Friday’s Rant-Dead beat Dads

 

Any male can be a dad but it takes a real man to be a father

Why is it so hard for some guys to become a father? I am so sick of hearing stories of how many dead beat dad’s, there are in this country. You always hear stories about how guys don’t pay child support. How can a guy do that? Your child needs money for clothes, food and shelter. They should also have money for school, sports and toys.

Any guy that does not pay should be in jail. They should be treated like a thief or a cheater. That’s because they are steeling from their owns child’s life. They are cheating their child out of things they need. Not offering financial help to your child or the mother of your child also hurts in a different way. Now the mother has to work two or more jobs to provide for this child. As the child gets older mom will be gone more often which can lead to a behavior problem in a child which brings me to my next point.

A child needs a father to be a positive influence in there life. They need a role model. A child without an active father in their life is ten times more likely to drop out of school, do drugs and get into trouble with the law. A father is also suppose to be the spiritual leader of the house. Many dads don’t do that very well either. A father must be involved enough in a child’s life to teach him about God and a relationship with God. A father should be around to teach a child how to ride his/her bike, to throw a baseball or how to be a leader.

I know a lot of what I said is general knowledge but this is still a major problem in our country.

It is never to late to fix things. The first thing you need to do is look at your own situation. Realize your wrong doings and ask forgiveness to the people you hurt. All it takes is one step in the right direction to make things get better.  But what do I know.           I’m just Bob-

Friday’s Rant- not today

On Friday’s I usually rant about a random topic. Today I don’t feel like it. Sometimes these rants can seem negative and I don’t feel like being negative like that. I have had a tough week so today I will talk about something in my life……..

 How many people do you know that have been effected by Cancer?  It seems like everyone knows someone that has had it. My wife’s grandparents died from it, I already lost one grandfather to it and now my other grandfather has it. It’s scary to think that more and more people get it every year.

According to the American Cancer Society

About 559,650 Americans are expected to die of cancer this year, that’s more than 1500 a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease.

Does cancer run in your family? Have you been screened for Cancer?  Here is a list of the top 13 most common forms of Cancer.

1. Nonmelanoma: (skin cancer) more than 1 million estimated new case
2. Lung cancer: over 215,000 new cases
3. Prostate cancer: over 186,000 new cases
4. Breast cancer (female): over 182,000 new cases
5. Colon and rectal cancers: nearly 149,000 new cases
6. Bladder cancer: nearly 69,000 new cases
7. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: over 66,000 new cases
8. Melanoma: over 62,000 new cases
9. Kidney (Renal Cell) cancer: over 46,000 new cases
10. Leukemia: over 44,000 new cases
11. Endometrial cancer: over 40,000 new cases
12. Pancreatic cancer: over 37,600 new cases
13. Thyroid cancer: over 37,000 new cases

You need to be tested for cancer, the earlier you catch it the greater the chances of survival. We all need to get involved. Donate time, money, resources anything you have. Maybe one day they will find a cure. Don’t take this blog as a negative, make it a learning experience and a positive one.

If you will take a moment and watch this video. It is a video of Jimmy Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards. Jimmy Valvano was a great NCAA Basketball coach from 1968-1990. please watch this inspirational video.

Fridays Rant-leaving your kids

*I must not have hit publish on Friday evening when I was done writing this. Now it is Saturday morning and I feel stupid.*

 

 Another Friday is here and it is time to rant. It took me a while to decide what to rant on because I was fighting with a few different ideas. So I decided to rant on people leaving there kids, so here we go……

How can you leave your kid in a store,  in a car or now an airport. On August 4th of 2008,

A FOUR-year-old girl was left behind at Israel’s Ben Gurion international airport yesterday as her mother, father and four siblings rushed to catch a flight to Paris.

How do you do that? You leave your child in an airport! Reports say that the four year old girl was just walking around crying and someone found her. Thank God it was a good person instead of a criminal.

You also hear stories of parents leaving their children in their cars. I don’t leave my children in the car for any reason. Even something as simple as walking into the gas station to pay for gas makes me bring my children with me. Why would you think it is ok to leave your child in a car? Especially on a hot summer day when the heat index is so high. Here is another story

Parents leave child in a car while they shop overnight!

