IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

Just looking around to see if anybody stopped by to make a comment.  Paladin has been in hibernation and hasn't taken the time to update this blog.   I've given up a great deal what with Obama's reelection and the general direction of the country.  I used to be motivated to write but, I guess the reality (or depression) of the whole situation just wore me down. 
I realized that there were so many writers much greater than me, who couldn't make anything happen, how would I have any chance.
I really don't have too much hope left in this country.  I've come to the conclusion that most everything is a lie.  The government, the corruption, the violence, drugs, mass-killings, terrorism etc., have taken over.  The tiny little voice of Paladin is but, a grain of sand in the Universe.  Let's just do the right thing and Nuke ourselves. 
Not that anyone reads this nonsense but, I don't know when I'll get back around to this site again but, I invite anyone who stumbles on this to read some of the past stuff I wrote while I was motivated and still had some hope.  Goodnight Mrs. Cavendish, wherever you are!

GOOD LUCK

• 
  

This is a chain post.  If you stumble on this post, forward it to ten of your friends within 24 hours and good things will start happening to you almost immediately. 

Have a Happy New Year. 

THEY PASSED IT, NOW WE ARE SEEING WHAT'S IN IT...............................AND IT AIN'T PRETTY

It's What We're Doing

Now that Obamacare is the law of the land and our worthless government is trying to implement it, more and more is coming out about the disaster that this all is.  With government expanding to epic proportions, wealth distribution a common practice and the Constitution rarely followed, you can't help but wonder how much longer this great republic can take before it collapses under it's own weight.  
The beginning of the end is upon us.  No, I'm not "the sky is falling" kind of guy but, what's happening in this country is tragic and it's amplified because I have to be here to watch it happen.  
It's so hard to believe that would could elect someone a shallow, weak-minded and uninspiring as Obama.  There used to be a time when you could count on the majority of Americans to do the right thing for the country but, now, that is no longer the case.   On behalf of myself and my generation, I would like to apologize to my kids and grandkids generation for allowing this to happen.  I hope you all know I tried to prevent it. 

IT'S BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE MY LAST

POST.  It seems things have been flying right along.  The country is getting in worse shape each day.  Obamacare is just around the corner and soon its oppressive foot will be on our throats.  The country is being overrun by illegals and our worthless Congress is looking to give them citizenship.  Our politicians only care about themselves and their own and the rest of us "bottom feeders" continue to get trampled.  The only thing that could change our course is a Revolution and I don't think the Fat Cat American citizenry, have the balls or stomach for it.  
Well, Paladin is going to fade back out of the blogosphere for a while again in hopes that someone starts giving a shit about what is going on in America.  Good bye for now, see you all on the uptick. 

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

I've been on hiatus for a good while now and at this time still can't find the motivation necessary to get back into writing on here on a more consistent basis.  I've always felt that to do this right, you have to be into it so you can write some quality stuff.  I hope if you come upon this post you will leave a comment or two to make your visit known.  Feel free to look back through the many previous posts and tell me what you think.  There may be a time down the road when I'll get back to this blog but, it's not going to be today.  

OBAMA'S CABINET IS THE EQUIVALENT OF MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

The more people that Obama appoints to his cabinet and the more the names come out like Kerry, Hagel etc.,  the more it appears that we will be served by the starting line-up of the Toledo Mud Hens, instead of the starting line-up of the New York Yankees.
The country deserves better than this but, let's face it, with this "Bush"  league (ha-ha) president, we shouldn't expect much more. 
In a perfect world it would be critical to have the best of the best in these important positions but, the recent elections have shown us that the American people don't mind putting woefully inadequate people in charge of the country.  This is a perfect example of you get what you deserve.  All we have left to save the country from these Bozos and their destructive policies, is prayer. 

