One Way Street

As a Dallas native, you'd think Downtown Dallas(pictured above) would be a breeze for me.  Not so much.  I end up driving the wrong way on a one way street every time.  It's as reliable as the rising of the moon.  It WILL happen.  It would seem that I can do nothing to prevent it.  I just pray I make it out in one piece.  One thing is certain though, I always find my way out.  As it turns out most times, my adventures in avoiding head-on collisions often place me in the perfect spot to get out of the area.  Go figure.

It occurs to me that life is really the same way.  Sometimes we avoid things that seem like a "wrong way".  We follow the signs that have been laid out for us...keeping our lives moving in the same directions as everyone else.  The issue with this is that sometimes we need to get lost or turned around.  We need to travel down that one way street because in the end, it will get us to where we need to go.  Yes, it may go against conventional wisdom; hell, it may even be dangerous.  Sometimes we have to take risks.  Sure, there are roads that are well traveled and signs that tell us which way we should go, but hey...new roads are always being built.

The Bottom Line:
Don't be afraid of traveling the wrong way on a one way street.  It may end up being the exact path you needed to take.  Just watch for oncoming cars and chances are, you will still end up right where you belong!

Dear Sarah Palin

Since you first came onto the national scene as a Vice Presidential candidate, I have been very annoyed with you constantly insulting the intelligence of the American public.  You bemoan the mainstream media for having the nerve to report on you at all; yet you use that very same media to disseminate your own views to anyone who will listen or read.  I've watched your actions intently.  Somehow you have duped a great number of people into believing that you are an "average" American.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  In fact, you are probably one of the most skilled politicians in the game today.  You learned a hard lesson about marketing during the Presidential campaign and I must admit, you are a fast learner.

You learned that writing a book in this country causes many to take a person seriously, even when it's not merited.

You've learned that winners never quit and quitters never win, unless they've held the office of Governor.

You've learned that Facebook is quickly becoming just as effective as "main-stream media" but without the actual label of a news organization.

You've learned how to turn an American tragedy into an opportunity to talk about politics and campaigns.

You've learned that one can fully prepare for a Presidential campaign without ever having to admit the fact.

You've learned how to never answer a question with a Yes or No.

You've learned that you can quote those who've come before you in an effort to avoid having to formulate your own responses.

Finally, you've learned, as countless politicians before you, misery loves company.  You rarely stand alone on a major topic and always make sure to bring others into the mix so they can shoulder the responsibility of your actions or words.

You may have fooled some people into believing that you have America's best interests at heart, but you have not fooled this American.  Anyone can get help writing a book.  Anyone can disguise finger-pointing with a knowing smile and soft voice.  It takes a real person of courage and originality to take responsibility for their own actions and words while not hiding behind the very things they rail against.

Sincerely,

David Ross Jackson

PS.
A portion of this letter was written while I was using the restroom.  It's bittersweetly ironic, don't ya think?

Please See Sarah Palin's latest media tirade/political ad here.

Politics As Usual

While you may think that this is my lame attempt at a Democratic smear campaign against the newly-elected Republican Senator Scott Brown of  Massachusetts, you'd be way off the mark.  I was not inspired by politics in the sense that you might expect. I was, however, shocked by the glaring double-standard represented in the photo above.

Had this been a female political candidate pictured above, not only would it be front page news, it would be reason enough to sway the vote...and NOT in her favor.  Scott Brown poses nude back in the day and he's called a "beef-cake" or "America's Sexiest Man".  Any female trying to be taken seriously in the political realm would have been labeled as someone having poor judgement or worse.  Every detail of the woman's life and choices would have have been scrutinized by pundits far and wide.  She'd have to explain her reasoning for doing the photo shoot.  She'd be made to dissect every detail leading up to the photo.  All her other decisions would be called into question because of the photo.  It makes me angry that we still live in a world where Hillary Clinton gets talked about for showing a tiny bit of cleavage on the floor of the Senate.  Scott Brown, on the other hand, doesn't really have his judgement questioned at all for posing nude.  For all the Republicans out there... let me give you an example you can relate to.  Sarah Palin... While I am not a fan, I do feel like she was overly scrutinized by the media in a very sexist way.  She was a beauty queen...made top news.  She was photoshopped into a bikini, then had to explain that it wasn't her.  She was referred to as a "m.i.l.f.".  The talk about what she was wearing was endless.  This is the type of sexist ignorance that this country still thrives on and it's truly sad.

The Bottom Line: 

The world we live in makes unrealistic demands of it's women.  We want to hold women to a higher standard but don't want to empower them to be anything other than centerfolds.  This country lauds it's progressive culture but is responsible for holding women back.  The men in this country who are responsible for the culture of "the boys" should try holding themselves to this other-worldly standard for once.  After all...it's mostly men who are making a mess of this country...last time I checked.

