"Make a Hole, Make it Wide"
Big Poppa's sitting back this Memorial Day weekend, resting his sunburned bald head and enjoying some Sam Adams Longshot brew. Plus the two bar stools I use to prop my rather large behind up at the bar are in for serious modification.
So as I sit back and thank those who serve our great nation for letting me be able to do so, I was dumb enough to turn on the television and watch my relaxation turn to that infamous "WTF?" moment many of us stumble upon.
1. Why must this country have controversy every day?
Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day. A day dedicated to our troops, past and present, for their unselfish volunteerism in the defense of our country and the freedom we love so much. Yet, people gotta have controversy on this day and complain that President Obama will not be attending the Arlington National Cemetery wreath dedication to our soldiers. President Obama is not the first President not to attend the Arlington Ceremony and he probably won't be the last either.
History shows tells us (unless it's 2011 and Texas History books have hit the market) that the idea of Memorial Day came from Civil War Major General John A. Logan, he called it "Decoration Day" way back on May 5, 1868. It was then celebrated a few weeks later on May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery. Why May 30? Well more for the fact that flowers would be in full bloom at the cemetery, giving more reverence to the 260,000 graves of those soldiers who gave their lives.
Since that day back 1868, Presidential visits to Arlington National Cemetery have been sporadic. Memorial Day did not even become a national holiday until 1971 under Pres. Richard Nixon. Until that day, cities and states celebrated individually.
President Reagan missed a day, he gave a speech at West Point. In his four years as President, George H.W. Bush never attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington, sending VP Dan Quayle instead. President Bill Clinton attended all eight ceremonies as president and President George W. Bush did not attend until 2003. As a matter of fact, both President Bushes did not attend any ceremonies of any sort in respect, except play golf. So why the fuss over President Obama?
President Obama skipped the Arlington Memorial Day service, but he paid respect to our fallen soldiers at another cemetery near Chicago. I understand the symbolism of Arlington and Memorial Day, but are these people that have railed against him saying that those who served that are not laid to rest at Arlington not as worthy?
Both my grandfathers served in World War II, one is buried in Pittsburgh and the other is buried in Cleveland. My mother served in the military during the Vietnam War and served as a Reservist in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. She'll probably be buried next to my grandfather in Pittsburgh when her time comes. Are these detractors saying my family is not worthy of having a President, present or future, honor them at their resting place on Memorial Day? That a President should only pay Memorial Day respects at Arlington?
A president should be allowed to pay his respect to our soldiers anywhere he or she shall want to. People should be angered about the commercialization of Memorial Day by car dealerships, food chains, and retail merchants.
2. BP's intelligence comes from ACME
The other story that should really have people thumping is the moronic upper management of BP. I swear it's like watching Looney Tunes and Wyl E. Coyote (Super Genius) every time I hear BP Executive Tony Hayworth speak.
We've had nicknames of operations called "Top Kill," "Top Hat," "Junk shot," and now "Marine Cap." Is there an Executive bubble gum dispenser with nicknames they pull these out of?
I love the people who want big government out of state and private business until now. The federal government cannot take over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, even though the 1990 Oil Pollution Act and 2005 National Response Framework give it the power to do so. However, it's the lack of resources that have kept the federal government from taking control. If the federal government had the equipment, I'm sure they would, but at this point if they took over, the federal government basically would have to lease the equipment from BP. So it becomes a new version of "Let's Make a Deal."
However, the federal and state governments should take over the cleanup efforts. Louisiana has already been doing so at their various barrier islands and wetlands, but they need help. I'm sure there a few bodies watching porn on their government computer for eight hours that could be shipped down to the Gulf.
I've already seen a few emails from people stating that President Obama caused the BP/Deepwater Horizon accident to cancel all future oil drilling projects. These people are just as bad as the Michael Moore worshippers that believe President George W Bush was behind September 11, 2001 attacks.
And where is Kevin Costner's project? Wasn't it supposed to be tested three weeks ago? Sometimes I think the Europeans have it right on certain matters. On Nuclear Reactor facilities, they use only two styles of buildings and have heavy regulations. On Oil drilling, they make the companies drill a relief well simultaneously.
All kidding aside, BP and all the other actors involved need to get this cleaned up and face all the legal battles that are soon to follow. Raise the liability limit from %75 million to $500 million or more. You caused the damage, you gotta pay for it. I'm surprised they haven't starting charging for people to view the oil spew webcam on their website yet.
That's it, the peanut bowl was used by BP's Junk Shot and the Longshot case was empty when I asked Kevin Costner to rescue the Gulf. Now I gotta go build a kid's swing set.
