Monday, May 2, 2011

Sitting at home with a major toothache

I've written about many things on here. The Buffalo Public Schools, national stories, wildlife, local crime, etc. I guess the most controversial stories would be those involving local politicians.

I always find it curious when they say in vague words, "Your blog might end up hurting you." It's kind of puzzling to me, because the only time they ever look at things from a perspective other than their own is after I call them out on the blog. I would love to know how this blog will hurt me. As Bob Dylan said in his song Like A Rolling Stone, "when you got nothing, you got nothing to lose." I write these stories with a smile on my face. No anger here.

At a recent social gathering, I had at least 7 parents come up to me and tell me they appreciate my blog. I'm running into people all over Western New York that bring it up. Smart people. I wouldn't expect them to agree with my opinions 100% of the time. Who would? I've been wrong before and I'm sure I'll be wrong again on things in the future.

The politicians like to be able to control information. When I ran for the Common Council in 2001, the people in power knew I didn't have any money to reach new voters. So they spread the word that I wasn't intelligent. Despite the fact that I had a degree and they didn't, they would say things like, "he's not intelligent. All he knows how to do is kick around a soccer ball." What recourse did I have to dispute this? Since I began writing a few years ago, I haven't heard them say stuff like this too often. I don't know, perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I effortlessly expose them and make them look like fools on a daily basis. There is nothing they could ever do to hurt me. People can read what I write and decide whether it is true or not for themselves, or they don't have to read it at all. I think what upsets them is the fact that someone else (not in their pockets) is relaying information they don't want out.

I said all along, as an active citizen, I will be part of the political process whether the established politicians like it or not. They can either work with me or deal with me. It's called Democracy. Through my involvement in the community for the past 20 years, I've met thousands of people. This blog is a way for me to communicate with them and tell them what their leaders are up to. I will continue showing the local political types the same amount of respect that they show me. If they don't like it, they should start their own blog about how unintelligent I am. I wish they would. This site could use the publicity.

Share|

14 comments:

  1. "This blog is a way for me to communicate with them (thousands of people) and tell them what their leaders are up to."

    Or, what you assume our leaders are up to. This is a blog, not a published newspaper of general circulation, you do not and have never cited a source. When you call someone stupid or incompetent and people say "Your blog might end up hurting you." I don't think they mean physically, but rather someplace down the line. What you publish on the web, fact or otherwise is here FOREVER. More and more companies, municipalities and especially school districts investigate social media and web activity as part of the hiring process.

    Statements like "Mark Schroeder-He said the new WalMart on Seneca Street was going to be a "gamechanger." Despite no opposition to the project,we haven't heard any more about it for months, leaving many residents wondering what time the game starts???"

    Did you know these things take years before ground is even broken. It's Economics 101. An environmental impact study has to be done, NYS Dept. of Transpiration has data to compile, not to mention the demographics study done by Walmart. The Walmart in Hamburg took years to come together bureaucratically and logistically. Southwestern was widened to compensate for traffic. That having been done, I doubt we will see a Walmart on Seneca St. The traffic alone will have the neighborhood up in arms.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your comment was well written and fair. I'll try to respond.

    A.)When I call someone stupid or incompetent, it's usually because they are.

    B.)In regards to WalMart, my remark was in response to inquiries I've gotten about the project. WalMart is more powerful than the US government. If it was a priority for them, we would already be seeing construction over there. If not, Mark Schroeder should explain the delay with as much vigor as when he announced they were coming.

    C.)People read my blog because they value my assumptions on what their leaders are up to. I've had many intelligent people come up to me and tell me I'm right on with what I say. Honestly, I could care less about potential employers investigating what I write. I know how the real world works. If someone wants you in a particular job, they will hire you (unless you've committed a crime of some sort.) The politicians have chosen to allow me to be an outsider. I have no problem with this, obviously.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Why do you substitute in the buffalo schools if you know they will never in a million years hire you. The words you use against several administrators in this blog prove you most likely will never get an interview. Though I do get much humor from this blog, I realize more and more how strange of a man you are. Keep posting though, it enlightens my day. But if want health insurance ever again you should stop the trash talking, before physical harm is done. It's a matter of time...

    ReplyDelete
  4. ROBERT ZIMMERMANMay 2, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    The Bob Dylan song is LIKE A ROLLING STONE.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you Robert. You are right. I don't know why but I had the other song stuck in my head. Thanks for the correction.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Why do you substitute in the buffalo schools if you know they will never in a million years hire you?"