RUNNING ON EMPTY

I haven't posted for several weeks and I thought I'd stop by to explain.  Basically, I've just run out of juice for the time being on the Paladin's Square Blog.  With the election results being as they were, I have to admit it's taken some of the wind out of my sails and add that to the fact that I really never was able to build up much of an audience here, I've decided to limit my posting to one or two a month.  It doesn't seem like it's worth the time and effort when you don't have many chances for discussion of one's posts or much  interest in what I'm saying on here. 
I accept the blame because I realize that many times my effort was not the greatest but, it's tough to keep pushing on when nobody is interested.  I would even have appreciated some anti-Paladin comments but, I couldn't even drum up any of those.  
I think when we bloggers write we like to think our words are golden and will draw reaction from readers.  I guess it helps to know how to run a blog a lot better that I do.  I just like to write but not necessarily work hard enough to push the blog out there.  Just bad at that part I guess.   At one point I had three separate blogs going and I think that helped me burn out a lot faster. I have pretty much shut down my local blog and I am now toning this one down significantly so I can put more focus on my Satire Blog.  

To the couple of people who stopped by here on occasion over the past few years,  thanks.  I would ask that you keep me in mind and maybe check back when you have time as I will be on here a couple of times a month (I hope).  I will still be scouring the net and making comments on blogs and websites and working on my other site a bit more,

WASHINGTON D(espicable) C(harlatans)

The despicable actions of our so called leaders in Washington continue to escalate in their frequency and impact.
The damage that is being done to this country will be long standing, destructive and beyond our ability to fully  comprehend it in the present. 
Future generations will pay dearly for the stupidity and recklessness of both Democrat and Republican members of Congress, especially the leadership.  Most recently, the disgraceful handling of the so called, "fiscal cliff" by waiting until the very last minute to pass a bill no one had the opportunity to read, is beyond pathetic.  
The utter nonsense of dreaming up a buzzword and planting it into the heads of people, just a couple months prior, shows just how little these career hacks are concerned about the  good of the country or the Constitution for that matter.  Of course, why worry when the citizenry pays such little attention to much of anything that is going on and is better able to sing verbatim, the lyrics to a Korean rap song, than their own National Anthem.
The leaders of this country have lost it.  They are nothing more than dictators in suits and dresses who impose their version of America down the throats of the rest of us.  Talk about the 1%.  They are quite clever, and able to use a willing media, to continually pull the wool over the eyes of the populace.  How is it that any true Americans can support and defend the actions of any of these clowns.  Wake up Americans, you are in a dream world.  You are being fleeced time and again by these people.   Soon this American Governmental Ponzi Scheme will collapse on us. 

RESISTING CHANGE

I've really been resisting change for quite some time and pride myself in going against the grain.  Part of the reason is I hate to be manipulated, coerced or forced into doing something I don't want to do.  From the time I was young I always wanted to be doing the opposite of what everyone else was doing or what others expected. 
Lately, a lot of my resistance has been in the area of technology.  I'm  rebelling a great deal against "Smartphones" and TV services subscriptions, because I truly hate how they have pushed us into a corner and are forcing us to get in line with their products and practices.  Whether it's satellite television, forcing us into buying tons of channels I'll never watch or the cell phone companies that now make us buy mega-bytes of airtime , and pay a fee every month just to have access to the line.  I'm really tired of it. It would be very easy to just fall in line with what is going on but, I'm holding out.  We are stooges, easily manipulated and led around by the ring in our noses and it just pisses me off.  So screw you Verizon, AT&T, Direct TV,  Dish and all the rest. 

