A Flash Of Genius

Greg Kinnear portrays the lead character in a film based on the true life story of Robert Kearns an inventor who sued the Ford Motor Company for stealing his invention of the intermittent windshield wiper. Kearns was a PHD, college professor and a family man, in good faith he entered into a deal with Ford to buy the wipers he and his children would produce. Ford backed out of the agreement and 18 months later Kearns saw a Ford Mustang with his wipers driving down the street. The story is a classic David and Goliath tale of the little guy not backing down when battling a company with unlimited resources, the process was 12 years long. He was told by everyone from business partners to family members that it was a fight he couldn't win. He has a mental breakdown and loses his job. Kinnear is amazing as the everyday family man that has a flash of genius. Dr. Robert Kearns had a deep rooted set of ethics. It is a simple story that rouses emotions of excitement, disbelief, sadness and rage. It is a family friendly film.

A Black Professor, A White Cop And The Bi-racial President

On Thursday July 16, 2009 a neighbor called 911 to say she saw 2 men entering a home. A white officer responds and encounters the black professor who had trouble entering his own home, the second man was the taxi driver. If you read the police report it sounds legit. Immediately this was painted as a typical case of a racist white cop and his brutality against the black man. I understand that there are racist people in the USA but every time a white cop interacts with a black civilian he or she is not automatically a racist, sorry this may be a shock to the folks that blame the white man for everything bad that has ever happened to the black community.

Obama had not heard the entire story when he replied to a reporter who asked what his thoughts were, he admitted to being a friend of the professor and said the Cambridge PD had acted stupidly. Later we learned this cop happens to have the support of his fellow officers and his union, this guys trains police officers about racial sensitivity. There is nothing in his file that indicates this man hates black men in America. Obama chose to once again address the issue but didn't apologize. He said both sides overreacted and invited both men for a beer at the White House. Of course he had to remind us that this is still a sensitive issue for blacks.

Let's pretend a white president had called a black officer stupid and failed to apologize after it was proven that the officer was simply doing his job. Do you think for a nanosecond he could get away without a formally public apology on the steps of a Historically Black College while handing two checks to both Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton simultaneously.

I am insane because I keep doing the same thing expecting different results, I tuned into a liberal talk radio show. Surely the callers would say stuff like, "I love me some Obama but he should apologize" or "Wow, maybe Obama had a flash back to when he was a victim of racism which is why he chose his words". Hold on to your wigs, I had to listen to ridiculous callers that said, the neighbor was a racist and didn't want blacks in her neighborhood and the cop had to know who he was but his ego prevented him from just walking away or my favorite was the cop should be charged with a felony and finally how dare the cop expect an apology from Obama, he is The President of the United States he doesn't have to apologize to a low ranking police officer. I assume this angry mob listened just like me as the liberal host read the report before he opened the phone lines but somehow they and the host felt like the cop was the villain.

The liberal hags on the View this week spoke out before all the information was revealed, Sherry Sheperd said, "This just proves that the only safe black people are the four living in the White House". I don't know how Elizabeth keeps from yelling out,"(---insert host name--) you ignorant slut", when one of those dingbats shares her thought for the day. I would need the Meryl Streep scrub down from the movie Silkwood after sitting next to them for fear that stupidity could be airborne.

Obama was 100% wrong for speaking out before knowing the facts and he should not have called a policeman stupid, officers are at risk daily when walking into unknown situations. I will wait for the white equivalent of Jessie Jackson to hold a press conference demanding justice. Some will argue that blacks can't be racist, so what do you call it when the black professor yelled out and accused the white officer of being a racist and made reference to the officer's mom? Revenge?

Obama sat at a racist church for 20 years, when questioned he said he could never deny Rev. Wright anymore than he could the black community or his white grandmother that had been known use racial stereo-types, he later separated himself from that church, way to stand by your principle. His supporters never called him on that incident and I will bet my Dick Cheney VP lapel pin (awarded to my husband when he fed him at Northern Illinois University) that they give him a pass this time also. When will the healing begin?

Today Monday, July 28, 2009 we learned that the neighbor who was doing a good deed hired a lawyer. Just like they did with Joe the Plumber the left-wing media will crawl all up in her business and try to prove she had some hidden agenda, maybe they will find her great-great-great-grandfather owned a slave. Of course Rush was crucified for saying that Obama is angry black man, well isn't he? I argue that he attended Trinity for 20 years, I heard one sermon and it made me angry. The White house said Rush was fanning the flames, Obama and the professor dragged race into this issue. If that cop was black would this story still be in the news? Dennis Miller said, "You can judge a person by the character of their enemies."

They Are Coming To A Town Near You Soon

Each year summertime brings food, fireworks, family and friends, it's a tradition but wait there is one more, carnivals. The trucks have made their way down the main street of our small town and set up the rides, games and the strange group of employees. If we can have a successful company called College Painters why can't we have College Carnies, you know a clean cut group of kids in buttoned down shirts from local universities eager to travel and provide wholesome service to nearby communities but no. (Warning, if you or anyone you know works or have worked for a carnival company and the following description does not apply to that person, great have them come to Lisle because our carnies are scary.)

As you nibble on your over-priced elephant ear take the time to gaze at the employees of the carnival company. They should be easy to spot, they are wearing a purple or royal blue polo shirt that is either too big or too small and wear black jeans, I have always wondered why they don't mandate khaki shorts it's 95 degrees. The ratio of teeth to tattoos is 1:1 and finally there is a cigarette hanging out of their mouths. What other job allows you to work with children and smoke at the same time, open air, travel and all the corndogs you can eat, the perfect dream job. No normal people need apply.

My favorite carnies are the ones working the games, they yell to get your attention as you hurry by, "Come and try your luck" or "Hey Miss Lady" is what they say when a "sister" (black woman) walks past. Last year my son and his buds complained to the worker because they won twice and was told it didn't count. When they told potential suckers/customers to stay away, the carnie yelled things I cannot type. They were just 11 year old smarty pants kids who did not deserve what they got.

They are often dirty and unpleasant but these individuals are invited by authorities to our community each summer. How many are on parole or are wanted by the police? I am not a snob but these people could not complete the screening process of your local fast food restaurant but yet they are allowed to work with our most precious possessions, our children.

Safety is another issue, they assemble these attractions weekly which should mean they are experts at meeting the regulations. My friend and her son were electrocuted by a live wire touching a metal fence, thank God they survived but they were not met with kindness and concern. No offense when I saw a one armed senior citizen with a cigarette I thought this guy doesn't care if there is left over screw labeled, "important".

I love the day after the fest closes and I drive past the coin operated laundry and see the trailers parked there. They are washing loads of polos and jeans before heading to the next sleepy town.

I must confess that have not gone to our fest yet so maybe this year will be different from the last 15, I can only hope.