    Because I like working with kids and I have to pay my bills. They weren't going to hire me before my blog came out. I just try to be witty and speak my mind. I didn't know what a blog was when I started it and am still learning, I guess. I don't hold any real ill will against anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  7. you are right---if they wanted to build a walmart in orchard park (which they do) they would put it up in a minute (which they are trying to do if the citizens get out of the way)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have used this blog to simply insult people throughout South Buffalo, which has tainted the 20 years of good work you did with youth soccer in South Buffalo. If intelligent people are telling you that you are ‘right on’ about those insults then they are as ignorant as you. I don’t have to put my name down to show you how strong or intelligent I am because people know me for what I have done and what I stand for. People don’t value your assumptions (maybe a few); you have two types of readers 1.) People who like when others attack other people and like drama and 2.) People who like to see a train wreck as it happens.

    I’ve seen you say that they are trying to “expose them”, you are doing nothing of the sort by calling people stupid or fat. The fact is this is your opinion of these people and you are not accurate at all. You want to attack a public official on their record or their stance on an issue then go for it, people would welcome that argument. Do the research and argue your point. I like Kearns in one instance because he bucks the leadership sometimes, but his problem is he fights the wrong battles and thinks that’s how Jim Griffin became popular. However Kearns is wrong and that’s why he has few victories and little accomplished. But you don’t stop at public officials you go after people who do good work in our neighborhood. Your work in youth soccer is as important as the work done around our neighborhood by others, including the circles.

    I like the crime stats on this blog but that’s about it. I don’t care for your nasty opinions of people in this neighborhood. You want to make South Buffalo or Buffalo a better place then present ideas and dispute others bad ideas. If you talk about that then this blog would be better. Right now it’s no different than a lunch table at a local high school, gossip and name calling.

    ReplyDelete
  9. "You have used this blog to simply insult people throughout South Buffalo"

    yes, pretty much.

    Here are the people upset with my blog:
    A.) career politicians
    B.) their relatives.
    C.) people who kiss their ass looking for favors or jobs for their kids.

    how can i write about Kennedy's or Whalen's policies? neither one is a leader of any sort. both simply do whatever they are told to by Brian Higgins. everyone knows that. since neither has any policies of their own, it is much easier to make fun of them for being lazy and stupid.

    "Your work in youth soccer is as important as the work done around our neighborhood by others, including the circles."

    you were doing ok until you decided to defend the Mckinley Circle Lady. anyone defending that lunatic has zero credibility in my book.she receives over $25,000 yr in grants to plant flowers. my group received $0 last year from government groups and actually provide a great service to S Bflo serving over 700 city residents and their families. what does she do besides steal kids' wooden elves at Christmas time?

    ReplyDelete
  10. "My group received $0 last year from government groups and actually provide a great service to S Bflo serving over 700 city residents and their families."

    Have you applied for or sought a grant? Maybe you should contact someone that has some grant writing experience. In a way this blog shows everything that wrong with our tight knit community. The have-nots have always turned to the "rumor a mill" to bash the haves. Wasn't the catalyst for this blog the fact that you were passed over for a full-time teaching position in the City of Buffalo because you're not qualified? You've made some ballsy statements and when confronted on one occasion you coward.

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Wasn't the catalyst for this blog the fact that you were passed over for a full-time teaching position in the City of Buffalo because you're not qualified? You've made some ballsy statements and when confronted on one occasion you coward."

    A.)I have a Masters degree in physical education and 20 years experience successfully working with city kids. Please tell me how I'm not qualified to teach? I can't wait to hear this.

    B.)When was I confronted and when did I coward? I don't recall one instance of being confronted face to face by anyone. They always whine to people that have no influence over me whatsoever. Please elaborate.

    ReplyDelete
  12. "I don’t have to put my name down to show you how strong or intelligent I am because people know me for what I have done and what I stand for."

    Why don't you enlighten us and give us examples of what you've done? This ought to be good.

    ReplyDelete
  13. i get people to sign petitions, go to beer blasts ,and take down opponents signs. I almost passed a civil service test, but they owe me a job. You know who i am,only 10 people in south Buffalo have Byron Brown signs on their lawn.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "i get people to sign petitions, go to beer blasts,and take down opponents signs. I almost passed a civil service test, but they owe me a job. You know who i am,only 10 people in south Buffalo have Byron Brown signs on their lawn."

    No. seriously i don't. why would you take down opponents signs? i've never accused anyone of doing that. people whine about that in every election and i always say who cares about signs.

    who almost passed a civil service test? i scored #1 on the only test i ever bitch about (youth program director. so what does "almost passed" mean?

    ReplyDelete