Friday, February 6, 2009

Random Thoughts

ROCHESTER - So much is going on now that my head is spinning. Well, not really, but that doesn't mean I want to write lengthy articles about stuff. Sometimes a comment or two is plenty. Besides, I can get pretty wordy and or over dramatic if I start to get into something.

1. PAETEC scales back plans - Yes, again. This time, though, the City has suggested they reuse a building instead of building anew. A new HQ would be better, but can't knock filling already built empty space.

2. Stimulus Package falters - Not surprisingly, the Republicans are looking to score some much needed points by trying to nit pick this thing. It is refreshing they want that oversight after years of rubber stamping Bush, but is now the time?

3. Governor Paterson can't catch a break - No surprise here, but for years New Yorkers have been telling their politicians to tell it like it is. Our Governor does, and now everyone hates him. I still like him. He can have my vote any day.

4. Polar Plunge! Sunday, February 8th at noon at Charlotte. One of the few outdoor organized events in the city in the winter. Plus it is to benefit the Special Olympics!

5. Of course, we offer our thoughts and prayers to Officer Anthony DiPonzio. We pray for a full and speedy recovery.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Pot Is Gateway Drug - Gateway To Gold!

ROCHESTER - Our reigning Greatest Athlete Ever, Michael Phelps, has gotten into trouble out of the pool again. No surprise there. He is from Baltimore, which is not exactly Mayberry. Plus he went to Michigan, so he is a jackass. But let's get real. A 23 year old smoked up out of a bong. Yes, real shocking. Like I implied, he went to college (well, he went to Michigan). So he is like everyone else that has been to college and probably has smoked some weed. Big deal. Marijuana should be legal anyway.
The arbitrary puritanical approach in our country is ludicrous at best. Smoking cigarettes is legal. Alcohol is legal. Is marijuana worse or more dangerous than those two? Studies show that nicotine and alcohol are more addictive than thc, the active ingredient in weed. Some studies even show that caffeine is more addictive than thc. Smoking tobacco is being restricted more and more each day. Which is fine. When one person's bad habits negatively affect another's health, it is wrong. Which is why if you do anything bad while drunk, you are punished more severely than if sober. Why can't weed be regulated the same way? Yes, it can mess you up. So can 3 pitchers of beer at your local bar.
Back to our Golden Boy, the man with the plan, the prince of the pool, the normal 20-year old. You can be sad if you want. You can think he is a poor role model if you want. You are likely a hypocrite anyway. I hope it turns out that he is a total stoner and has been since he was 15. Many successful people (and that is the Madison avenue, cul-de-sac suburbia model of success) partake in a little fun sometimes. Some may even smoke up on a regular basis, the same way many of you have a cocktail after work. Those evil smokers still hold down jobs, live in McMansions and drive Bimmers. You would like to think they wouldn't use a marijuana pipe (whatever that really is), but the fact is, the stuff is pretty much as harmless as a bottle of wine with dinner. So get over yourselves, and let King Michael Phelps, the Greatest Athlete (in our current attention span) lead to realize that marijuana should be legal, because how harmful could it be if someone destroying the worlds best in the pool for piles of gold uses it?