Who Needs Security? You Do Stupid

As we approach Thanksgiving, typically one of the heaviest travel days of the year here in the United States, we're again starting to see a lot of public backlash about the lengths to which people are willing to go through in order to prove a point about security. That is to say, to prove that all the security measures we go through are a pain in the rear. Now I agree, I don't enjoy having to show up three hours early for a flight so that I can be sure to process through security in time, but I do understand that it's for my safety.

Most security measures that are in place today are meant for our safety but there are people out there who believe that it's being done because the Transportation Security Agency is full of perverts who enjoy feeling up passengers or viewing (supposedly) almost-nude video of people passing through their system. If you're that bashful (or vain) to believe that the TSA is going to suddenly post photos of you on the internet then I think you really need to come back to reality and realize that you aren't as great looking as you believe yourself to be. Nor are you appealing enough that a TSA agent would be willing to give you a pat down search if he or she really didn't need to.

While I understand that many seasoned travelers are a bit tired of having to go through security measures that often add hours to their business trips, surprisingly it isn't they who are raising the biggest stink; rather it's those clueless souls who show up at airports and expect to be treated like royalty on their yearly trip to Tallahassee to see Grandma. If you don't fly that often, I would think that you aren't dense enough to have missed all the news bulletins and talk about increased airport security measures. If you are then even after you get to the airport there are plenty of notices that warn you of the security measures that you will have to go through. If you're still caught unawares then that's your own fault.

Perhaps you feel that it isn't fair for you to be subjected to pat downs or full body scans and I would agree. It isn't a pleasant thing but it's a momentary break in your travel that is meant to keep you safe. To tell you the truth, it's not that big a deal unless you choose to make it that big a deal. If you've never been anywhere outside of the United States perhaps you don't realize that most of this type of security screening has been going on for years all over Europe and in parts of Asia. Why do terrorists then keep trying to do their evil actions on US flights? Probably because they know that if they raise enough of a stink ahead of time then they could conceivably exempt themselves from having to go through security.

If you don't feel it right to have to go through security meant to weed out potential terrorists then perhaps you should stick to the roads and drive yourself to where you need to go. If you feel that only people of certain.... racial type need to be screened then I would simply remind you that we still live in a country where no race is discriminated against... at least the last time I looked. Given my complexion, I am often pulled aside for extra screening; I don't mind it and I don't care that I get the occasional looks from fellow passengers wondering if I'm a miscreant. All I care is that I have nothing to hide and that the TSA is doing their job to keep us safe. So why not let them do their jobs? They're doing it over their Thanksgiving holiday to keep you safe.

Everyone is Irish Today

The Irish people state that on March 17th, Saint Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish. And if this photo from South Korea has anything to say about it, I think the Irish are correct. For years now I have celebrated St. Patrick's Day by wearing green, initially to avoid being pinched by people in school but now to take part in the fun. But as is always the case in such festivities, it is easy to forget why the celebrations are held in the first place. I mean when alcohol and revelry is involved, people generally don't need a reason to celebrate (that too to excess at times) but it's good to at least have an inkling of why we celebrate St. Patrick as opposed to many of the others out there. So I decided to do a little research into why St. Patrick is considered important in Ireland and consequently, around a large part of the world.

The story goes that as a child, St. Patrick was kidnapped from his home in Roman Britain and taken to Ireland to become a slave. While in captivity he apparently had a dream in which God came to him in a vision and told him to escape and make his way to the coast where he would be picked up by a ship and returned home. Following through on his vision, Patrick did indeed return to Britain and soon thereafter joined the Church in Auxerre in Gaul and studied to be a priest. Ironically enough, he returned to Ireland many years later to help spread the word of Christianity and to help convert the aristocracy and nobility to the preferred religion. One of his methods? Using the three clovered shamrock to relate to the people the concept of the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). Again, a symbol that is often associated with the holiday but for many of us, a complete mystery as to its importance.

As a result of his efforts (which were largely successful), Patrick was considered an important personage in the establishment of the Irish Church and was consequently highly revered among Orthodox-English-speaking Christians from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the United States. Although he was never officially canonized by any Pope, he is still part of the List of Saints and remains an important icon in the Christian religion. As the years went on, in order to honor his service to his religion and their followers, celebratory feasts were held on the date that was commonly accepted to have been his death date, March 17th. Over time the celebrations continued and soon thereafter it became not so much a religious holiday as a holiday in which merry-making and partying became the norm.

Now looking at what all is done in celebration of St. Patrick's Day I can't help but feel a bit disappointed. While it's wonderful to be able to celebrate the opportunity to have a party in mid-week or to wear green without objection for the whole day, I can't help but think about how many people may not know why we celebrate this holiday. Not being a Christian, I wasn't as aware of the importance of St. Patrick to the religion and why he's so venerated. Knowing a bit more now I feel that while we should celebrate St. Patrick's Day not just because it gives us another excuse to enjoy a Guinness (which is always a good thing) but also because it celebrates a person who served his religion faithfully in a country where he certainly had reason to hate given the circumstances early in his life. But I think he took the teachings of his religion to heart and wanted to spread hope to another country. Now that's worth celebrating.

Remember Those Overseas

There are predictions of heavy snows in the midwest and in the plains of the United States. The east coast is already in the midst of reeling from the blizzard that hit us last week and we're expecting ice again tonight in the Washington area. News reporters are chiming in from various regional airports and train stations letting people know to get to their respective departure points early so that they can transit security ahead of time. People are on the news complaining about having to get to the airport earlier than what their eventual flight time will be but that's all part of the holiday travel season. The roads are jammed, the malls were full until the last minute and through it all we continue to focus our attention on what's happening here. But we mustn't forget those who are serving in our armed services overseas.

For many of us, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are so far removed from our thoughts that it's hard to contemplate having to eat Christmas dinner in a mess tin or holding mass inside of a sandbag-lined bunker with your machine gun ready at your side but that's been the reality for many soldiers who are in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether you support the war or you don't, one thing that we should all do is support the troops. Like those of us who work, they are also doing their jobs and doing them under the most difficult of circumstances. While the rest of us can spend the holidays with friends and family, many servicemen and women are deployed thousands of miles from home in hostile environments. It's easy to forget these things but we really shouldn't. It's important that we don't.

Many troops have been in the field for multiple deployments; others have come home only to be deployed again within a few months. Yet the continue to do their jobs despite the difficult circumstances. Now I have never served in the armed services personally but I know many who have and it never fails to astound me that these ordinary folks often looked at their deployments not as an inconvenience but more as a duty to their country and their chosen service. They did it because it was the right thing to do and though it interupted the normalcy of most of their lives, they found that it was in service of their country so they did it.

