Movie Review: “The Bourne Legacy”

   I am an ardent fan of the cinematic arts. Although I have certain genre preferences, I don’t let that stifle my curiosity and close myself to different flavors of entertainment. That said...I am a huge fan of science fiction, super hero and action movies! Please visit my other blog The Boxed Office for reviews, exclusively, on these types of movies.

The Cast: 

Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz

   Jeremy Renner was enjoyable as Hawkeye in the Avengers and gave a decent performance in this film. The subject matter of the film didn’t give him much range to explore as an actor, but he can’t be blamed for the script. Edward Norton is a very good actor, but what can he really do if all his role calls for is to sit in a room and order the deaths of science projects? Rachel Weisz probably had the most to do in performance delivery as a doctor that is thrust into the middle of a project meltdown with no clue how the all the moving parts work. She delivered in her role...but it was nothing that hasn’t been seen before.

The Plot:

   This film runs concurrently with The Bourne Ultimatum. I can’t wait to view both on BlueRay and compare the events to see if they got it right.

   While Jason Bourne is exposing Operation Blackbriar and the Treadstone Project in The Bourne Ultimatum, Eric Byer (Edward Norton) is ordering the elimination of all members of Operation Outcome...from agents to scientist.

   One such agent is Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) and scientist Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz). Because of Cross’s genetically modified enhancements, he is able to avoid the first attempt on his life and evade subsequent attempts as the film progresses. In his efforts to stay alive, and enhanced, he seeks out Dr. Shearing, saving her life from a second assassination attempt after she survives the first that leaves all her colleagues dead.

   Cross takes Shearing on a wild ride in an attempt to remain what he has become, while trying to stay one step ahead of all the resources the United States government is bringing against them to eliminate any trace that the program existed.

The Verdict: 

   I’m a fan of all the previous “Bourne” films and thought this one would be more of the same, but with a different agent to focus on. I was right about that, but wrong in my thoughts that it would carry the same delivery as the other films before it.

   Renner does not deliver as much as Damon does, but this has everything to do with the script and very little to do with his acting ability. The film seemed rushed as I never got the chance to really know the characters...but very slow in the fact that it spent a lot of time explaining the circumstances surrounding the motivations of the antagonists. It could have done more with less explanation, and more action. The action that was in it was good, but very brief and too heavy on the suspense aspect. I don’t need to see a chase last for twenty minutes...it gets boring after ten.

   If you are a fan of the Bourne films, then you’ll want to see this just to further flesh out the entire story of everything associated with Jason Bourne. I found value in the movie from this aspect only, but was disappointed in that it was one long chase movie that delivered few answers to questions I wasn’t asking, and focused on people I didn’t care about. It could have been a better film, but only served up two and a half, out of five, cinnamon sticks in my cup of tea.

Congressional Reform Act: A Good Start

   There has been a chain letter circulating through the internet for years now. It presents itself as an idea from Warren Buffet, but the truth is the only part of it that came from him was a simple quote. Although the contents are not his, the ideas in the letter continue to raise questions, inspire discussion...and motivate people into thinking positive about where we are as a country, and where we want to be. Obviously, something this inspirationally viral and full of ideas simply must be discussed on this site, dedicated to the advent of idea.

   “I could end the deficit in 5 minutes. You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.” This was the quote that sparked a firestorm. It was meant as a joke...but takes a serious poke at a large part of the country’s economic problem...Congress! With members of Congress coming to the table with the agendas of those that line their pockets and fund re-election campaigns, instead of the best interests of the country...it’s no mystery why nothing substantial gets done for the benefit of everyone. They are too busy pushing benefits for the selected few.

   The following points should be viewed carefully...

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Member of Congress collects a salary while in office
and receives no pay when they are out of office.

   Now you’ve got to wonder who would still do the job...if it really wasn’t a job, but a paid privilege to serve. People are making careers out of being in Congress, but does that path really serve the interests of the people...or are those on that path too busy trying to maintain their own personal design for their life choice?

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

   It seems to me any issues with Social Security would get fixed real fast if this were ever the case. 

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans
do.

