Have you heard the latest news? Jerry Sandusky was caught in the shower abusing Herman Cain. Or maybe it was the other way around, I don’t know which is worse…
Just kidding, that didn’t happen, but don’t put it past the mainstream media to try to print something that ridiculous if it will sell the news.
I’m going to attempt to cover two topics in this column, and they are about the two people named above, Jerry Sandusky and Herman Cain. Well, obviously both have been in the news a lot lately, Sandusky for his alleged child abuse and Cain for his alleged sexual harassment.
Note: Both of these cases are about S-E-X. Child abuse was when my father used to use his razor strop and give me 10 or 20 lashes depending on the severity of my misdeed in his mind. There was nothing sexual about it, so I wish the news media would quit calling what Jerry Sandusky was alleged to have done, “child abuse.” Properly labeled, it was homosexual pedophilia.
Note 2: Sexual harassment, on the other hand, can be anything from demeaning remarks about the opposite gender to making uninvited and unwanted sexual advances. However, it is rare for sexual harassment to occur between members of the same sex, or when a female perpetrates it on a male. (Kind of like saying that racism can only be committed by whites on blacks, but not by black-on-white or black-on-black—unless the black who commits it happens to be a conservative black.)
Now, let me examine these two alleged cases of—let’s call them what they are—sexual abuse for you.
First I have a confession to make; one that I have never discussed with anyone in the 50+ years sine it happened. I want to be considered an “expert” on this topic, so I must tell you that I was a victim of sexual abuse as a young boy. I won’t mention any name, and it would be irrelevant at this time anyway, because my molester is long since dead.
Enough said for now…
It is my firm opinion that a person who commits sexual acts of the alleged nature that has been reported is addicted to that behavior. They do not have the ability to stop it, and they cannot be rehabilitated or reformed. Once they are committed to the act, they will continue to commit it wherever and whenever they can. There is no “come to Jesus” moment for these addicts. They are hooked for life.
In the case of Jerry Sandusky, his first reported act was in 1998. That was when another coach saw him in the shower with a younger male. He was later seen several times in situations that suggested covert or overt sexual behavior with young males. That pattern of behavior over a span of several years suggests the addiction I refer to above. If it proves to be true, Jerry Sandusky is every bit the threat to young males today as he was in 1998. It has even come out now that he may have abused his grand children.
When people are convicted of pedophilia, whether heterosexual or homosexual, I can think of only one appropriate punishment: castration. They might want to continue to commit acts, but they will no longer have the equipment to do so effectively. Women who are addicted to pedophilia can also have their own form of castration. It is called female circumcision, but more commonly referred to in our society as female genital mutilation.
Ah, but there is an exception that must be taken into consideration. It is unfortunate that cases of statutory rape could also be construed as pedophilia, and I don’t advocate for the radical punishment in those instances. I can only suggest that the line between the two be drawn at six years of age difference. Since 18 is the usual age of majority that would give some leeway for young adults up to 23-years-old having consensual sex with a minor.
Please notice that, although my suggested punishment is severe, I do not feel that serving a term in prison is an adequate or appropriate sentence for convicted pedophiles. That kind of punishment would only foster more bad behavior both in prison and after release.
The mutilation sentence would be sufficient in my view.
In the case of alleged sexual harassment against Herman Cain, I will refer you back to the above belief on my part that a person who commits these acts is addicted and continues to commit them for the rest of their life. Therefore, we should be seeing a lot of women who worked for, or had contact with Mr. Cain in many cities and on many different calendar dates since the alleged acts 10 years ago, coming forward with more charges.
To date*, I believe all of the women who have alleged sexual misconduct on Mr. Cain’s part have been from Chicago. All the alleged acts were said to have taken place within the four years, 1996-1999, when Mr. Cain was head of the National Restaurant Association.
Isn’t it exceedingly strange that nobody else has brought up charges of sexual misconduct from 2000 to the present day? Isn’t it also strange that all the misconduct occurred in and around the city of Chicago? Is there something in the water there that temporarily turns people into sex fiends? Is there any possible connection between the city where the charges were laid and the city our current president calls home?
I might be way off base here, but remember, I consider myself an expert analyst. I know from my own experience that coming forward to accuse someone of sexual misconduct is a very difficult thing to do. I suffered a lot of guilt over the years that maybe I had been a direct cause of the abuse. I was also embarrassed and mortified to admit to anyone that I had participated, even though it was not consensual. (I don’t recall seeing any names of Mr. Sandusky’s victims, and there is a reason for that. Those boys were probably also reluctant to confess participation.)