Oprah, Palin, & Mononucleosis

I just got done watching Sarah Palin on Oprah.  Listening to her gave me Mono!  Why won't Sarah Palin just answer a damn question directly?  I don't understand why this woman refuses to say YES or NO.  She had the perfect opportunity to undo or reduce her poor image with the opposition and she only made it worse. Maybe she just confirmed what the nay-sayers have said all along.

I won't deny, there is something appealing about Palin's personality.  Did she ever need to be in politics?  I'm thinking no.  Did she ever need to be on a Presidential ticket as the Vice Presidential candidate?  No...certainly not!  Is there a forum for her in the public eye?  I think so.  Those who know me well understand that last statement is a huge departure from how I've felt in the past.  I just wanted her to go away.  I do believe that she represents a good portion of the people in this country.  I don't believe she will ever be respected by those with opposing views until she stops playing cat and mouse with the media.  One day she's the cat and one day she's the mouse.  Until she learns to simply ANSWER THE QUESTION, she will not be taken seriously.  She spent an hour on what many would consider the world's most influential television show very nearly refusing to give direct answers and trying to be portrayed in an intelligent light.  All she really managed to do was make herself look even worse by not being up front with those watching.

I have an idea.  If Sarah Palin is going to make a career out of not answering questions directly or dancing around subjects, maybe she should stop going on TV for interviews.  She should stop wasting everyone's time.  She should go back to being a mom.  What's even more amusing is that there are still people trying to refute valid criticism of this Palin interview.  Someone told me told me today, "if you don't want to see Sarah Palin turn the channel...It's not rocket science".  To that I say, if Sarah Palin wishes to remain in the public eye and put herself in a public forum in an attempt to "tell her story", then she, along with everyone else, should be ready for those who will call bullshit when they see it.  It's THAT simple.

Bottom Line: Sarah Palin would have you believe that what you see is what you get...and all those other warm and endearing clichés.  The real truth is that what you see is what Sarah Palin wants you to see...nothing more.  So, to Sarah Palin I say this...  Show us something different.  Show us that you can answer questions directly.  Show us that you can "talk straight" with us, rather than acting like the politicians you moan about.  Stop pretending that you are just a "good ole girl" and own up to the fact that you are NO different than any other politician in the game today.  You are a person with a plan, an agenda, just like the rest of those in power and on their way to power.  You are not the brightest individual in that group either, so it's time you put up or shut up Maverick.

You betcha!

Things that make you say WTF?

1. Sarah Palin Memoir

This should be akin to an issue of Highlights Magazine. Remember: What's Wrong With This Picture?
That is actually a valid question given the circumstances.



2. Donald Trump

Ok most of us managed to get over the hair. What I can't get over is that he makes all final decisions about who gets to keep their crown. Seriously? Why on earth would you have a Miss USA committee? What's the point of having a ruling body if you are going to usurp their process every time? I think the Donald wants to stay on good terms with these risqué beauty queens. After all, he will need a new wife soon. It's about time to trade in for a newer model.



3. Hardly any headlines about Octo-Mom...SHHHH!!!

Enough said. No really...enough said.



4. Nancy Pelosi

What a tangled web we weave when once we practice to tell 41 different versions of the “truth” and then get confused about which one we are saying to certain people…then just give up and claim ignorance…then say we were mislead. Can we impeach her already??? Is that even possible? I sure hope so.



5. Yet another Palin - Bristol

Now she is the national authority on teen pregnancy? Really? Hmm let's take inventory here. Mom is probably THE most famous or infamous Governor in the US now with an ever expanding source of income and means. There are about 40 other people she lives with to help her raise baby. Now that she gave birth she is hanging out with celebrities at star studded charity functions while trying pass as a struggling teen mom. I don't think so. Let's “cut” to the inner city (where teen pregnancy is an issue) and see a teen that gets pregnant while living at her single mother's cramped apartment which is located at the corner of Poverty Lane and Unemployment Avenue. Now THAT is something to scare the kids straight.



6. People calling 911

Can we distribute a flyer or something RE-explaining what 911 is actually for? Apparently some people think it's for complaints about their fast food order, while others use it to report their children not cleaning their room. Oh and then there was the call to 911 about a drug deal gone wrong! Calling Dr. Phil!!!!!



7. Swine Flu Hysteria

First it was THE worst thing in the history of "things". Then it was kill all the pigs. Then it was close all the schools! Then it was H1N1 which everyone ignored and continued calling it the Swine Flu. Then it was “not as bad as we thought”. Now 10,000 people have it. Can we all just wash our hands, stop picking our noses, and stop letting our kids lick each other in the face? Did anyone else see the Mexican "health dept. guy" handing out masks on the national evening news...with his mask only on his mouth but not his nose? Pull the mask up man... Levanta la máscara, hombre!! Problem solved.


Stay Free!