   Putting those that make the decisions that effect you and I on an even keel means they make decisions that also effect themselves (and I don’t mean like point number 4). There is a lot of debate in Congress about a great many things...and I’m eager to see how that debate changes when they are no longer talking about abstracts that effect other people, but specifics that affect them along with everyone else.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

   Yeah...it must be nice to just vote yourself a raise whenever you feel the need...or whim. Things getting a little tight in the pocket...? Take a vote, get a raise. Probably the only time a unanimous decision is made in Congress. I’m in favor of bottling this genie by capping it at 3% and tying it into the Consumer Price Index.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

   Now this is hot potato! Health care has been at the center of the ideological debate between the Demon-crats and Rethuglicans (yes, I’m an independent thinker). Want to see both parties come to a consensus on health care? Put them in the same system as the rest of America and they’ll stop yelling at each other, and start talking with each other. They will either settle for the less we have...or upgrade all of us to where they have comfort. Take a guess which it will be...?

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American
people.

   Well...this one sounds good, but I think that human nature will prevail here, at least a little bit. I can see high profile situation being enforced to the letter as it would with everyone else....but it’s the small stuff that will still get lost in translation. Think of it as the perks an officer of the law has...just because they’re the police, like parking under a “No Parking” sign.  Could we live with these small acts of elitism? We do now already...but you have to wonder if that is how it all started in the first place, for things to get to where they are now

7. All contracts with past and present Members of Congress are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Members of Congress. Legislators made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term's, then go home and back to work.

   So the “effective” date would need to be modified, since it already passed...or not, since it casts a net over everyone that has, is, and will be...in Congress. I’ve mentioned before how we need less politicians and more statesmen. The need for political straight talk has never been greater...and if our Legislators are unwilling or incapable of doing this, then perhaps it’s time we, the people, used our considerable power to make some changes that will actually make a positive difference. 

   The original chain letter said “THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS”...can anyone honestly read the above ideas, and disagree that this would be a start? Well...of course someone can (and probably will), but that would just be an example of being part of the problem...instead of working toward a workable solution.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPI

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/02/being-hater-viral-societal-infection.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2012/01/political-straight-talk.html

Let It Out

   There is a saying that there is nothing new under the sun. It can be argued, I suppose, but the sentiment is documented in the careful observation of most things under the sun. The fact that people continue to behave as....well, people, only bolsters this position. Take for example, the practice by many to bury and hold onto frustration, anger, sadness and a plethora of other emotions, instead of the often recommended course of action of “getting it off your chest.”

   Many times people hold onto much negative emotions...letting them fester and mutate instead of bringing this darkness into the light. It’s something many do and a behavior I didn’t consider to write about until I recently heard a story of such a case that had been festering...for many years. Imagine being friends with someone...close friends, for many years, and one day an inquiry into some curious behavior leads to a torrential outpouring of negative emotions against you. For you it would come as something out of the blue, from left field, off the wall. For your friend, it’s been festering for years...yes, years...and today was the day it all came to a head.

   I heard this story and it gave me pause. I began to think to myself if I have been harboring any bad feelings toward anyone and if so, what was preventing me from either addressing the issue...or letting those negative emotions go. I also began an  to determine if this was indeed a modus operandi of people in general...and found that although it depends on the individual and their life philosophy, many will cling to their perceptions and emotions attached to them for a long time unless otherwise resolved. Granted...my study was as far from scientific as asking a bunch of people can be, but it did give some insight into this subject matter.

   It is also interesting to note that although a subject can be resolved in the way of all the issues clearing the air...being discussed and understood with everyone informed on all thoughts on the matter, this is no guarantee that bridges will be built. Many people, once bridges are burned, let them smolder even after the facts surrounding the flames have been doused. Is it human to hold grudges? Certainly. Is it healthy? Probably not. In the opening case to this post...certainly not. If you are friends with someone, part of being a friend and having a true friendship is full disclosure of those things that polarize emotions and cause tension. If this isn’t happening...then perhaps a reevaluation is called for.

