the movie. My mother was a stay at home mom and my father was the sole breadwinner. In fact my father was only required to work 35 hours a week as a construction election. With only one income and very frugal parents, my brother and I had a wonderful life. We lived in a beautiful house in an upscale suburb, went to great schools and even had a new car about every three years.
           My opinion may not also count for much because I grew up just outside of the city of  Detroit which is a city of topic in the movie. I personally not only saw, but experienced what corporate greed as well as our government's so called free trade capitalist law changes did to Detroit. What was once our nations epicenter of thriving industry and offered good jobs to those willing to work, became a ghost town of abandoned factories with no jobs to offer anyone.

          I think I needed some of the lighter, more humorous segments  in the movie to help me calm down a bit. I thoroughly enjoyed the portion in the movie where Moore wraps major banks with "crime scene" yellow tape and attempts to make a series of citizens arrests.
           I wish that I was not so in tune with Michael's point of view on this issue. I would liked to have viewed it with no prior opinion of the subject, that way I could objectively asses/react to his point of view. I'm looking forward hearing the opinions of others who have not lived through what Michael Moore has presented in this movie.

Entry #6 "Taxation Without Representing Ourselves."

              

          The historical phrase "Taxation without representation is a tyranny." is generally attributed to James Otis around 1761. At that time the American colonists felt that the British Parliament was unfairly imposing taxes on things such as stamps,sugar and tea imports, which the colonists had no say about. Eventually the colonists began to revolt against the Parliament by actions such as the "Boston Tea Party." All of this dissension among the colonists eventually led to the Revolutionary War. The American colonists were willing to fight and even die for the ability to have in say in the taxation placed on themselves.

                                                                                                                                                                            
         The first official Federal income income tax became implemented in 1914. At that time couples filing jointly earning less than $20,000 paid a rate of 1%. Couples earning in excess of $500,000 paid their taxes at a rate of 7%. By 2013 those rates had progressed to 10% for couples earning under $17,850 and 39.6% for those her earned over $450,000 annually.
          It's no secret that many Americans of today are dissatisfied with our current government, government spending and higher income taxes. In fact, a recent Gallup pole found that 90% of Americans do not like the job our congress is doing in Washington. With so many unsatisfied customers, how is possible that in 2012  91% of the congressional incumbents that ran for office were re-elected. The answer to that question is not as complicated as you might think.
          Consider the fact that approximately only 1/3 of U.S. citizens know the names of their representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives and only 27% know the names of both of their U.S. Senators. Now add in the fact that the voter turnout was only 58.2% for those elections. If you  put all these numbers together, you will come to realize that 58.2% voted and only 30% of these voters even knew the name of their incumbent representatives. Does that mean that half of small number of voters that did vote, did't even know who they were voting for?
          According to the United States Census Bureau, by 2014 the number of voters participating in Congressional elections had fallen to only 41.9%. Even in the last Presidential election only 57.5% of Americans voted for the highest elected position in the U.S. Right here in Arizona last year only 44% of the registered voters actually voted in the gubernatorial election.
          The point that I am trying to make is this: Our forefathers strongly disagreed with their government's conduct at that time. They not only complained about "Taxation Without Representation." but they stood up and did something about it. Today most Americans feel that their views and opinions are not being properly defended in Washington. The difference between us and the colonists is that we're not willing to do much, if anything about it. More than 1/2 of the American don't exercise a right that many people in other countries are willing to die for much as our forefathers did. If you don't vote or don't know who are what you're voting for, forget about proper representation from elected politicians, because you're not even trying to represent yourself. I urge to represent yourself every chance you get....Cane Man.

