Monday Mixed Bag

I am a little more rested this morning than I was at this time yesterday after my Saturday night marathon at work.  I got a little rest before the Cowboy game yesterday and a good sleep last night, so I am more coherent this morning.  Let's dive into our Mixed Bag for this Monday and see what we have.  The Dallas Cowboys struggled somewhat before ultimately defeating the Minnesota Vikings at the Taj Ma Jones in Arlington, 27-23.  Jim Buzinski over at OutSports has an excellent analysis of the entire NFL at Mid-Season, division by division which will give you an fairly accurate idea of where everyone in the league is now that all the teams have played at least 8 games.

In politics, kudoes go to Democratic U S Congressman and Maine Gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud for his Op/Ed piece in the Portland Press Herald over the weekend.  In his article, Michaud comes out publicly to derail his Republican opponents 'tee hee, no one knows for sure, but rumor has it...' whisper campaign against him.  Michaud says in part: 

"Once I jumped to an early lead in the polls, I knew it was only a matter of time before individuals and organizations intent on re-creating the uncertainty that led to our current governor’s election three years ago would start their attacks. Already my opponents have tried to blatantly distort my support for a woman’s right to choose and my tireless commitment to our nation’s veterans.

So I wasn’t surprised to learn about the whisper campaigns, insinuations and push-polls some of the people opposed to my candidacy have been using to raise questions about my personal life. They want people to question whether I am gay.

Allow me to save them the trouble with a simple, honest answer: “Yes I am. But why should it matter?”"

 

I could not have said it better myself.  With this statement, Michaud removes the viability of his opponent's typical Republican strategy of misinformation and innuendo to cover up the the fact that he has nothing new to offer the people of Maine (or anywhere else, for that matter).  Michaud could become the first openly LGBT person elected to a Governorship of one of our 50 states.  If you live in Maine, I urge you to support and vote for Michaud for Governor.

Speaking of misinformation and innuendo, the opponents of Marijuana legalization are all for distorting the facts and outright lying in order to achieve their misguided goal of keeping this excellent herb from becoming legal and taxable (which would have an immediate and very positive influence on many local, state and regional economies not to mention the national economic benefits).  Alternet had a great article Don't Buy into the Fear Campaign on the Dangers of Marijuana Smoke on Friday.  The article debunks a lot of the BS crotchety old farts and uber conservative idiots powerbrokers use to try and maintain control and power.  "Of course, no one argues that the ingestion of combustive smoke, whether it is tobacco smoke or cannabis smoke, is healthy. However, it is inaccurate to allege that the risks to the consumer posed by these two substances are equal. In fact, the most recently available peer-reviewed science clearly rebukes the allegation that cannabis is as equal to or more dangerous than tobacco."  Moderate or occasional use of Marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes poses a much less risk of harm than either tobacco or alcohol.  I have never seen anyone go into a black out rage and commit any abusive actions against another human while being stoned on pot.  Certainly the same cannot be said for alcohol and we all know the results of drunk driving now don't we?  The sooner Marijuana is taken off the controlled substance list, taxed and regulated like tobacco, the better off we will be.  In fact, in addition to the positive economic benefits, it would probably actually lower the cost to the consumer and could actually reduce the rate of drunken driving and physical abuse attributable to alcohol.  I would certainly vote for a package that made a sensible solution to so many of the ills associated with alcohol and so many other drugs.  I have never heard of anyone beating or killing their significant other or anyone else simply from the consumption of mass quantities of THC.  Isn't it about time we wrest political control from wing nuts and king makers and put some common sense back into government?

Today on Monday with Mozart, I have a live recording from the 13th Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival held in 2011 of the String Quintet in G min, K.516.  The members of the Quintet in performance there are Cornelia Löscher, Benjamin Bowman, Michel Camille, Steven Dann, and Anssi Karttunen.  The EICMF is unique in Denmark as it invites artists to collaborate in new constellations, form new relationships, establish a foundation for exchange and annually act as a host for an international community of artists.

 

Then, finally, I have Monday's traditional collection of hunks and hotties in their Mondays Undies lounging about the page below the play list.  Thanks for sharing part of your Monday with me, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!