GEORGE ROOT: Random thoughts from Root

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October 28, 2009

Anonymous The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Wed Oct 28, 2009, 01:21 AM EDT

Normally when I do these random thoughts things, it is because I have no other ideas for the week, but this week it is different. There are many different things going on that I want to comment on, and this seems to me to be the best way to do it.

Leave the Senecas alone. Every single time the lawmakers in Albany find themselves in a financial squeeze, they instantly try to drain money from the Senecas. Treaties have been signed, leave the Senecas alone. We don’t have to pay New York state tax when we buy stuff in Ontario, so why should we be forced to pay it in the sovereign Seneca Nation? The Senecas give a healthy portion of their slot machine profits to the state already, and they are providing jobs for people who need them. So just leave the Senecas alone and let’s force the people in Albany to address the real financial problem in the state of New York — New York City.

Speaking of New York City being a financial problem, aren’t they in the process of building a $1 billion stadium mostly from tax dollars? Tell me again why this state is going broke.

I am absolutely convinced that no one has the answers to the world’s current financial problems. Republicans, Democrats, Germans, Iranians — no one has a clue what it will take to get the world’s economy going again. So everyone just relax and look after yourself and your loved ones. If you see someone on the street starving, then give them a sandwich and a blanket. If you have a couple of extra bucks at the end of the month, then consider yourself blessed. Do whatever you need to do, but just stop worrying about things we cannot control.

I am going to join at least one of those animal rescue organizations in the next couple of days, but only if they promise to stop playing those depressing commercials.

I cannot believe that Halloween is already this Saturday. Before you know it, we will be putting up the Christmas tree. I like Christmas; I start decorating early.

Dec. 21, 2012. Remember that date. It is a critically important date according to all of the major calendars. It is important because, on that date, there will only be three shopping days until Christmas 2012.

So we saw “Paranormal Activity.” I have to be honest in admitting that I had no idea about the movie at all. The wife was talking about seeing it for a couple of weeks and I had not seen a single commercial about the movie and knew nothing about it. Go see it. Bring a pillow to hold in front of your face, you’ll need it.

There was more violence in the Middle East this week and a lot of innocent people died. Some people point to this as the reason why we need to increase the number of troops in the Middle East and amplify our presence there. I am no foreign policy expert, but I am wondering if the reason why there is more violence over in the Middle East is because we are going to increase the number of troops over there and amplify our presence.

Losing weight is a tough fight. Some days I win, some days I lose. Overall I am hoping to win, but it gets more difficult everyday. Those McDonald’s commercials for their new Angus burger are not helping either.

Big victories in life can be difficult to achieve. They take time and they take perseverance. That is why you should always treasure the little wins when you get them because they happen more often, and sometimes they happen when you least expect them.

Many thanks to sports editor John D’Onofrio for his kind words. It still doesn’t help with my memory though, because I had to go back and read my column to understand what he was talking about. But thanks John. It is always nice to know that I am not a total basket case.

George Root is a Lockport resident. His column runs every Wednesday.

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