       

       References:
                        www.dictionaryreference.com, www.localelectors.org, www.examiner.com, www.census.gov, www.azsos,gov, youtube

Entry #5 Expanding Educational Choices

          After having read the article in the Arizona Republic concerning ASU adding more 7 1/2 week semesters to their course catalog, I found myself generally in favor of the idea.  I'm always in favor of more options of education at any level. Not everyone learns at the same pace. I would like to see many more options in education beginning as early as elementary school. The opportunity to learn and succeed should not be held back from anyone simply because "That's the way we've always done it!"
           Last summer I had a five week semester in English 101. Although I found it to be a pretty fast pace, I think in some ways it was easier because there really was no break in the action. For me it seemed much easier to stay focused.
           One advantage I could see in the shorter semesters is that students would have the opportunity to study diligently for 7 1/2 weeks, then work more hours, if not full time in between semesters. Some students might find this easier than juggling both work and school at the same time.
           Early on in the article, Anne Ryman comments that the students could end up paying lower tuition fees. I'm not exactly sure how that could be since it was not explained in the article. In any event, lower tuition fees would I'm sure help out the students as well as their families.
          I tried (online) to find out what the average grades were at ASU for 7 1/2 week semester vs the 15 week semester. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate that information. My concern being that perhaps students taking the shorter semesters may not be learning as much as the would have learned in a standard semester. School should be about learning, not winning a race.

           Besides the possibility of the students learning less in condensed semesters, I only have one other concern. That concern revolves around the faculty having little input in this decision. I would hope that none of the faculty would be forced to teach short semesters or loose their job. Selfishly, I really don't want to be educated by anyone that has a bad attitude and doesn't even want to be there.

    On the other hand, as stated in the article, some faculty members fully embrace this idea. I'd like to see  the faculty members have a choice. As long as both the students and the faculty have more options in education, I'm all for it. ......Cane Man.

EC Blog

Entry #4 Politically Incorrect

       Whenever I here the term "Politically Correct", I find myself feeling three different emotions. The first emotion I feel is anger, the second is fear, then finally I calm down and enjoy the humor of it all.

        I get angry when I hear that phrase because the whole idea has the opposite effect of what I believe is the intended purpose. Rather than different races, cultures and religions becoming more united by not insulting one another, it separates us by fear. We have become afraid to converse or correspond with people different than ourselves because in some way that we not be aware of, we might hurt their feelings. Maybe we fear that we could become involved in a civil suite or possibly even end up incarcerated for some new form a hate crime. So instead of openly conversing and asking questions about someones origin, political, religious beliefs, etc., we choose to not interact with someone that we're afraid we might insult.                                                                                                Recently, high school football player Pedro Banda was kicked off the team right here in El Mirage, Arizona for pointing to the sky after making a touchdown. Dysart school board members claim that he was kicked off the team for "excessive celebration" of his achievement, not because a religious gesture. The story made National news including the Nancy Grace Show. In a taped interview on that show, Banda says he was in fact pointing to heaven and saying a prayer if thanks.

      So I guess at this point in time, you have to watch everything you do or say because it could have grave consequences. Because of his actions Banda will not be allowed to play his senior year, possibly eliminating any chance of a football scholarship.
 Now it's time to calm down and and humor in all of this. Think about the term "Politically Correct". Was this term created by Politicians?  I hope not, because Politicians in general, seem to be the group that is most confused on this issue. Example: Many Politicians have endorsed a variety of anti-bullying laws, but they love to bully their opponents. While in public they say that they disapprove of bullying, they are perhaps the biggest bullies in our nation. They have no problem informing the public about their opponents corruption, lack of knowledge, poor choices and infidelities. Sometimes they stoop so low as to attack friends and family of their rivals.

        I don't believe that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution was ever intended for Americans to feel free to personally attack one other verbally, but I also do not believe our forefathers ever intended for us to be afraid to say anything to anyone. America has become what is is today because historically we have been a giant Melting Pot consisting of many different cultures exchanging views and ideas, not by being afraid to talk to someone with a background different than our own. .....Cane Man                                                                                                                                        

Entry #3 American Injustice

          Forty years ago on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, a major event in American history took place. It was so long ago that most people either don't remember it, or have never heard of it because they had not been born yet.

          Two FBI agents, Jack R. Coler and Ronald A.Williams entered an American Indian reservation at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, for the purpose of arresting an American Indian by the name of Jimmy Eagle on robbery charges. At some point, for whatever reason gunfire was exchanged. Unfortunately the two FBI agents died that day from gunshot wounds.