So if you find yourself on the road stuck in heavy traffic with hundreds of miles left to go, remember that at least you don't have to be worried whether your car will be ambushed by insurgents. If the heater in your home or office fails for a few hours, remember that you don't have to do without one all the time in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan. If you have to stand in line at the airport for a longer time remember that old saying that "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance". We can take it for granted because of the brave men and women who are serving abroad in an effort to ensure that the horrors visited upon our country in 2001 don't happen again. Happy Holidays to all of them!

Healthy Christmas to All

Every year around this time there are endless stories in the news about what the real cost of all the items in the 12 Days of Christmas would cost or about how spending trends are up or down from previous years or what toy is the most popular. They also have news stories on how fast Santa would need to be moving to go around the world in one night and leave all his presents while having enough time to eat cookies (or carrots) before heading out. This year for the first time in a very long time though I think people finally started thinking about Santa and not just about presents at that.

Nathan Grills of Monash University in Australia recently presented a tongue-in-cheek piece on Santa and the overall health concerns surrounding the jolly giver of gifts. What Grills determined through his research was that if Santa really did all the things he did, he'd probably be one of the most unhealthy people on the planet. Medically speaking he would be a walking nightmare due to his repeated exposure to various illnesses and diseases that he would likely contract from repeated hugs and kisses from kids. In this season of swine flu mania, the average mall Santa would have likely been exposed to the disease enough times to qualify as a petri dish. It's gotten to the point now that many carry disinfectant around with them so that they can sanitize themselves in between kids.

But Grills also concluded that Santa wasn't just running the risk of contracting some disease, he could also create some on his own through his various unhealthy habits. Take for example the fact that Santa would be termed obese by today's standards. Rather than exercising on a regular basis, it seems that Santa spends most of his day making lists and checking them twice. That means that he's seated for most of the day and by the time he finishes those chores he has to go down to the workshop to supervise the toy construction and wrapping by the elves. Again, something that likely doesn't require much in way of physical activity. Sure you could make the argument that he probably burns off a year's worth of calories on Christmas night as he races around the world to deliver his gifts but does the ends justify the means?

And what about the unnessary risk of bodily injury he subjects himself into by partaking in what can be considered an extreme sport or activity? He rides around in an open top sleigh with just a lap belt. Travelling at the speeds that he does in order to make his deliveries he would need to have a five-point safety restraint system to truly be safe in his travels. Additionally he runs around rooftops and down chimnies without helmets which means he could suffer a particularly bad head injury if he's not careful. Plus the way in which he carries the gifts in a sack over his shoulder is not very healthy. He could throw out his back and injure himself. I think the conclusion that Grills wants us to reach as we think through these things is that it takes a very special person to be Santa.

Rash Shopping Decisions

It seems that the media loves to create buzzwords or to use buzzwords or phrases that are meant to encapsulate a certain feeling, emotion or event. Early on in the Vietnam War many began to throw the word quagmire around as a reference to the fact that the war was continuing without any 'clear' indication of progress or victory. Soon after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan began the media again began to use slogans to rally (or stifle) support fot the wars. But don't get me wrong; not all slogans are used to gain or lose support for wars but for human behavior as well. What behavior would that be? Why shopping of course. For the last few decades the term Black Friday has been thrown around to describe the day after Thanksgiving and all the buzz surrounding the supposed sales that kick off at that time. However most people tend not to associate it with the dubious origins of the phrase and for good reason too.

The term 'Black Friday' was first used in 1869 to describe the financial failure that occurred in the stock market that year. It occurred on a Friday and hence the expression 'black Friday'. Later on the expression came to be associated with two different understandings of the ettiquette of shopping. Firstly it became associated with the time when retailers would first begin printing their shopping ads full of sales and specials for the Christmas shopping season. Typically this was witheld until after Thanksgiving and since no retailer wanted to break tradition this was held for many years until retailers began to realize that they were losing potential business by waiting for so long so in order to help the economy (as part of his efforts to help break the Great Depression) so this led to Franklin Roosevelt moving Thanksgiving up by a week.

The day after Thanksgiving came to be known as Black Friday in more popular parlance due to the fact (and understanding) that sales were expected to be so high that retailers would be in the 'black' (vice being in the 'red' which would indicate a loss). Now when I was growing up there was certainly hype surrounding the day after Thanksgiving sales and deals that would be available to shoppers but I don't ever recall it being so....crazy. I mean there are websites and organizations set up to break the news on who will have the best deals on what merchandise beginning on Friday. Stores and malls often open at midnight in order to get people excited with the hype and hopefully once again ready to spend. I have seen people lined up outside of stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy as early as 4:00 on Thursday afternoon in order to be among the first into the store on Friday (be it at midnight or 10:00 the next morning).

Now retailers are geared up for today which (since about 2005) is Cyber Monday. The origin of this term comes from the rise in online retailers. Sites like Amazon make it much easier to comparison shop and find really good deals. The logic being that people will go and browse to their heart's content over the Thanksgiving holiday and then begin shopping and comparing prices on Monday online. Hence the moniker 'Cyber Monday'. According to some news outlets it is the busiest shopping day 'online' and sales are expected to be even higher on this day as opposed to Fridays nowadays. And for the life of me I can't figure out why? I mean I won't deny there are great deals to be had on items but is it really that big a deal? Most of this merchandise has been sitting in stores for weeks, months and sometimes longer. No one has been ready to buy it up until this point. The reason being that it is either not the best product for the price or the company is looking to clear inventory. But nowadays if you chalk it up as a after-Thanksgiving bargain then you'll have people lined up out the door?

Why? Why is there such a rush to get in on a deal? Is it because we are by nature a very competitive species? I mean if you ask yourself, isn't there a sense of fulfillment in the fact that you can get your hands on something that someone else can't? If there wasn't that competitive nature built into us would we actually be looking to line up to get movie tickets for weeks ahead of them going on sale (and no this isn't limited to 'Star Wars' fans). Would we fight tooth and nail with fellow shoppers over televisions and DVD/Blu-Ray players? Would we trample people to death at stores simply to ensure that we get something that someone else wanted? Part of the reason for the current financial crisis in our country is the fact that we have overspent ourselves in this competitive market (and I'm not talking competitive in terms of retailers... I'm talking about shoppers). The perception of a deal or a day of deals (i.e., Black Friday or Cyber Monday) means that by our very nature we'll want to make sure we also get in on the deal. That's even if we don't have the money to do it. Isn't credit a wonderful thing?

What is Veterans Day?

Today is Veterans Day here in the United States and many people have often wondered what the difference is between Memorial Day (celebrated in May) and Veterans Day (celebrated in November) really is. Now for many people, Memorial Day has gone from being a day of remembereance for the sacrifice made by many of those who have served in our armed forces to the 'unofficial' start to the summer travel season. And while it's convenient to link one to the other, I think it only serves to marginalize (among some... not all) the meaning of that day and Veterans Day. That shouldn't be the case as both days are very important and though they appear to be the same on the surface, there are differences that make each of them important for what they commemorate.

