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Responding to a friend who posted this on Facebook
Years ago me and a partner accepted a contract to complete a warehouse loft in Brooklyn. Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation and some light structural work. The job had been started by someone else, and the client was unsatisfied with how things were going.
We first had to correct an extraordinary amount of problems left by the last contractor. We soon came to the conclusion that this was the work of a extremely bad handyman, and dubbed him "The Butcher".
Day after day, over and over we ran into more and more outrageous work that had to be redone. At one point I had to inspect and finish a shower stall that was started by 'The Butcher'. I quickly realized that it didn't have a trap installed on the waste line (a fitting used to hold a water seal and prevent dangerous sewer gases from entering the living space). That left me no choice but to disassemble the entire unit to see if there were any other serious violations, which was a very frustrating situation considering the amount of time it took away from the large amount of work we had ahead of us. After removing a wall to check the vent piping (which supplies air relief to protect the newly installed trap's seal), I noticed that the vent piping had absolutely no space around it where it penetrated the floor. This was not a problem in itself, but I needed to see that it was properly connected to the waste line under the floor.
There was a small sliver of insulation protruding from where the pipe penetrated the floor, so I pulled on it hoping to expose enough of a crack to get my saw blade into to widen the hole.
As I pulled on the sliver of insulation, the entire pipe (Which was only 3" long and disconnected) fell into my hands. 'The Butcher' had propped up this pipe to look as if it was installed, and placed the sliver of insulation under it to further seal the illusion. I immediately started laughing hysterically, and my partner and the client quickly came over to see what was going on.
I tried to explain things to them while laughing hysterically with tears running down my face, and they stood there watching stunned and confused. It took me all of 5 minutes to regain composure and get back to work. I had absolutely no control of my laughter, and felt like I was reborn afterwards. I guess it was just a matter of my safety relief valve popping off.
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| FREEDOM RIDERS |
Once again we're back to the same old thing. You're telling me it doesn't matter, the color of my skin, the wealth of my kin, the sex that I'm in. You say anyone can be anything they want to be, its all up to them. You say things like 'Lets stop blaming the system', 'Pull yourself up by your own boot straps', and 'Forget about slavery, It's all in the past'. I chose to enlighten you, but I should've stomped your ass. There are barriers that hold us back, and they're real. If you cant see them, cant you feel. I'm not telling you to lay down and die, or give up on everything before you try. But before you can go under, over, around or through any obstacle, you have to recognized them and set up a plan. Boot pulling just don't cut it my man. As for not blaming the system I tend to agree, It was never set up to serve you and me. The very foundations were built on our backs, and still we're the victims of racial, sexual, and economic attacks. Forgetting Slavery was high on your list, now I know you've sunk deep in your mental abyss. Forget the Murders, the sorrow, the pain? Forget the heroes, the struggles, the gains? Forget Tubman, Turner, Vesey, and Scott? Its time you turn in that brain that you got. Could I forget my father and mother who brought me to life, who nurtured and guided me through many a strife. The struggles they endured were parallel to none, not only because I was their son. They had no Idea the person I'd be, yet most of their time was spent on me, They love me, because they loved themselves. So when Tubman continuously risked her life to ensure the freedom of others, it was because she love them, because she loved herself. When Turner unleased the fury that was within him, it wasn't just the hatred of his oppressors. It was the love of his people, the love of himself. So the next time you decide to shoot off your mouth, be sure you know what you're talking about. Its easy to think that you've made it alone, with your fine clothes, fancy car and beautiful home. But without the struggles of those in the past, I'd watch your naked, walking, homeless ass. Sit in the streets and wonder why, as the white winged power just pass you by. So sit back and relax, and let your mind roam. Think of your life and that beautiful home. Then all who spilled blood to pave the way, and thank them for this glorious day.
Willard Mitt Romney has been running for the Presidency of The United States for over five years. During that time he has earned a well deserved reputation as a flip flopper, by changing from one policy position to the extreme opposite. Romney has often stated "I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country." and "I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose, and I'm devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard." but in answering a question posed to him by Mike Huchabee (a leader in the conservative movement), would you support and sign a personhood amendment? (an amendment that would virtually render any abortion an act of murder) He answered with a resounding "Absolutely!" Mitt has asserted himself as being left of Ted Kennedy in LGBT issues for one election, but now supports DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) which restricts the rights of the LGBT community. HRC President Joe Solmonese once stated that "Mitt Romney changes positions on LGBT issues more often than he changes clothes." Romney's biggest flip flop of them all, is in his position on Healthcare. In Massachusetts, as Governor Mitt Romney enacted sweeping healthcare reform ("Romneycare"), and said that "It should be the model for the Nation." Today in order to ingratiate himself to the conservative base of the republican party, Romney continually attacks The Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare" a plan fashion after "Romneycare") and vows to "Repeal it on day one" of his Presidency. The list of severe position changes by Mitt Romney could go on indefinitely. The only conclusion that the American voters can come to, is that Mitt Romney will do and say anything to be President; and he cannot be trusted.
Many pundits say that the election will come down to the economy, and that this is the reason for the tight poll numbers. Polls show that the majority of the American people blame The recklessness of the bush Administration (two unpaid for ill devised wars, unwarranted tax cuts for the rich, deregulation of Wall street, and corporations) for the failing economy, and the Republican obstructionist Congress for why President Obama has not done better at reversing the damage.
I believe that the American voters as a whole will see the dangers of a saber rattling empty vessel, put in place by a republican party that has openly stated their unwavering opposition to President Obama; no matter what the cost is to the American people. A Republican Party that has openly stated their unwillingness to compromise, and a party whom openly states that their only need of a US President is "enough working digit to handle a pen" and sign legislation that they put forth.
Mitt Romney is a weak candidate for the Presidency and cannot win on his merits, the opposition for President Obama in this election is bigotry, willful ignorance, lies financed by millionaires who stand to gain from a Romney Presidency, voter suppression and voter apathy. Not only must we get energized to combat these powerful entities and assure President Obama a second term, we must also take back the Congress and increase the Democratic majority in the Senate. In a second Obama Presidency we need Democratic control of the House and Senate to produce good and lasting progress, and in a first Romney term we need Democratic control of the House and Senate to counteract Mitts regressive agenda.