    There has been much controversy and varied opinions as to what actually happened that day at Pine Ridge in June of 1975 between the FBI and the members of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Eventually Leonard Peltier, the leader of AIM and two other American Indians, Bob Robideau and Dino Butler were arrested for murder. Although the prosecution had matching evidence against all three, Leonard Peltier was the only one to be found  guilty of murder and was sentenced to two consecutove life terms. Robideau and Butler were acquitted upon the jury hearing evidence that was presented by the defense. The defense persuaded the Jury that a history of fear and violence at Pine Ridge may have led to what the defendants believed at the time to be self defense.

          The presiding Judge in Peltier's case was Judge Paul Benson. After granting Peltier a change of venue, Judge Benson had the case sent to his home town of Fargo, North Dakota. An all- white jury of ten men and two women was selected. Judge Benson quickly gave the prosecutors some important victories. The judge ruled that any evidence of any possible improprieties at Pine Ridge by the FBI  prior to June 26, 1975, would not be admissible in court. He did however rule that pictures of the slain FBI agents could be shown to the jury.                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                            The Honorable Judge Benson

           Many groups including Amnesty International as well as American Indian celebrities such as Robert Redford and the late Marlon Brando, have fought to have Leonard Peltier pardoned for the last forty years to no avail. The supporters of Peltier believe he did not receive a fair trial because of his leadership role in AIM. They also believe that because it was FBI agents that died that day, the U.S. Government had to find someone guilty, and that only left Peltier.We have all heard the phrase "You can't fight city hall." try fighting in Federal Court with a Judge who has already determined your fate.                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                               
          On December 16, 2000 three hundred FBI agents marched on the White House to urge then President Clinton to reject clemency for Peltier. A reporter for a California newspaper stated that he or she found the news coverage on the march to be "slanted" in favor of the FBI.
          On December 22, 2000  six days after the FBI march, the Chicago Tribune Published an article titled "No Clemency For Murderer Peltier". The Author (unknown) used very descriptive language such as "ambush", "gaping wounds" (referring to the IRS agents injuries). The Author also comments on how as the FBI agents died, as they were lying in the dust. Midway through the article the author also states that "What has not changed is that Peltier is as guilty as it gets".
           On December 27, 2000 before leaving office, President Clinton stated that he would review the 1975 Peltier case as well as other clemency cases.

          Leonard Peltier is still in prison in Lewisburg, Pensylvania. Is it possible that one or a series of "slanted" articles, elected officials, broadcasts, public outcries etc.,can determine the future course of how we live or don't live our lives?
     ......Cane Man

 References: <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/trial/peltier/peltieraccount.html>, <http://amnestyusa.org/our-work/issues/security-and-human-rights/leonard-peltier>, <http:www.chicagotribune.com>, <http://articles.latimes,com/keyword/leonard-peltier>

Entry #2 Hands-Free Pick-pocketing

Question: Am I the only person who finds advertising commercials annoying?
Answer: I hope not!
     It seems as though no matter what form of media I am trying to enjoy, I'm constantly being interrupted by someone trying to pick my pocket.

      I understand that revenues generated from advertising is what allows some forms of media to be available at no cost to the consumer, but do they have to be so annoying? When was last time you heard, read or viewed a commercial that you found interesting and informative enough that it actually convinced you to go out and purchase that product? (Not so fast. Read on.) Usually they feel the necessity to not only point out the merely obvious, but the extremely obvious as well. Example: This grease fighting cleaner helps to dissolve grease on contact! I suspect that this cleaning product company believes that the consumer/potential purchaser might be confused about two issues here: 1. That a grease cleaner is in fact to be used to clean up grease and  2. That it actually has to come into contact with the grease to work. Annoying.
      Silly, insulting commercials bother me so much, I'm considering starting a non profit organization called Silly Commercials Upset Me (SCUM). Together maybe we could get legislation passed by all of the politicians that use advertising to help win their positions pass laws that restricts how much commercials are allowed to insult our intelligence.
      The biggest problem I would encounter with the SCUM program is this: Probably most of the members including myself, are in fact influenced by advertising to purchase goods and services whether we know it or not. It would be hard to believe that small companies all the way up to huge corporations would spend large amounts of money on something that did not generate a positive return on their investment. So you have to believe that advertising must work.
      I'm sure that advertising agencies spend a great deal of time determining which angles,triggers, approaches, etc. that best help their clients sell their goods and services. These agencies, I would assume have a variety of professionals from Psychologists to Comedians helping to decide what type/style of advertising will produce the best sales results. The average American Joe or Jane doesn't stand a chance against these expert pickpockets, let alone little Joey or Janie.
       I'm sorry that I sound so cynical about something that probably doesn't bother most people as much as it does me, but there is a little more to the point I'm trying to make here than just being a crabby old fart with nothing better to bitch about than a common occurrence in our everyday lives.
      The bottom line is this: Most Americans have probably been influenced to purchased something, whether they needed/wanted or not, because of an advertising campaign for that product.
      Food for thought: If sponsored media can effect what we purchase and how we spend our hard earned money, what other influence might they have in our daily lives? It scares me, how about you?
   