I believe Herman Cain’s statement that he had nothing to do with any of these women’s allegations. He is guiltless in my opinion, and a stronger candidate because of it. Jerry Sandusky is in a much worse position to plead not guilty, and I wish castration were on the table for him.
In conclusion I have only two more questions, both rhetorical:
1. If you believed my “confession” without any concrete proof, doesn’t that make my statement equally as credible as those of the five women who accused Herman Cain?
2. But thinking back, didn’t that titillating paragraph give you more reason to read the entire column?
Maybe I should have been a news reporter.
*I wrote all of the foregoing prior to the announcement earlier this week by Ginger White that she has had a 13-year-long affair with Herman Cain. That brings into question my theory that sexual offenders are addicted and continue their behavior and Cain is not one of those people.
Do I believe the accuser or the accused? I definitely believe Mr. Cain for three reasons. He denies the allegation and his wife backs him and states that she does not believe he is capable of such behavior. Those who know Herman on a personal or working setting agree that he is not that kind of person. Ginger White has a long and shadowed past of stalking, sexual harassment and financial troubles. She recently declared bankruptcy, so it would seem to be to her advantage to get some sensational national publicity that might lead to better days ahead.
If Herman Cain does quit the campaign, it won’t necessarily signify that he is guilty of the alleged transgressions. It is more logical to conclude that the character assassination is ruining his family life regardless of the truth. The double standard used by the news media that allows some people a pass on misconduct, but crucifies others for the same behavior merely because of their political philosophy is ridiculous. The talking heads talk about civility and toning down the language, but practice destructive slander based on nothing but innuendo and, in some cases, lies.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Killer Tips – Part 2
I gave you five tips in a recent column and promised more to follow. Well, this is the follow-up column with five more “killer tips.”
Tip 6 – When driving in hazardous conditions with either wet pavement or snow and ice on the roads, never drive with your cruise control on and shift out of overdrive-usually the gearshift position with an encircled D-and use the next lower gear. In most automatic transmission vehicles, that will be the D with no circle around it. You will have much better traction and control of your vehicle. You can also use this downshift on steep uphill or downhill grades to get better traction and avoid overuse and heating of your brakes on downhill roads, as it will hold your speed down considerably. I always use this downshift tip when there is a road sign warning truckers to use lower gears.
Tip 7 – This one is state law in most states, but so many drivers ignore it that it needs to be in here. When driving in rain, snow or fog, in addition to turning on your windshield wipers also turn on your low beam headlights. Don’t use just parking lights since they aren’t as effective. This is not only for you to see better, but so that your vehicle can be seen by the oncoming and following traffic. Don’t use high beams at all. If you’ve ever tried that in snow or fog, you’ll know that it tends to blind you, and it certainly doesn’t make you any more visible to other drivers.
Tip 8 – Do you have some money sitting in a dormant account that you’ve forgotten about? A few years ago I was reading one of my daily Kim Komando messages and she gave a link to a website that allows you to learn whether or not there is a sum waiting for you to claim it. I used the tip to view the web page and subsequently claimed $78.70 for the price of two postage stamps. It was money I didn’t know I was owed, and I still have no idea specifically where it came from.
If you’ve never done this before, take a few minutes to go to missing money. Follow the instructions to type in your name and see if you have some unclaimed money out there. If you’re married, type in your spouse’s name too. Don’t neglect to use maiden name as well. It will only take a few minutes to complete the scan, and you might find a windfall similar to or even larger than mine.
Tip 9 – We all know the old sage saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Did you know that that apple could also do more good if eaten in the morning when you first get up? It isn’t true that it is better than coffee at waking you up. That myth has been debunked. However, eating an apple first thing in the morning is just about the healthiest thing you can do, so choose your variety and take a bite. Here’s a link to an article that tells of all the benefits you’ll get from eating just one apple each day.
Tip 10 – This one is near and dear to my heart, pun intended. If you ever are witness to someone collapsing with danger of losing consciousness or worse, you may be the only person who can save that person’s life. You might not be trained in CPR techniques, but you can still make the difference. When you finish reading this column I’d like you to go to the following link and read about how to administer hands-only-CPR.
