Retarded - Aren't We All A Little Bit?

This world is getting a little too politically correct and sensitive. This thing with the word retarded is getting a little out of hand. Now it is the "R-word" (to be made in comparison with the use of the "N-word".)

I will admit growing up that when you saw a person with Down's Syndrome or some other sort of developmental problem, you would refer to them as retarded. As a kid, there was nothing hurtful meaning behind the use of the word. I guess you can say it was the "way I was raised" (the same excuse that some individuals use who call black people nigger). [Just in case you missed it, that was a joke]. Don't want someone to write something on their Facebook page about me like Palin did regardng Rahm.

As a child, I didn't shy away from someone who had mental deficiencies. I think that was truly due my parents having some close friends that had a son who had cerebral palsy and in a wheelchair. So I got to see this first hand - not from a distance. Does that make me some sort of saint? Hell no.

Now Rahm Emanuel, the White House Chief of Staff, uses the term "fucking retard". I will admit that the context, on first look, does not shine a positive light on those with developmental disabilities. Rush Limbaugh, who has no sense of respectability in my book, is droning on and on and on and on and on (get the picture) about this. Yeah, it might have been inappropriate for Emanuel to say but it was in a "closed" strategy meeting and not a public forum. How many people have said things about other people behind closed doors and kept it to themselves in public? Not trying to excuse Rahm's tirade, just making a point. And if I am hearing right, this happened in August of 2009. Damn Rush, let it go like you did your prescription drug habit.



The rash of apologies have started. Rush wants to bash Rahm for using the word and now he is using it to describe Rahm's attempts to make it right with mental disability advocates by calling it a "retard summit at the White House". The fact that I am not mentally handicap (99% of the time) makes it hard for me to understand any kind of derogatory effect that the use of the term evokes so I can only speak for myself.

But since the apologies are making the circuit, I guess we are going to have to demand an apology from KJ and Da' Fellas (if they are still around). According to the Urban Dictionary, to get retarded is "to consume intoxicating alcohol or drugs to the point where you are incapable of verbally communicating past incoherent mumbles. Motor skills are also severely hampered thereby giving the overall impression of severe retardation."



According to the Webster's Dictionary, retarded (as an adjective) means "slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress." Come on! Haven't we all been there? Retard as a verb is "to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment [impede]" or "to delay academic progress by failure to promote".

Perhaps the idea Rahm was trying to get across regarding the strategy of liberal activists regarding the passage of a health care bill was "lost" in our overly sensitive being to make sure we don't hurt a class or section of people. But just think about the definition of the words, apply them to yourself or someone you know fairly well and ask yourself "aren't we all just a little retarded sometimes?"

Alabama - Still a Stereotype?

I was born in Alabama but for years I would not necessarily claim it. I would lean on the fact that my father was in the Army and we moved around the first 21 years of my life. I spent a lot of my childhood in Columbus/Fort Benning, Georgia because we seem to always get stationed there after my father had an tour of duty somewhere else.

My father's side of the family lives in Alabama and all I ever saw growing up is rural Pike County when I came to visit. I never saw Alabama as a bastion of economic wealth. I was a kid though and my most foremost thought was playing outside and as I got older - Girls! Girls! Girls! - Thanks Jay-Z.



But since I moved here in 1996, I see Alabama as a player in the not only the business world of the United States but also the world. I have since "embraced" the virtues of the State of Alabama and am proud to call myself an Alabamian. Of course those who do not reside here nor have even been here still have their stereotypes of Alabama. I am sure that some think that people might still have the mentality of "Old Alabama" in the era of Segregationist Wallace, Freedom Riders, and Bus Boycotts. I am sure that the image of people in overalls with snuff in their mouth with rebel flags flying from a pole in the back of their pickup truck pops in some people's head when you say Alabama. Or how about living in tin roof houses with no inside running water with barefoot kids covered with dirt? Watching the news last night, it seems that some people who are supposed to be open minded seem to still believe "Old Alabama" still exists.

United States Senator Patty Murray from Washington [state] certainly has the wrong idea of my state. Just a brief bit of history for those who do not know, the Air Force put out a bid to have a company to build a new fleet of refueling aircraft. Northrup Grumman won the contract and decided to build the aircraft in Mobile, Alabama. Boeing, a Washington state company, cried foul and said that bidding contest was flawed and the whole bid was thrown out. Of course, they would not have said anything if they had won the contract I am sure. She made a comment yesterday on the NPR show, "All Things Considered" that I found offensive as a worker in Alabama as should anyone that is gainfully employed and provide services for the citizens here (and the world). She is quoted as saying "I have stood on the line in Everett, Washington where we have thousands of workers who go to work every day to build these planes. I would challenge anybody to tell me that they've stood on a line in Alabama and seen anybody build anything."