   
 
     
     

English 102 Blogs: Introduction Practice Entry " The Brains of the Walker Gang"

     Hello everyone. I am truly on the blogger polices' most wanted list, I am very much a novice at blogging. I do however intend to change that, either through hard work or dumb luck. I'm really hoping for the dumb luck thing to side in my favor. My name is Mark, AKA Cane Man. I'm thinking however, about changing my name to Cart Man Mark. Due to a recent injury I decided to join a notorious group of senior citizens known by law enforcement as "The Walker Gang". Here's a picture of our vicious enforcer "Brutal Bob".

    I hope that GCC doesn't treat me unfairly simply because I associate with outlaws like Bob. I didn't decide to enroll at GCC with the intent of anything other than furthering my education.  I had last attended college 39 years ago before perusing a career in the IBEW as an electrician for the next 35 years,

     I very much enjoyed my chosen profession for the entire time that I was able to do that type of work with no regrets in my career path. In 2011, due to medical issues I could no longer continue to work in the trade. I decided about a year and half ago to move to the Phoenix area to be near my son.
     After I became situated here in Glendale, I thought to myself "now what?" The only thing I knew for sure was that I hadn't moved 2000 miles to hide from the heat and watch Oprah reruns. I'm not sure if a requirement counts as a hobby, but I was required to go to the gym everyday and somewhere along the way it turned into a hobby, which has worked out well for me. In the mean time however my brain was beginning to slowly turn into:

   After careful consideration, I decided that the only way to keep my brain cells from gelling was to keep them exercising as well, so decided to return to school. I'm not sure if I'll ever actually obtain a degree, but in the mean time I'll keep learning and I have in fact, determined that no one is ever "Two old to learn". (get it -"two"? just kidding.)
         When I'm not exercising my body or my brain, I enjoy fishing, music, mountain climbing (audience laughs) and watching my son play sports, mostly baseball.
         At this time in my life, my small course load at GCC is fulfilling my expectations and requirements to continue on my determined path to become the "Brains" of the Walker Gang, With my brain and Bob's brawn, The Walker Gang will begin to rule Glendale (audience laughs hysterically.)
          By the way, I'm also trying to start a new fraternity for all of the male blue hairs here at GCC. It's going to be called Granpa-Likes-PI, so if your interested please get in touch with the Cane Man. That's about it for now.

Entry #7. Blogging is Now for Me!

Before this semester started, I read some of the online reviews of the GCC English 101 course, and Professor Nielson's class format. I noticed that quite a few of his prior students commented about how much they enjoyed the "blog" portion of his class. Frankly, as I read these positive reviews about how much they enjoyed the blog assignments, I was thinking maybe this is not the class for me."What the hell is a blog?" I thought to myself. Then, when I found out that the blog projects accounted for 15% of our grade, I decided I better try to figure out "What the hell a blog is." At first, I found this more than a little frustrating. Half way through Entry #1, I went to my toolbox to get a very important blog tweaking tool.

 As stated in the title my first blog, at this point I was sure that "Blogging is not for me." Fortunately,

I didn't use the hammer on my computer or myself. Instead, I sat in front of my laptop and did the best I could to try and make sense, maybe even learn, what blogging is. 