The few minutes it takes to read the article might be enough for you to save a loved one, a friend or even a complete stranger. Hands-only-CPR is easy enough to administer that almost anyone can do it, even without formal training.
There you have it. I’ve given you ten tips, some of which I’ve covered in past columns, but all bearing repeating. Some of them just might save your life too.
Tip 6 – When driving in hazardous conditions with either wet pavement or snow and ice on the roads, never drive with your cruise control on and shift out of overdrive-usually the gearshift position with an encircled D-and use the next lower gear. In most automatic transmission vehicles, that will be the D with no circle around it. You will have much better traction and control of your vehicle. You can also use this downshift on steep uphill or downhill grades to get better traction and avoid overuse and heating of your brakes on downhill roads, as it will hold your speed down considerably. I always use this downshift tip when there is a road sign warning truckers to use lower gears.
Tip 7 – This one is state law in most states, but so many drivers ignore it that it needs to be in here. When driving in rain, snow or fog, in addition to turning on your windshield wipers also turn on your low beam headlights. Don’t use just parking lights since they aren’t as effective. This is not only for you to see better, but so that your vehicle can be seen by the oncoming and following traffic. Don’t use high beams at all. If you’ve ever tried that in snow or fog, you’ll know that it tends to blind you, and it certainly doesn’t make you any more visible to other drivers.
Tip 8 – Do you have some money sitting in a dormant account that you’ve forgotten about? A few years ago I was reading one of my daily Kim Komando messages and she gave a link to a website that allows you to learn whether or not there is a sum waiting for you to claim it. I used the tip to view the web page and subsequently claimed $78.70 for the price of two postage stamps. It was money I didn’t know I was owed, and I still have no idea specifically where it came from.
If you’ve never done this before, take a few minutes to go to missing money. Follow the instructions to type in your name and see if you have some unclaimed money out there. If you’re married, type in your spouse’s name too. Don’t neglect to use maiden name as well. It will only take a few minutes to complete the scan, and you might find a windfall similar to or even larger than mine.
Tip 9 – We all know the old sage saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Did you know that that apple could also do more good if eaten in the morning when you first get up? It isn’t true that it is better than coffee at waking you up. That myth has been debunked. However, eating an apple first thing in the morning is just about the healthiest thing you can do, so choose your variety and take a bite. Here’s a link to an article that tells of all the benefits you’ll get from eating just one apple each day.
Tip 10 – This one is near and dear to my heart, pun intended. If you ever are witness to someone collapsing with danger of losing consciousness or worse, you may be the only person who can save that person’s life. You might not be trained in CPR techniques, but you can still make the difference. When you finish reading this column I’d like you to go to the following link and read about how to administer hands-only-CPR.
The few minutes it takes to read the article might be enough for you to save a loved one, a friend or even a complete stranger. Hands-only-CPR is easy enough to administer that almost anyone can do it, even without formal training.
There you have it. I’ve given you ten tips, some of which I’ve covered in past columns, but all bearing repeating. Some of them just might save your life too.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Super Autobiographical Memory
Tuesday night I was watching one of my favorite television shows, Unforgettable. If you haven’t ever watched it, it stars Poppy Montgomery as a NYPD detective who has a condition called super autobiographical memory, the ability to recall every day of her life in perfect detail. She solves crimes by visiting the crime scene and then later revisiting it in her memory to detect fine details. It is a fascinating show.
This past week Marilu Henner was a guest star, a person I hadn’t seen in many years. My wife and I were at a loss to recall what series she had been in. So after the show was over I went to my trusty PC and Googled ‘Marilu Henner’. (Well, actually I input Marilou because I didn’t know that her stage name was a combination of her real first and middle names, Mary and Lucy.)
The series she played in was, of course, Taxi, a show that made stars out of several people including Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Andy Kauffman.
What really shocked me was another link that referred to ‘Marilu Henner’s Super-Memory Summit’. That peaked my interest, so I clicked on the link and learned that Marilu is one of only a handful of people who actually have super autobiographical memory. You can give a calendar date for any day she has been alive and she can tell you what day of the week it was and relate many details about what happened that day, including what clothes she wore and many other trivial facts.
It was no shock for me to also learn that Marilu Henner is a consultant for Unforgettable. Who better to consult than a person with the gift on which the show is based?
I read on and learned that Marilu is a personal friend of Leslie Stahl, one of the reporters on CBS’s 60 Minutes. It seems that that show wanted to do a feature on super autobiographical memory, and tried to talk Leslie into doing it. She refused at first, but then took on the assignment after it was learned that Marilu Henner would be one of the subjects.
