One of my favorite TV shows is George Stefanopolis on Sunday mornings. His interview with the Republican candidates (I do not usually watch the debates. They are more disgusting than educating and I end up not wanting to vote for any of them.) was interesting.

My problem with the episode this past Sunday is that it started out with what must be the most important issue, abortion. Why that, George? Coverage today (Monday) mentioned only that and Romney's Mormonism.

With so many problems that need to be dealt with in the United States and the world, why is abortion the pivotal issue? I agree that it is significant. But I also know that even if a candidate is pro-women's-right, he or she is not really advocating killing or death, like in attacking another sovreign nation. I consider myself against any form of abortion but I do not march in demonstrations. Should one of my daughters tell me that she wants one, I would express myself even if it meant that I, at 71, would have to take the child with all that it involves. But would I vote based on that? How about health care, education, corruption, international relations, war? Is this another case of righteousness (see #10 in my previous entry)? Are we having to get another idiot President because a group of U.S. Citizens is trying to be superior than everyone else because they are going to Heaven and the rest of us are not?

It certainly does not bother me to have a Mormon as a President of our melting pot nation, either. I might worry about an anarchist or a complete nonbeliever-in-any-beliefs. But a Catholic or a Mormon or even a Muslim as long as their religion is not going to be shoved down my throat or control policies and decisions. Romney seems to be relatively honest and wise for a politician (an oxymoron?). If that is because of his religious beliefs, well done to him.But for his Mormonism to be a deciding factor? Once again, a tribe amongst us Americans is trying to be better than the rest of us 'cause they are going to Heaven and we are not.

Found an interesting recent blog entry by the Peever (http://thepeever.blogstream.com/) . In it he listed twelve things that perked his pique. It got me thinking about things that get under my skin. Some of mine are blatently ripped off from Peever and from the comments on his entry.

1.TV ads that are obnoxious, are repeated over and over, and are obviously just after our hard earned cash. The ones for Head On and its derivatives are the most obvious but most ads fit into this category. Head On has no active ingredients. It is purely the placebo effect. And the numerous ads just snow ball the whole thing. Plus be so irritating that the button to go to another station gets pushed.

2.TV ads for prescription medicine and for legal services. I fail to understand why someone would ask a doctor to prescribe something when the doctor has not diagnosed the problem and determined what is needed. Also fail to understand why the millions for these numerous ads are not used for research and for cost reduction. And isn't there already too much suing? Why provoke more and run up medical cost even more? And why provoke the get-something-for-nothing attitude that seems so prevalent? Lawyers and pharmaceutical companies ought to be above this.

3.Political candidates that blatently are using the win-at-any-cost campaign. I remember the quote “The end justifies the means”. I think it came from Adoph Hitler. Spin doctors and political hit squads. Hillary seems the most obvious. A real nasty campaigner and a political killer. And then there is Dick! What is wrong with candidates expressing what they do that is good? And being straightforward and honest?

4.Dogs that bark incessantly. Not that they bother me so much as make me feel sorry for an animal that is basically unhappy all day and night. The dog is trying to tell their owners something.

5.Competitive drivers. I always drive 5 mph over the speed limit. Mostly because I am cheap and know that wind resistance increases exponentially using up lots of gas. All the beamers and benz's come zooming up behind me and swirl around like I was holding them up or something. And all they really want to do is get ahead of me and everyone else. All to get to the finish line a couple of minutes sooner. I am glad I am confident in my masculinity.

6.Wiregrass. I know it is smarter and meaner than I am. On purpose and because it hates me, it grows under the hardware cloth, under the geraniums, the pinks, the phlox, everywhere I can not get at it and where the weed killer can not be used.

7.Politicians, wantabes, etc., who use racism for their own benefit. Like in the Vick dog fighting stuff. And like in the OJ case. Anything that comes up that can be manipulated for personal gain.

8.Chili, pizza, anything that is not spicy and hot.

9.People who cut in line.

10.Anyone who thinks they are righteous. Especially those associated with those businesses (churches) which dispense righteousness.

11.All of those who can come up with more than ten good ones when I can only think of that many.

A couple of my blog entries have been about some of my favorite things. Like our Grand Marquis and my family. Another of my favorite things is my Neuton lawn mower. A Neuton is a battery powered mower (http://www.drpower.com/TwoStepCategory.aspx?Name=NeutonMower2Step). It is quiet, starts right up, easy to push, environmetally friendly, needs no gasoline or oil, etc.

They say it is for smaller yards. My yard is about a half acre. I just mow it in three sessions. The front one day, the side the next, then the back. It takes me between a half hour and forty-five minutes each session. Not because of the battery but because I run out of steam. Even on the hottest days, I can do that much. And one of the joys of retirement is that I can mow any day I want, any time I want. Early in the morning if I want 'cause it is so quiet. And the Neuton is never hard to start or get going. Just unplug the charger and push the button. I like to collect the clippings and use them for ground cover. It comes with a catcher so another plus.

Of course, there are things that could be better. Wet and tall, course grass needs some special attention. The blade and mower bed is not very wide. And, after about four summers, the battery needs replacing to the tune of about eighty bucks. I thought my latest one was going bad after just one year but found an electrode that needs cleaning. I can do that and I am a clutz. Fixing gasoline engines is a much different matter. I fixed the Neuton without any bad words and with just a fifteen dollar voltmeter from Ace Hardware and a bit of sand paper found lying on the floor of my shed. Tells you something about my cleanliness and storage system. But it works just fine.

Check out the Neuton. It certainly works for me.