Well, I think it's safe to say that Castro has been a burr in the butt of the US for quite some time now. What a huge influence he has had on the behavior of our government. Amazing in the irony that such a small man could affect such a great country. A lot of the American public doesn't know that much about Fidel Castro. They know he is controversial and that he is regarded as a dictator in a relatively small island country in the Carribean, 90 miles from the southern tip of Florida. There is, however a lot of confusion in that there are some who regard him as a bit of a hero for standing up to the US for all these years. Some in Hollywood demonstrate alot of sympathy for Fidel and even go so far as to visit him and his country. Sean Penn is the best example..... but Barbara Walters famously groveled over him and commented "his personal magnetism is very powerful" (and so was Adolf Hitler's as I understand it). Robert Redford, Jack Nicholson, Harry Belafonte, Kevin Costner and Steven Spielberg.... the list could go on and on.
Now there is a great controversy because the manager for the Miami Marlins, Ozzie Guillen was quoted in Time magazine as saying that he "loved Castro". In Kansas City or Chicago this probably wouldn't have been a big deal. In Miami, Fla.... he might as well have touched the third rail. Since then, he has apologized and noted that what he actually meant to say was that he couldn't believe that Castro was still in power (wow, that does sound just like "I love Castro"). Anyway, the man can say whatever he wants because this is a free country. Unfortunately for him, it is also a capitalist country and when someone doesn't do their job right they can be easily fired. I recently read a post on Facebook by a very good friend who stated that "this is a bunch of crap" and that Ozzie should be left alone.
I humbly disagree, and here's why.
My wife immigrated from Cuba when she was 12. Janet and her family left with nothing but the clothes on their backs (they came by airplane, but that's another topic). The government doesn't let you take anything with you because everything is owned by the government so how could you justify to them that you can bring along anything personal? If you left the country, even legally, you were called a "worm" in Spanish "gusano" and if you were unlucky enough to have people find out that you were leaving BEFORE you actually left (even though it's legal), then your family would be harassed and your home would be egged. All in the name of Fidel Castro. This is a communist country folks, the people have no rights whatsoever. People disappear, are imprisoned, and killed for speaking out against Fidel Castro. So, just imagine your most hated President (be it George Bush or Barack Obama) and imagine that you felt no freedom at all to mention a dislike for ANYTHING he does to ANYONE because you know you could easily be put in prison for a long time for just speaking your mind. Now imagine that this hated leader whom you can NEVER speak out against- even under your breath (not so much as a whispered "screw Bush") and now imagine that he will be your President for as long as his old heart beats. (and after that his brother takes over !). There is no getting rid of him or his ilk. That is the indignity that the Cuban people have had to endure for over 50 years now. That's why so many people, like my wife and her family, fled Cuba with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They fled to escape the humiliation of having their businesses "nationalized" and any freedom of speech or activity completely squashed. They fled to America, so close by, but so very distant in opportunity and liberty.
So, regarding Ozzie Guillen of the Miami Marlins, I think he should be fired. His job is to lead a team that the community can believe in and support there in South Florida. How can they do that now, knowing this man had such ineptitude as to praise a dictator they suffered under? All of Hollywood and the media that sink so low as to praise such a man should be ashamed of themselves for their lack of consideration. Fidel is a dictator regardless of who he "stood up to". Their expressions of admiration lead me to conclude they are at best naive, and at worst communist sympathizers that deserve to be sentenced to a few years on the "island paradise" that is Cuba (as Jack Nicholson called it) and let them enjoy themselves as their private property is confiscated and their livelihoods are nationalized for the "common good". Then I want to hear what their opinion is.
In MY humble opinion,
Chuck Marshall
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Rick Santorum... The Last of the Conservatives
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain"
It has been a while since I've written on the Republican party's primary and their latest flavor of the month. It looks like Rick Santorum is the "preferred" conservative by default... all the others self destructed with revealed indiscretions, adultery, scandals, and above all else; abject stupidity. I do have to make a brief comment on Ron Paul. Ron Paul isn't out of it but of course you can't win a nomination with 10% of your party's approval. That's too bad, because I actually like Ron Paul., but I do understand the reluctance of the right-wing Republicans what with him wanting peace and all. Horrible ! Even more so, he is intelligent which doesn't seem to be a very high priority.
So, now we have Mitt Romney (whom I have already endorsed in this blog) and Rick Santorum, the last Conservative standing. Every time I hear Rick Santorum talking I think he sounds like someone a talk show host pulled out of an audience... "hey, you there.... come up here and let's see what you'd do to move our country forward". I mean, he's so awkward and clumsy with his speeches. It's like he's not even really sure what he thinks. Then when he's firm with an opinion, it's something silly like wanting to vomit over a speech Kennedy make back in 1962, OR some remark implying contraception is bad (he does have 7 children, afterall), OR that he thinks Puerto Ricans should learn English before they become a state. And of course, to keep all the conservatives smiling "Global Warming is a hoax".