The resultant clip featured half-a-dozen people, including Henner, who were assembled at one location and showcased their talents. If you care to see Marilu Henner's Super-Memory Summit, click on the link.
Now here is a really humorous fact about the show I watched on Tuesday… The character that Marilu Henner played was an aunt of Poppy’s character who was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. How’s that for irony?
This past week Marilu Henner was a guest star, a person I hadn’t seen in many years. My wife and I were at a loss to recall what series she had been in. So after the show was over I went to my trusty PC and Googled ‘Marilu Henner’. (Well, actually I input Marilou because I didn’t know that her stage name was a combination of her real first and middle names, Mary and Lucy.)
The series she played in was, of course, Taxi, a show that made stars out of several people including Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Andy Kauffman.
What really shocked me was another link that referred to ‘Marilu Henner’s Super-Memory Summit’. That peaked my interest, so I clicked on the link and learned that Marilu is one of only a handful of people who actually have super autobiographical memory. You can give a calendar date for any day she has been alive and she can tell you what day of the week it was and relate many details about what happened that day, including what clothes she wore and many other trivial facts.
It was no shock for me to also learn that Marilu Henner is a consultant for Unforgettable. Who better to consult than a person with the gift on which the show is based?
I read on and learned that Marilu is a personal friend of Leslie Stahl, one of the reporters on CBS’s 60 Minutes. It seems that that show wanted to do a feature on super autobiographical memory, and tried to talk Leslie into doing it. She refused at first, but then took on the assignment after it was learned that Marilu Henner would be one of the subjects.
The resultant clip featured half-a-dozen people, including Henner, who were assembled at one location and showcased their talents. If you care to see Marilu Henner's Super-Memory Summit, click on the link.
Now here is a really humorous fact about the show I watched on Tuesday… The character that Marilu Henner played was an aunt of Poppy’s character who was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. How’s that for irony?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Crime and Punishment
Yesterday was Veterans Day and I placed my American flag outside to display it in honor of those veterans who gave the Supreme Sacrifice for our country. I hope you did likewise, or at least paused to meditate and reflect on the military heroes of America.
Unfortunately, there was a news report yesterday that marred the otherwise peaceful time of contemplation and, yes, thanksgiving. Here is a brief capsule of that story:
Lewis-McChord soldier found guilty of 3 murders in war-crimes case
An Army panel Thursday found Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, the highest-ranking soldier charged in a major war-crimes case, guilty of three counts of murdering unarmed Afghan villagers and a dozen other crimes.
I do not want to delve further into the story in this column, but I do want to comment on the despicable action of that one soldier. He is a disgrace to the uniform and dishonors all those whose lives we celebrated.
Sergeant Gibbs received a sentence of life imprisonment for his crimes, but he will be eligible for parole in ten years. I wish he had been given the ultimate penalty instead. Every war has a few like him and they tend to be given lighter punishment than what they gave their victims. Their actions reflect badly on the whole military and at times cause reactions like the demonstrations that took place over the Vietnam War. They should be made to pay dearly in my opinion.
Why do we paint the entire establishment with the same brush when a rogue among them commits a crime? We should expect that there would always be psychopaths among the many who join the military. They see the battlefield as a place to commit their heinous crimes and “get away with it” in the fog of war. That is all the more reason to sentence them to the harshest sentence possible.
When Gibbs does come up for parole, who will represent the families of his victims? The only people to speak will be those who have a vested interest in his release. That doesn’t seem fair to me.
Several others were also charged and some will face court-martial for their part in the murders. As is often the case, a charismatic leader pulls others into his crime. In this case, however, the others were permitted to testify against him and will likely receive reduced charges.
If you care enough to read the entire article from the Seattle Times here is the link to it:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016739416_gibbsverdict11m.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I sincerely hope that this case will not turn into another one like that of Lt. Calley in the Mi Lai incident. We don’t need another scandal to incite protesters.
I know that the day is past, but if you have some time this weekend, go to one or both of these websites and read the tributes there. You’re guaranteed to have a tear in your eye when you do so.
http://www.military.com/veterans-day/
http://www.legacy.com/soldier/MovingTributes.aspx
Unfortunately, there was a news report yesterday that marred the otherwise peaceful time of contemplation and, yes, thanksgiving. Here is a brief capsule of that story:
Lewis-McChord soldier found guilty of 3 murders in war-crimes case
An Army panel Thursday found Staff Sgt. Calvin Gibbs, the highest-ranking soldier charged in a major war-crimes case, guilty of three counts of murdering unarmed Afghan villagers and a dozen other crimes.
