Parrothead Jeff & Friends » Media

Media Objectivity

Parrothead Jeff — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:36:20 +0000

Grab the duct tape – you’re gonna need it for this one.

Oh yeah, it’s also not a good idea to eat or drink while watching this.

And some news outlets wonder why their market share is dwindling…

Re-Post – Picture(s) A Day – 26 September 2009 – Un-Elect Harry Reid Rally

Parrothead Jeff — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:05:54 +0000

Editorial Note: We’ve come a long way since 26 September of last year I figured it would be fun and interesting to re-post this entry considering all the posts today about yesterday’s Tea Party Make sure to click here to read all the comments in the original post

So today was the Un-Elect Harry Reid rally down in Harry Reid’s own hometown of Searchlight, Nevada.

I told everyone I was going and I wasn’t about to go back on that declaration. I also said I’d have pictures and I wasn’t about to let everyone down there, either

My apologies for the lateness of this post, but I was up until nearly 0400 working on other stuff, woke up at about 0800, then went to the rally. I just came home afterwords, relaxed a bit, and took a much needed nap. I also wound up fielding calls from a couple of friends who needed to talk to someone about some serious stuff, and then I got back to work on this post.

And now, without further delay, here’s the post y’all have been waiting for

26 September 2009 - Searchlight, NV isn't a short drive from anywhere - Click to go to the Google map

As you can see, Searchlight isn’t close to anything. It was about a 65 mile drive from where I live to the rally. It’s quite a ways farther than that to anywhere other than Las Vegas.

The reason people came from several states to protest against a Senator from Nevada is that Harry Reid is keeping their elected Senators from doing their jobs. By controlling the flow of legislation in such a way that other Senators don’t have a chance to influence or even read the bills, Harry Reid is effectively disenfranchising these voters. I don’t know about you, but I call that Tyranny and I find it completely unacceptable in a Representative Republic.

26 September 2009 - Panorama of the crowd from the east

26 September 2009 - Panorama of the crowd from the northwest

I wasn’t expecting too many people, but the crowd didn’t disappoint me or anyone else who showed up. Honestly, what would you expect? Someone called for a rally in a place that’s not only in the middle of nowhere in Southern Nevada on a day with 100° temperatures. But plenty of people still took the time out of their lives on a hot Saturday to show up and stand up for their beliefs.

About those two pictures above – I thought a couple of panoramas would be a good way to show how many people actually did show up. Click on the images to download full size and then click on that image to see actual size.

26 September 2009 - Some of Nevada's Finest assisting at an accident scene

26 September 2009 - One of the vehicles involved in the accident

26 September 2009 - The vintage pickup wasn't harmed

26 September 2009 - Unfortunately the vintage Chevy it was towing was harmed

I saw an accident on Highway 95 a bit north of I-15 on the way down to Searchlight. I don’t think anyone was hurt, but I still don’t like seeing vintage cars damaged in any way.

26 September 2009 - Highway 95 heading from Boulder City to Searchlight

Just a view of the scenery you’ll find between Boulder City and Searchlight.

26 September 2009 - My HHR in the foreground with a huge American Flag in the distance

I just couldn’t pass up an image like this Gotta love that huge American Flag in the distance!

26 September 2009 - License plates from all over

If anyone thinks that this was just a gathering of people from Searchlight, I’ve got news for ‘em. Check out all the different license plates.

26 September 2009 - Irony: Harry Reid Road leads to the cemetery

When I saw this I was truly amazed that it hasn’t made its way into a political ad yet. I hope it does in the near future.

I wonder if the esteemed Senior Senator from Nevada knows about this little bit of irony in his hometown ?

26 September 2009 - Janet Contreras speaking to the crowd

Janet Contreras is a friend of Glenn Beck. She’s also an incredible speaker. Her speech covered many subjects, but chief among them was the loss of freedom we’ve suffered in her lifetime due to various and sundry groups being “offended” by something or other. She recalled going to a voluntary bible study in a mobile bible study van which went around to all the schools back then. That was until someone was offended that the kids had the opportunity to choose to go to the bible study.

I have to say that Janet is also one of the nicest, most intelligent people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. Funny, I keep finding this kind of person in the circles I’ve traveled lately. Freedom loving people who care more about America than they do about any political party seem to be that kind of people.

26 September 2009 - Don the Electrician speaking to the crowd

This is Don the Electrician. He’s a religious man who helps in councilor those who need it. He also owns a business which has felt the pain caused by the continued impairment of the economy, having had to lay off half his crew. He also makes Joe the Plumber look downright meek

26 September 2009 - Just people who showed up to give their support

This wasn’t a group of “AstroTurf” wannabes. This was just a group of regular people who were willing to drive a lot of miles to be heard.

26 September 2009 - Political activism and Capitalism in action

I suppose some people might have problems with this. I see it as inspirational. I’d have bought one of these shirts if I’d have had cash.

26 September 2009 - Dan Brownell, Vietnam Veteran, had one of the best signs I've ever seen

There were quite a few Veterans in the crowd. Quite a few were Vietnam Vets.

You didn’t see two signs that were alike. Most of them showed just how creative people can be.

26 September 2009 - Crew with press credentials covering the event for Congressontrial.com

Someone’s gonna have a video on YouTube soon

26 September 2009 - Bill Parson, Republican candidate for Harry Reid's Senate Seat, speaking to the crowd

Bill Parson is running against Harry Reid in the next election. He speaks my language – respect for the Constitution.