   Apart from the situations between friends, everyone gets to a point, at some time...where they have a surplus of frustration, anxiety, anger, or just have a moment when the weight of the world just seems crushing. Let it out. I can’t say everyone has someone to talk to...but everyone can find someone to talk to. The pool starts with family and friends, then extends to people you know...and then to people you don’t know. I mean really...if you can’t afford a professional and have no family of friends, there are still free resources available for you to let it out. Even a good yell or scream is a step in the right direction.

   We see news stories all the time of people that perform heinous crimes, and although this is not, by any means, the proper venue to express unresolved emotional problems, I think it noteworthy that most of them have issues that were either unknown prior, or not acknowledged when presented. I’m not absolving any one of abhorrent behavior...I’m just saying that the philosophy of “let it out” is a good one and a positive facilitator against these acts of tragedy.

   Time for some positive self reflection. Are you harboring feelings that are a constant buzz, or are mounting internal pressure within you? Let it out. Are you angry at someone for something they did (or didn’t do) and they don’t even know it? Let it out. Are positive feelings for someone festering...and in doing so, having a negative effect on you? Let it out.

   Let it all out.

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2012/02/burning-bridge.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/04/friend-ship.html

Olympic Adoration

   The Olympics is a celebration of the human condition...showcased on a world stage, by those that would claim a unique banner...but share the same classification: human.

   I absolutely love watching the Olympics. I guess “watching” isn’t quite accurate, I see myself as an active participant in the emotion of it all. The Olympics revives the young athlete in me and sets fire to an inner national pride that leaves me screaming for the home team...but also for the individual achievement of a fellow human being not too far removed from my own circumstance.

Oscar Pistorius

The human condition is that which all of us participate in, either by choice or unwillingly simply because of the fact that we are all human. What has been experienced by one human that cannot be empathized by another through a similar experience? Nothing. There is someone, somewhere...at sometime, that has experienced a similar circumstance, and certainly that has felt a profound emotion related to that circumstance. Enter the Olympics...where we are not just entertained by the sport of it all, but share in the celebration of our humanity.

Kirani James

Look at the story of Oscar Pistorius and witness the human condition. A man with double below-knee amputations and aspirations to compete in the Olympic Games against able-bodied athletes. A story of turning a disadvantage into an opportunity is not new...and no less inspiring with it’s telling. There were forces that rose to crush Oscar’s dream, but Oscar would have none of that and persevered, realizing his goal. As children, many of us were told that the sky was the limit to our dreams and that we could do and become anything we wanted to be. Witness what happens when we never let go of that encouragement.

   Kirani James is the first person from his country of Grenada to

win an Olympic medal. His story does not come with tragedy, but instead the capitalization of birth given gifts. At just 19 years old, he is an Olympic champion. Most would say he is an exception to the human condition, but I say he is the rule. I say everyone is born with a gift of some type and those that make the mark Kirani has are simply the ones that have uncovered and nurtured that gift...in pursuit of a dream. It was a special moment at the end of the 400m semi-final when James exchanged name tags with Pistorius...another display of the human condition: respect.

Felix Sanchez

   Felix Sanchez is a two time Olympic gold medalist in the 400m hurdles...winning in Athens 2004 and London 2012. Both medals came with the exact same winning time of 47.63 seconds. At eight years apart, Sanchez, 34 at the time, is the oldest man to win the Olympic 400m title. How many times has it been said that someone is too old to accomplish something? How many times has age overcome our desires for certain goals. It happens, and nothing we can do can stop the aging process...but with hard work and determination, some things thought undoable can be done. Sanchez did it. I watched that race, and I saw Sanchez pull a picture of him and his grandmother from under his uniform...and break down. Loss and sorrow will touch all of us...it’s a staple of being human. Felix channeled those feelings for achievement. How many hearts became one in that golden moment?

Michael Phelps

Anyone watching these Olympic games would be hard pressed to sincerely say they have no idea who Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are. Usain Bolt is the best sprinter of all time...and Phelps is the greatest Olympian ever. Both are a testament to what can be accomplished when limitations are just imaginary boundaries crushed by the reality of the human condition. Both are just the highlights though.