I do not want to delve further into the story in this column, but I do want to comment on the despicable action of that one soldier. He is a disgrace to the uniform and dishonors all those whose lives we celebrated.
Sergeant Gibbs received a sentence of life imprisonment for his crimes, but he will be eligible for parole in ten years. I wish he had been given the ultimate penalty instead. Every war has a few like him and they tend to be given lighter punishment than what they gave their victims. Their actions reflect badly on the whole military and at times cause reactions like the demonstrations that took place over the Vietnam War. They should be made to pay dearly in my opinion.
Why do we paint the entire establishment with the same brush when a rogue among them commits a crime? We should expect that there would always be psychopaths among the many who join the military. They see the battlefield as a place to commit their heinous crimes and “get away with it” in the fog of war. That is all the more reason to sentence them to the harshest sentence possible.
When Gibbs does come up for parole, who will represent the families of his victims? The only people to speak will be those who have a vested interest in his release. That doesn’t seem fair to me.
Several others were also charged and some will face court-martial for their part in the murders. As is often the case, a charismatic leader pulls others into his crime. In this case, however, the others were permitted to testify against him and will likely receive reduced charges.
If you care enough to read the entire article from the Seattle Times here is the link to it:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016739416_gibbsverdict11m.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I sincerely hope that this case will not turn into another one like that of Lt. Calley in the Mi Lai incident. We don’t need another scandal to incite protesters.
I know that the day is past, but if you have some time this weekend, go to one or both of these websites and read the tributes there. You’re guaranteed to have a tear in your eye when you do so.
http://www.military.com/veterans-day/
http://www.legacy.com/soldier/MovingTributes.aspx
Killer Tips – Part 1
This week my column will be a compilation of tips that I’ve given in the past along with some I’ve gained more recently. I hope they will benefit you as much as they have helped me. Some of these are not “killers” because they actually might save your life but who ever heard of “lifer tips”?
Tip 1 – The next time you’re at a pharmacy pick up a bottle of child strength aspirin, 81 grain, and place it either on or in your bedside table. These little pills could save your life if you ever experience any kind of pain during the night. Of course they are supposed to be used for heart attack symptoms, but those symptoms can come in any number of ways. One characteristic common to all of them is pain in some part of your body. Taking one or two of those baby aspirin might prevent a full-scale heart attack.
Tip 2 – That same bottle of baby aspirin can also be used by anyone—especially those over age 40—to maintain a healthy body. Take one of these little pills before going to bed every night. The half life of aspirin is about 12 hours, so nightly dosage benefit is twofold: It prevents cardiac events which recent studies have shown to occur more frequently in early morning hours, and it relieves those little aches and pains we sometimes get that prevent good sleep.
Tip 3 – If you are one of the many people who fear a major banking disruption in these fragile times, you probably have a “stash” somewhere in your house to use in emergency situations. It could be quite substantial. The problem is, with the amount of B&E that is taking place there are few places where you can secure your cash and valuables where the thieves cannot get them.
There are some safes you can buy that mimic a wall socket, or a food container or some other common household gadget. However, you can make your own safe by using any empty food container in varying sizes to hide your valuables in plain sight. What thief would spend the time to search your whole pantry or your entire clothes closet? Most want to get in and out as quickly as possible, and the pros know about the sugar bowl, the freezer and the china cabinet as the most common hidey-holes. If they don’t find anything there, they give up and move on. The oatmeal container in the rear on the middle shelf isn’t likely to draw anyone’s attention, nor is the high top shoe sitting in a pair in the closet. (Those are just examples, not necessarily my choice in case anyone reading this wants to rob me)
Tip 4 – I guess we are all capable of committing the error of locking a vehicle with the keys inside. I know that the companies that provide onboard services in newer makes and models use the problem to promote their services. I have AAA membership and I’ve had to call for roadside service when I locked the key inside my car.
A friend who is a locksmith gave me a great hint: Pay a couple of dollars for a valet key-one that only opens the doors but won’t start the car—and then put that key behind your license plate with one of the license plate screws through it. A coin can be used to unscrew and retrieve the key. No more service calls and delays waiting for someone to open the car.