I don’t know who I’ll have the chance to vote for, but I know it won’t be Reid. If Mr. Parson is on the ballot, he’ll get my vote.

26 September 2009 - Sonny Borelli (GySgt USMC Ret.) firing up the crowd in fine United States Marine Corps style

26 September 2009 - Sonny Borelli (GySgt USMC Ret.) - Holding up a copy of the Constitution

The last speaker of the day was Gunnery Sergeant Sunny Borelli of the United States Marine Corps. He’s retired from the Corps, but he hasn’t lost any of that United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant charisma! His speech was outstanding and it’s thanks to him that I have my own printed copy of the Constitution.

26 September 2009 - Assembly of the signs after all the speakers

After all the speakers had given their orations, the rally organizers had all the people with signs come up front for pictures.

26 September 2009 - Retired United States Marine - You can't see the leg braces in this picture

Yet another Former Marine and Vietnam Veteran. You can count on Marines to eschew subtlety

And yes, I do want that Second Amendment patch

One thing I almost forgot to mention here: All of the Veterans I spoke with had one thing other than honor and service to their country in common. None of them had ever heard of Oath Keepers. I fixed that and made sure to give each of them an Oath Keepers business card If their reactions to what I told them and what they read on the back of those cards is any indication of their true feelings, Oath Keepers will likely have some new members in the near future

26 September 2009 - After the event, the facility was spotless

You’ve seen pictures of a city after a demonstration. You’ve seen the trash and damage. That didn’t happen here and it didn’t surprise me one bit. One of the organizers told me that they’d had 20 kids from a high school and 200 trash bags ready for any cleanup that might be needed. They didn’t have to lift a finger. Everyone took care of their own trash.

Remember that huge protest on the National Mall in D.C. a while back? Guess what? Not a bit of litter.

Aside from being genuinely nice and good people, the Freedom loving set I’ve come to know lately is also the responsible set. I’ve preached personal responsibility around here more than a few times, but it’s really nice to see that I’m not the only one and that it works just like I always thought it would.

26 September 2009 - Bill Parson and Janet Contreras took the time to have their picture taken with me

Yeah, I had a good time. These are the kind of people who will take the time to chat with you and to have their picture taken with you as well

I’m honored to have made their acquaintance.

26 September 2009 - Harry Reid supporters left only these signs and didn't even join in a discussion

26 September 2009 - Rally orgainizers took the time to remove the balloons and signs which showed the way to the event

About that cleanup – I wasn’t quite finished. Notice all the Harry Reid signs that were put up before the event by someone unknown to us. Notice how they’ve been scattered by the wind and become eyesores?

Compare that with the gentleman above. I’d stopped to make a phone call in a parking lot on the corner of Highway 95 and the street the rally was held on. While I was there, someone came and took down the balloons which had attracted attention and then this nice guy came by and took down the rally sign.

We don’t leave our trash out in the street for someone else to clean up. We leave the places we go as nice or better than we found them.

26 September 2009 - Scenery between Searchlight and Las Vegas on the way back home

I thought of Kath when I took this picture

I can’t say enough about how much I love the truly vast, wide open spaces of the desert southwest. I hope Glenn and I get the chance to show her what it’s like out here. The vistas are gorgeous, the sunsets breathtaking, and the spirit of the Wild West is still around

That’s all for now, folks. It’s way late/early and I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow should include some trigger time (yeah, I know you’re just surprised as all get out by that one ) and more posting. I’ve got two posts in the works right now that I think are pretty darn important, but I figured they could wait a few more hours if it meant getting these pictures and this story out first.

Have a Free and Constitutional day, everyone !!!

Last Post of the Day – Mary Smich’s Guide to Life for Graduates

Parrothead Jeff — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:36:55 +0000

Enough with the stress and strain. Enough with the money problems. Sometimes it seems like most of what money does is create problems, but like I said, I’ve had enough of those. Enough with problems in general.

It’s time for something a little better – a bit of my philosophy for life No, it doesn’t involve firearms, explosives, pyrotechnics, aviation, knives, or cars. Just advice I’ve liked the sound of since I first heard it on the radio as it was re-formed by Baz Luhrmann many years ago and which has proven to be wise.

Some of y’all out there might remember the “sunscreen” song. If you don’t remember it, click here. If that doesn’t do it, you’ve been under a rock for too long

While doing a bit of research, I found out via Wikipedia that this song wasn’t written by Baz Luhrmann, nor was it intended for the radio at all. Its first incarnation was actually as a newspaper column in the Chicago Tribune by Mary Schmich.

No matter the origin, I can’t help but think of just how accurate some of it’s been as I’ve gone through life. It’s one of those things I reflect on and laugh at when I’m stressed out, bummed out, or just plain worn out by life.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young

Mary Schmich

June 1, 1997

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who’d rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there’s no reason we can’t entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they’ve faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long and, in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair or by the time you’re 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Yeah, y’all probably know me pretty well by now Still, every once in a while, I’ll tell you a bit about just what makes me tick Here’s hoping this helps you out sometime like it’s done for me on more than a few occasions.

If Mary Smich is out there and reading this, thanks for writing it

Have a great day, everyone

Picture(s) A Day – 26 September 2009 – Un-Elect Harry Reid Rally

Parrothead Jeff — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 10:58:58 +0000