Uncle Walter's Rants

Complaint of the Day: Feeling Bad for Doing the Right Thing

I did something at work which was the right thing to do. It followed all the policies, it was a decision that was respected and approved by all that I worked with. It cost someone their job. I feel bad for what I did. Would I do it again? Yes I would, because I caught a bad problem and reported it to the higher ups which is what I am supposed to do, but I really thought it would just be a slap on the wrist or a mention in their performance review. Instead they were let go.

Would I do it again? Yes, because it was the right thing to do. Does that make me feel any better about it? No. I feel awful. Sometimes doing the right thing is not easy and we all have to live with the consequences of that decision. But that cannot change the fact that we must always do the right thing. That is something that we must always do no matter how painful.

-UW

The difference between a whistle blower and a traitor

Whistle blower: One who reveals wrongdoing within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority

Trator: One who betrays one's country, a cause, or a trust, especially one who commits treason.

TheFreeDictionary.com

It seems as though many people have forgotten the difference between the two. A whistle blower reveals wrongdoing, illegal activity while a traitor is someone who betrays one's country. Mark Felt, under the cover name of Deep Throat, revealed details on a break in of the Democratic National Headquarters. He was a whistle blower. The actions of those involved with the break in and its related cover up were exposed by his actions. The country was better for it.

Edward Snowden was given access to highly classified material as part of his daily job. He swore an oath to protect it and the nation. He chose to betray the country and reveal details of a classified program which was authorized by Congress. It was a program which was vetted across multiple agencies and branches and then approved. It is reevaluated by Congress regularly. Snowden is not a whistle blower. Snowden is a traitor.

The program is legal, authorized and approved. He delivered classified data to foreign nationals. Whether you agree with it or not. Morality aside, as I will not argue any details on the program itself, Snowden broke the law and scarified this nation's security and its trust of the cleared security professionals who work for it. He is not a whistle blower, he is a traitor the same as Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen.

I think its time people understand this.

-UW

Obscure moves I enjoy episode 1 -- Churchill: The Hollywood Years

This is an actual movie based on actual characters from an actual war with real quotes and stuff. Worth checking out if you enjoy history, comedy or comedy making fun of history.

-UW

Do you know what bugs me? Parents who can't pickup/drop off their kids properly

Long ago I remember watching Mr Mom with Micheal Keaton and laughing as he struggled with the insanity of pickups one way and drop offs the other at the school for his kids.  Fortunately my little ones attend a school with a consistent routine that makes more sense. Drive around the circle, drop off the kid, move on.  Or, drive around circle, pickup kid, move on. Same way each time.

Well, the other day, I was picking up the kids from school. I was waiting in a line of cars that stretched down the street and this one car at the entrance to the school did not move. Horns blared, angry parents waived starbucks menacingly at the rogue stationary Land Rover. All the other cars had retrieved kids and left, but this one sat still. The School's leaders approached the car and looked frustrated, but ineffective.

We would have gone around it, but that would block the exit and cars kept leaving, we were stuck on a public street waiting for Land Rover parent to figure out how to retrieve a child. I glanced in my rear view mirror and it looked like a scene from Talladega Nights. Every parent was Ricky Bobby, and they just wanted to go fast. Engines revved, but we were stuck on the street sitting. The line of cars stretched far off into the distance. Angry parents in each one.

Finally, after what seemed like, and most certainly was, an eternity a woman leisurely strolled up to the car with two kids and opened the door... for one kid, then walked around for the other kid and opened the door... then got in her self. (Note: these kids were perfectly capable of doing this themselves and appeared as frustrated with the mother as we were) Then she sat and I could see her adjust the mirror, put on her blue tooth headset and finally, at last start the car... and readjust something or another before finally moving on.

Like sands in the hourglass we rushed into the circle. Experienced pros grabbing children with astonishing speed, usually the right ones. That day I had the right number and the right names so I triumphantly took them home. (The Wife is never happy when I grab the wrong ones, or an extra)

But seriously, it's near the end of the school year and you still don't know how to pickup a kid? That's just wrong and it bugs me... a lot.

-UW

20 Great Cartoon Characters

Growing up in the 70's and 80's exposed me to a wide variety of cheap cartoons with good writing and bad cartoons with bad writing.  Now, in my later years, I have gone back, via Netflix, and revisited some of the classics of my youth and a few from today.  After a few months of doing this I have created my list of some of the best cartoon characters. You may disagree with the list, but you are wrong.  This is my list and it is right for me.  Get your own list if you want to complain.

#20 The Cast of Star Trek the Animated Series -- Star Trek the Animated Series

Voiced by the original actors, playing out stories written by the likes of Gene Rodenberry and D.C. Fontana this was Star Trek's Lost 4th season.  While the animation left much to be desired it was the stories that made it work.  At least it gave us all some more Trek magic before Wrath of Kahn (I am skipping The Motion Picture, it was  a tad... dull).

#18 Lisa Simpson -- The Simpsons

The conscious of the Simpson family, she is the one who really gives The Simpson's life. Bart is a one-liner, Homer is a goofball, Marge is tiring, but Lisa persists.  As the moral compass of the family she is the foundation that The Simpsons latches onto.

