A little catching up to do

A few things to cover, so stick with me.
A shout out to a friend of mine, Craig McCool, a reporter I met when I was with the Kalamazoo Gazette.
McCool ha been all over the news lately for reported misconduct while reporting and writing a story about beer pong.
Kind of a weird situation. I still think McCool is a great and ethical journalist. He made a mistake, and who hasn't done that.
I hope he gets a second chance and soon. He deserves one.
The debacle was covered in several places:
Poynter Institute columnist Romanesko
Editor & Publisher
Detroit Free Press
Wood TV
And that's just a sampling.
Being a journalist, I understand both sides of the issue. I wish I knew more than what was printed, but based on what I know, it just doesn't make much sense.
Apparently, there are a few people out there who feel the same way.
My best to you, McCool. I hope you're, well, cool.

In the big-boy world, Pres. Bush is spewing more GOP rhetoric about Social Security and oil.
Bush is still adamant about privatized accounts, but the Dem's still aren't sold on the idea. Can the word "compromise" be spoken in Washington?
As far as oil and fuel prices, Bush has proposed an energy bill that is supposed to make the U.S. more energy-independent.
Experts say the legislation is the same as that which he proposed four years ago, and takes no real steps toward making the country more self-sufficient.
One obvious problem is that Bush's plan is not the answer he is promoting it to be. The U.S. is sitting on about 3 percent of the world's oil but accounts for the daily consumption of about 25 percent.
Bush also talked about increased use of nuclear energy and liquid national gas.
Is my math bad, or is there something wrong here?

On the lighter side, a friend sent this link to me. Cool if you like mirages.

Bad weather, good day.

The weather sucked, but the boys were determined to have fun. It was about 28 degrees, windy and it was all kinds of wet snow. Miserable weather.
But there we was. The big blue engine, and it was awesome.
Michael said as much when he first saw the train:

"This is totally awesome!"

Anthony was a bit under the weather, but he was not about to miss the fun. He even got sick on the ride over, but he refused to quit. That kid is such a trooper.
Both of them are.
So they got to ride Thomas the Tank Engine, play with a whole bunch of Thomas stuff, and they even got their picture taken with Thomas.
It may have been a crappy day to be outside, but it was a great day to give to my boys. I think they enjoyed it.
I apologize for not having pictures yet. We have to download them, and frankly, I'm too tired.
Will post them soon, though.
Peace and love.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Day Out with Thomas

Tomorrow we're off to the Henry Ford Museum for a Day Out with Thomas. It's a total surprise for the boys, and I am SO excited to see the look on their faces when they first see that big, lovable blue train engine. A friend turned me on to the event, and I thought it was a great idea. Given my penchant for giving away secrets and surprises, I can't believe I've kept this one from them for a month.
After a day with Thomas -- which should tire the boys out beyond imagination -- we're heading to Uncle Tony's for a night of grilling and shenanigans.
I will report back and let you all know how it goes. I hope to have a few new pictures to post, as well.
Until then...
Choo! Choo!

FORE!

So, I've got a day off and I've done some golfing.
Let me quickly say, I'm not good, but I do enjoy the game.
I walked the back nine at Angels Crossing, and it was fantastic. Beautiful course, not many people there, and it was quiet.
I shot a 43: 6, 4, 6, 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, 5. Not bad for the second round of the year.
There are a few more courses I want to play this year:
The Medalist Golf Club
Yarrow
Eagle Eye
Hawk Hollow
I figure if I can play each of these courses once this summer, it will be a golfing success.
I think I might get Michael and Anthony a set of clubs, too. What could be more fun than golfing with my boys? At the very least, I will finally be the best golfer in the group... For a little while, anyway.

You missed me. Admit it.

It's been a while since I last blogged, so to the handful of loyal readers, I apologize.
the Bush administration has recently accused 15 states of improperly obtaining Medicaid money. According to officials, these particular states are using some fancy accounting to get more money than they are entitled to.
It's a New York Times article, so I don't know if you can get to it from here.
My question is, have the states been doing this with the fed's knowledge and the Bushites are trying to make themselves look better, or are these states really guilty of some impropriety?
Of course state people are claiming their innocence and Bush is crying "foul," but who's right? Will we ever know?
Perhaps this is a symptom of an excessively large and powerful government. If that's true, than every American eligible to vote needs to take responsibility for the situation they have contributed to.
In a Washington Post story, "Recent Washington Scandals Test 'Honesty Is the Best Policy'," by John F. Harris, the ability and willingness of our elected officials to come clean is called into question.
There is no doubt we, as citizens, have no need or use for all of the activities of the government. But each of us needs to examine our willingness to let our government use the authority we have granted to keep information away from us because it's "official government business" or "classified information."
Elected officials are charged with upholding the laws and representing the interest of their constituents when creating new policy.
Obviously the interests of 294 million people cannot be represented in every piece of legislation, but the interests of the majority HAVE to be while balancing the interests and rights of the minorities.
Americans are divided by countless boundaries: Political parties, race, religion, age and income, just to name a handful. There is no clear method for reaching popular consensus, so when politicians say they know what people want, they are stretching the truth at the very least.
It's time for every American who can to register to vote. One voice may not seem like much, but all those "just one" votes add up. We as a population can be a powerful political voice, and it's time we're heard.
Well, enough of that rant.
Here's something a little more fun.

Sad update

It's Friday, and that means tomorrow is Saturday. Nothing real important happening in Shrips-land, but I do want to pass my blessings on to Terri Schiavo and my condolences to her family.
That's just a bad deal all the way around. No winners there.
Pope John Paul II could use some prayer-power as well.
Celebrity deaths seem to come in threes, and Johnnie Cochran Jr. was the first.
Weird.