I know my rants about the ever growing web of surveillance cameras and the “Big Brother” phenomenon tend to fall on deaf ears. I also know that most people out there could give a rat’s ass about a law that seems good on the surface but, in reality, strips yet another right or choice away from the public. But it’s hard not to think that people would be up in arms at the latest government invasion going on in Arizona. Not only is this invasion attempting to bring the citizens of the U.S. one step closer to the CCTV-laden world of Great Britain, but it’s also a blatant example of state government finding a way to fleece their populace and visitors to their state because they can’t reign in their own budgetary excesses. That’s right, Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano, wants to deploy photo radar and “other speed enforcement technology” on their state highways in order to capture people driving over the speed limit and send them tickets in the mail. (more…)

It becomes ever clearer to me that I just don’t understand. Somehow people have this insane notion that they’re entitled. Period. Entitled. To cars, to food, to a job, to a house, to everything that anyone else has. People seem to believe that these things are guaranteed to them, as opposed to things that have to be earned and paid for. For example, an eviction was postponed in Dorchester today. Why? Because people got together and protested the eviction with signs that read “housing is a human right“. That’s lovely and it would be heartwarming and meaningful if the woman was being chased off her property for some poorly implement Eminent Domain case, or because she refused kickbacks to the Mayor’s office. Problem is, the woman was being evicted because she defaulted on her loan and was no longer meeting her obligations or paying her bills. Since they weren’t being paid, the bank, which was unfortunate enough to pick up her mortgage, foreclosed on her home. She no longer owns that home, because she didn’t meet her responsibilities. She wouldn’t even pack because “God” was on her side. As far as I’m concerned, she’s squatting on the property and should be evicted. (more…)

Congratulations to the Patriots on another AFC Championship win over the San Diego Chargers. It was a tough game and the Pats didn’t play very well, but the defense stood strong and prevented the Chargers from scoring any touchdowns. What bothers me, and what inspired the title of this post, is the reaction of the Patriots’ fans when owner Kraft and players like Seau congratulated the Chargers on their hard work and great playing: they booed. That’s friggin’ lame. (more…)

Going to see a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and while I regret that I didn’t have a chance to see Seiji Ozawa conduct, I did get a chance to see Sir Colin Davis guest conduct an excellent performance of Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A and Schubert’s Symphony No. 2. Even better, I was able to see Mitsuko Uchida perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A. Not a bad way to get to know the BSO. Besides, I’d be crazy not to take in a performance at the legendary Symphony Hall, considering I’ve spent most of my life in and around the Boston area. It’s an amazing building with an incredible history, though I do have to say that the seats, original to the building, are rough on the ass after a couple of hours. (more…)