Memorial Day, celebrated in May, was first marked at the end of the Civil War. It was meant to be a unified day of rememberance of those who had given their lives in the Civil War which had only recently ended. It was meant to be an act that all Americans could mark in order to remember those who had fallen on both sides of the conflict. It was an important step in the healing process and helped bring the nation back together after nearly being torn apart by the ravages of the Civil War. There are those who credit General John Murray of Waterloo, New York with popularizing the day by marking the day each year and performing some act of rememberance for those who had fallen in the course of war. Soon the Federal Government passed a proclamation that officially designated the last Monday in May to be the day known as Memorial Day.

Now this caused some confusion as shortly after the end of World War I, President Wilson authorized the 11th of November to be commemorated as Armistice Day to honor those who had served in the military in World War I. Within a few years it was changed to honor not just the doughboys of World War I but all veterans who had served in the military and that was the major difference between the two holidays. Memorial Day was for those who had given their lives in service of their country while Veterans Day was meant to honor those who gave their lives but also continued to serve their country through continued service. it's a subtle difference but one that is equally important to note.

As I mentioned earlier, the sad thing is that many have begun to take a nonchalant attitude towards remembering our veterans on both Veterans Day and Memorial Day. While it's great that we can mark the start of summer with Memorial Day weekend, we shouldn't forget that the people who died serving their nation (our Nation) gave their lives so that we could enjoy this freedom. I'm sure the families that have loved ones serving in the war zones don't need to be reminded of that fact and those that have loved ones in the military know about what it takes to secure that freedom but it's up to the rest of us to pay homage to that fact. So today if you see a vet, don't shrug and say that "they have two holidays for soldiers... Memorial day and Veterans Day"; both are unique and equally important. Thank them for their service and for serving their country.

White House Halloween

In the spirit of the Halloween that just passed I'm going to wear a costume a bit late and play "devil's advocate". That's supposed to be a joke but I figured since it's Monday there's no harm in making a bad joke to illicit some additional moans and groans. But I digress; as I am playing devil's advocate I will choose to look at the Halloween Celebrations through the eyes of the opposition. I won't say who this opposition should be or to what position they are opposed but I will write from the perspective that they generally would to look for reasons to find fault with President Obama and his presidency. If you look at the accompanying photo you'll see that Michelle and Barack Obama are handing out candies to children who came to the White House. In the background you'll also see a couple of costumed characters from the film "Star Wars" which is fertile playing ground for opposition pundits to use against Obama.

What sort of opposition could fictional movie characters pose? Well let the devil's advocacy begin. I think that Obama's inclusion of a Stormtrooper, evil foot soldier to the Galactic Empire is symbolic in the sense that it subconciously represents the aspirations that he has for the freedom that we Americans hold so dear. Perhaps his scope of military intervention isn't limited to Afghanistan or Iraq but the galaxy as a whole. Perhaps it is a subtle hint that he sees himself as Emperor of the universe and that whatever he chooses to do will pass due to his overwhelming power in the Force. (Hey if I'm supposed to write like the pundits from channels whose name rhymes with Sox then I have to go all the way). Rather than having someone from his staff dressed as a freedom loving rebel soldier then that would have painted a different picture but the inclusion of a stormtrooper sends a darker message.

Although she isn't readily visible in this picture, there was a young lady also in attendance who was dressed as Ashoka Tano (the alien Jedi apprenctice to Anakin Skywalker in "The Clone Wars" cartoon series). Now the inclusion of a Jedi (that too an alien Jedi) is evidence that again Obama is seeking to embrace alternate religions and not the mainstream relgions whose principles this nation was founded on. Perhaps the inclusion of Jedi Tano is a subtle message to the masses that the religions that have been propogated across this nation up to this point will no longer be held in as high esteem as the Jedi teachings. It's perhaps further evidence that the principles that so many in this nation hold dear will again be laid to the wayside so that we can embrace the way of the Jedi.

And finally there was Chewbacca. Faithful and furry Chewbacca the Wookie. Now there again is an interesting inclusion in the cast of characters gathered at the White House with the President and his wife. In the lore of Star Wars, Wookies (Chewbacca included) were enslaved by the evil Empire and were forced into labor camps by Imperial agents to construct military sites including the Death Star. Han Solo helped free Chewbacca and others and hence Chewbacca's undying loyalty to Solo throughout the adventures shown in the original movies. Isn't it interesting then to see Obama include Chewbacca, a former slave turned freedom fighter who fights to free the galaxy from the tyranny of the Empire. Is that a message directed at the former administration who many compared to the evil Empire? Perhaps it is?

I know I'm stretching so far in some of this analysis that I should stand at 7 feet 4 inches as opposed to my actual (smaller) stature but this is the type of 'analysis' that many opposition leaders and pundits choose to make. We can't look at this as a simple effort to get kids excited about Halloween by seeing a cornucopia of characters from a popular movie series. Never mind that it's just a movie and it doesn't have to have a deeper meaning. It seems that these days we can look at anything without being extremely cynical. Isn't that what typefied Han Solo very early on? His cynicism that nothing was what it seemed? Do we really need to view things that way? I don't think we do. Maybe the opposition has much more time on their hands but instead of using that time to do similar 'analysis' (and I'm sure someone somewhere is looking at this past Halloween for deeper meaning) and took more time to take meaningful action, then our nation could be in a better place.

Tried and True Methods

There's an old adage that everybody will have undoubtedly heard which states that, "if it ain't broke then don't fix it." And in the case of weather predictions, I find it funny that in a day and age when meteorologists talk about their weather machines and models that can pinpoint a single snowflake in an entire state, we still turn our eyes to Gobbler's Knob in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania to see if groundhog prognosticator extrordinaire Punxsatawney Phil will see his shadow or not. The result being a prediction as to whether Winter will last for another six weeks or not.

For those who don't know, the tradition goes that if the groundhog comes out and sees its shadow it will go back into it's little den knowing that winter is due to last another six weeks. Now many people swear that it's the truth when it comes to this type of weather predicting and although I know that animals have a sixth sense or an innate ability to figure these things out, I still think it's like when you wake up some mornings and hit the snooze. I mean perhaps Phil got a bit hungry and decided to come out for a quick snack and then decided to go back in. Depending on how the weather is that day he either decides to stick around for a while or perhaps feels like many of us often do that it's a day that he needs to turn right around and tuck himself in for an extra few weeks of hibernating sleep.

