Bush's, um, Victory

When the numbers came in for the electoral votes, John Kerry and George Bush were two apart. When the numbers came in for each individual state, Kerry was taking those unexpected. When only half of the country wanted to see Bush back in the White House, the other half was trying not to pack-up and move. If I were Bush, and thank god that I am not, claiming a victory that only half of the country wanted you is really not a victory. Sure Bush, you won. However, how does this man sleep at night knowing that half of his nation never wanted to hear from him again? I guess that I am assuming that this man thinks, though. As much as Bush has flaunted his victory, I would soon help that man find a chair; wake up Bush. The other half of the country might be moving to Amsterdam.

The Day After The Election

November 3, 2004.....the day after the election. It seems as though the 2004 election shadowed what had happened in the 2000 election. The only difference is that in 2000, the state of Florida was called to recount (definetly a Republican move). This election, the state of Ohio had not yet counted all the absentee ballots, leaving the decision still "unknown". As most democrats were hanging on by the last string for all hope to get Bush out of the White House, Bush was claiming victory over Kerry before anything was decided. This act of ignorance is just what we will be seeing for the next four years. The Democrats were close, but it looks as though the American people wanted what was safe, what was easy and what is Bush. Ironically, European countries had their own play with voting for an American president and guess who won? That's right; John Kerry won. Not only was Kerry the President that all of European countries wanted, but now we as a country get to be seen as a joke once again. I think that there should be plenty of red flags to those in our country when the electoral vote is so close and the entire world turns around and votes for the Democrat. I guess those red flags were not enough to warn people on who we now have in our White House, once again. Americans now have to deal with more debt, more ignornace, and pissing off more countries from a President who earned C's at Yale. As I have said before, "getting C's at Yale is like flunking gym class; nobody does it".

Kansas City's Ban on Smoking

Precedings have recently gone underway to propose a non-smoking ban in public areas. Although cities like New York, LA and even Lawrence, KS have proven to go non-smoking in public areas, I am not sure if Kansas City should fall into their lead. I personally work in a bar in the oldest part of the city, Westport. This bar is known for good cigars, wide selection of rare smokes and being able to smoke the cigars that you buy. In fact, as a bartender, I am responsible for cutting and lighting each cigar that is purchased. This is rare and many of our customers come in just for that sure service. Now, instead of forcing all public bars, restaurants, etc. to be non-smoking, it might work better if each establishemnt was allowed the choice. I have no problem with restaurants who want to be non-smoking; the environment stricktly deals with food, with liqour being the second on the list. In bars, however, liqour is the number one source of income. Food and or tabacco becomes a secondary source. The bar that I work in, Harry's Bar and Tables, does offer an excellent, unique menu of food. I am not suggesting that we pull more income off smokes than food, but I am sure that we make a nice profit on the little craving called tabacco. If someone wants to come in, buy a nice cigar, drink really expensive single malt scotch, then they should have that option. Not too many people want to sit at home watching bad cable puffing on a cigar. Why not let the establishment choose.

Bush vs. Himself

Last week's debate between President Bush and Senator Kerry was a lttle more shocking than one expected. According to our President, he has a hard job. He feels that he needs to explain to his people how difficult it is to hold this type of position, almost seeming like he is looking for creditidation. Now, when you sign up for a job and understand the responsibility that comes with it, then maybe he shouldn't be so anxious to ask for credit. If Bush is really worried about himself dealing with a hard job, then maybe it is time for a new President. Kerry seemed to prove himself against his opponent with his opponent doing some of the work for him. When Bush tried to attack Kerry for being a flip-flopper, it came to no avail. Bush seemed to repeat the same five sentences throughout the debate. Overall, Kerry was the stronger debater between the two. Tonights debate will conclude the liberal's opinion on why we really need a new President. If Bush continues to stutter instead of make complete thoughts, the country is in for some comic relief.

Education in the U.S.

I recently read a blog by Vicker Walker, a State Rep. for Missouri, that focused on funding for our schools (http://thinkingdem.blogspot.com/). He made a good point when he briefly stated his concern on how European education is not only solid in their funding, but Europeans constantly out score us in standardized tests. How is it that we have such a difficult time finding money in such a country that stinks of money and riches? Funding for our schools comes from income tax, property tax and sales tax. The amount of Americans that do pay their taxes should be enough to establish solid ground for education. I think that we need to focus on raising standards in academics including our testing. Europeans have a required test that they have to pass just to graduate from high school. If they do not pass that test, they have to continually take that test until they pass. This type of standard proves that their education is stronger in places that ours is weak. Our government constantly speaks of funding for education, yet they never really seem to take that crucial step we need to grow. As an example, Louisiana has one of the lowest test averages in our country. In fact, the education system is so poor that many children either go to private schools or do not go to school at all. Louisiana is in such a huge state debt that it is difficult to imagine when and how their schools will ever be taken care of. When we talk about education, we need to focus on the country as a whole and want to improve the entire system rather than one state at a time. It would be ideal if our country had low education fees and the idea of a higher education would not be only for those who could afford it. This is how you build a strong, well-balanced society of people.

Marriage

There is a public debate on the definition of marriage. Theoretically, marriage as an institution was founded in and traditionally practiced as a religious function of society. Realistically, marriage is a legal issue binding finance and property between two people who want to share the rest of their life. I found two specific ways that we as Americans, define this word. First, marriage is a legal union between two people who share intimacy and life. Second, which is an extension from the first description, is a union between husband and wife, or more specifically, man and woman. However, I think that our current definition of marriage should progress into a new way of thinking which would allow gay marriage.
Right now, a vocal segment of our society claims that family values would be hurt by legalizing gay marriage. I am not exactly sure if our country has ever lived up to its rhetoric of family values. In 2000, 2,355,005 marriages took place. That same year, 957,200 divorces also took place ( www.divorceform.org). That makes the divorce rate 40% in that year alone. Almost five years later, I wonder if this percentage has grown. If we are trying to define marriage as an intimate relationship that is supposed to last until the partners die, then I think we need a new definition.
As I was browsing the internet for information on divorce in America, I found a very interesting website that might shock the very people that believe the institution of marriage is fine the way it is. The address is www.divorcemag.com and believe it or not, it is a magazine strictly about divorce. This magazine is in circulation throughout our country and posted on the internet. People are looking to this periodical for advice, tips for dating after divorce, how to split the household items with one's ex and even how to manage shared custody. In the year 2002, there were 11.72 million single parents in our country (www.divorcemag.com). Now, looking at the number of single parents, I guess it's not that shocking that we have produced a magazine that targets such a problem.
Given the number of divorces that we face every year, we cannot insure success. If marriage is supposed to be an instituition of family values, then I think that marriage should be a legal right between two people who want to share their life. I see no reason for our government to deny homosexuals the civil right of marriage due to a narrow, outdated definition of family values.