Parents need to understand, it is a privilege to be a parent not a right. A child is a gift from God, not a tax deduction. I know that children do not come with instruction books, but if they did I am sure that not “forgetting your kids” or “leaving your kids” would be in that book.

We all have alot to do. We all work alot of hours and have no time for ourselves but you need to live your life for your kids. To teach them good values and make them a  positive part of society. If you can’t be a responsible parent don’t have kids! I know I am not a rocket scientist but even I know you have to take responsibility for your children. But what do I know. I’m just Bob-

Fridays Rant- Disrespecting Truck Drivers

 

Trucks are on the road 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Have you ever been on a highway and not seen a truck. On Christmas, Easter and even New Years trucks are running. Everything you own has been on a truck at some point. Your food, t.v, clothes, cell phone. Everything !

I drive a truck and I know many people than do. I see many trucks on the highway everyday. Most drivers are like you and me. Just out there trying to make a living. Truck drivers have a bad stereotype. They are know as toothless, fat, hairy and even pill poppers.But that is totally wrong. I am sure alot of people look different and some may be hairy but that does not give anyone the right to say a thing.

One thing I see alot is that so many people are impatient when a truck goes from a stop and starts to accelerate. When a driver is trying to back a trailer into a dock or an alley. People get made and speed around him. Honking their horn. Trust me that driver wants to get in there as fast as he can too.

One thing I know that I hate is someone cuts me off to turn just in front of me. If he would have wait 5 more seconds he would have been there. People need to realize that a truck cannot just stop on a dime.

In closing I just want to say this. Remember where everything comes from and how it gets there. Can you please allow a truck driver to back into a place before you get impatient. Remember they got a job to do just like you. Being a little kinder on the roadways can make someone else’s day. Hey that is considered a random act of kindness. but hey what do I know. I’m just Bob-

Friday’s Rant- Child car seats

Have you ever been driving down the road and see kids in the car in front of you jumping and walking around?  I have …….alot.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 

Restraint use in 2004 was reported for 52,512 (82.9%) of all 63,370 child passengers aged 14 and younger who were involved in crashes. Children who did not use seat belts or child restraints properly  were 1.1 times more likely to be non-fatally injured and 4.8 times more likely to be fatally injured in crashes than children who did use restraints properly.

When child restraints were used improperly, children were 6.2 times more likely to be fully or partially ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

These statistics were from 2004 I can only beleive that things have gotten worse. Just imagine, times this by 50 states. How many lives can be saved every year?

I see it all the time. I drive an 18 wheeler for a living and I have seen so many people holding there newborn baby in their lap. I have seen kids laying in the back seat. Even kids bouncing and walking in the back seats of cars. This is disgusting. As a parent you are responsible to take care of your children. To make sure they are safe, even when in a car.

Think about this one day you were lazy or your child was just fussy and you allowed them to not be in a car seat and something happened?  A car accident that was not your fault. Now you have to deal with a very tough situation.

Hey Bob……..Some people can’t afford a car seat or booster seat. I know that but through your local resale shop, Police Station or Child Services Organizations you can aquie one at little to no cost.

I know this is something most people hear about too much. But people are still not doing the right thing. Don’t take the smallest chance. Don’t say “it’s only a couple of blocks away”. It can happen anytime/anywhere.

but what do I know “I’m just Bob-”

Friday’s Rant- Drunk Driving

How long is it going to take for people to get it?  As alot of people know I work the third shift. I drive an 18 wheeler throughout many of Illinois suburbs. I see people getting pulled over for drunk driving all the time. There have been several times that I have called the cops on someone that I thought was impaired. Why? Because I am a father of two and a husband to a wonderful wife and if I have the chance to save a family by taking a drunk driver off the street, I am going to do it.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.)

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes—an average of one every 30 minutes. These deaths constitute 41 percent of the 42,642 total traffic fatalities. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal BAC (.08 or greater). On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 39 minutes.

 

Now think about this, those stats were from two years ago. This is 2008. Every year there are more and more drivers on the road. Those stats are just going to increase over time unless people change their ways. The police are going to keep getting tougher and tougher. So more and more people are going to get busted.

 What do you think the penalties are for getting a D.U.I ?