As usual, since he's conservative the nut-case right wing Republicans feel like he is just right person to run the most powerful country in the world. Never mind what his experience is, they only care what he "thinks". Why should we care that he has no experience in administration? Why should we care that he has no ideas for firming up the economy ? In the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression he commented that the economy is not the most important thing in this election, the most important issue is repealing Obamacare. I can think of a few other things the President should prioritize besides a two year battle with Congress (like our current President did). I'm not a big fan of Obama, but Santorum compared his administration to Germany in 1939, at the dawn of WW II ! I mean, Nazis !? Seriously?!
He proceeds to babble on about "family values" and pays lip service to the Christian Right, but just as most Republicans before him, he will do NOTHING for them once in office. They are the true suckers in all these presidential elections.
As is true for most extreme political thinkers, the more you hear him speak, the more it becomes obvious that his simplistic approach to a very complex country would be a disaster. Mitt Romney ran a state, he started and ran a successful business, and he commandeered the Winter Olympics, successfully. We need experience, we need focus on restoring the American middle class. We need intelligence. We need Mitt Romney.
In My Humble Opinion.....
Chuck Marshall
Friday, March 9, 2012
Separation of Church and Steak
There has been a lot of conversation about the separation of church and steak and I just wanted to say that I don't think there's a problem with steak in the church. I have had steak at my church on several different occasions and was none the worse for it all.
Steak is good food and JC never said anything about it. He did cast demons into the pigs which makes me hesitate to eat pork, especially since JC was Jewish and Jews don't eat pork.
For some obvious reasons I can see separating beans from the church, especially before any services. I would support separation of church and beans.
There is a separation of church and wine that doesn't make sense to me. Jesus turned water into wine (rather famously) but then when they serve communion we have to drink punch not wine?! I would encourage no separation of church and wine. Give me my wine with my cracker !
Should there be separation of church and other foods? I would enjoy your comments.
Steak is good food and JC never said anything about it. He did cast demons into the pigs which makes me hesitate to eat pork, especially since JC was Jewish and Jews don't eat pork.
For some obvious reasons I can see separating beans from the church, especially before any services. I would support separation of church and beans.
There is a separation of church and wine that doesn't make sense to me. Jesus turned water into wine (rather famously) but then when they serve communion we have to drink punch not wine?! I would encourage no separation of church and wine. Give me my wine with my cracker !
Should there be separation of church and other foods? I would enjoy your comments.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Republican Party or Tea Party?
I've watched with interest this past year as the Republican Party seems to be morphing into the Tea Party. I find it hard to distinguish the two. What bugs me is if I'm going to vote for someone with a R in front of their name, I don't really know if that means the GOP I grew up with or the newly formed "Tea Party"? I can't tell anymore ! Unfortunately for them, that means I'm now more inclined to consider the D candidate. At least I know what I'm voting for in that circumstance.
I don't like the Tea Party. I find them ignorant and hysterical, unreasonable, unyielding, unfriendly, and uninformed. UnAmerican. They have latched onto a philosophy of "my way or the highway" mentallity that is very dangerous in these divisive times. They villify anything they don't like as a tool of the "liberal" media, which is such a lazy way to view the world. They see conspiracy in every new scientific revelation. Most of all, they endeavor will all their heart, and all their soul and all their mind that Obama will be voted out of office. In fact, that's all they really do "think" about.
So, the old reliable Republican party is no longer something I can count on. This recent primary election has been more of a tug of war between the GOP and this cancer within itself. The entire primary election season has been nothing but a parade of "flavors of the month", each one simply not quite as stupid as the previous. The only candidate with the right experience and interest in American business, Mitt Romney is disliked by this "Tea Party/Republican Party" because he doesn't fit their mold of the ideal candidate; one who mistrusts science, panders to the religious extremes, and is openly hostile to all media except Fox news. What a total disgrace they've become. This Tea cancer is spreading fast and I have little faith in the future of the Republican party. What was once a magnificent organization that represented the individualistic and capitalist ideals of our country well is now a bumbling dunce stuck in the corner breathing through its mouth with spittle on its angry little chin mumbling about Obamacare.
In My Humble Opinion,
Chuck Marshall
p.s. If you enjoyed this at all, I'd appreciate it if you clicked an ad on my blog... here to your right... just click it, you don't have to buy anything.... . I need the money.
I don't like the Tea Party. I find them ignorant and hysterical, unreasonable, unyielding, unfriendly, and uninformed. UnAmerican. They have latched onto a philosophy of "my way or the highway" mentallity that is very dangerous in these divisive times. They villify anything they don't like as a tool of the "liberal" media, which is such a lazy way to view the world. They see conspiracy in every new scientific revelation. Most of all, they endeavor will all their heart, and all their soul and all their mind that Obama will be voted out of office. In fact, that's all they really do "think" about.