#17 Optimus Prime -- The Transformers

While Lisa is the concious of The Simpsons, Optimus Prime was the concious of a generation.  Every kid (or at least boy) knew who Optimus was and what he stood for.  First time I ever hear "What would" was in reference to "What Would Optimus Prime do.

#16 Professor Farnsworth -- Futurama

Good news everybody!  Professor Farnsworth made the list!  Farnsworth is the scientist that makes science cool.  Sure he could be content creating robots for Mom's, but instead indulges in his wild and crazy inventions like the finglonger.  He is the enabler that lets characters like Fry and Zoiderg have such great adventures.

#15 Reducto -- Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law

Reducto is the perfect villain.  He makes everyone tiny, is self conscious and attracted to large butts. Best of all he is voiced by Stephen Colbert.  Need I say more? 

#14 Bullwinkle J. Moose - The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show

No cartoon character list would be complete without an entry from the iconic Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The creative stories, the animation, the joy. They were part of my youth and persist to this day. But out of the whole cast it is Bullwinkle who stands out.  In the chaos of absurdity Rocky tries to make sense of it, but Bullwinkle accepts his world and make us the better for it.

#13 Dot Warner -- Anamainiacs

 

While Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca may not be my favorite of the Warners she deserves a place on my list for her wit, grace and the fact that she is the dot in Warner Brothers.

#12 Jay Sherman - The Critic

Jay Sherman is the embodiment of every pudgy guy who lashes out at bad movies, romance novels or whatever. He is one of the greatest characters ever who inspired me to look at every bad thing I see and state, proudly on my blog, "It Stinks!!!"

#11 A Bill - Schoolhouse Rock

He's just a bill, but he was the start of my government education. Now, as I have aged, I see that all my core historical and government education really started with the magic of Schoolhouse Rock and lonely little bill.

#10 Zorak - Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Zorak is the villian turned band leader who plays for Space Ghost Coast to Coast. His antics make the show worth watching and his stint as Bat-Mantis were priceless. Space Ghost may be the host, but Zorak brings it all together.

#9 Pinky and the Brain - Pinky and the Brain/Anamainiacs

Pinky and the Brain are the perfect pair. The Brain's insane plan's set up the stories and Pinky's brilliance bails him out. Don't agree with me? Watch again, Pinky is the real brain of this operation.

#9 Kreiger -- Archer

Literally scraped from Hitler's boxers, Kreiger is a master mad scientist. He creates fantastic weapons for Archer and Lana, builds cyborgs from corpses or gay people and can hide a body like no one else. And let's not get started on that awesome van.

#8 Scrooge McDuck - Ducktales

Scrooge McDuck was always an inspiration to me. Not because he was rich, but because he could see value where no one else would. He would scour the globe for lost treasure that was ignored for centuries.  Kinda like an animated American Pickers, but with more feathers.

#7 Brian - Family Guy

Brian is the liberal voice of reason of Family Guy. His is an alcoholic aspiring author who harbors a hidden attraction to Lois. He is the perfect balance to Stewie's ravings and he can sing and dance.

#6 Pam - Archer

Pam is the I.S.I.S HR Director, and knowing many Hr Directors I can tell you they can be pretty kick-ass, but Pam takes it a step further. A sex fiend, and apparently fantastic in the bed, Pam has bedded most of I.S.I.S, but her most endearing quality is her varied skills and extensive knowledge of dairy farming. Best of all she is now an active field agent and she deserves it. I hope for more Pam-centric episodes in the future.

#5 Freakazoid - Freakazoid

Sure Batman is fun, but it was Freakazoid who was the superhero for the rest of us. Born of the internet from a gawky teenager he battled the likes of Candlejack with wit and poise. He was funny and awesome and I wish he was back on the air. Often the underrated of the Spielberg WB toons, I found it to be the best of them all.

#4 Tick - The Tick

The Tick, operating with neigh invulnerability, is the best of superheroes out there. He is a fantastic mix of strength with the best catch phrase of all time, "SPOON!!!!". His awesomeness even was even made into a live action series, for a while.

#3 Invader Zim - Invader Zim

Invader Zim is the the perfect character. Ego-centric, failure-prone, and equipped with the worlds best/worst sidekick Girr. His constant attempts to conquer the Earth are thwarted by Dibb and Zim's own ineptitude. 

#2 Popeye - Popeye

 

Popeye is the oldest character to make the list, but still one of my absolute favorites. He is a vintage, man's man who fights to save his girl and do the right thing. While his huge arms suggest tumors, and his speech suggests a stroke his heart is good and true. His power may be derived from a green leafy things, but his real straight is in the fact that his lessons are still relevant today. We all need to protect out Olive Oil and defeat Bluto.

#1 Darkwing Duck/Drake Mallard - Darkwing Duck

Darkwing Duck is the best of all superheroes. He stops crime, uses non-lethal weapons, and raises an adopted daughter. His tireless efforts to protect St. Canard do not go unnoticed to the residents and while he stays in the shadows like Batman he keeps a light heart though it all. He has faced death time and time again and still smiles. He embodies the best of all heros and fathers. While his work is important he still makes time for his daughter and that's something any working parent struggles to do, but with Darkwing it seems easy.

-UW