Just some general updates to posts.

We no longer have the grunter at the fitness center.  We DO still have people that make a big show of lifting the large yet lite-weight weights…and I do still get dirty looks from them when I do more weight with a lot more reps.  Honestly people, the YMCA fitness center is NOT a place to pick up a date!

We’re not going to fully close for a while.  Apparently, they discovered there was no room at the new places for our equipment.  New ideas are floating around as to what to do.  In the meantime, danish for all!

I have an insane urge to learn something.  It has been suggested that I could go to Old Dominion University to get yet another degree, since they have teletechnet at RCC.

My explanation of the first amendment has made me be compared to a nazi.  Godwins law is censorship.  However, calling someone a nazi is also considered harassment, and is subject to disciplinary action.

I voted in the primaries.  After all, how often do you get to vote on who you want to vote for?

That is all.

On January 17th, there was an all employee meeting at the building where I work at.  Speculation was that they were going to shut the building down.  I, personally, had a lot of evidence to that regards, and perhaps I should have passed it on to my fellow employees, but I had no desire to panic anyone.  Especially since there was also a logical explanation for every item.

Unfortunately, it was revealed that yes, we were to close doors.  All employees were to either take up new jobs in other units, or move on.  Counseling sessions were provided on a one on one basis to explore the options, but the fact of the matter was…it was all over.

These are people I had worked with for 8 years.  People I had mooched candy from, taught math and computers to, people that invited me over for dinner.  If ever I had a family, this was it.  It is a tremendous vote of confidence to hear that most of a shift of workers threatened to quit if I did not re-take several job duties I had before…which I was none to happy to lose, but since I had been promoted out of the area, what was I to do?  I took them back, happily.

This was a job that bent over backwards to make sure I could finish college.  They let me change jobs and schedules as needed.  They let me fiddle with the computer system, develop bakery recipes, drive vehicles, and irritate powerful people.  Even when I was officially moved out of the building (except in office), I worked here.

These were good people, too.  Some of them had been doing the same job for 40 years.  They were reliable, dependable, and very easy going provided you didn’t insult their teams.  You could trust them to do what was needed to be done, and if they finished early, they went looking for more to do.  They never, ever looked down on me because I’m a little strange…on the contrary, one of them went out and learned to read and write because I was always doing it and enjoying it.  These were people that had a job, and they did it very well.

And now, all gone.  I might see one or two at other units (my position, since I don’t actually work here, didn’t change) but for the most of them, no more.

So perhaps, I might have put a little more thought then to wear my new dress trench coat to work the next day…

A new year, a new crop of new years resolutions to break by the end of the month.  January is a busy time at the fitness center I go to as people realize once again that yes, if they want to live longer, they’ll need to eat right, stop smoking, drink moderately or not at all, and exercise.  Thankfully, sex is considered good cardio, or else the population would all drop dead of a heart attack by 40.  Still, the first of the year has wall to wall people on the machines, with more waiting in the sidelines.  Except Fridays.  That’s local payday and sports night so I can go earlier and still have the place to myself.

Within one week, 80% of the influx was there.  Last Wednesday, we were down to slightly above normal.  Next month, if we continue this trend, we will have negative people trying to gain weight on the machines.  Still, that’s not the point to me writing…

We have our first grunter.  You know the type…over-sized arms, has to issue a noise every-time they do something as strenuous as tying their shoelaces, focused so much on developing muscles they get winded on short flights of stairs, there to be looked at.  Which is ironic, since most of my fellow energy burners are older then me by a decade or 6.  I surmise the grunt is a mating call of some sort.  It was our first, though, so I took the time to see what was up.

The red weights were up.  Every time.  Nothing less would do.  Lift, grunt, drop.  Not lower gently, these babies were so heavy they required the floor to be additionally padded and supported as no mere muscles could stop them from rejoining the ground.  Lift, grunt, drop.  3 sets of 6, with a 5 minute wait between each set.  On to the next machine.  Pull, grunt, drop.

And then, this bastion of mortal testosterone left.  I could never hope to live up to his physical abilities, let alone his auditory.

