If the Suit Fits...

Today, my grandfather passed away.  Jimmy Donald Stack, or "Deedaddy", as he was affectionately called, saw his 83+ years on this planet come to a close.  Right now, writing about him seems like my process to grieve.  Maybe this will become a coherent post.  Maybe not.

The Worst Blog Post EVER... Thanks Obama!

I can't believe I'm writing this.  More accurately, I can't believe I have to write this.  I guess technically I don't "have to" write it, but my ability to listen to nonsense whilst saying nothing has reached its peak.  I've got some breaking news: Barack Obama is NOT the worst President in our nation's history (Gasp!).  I can sense people closing out the window, unfollowing, blocking, or commenting as I type this.  Please stay with me. Also, comments have been disabled, so good luck.

I'm not here to argue whether I agree or disagree with Obama, nor is this about correcting poor arguments on the President, even though that'd be quite the topic: Obama has actually deported more illegal immigrants than Bush?  Get outta here!  Net immigration from Mexico to US since 2011 is zero? No Way! Obama is actually ranked as the most gun-owner friendly President since Reagan?  Heresy!

Yeah, that'd be too much fun...

Look, what I'm trying to say is this isn't about political allegiance.  I don't identify with the Democratic party nor am I claiming to have supported or even voted for our current President.  I just happen to be sensible enough to not let my emotions get the best of me.  The last 7 years have been tumultuous, and Obama has definitely eliminated himself from the "best ever" argument.  There are some legitimate talking points on the failures of our President and they've been well documented; however... the last 7 years have also amazed me in the sheer amount of hyperbole infused rhetoric aimed at our current President.  The only conclusion I can draw from my amazement is that our electorate is as dumb as ever.  Let me explain...

Fear, Faith, and Fallacy: Why Hoping for the Worst is the American thing to do

As a freshman in college, I found myself struggling for the first time in a history class: Western Civilization.  As a history major, I felt as though I should breeze through this 100-level course without a second thought.  When I realized that I had to actually read the text book and that the lectures in class were not a summary of the reading, I knew I was in trouble.  I immediately started questioning my entire life: My major choice, my intelligence, even my future.  Somehow, after failing 2 quizzes and a test, I'd made this genius deduction: If I fail this class, then I'll fail all my history classes, then I'll drop out of college, then I'll be homeless and living on the side of the road.  I was like a walking Directv commercial a decade before they came out: "Don't end up uneducated and homeless, get Directv"... you get the idea.

Now, technically, was it possible that I fail every class and drop out of college? Yes, that was most definitely possible... but was it likely?  At all?  No! It only became more likely the more I thought about it.  In reality, I needed to work harder and adjust to college.

The point I'm trying to make is this: Straits are made more dire with the use of effective, fearful hyperbole.  

Confessions of a Former Confederate Flag Supporter

Our State Has a Problem.

There, I said it.  That's the first step to solving a problem, right?  Let's hope so, because we need help. South Carolina has a pride problem.  I know this because I'm more often a part of the problem than the solution.  In fact, I think it's our collective love of this great state that has kept us from doing the right thing in regards to the Confederate Flag on the State House grounds.  It shouldn't take murdering of innocent civilians for us to contemplate change.  Unfortunately, it has.  And I'm to blame. And so are you, if you call the Palmetto State home.