   The human condition are what the Olympics are all about. Everyone has a story someone else can relate to. Just being at the games is a celebration of accomplishment for the athletes involved...and our viewership is the extended after-party wherein we all share in the festivities of our humanity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Pistorius

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirani_James

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Félix_Sánchez

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Phelps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usain_Bolt

Movie Review: “Ip Man”

   I am an ardent fan of the cinematic arts. Although I have certain genre preferences, I don’t let that stifle my curiosity and close myself to different flavors of entertainment. That said...I am a huge fan of science fiction, super hero and action movies! Please visit my other blog The Boxed Office for reviews, exclusively, on these types of movies.

The Cast: 

Donnie Yen

   Donnie Yen delivers a great performance as Wing Chun martial arts master, Yip Man. In truth, everyone in the cast delivers great characterizations of the roles they have...but Yen has the most prominent, and having worked closely on the subject matter and with the students and family of the real Yip Man to make this film...captures much of the martial art, and no doubt delivers some aspects of the real Yip Man. He comes across as humble, yet very formal when engaging in combat. Later, he shows the depth of his humanity and grief when faced with the Japanese occupation of China.

The Plot:

   This film is based on a true events.

   In 1935, Foshun is a prosperous town in China...and Yip Man is the local master. All others seek to challenge him, including a gang from the north. Yip takes on all comers, and cements his position as the undisputed master. Living in luxury and prominence...everything changes when the Japanese invade China.

   Under Japanese rule, Foshun falls into poverty...and food is the only currency that matters to those going hungry. Yip uses whatever connections he has...and the reciprocation of his past acts of kindness to find work, and get food for his family. The Japanese set up a fight club for their soldiers...and entice Chinese participants with the promise of extra rice...and the fear of death.

   One of Yip’s closest friends is killed in this arena, setting Yip down a path of anger and revenge. Yip enters the club...and performs a feat never before seen, putting himself on notice, and setting himself up for the ultimate showdown for which victory means life...and defeat means his death, and the destruction of his family.

The Verdict: 

   I love martial arts films...but this one especially, struck a personal chord with me. Being a practitioner of Wing Chun, I was excited to see the art brought to life in such a unique, and fairly accurate way. When I say “accurate” I understand and accept the liberties the movie industry takes with this type of subject matter. Was everything in the film one hundred percent accurate with the tenets of the art? No...but it was close enough to be enjoyable.

   Donnie Yen is an incredible martial artist and the fight scenes in this film are some of the best ever seen...in any film. It isn’t just the art...although Wing Chun is a highly effective and simplistic combat form, it’s also the choreography. The fact that almost every fight scene has you either out of your chair or on the edge of your seat is a testament to the skill and dedication of every practitioner in the film. Further...the film doesn’t rest all it’s eggs in the fight basket, and tells a riveting story that seems all the more astounding when you keep reminding yourself that these events really happened.

   If you’re the type that finds historical movies interesting, there is something here for you. If you like great martial arts films...it would be sacrilege to not see this movie as it stands apart as one of the most incredible displays of the art of combat. I can’t stress enough some of the mind-blowing sequences put together in this film...and will just say that this cup of tea was impeccable...and served up four, out of five, cinnamon sticks in my cup.

Swimming With the Sharks

   “Shark Tank” is an excellent show that someone like me benefits from with every viewing. There is, however, one thing that stumps me to no end...the ability of some people to sink themselves when offered a great deal.

   Ok, admittedly, I make many assumptions when I postulate that someone has sunk themselves out of a great deal. I assume first that the deal offered was actually a great deal. I assume the person being offered the deal has no working knowledge of what a great deal is. This can be flipped the other way as the person could very well know what a great deal is, but for a reason unrevealed to me...has still rejected it. I’m no billionaire mogul, I’m not even the successful entrepreneur going in front of the sharks. I’m just a guy watching the show...and thinking to myself, “How the heck can you not understand the silver platter was just handed to you.”

   Work with me here. You have a company that has done $100k in sales last year. You go before billionaires (with a “B”) and ask for some of their money to make you even more successful than you’ve already been. They agree to help finance your business...they even offer their vast network of resources to make sure you’re successful. After all, they are investing their money, and they want to not only make their money back, but make a whole lot more of it than they invested. They want you to be successful. They want to continue to be billionaires (with a “B”). They rub their hands and lick their lips at the millions (with an “M”) they will make working with you and your business. They do all of this...in return for 50% of your company...and you say...”no.”