THOUGHTS ON ANOTHER YEAR CLOSING FAST

As I sit here and ponder the passing of another year of my life into history I have to admit I've become very reflective and appreciative of the past.  I've actually been this way much of my life and I'd like to think I've always been thankful for the people who have played a role in my life over the years.  Some of those people have been around for a long time, some for a short time and I can say truthfully, I really try to appreciate all of them.  I think a great deal about how we tend to forget people from our distant past and concentrate only on people in our present.   I am determined to remember all, regardless of their influence.  Elementary and High School classmates, people I met in college, those I've worked with, coached with, played with, attended church and Sunday school with, and those in my life right now.  
For the past several years I've been going to the funeral home to visit parents of my high school friends, old teachers, and former neighbors.  I've made up my mind not to forget those folks, even though I haven't had contact with many of them for years.  I am determined to remember that at some time in my life, at some specific point of my existence, these people interacted with me and had an impact on my life.  I don't think that should be forgotten.  My old second grade teacher, a high school friend's parents, my old neighbors from the street I grew up on.  They all were important to me at some point.  Maybe for a short time, maybe for a long time but, either way, they were important.  I just don't think people like that should be forgotten.  
My suggestion to anyone reading this, is for you to sit down and remember the good times in your life and the people who were there with you.  Maybe your 7th grade buddy's mom, who fed you when you came over to play or, that old teacher who taught you to read or gave you a pat on the back when you needed it, or any of a hundred other people who happened to be sharing the Earth with you in this brief flicker we call life.  Think about them, appreciate them and if they still happen to be around call or visit them.  Life is extremely short and in the realm of cosmic time, we are only here for a flash and then we are gone.  Appreciate those you were lucky enough to exist with.  Make them part of your thoughts.  Enjoy the memories, find a way to acknowledge them, then take a few moments to reflect. 

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS....PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS

Before I start let me say that I am not an overly religious person and don't profess to be anything more than spiritual but, I do have an observation I've noticed on the TV coverage of these various shootings in the news lately.  
Why is it that people will deny God all  year long, in every form yet, when there is a tragedy like the shooting in Newtown  Connecticut every public official and media member on TV is constantly spouting off with the disingenuous comment, "I'd like to offer my/our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families?"  Why is it suddenly OK to acknowledge God but, only at a time when it serves one's interest?  Let's face it, most of the media, politicians and other talking heads could care less when God is denigrated all year long yet, when it serves their interests, they suddenly want to appear politically correct and they offer us these hollow statements.
The same thing happens during Christmas.  They like to play to the masses and as soon as the time passes, they move on back to their Anti-Christian behavior. 

SCREWY LOCAL NEWS

Is everyone noticing how stupid local news is becoming?  I know the dumbing down of everything in this country is going on but, it is really noticable on the local news.  They run  the most annoying teasers all day long pitching their "upcoming news stories" in a desperate attempt to draw viewers.  Unfortunately, their "news" is really not new, nor is it very informative or thought provoking.  They make mention of some local crimes, then it deteroiates from there.  Next is usually a story about a dog or cat that has been abused,  or some local person who is running in a charity race.  That is followed by a story about a bridge being demolished in China.  Then the grand finale is about how a couple met and had their first date at a local amusement park.  Of course there is also the obligatory ten minute weather forecast ( which appears aimed at panicking people) and the sports report.  Usually their version of "the news" has been out on the internet all day or in some cases, a couple of days.  All in all, it's pretty much a waste of time.  I quit watching consistantly a few years back.  Meanwhile there are major events of historical importance that go totally unreported or are just briefly mentioned so there is more time for the really stupid (non-story) stories. 
It shouldn't be any surprise that this ocurring.  It mirrors the deline in American Culture.

WE DON'T NEED EDUCATION REFORM....WE NEED FAMILY REFORM

It seems like you can't go a day without hearing about education reform.  I think what we really need is family reform.  Over the last 30 or 40 years the American Family has been under attack.  The attacks have been carried out in many ways.  Methods used to subvert the family have been carried out on TV,  in magazines,  and in the entertainment industry as a whole.  It has been slow and subtle but, very effective.  There has been a general decay and it continues today.  We are influenced to consider "the modern family" normal.  Now it's "partners" and more and more single parent shows, show with openly gay characters and shows that demean men in every possible way.  The TV dad is now a weak, incompetent buffoon, incapable of being responsible for his family.  Women are continually elevated to positions of toughness and manliness beyond reality.  Now in the cop shows a woman can use her karate skills to take out one two or even more men in hand to hand combat. 
It just never ends.  The family is portrayed as a scattered , non-unified group of individuals, each making it on their own, without much coheasion. 
Once upon a time the Cleavers sat at the dinner table and dealt with all the issues of the day.  Dad came home from work to a meal and he dispensed the wisdom and strength to make the family function.  Now dad is shown as weak (if at all) and mom is a working lady who keeps in touch with the kids on a cell phone.  What a mess we have made of our county and its once greatness.  What a mess. 

