A Divided Public Can Still Fly the Flag

Riverguy was riding around Toms River today, and he noticed that only about 20 percent of the houses had American flags flying for the 4th of July holiday. It may even have been less. That means at least 80 percent of the homes didn't have a flag.

Think back to the time right after the 9/11 attacks...those percentages were reversed. Flags were flying everywhere -- we were hurting, but we were standing strong and proud to be American.

What has happened over the last 10 years? Lots of course... and the various wars, contentious elections, and economic downturns have really hurt our relationship with each other. The public seems polarized, angry, and dug in to their political positions.

Riverguy isn't telling anyone that they're right or wrong -- we've arrived at our opinions and beliefs through bitter experience, and we claim the right to try to convince others. But...even when we're bitterly divided, can't be still show pride in being American? The flag is a symbol of our freedom, our right to confront each other (peacefully, let's hope), to express ourselves, to push for what we believe. Let's show pride in our country, our town, our way of doing things...even in our right to argue with one another....fly the flag!

Why We Need to Have a Great Summer

Hey...everybody should have an enjoyable summer during the normal course of things...that's why we live want to live along the coast -- to make the most of the beach and the ocean. This year Riverguy senses a little more urgency in most people's desire to enjoy themselves.

I think this is because a lot of us have had our head in the sand (no pun intended). I noticed a growing trend in people: they don't want to know about anything serious. They don't want to hear about the latest economic woes. Fukishima? Where was that again (reminder -- triple nuke meltdown in Japan; even the news media is glossing over it). Debt crisis? Real estate still tanked? Unemployment? Looming double-dip recession? You get the picture.

So...back to the urgency to enjoy....Most of us don't want to go around burdened with the weight of the world, but somewhere in the back of our minds, we still know things are not going so well. So the natural urge to go out and have some fun, to distract ourselves, to not focus on the world's problems. That is what helps keep us in balance.

Here's Riverguy's take on it: Go out, have the fun you crave...have the best summer you possible can. But...we will have to eventually catch up with what's going on, and face our problems. We need to especially pay attention in the fall, when it comes time to vote. Hold your elected officials accountable. Be prepared for hard times, but continue to hope for the best.

Have a great summer!

Memorial Day Parade -- Why Don't More People Show Up?

Time is passing quickly, and the American Legion - Memorial Day Parade is coming up already...Monday, May 30th. The parade kicks off at 9:30 am. It launches from the Office Lounge parking lot, and proceeds down Main Street, and then turns on to Washington Street.

Now, honestly, this isn't the biggest or best parade you'll see, but in my mind, this, along with the Veteran's Day Parade, is the most important of the year.

The parade has plenty of bands, fire trucks, old cars, and more. However,the big feature is, of course, the military vets, police, and fireman that march in the parade. These are the men and women who sacrificed their time, energy, and well-being so that we can enjoy a safe, free life.

And on Memorial Day we remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Many of them are in their final resting places in Europe and Asia, and some were never accounted for.

Day in and day out, we go about our business -- freely, happily, in an land of plenty. And we can do so because of the courageous people that have served for us and have kept us free. PLEASE SHOW UP AT THE PARADE -- SET ASIDE ONE HOUR TO HONOR THOSE THAT HAVE MADE YOUR GOOD LIFE POSSIBLE. At least that's my view...you may feel differently, and that's ok...you are FREE to do so.

In Defense of Bennies, Shoobies & Such

Ok...I can almost hear the chant starting now..."Bennies Go Home." Yes, it's almost that time of year again, when we "welcome" visitors from all over the tri-state area. We hate the extra traffic, the crowds, and sometimes even the looks, attitudes, and clothing of the people coming here. By mid-July, we've all lost our patience, and we can't wait to get our towns and beaches back!

Of course it's cool to be proud to be a local, but should we really tell our seasonal visitors to turn around and go back up the Parkway? First and foremost, we need their tourist dollars. Many of the businesses around here would go under if we didn't have the summer influx of visitors. And that's especially true now, with the economy being so weak. Like it or not, we need the Bennies here to keep the money flowing into our pockets.

Also, be honest....even though we complain about them, isn't it kind of fun to see all of the interesting characters that hit the beaches and boardwalk? Just sit on a bench on the Seaside boardwalk for awhile, and you'll have a great time people-watching. Remember, these "Bennies" come here because they like what we have...the beaches, the bars, the food, the boardwalk. And like it or not, they are part of what makes the whole thing work.

Atomic Dreams

Riverguy is in a bad state of mind about what's going on in Japan. It is basically now confirmed that the nuclear reactors there are impossible to control, and that radiation will be spewing into the air and water for...well, who knows how long. Even though the talking heads on TV continue to tell us that we have nothing to worry about, I'm worried.

I come from the generation that grew up with atomic energy. I remember the fear that we had as "Cold War" kids -- there would be a nuclear exchange between "us" and "them" -- and radiation would spread around the globe and eventually snuff out all life. We even practiced for such events; air raid drills, "duck and cover" drills, and stockpiling canned goods in basements all over America. Farmers were taught how to grow food even with nuclear fallout poisoning the soil.

And yet...we learned to conquer our fear of the atom, and dream of a time when we'd harness it for unlimited energy. Our technological society and growing population needed abundant power, and the nuclear plants could deliver. It was like magic -- swirling atoms giving us the power to reach for an incredible dream of unlimited advancement. And now...suddenly, the old dreams are coming back...fallout...don't drink the milk...it has radiation...keep the doors and windows closed...and now, I know that it's not just a dream, but a nightmare.

A Wave of Petty Crimes

I guess the bad economy has now pushed people into committing small crimes to get by. Have you noticed that, in the last couple of weeks we've had a bunch of thefts? $3K stolen from WaWa, gas station robberies, vinyl siding stolen, even a couple of kegs of beer heisted from a local bar/restaurant.

It's distressing, but not really surprising. Every time the economy gets bad, these sorts of crimes seem to escalate. The police can't do too much to stop it...a lot of these are "crimes of opportunity," where somebody sees something that's easy to swipe and goes for it.

The real fix for this (beyond teaching people basic values -- but that's another story) is to get this economy going again. Let's get people employed.....give 'em a paycheck so that they can dig out of debt and pay their bills. A good thing we can all do to help is to support our local businesses. Instead of buying online, go to a local store and buy what you need. Money going into our local economy will stimulate jobs, create tax revenue, and take some of the pressure off people that are living on the edge.

Below 40? Anybody Home?

Ok...this is an "age-related" post, so for some disclosure...Riverguy is older than 40.

Now, here goes: Riverguy is worried about the future. Look at what's going on: war and unrest in the Mid-East; natural disaster and reactor meltdowns in a perfect toxic storm...and the likelihood of hyper-inflation, double-dip recession, and potential financial collapse.

The sad truth is that the future is looking dim for young people growing up in this country. Their good times are about to crash and burn. And what it their reaction? Are they marching in the streets (NO..ironically that's left to the "old people" of the Tea Party). Are they politically active? Forget it...the truth is....they don't know what's happening, because they aren't paying attention. They're spending their time watching Comedy Central, Jersey Shore, playing video games, texting their friends etc.

When I go to the gym to run on the treadmill (which has a TV screen), I notice I'm the only one watching the news. I see all the younger members watching all of the mass-market fluff TV. Yeah kids, news is "boring" -- but important.

Wake up and smell the coffee....pay attention! What you don't know, can hurt you. Your future is at stake...its time for you to realize what's going on, and take part in trying to fix it. After all, for us older folks, our best years are behind us....for you under-40 people, the quality of your lives is in serious jeopardy!