   What? Say what? No? Really? Fifty percent of your company is just asking too much to make you a millionaire (with an “M”)...? I’m confused. I know I wasn’t that great in math when I was in school, but I wasn’t the class idiot either (we actually didn’t have one of those, nothing but big brains in my class). I also don’t corner the market in common sense (even though it isn’t very common at all), but I can certainly figure this equation out. Behind door number one, we have me owning 100% of my company and making $100k a year. Behind door number two, we have me owning 50% of my company making millions (with an “M”) of dollars a year. Lets say the company makes two million, just to illustrate this point. I choose door number one and walk away with my $100k a year....and leave $1 million dollars on the table. Uh...no, that wouldn’t be me. I can do the math.

   I’m probably being too harsh (as usual). Some people just don’t get the dynamics of what is going on...even though they have been blessed to have those dynamics introduced to them. I saw a guy, a firefighter from the midwest, walk away with a million dollars after giving up his invention (the patent and all) of a hose attachment...that is no doubt making the sharks hundreds of millions by now. I know, by his ear-to-ear smile he was thinking it was a great deal...he was a millionaire, but all I kept thinking was lease the patten and get a cut of the profits...for life!

   I saw another man, very successful with his wine business...and determined to push “wine-by-the-glass” completely miss the point of leasing the patten of his “by-the-glass” technique in favor of trying to make his wine business an even greater success. More power to him....but what could he have done with the millions of dollars lost on that deal? He actually had the opportunity to come back on the show...and in a display of unmitigated arrogance and foolishness, lose the very same deal again, this time for good no doubt.

   Human behavior never ceases to amaze and bewilder me. Some of these people need to swim with actual sharks...and maybe that experience will open their eyes to the ocean of opportunity they are swimming in.

http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_Tank_(TV_series)

http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/25/ten-lessons-shark-tank/

http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2011/04/why-im-jealous-of-mark-cuban-and-5-things-i-learned-from-him/

Something Different

   Are we creatures of habit? I’m sure some reading this will answer in the affirmative. I’m sure some reading this easily recognize within themselves the comfortability of the same routine. Many people don’t like change and are resistant to it when it rears it’s ugly, and inevitable head. I happen to accept it whenever it occurs, but I’m also on the inside track because I know it will always occur. Sometimes though, we have to willfully break the routine. Sometimes we just crave...something different.

   Although better is preferable when making certain changes, better is not always possible. Sometimes different is just enough to breath new life into us...and give us a sense of refreshment. When I was younger, I never understood why sometimes I would see people, when making a decision on what to wear, or what to eat, or what to buy....say “I’d like to just try something different,” and make a choice with that being the only guideline. Now that I’m older (probably old to some) I understand that urge. I understand the curiosity. I understand the excitement of the challenge to take oneself out of the comfort zone.

   There are probably many reasons why any one of us would seek the sensation of “different”...but probably the biggest reason is complacency. Complacency is that ugly word, that smooth criminal, moving silently into every facet of our lives...without our notice, until we’ve been wrapped in it’s web for longer than we can remember. 

   It’s in our job, where we aspired to do greater things than we have done thus far, but got comfortable with the situation. Much time has passed before we realize that mundane is scrapping that spot behind our eyes...clawing at us to make a change. We transfer, change positions...get a new job. We make a change because it’s time for something different. If we never answer the call...if we ignore the signs or become so blunt that the sharp edge of complacency can’t be felt...we might end up dismissed or terminated, without ever realizing the true reason why change has come in such an unwelcome fashion.

   Complacency comes to visit us at home...in our relationships. There is probably not a more unwelcome place to be for the silent stalker. There is probably no other place where it produces so much turmoil and causes so much damage if we don’t properly recognize it for what it is. It’s that voice in the back of the head rationalizing a wrong action into a right reason. It’s that feeling that creeps up offering excitement with a change from the outside...instead of a change from within. It’s the gloss over the everyday interaction with our chosen one, that makes us obtuse to the small details, instead of meticulous with every moment. It’s the root of the routine, in an area where being routine is detrimental to our long term goals. 