According to Cyber Drive Illinois

First conviction (under age 21)— Class A misdemeanor with possible 0- 12 months imprisonment; loss of driving privileges for minimum 2 years; 100 hours community service; fines of up to $2,500; eligible for Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) after one year of revocation; may be required to have a BAIID installed in vehicle as part of driving relief.

First conviction (over age 21)— Class  A misdemeanor  with possible 0-12 months imprisonment; loss of driving privileges for minimum 1 year; 100 hours community service; fines of up to $2,500; eligible for RDP; may be required to have a BAIID installed in vehicle as part of driving relief.

 This does not include any of the legal costs. You can pay a lawyer anywhere from $5000- $15000 depending on your situation. What happens if you can’t get to work or lose your job? How would you live with yourself if you killed someone?

It is not worth it! Call a cab, use a designated driver or just don’t drink! I know it’s something that people laugh off to be cool. But don’t be stupid do the right thing.

Friday’s Rant-Flags on the 4th.

Today is July 4th. America’s Independence day. Fourth of July, is a federal holiday,  commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Indepdence on July 4th, 1776 , declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. I know today is a day to celebrate but there is something I have to get off my chest.

Do you own an American Flag? Did you buy it in the last few days? One thing I don’t understand is that, we live in The United States of America and people are not proud of being an American. O’what do you mean Bob? Well there are many people that do not celebrate being an American 363 days a year. I see people at ball games or any sporting even not taking their hat off during our national anthem, hell they don’t even stand or acknowledge the fact that it is being played. HEY THAT HOT DOG AND BEER CAN WAIT 1 MINUTE ! Many people don’t even buy a flag until a week or two before Memorial Day or the 4th of July. This is not a good thing. That is not something a true American does. I know America has its problems but come on. I would be shot dead in other countries for writing this, we have freedom of speech, religion and the right to bare arms.

 

I understand if you have a flag and said I should go get a new one for the 4th. But if you never have one and you just bought it this is your chance to do things right. Hang your flag, make sure it is secure and you must have a light on it at night. For all the rules and regulations go to http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html.

But Bob, as an American I have the right to not fly a flag. To me that is a lame excuse. That is lazy. You should celebrate the country you live in everyday.

By the way the American flag should not fly lower than anyone else’s. I don’t want to see an American flag fly under a polish flag or a Mexican flag. I will respect the country you came from but you have to respect the country you are in. Fly the American flag higher than the rest.

In closing fly your American flag proudly, take your damn hat off, acknowledge the National Anthem and have a safe, fun filled 4th of July.

Friday’s Rant- Gun laws

I have decided that every Friday I am going to rant about something different. Some people may love this, others won’t. If you don’t want to hear me go off about something, than don’t read on Fridays. I will do it in a respectful way every time and I will get the facts. This is my way of venting. Ready, set, here we go……………

 The Supreme Court struck down the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns and imperiled similar prohibitions in other cities, Chicago and San Francisco among them. I am glad. According to the Constitution we have the right to bear arms.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (thanks to the House of Representatives web site for that info.) www.house.gov/house/Educate.shtml

So that means that people can own handguns to protect themselves in their home. Many areas like Chicago, San Fransisco and Washington D.C. will now have to let people buy and own handguns to protect their homes. This does not give them permission to carry it with them every where they go or in their car. Just their home.

What makes me mad is people like Mayor Richard Daley in Chicago. He said, “Does this lead to everyone having a gun in our society? If they think that’s the answer, then they’re greatly mistaken. Then, why don’t we do away with the court system and go back to the Old West? You have a gun and I have a gun and we’ll settle in the streets,” Daley told reporters at Navy Pier.   (www.suntimes.com)

Police Committee Chairman Isaac Carothers (29th) of Chicago said Anything that sends a message that more guns are gonna be available is the wrong message for Chicago at this time.” (www.suntimes.com)

They don’t get it. The people that are being killed in Chicago are not being killed with legal guns. They are bought in an alley somewhere and they are not registered. There are many people that should not have guns but what is wrong with an adult that has a Fire Owners I.D. and has passed all the legal requirements to own one. Maybe now they will have to think about a good way to educate new gun owners and really stress gun education and gun safety. It is our right.

See I told you, you may not like what I have to say but I hope you leave comments either way and tune in next Friday for a new topic.