I don't think it's wrong that we follow this tradition but I must say that if the winter in Washington this year is any benchmark of winter for the next six weeks then we have absolutely nothing to worry about. The weather this weekend was so balmy and nice that people were out and about and eating outside for a change. Sure there was a bit of snow and/or ice piled up in corners from the snow/ice storm from earlier in the week but the warm weather was conducive to outdoor activities. And though there were predictions that there would be lots of snow today, the storm track veered out to sea farther than weather experts were expecting and so we're stuck with dandruff-like snow rather than an actual storm. Though President Obama and the rest of the administration did poke fun at Washingtonians for their apparent fear of snow and ice conditions, on the whole we have escaped largely untouched from the wrath of old-man-Winter this year.

The temperatures have occasionally been quite low and though there have been times when my nose and ears have felt like they would snap off any second, we haven't had it all that bad in the area. I mean parts of South Carolina and Georgia have seen more snow than we have. I mean Las Vegas has had more snow than we've had all winter long. Las Vegas! And that's in the middle of the desert for goodness sake! Is it a sign of good luck for the city and region that we are getting milder winters lately or is it a sign of something more sinister like global warming? People can sit there and debate it but you can't deny that something strange is going on when you've got people in the desert bundled up with snow falling and people in traditionally snowy areas eating out on the streets in t-shirts. It's a bit weird and since Phil saw his shadow, I take that to mean that we'll have six more weeks of wearing t-shirts here in DC.

Merry Christmas

Good night, good luck and a Merry Christmas to all of you... all of you on the good Earth

-- Frank Borman
Apollo 8

Happy Festivus

I know of a lot of people who are either upset with the commercial aspect of Christmas or who don't celebrate Hannukah or Kwanza and are looking for something non-secular to 'celebrate' and it's funny to see how an episode of Seinfeld is coming to the rescue. I'm sure anyone who grew up watching Seinfeld on Thursday nights (or loves watching the reruns or DVDs) will know immediately what Festivus is. To the uninitiated, it was a holiday promoted by Frank Costanza as an alternative to celebrating the commercialized Christmas holidays.

Rather than a Christmas tree there was an aluminum pole that was erected in the house. Rather than Christmas carols there was the Airing of Grievances which afforded holiday-goers the opportunity to get their true feelings off their chest. And finally, before Festivus dinner there was the Feats of Strength which was basically a wrestling contest meant to build an appetite (I suppose). Though written in jest, the episode took on such a fan following that many people have started celebrating it on its own. It's gotten to the point now where the commercialization of this fake-holiday is also starting. I mean there's a manufacturer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin began making Festivus Poles in 2005.

Now this isn't the first time that the entertainment industry has creeped in on religion and religious practices. Enough British citizens have indicated that they follow Jedism as their religion to make the Star Wars mysticism an officially recognized 'religion' in England. Now I grant you that there are no true Force-users apparent anywhere in this world but despite that there are many who choose to follow this 'religion' as it seems quite appealing to them. I guess any religion has that common factor whereby if there is something that appeals to a person at a particular time they will always turn to it.

Many enjoy the Christmas season but don't necessarily enjoy the religious aspects. It seems odd considering that the two things should go hand in hand but that's not the case. Many feel that the religious aspects creep too far into the gift-giving portions and they don't like it. Perhaps that's why so many people put up trees but don't attend Mass at church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Whether you want to or not, I think it important to at least know the basis for the celebration or the beliefs rather than blindly following it because it is something a little off the beaten path.

I mean I'm sure at parties it's wonderful to strike up a conversation about how you're a practicing Jedi or that you don't celebrate Christmas but rather Festivus. I'm sure either people will laugh (not sure whether to laugh with or at you) or they will shake their heads in dismay as they find another person who has fallen prey to a life lived on television and the movies. Perhaps it's because the 'religious' ideals of these fake religions and holidays are more accepting and clearly stated (or are without condition) that makes it so appealing to so many. I don't think we've seen or heard the end of these celebrations but it's certainly something people should make note of as it could be the beginning of the end for some aspects of any and all organized religion.

Expression or Violation?

'Tis the time of year when traditionally decorations pop up all over the place and the neighborhoods and surrounding environs in the area turn into wonderous and colourful displays which ring in the season. Bright lights, decorations, and displays fill the streets and there's a joyous atmosphere in the air. That is of course if your homeowner's association lets you. Most neighborhoods these days have homeowner's associations whose task is to more or less 'police' the neighborhoods they are in charge of and make sure that we all comply with the rules and regulations of the association.

Now in many cases, these regulations are understandable and warrantable. I mean who wants an ugly and unsightly broken down mobile home sitting in your driveway next door? Nobody. What about someone whose yard is overgrown with weeds or whose fence is in a sad state of disrepair. Nobody either. But what about holiday or religious decorations? Ah. There is the rub that gets many people in a tizzy and has been particularly affecting an Indian family in South Riding, Virginia. It seems that the homeowner, Mr. Ram Subramanium and his family decorated their driveway with a religious kolum earlier this year as part of the celebration of their son's thread ceremony. This traditional drawing is made with chalk and is usually worn away over time but the Subramaniums used paint to create this particular design as rain was expected the weekend that they were to have their celebrations.

It turns out that the Homeowner's association decided shortly thereafter that this design was in violation of association policy and ordered the Subramaniums to remove it and return the driveway to its asphalt state. Now Subramanium has thus far refused and has managed to accrue approximately $900 in violation fees thus far but he argues that he is not offending any of his neighbors with his display and his decoration is unobtrusive enough that it is not detracting from the overall look of the neighborhood. The association says otherwise. According to them no modifications can be made to the driveways without prior permission from the association and only then if the modification is approved.

Now I know that in my condo complex, all decorations are to be removed within a month of the holiday in question being celebrated. Now my first year there I had gotten a stern note when I left my holiday lights up towards the end of January. I figured they were white in color and were flush against the white border of my doors and windows so why remove them. The association didn't see it that way and demanded that I remove them before incurring fees. It was a small deal for me so I did it but it left a bad taste in my mouth as I'm sure many homeowners with such associations feel as well.

I'm not going to jump to the conclusion that many would that this violation by the Subramaniums is being elevated due to religious intolerance but I do wonder whether in this case religion is being used as a justification. Now in this case the kolum lays flat on the ground and is not visible unless you are close to the house. But supposing someone decides to leave a cross on their front yard for the entire year. Would that be allowed? I guess that depends on the association's ruling in that case but I doubt that it would be allowed either. It's not so much a religious symbol as a violation of what the general rules say. I think Mr. Subramanium and his family have taken the necessary steps to show the association that his neighbors don't mind the driveway decoration but then again from the associations perspective; if they allow this what else will they have to allow? It's a very sticky and touchy situation.