Except…last night, I decided to see just how much he was lifting.  The red weights?  45 lbs.  One on each side, plus the bar is 135.  For comparison, skinny little weak me with my spaghetti arms can only use the 40 lb weights, for a total of 125.  I do 3 sets of 12 with 1 minute between, no grunting or dropping.  Obviously I’m doing something wrong, as I am about to move up to the 45’s, and STILL don’t grunt with effort.  I might have to see a doctor about my inability to sound off!  I might NEVER get a shallow barby doll menatlity girlfriend!

Or perhaps, next time he comes in, I’ll just offer his some fiber.

This is an open letter to the young ladies on match.com.

I’m single.  This doesn’t bother me much, so I don’t do much to correct the situation.  I live in a small town, I hate to travel, and I am very much a geek.  Sports, nascar, religion, prime time tv…I can deal with all of this, but much prefer a good book or a decent video game, or even, god forbid, spending time with my small but high quality group of friends.  You know, people who don’t care that I don’t do stupid stuff.  So I am single.

Every once in a while, I get the urge to have female companionship of the heart.  Share feelings.  Cuddle.  Watch romantic comedies.  Small town, all my friends are married or male.  So I turn to match.com, eharmony, etc.  And you are there.

No, not just once, but every time.  I start dating, I date for a while, it fizzles, I take some time off.  Several months later, I try again.  I’m getting better at the dating thing, by the way, and some day might even get it right.  But I check to see if there are any new people on, and I see…you.  Again.  Or rather, still.  It’s been…years, for some of you.

You seem to be attractive.  Yes, I know pictures tend to lie on these places, but even so.  Most of you have a decent education, decent jobs, decent lives.  Your profiles are well written, and filled with things that make even me take notice.  Oh, and men outnumber you, sometimes 4 to 1.  And you are still there, updating your profiles, changing your pics to more recent ones, still looking.

I’ve had some good times with people I met from match.com.  Had some great relationships.  Met some wonderful people, who are all now married to other people who aren’t me.  The system does work, if you work at it.

What’s wrong?  What are you doing?  Are you too picky?  Are you waiting for the bolt of lightening?  Are you waiting for the deep pockets?  Or are you just looking, with no intention of ever buying?  I wonder, because I’ve winked and emailed some of you, and never received a reply.  Not even a polite “not interested”.  And yet, you are still there, month after month, year after year.  Why?

It’s not just one person.  There is a large group of you.  Maybe you don’t know what you want.  Maybe you do know, and it is completely unattainable.  Maybe you just log in in a moment of loneliness.  Maybe you just think very short term, not thinking long term.  Maybe you aren’t real people at all, but fakes put in to make men believe they have a chance at dating.

I wonder, and would truly love to know.

And the last day, with the first, and some say most important, amendment.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

What it means:  Congress shall make no laws establishing favoritism of one religion over the other.  Nor shall congress pass a law that prevents someone from speaking their opinion, nor shall they pass a law preventing the news media from doing the same thing.  People may assemble provided they do so peacefully.  Finally, people may bring the government up on charges should they feel they have been wronged.

Today:  If you have been paying attention, you caught it.  The point I keep trying to make.  This is a federal document, concerning the federal government, and it was written this way to make sure that should a citizen require their voice to be heard, no matter the cause, the government would not be able to prevent them from doing so.  Local governments have copied it into their own constitutions so it carries through…but not everywhere.  Federal, local, state…not private.

The catches are these.  For freedom of religion, while the federal government has a hands off approach, local governments and yes, even the IRS, can determine what is a religion and what isn’t.  Don’t fit the rules, better be careful.  Also, some religions run afoul in their religious practices of other laws…human sacrifice is still depriving someone of life even if it is voluntary.  Don’t get your kids medical attention?  Child abuse.  Of course, the part about congress not passing laws doesn’t mean we can’t have leaders that base their policies on religion.  The Reagans allegedly followed astrology, while the Bush administration has entire policies based on their own personal faith.  If I hear about one more school board trying to get intelligent design taught as actual science instead of evolution…

You’ll also note the lack of the term “separation of church and state”.  That came later, thanks to Jefferson and Madison, but as far as I can locate was never specifically put into law as such.  Basically, Congress will not permit the taxing, funding, or even acknowledgement of a religion AS A WHOLE.  Individual members may do so at leisure, but not in a governmental sense.

