To All

September 11th, 2001 is a day that will live forever in our minds and conscious. The act of terrorism upon the United States has forever changed our lives and has left us as a nation feeling mournful, sorrow, angry, and very confused. We as a nation, once feeling invulnerable and taking for granted our safety and freedom are now inclined to look upon ourselves in question of what are our vulnerabilities. In many countries such as Israel, they live their lives daily with this type of threat and fear. It sorrows me to know that we no longer have the luxury of feeling that this can never happen to us.
Our reaction as a nation is to be commended through this horrific event. Our love, brotherhood, and togetherness have been remarkable and will continue to see us through the most horrible act to take place on American soil. This act was not against our armed forces, but was intended to drive terror and chaos amongst you and I, the people. We do not have a face to put to this evil deed, which further adds to the confusion of this tragedy. It is clearly an attack on our emotions and our trust of others.
Culprits involved will be brought to justice, for this I am very confident in our awesome and ingenious federal agencies. However, the effects of this will live on and on for further generations.
Even though our lives have changed the strength of the people prevails. The outpour of support and prayers and the civil manner we as a nation have reacted to this crisis is beyond amazing. Everyone has joined together to support each other and do what needs to be done in order to pull through this. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are this countries greatest strength and that will not change or possibly be defeated by any act of horror. The more these villains try to bring chaos amongst us the more they will find that we will only bind us tighter and make us stronger.
My heart goes out to all of the families and friends of the thousands of victims involved in this tragedy. We will mourn with you for your loss and pray for your recovery to get through this. This county’s hopes and prayers are with you and to those that are bravely working on the recovery of victims through the massive wreckage.
To everyone that reads these words I wish and pray for your safety and protection.
God bless you all and God Bless America!!!
Sincerely, Michael D. Donahoe

Law & Disorder

Our court system never ceases to amaze me. In the late 90’s a woman gets a cup of coffee spilled on her from a McDonalds employee and gets a couple of million out of the deal. They could not pin negligence on the employee. The employee did not purposely spill the cup of coffee on the person. Therefore, the lady sues for the coffee being too hot. The coffee was to hot. The coffee was to hot. No matter how many times I say it, it is still unclear to me how somebody gets rich for coffee being to hot.
In the early 90’s American airlines placed huge signs throughout DFW to assist travelers to determine what gate they should go to for their flight. Along the 6 lane road leading into the labyrinth of an airport you could determine what gate you were flying out of and determine which of the 12 parking garages you should park. Not just one sign, several, so as you drove at a rate of 45 mph through the airport and easily read the signs, otherwise pick up where you left off for the next sign. Some moron driving in the center lane came to a complete stop to read one of these signs. The unfortunate person behind him slams into this moron and injures him. The moron in question wins 30 million dollars from American Airlines and the signs were removed. The mass majority is now to this day inconvenienced as the stupid person lives a life of luxury. I think these sorts of lawsuits should be banned. They completely upset the laws of nature. Darwin’s theory of evolution states that only the fittest survive. As human beings, it is our brains that determine our survivability not our physique. Should it not stand to reason that if you’re stupid you shouldn’t receive special benefits? If your dumb enough to think coffee shouldn’t be hot or stopping to read on a 6 lane highway is a good idea, perhaps whatever consequence came to you for being stupid was well deserved. This can also be stated by the unequivocal law of nature that states, “Shit Happens!”
The latest lawsuit that just blows me away is that some guy is now suing the show “The Sapranos” for portraying all Italians as mobsters. For those of you that have never heard of “The Sapranos”, it’s a weekly series of the modern day “Godfather” with humor. Now, the show is titled, “The Sapranos”, hence the show is about the Sapranos. If they wanted to portray all Italians in a weekly show, they’d call it, “The Italians” or “Rocky V”, or something. So what’s next, are they going to sue the makers of the “Godfather” next, because Michael Corlioni was one bad mutha f*&ka!
The prosecutions point is that it inadequately profiles Italians in a negative manner. Folks, it’s TV, It’s entertainment, not real. Learn it, realize it, come to grips with it. However, it does make me wonder, if the show “The Sopranos” can be sued for portraying Italians as mobsters, can I sue the “Dukes of Hazzard” as portraying southerners as dumb hicks?
Michael D. Donahoe

Where’s Waldo, My Waiter?

Have you ever heard the expression, “Kill ‘em with kindness.” When it comes to the customer service these days at the majority of the restaurants I eat at I wish they would at least try to wound me with it. I’m not speaking of the fast food places, we know what to expect there, we put up with a lot as consumers just to get the hell out of there in a hurry. However, when I go to a restaurant where I’m going to spend $50 to $70 bucks for a nice night with my lovely lady, I expect some resemblance of quality service. This seems to be prevalent in many of the places I’ve lived where the upper middle class teenagers or college students are the servers. Their spoiled with terrible work ethic. They don’t seem to give a damn about whether you get served or not and think its acceptable to be snotty to the customers.
Well I’ve got news for all of you post-my-generation spoiled little brats. One day your not going to be working for TGI-F’ you with all your gay flare and stupid hats and your going to go out into the real world for a career. Your “I don’t care”, “I hate my job”, “This job is beneath me”, “The last guy didn’t give me a tip so I hate you”, in general crappy attitude won’t cut it any longer. You’ll be working for my generation. That’s right punks, then its pay back time. This will be the period of your life where your going to have a lot of doubts about your survivability in your career. The first time a customer complaint comes in because your little snotty ass was rude and you find yourself reprimanded, mommy won’t be there to dry your tears and wipe your snotty nose. I hope and pray somebody is there to set you straight, yell at you, fire you, I don’t care. I hope you feel the pain of your social short-comings. I’m grinning thinking of your pain!
I’m not saying all upper-middle class teenagers are lacking in work ethic and general acceptable social behavior, I’m just saying damn near every single one I’ve met would make better test lab rats than working with the public. Have they just had it too easy? Do they gain that lack of respect for others from their parents? All I know it’s a shame child abuse happens primarily in lower class families, it would be much better served beating the hell out of a kid driving a BMW that just flipped you off after cutting in front of you. No matter how you slice it, it is a complete lack of respect for others. I don’t think they had the chance to learn it, let alone exercise those principles on others. These principles are only taught from your parents, so I blame them mostly. Spend time with your kids, tell them it’s not nice to speak negatively to their elders. Teach them respect, leadership, and how to follow. Kids don’t mature on their own, they learn thinks from you or they learn it the hard way.� � With that said, the next time your out and somebody offers you great service, compliment them, encourage them further. They are going against the grain and exceeding in what they do. Many times they do have a crap job and they put up with whiney customers all day without a single thank you. It’s your duty as a consumer, scratch that, as a decent human being to commend these people for a job above and beyond expectation. Besides, if you don’t the sneaky punk may spit in your food anyway.
Michael D. Donahoe