I Have Been Relegated To Being "A User"

When I worked in IT (yes on the marketing side), "users" were the end of the equation. Those people who hadn't a clue. Who relied on the help desk for EVERYTHING. Or pestered someone in the neighboring cube.

Well, the events of the last 72 hours, with reliance on two nephews under the age of 21, and another colleague's son who now has a cottage business trouble-shooting for folks like me, I must admit I have now joined the ranks of "user."

Though I rely heavily on IT, and understand concepts better than most folks, and am largely an early adopter of new goodies, but late when it comes to upgrades, my troubleshooting skills are slipping. Things are working now, and system seems to have stabilized. Of course, I mentioned that to someone 48 hours ago and then everything went to hell. Pretty bad too when you are trying to reduce trips downtown and work more from Home Office Command Central in order to save some fossil fuel expenditures. At least things appear to be back. We'll see.

I am a user. I've been called worse, but being able to keep abreast of the latest technical advancements -- and their applications and implications -- was long a badge of sorts for this silver-haired late-40-something Midwestern guy. No more, apparently.

So thanks to Buckeye Tech Guy. You saved the day this afternoon. This "user" thanks you.

Technically Speaking, Things Are Marginally Better

And I am cautiously optimistic. How is that for hedging my bets???

I'll know more later tonight. For someone who makes his living relying on data, PCs and the internet, I'm not sure whether this is helplessness, or emasculation!

Either way, it sucks. More later . . .

Redmond, We Have A Problem

I don't know whether its the internet, or something Bill Gates' company did, or even whether its a hardware issue, but I have severe technical problems on my main system. Its not operator error, but others may have unknowingly played a part. As it is, there will be very little posting for the next couple days until this is resolved.

Have you ever wanted to throw you CPU or monitor out the window???

No Blogging Until Tuesday or Wednesday

I have to be out of town Monday on business, so I will not be blogging until sometime Tuesday. I will be climbing around inside a mountain in the eastern U.S. that is being converted into the nation's largest, most secure backup data center.

As it nears completion, I'm one of a handful of real estate professionals who are responsible for leasing space in the mountain to government entities, financial institutions and retailers.

Interesting stuff.

Breda Says Take A Woman You Love And Teach Her How To Shoot

I'll let Breda tell the story, but this is yet another example of why law abiding people should be legally permitted to carry a self defense sidearm in public parks. As of late 2006, we can in Ohio.

Some big city politicians (including my own mayor here in Columbus) are fighting the general law that finally puts women walking in a park with their kids on an even playing field with the two-legged predators who prey on innocents.

I don't know whether she would have carried, but Chevonne's story is a lesson to remember. To Cleveland Mayor Jackson, I would suggest that you look to this tragedy and remember the lesson as you vainly attempt to convince the courts to overturn the state firearms pre-emption law.

Moreover, this horrible event -- and its even sadder outcome -- is a lesson in why everyone should be taught how to shoot defensively.

Ohioans: What Does SB184 Mean To You?

A very well written overview of the implications of Senate Bill 184, recently passed by both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives, and now on its way to Gov. Ted Strickland for signature.

The legislation, which started off as Castle Doctrine language, was modified (unfortunately) to remove the No Duty To Retreat provisions outside the home, but was also amended (fortunately) to provide many fixes to Ohio's problematic CCW law.

Read the overview from Ohioans For Concealed Carry.

Apparently No One Texted Chelsea The Talking Points

Apparently, Chelsea Clinton didn't get the message that her mom -- Sen. Hillary Clinton -- is now a big-time Second Amendment supporter.

At a rally in Billings, Montana a few days ago, the former first daughter told supporters that the country needs to do more with gun control laws.

"During a question and answer session before seniors and other supporters at the Yellowstone County Council on Aging Office Friday morning, Chelsea said, "We also need to do more with gun control. And my mom supports- naturally what she supported in New York. Which is: we have different gun control laws in New York City than we do in upstate New York."

"The younger Clinton made her remarks in a response to a question from Yellowstone County Commissioner Bill Kennedy (D), who asked her what efforts
could be made to get more cops on the street. Kennedy introduced Democratic
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton before her speech in Billings on Tuesday night, where he said that Senator Clinton would protect Montanans Second Amendment rights."

Hmmm . . .

Now tell me, because I am really trying to understand this . . . what does "doing more with gun control laws" have to do with helping put more cops on the street? Anyone?

I'm assuming Chelsea carries a Blackberry, so she is likely subject to "up-to-the-second" texts from Team Clinton Headquarters regarding talking point strategies. Too bad no one told her her mom loves gun owners -- well, at least as long as she needs their votes.

It May Be Over For The Battle Of The Egos

Dems are splitting in half delegates to be seated from Florida and Michigan at their national convention.

Meanwhile, the talk is that Hillary is going to be shown the path toward a dignified exit from the primary race.

Whether she takes it is . . .well, it's another question.