Ryan's Currently Unnamed Blog

Just when you thought it was safe, the monster prepares to take a second swipe at our freedoms.

We all heard about the Superbowl halftime show and Howard Stern, and everything else that might be objectionable to someone and the drastic steps that the FCC is taking to protect us, the helpless citizens of this country. But apparently it doesn't end at profanity or nudity. Next up is Violence.

Yes, we have been through this dance before and the result was the V-Chip. Now, they are gearing up to investigate violence and I gotta believe that they aren't going to find that everything is just fine.

Stay tuned, this oughta get interesting.

Today's Fun Fact:
Aspirin would never have made it to the market if it was required to get today's FDA's approval.

I highly recommend Mary Ruwart's book Healing Our World (1993 version available for free online). The book takes a very critical look at the actual results of our attempts to make the world a better place.

Unfortunately, this story is not unique. Aspirin deforms the unborn young of almost every animal species but humans (31) and could not be marketed today if it had to go through FDA evaluations as a new drug! Penicillin, digitalis, and fluroxene might have met a similar fate, (32) costing thousands upon thousands of lives. Many more lives have probably been lost by the aggression of licensing laws than have been saved.

References 31 and 32 on her website.

Everyone knows that when you run for public office, you are put up to public scrutiny. That is, if you are a Republican or a Democrat. Normally they don't bother with anyone else because they are irrelevant. And, in the past couple elections, they have been right.

This year, things are different. Some stories have already broken reporting about Michael Badnarik executing his rights to protest.

Read more!

So, I'm out with some friends celebrating our independence and it seems quite ironic that on the way home I'm greeting with a nice little roadblock.

Literally.

Our friendly Lake County Sheriff took it upon themselves to stop every single car along a 4 lane divided highway. So, I'm forced off the road to drive through a parking lot with these blindingly bright lights. I quietly wait my turn to get to the head of the line. An officer approaches my car with a flashlight, and I open my window enough to talk to him. He tells me that they are conducting a 'safety check' and tells me to open my window further. I oblige and he proceeds to stick his flashlight into my car. I ask him what kind of 'safety check' requires him to look through the backseat of my car, and he gets very short with me and asks to see my driver's license and registration. I reluctantly start getting my papers for him to look at while I ask him what that has to do with 'safety'. He never answers.

I roll my window back up while he walks away for a little while, meanwhile several other officers are walking around my car. I note that in total, there was about 10 people directing traffic, 2 people inspecting my car, the officer I spoke to, and about 5-10 other people sitting around doing nothing. These people were sitting next to a large Lake County Sheriff vehicle wearing latex gloves. Somehow I think they are looking for more then to see if I'm wearing my seatbelt. Luckily, my paper's were in order, and the officer returned to my car to return my papers.

I'm just glad that I'm white, speak English well, didn't have anything to drink at all (lest I have any sent of alcohol about me), not on any terrorist watch lists, was wearing my seat belt, and paid off the state for the privilege of owning a car for the year.

So... I'm 'free' for another day and only managed to have about 15 minutes of my day wasted. I can only imagine how much they paid those officers for overtime, holiday, late night work.

So, I have a craving. I don't have this craving often. But, when I do, I head out to Burger King for Tacos.

Yes... That's right Tacos at Burger King. Not having Jack in the Box in the Chicago market, these tacos were a throwback to childhood. And... it was good.

Further investion needs to take place to see if this is a local thing to my local Burger King, if its just the franchises around here.

For the love of all that is holy, bring em back!