PHONE ADDICTS

What's up with the idiotic obsession we are developing with our cell phones (smart phones)?  Sitting at the mall today I was noticing how many people were walking through the place while talking on their phones.  Some of them were alone and engaged in heavy conversations with some invisible partner.  Others had people with them but, instead of talking to the other human walking alongside them, they too were more interested in the party at the other end of the phone.  
It's quite sad to see such a dependance on technology and the inability of folks to put down the cell phone, even for a little while, and be a little bit more human.  I don't know about you but, when I'm walking with someone I don't appreciate it when they are talking and talking with someone on a cell phone.   I realize there may be a need to take a call or make one but, not to be on the phone the whole time I'm walking with them.  Even more annoying are those self important folks who have a Bluetooth shoved in their ear and it looks like they are walking around talking to themselves.   When did we become so self important that we need be in constant communication?  I mean really constant, never ceasing communication.  It's crazy to sit and watch how people do this everywhere, all the time.   We are becoming controlled by this never ending, expanding technology.  It has infiltrated our lives so much that it is taking over people's ability to deal with other humans directly.  We don't want to see people face to face.  We would rather talk on a phone than sit with someone and sometimes we don't even want to do that, we would just rather text them.  So we don't even have to talk to them at all.  None of this is good for us as a society,  It's very much like a runaway train coming down the mountain.  We are just losing more and more of ourselves and our humanity.  Our choice of slavery is no longer to men but, to technology.

AMERICA HONOR THY VETERANS

Despite the disappointment of the recent election and the divisiveness of American politics today, one thing that most citizens should be able to come together on, is the need to recognize and honor those veterans who have served the nation in all wars.  From the Revolution to Iraq, many brave men and women have given of themselves in sacrifice to preserve whatever it is we have going on here, and it "ain't " too bad.  Thank you all for your service and sacrifice. 

TIC TIC TIC AMERICA

Time Is Running Out.  The Choice is Ours

 "The time has come," the Walrus said,     
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

-Lewis Carroll  (The Walrus and the Carpenter)
                                                                     --from Through the Looking-Glass 1872



Which way America?  Left or Right?  Right or Wrong?  Saint or Sinner?  Real or Fake?   It's time to choose.  "Sh*t or get off the pot as they say.  I guess we'll find out what kind of country we are and want to be in the future.   

AMERICA'S STUPIDEST MAYOR

Um What can I screw up next?

If there was any doubt about who might be the stupidest mayor in America there isn't any more. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has pushed himself to the top of the stupidest list with his decision to hold the NY Marathon despite the horrible devastation of Hurricane Sandy.  Apparently, he doesn't think diverting critical resources and supplies is a bad idea.  It's hard to imagine a thought process that would lead someone to make decisions this idiotic.  Then he follows up that disgusting decision with a ringing endorsement of Barack Obama for president.  Talk about a double whammy!  
When you throw in his battles regarding soda sizes, and rationalization of global warming, he is miles ahead of any competition for the stupidest mayor in his country. 
Word is just coming across that "officials" in the city are discussing the possibility of the race still being cancelled but, I can guarantee if it happens, it's only because of the angry response he is getting from around the country, or the fact that he is getting a ton of pressure from within his administration, not because he suddenly developed some intelligence of his own.

