Political Violence

Here in the USA, we are just beginning the big push of the presidential campaign. There has been a lot of critical remarks, erroneous statements (and some downright lies), name calling, and on and on... But we don't shoot political candidates like has happened in Pakistan.

After countless failed assassination attempts, some idealistic fool finally ended the life of Benazir Bhutto. Some may take me to task for calling a suicide bomber a fool, but that's how I see it. I don't know much about Ms. Bhutto's political views. She was Prime Minister of Pakistan twice, each time being charged with corruption. But that's still no reason to kill someone - at least not in our country.

I know - we've had political assassinations in the USA. Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., are just some of those who's life was cut short by someone who simply disagreed with them. But thankfully this is rare. We don't always agree with our leaders, and I certainly don't agree with all of the presidential candidates. But here, we just don't vote for candidates with whom we don't agree. Assassination is abhorrent. And it must always be considered that way.

Just Getting Started...

Welcome to The Little Read Caboose! Based on my past experience, you'll either think this title is quite funny or quite confusing. If it tickled your funny bone, you can skip ahead. If you're confused, it's like this:

In times past, the last car on a train was the caboose. Traditionally the caboose was red, although it could be any color. So if you were stopped in your car at a railroad crossing, the little red caboose was a welcome sight - your wait for the train to pass was finally over! Now looking at the word "Read" in the title, it can be pronounced two ways. The first way rhymes with "seed" as in "I have to read an article tomorrow for class." The second way rhymes with "bed" as in "I read a great book last summer!" So this Little Read Caboose is a play on words, a welcome sight, but with a small, albeit loyal, readership!

There's been a lot going on in the world from political assassinations to concerns about climate change, gun control, health care reform, and much, much more. After over 50 years of living, I find I just can't keep my opinions to myself any longer! It's time to join the blogging world and have some frank talk about both serious and frivolous issues.

I hope you'll join me and keep your eyes open for the next Little Read Caboose!