A Pox on Black Friday

If our economy ever needed a black Friday it was probably this year. With the stock market in a downward spiral and people in a tizzy about whether or not they would be thrown out of their homes, many retailers were wondering if people would make their yearly trips to the shopping malls and stores in the pre-dawn hours on the day after Thanksgiving for the yearly Black Friday sales rush. Sure you can get great bargains and nice deals but being part of the madcap mayhem that has come to define Black Friday has led me to avoid going shopping that day as if it would lead me to catch the plague.

There have been years where on my way to Thanksgiving at a relative's house I would pass by big name stores like Best Buy or Wal-Mart and one year I remember while driving over to dinner I saw ten people in line nearly 12 hours before the store was to start their sale. When driving back home around midnight there were already 50 people in line. The very next year I saw 50 people in line with 12 hours to go and when I was going home I saw over 100. It's come to the point now where I wonder if Thanksgiving is being replaced as nothing more than the day before Black Friday. I mean rather than celebrating family and friends and being thankful for anything at all we are subverting ourselves into crazy insatiable maniacs all in the name of finding a good bargain.

True there are sales this year but does that justify causing a homicide? What do I mean? Well if you look through the news every year for the past few decades that Black Friday has taken on this pre-dawn tradition you will find at least one story per year about a person being trampled to death and being left to die on the floor because shoppers aren't to be kept from their bargain hunting. Case in point is the late 34-year-old temporary Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour who was crushed to death at a New York Wal-Mart as people rushed into the store just as he opened the doors at 5 A.M. last Friday. Now people are quick to lay the blame on Wal-Mart for 'not having enough safety barriers in place' and 'not creating a safe work atmosphere'.

What? Do these people really think that those little fabric barriers are going to keep people in order? Have you seen the selfish madness that infects people like this? If you tell someone that you can get a DVD player for $50 they will go into a frenzy and come Hell or highwater they are going to take anything and everyone out before the let that bargain slip away. Never mind that that same DVD player sells for $50 anyways and has been on sale at Wal-Mart for the past six months at that price. Retailers are doing what they can to spur shoppers into buying during this time of recession in our economy so then holding them accountable for the death of an employee who was trampled by shoppers seems very backwards to me. Did the store kill him by employing him or did that rush of people who stepped on him kill him?

The holidays are supposed to be about giving and caring and while I'm sure all shoppers out there are going with that emotion somewhere deep in their heart I don't like what I see people becoming at times like this. Selfish raving maniacs who don't care who or what they hurt that comes in their way when the doors to the mall open. I've read about elderly people dying in rushes like this and the age categories are getting younger and younger. I don't think it will be long before we hear of children being trampled and then maybe... maybe... people will begin to pay some level of attention to this thing. Airlines like Southwest used to have this free for all policy and now they let people in groups at a time. I guess maybe it's time for stores to begin allowing entry by group number. At least this can help control the flow and the idiocy that seems to follow. But no matter what I'm going to continue avoiding going shopping on that day. It's just a nightmare and an accident waiting to happen.

Holiday Driving

So we are finally entering the part of the year when travel becomes more of a curse word than a pleasure. I have always been one who enjoys the journey almost as much as the destination but I can't ever admit to being one who enjoys some of the aggravations that occasionally pop up on the journeys. At this time of year one of the worst is holiday traffic. It always seems to me that at the time of year when most people are claiming to be at their happiest, they are their crabbiest when it comes to taking the road most travelled. I can't tell you the number of times I've been honked at or flipped off for doing nothing more than driving.

Now I'm not the type that purposely drives like a maniac with the intent of ticking someone off but what I think a lot of people do is assume that they are purposely being cut off or crowded on the road simply because. No other reason. Just because. I think all that happens is that at this time of year we expect there to be a lot of jerks on the roads and it ends up being a self-fulfilling prophesy. I mean think about it; how many times have you been on the road and when you're trying to merge into traffic you end up getting your openning in traffic blocked off by someone from behind. Or how many times has the rage built up in your mind when you're sitting waiting to make a left turn and the guy (or gal) in front of you is busy looking down and doesn't see that the light has turned green. You lean on the horn big time that time don't you?

Not that it isn't warranted sometimes but at others, just learn to relax rather than flip out. I know it's easier said than done but by flipping out, the wait isn't going to suddenly evaporate or delays won't suddenly clear up but at least you'll be of healthier mind and body if you don't let it get to you quite so much. I think one place I also would want to avoid this upcoming holiday season is the parking garage at the mall. I don't think I've seen a deadlier forms of combat this side of a war zone. People (and call me sexist), especially women, are probably among the most violent and vehement when it comes to parking disputes. I have seen grown women come close to blows just because they feel that they were denied a parking space. And half the time most of these women are little beings in huge gas-guzzling vehicles with loud horns. In such cases, no matter what you do you are sure to lose the arguement so the best thing to do is keep your head low or avoid the situation altogether.

I prefer the vast open surface parking at some malls. Sure it may be raining, or hailing or snowing but it doesn't matter. I would rather walk to the mall through horrid weather than sit stuck in a stream of cars waiting for someone at the head of the line who is waiting to turn into a parking space while a family with five kids, three strollers, thirty bags and two harassed parents is slowly trying to get their gear together and get in the car to get out of the mall parking lot. It's even worse when you realize that they aren't leaving and are just loading one batch of bags and are getting ready to go for another round of shopping. It's part and parcel of the season and though I dread it more and more frequently these days, I still enjoy some of the sights and sounds once I'm where I need to be.

Time to Educate Parents

When gift-giving season arrives many parents are in a quandry as to what to get their kids. They often will spout off a list of games and such that they want and their parents will be left scratching their heads wondering how and where to get these games. These days there are plenty of places to get them whether it's in a traditional cash-and-carry type of store or online; in most cases you can't help but find the game unless it's very very very popular. But some parents aren't sure whether the games their kids want are appropriate for their children and it's up to certain Watchdog groups and others to make the decision for them. Unfortunately even with all the efforts being undertaken to 'protect' children from violence there is still disappointment on the parts of many parents that they aren't fully aware of what they gaming industry has been developing and that they are to blame for rising levels of violence.

Now having played through one of this year's most notorious games, Grand Theft Auto IV (GTAIV) I know that it is definitely not something I would want a young kid to play. Sure the graphics are great and it's got a great storyline but it's definitely something that will appeal to someone older and that's the game's target audience. I mean think about it; if you look at a lot of the movies that come out these days they are targeted at very specific audiences. Now a film like "Bolt" will definitely not be on the top ten list of most men's magazines because that's not the target audience. Maybe People magazine will have it listed but that's because it's the type of movie that is aimed at kids and younger people. How do you know? Well the ratings are a very big clue and though games are also rated in similar manners, many parents are still quick to blame the gaming industry.