For those who do not know, Alabama has made great strides to be a leader in manufacturing for the world. Hyundai in Montgomery; Mercedes in Vance; Toyota in Huntsville; and Honda in Lincoln are a few of the BIG BOYS that decided that Alabama was the place to build their products. Now some may say that just because you build cars, how does that relate to building planes. You may have a point but you also have to remember that the rockets that sent astronauts to the Moon were built in Alabama and now it is one of the centers for the new spacecraft coming online after the Space Shuttle is retired. If that doesn't show an ability to "flight", then you are a hard person to impress. So really I have only one thing to say to Senator Murray, don't talk about s%&t you have no knowledge about. It was an ignorant comment to make and it makes your constituents look ignorant for electing you to the US Senate.

Some other players in Alabama are GKN Aerospace in Tallassee; BAE Systems in Cordova, Huntsville, Anniston, and Albertville; and Austal USA in Mobile. The State of Alabama is full of manufacturers that touch different parts of the globe (just like some other states). From big to small items, there are different companies that touch every ones lives directly or indirectly. To make the claim that, we have nothing to offer as a state just shows how UN-informed Senator Murray is.

Senator Murray, why don't you take a trip to Alabama and see how wrong you are in regards to the value of our state and the hard work of our citizens. If you would like, give her a call, email her, or write her a letter. Click here for her contact information.

Tattered Tiger

Okay. You have all talked about it. You have all had your opinions. Here is one more.

Tiger Woods is hiding something. I like Tiger as much as the next person but KNOWING how the media and public crave information on celebrities, athletes, and any significant person in the world, he should just be up front and open regarding his "accident". I am not interested in his personal life.

I will have to say this - I never even knew the National Enquirer wrote a story about a possible affair with another woman BEFORE I came to the conclusion that there was more to the story of his "accident." If it is connected, then so be it. Not my concern.

There are those that say it is a personal matter so drop it. How is having a car accident with the driver going less than 30 miles per hour and running over a fire hydrant and ran into a tree a personal matter? How come there was a need to bust out windows to the rear of a Cadillac Escalade to pull someone out of the FRONT seat a personal matter? It happened on the street so therefore it is a public matter. Was there a malfunction of the car? Was he intoxicated? And most important, was there any domestic issues going on?

I am not hoping to see the man fall from grace. Far from it. And I am not hatin' because he got alotta dolla dolla bills. But just because you have money doesn't make you not accountable for your actions. Of course that is in a perfect world where everyone is treated the same.

If and I do say if there was a fight between them that escalated past words, someone needs to get some help. Both the victim and the accused. I could care less for the reason of any violence, if it occurred. Things that go unchecked can lead to something more deadly or sinister. Has anyone ever seen the series "Snapped" on the Oxygen newtork? I know women can be devious but Damn! It might makes you want to sleep with one eye open.

And again, I am only offering my opinion BASED on the pure lack of cooperation by the Woods family with law enforcement officials trying to investigate this incident. I understand that he is under no obligation to speak with law enforcement regarding the matter. He may not have done anything illegal but in the matter of public opinion he needs to do what a "normal" person would do to put the matter past him and his family.

The longer he delays speaking with police and the more cryptic messages that are release only prolongs the agony that he is trying to avoid. Also, the more clogged up my news day is filled with his mess instead of knowing how we are going to get out of Afghanistan or Iraq; will I be able to keep my job because the economy is getting better; or how am I going to pay for college for my daughter.

Opposite Reactions

Sorry for the long absence everyone. Just been extremely busy again but will try to do better. This is a short and sweet entry today.

I had a thought that had rattled around my head this morning. I had something happen to me today that when once revealed to someone else, I thought would garnered one reaction and got something totally opposite of how I would reacted in the same senario. In my further discussion, I guess it was implied that their reaction is not what I expected. When asked about their reaction, I didn't discuss it further because I wanted to make sure that I was not over-reacting to their reaction.


This made me think a moment about myself for a long moment. I truly consider myself a middle of the line thinking kind of guy (except when I need to think outside the box). So why was the reaction of that person so much different than mine? There are too many variables to consider in my assessment of the comparison - gender, racial background, religious background, life experience, and the list goes on and on.

It made me wonder if I am truly "normal" in my way of looking at any situation and how I should react. I understand that everyone is different but why did that stick out like that?

My New Title - Uncle

Sorry for the gaps between entries but I just haven't had the drive to post too many entries as of late. Hopefully after some peaks and valleys in my life smooth out into an even plain, I will get that drive again.

But there has been one significant change in my life. I have acquired the title of Uncle. My brother and his wife have brought a new Toney into the world, Kamden Walter Toney. Born on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:26 am. He is a little guy weighing 5 pounds and 6 ounces. There were a few complications but he is home safe and sound and getting stronger every day.