Tip 5 – Always keep a tool in your car that can be used to break the side window in the event you ever are in a situation where your vehicle is submerged in water. I know, it isn’t something you would voluntarily do, but many accidents end with the car in deep water. There are multi-use tools sold at auto parts stores and online, but if you can’t find one, put a heavy-duty screwdriver or a small hammer in your glove compartment. Since many cars are equipped with electric windows that won’t work underwater, this can be a lifesaver.
Those are the first five tips, and I’ll have more next week, or within a few weeks if some topic comes up that has more value between now and next Saturday.
Tip 1 – The next time you’re at a pharmacy pick up a bottle of child strength aspirin, 81 grain, and place it either on or in your bedside table. These little pills could save your life if you ever experience any kind of pain during the night. Of course they are supposed to be used for heart attack symptoms, but those symptoms can come in any number of ways. One characteristic common to all of them is pain in some part of your body. Taking one or two of those baby aspirin might prevent a full-scale heart attack.
Tip 2 – That same bottle of baby aspirin can also be used by anyone—especially those over age 40—to maintain a healthy body. Take one of these little pills before going to bed every night. The half life of aspirin is about 12 hours, so nightly dosage benefit is twofold: It prevents cardiac events which recent studies have shown to occur more frequently in early morning hours, and it relieves those little aches and pains we sometimes get that prevent good sleep.
Tip 3 – If you are one of the many people who fear a major banking disruption in these fragile times, you probably have a “stash” somewhere in your house to use in emergency situations. It could be quite substantial. The problem is, with the amount of B&E that is taking place there are few places where you can secure your cash and valuables where the thieves cannot get them.
There are some safes you can buy that mimic a wall socket, or a food container or some other common household gadget. However, you can make your own safe by using any empty food container in varying sizes to hide your valuables in plain sight. What thief would spend the time to search your whole pantry or your entire clothes closet? Most want to get in and out as quickly as possible, and the pros know about the sugar bowl, the freezer and the china cabinet as the most common hidey-holes. If they don’t find anything there, they give up and move on. The oatmeal container in the rear on the middle shelf isn’t likely to draw anyone’s attention, nor is the high top shoe sitting in a pair in the closet. (Those are just examples, not necessarily my choice in case anyone reading this wants to rob me)
Tip 4 – I guess we are all capable of committing the error of locking a vehicle with the keys inside. I know that the companies that provide onboard services in newer makes and models use the problem to promote their services. I have AAA membership and I’ve had to call for roadside service when I locked the key inside my car.
A friend who is a locksmith gave me a great hint: Pay a couple of dollars for a valet key-one that only opens the doors but won’t start the car—and then put that key behind your license plate with one of the license plate screws through it. A coin can be used to unscrew and retrieve the key. No more service calls and delays waiting for someone to open the car.
Tip 5 – Always keep a tool in your car that can be used to break the side window in the event you ever are in a situation where your vehicle is submerged in water. I know, it isn’t something you would voluntarily do, but many accidents end with the car in deep water. There are multi-use tools sold at auto parts stores and online, but if you can’t find one, put a heavy-duty screwdriver or a small hammer in your glove compartment. Since many cars are equipped with electric windows that won’t work underwater, this can be a lifesaver.
Those are the first five tips, and I’ll have more next week, or within a few weeks if some topic comes up that has more value between now and next Saturday.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Back to the 1930s
I know before I write this column that at least two of my grandchildren would be up in arms over it if they could read it. And I know too that it is politically incorrect. I am going to dare to make fun of modern-day icons. For that I make no apology. So here goes…
Whenever I see pictures of life in the Depression Era I am struck by the ugliness of the fashions of that age. The clothes worn by men and women are probably utilitarian, but they are just plain, well… plain. The hats are especially hideous, those of the women being only slightly more so that the male headgear.
But what absolutely makes me gag is the idiotic design of the cars. They are square and boxy and black. Didn’t they have paint colors back then? With rare exceptions all the cars looked just about alike and they all showed a lack of imagination or nonconformity.
Oh there were a few people out there who designed cool cars, but those models cost more than the average guy made in a decade. Fully 99 percent of the automobiles on the road were interchangeable and indistinguishable from all the others.
World War Two changed all of that. After the war, carmakers started putting curves and colors on their creations, and boy did they take off! By the time we reached the end of the 1950s decade, cars had huge tailfins, bullet headlights and taillights and outrageous colors.