So, the old reliable Republican party is no longer something I can count on. This recent primary election has been more of a tug of war between the GOP and this cancer within itself. The entire primary election season has been nothing but a parade of "flavors of the month", each one simply not quite as stupid as the previous. The only candidate with the right experience and interest in American business, Mitt Romney is disliked by this "Tea Party/Republican Party" because he doesn't fit their mold of the ideal candidate; one who mistrusts science, panders to the religious extremes, and is openly hostile to all media except Fox news. What a total disgrace they've become. This Tea cancer is spreading fast and I have little faith in the future of the Republican party. What was once a magnificent organization that represented the individualistic and capitalist ideals of our country well is now a bumbling dunce stuck in the corner breathing through its mouth with spittle on its angry little chin mumbling about Obamacare.
In My Humble Opinion,
Chuck Marshall
p.s. If you enjoyed this at all, I'd appreciate it if you clicked an ad on my blog... here to your right... just click it, you don't have to buy anything.... . I need the money.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Romney is the Ticket for the Presidency
On the eve of the Florida Primary, being a lifetime Floridian I felt compelled to issue a blog mentioning who I think should lead our country for the next 4 years, even though I cannot vote in the primary because I'm an Independent. (The state of Florida doesn't allow me to exercise my constitutional right ! Read all about it at this link. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-01-25/news/os-ed-letters-hydrilla-lake-apopka-012512-20120124_1_hydrilla-school-closings-lake-toho See the second title; "Closed primary encourages the same old gridlock". Yes, my friends CMHO has been pulished again ! )
As you have probably gathered from my title, it's Mitt Romney that I support for the Florida Primary. I am endorsing Romney for the Republican nomination and for the Presidency if he is the Republican nominee. If the Republican is another person or if there is no other Independent alternative, I will have to do some thinking. Why Romney? I think his experience in the business world and his success running the Olympics as well as administrative experience as governor of Massachusettes make him very well suited to the position. In addition, he is clean. I really cannot imagine any scandal befalling Romney. Finally, I see him as being very open to "negotiating" with the Democrats when it is necessary. No more of this moronic "no compromise" attitude from the mouth breathing right wing of the Republican party. We need action, not 2 more years of goofy, childish bickering.
Gingrich? I could never vote for Newt Gingrich for the presidency, EVER ! I think he is a crook, an adulterer, a liar, a lobbyist (lowest of lows) and he says whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear. He is more than your typical politician... he's a slimy, no good Washington insider with whom all who worked with have nothing but bad things to say about him. They say he was a terrible manager, a terrible leader, he was a disgrace to the Republican party. He lies about Reagan being a "buddy" of his, he lies about his record as a Congressman, he lies about his relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for whom he was paid $1.5 Million to "help" them get influence in Washington. He speaks of getting our country back on track when he is, quite literally, one of the people who was directly responsible for the Real Estate collapse of the last 4 years. I find it ironic that the Tea Party is still the one group of people that actually considers him because he is EXACTLY what is wrong with our government today. He is slime. He is seepage. He's a toad, a troll, a disgrace to the election event. OK. Maybe not that bad, but Lord he isn't good.........
So, vote for Mitt Romney he has the presence, the intelligence, the determination, the experience and the ability to get our country united again... and boy does he want the job.
Mitt Romney, you're hired !
In My Humle Opinion,
Chuck Marshall
As you have probably gathered from my title, it's Mitt Romney that I support for the Florida Primary. I am endorsing Romney for the Republican nomination and for the Presidency if he is the Republican nominee. If the Republican is another person or if there is no other Independent alternative, I will have to do some thinking. Why Romney? I think his experience in the business world and his success running the Olympics as well as administrative experience as governor of Massachusettes make him very well suited to the position. In addition, he is clean. I really cannot imagine any scandal befalling Romney. Finally, I see him as being very open to "negotiating" with the Democrats when it is necessary. No more of this moronic "no compromise" attitude from the mouth breathing right wing of the Republican party. We need action, not 2 more years of goofy, childish bickering.
Gingrich? I could never vote for Newt Gingrich for the presidency, EVER ! I think he is a crook, an adulterer, a liar, a lobbyist (lowest of lows) and he says whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear. He is more than your typical politician... he's a slimy, no good Washington insider with whom all who worked with have nothing but bad things to say about him. They say he was a terrible manager, a terrible leader, he was a disgrace to the Republican party. He lies about Reagan being a "buddy" of his, he lies about his record as a Congressman, he lies about his relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for whom he was paid $1.5 Million to "help" them get influence in Washington. He speaks of getting our country back on track when he is, quite literally, one of the people who was directly responsible for the Real Estate collapse of the last 4 years. I find it ironic that the Tea Party is still the one group of people that actually considers him because he is EXACTLY what is wrong with our government today. He is slime. He is seepage. He's a toad, a troll, a disgrace to the election event. OK. Maybe not that bad, but Lord he isn't good.........
So, vote for Mitt Romney he has the presence, the intelligence, the determination, the experience and the ability to get our country united again... and boy does he want the job.
Mitt Romney, you're hired !
In My Humle Opinion,
Chuck Marshall
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)