Halfacent Hideaway

We The People - America Speaks

2010-10-23T17:48:00.010-05:00

This past Saturday, I found myself immersed in non-partisan democracy, for the first time in my fifty-one years.

There was a moderate turn-out today, and I think maybe publicity (or lack thereof) may be to blame. At any rate, it was quite a positive experience for all, including me.

I didn't even know about, much less than I was going to this event, until last night! My friend, Chad Gesser had sent me an invite, via Twitter. I had to look it up, just to see what he was talking about!

There were, according to organizer estimate, about 350 in attendance, down from about 600 in 2007. There appeared to only be one tv news team covering, WTVW FOX7 Evansville, which was also disappointing.

The tables were all designated as focus groups, and through table discussions, and electronic voting, agenda items were developed. From that point, it became a very organized process, with a facilitator, and a designated laptop pc operator that captured ideas, and entered them into the America Speaks database. Pretty slick operation.

The four of us, Myself, Chad, Jessie Schartung, and Michelle Montalvo were live-blogging/tweeting photos, and comments throughout. We basically just did our best to blend-in, and try to report without getting in the way. Then, two days later WFIE-14 files this report. By the time 14's story ran, it was ICE COLD. In my humble opinion, if they can't put a reporter on it for two days, leave it.

Bluegrass & Breakfast

2009-04-02T09:13:00.001-05:00

SATURDAY, APRIL 4
7:30am BUS TOUR to Bill Monroe's Homesite - Rosine, KY. Bus leaves RiverPark Center, stops at Windy Hollow for buffet breakfast and entertainment and then on to Rosine (leaves restaurant at 8:30am). Bus Tour tickets are $40 per person and include the buffet breakfast, tour, and entertainment. Tours last approximately 3.5 hours.
More details, call:
(270)785-4088

What's in a name?

2008-12-17T12:11:00.001-06:00

Plenty. What's wrong with people that would name their babies after some of the worst people who ever lived?

OJ Goes To Prison

2008-12-05T19:33:00.003-06:00

Sorry, but this time justice will be served. By the way, Elvis wants his glasses back.

McCain wants a cabinet post...

2008-12-01T06:15:00.002-06:00

...and it seems he'll do anything to get it!

2008-11-30T13:07:00.003-06:00

A most excellent breakfast meet-up at Windy Hollow Restaurant. Owensboro Twitterites meeting for the first time IRL: (Me)@halfacent, @nedrubwerd, @tatrtalk, & @a20s.

remember....

2008-11-24T06:01:00.001-06:00

It hasn't been that long! This was in September when Hurricane Ike came through.

Josh Rickard - next Nashville star?

2008-11-23T14:26:00.000-06:00

Mr. Rickard entertained a modest sized audience at the "Crazy Scorpion" in Owensboro on Nov. 21st.

I kid you not!

2008-11-02T09:42:00.000-06:00

It's unbelievable what some people will take as the truth. The following is from an actual Letter to the Editor of the Owensboro (Ky) Messenger-Inquirer, which was purportedly taken from an NRA publication:

Obama wants to take away your firearms
The following was printed in the September issue of NRA Rifleman magazine:
Barack Obama’s 10- Point Plan to “Change” The Second Amendment:
1. Ban use of firearms for home defense.
2. Pass federal laws eliminating your right-to-carry.
3. Ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.
4. Close down 90 percent of the gun shops in America.
5. Ban rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.
6. Increase federal taxes on guns and ammunition by 500 percent.
7. Restore voting rights for 5 million criminals including those who have been convicted of using a gun to commit a violent crime.
8. Expand the Clinton semi-auto ban to include millions more firearms.
9. Mandate a government-issued license to purchase a firearm.
10. Appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court and federal judiciary who share his views on the Second Amendment.
Those who like hunting and the various shooting sports or have children or grandchildren who might want to engage in a long tradition in this country or might want to posses a firearm to protect their family should take heed and vote accordingly.
If you think it can’t happen in America, just look at the United Kingdom and Australia. The powers that be have taken all their firearms away.

More American pride. Makes me want to move out.

2008-10-18T17:37:00.000-05:00

Free eye exams? Yes!

2008-10-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

I got this from Kim Komando, and it's certainly worth repeating!

Find free eye exams

You work hard and pay your bills. But sometimes you need a little help getting by.

Maybe your employer doesn't provide vision insurance. Or, maybe you don't qualify because you work part-time.

VISION USA is here to help! It provides free basic eye health services for those who are uninsured and low-income.

Eligibility requirements vary from state to state. But, generally, one member of your household must be working. You cannot have had an eye exam in two years.

To get started, complete an application. You'll be matched with a volunteer doctor of optometry.

You'll pay nothing for your eye exam. And, in some states, you may receive eyeglasses at no cost or for a small fee.

Know someone who could benefit from VISION USA? Forward this to them now! They'll appreciate the extra help.

http://www.aoa.org

Republicans playing the fear card

2008-10-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess it's officially over, Obama won. But wait! It's still only October?!? Somebody better tell the Republicans they still have a chance, since they're resorting to personal attacks, and trying to frighten people into voting for their candidates.

Dirt Scoreboard

2008-10-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

With accusations flying around faster than anyone can possibly keep up, here's a great article that sums-up all the claims in one place!

2008-10-10T17:17:00.000-05:00

Southern Baptists back Palin despite view on women's role

2008-10-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

Excuse me, but can you help me? I'm trying to find the definition to the following word:

Irony

I'm having a little trouble understanding a policy that states, not in so many words, that "A woman can run the White House, just not her own house."

Must-See-TV!

2008-10-01T05:11:00.000-05:00

I'll admit it, not only did I forget to watch the first presidential debate, I didn't want to remember it either. I was too busy watching my car rust. However, I will be glued to the set Thursday for the vice presidential debate! After Katie Couric outed Sarah Palin as a complete airhead, I can't wait to see her go down in flames, and McCain's campaign as well.

Bright Horizons?

2008-09-22T05:23:00.000-05:00

As I sit here in the pre-dawn hours of yet another Monday, I have decided to set aside my contemplations of who I will vote for in the coming election. My brother will probably tell you he never had any doubts about my choice, but I really did.

This country needs, in my opinion, a hurricane relief effort of, enormous proportions. The United States of America has been through the worst eight years of contemporary history. Not since the American Civil War has the country been so divided, by partisan politics. Not since the Great Depression, has the economy been so tattered. Not since the Vietnam War, has the U.S. been embroiled in an unpopular war, that showed no signs of ending. I could go on, but you get the picture.

Today's young people need to be inspired to kick this country in the seat of it's pants, and start the next revolution, like President Kennedy did back in the 1960's. These people are just what this country needs to be dragged into the situation, kicking and screaming if necessary, and put them to work solving this nation's problems. John McCain is not going to be that person that drives the kids off the couch, away from their video games, and put to work on something worthwhile.

I do like McCain. I would have voted for him in a previous election, or two. Alas, his time has come and gone. I have had plenty of misgivings about Barack Obama, but I have written most off as my own stereotypical demons, haunting me, and trying to scare me away from taking a chance on an unknown. This is a country who for the first dozen years or so, had presidents prancing around in powder wigs, and pantaloons! Now we're supposed to get all wobbly over a guy whose name is "foreign"? This country needs to get over that, and quickly.