As for freedom of speech, have at it.  Just remember, while the governments may not dictate the content of the speech, they MAY dictate the time and location of speeches.  Our country tends to be rather lenient in this regard.  Same with the right to assemble peacefully…there is a good chance it will be permitted, but if there is a chance for a mob or violence, such as asking to march down a major thoroughfare during rush hour (or my personal favorite, the KKK marching down Harlem!) forget it.

Freedom of press?  Reporters make their own news nowadays, but enough money and/or dirty tricks, and they will report what you want them to report.  Just ask anyone that has seen a political scandal where the facts change daily, or a campaign advertisement.

Keep in mind the one thing that people keep forgetting, though, and this is what they really SHOULD remember.  We are not the federal government.  We are private citizens.  As such, we do not have to listen to each other.  Indeed, it is our freedom of speech that allows us to shout someone down, expose flaws in the speech, and so on.  Additionally, unless the person is on public property or has permission from the landowner, they may be brought up on charges completely unrelated to freedom of speech.  Like trespassing.  Vocally inciting a riot, slander, profanity, obscenity…also out, but NOT because of the government, but local laws.  Be careful though…not done right, and it gets tossed out of court.

So yes, as a private citizen, I have the right to not listen to a person blather, and am able to take peaceable steps to get them to STFU.

And for the record, just because, I’ve been telling people I’m opposed to both merry christmas and happy holidays because it is insensitive to miserable bastards.

Wild week…and beware!  My entire inheritance from my father, should great tragedy befall and he passes on (hopefully long in the future…my dad rawks!) consists of his gun collection.  He’s smart, though…not one of them has the firing pin!

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

What it means:  Due to the need to protect our country from tyranny both inside and out (written right after a revolutionary war, remember?), a well regulated militia will be necessary to protect the country, and as such, no-one may be deprived of their ability to have a weapon to supprt the milita.

Today:  Who can spot the two loopholes here?  This isn’t a protection of the right to have a gun.  This is an attempt to make a local guard to protect local areas, in addition to the normal military.  Armies back in the day tended to move slowly, especially with a distinct lack of fast communication, so local militias usually were needed for protection.  But!  This doesn’t give the right to form a militia…it just gives the right to have weapons to form the militia!  Of course, since it is implied, there are several groups out there that, for want of anything else to do on a sunday, have formed local militias.  They are usually nutjobs with an overinflated sense of selfworth, and are generally ignored by the government up until they start dodging taxes and arming themselves excessively.  As opposed to, you know, them doing something positive with their sundays, like building playgrounds.  Always shoot the person suggesting that we go for life, liberty, and justice while holding a gun, because he doesn’t have YOUR best interests at hand…The second loophole.  Right to bear arms.  Not guns, arms.  Swords were considered arms, as were knives, pitchforks, etc.  Anything that could be used as a weapon.  Guns is merely implied, but that was enough.  The right to own a gun has been upheld consistently.  Whether or not this is right or wrong, well…you have to admit that the national guard makes a pretty kick arse local militia type group.

With this one, we’re almost finished!

Amendment III or IIV

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law

What it means:  Simple.  Except in times of war, no person may be forced to house a soldier without there being legalities that must be followed.

Today:  This one comes from when, during times of occupation, homeowners were forced to house, feed, and otherwise shelter the occupying force, whether they were defenders or invaders.  This brought up a lot of hard feelings.  Now, the proviso ”times of peace” means many things, not just absence of war.  Martial law, police action, etc.  Today, the person doing the housing must be asked first, and legal rules and regulations must be followed, often including paying the person.  Not just housing, but also land use, property use, etc.  This can get a little excessive, as for example, a chicken is run over and not only is THAT chicken paid for, but every chicken it might have laid…plus their chickens…even if it was a rooster.

And now for 4…search warrants!

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized

What it means:  No person property or residence shall be searched without a warrant, and the warrant shall not be issued without through the legal process, where there WILL be evidence presented supporting the need for the search, the place of the search, and the things that may be taken.

Today:  Wiretapping, blanket warrants, at-need searches…we’re on a slippery slope.  At a federal level, they seem to have the idea that wire tapping ISN’T an invasion of privacy, nor is skimming e-mails.  Which might be true, since it is a non-physical form of property.  A federal agent may search your vehicle at security check points as they are opt-in locations…you don’t HAVE to go through them, after all.  Also, should a person be deemed as acting suspiciously, they may ask if they can search you.  Refusing, of course, may be a violation that may result in being searched.  After all, if you have nothing to hide, there is no reason to not wish to be searched, right?  Of course, being caught in the commission of a crime may also result in a search, as they now have due cause, so legally refusing to be searched can cause a lot more problems as you get cited for window tint color being 1 point off in tint just so they can search you…oh, and inviting an officer into your house gives them permission to be snoopy and they can ALWAYS look through your car windows.

