Dumber than Dumb, and a cure?

Everyday you read about or watch a news clip about something that the title of this article could very easily describe.  Today, I give you two examples.

The first, vandalizing five trees in town.  I mean seriously, trees?

There are so many senseless acts that occur in this world.  Some extremely violent.  Some that have great and lasting significance.  It may seem that vandals going after trees is very small potatoes in the relative scheme of life when compared to what goes on.

Yet it is this type of incident that causes one to wonder just what in fact is going on in this world.  It is an example of someone or some group of individuals with the collective brain power of a sand flea doing something for no purpose other than they wanted to.

It makes you think about just what the next thrill will be for them.  It makes you wonder, and unfortunately should make you shudder.

And as dumb as something like that is, even dumber was the issuance of a flag ban by the Wrentham Housing Authority.  While quickly rescinded, the Authority did in fact send out a notice to its tenants banning the outside display of the U.S. Flag.

Let me start with the fact we aren't taking about a development with written deed restrictions or association rules.  You buy or move into a place that says no "whatever" you have no complaint whatsoever when they enforce the rules.  Period.

That being said, we are talking about the banning of the American Flag because of a neighbor's complaint.  We aren't talking about someone flying a super size flag outside their home in a residential area by the way.  I can actually see certain size restrictions.  From what I can gather it is Old Glory like you see Old Glory outside most homes displaying a flag in the U.S of A.  

As noted the ban was lifted, and fairly quickly.  The lifting of the ban, however doesn't get this one out of the dumber than dumb category.  The imposition of the ban actually makes the dumbest of them all level.

It seems that because of the complaints of "a neighbor" over the 4th of July weekend no less, the ban was imposed.  I would be interested in knowing the exact complaints.  I would also be interested in knowing the rationale the rocket scientist who came up with the ban used to decide on issuing it in the first place.

Moving on, but not to far ...

There is an article in the S-T regarding the worries of surrounding communities as concerns the Taunton Casino.  Middleboro seems pretty ticked off because it believes the Tribe owes it some big bucks for not going forward with the deal that town had with the Tribe.  

Additionally, it seems not only are the communities mentioned concerned about the economic impact to them, but want to know how they come up with the money to actually determine what the economic impact will be.

While everyone seems to be lining up with their hands out for handouts, maybe New Bedford should get in line seeking the lost revenue from being completely shutout.  

Trust me, there will be more gripping about the true South Coast being ignored by the republican candidate for senate than there will be about it essentially being gerrymandered out of getting a real shot at a casino.

Speaking of which, I am getting a real kick out of that.  Just shaping up as expected.  Sometimes predictability can be amusing.  

The article in the S-T on this one contains a blurb worth mentioning:

Brown is likely facing a close race in SouthCoast, an area that features two traditionally Democratic strongholds in Fall River and New Bedford. In 2010 against Attorney General Martha Coakley, he made unexpected inroads in the cities and beat her in some of the suburbs.

Most likely will be a close race.  I would note though that Brown didn't beat Coakley in some of the suburbs, he beat her in all of the suburbs on the South Coast, and a whole bunch of burbs throughout the state (see election results map and listing from the Boston Globe).

Brown has a much tougher election this time.  First of all, the Democrats aren't going to take this election for granted, like the last on.  Tons of money pouring in from all over (for both candidates).

Whether he can color red as many towns as he did the last time, will be the issue for him.

Something positive ...

Don't forget Family Fun Day Saturday at Cushman Park.  While you now have a few less trees to shade yourself with, it still should be a great time.  Might be what is needed, some real family events for some real family fun.