Bobby Barnhart's Soapbox

the castle

2008-03-15T14:37:00.001-07:00

The castle is waiting for me;
Its spires touch the sky,
and my soul,
in ways I cannot say -
it waits.

The castle is calling me;
Its voice real to my ear,
though no one near
claims to hear -
it calls.

The castle is listening to me;
I know it listens,
though it never answers -
it haunts me
and taunts me.

The castle is reaching for me;
It has no arms or hands,
it is not living,
or breathing -
it just is.

The castle is waiting for me;
Its spires pierce me,
and my blood flows,
from the hole
in my heart.

©2008 Bobby Barnhart

this old tree

2008-03-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

The gnarled branches of this old tree
Reach out to touch and encircle me
Like fingers of steel they grasp and tear
And asunder my soul without thought or care

The face in the scrabbled skin of this old tree
Stares straight ahead and looks right through me
For of importance not is insignificant ken
When matters of world course and spin

Yet in the deepest reaches of this old tree
There is hope abundant in spite of me
For eons its roots have scrambled and sought
For the elusive phantom of purest draught.

And though I raise my axe to this old tree
It fears not and laughs soundly at me
Since my puny tool no threat does make
To the timeless path this old tree must take.

©2008 Bobby Barnhart

a perfect document

2008-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

The most perfect document written in humankind’s long history is the Constitution of the United States. Sure it has its flaws, mostly concomitant with the times (e.g. slavery and women’s rights), but it allowed for such in its built in provisions for change and growth. And through the decades and centuries since it was written, it has grown and matured (through amendments and decisions of the Supreme Court [a creation of the Constitution]) and yet remains a work in progress.

The genius of the original authors is under appreciated. Morris, Mason, Madison, Dickinson, Franklin, et al. [along with the influences of Jefferson, John Adams, and Thomas Paine (which three, while not involved in the actual drafting of the Constitution, are generally considered to have been greatly influential in the ideas set forth at the convention)] put together this formidable document which has endured and flourished since its original drafting in 1787.

At this time, when we are witnessing a particularly divisive presidential campaign, keep in mind that regardless of who is elected, our country will survive just fine as long as we leave the Constitution alone. Be especially suspicious of any politicians who talk about redrafting the Constitution or calling for a new constitutional convention - they are not your friends!

Just my opinion, for what it’s worth.....

congress, get back to doing your real job!

2008-02-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

Why the Hell is our government wasting its time (and our money) grilling athletes about drug use? Aside from the fact that the drug in question only harms the doer, why should congress (small case "c" since they deserve no respect here) care? Shouldn’t it be left up to the sport in question to police its own players?

Could it possibly be that congress is trying to divert our attention from the fact that its "players" are failing to perform their real job, i.e. running our government in a fiscally responsible, rational, and efficient manner?

I could care less whether a baseball player is on steroids, smoking dope, or getting drunk and chasing women all night (whoops, that last one might define some of our so-called leaders better than our sports figures).

Congress: take care of business - balance a budget, fund programs to solve the energy crisis, protect our environment, pass fair and just laws to keep our citizens safe, happy and healthy - and keep your nose out of places it does not belong!

racists, sexists and bigots

2008-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

Racism is just not acceptable in any form. There is absolutely no rationale for discriminating against a person because their skin is a different color (or shade) than yours. You are no better (or worse) than anyone else based on skin tone. You have to look deeper to know who is trash, who is treasure and who is just an ordinary schmuck like me.

The same goes for gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

If you want to slam someone, find the fanatics out there whose mindset makes them better than everyone else. You know who I am talking about: Chauvinists, misogynists, perverts, pedofiles (don’t get me started there), political fanatics (right or left), and anyone who thinks that their religion gives them the right to kill, enslave, degrade, or demean anyone whose beliefs are different.

We are all guilty to some degree of discriminatory acts. I routinely slam persons who fit into the categories above. I just do not like nazis (and other white supremacists), the Taliban, Stalinists, inter-city gangs, rap or other music which advocates violence or sexism, druggies, criminals, bullies, etc. etc. etc.

So call me a hypocrite. Aspire to be better.

things that suck

2008-01-05T07:07:00.000-08:00

Domestic violence and abuse (especially when children are the victims)

Women who defend their abusers (especially when children are amongst the victims)

Men who treat women like chattel

Women who like to be treated like chattel

Loud mouth jerks (especially if they are drinking)

Inconsiderate smokers

Bigots, racists and bullies

Proselytizing religious fanatics (of any religion or sect)

Proselytizing political fanatics (of any party)

Know-it-alls [myself not included]

other drivers (definitely not me!)

2007-12-29T07:42:00.000-08:00

I just love drivers to whom Red means STOP, Green means GO, and Yellow means GO FASTER.

I just love drivers who set at the light after it has turned Green thus depriving some of the drivers behind him/her of making it through the intersection before the light changes.

I just love drivers who are so absorbed by their cell phone conversations that they are oblivious to the other traffic around them. (Let's not even think about the morons who enter and receive text messages while driving)

I just love the healthy jerks (mental defects excepted) who park in handicapped spots depriving those who really need them of their use (being a jerk is NOT a handicap!).

I just love drivers who light up with kids in the car (especially when all windows are rolled up). Hey, poison yourself (no great loss) but give your kids the opportunity to make their own mistakes.

I just love drivers who tailgate (especially when you are actually going in excess of the posted speed). These are the times I wish I were driving an old clunker so I could slam on the brakes.

I just love left hand turners who straddle the lanes so that those turning right have to wait for them to make their turn.

I just love drivers who so love their music that they decide to share it with everyone around them by turning the volume so high it vibrates all surrounding vehicles.

Human rights means squat in Massachusetts!

2007-12-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

Did you know that in Massachusetts it is legal to punish students in group homes through the use of shocks delivered through electrodes attached to their skin? The government and courts of Massachusetts have long been aware of the use of this barabaric practice but have permitted it to continue. Doesn't say a whole lot for human rights in Massachusetts does it?

Full article at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/12/20/staff_faulted_in_use_of_shock/

who I like

2007-12-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

I like smart people - not necessarily qualified by education: some of the smartest people I know never went past high school; some of the biggest morons I have met have post graduate degrees.

Also note that I cannot tolerate mean spirited people, bigots, racists, bullies, or anyone who is into abusive behavior (physical or emotional).

liberals & conservatives

2007-12-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

If you label yourself liberal or conservative you imply that you have closed off other avenues of thoughts and ideas. In business, I find it very convenient to interact with people who so label themselves as I generally know just how they think and I am able to manipulate the situation to best fit my interests. In personal interactions, I more often then not will assume the opposite position and see to just what extreme of ludicrous argument I can steer them.

I much prefer to think freely, analyze each situation or data set, and draw whatever conclusions seem most appropriate under the circumstances. Sometimes my conclusions, ideas, thoughts, opinions fit the liberal persuasion, sometimes conservative, but more often than not they fall into some area of gray between the two.

Free thinking is not taught in our schools and is discouraged in the media and employment situations generally. Some of the best free thinkers often become artists, song writers, and poets; they are often on the fringes of society and looked at askance by the middling hoard as different, weird, nerdy, etc., and shunned (perhaps because the middling hoard is jealous and envious of people who can think for themselves).