The more frustrated I became, the more determined I became. The thought of not being able to do something that has become so commonplace these days, was not going to get the better of me.  So I put away the hammer, tucked my pride in my pocket, and I started asking other people for help. I was able to get my thoughts in order, but I had no idea how to submit them electronically. I found out something that shouldn't have surprised me, but it did. The less you know about something, the more others are willing to share their knowledge with you. The companies that produce men's slacks should build in a "Pride Pocket" for us men to use. With the help I received, basically from strangers, I was able to submit my first blog. Wow! It sounds silly I'm sure to anyone reading this, but to me it was a big deal.    

So now I'm feeling OK with this blogging stuff. Instead of thinking "What the hell is a blog.", I'm thinking "What the hell can I blog about?" This just goes to show you that some of the old sayings are true, and some are not. True; "You're never too old to learn." False; "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." 

Entry #6. Fathers Day

     I just realized yesterday, that Father's Day is this coming Sunday. I know that for most people, Father's Day takes a back seat to Mother's Day, because after all, Mom carried you in her womb for 9 months. Most likely, she was also the one who nurtured you the most during the first few years of your life. For many people both male and female, mom was always their anchor, their go-to parent in times of need. Mom was always there with sympathetic eyes and ears.

http:/mar2396438.blogspot.com

   Historically, dad was a different breed. He was more concerned about being a provider, as well as the disciplinarian. He might of even seemed "cold" at times, heading off to work no matter what, and then punishing us when he arrived home, for things that we did wrong while he was away at work. "Wait till your father gets home!" used to be a popular phrase for mothers to threaten misbehaving children. Even though we were a little afraid of dad, that fear also taught us respect. Like it or not, You probably learned a lot more than you think from dear old dad. Dad was always there for you as well, in his own way. When you thought he was being mean, he was really trying to teach you about life from the hard lessons that he had learned. If your father is like most fathers, he doesn't expect much for fathers day. So give him something that is priceless. An hour or two of your undivided time will mean the world to him. As you spend your time with your father on Father's day, it's important that you remember this:

                                                              

If you text, talk, email or google during your "Special Father's Day time" together, you might just bring out the disciplinarian side of dear old Dad that you had long forgotten about. Trust me on this one.

Entry #5. Can You Disgust Me a Little More, Mr. Kenner ?

As part a of class assignment in English 101, we all watched a movie today, that was titled Food, Inc. It was a somewhat graphic movie centered around food production in our Nation. After carefully watching this movie in great detail, I think I might try a new life style, and NEVER EAT ANYTHING AGAIN! Obviously, that's not realistic. I had the opportunity to view this movie prior to the classroom presentation. This allowed me the opportunity to observe the various reactions of the other students, to the informational segments, as well as the somewhat graphic video portions. It was interesting to see, that while some of students were clearly upset by the graphics, other students were bothered more by some of the information that was provided. I think in making this movie, Robert Kenner new how to kick everyone's Achilles Tendon in just the right spot. Good job Bob! The portions of the movie that snapped my tendon the most, were the parts that showed what a monopoly the food industry really is. From my research that I had previously done for another project, I was already aware of the "Big Four" meat packing companies that control 80% of the meat packaging in America.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           I was not however, aware of the stranglehold that these corporations have on the farms and the farmers as well. Going only by what I saw in the movie, it seems to me like today's farmers endure modern day "Share Cropping." Perhaps a better comparison would be "Organized Crime." Once you get in, you can't out. Only in this case, It would appear that the farmers don't join voluntarily. The information on the Monsanto Company was the portion I personally found the most disgusting.










                                                                                                        How could any one company be allowed to gain such control over not just an industry, but what ends up on our store shelves, and our plates as well. I would bring up about how George Bush appointed former Monsanto attorney Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, except I'm afraid that might it be a criminal offense. Robert Kenner and his Food, Inc. movie did an excellent job of disgusting our class in various ways. It sounds like a bad thing when I put it that way, but actually it's the opposite. It seemed to have a big impact on the entire class that's for sure. I know that throughout the movie I became more and more disgusted with our current food system. If there could some how be a way that everyone in this country could be enticed into seeing a "Slap you in the face" movie like Food, Inc., there is a chance, that a change could begin. So thank you Mr. Kenner for totally disgusting me.