Well, maybe they went a little too far – though many of those same cars are considered “classics” today – and the fins and such disappeared by 1961. Even so, every kid could spot and name the make and year of a car from two blocks away. Each brand was a little different from the competitor.
By 1980 there was another trend, this time back toward the “standard” design again, but at least the standard was a fairly nice looking one. Who cared that you could buy nearly any brand and model and it would look pretty much like every other one. It got a lot harder to identify make and year too. The trend persisted for the next twenty or so years.
Then styles changed again along about the turn of the century. People started thinking “green” and the age of the hybrid was born. And along with the new age came a new design. Well, it was supposed to be new, but to my way of thinking it was a throwback to the Depression Era. Square, boxy cars were all the rage, cars with names like Scion, Element, Soul to name a few.
We were supposed to be more energy conscious, but did we have to sacrifice design and good taste to achieve that goal?
Now comes the real rub… Not only did we revert to the box-like, wind-resistant shapes of 1930, other models that had heretofore been pretty neat looking took on the same boxy look as the hybrids. Perfect examples are the Ford Flex and the Dodge Caravan. It seems that Ford and Chrysler took two great looking automobiles, the Ford Excursion and the Dodge Caravan (pre-2010 model) and chopped them up to make them look like the big brothers of the Honda Element and Toyota Scion. All I can say is UGLY!
Ford even makes fun of the “box look” in one of their commercials featuring a couple that bought a new Ford Sedan. In it the man says, “We wanted to get away from ‘buying a box’ and this certainly does that.”
Oh yes, and Chrysler recently announced that it is discontinuing the Dodge Caravan in 2012. Maybe the new boxy look didn’t impress many buyers. You sure see a lot of the older models on the road.
Can you say, “streamline”? Doesn’t that imply that wind will flow past with less effect? Isn’t that why Indy cars are built so sleek and low? Doesn’t energy efficiency depend in large part on less wind resistance? I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.
Please, please go back to a car that looks nice and doesn’t resemble a railroad boxcar.
Whenever I see pictures of life in the Depression Era I am struck by the ugliness of the fashions of that age. The clothes worn by men and women are probably utilitarian, but they are just plain, well… plain. The hats are especially hideous, those of the women being only slightly more so that the male headgear.
But what absolutely makes me gag is the idiotic design of the cars. They are square and boxy and black. Didn’t they have paint colors back then? With rare exceptions all the cars looked just about alike and they all showed a lack of imagination or nonconformity.
Oh there were a few people out there who designed cool cars, but those models cost more than the average guy made in a decade. Fully 99 percent of the automobiles on the road were interchangeable and indistinguishable from all the others.
World War Two changed all of that. After the war, carmakers started putting curves and colors on their creations, and boy did they take off! By the time we reached the end of the 1950s decade, cars had huge tailfins, bullet headlights and taillights and outrageous colors.
Well, maybe they went a little too far – though many of those same cars are considered “classics” today – and the fins and such disappeared by 1961. Even so, every kid could spot and name the make and year of a car from two blocks away. Each brand was a little different from the competitor.
By 1980 there was another trend, this time back toward the “standard” design again, but at least the standard was a fairly nice looking one. Who cared that you could buy nearly any brand and model and it would look pretty much like every other one. It got a lot harder to identify make and year too. The trend persisted for the next twenty or so years.
Then styles changed again along about the turn of the century. People started thinking “green” and the age of the hybrid was born. And along with the new age came a new design. Well, it was supposed to be new, but to my way of thinking it was a throwback to the Depression Era. Square, boxy cars were all the rage, cars with names like Scion, Element, Soul to name a few.
We were supposed to be more energy conscious, but did we have to sacrifice design and good taste to achieve that goal?
Now comes the real rub… Not only did we revert to the box-like, wind-resistant shapes of 1930, other models that had heretofore been pretty neat looking took on the same boxy look as the hybrids. Perfect examples are the Ford Flex and the Dodge Caravan. It seems that Ford and Chrysler took two great looking automobiles, the Ford Excursion and the Dodge Caravan (pre-2010 model) and chopped them up to make them look like the big brothers of the Honda Element and Toyota Scion. All I can say is UGLY!
Ford even makes fun of the “box look” in one of their commercials featuring a couple that bought a new Ford Sedan. In it the man says, “We wanted to get away from ‘buying a box’ and this certainly does that.”
