"Man-In-Sea," by Paul Juser

See "Man-In-Sea" at RiverRead Books Binghamton, December 4th at 3pm.

If you're here with me in Binghamton, and you are an Ed Link enthusiast, I have two things for you. First and foremost, come see me do Man-In-Sea next Saturday. I'll be performing sections from the book, as well as reading several short stories. Secondly, keep your eye open for events at the Center for Technology and Innovation, where you can pilot an actual Link "Blue Box" flight trainer. I went to their open house for the Link display, but later returned with my grandfather to see the rebuilt IBM 1440 computer. A 40 year employee in R&D, I thought he would enjoy seeing the typewriters and THINK plaques mounted on the shelves in various states of disassembly. Instead, he sat at the table in the center of the room, and demanded I get him a cup so he could pee in the hallway. At least I know how I ended up able to be dressed and taken out, but that either is rarely worth the struggle.

A brilliant doctor of chemistry, my grandfather did teach me one good habit, and that is to check my facts. This I implore to anyone who called Senate Bill 510 "the most dangerous bill in the history of the entire friggin' world." One Canadian and a truckload of blogs all agreed that if this bill came to be, not only would your local farmers' market be criminalized, but American citizens could be imprisoned for giving away zucchini from their backyard garden. Some friends and neighbors may consider this a blessing, but I smelled something fishy. My grandfather taught me to read about history, so such a law certainly seemed possible, but I refused to believe we've fallen so far that it's probable.

I went home and started reading. The blogs all quoted each other, and the Christian Science Monitor of all places had the good sense to break down the facts from the rumors. I have a hard time trusting them after the Tom Cruise freakout video, so I made sure to check those facts. After amendment, the bill exempts any farm making less than $500,000 a year, as well as the restaurants and private retailers that purchase from those farmers. Rather than giving Monsanto the right to everything you eat, the law would make it more difficult for the big companies to send you a chicken full of salmonella or spinach full of poop. First the Death Panels, and now s510. The bad guys are starting to see how easily Americans will become enraged over rumor without looking for proof. Dark times are ahead if we can be so easily manipulated. Check your facts, friends. Thanks for reading.

-Paul

printisbetter.blogspot.com

Read "The Salvation Shark" and more short fiction, scripts, and very little poetry at Laugh at Yourself First.

pauljuser.blogspot.com

I skipped PiB last week, because I couldn't write anything that wasn't a diatribe about my disappointment over the election. I needed time to find a positive outlook on the situation. The high-profile criminals like Paladino and the popular loons like Christine O'Palin were put down, but I don't know much about the victors. It's not fair for me to judge them on the actions of others. Most I've encountered seem to hate every freedom but their own, advocating religious dominationany people in their party preach religious domination, and would be proud to step back to less tolerant times. Most I've encountered are openly racist, and despite protests their criticisms are based in social policy, still try to slip that big, ugly word into their descriptions of the President. Most seem to hate every freedom but their own.

Decent people will not stand for this, no matter how loud the lunkheads shout. I refuse to believe the majority of us would say that "Ballot or Bullet" guy is a person to lead this country to a better future. I will concede that Ballot or Bullet guy has a right to be angry, and it's not because Obama's a you-know-what, or any other thing you might mutter under your breath, but because the same criminals that made our mess are being allowed to try and fix our mess by making the same mess on a much grander scale. The Tea Party preaches a message of fiscal responsibility, and right now Americans need to learn any responsibility they are offered. If these people want to be leaders, we need to treat them like leaders by being on guard against everything I mentioned in the first paragraph. As long as we prevent that, I've always believed the point of America was that maybe these guys can do a better job. In America, anyone can succeed.

If you're here with me in Binghamton, I want to remind you once again to come see me December 4th at RiverRead Books. I'll be reading selections from Man-In-Sea, and signing copies as well. You don't have to be in Binghamton to hear me on the Original Geeks Podcast, or to vote for us in the Sports category at podcastawards.com. December 3rd, Daddybones will be making his ring-announcer debut for East Coast Pro Wrestling. I haven't watched wrestling since that Undertaker/McMahon "Higher Power" storyline pushed my suspension of disbelief too far, but I'll be at the show that night. The hundredth episode of the OGPC records this week. Thanks for all the birthday wishes this week. It's been a tough year, so it was nice to hear from the outside world. Thanks for reading.

-Paul

printisbetter.blogspot.com