I think most parents are aware of the ratings of movies and there are plenty of safeguards in place to ensure that only kids of the appropriate age get to see certain movies. Games have had ratings on them for a long time as well but that hasn't been enough. Then stores implemented policies in order to keep kids from purchasing age-inappropriate games without their consent and still there was outcry that this was not enough. Kids were still managing to play these games. Now I have been one who has always felt that parents are ultimately the ones who should have control over what their kids do and don't play or see. If they feel that strongly that their kids shouldn't be exposed to such levels of violence then it's their responsibility to take action to ensure that they aren't. Most of the ones making the complaints against the industry are those who usually didn't do enough and are making up for it after the fact.

They think it's the games and movies that are turning their kids violent but I'll tell you, the environment in which a kid is raised is also very much a reason behind how a kid behaves as well. If you live in a house where you're taught respect or the difference between doing something good or bad then chances are most kids will realize that games that portray violence are bad and though they will still want to play these games they won't wish to emulate the things they see in the games. If however they live in an environment where excess drinking or violence is a natural occurence, what difference does it ultimately make if they play a violent video game or not. They are probably already pre-disposed to being that way due to their life experiences. So if you're stuck in a store looking at games and trying to figure out what best to get your kids, do yourself a favor and relax, look at the ratings but look at your kids as well. You'll know whether they are ready for the game they want or not.

Ho Ho...Uh Oh...Oh No

There are very few rites of passage that are as ingrained in my childhood memories as the memories of going to the mall and getting a picture taken with Santa Claus. I can remember going to PG Plaza or Beltway Plaza or New Carrollton Mall and having my photo taken along with my brother sitting on Santa's lap. We probably did that ritualistic act a handful of times in my childhood but seeing Santa sitting in the mall as Christmas approaches is always something that stirs those memories for me. And even though we only have a few of those actual photos tucked away somewhere, the standards that some of those Santa's set always set a standard for me by which I would later judge all Mall Santas.

Now it seems like a stretch to imagine that such a thing should matter to anyone but it most certainly does. When you are a child and you still cling to that belief that Santa is indeed real then I know that many parents want to ensure that the experience of seeing the 'big man' is as close to expectations as possible which is why the 'authenticity' of mall Santas is important. I mean I remember one year where my brother and I had our photo taken with Santa and though this Santa had a snowy white beard and a sizeable stomach, we were rather surprised to find out that Santa was in actuality a woman who was wearing a fat suit and a fake beard. It freaked me out somewhat to consider that Santa would actually allow a woman to play his role. I say Santa would allow because at that point I still believed in Santa Claus but I also knew that there was no way he could be at all malls simultaneously if he was supposed to be making the toys for Christmas. Still, I figured that perhaps times were tough and actors hard to come by so he hired a woman.

But it seems that times are still rather tough and even mall Santas are feeling the downturn in the economy. Case in point is the Santa who has worked at Tysons Corner Mall for the last 18 years. Michael Graham is a carpenter from Tennessee who has worked a temporary gig at Tysons Corner Mall for a long time and has counted on the $30,000 he makes for the role to help keep he and his family afloat. He's what I would term a 'good Santa' in the sense that he takes the role seriously. He is a bit rotund, and sports an actual snowy white beard. He has three suits to account for normal wear-and-tear and the occasional accident (some kids are not yet potty trained when they first meet Santa and the excitement is a bit much to.... contain). And by his own accounts, he takes the role quite seriously. He isn't involved just to make the cash and 'waste' a few weeks listening to kids talk about what they want for Christmas. He listens to the kids and 'looks them in the eye' to make each and every one of his visitors feel important and so that they feel that indeed, Santa has heard their wish.

Unfortunately, it seems like Michael Graham's time at Tysons Corner is finally up. Although his contract with the mall was set to run until 2012, he was recently told that he would no longer be needed at the mall as the mall was going with another company to set up shop in the mall center to take photos and play the role of Santa. Now not to knock the new Santa even before he (or she... don't want to be accused of sexism) takes on the role, but is that the way you want to treat someone given that for some kids, he has been the epitome of Santa at their local mall for so long? I can remember seeing different Santa's every year that I took photos with one but having one that would have been the same for so long would have been 'comforting' in a way. As it is reality sinks in fast for so many kids so it's nice to have some permanancy in fantasy and imagination for a while. Kids eventually learn the truth but why spoil it for them? Let them enjoy the fantasy for a while and let someone who appreciates and understands the role continue to fulfill so many kids imaginations.

At this point in the year it is already too late for Michael Graham to sign with another mall. When he first took on the role 23 years ago in Tennessee it was because his local mall's Santa had suffered a heart attack and he was a last minute replacement. Since then he has worked consistently for many years and now can relate to Terrance Howard, the actor from "Iron Man" who was similarly removed without prior knowledge or warning from the "Iron Man" sequel even though he had a contract. Now with the market in flux and the fact that he is suddenly $30,000 short of his yearly income, Graham faces foreclosure on his home. I realize that times are tough and everyone has to take a hit now and again but I don't think its fair to end his contract the way it did without any prior warning. Even though Christmas is still two months away, it's already like the Grinch has taken control. Bah Humbug.

Why Should We Be Going Green?

You might be wondering why on Earth Day I would have a picture of gas prices accompanying the blog which so obviously seems to be hinting at a rant on going green. Well the answer should be fairly obvious; we don't go green unless it affects us directly. In fact, we as a civilization rarely do anything unless the effects hit us directly and this is what makes the fact that we even have an official 'Earth Day' all the more distressing. Though it's not a holiday in the classical sense of the word, it is a day for many people who seek to conserve the one resource we can't easily renew and that's the Earth.

People will go on and on about how they recycle or reuse things or how they eat only organic foods or do whatever else the trend is to show that they too are concerned citizens of the planet and are doing what it takes to save the planet. Unfortunately the majority of us are very much Johnny-come-lately's when it comes to such actions. It takes something like Earth Day to shake us from our comfortable existance and get us thinking about how or what we can do for the planet. Who are we kidding? Most of us ask that question only if it affects us. Do you really think that the trend in rising sales of hybrid cars is driven by concern for the planet? I don't think so, I think it's driven by the fact that people are tired of paying $80 every week in gas just to go to and from work. No one likes spending that much, especially when we would rather spend it on tall, no whip, no foam extra skim soy milk mocha lattes rather than on a gas guzzler. Besides, we do our part for the planet when we drink coffee don't we? It's served in recycled paper cups most of the time.

Cheap lightbulbs that run longer and burn brighter for far less money still aren't flying off the racks like they could. How come? Because most of us prefer the soft light of normal bulbs. The change in scenery brought about by energy efficient bulbs is almost too alien for many people to fathom and so they don't even consider doing it. We tend to view people making small contributions to the environment as weirdos unless of course it's someone like Leonardo DiCaprio; then suddenly every teenage girl out there is inspired to take up the cause and do their part for the world. Maybe it's a shallow reason but hey, at least they are taking some action. I think part of the problem also stems from the fact that there's a subtle secondary message that's often bandied about when it comes to the environment and that is that every little bit helps.