By the way, according to my sources, blanket search warrants are warrants where certain details are to be filled in later or lack certain details, giving a lot more leeway to the investigators.  Not really legal, so they are rarely used.

I DID say work permitting…

Article V

No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

What it means:  Unless active duty military, a person needs to be indicted of a capital crime by a jury before they can be punished for it.  Also, once cleared of the charges or convicted, the person may NOT be brought forth on those charges again.  A person may not be forced to testify against themselves, and as for jail, there needs to be legal rules followed.  Oh, and property may not be permanently seized for the greater good without the actual owner being paid a fair amount.

Today:Active duty personal are called to the military branch they work for, so that’s ok…they commit a crime, it’s the same as if they are brought before a federal court.  Miranda rights protect the average citizen from self incrimination, although they can get sneaky…inform you of your rights, then putting you in a situation where you brag, confess, or otherwise give yourself away.  If not done right, this is inadmissible.  Double jeopardy is also out, except the courts get around this two ways.  In the first way, they don’t use all the charges against a person they can.  This leaves the door open for a new trial on similar charges if new evidence shows up.  The other way is a lot more common…remember, the constitution is for the federal government, NOT the local or state government.  This means that the federal government may try you on charges, THEN the state may, or vice versa.  Remember the 10th amendment?  That should have been a major clue.  The reason most people don’t see a distinction between the federal, local, and state governments is that the state and local governments usually have their own constitutions BASED on the federal version.

  Jail without charges is also pretty uncommon, although the fact finding bit may, due to extensions by both sides, extend for years.  Still, on american soil with americans, charges need to be brought before someone can be held for a length of time.  Non-americans, and those not on american soil, may find themselves…elsewhere.

Finally, there is eminent domain.  This proviso was put in to prevent looting, search and seizure without proper requirements, and (in)voluntary bribes or donations.  It’s used mainly to create easements, rights of way passages, roads, dams, reservoirs…mostly public works projects.  However, it has gotten a little out of hand at local levels with property being seized and razed to put up, among other things, shopping malls.  Payments for land and property is usually the fair market value, which often bears no relation  to it’s actual worth.

We should be at number 6 now, and it’s one of the bigger ones.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

What it means:  Simple, actually.  In ANY criminal case, there shall be a trial held quickly, publicly, by a jury that hopefully have no preconceived notions of the crime or the accused.  He shall know what crime he is accused of, who charged him, and to be able to confront the witnesses to his crime.  He shall also have the ability to call forth his own witnesses, even if they are involuntary.  Yes, the accused can force people to testify on his behalf.  Oh yeah…and if they like, the accused can have a lawyer.  Because this is a right that can not be revoked involuntarily, in most cases should someone not be able to afford a lawyer, they may have a public defender.  Keep in mind, as these are rights, the person may voluntarily decide to not use them at any time.  He doesn’t cede these rights…he just doesn’t enact them.

Today:  One solid word, and one squirrelly phrase.  The word ALL means that no matter the person, even if they are not American, shall have this right.  Provided they are in a criminal prosecution.  This was the logic behind locking up foreign dissidents over seas.  No prosecution, no rights…never charge them, and all is ok.  But can’t let them go, as they MIGHT be charged.  In the states, we have a time limit on how long someone may be held before charges are brought.  As it is over seas, and they are not Americans, well…  As for the way trials tend to take years for actual prosecutions, people tend to try to put them off as long as possible in order to get more ability to defend/prosecute.  Not to mention that if a person is out on bail, knows they can’t run, and knows they will be going to jail for a while, a lengthy trial looks pretty well.

Now, who here has had trouble with the law.  Notice how this looks remarkably like what we think are the Miranda rights?  And for those of us that never have, well, take our word for it.  Surprise!  The Miranda rights came from the 5th amendment!  Not this one!  The only thing the Miranda rights do, is to protect us from self incrimination and interrogation…nothing at all about right to trial, jury, etc.  But more on that next time.