   Ever wonder how two people simply grow apart? Ever stop to contemplate what being bored in a relationship really means? Ever wonder where the excitement went...after its gone? Round up the usual suspect...complacency. I can hear some of you now...”Whoa, waitaminute. I’m not complacent, I’m full of spontaneity. How do you explain me?” Simple human nature. That drive and spark that has led the way to where humanity is now. That idea that says you can build a mouse trap...and keeps coming back to convince you that can build a better one.

   

   We were not meant to stagnate and be placated. No...I think we were meant to thrive, to push our boundaries, to ask hard questions that result in harder choices, to not always let change be an effect upon us...but become a cause for effective change. Complacency is our quiet reminder that we need to be active participants in our story, not just the narrator. That the story needs to enthrall us and capture our imagination...even as we imagine our way out of the prison of mediocrity. 

   Sometimes...we simply want to experience something different...and that is an elevating human condition, if we wish it to be.

Sleight of Mind

   Magicians often use sleight-of-hand to fool your eyes so they don’t see what is right in front of them. You miss how the trick is done, and are awed by what you’ve seen...because of what you missed. Unfortunately, this is an everyday occurrence in life, notably with the news media, both on television and in print. It’s awesome to watch, but also sad as so many are taken in by the parlor tricks.

   Tuesday, July 17th (2012) edition of the Boston Herald is a prime example of what I’m talking about. Let me preface what I’m about to say by unequivocally stating that I am not a fan of the Governor of Massachusetts. I have been within arm’s length of him four times now...and he has never once thought enough of my vote to even acknowledge I exist. A simply “hello” would have gone a long way, instead of ignored as if I were the hired help (although technically, I was)...but I digress. The issue isn’t the Governor, although the Herald wouldn’t agree. The issue is the non-story being touted as news, but is only really serving as a distraction from the things that really matter.

   Now the State House parking logs are the top story, the most important piece of news going on in the lives of the residents of Massachusetts...not! People are still trying to find jobs, still need housing, still getting smashed at the pump, still besieged by community violence, still living life on tough terms...but all this falls to the wayside as we must know the hours state officials keep...as if the parking logs are an accurate measure of that anyway (not!).

   The article sited the fact that there are many variables that could paint an inaccurate picture such as method of travel (not always by car), on site staff providing entry, “off-site parking and extended stays” (page 5). It seems clear that the parking logs won’t be the best indicator of who is and is not doing their job on capitol hill...but the hunt for witches continues.

   No story like this could ever go by without the screams of “it’s my tax dollars and I have a right to know” or “ things aren’t this way in the private sector.” I roll my eyes every time I hear either one of these lame excuses for willfully detracting from stuff that is really important. First, they are not your tax dollars, that money was taken, confiscated from you by the government. It’s not yours anymore, it’s theirs. I patiently wait for everyone to finally catch on when it comes to “their tax dollars.” Second, the constant comparing of the private sector to the government sector is just pure fallacy as a reasonable retort. Such a position reeks of an attitude of haterism...not being able to cope with the fact that others can do, what you cannot. It’s a virus that is infecting society...and fueled by nonsensical articles designed to sleight the mind.

   Is there corruption in government? Certainly, there is corruption everywhere there are people as, inevitably, someone will do something they shouldn’t do. It’s human nature, like eating that bowl of ice cream when you know you’re on a diet. Do I need to seek it out to the point of barking up trees that have no leaves? Certainly not, such corruption always makes itself evident in some way...to someone, and it comes out in the open.

   Ultimately, we should all be vigilant in what our brains digest as mental food. Parking records of the state officials isn’t food for thought, it’s a thoughtless meal. The real meat and potatoes is the issues that effect our daily living, and what our elected officials are doing about them. Show me legislation, show me votes cast...keep the parking records.

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-tax-dollarsyour-burden.html

http://dkidiscussion.blogspot.com/2011/02/being-hater-viral-societal-infection.html

http://www.bostonherald.com/