ELEVATING NIXON TO SAINTHOOD

Looks Like A Saint in Comparison

After all the garbage being pulled off by the current President and the rest of his incompetent administration I don't think anyone can ever think of Richard Nixon the same way.  With the ongoing lies, dodging of questions and outright disgraceful actions of Obama and his gang of henchmen, it's pretty evident that if the mainstream media went after him with even one-tenth of the effort they went after Nixon during the Watergate Era, Obama would have already been impeached and tossed out of office.
Nixon was a saint compared to this guy.  He may have covered up a misdeed to protect his friends,  not the right thing to do but, what appears to be going on now with the Benghazi Terrorist Attack and the information coming out regarding how our diplomats and countrymen were abandoned at the embassy by our dear leader is an absolute national disgrace and Obama and his administration should be held liable for their inaction.
No one should ever again say anything negative about Nixon's actions.  They pale in comparison to the in-actions of Obama.   Remember no one died as a result of Watergate.  The same can't be said of Obama's role in Libya. 

THE WIDEST GAP IN AMERICA

I'm beginning to believe the widest gap in America is not between rich and poor, as we hear about so much.  I think the gap is more about smarts than it is anything else.  As I watch the news, TV,  and observe people I see in my everyday life, I am becoming much more awed by the sheer stupidity of so many Americans/people in America, that it scares me.  We, as a society,  have become so "dumbed down" , uninvolved, uncaring and just plain stupid, it makes me wonder how we can survive into the future.
Yes, I know there are still lots of smart people out there.  Yes I know many are smarter than me.  Yes I know it's not you either (since you are smart enough to be reading this).  Let me start with how this election and the many "man on the street interviews" and the comments by many who support the candidates (especially Obama) have convinced me beyond a doubt that I'm right about this.  Did you ever listen to some of these clueless dingbats?  It you haven't, listen a bit closer to how clueless many of them are.  They speak in generalities, give answers that make no sense or that are based solely on emotion and not intelligence.  There is no thinking or forethought in their responses, nor do they show any grasp of facts or reality.  "I'm voting for Obama cuz he gonna give me a check," shouted one loon.  "I'm gonna vote for Obama cuz he gonna make Welfare better.  Or you hear the ones that attempt to address an issue but, have no understanding of what they are talking about, so as to make their answers as brainless as can be.  And on in goes in American politics.  NO wonder the candidates bank on just fooling people all the time.  They don't have to worry about  being straight up with a large portion of this population.
Of course this intelligence gap goes on in many other areas of our lives.  How can intelligent people watch the Kardashians, Jersey Shore or Honey Boo-Boo?  The entertainment industry was lost long ago but, it seems to be getting worse.  So much TV is just lowbrow garbage yet, the ratings for a lot of this sh*t are through the roof.  It's depressing to think how far we've fallen from the days of our grandparents, who looked at life a bit more seriously.  Yes I know, sometimes too much so but, despite not having a higher level degree, they never allowed themselves to become as stupid as many are today.
Did you ever watch  the Jaywalking portion of the Tonight Show?  Then you certainly know how dumb people can be.  
Our culture is being threatened, turned upside down, if you will, by our lack of smarts, our dumbing down by choice mentality and our lack of interest in smartening up.  This will only serve to hasten our demise.

OBAMA BIN LADEN HAS A NICE RING TO IT

Last night's debate moderator, Bob Scheiffer, made a slip of the tongue that was immediately picked up by most every news outlet, newspaper and blog in the county. His goof was to call Osama Bin Laden, OBAMA Bin Laden.   This isn't the first time we've heard this slip up by folks in the media.  It was just an honest mistake and I don't think Scheiffer got raked over the coals for it, nor should he.  Sometimes you just say something wrong that you don't mean to say.  I'm giving him a mulligan on this because I don't believe it was intentional nor preplanned.  
I wonder however, how it would  have been played by the rest of the media, had the comment come from a more conservative source like Rush Limbaugh or Allen West.  I would be willing to bet they would be crucified.  Just goes to show the state of politics and the media in this country today.  There is truly, without a doubt, a double standard.