Oh yes, and Chrysler recently announced that it is discontinuing the Dodge Caravan in 2012. Maybe the new boxy look didn’t impress many buyers. You sure see a lot of the older models on the road.
Can you say, “streamline”? Doesn’t that imply that wind will flow past with less effect? Isn’t that why Indy cars are built so sleek and low? Doesn’t energy efficiency depend in large part on less wind resistance? I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.
Please, please go back to a car that looks nice and doesn’t resemble a railroad boxcar.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Ave Maria Grotto
Can you guess what this is? Don’t cheat and use your zoom function. I’ll show you later what it is and why I took the picture.
On our recent trip through northern Alabama, we visited the St. Bernard College Campus in Cullman. It is home to a wonderful display of most of the world’s great cathedrals and churches created in miniature on a hillside. They are all the work of one man, the late Brother Joseph Zoetl (1892-1961). He was a Benedictine Monk and was the caretaker of the college.
On the grounds of the college, beginning in 1912 and continuing throughout his life, Br. Joseph built replicas of many religious sites from various materials native to the area and also donated by others from around the world. He named his creation the Ave Maria Grotto. It is a National Historic Site today and a “must see” if you are ever in or near Cullman, Alabama.
In all there are over 125 miniature stone and cement structures on the hillside, and all are easily accessible for viewing from a sidewalk that winds up and down the hill.
One of the classic structures in the grotto is St. Peter’s Basilica, a perfect replica of the one in Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Square. Alongside it to the right you can also see a replica of the Coliseum.
Not all of the buildings and shrines are religious in nature. Some are whimsical, and others are historical, such as the Leaning tower of Pisa. There is also a Temple of the Fairies with Hansel and Gretel as guests and a fierce dragon in the dungeon.
The main structure is the grotto, huge cave-like shrine 27 feet high, 27 feet deep and 27 feet wide.
A scale model of Jerusalem is perhaps the most ambitious project Br. Joseph ever attempted. It has many buildings and the Herod’s Gate at the very front.
As you can see from these few pictures, there is a lot of love and work that went into the making of this manmade wonder, and people from around the world come to visit it.
Now, back to that first picture… One of the more fanciful creations of Br. Joseph is this gate, ramps and a set of parallel lines painted on the walkway near the top of the hill. I enlarged a portion of the picture so that you can see what it really is: a chipmunk crossing.
I hope you enjoyed my preview of Ave Maria Grotto, and that you will be sure to include it on your itinerary if you ever get to Cullman.
On our recent trip through northern Alabama, we visited the St. Bernard College Campus in Cullman. It is home to a wonderful display of most of the world’s great cathedrals and churches created in miniature on a hillside. They are all the work of one man, the late Brother Joseph Zoetl (1892-1961). He was a Benedictine Monk and was the caretaker of the college.
On the grounds of the college, beginning in 1912 and continuing throughout his life, Br. Joseph built replicas of many religious sites from various materials native to the area and also donated by others from around the world. He named his creation the Ave Maria Grotto. It is a National Historic Site today and a “must see” if you are ever in or near Cullman, Alabama.
In all there are over 125 miniature stone and cement structures on the hillside, and all are easily accessible for viewing from a sidewalk that winds up and down the hill.
One of the classic structures in the grotto is St. Peter’s Basilica, a perfect replica of the one in Vatican City, including St. Peter’s Square. Alongside it to the right you can also see a replica of the Coliseum.
Not all of the buildings and shrines are religious in nature. Some are whimsical, and others are historical, such as the Leaning tower of Pisa. There is also a Temple of the Fairies with Hansel and Gretel as guests and a fierce dragon in the dungeon.
The main structure is the grotto, huge cave-like shrine 27 feet high, 27 feet deep and 27 feet wide.
A scale model of Jerusalem is perhaps the most ambitious project Br. Joseph ever attempted. It has many buildings and the Herod’s Gate at the very front.
As you can see from these few pictures, there is a lot of love and work that went into the making of this manmade wonder, and people from around the world come to visit it.
Now, back to that first picture… One of the more fanciful creations of Br. Joseph is this gate, ramps and a set of parallel lines painted on the walkway near the top of the hill. I enlarged a portion of the picture so that you can see what it really is: a chipmunk crossing.
I hope you enjoyed my preview of Ave Maria Grotto, and that you will be sure to include it on your itinerary if you ever get to Cullman.
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