I never really thought that I would be an Uncle. Dwight, my baby brother, and I are getting up there in age where children were not an option anymore. I looked it up and of course everyone knows the main meaning of Uncle - the brother of one's mother or father or the husband of one's aunt. But the meaning that I take to heart is this - one who helps, advises, or encourages.

As children, my brother and I (only 4 years apart, well 3 years and 11 months), we were not the closest of siblings. It took us growing older and hopefully wiser to be close to each other. Even now, we are living in subdivision next to each other. I can drive through the neighborhood and get to his house in less than 90 seconds speeding.


My brother tells me now how much of an influence I had on him (now that we are grown) and how much I helped him over the years. He is a smart guy but even when he gets stumped on a word spelling, instead of consulting a dictionary, he will call or text me. Yes, I know, it is insane. It makes me feel good that I had that type of impact on someone. I have gotten that from past employees under my wing as well and just like everyone else, I always hoped that I can make a positive mark in this world with someone.

I hope that with little Kamden that I will get the opportunity along with my brother to be a positive influence in his life. In a world, where young men are just producing babies just to say they have offspring, have a lack a drive to better themselves, or seeking to do just enough to get by, I hope that with God's grace and the push from my brother and I that we will be able to mold little Kamden into a positive role model and touch the lives of others in a positive way.

This Is a WTF Moment - Really? Is Rape Okay?

As I try to stay informed these busy days, I was watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart this morning and was taken aback by a segment on the show. It never amazes me what our elected representatives will and will not vote for while "representing the people." This, however, has got to be one of the most insane issues I have seen to date and wonder what the 30 senators who voted AGAINST it were thinking.

Al Franken, freshman Democratic senator from Minnesota and former Saturday Night Live alumni, passed an amendment to a defense bill this week that would withhold government contracts from organizations like KBR (Halliburton) if they restrict employees from taking rape and sexual assault cases to court. Seems simple enough, don't you agree? I mean, why would we want to restrict due process and give justice to those who are due?

This stems from Ms. Jamie Leigh Jones, a Halliburton/KBR employee, who in 2005, was gang-raped by her co-workers while she was working in Baghdad. She was detained in a shipping container for at least 24 hours without food, water, or a bed, and “warned her that if she left Iraq for medical treatment, she’d be out of a job.” Jones was prevented from bringing charges in court against KBR because her employment contract stipulated that sexual assault allegations would only be heard in private arbitration. This is NOT an isolated case but even if it was the only one, it would be one too many.



This is the result of that vote as explained by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.

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Now, I have worked with federal government contracts in the past and know that the government can and will set forth rules and other directives to maintain a level of integrity for those that are, in essence, representatives of the federal government. But for what ever reason, the following 30 REPUBLICAN senators voted NAY to S.Amdt. 2588 to H.R. 3326 (Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010):

Alexander (R-TN); Barrasso (R-WY); Bond (R-MO);
Brownback (R-KS); Bunning (R-KY); Burr (R-NC);
Chambliss (R-GA); Coburn (R-OK); Cochran (R-MS);
Corker (R-TN); Cornyn (R-TX); Crapo (R-ID);
DeMint (R-SC); Ensign (R-NV); Enzi (R-WY);
Graham (R-SC); Gregg (R-NH); Inhofe (R-OK);
Isakson (R-GA); Johanns (R-NE); Kyl (R-AZ);
McCain (R-AZ); McConnell (R-KY); Risch (R-ID);
Roberts (R-KS); Sessions (R-AL); Shelby (R-AL);
Thune (R-SD); Vitter (R-LA); Wicker (R-MS);

What is embarassing to me is that BOTH Alabama Senators voted NAY on this admendment to the bill. I am not making any accusations but I wonder how deep in Halliburton's money pocket are they? What do you think? I suggest you ask your Senator, if they voted Nay, what was their logic behind their vote. I know I will. I need to remove the picture I have of myself with Senator Sessions from my Facebook and Blog pages until perhaps he comes to his senses.

Long Time, No Hear From

Sorry for the big break. A lot of things going on in my life - work, professional activities, preparing for personal life changes. They seem to be taking a bit of a toll on me. One good thing about it is that I have lost 15 pounds in the process of hustle and bustle. I may break that 200 pound mark within the week.

The last two days were supposed to be my off days but I ended up having to do something with work both days. Never a problems because I am dedicated to the task at hand. Sometimes the work keeps my mind from wondering on things that could bring me down from my normally bubbly personality.



Spent a week in the Los Angeles and Anaheim area for professional development and got to enjoy something I have seen on TV and movies - Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles. It was fantastic. I totally recommend it if you get on the west coast.



Hopefully I will have a little more time to jot down my thoughts. I have had a lot on my mind and need to get it out. I will leave you with this one thought - I consider myself a very inquisitive person. I believe the more information you lnow about a situation, the better prepared you are. Well, I guess I wonder, how much information is actually too much information? Ponder on that and get back to me.