If you see ads or see films like "An Inconvenient Truth", the catch phrase is always the same. 'If you only do activity X, then in time, the carbon emissions of the planet will be reduced. It just takes one person to start.' Unfortunately the majority of us figure why should I do it, someone else will. In this case it's like a warped version of the pay it forward idea where if one person does it then the next one will too. We don't want to take responsibility for it, we figure someone else will do it for us. That's a dangerous trend.

So what can we do? Little things add up but they have to be inspired by ideas that affect our pocketbooks and wallets. If you've got a long commute like me, start following the speed limit. You may think it ridiculous to see a sports car cruising along in the right most lane but I'd rather maximize my fuel economy rather than proving my ego is larger than the rest. Recycle whatever you can. Go to Starbucks often? Why get and waste their cups on one visit. If you're going that often, by a Starbucks mug and use that, they usually charge slightly less to fill up your coffee container than they do to give you a paper cup. Get off your butts. If you have to go somewhere close by, walk, run or saunter on over to your destination. We are a mobile society but unfortunately most of us have turned it into an automobile society. If you have the time, take the healthier mode of transportation, your feet. Sure things like the weather will drive the decision, but it can't rain all the time. Do a little and once you start, you'll find going green isn't all that hard.

Black Friday... A New National Holiday

So the Friday after Thanksgiving is soon to be declared a national holiday even for those who already have the day off from work. I was one of those fortunate few who actually had the day off so it was good for me. It's going to be good for others too in light of the fact that people are lining up at all hours of the day and night outside of stores in anticipation of sales and even more so given the fact that stores are opening their doors at all hours of the night. For those who don't know (or have never experienced the madness) they may not know that the Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday simply because everyone 'traditionally' rushes to stores to begin their holiday shopping. I say 'traditionally' because I think it's a self-fulfilling prophecy and nothing more.

That's not to say that there aren't great deals to be had by going shopping on this day. Since it marks the start of the holiday season, people are looking to get deals on their holiday shopping and in order to entice buyers, stores will offer up seemingly irresistable merchandise for a fraction of the cost in order to get more people to come out. Most retailers know that when they open their doors they will have a rush of customers since it means less than a month for Christmas to roll around. And despite the arguements about the commercialization of Christmas and all related activities, it's not something that's just going to go away. It's here to stay and stay it will as long as people keep rushing to stores in droves the way they have been.

I remember when Black Friday actually began at decent hours on a Friday. We would get up at my place and have a leisurely breakfast before heading out to enjoy a day of shopping at the mall. Over time it has gone from being a fun activity to one of stress simply because if you want to get that great deal, you have to be among the first one hundred people (sometimes less) simply because they have limited quantities of the one item they know everyone wants. And it isn't so much that people want it as much as it is wanting what someone else wants. It's as if we adults revert to childhood and desire things just because someone else wants it. I have seen the same attitude in children so it's no wonder they behave that way when they see grown adults doing it too.

Last year when off to a friend's place to have Thanksgiving with my family friends I passed a Best Buy around 5:30 in the evening and at that time there appeared to be ten people in line. When I came home that night there were approximately 30. This year I drove by at the same time and there were about 40 at 5:30 and then close to double that a few hours later. People set up tents and had chairs and were making a big thing of it. I remember when Thanksgiving was when family and friends gathered together. Now it's more like the day before Black Friday where we get a day off to plan out how we're going to hit all the stores we want to. In a few more years I think there will be a growing number of people who eschew Thanksgiving dinner in lieu of getting a big screen TV they don't really want.

And are the savings that great? Sure; in some cases they are quite good. I mean they were selling a 42" LCD at Sears for $1000. That's not a bad deal in any sense of the term but still, there are only fifty (sometimes more) per store so if you are number 51 in line, chances are you aren't going to get your TV and you'll end up having stood outside in the cold for nothing more than the minor deals on big ticket items. And even the items on sale are a bit... well.... dated. I mean do you think that out of the goodness of their hearts (or pocketbooks) the executives at companies like Best Buy suddenly decide to 'reward' their customers by cutting prices on expensive items so easily? No! They are smartly getting rid of excess inventory by making it seem more enticing. It's like a Lamborghini body on a Pinto frame. Sure it looks like a great deal but it'll likely explode in your face.

I'm not against the idea of Black Friday. I think it's a good thing since all that sales tax revenue eventually goes back to the government where it can be used for better things. I think it's just getting a bit out of hand when you have people lining up at all hours of the day and night waiting for deals that they may not really need. Thanksgiving was started as a time for family and friends to reflect and be thankful for the things and people they have in their lives. For my family it's always been a day full of the traditions that make me appreciate what I have. I don't want to sully that by wondering if I have time for an extra piece of pie before schlepping out into the cold November night to be ready to run (and get trampled) just to pick up a DVD player. I'd rather let the carbs and tryptophane lull me into a warm Thanksgiving slumber.

It's Not the Size of Your Carry-On, It's What In It!

The FAA is encouraging those of us traveling this holiday week to make their job easier and your experience more pleasant by leaving all unnecessary baggage behind and travelling with the bare essentials. How can this best be achieved according to them? Simple. Leave your carry-on bags at home. Now I agree that most of the delays at security checks are due to people not being all that familiar with the rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be carried.

My biggest pet peeve are the people who carry jumbo 8-gallon sodas through the security line only to act surprised when they're asked to get rid of it. This despite the fact that there are signs all over the airport and announcements and visual aids informing passengers that liquids are not allowed through the security gate. I guess some of these guys figure that they can possibily become the one exception to the rule. Meanwhile the rest of us are standing in the back with our belts, shoes and jackets in hand waiting for you while you argue about having spent $15 on a soda you now have to toss out.

Well, the hope on the part of the FAA is that by having passengers come through security with nothing more than what they have in hand they should be through security that much faster and with little or no problem. In theory this seems like a fine suggestion but unfortunately the realities of air travel these days tend to run counter to the arguement that air travel is anything but speedy. I agree that some passengers go a bit overboard with what they term carry-on. I once saw a 300 pound man get on an aircraft with a duffle bag that was nearly as large as him and then sat mesmerized as he proceeded to push, shove and force it into the overhead compartment. Things like that should definitely be banished from flights since they are unnecessary and cause greater delays.

But what about in instances where we are making a normal trip; if such a concept even exists anymore? I mean most flights are only a couple of hours but they aren't the same as they used to be are they? Previously for a cross-country flight you would get some food that came in something larger than a pack of dental floss. You actually got real food served on real trays with real silverware; no sporks in sight. Nor did you have to pay $5 for the food; it was included in the ticket price. What's so good about that and what does it have to do with carry-on bags? Simple. People need their carry-on bags to provide sustinance and distraction for flights that rarely arrive or depart on time. If we put all our possessions in the proverbial 'egg basket' and then check it in, what happens when we land in Washington but our bags are up in Detroit? Well, I suppose we can look at the bright side and be happy that we cleared security in record time.

I think the rules that the FAA and TSA and DHS (the alphabet soup in charge of our collective security) have in place are great and all but there are times when they just don't make sense. All these problems in the airline industry today are all related. Rising costs to airlines means cuts in their staff which lead to cuts in service which leads to longer lines which means missed flights which means frayed nerves which means problems with security which means delays which means sitting and starving on a plane waiting to go home which means it's time for a new regulation meant to alleviate problems but only serving to make them worse. If you're going to be travelling this holiday, please, for your sake and the sake of your fellow passengers, pack smartly and don't try to play innocent in pretending a full-size suitcase will fit in the overhead bin. Pack smartly and get their early. Keep food on hand and entertainment by way of books or music close and above all.... relax. Getting there is rarely half the fun anymore.

Flying for Turkey Day

Well Thanksgiving is almost upon us and that means that with it comes the manic mayhem of holiday travel. Given all the problems that have been cropping up with air travel these days you would think that most people would avoid the airports this holiday season but that is not the case. Despite rising costs, dropping service, overbookings, increased security, decreased fuel on-board, longer lines and shorter frills, surveys find that record numbers of travellers are going to be on the road or in the air this year for Thanksgiving. Still, it isn't as if people aren't trying to help.

President Bush announced yesterday that he realizes that delays in air travel are becoming more frequent and that as president, he and the government are supposed to do something about it. Well, yesterday he announced that he is requesting the Pentagon to open normally closed military air traffic routes to airlines in an effort to reduce delays in transit. That's great! What a wonderful idea! Airspace that would otherwise be used at a far lesser rate than the normal traffic routes will be available. In road driving terms you can say that in addition to the highway, you are now using parallel running side streets as well. It's a momumental step seeing as how part of the problem with air travel these days is the fact that the skies are jammed with planes.

Still, that's not the only problem. Nor is it very likely to be cause for celebration as the end-all-be-all solution to the problem. On the contrary, it's more likely to cause many more. One of the major issues that airlines have long contended with are delays at the airports themselves. With so many airlines competing for gates that are limited in quantity, you are hard pressed to get the full service that you once enjoyed. If we as passengers are starving these days for lack of service, it's because airlines are also having to shell out for more room at airports. When an airline flies a flight to a destination, they have to pay to rent the space, the crew that loads and unloads the bags, fuel, etc. as well as the time they spend on the ground at the airport since that is ground that would otherwise be occupied by other airlines.

Therein is one of the major problems. If you don't increase the number of ground personnel (both planeside and airport-side) all you're doing is playing musical chairs with few seats to begin with but then adding more players every few minutes while keeping the number of chairs the same. So even if a plane has smooth sailing to and from their destination, after they get to the airport you are stuck waiting to get your bags, get a taxi, get to your car and just go home. And the problems just aren't on the arrivals side, the departure side has it's share of problems too. Changes in security requirements every so often mean confusion and angry fliers who still don't understand that no liquids in containers over 8 ounces does include the 20 ounce drink you're attempting to bring through security. On a side note, just a comment for people who like to plead ignorance to these rules and ask for an exception. You are only acting like an ass and further delaying the rest of us trying to get through security, toss the bottle and remember to purchase it after you pass through security the next time.

Anyways, beside security, the check-in for airlines is just as bad. With few actual ground personnel working limited numbers of desks they are hard pressed to check-in dozens of fliers bound for dozens of different destinations. We're told by various sources to get to the airport early. But how early can you get there? Some airlines won't check you in until a few hours before your flight but if you get there too close to that start time you end up spending most of that time waiting in line to check in bags and even more time waiting in security lines. Then there's always the possibility of being bumped off of your flight in favor of someone else; a common enough practice these days.

The government is attempting to step in and force change by increasing the 'payback' passengers get after being bumped by an airline. I mean I've paid for my ticket just like the next guy. Most people plan accordingly and if their flight is delayed by a day because of overbooking, all those plans are thrown out of whack. What do you do then? While these efforts to increase compensation or increase airspace for flights to travel certainly seem like efforts in the right direction, they are just what they sound like. Hot air. Until airports grow in size and capacity, until ground crew unions get additional help and until our paranoia over super-security (which still fails tests to detect bomb components) dies down, we're going to be waiting to get to our destinations for a long time.

Remembering Our Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day and for many, it is a day to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for their countries and for those who continue to put their lives in harm's way all in the name of freedom. It sounds trite and cliched to make such statements but for most of the men and women in uniform, they are the very words that compel them to persevere despite conflicting ideas about what the role of the military in this country should be. Whether you believe in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or you don't, one thing to remember is that the men and women over there are doing their job despite the fact that they may feel the same as the rest of us on their being over there.

Many who have gone over to either country have not come back and many who have come back have not necessarily come back the same as they were. This doesn't just mean lost limbs or the like, but sometimes something deeper. When most people think of war they think of the glorified looks you see in the old war movies starring the likes of John Wayne or Lee Marvin. Tough guys who would lead their men through thick and thin. In the old movies, war was seen as violent but 'clean'. When men (and it was always only men back then) died it was a clean and quick death. None of the reality that many have started to relate in recent memoirs or movies. Lately the reality that was war for many veterans has come to the forefront and though it may be Hollywood's version of what war is like, it is nonetheless important to know that these are but mere tastes of what war is like.

A generation of youngsters grew up on war films before going to Vietnam and they viewed this as the way war really was but it wasn't. Yet the continued to go. Some voluntarily and others involuntarily. They served and fought because it was either what they believed or what they were ordered to do. Despite that, there were many back here who looked down upon those in the service as being evil and killers. There may have been some, but not all. For most they were just doing a job that they were trained to do and they did it for something as simple as the soldier next to them. It's become yet another cliche to hear veterans talk about how they cared so much about the guy next to them that they would go through Hell just to keep them safe. It's a bond of friendship and brotherhood that those of us who have never experienced it cannot understand.

Though there are those who talk about their sacrifices and efforts to keep our country safe, those who serve on the front lines, those who eat out of serving sized containers while dressed in layers of protective clothing, those who spend months and even years away from their family and friends are the ones who will know it. They are the ones who make the greatest sacrifices for their country and for the security and continued well-being of our nation. They are the ones who proudly wear the uniform of their nation and they are the ones who deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices on a day like today.