Author Archive

DON’T FEED THE SEAGULLS

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 16 June 2013

Category: Duluth News/Opinions

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I must say summer is finally here or so it appears, and seagulls have made their way back to our lovely city. I do have several problems with the seagulls but I won’t bother you with my complete take on seagulls. I also have a problem with people feeding the seagulls.

Seagulls in my opinion are more of a problem then serving any logical purpose. I have yet to find many residents of Duluth who actually like to feed the seagulls. This isn’t to say Duluth residents don’t feed them but I don’t hang out with too many who do. I guess this may mean I hang out with people who like what I like and that would be logical then why my friends don’t feed seagulls. Anyhow, when I am bringing my family to the Canal Park area or any area by Lake Superior I have taught my children to chase the seagulls and they do enjoy it. I can tell sometimes it irritates others who are feeding the seagulls but I do enjoy seeing my kids happy.

So let me get to the point. I would like to get the word out among those who do not live in the Duluth area. DO NOT FEED THE SEAGULLS. As a person who has to deal with them almost every day, they are annoying, loud, and bothersome. If you come to Duluth I beg you, DO NOT FEED THEM. If you would like to feed some birds please seek out the local ponds located almost all over the city with some nice ducks inhabiting them. Ducks are way better and feeding them I assure you would be much more enjoyable for anyone than it would be to feed a seagull.

Please join me to get the word out to all, DO NOT FEED THE SEAGULLS. Thank you!

5 Comments

The Duluth Pot Hole Problem

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 30 May 2013

Category: Duluth News/Opinions

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I am excited and encouraged about the new Pot Hole plan in Duluth by our Mayor, but I am also a little apprehensive about the effectiveness to simply fill in the pot holes instead of doing some major street repair.

I get awfully tired of driving over the lose tar used to fill the hole and having that tar stick to my car. I realize pot holes in Duluth are a serious problem every spring but is this plan the best use of the cities resources? I sure hope so.

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Is It A Family or Is It Just Marriage?

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 29 May 2013

Category: General News/Updates

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Recently I had a nice little discussion with a buddy of mine about family. It was a very friendly discussion and no hard feelings were had and we agreed to disagree. My friend did say he was going to blog about this subject and it has been almost a week since our discussion and yet no blog. I will beat him to the punch, like in most things, and share my thoughts about family or marriage.

Here’s a little background into our discussion. My friend was trying to convince me that he and his wife are a family just like my wife and I who also have three children. My friend did not have any other supporting evidence for his argument. I simply wasn’t buying it and kept going back to family involved having children. I explained that I would be happy to call him and his wife a family when a little one was on the way. For me without children it is simply just called a marriage. Unfortunately for my friend, Dictionary.com also agrees with me. Family is defined, “a basic social unit consisting of parents and their children.” And just so people don’t think I am skipping out on other definitions just to try and prove my argument (I have been accused of that before) all the definitions, five of them, all do mention or refer to children or blood relation.

I am certain my buddy is not blood related to his wife (c’mon you know I had to throw that in there) and therefore as I argue, him and his wife are simply just married and not quite yet a family. My wife and I with our three children are indeed a family and therefore I am here to conclude that I am officially the winner of the discussion/argument. Thank you very much and have a wonderful day.

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter @thebashawblog

4 Comments

How Many Hobbies Can One Man Have?

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 28 May 2013

Category: Duluth Hobbies, General News/Updates

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After probably about a 10 year break/vacation I was able to take a bike ride on a brand new Specialized bike just a couple days ago. I haven’t possessed a bike since I was in high school but I must admit it was a pretty fun ride. My ride lasted about an hour and I went from riding on the road, then taking a trail through Hartley and finishing my ride back on the road. Even though I haven’t taken a serious bike ride in over 10 years, it was pretty fun and I did indeed enjoy myself. I would definitely do it again.

However, here comes a much bigger problem for my future bike rides. Well actually more than one problem. The problems are time, money, and time. As one gets older free time is harder and harder to come by. Recently as I have written, golf has taken up a lot of my free time. I don’t know right now if I am willing to sacrifice my golf time for bike riding time. The good news is, maybe in a couple years I can take my kids out on a bike ride and kill two birds with one stone and then still have my golf time!

I am curious how others find the time to enjoy more than one hobby? I just may have to start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. Possibly sounds like a good idea.

I’m glad my friend encouraged me to go on the bike ride. It was certainly more fun than I thought it would be and I look forward to the day when I can embark on more bike rides.

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How Old is Too Old?

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 21 May 2013

Category: Duluth News/Opinions

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Recently I was driving within the city limits with my 8 year old daughter. As I typically do, I travel about 35 miles per hour when the posted speed is 30 mph. Surprisingly I quickly approached the car in front of me. As I was forced to slow down I looked down at my speedometer and was only traveling 20 mph. I then checked in my rear view mirror and noticed 2 other cars quickly catching up to me as well. As I tried to look ahead and see who was driving this slow car, I was able to see this person was up there in age (my guess in their 80s), she was too short too look over the steering wheel and was leaning to the right side of the car in order to see. While trying to do all this, not only was the car traveling at a top speed of 20 mph, yes I did keep track, the car was swerving from side to side in the driving lane. A couple times the tires did travel onto the shoulder of the road. My last concern was there was non stop at the stop sign. As the car approached the stop sign, the person did signal, but probably rolled through the stop sign at about 10 mph without any yielding before continuing.

I would be willing to guess most of you have a similar story. I have even heard stories of people seeing the elderly drive the wrong way through the drive through. Now I am not about to sit here and say the younger population doesn’t commit these same mistakes but in all seriousness how old is too old for people to continue driving?

Younger drivers and their distracted driving is a subject for another time, but older drivers I do believe need to be held accountable for their inattentive driving as well. It certainly would be a hard decision to figure out what new regulations would be beneficial and fair for the older generation, but something needs to happen. I almost felt compelled to call the police on this old person for the safety of others. I could argue the actions demonstrated by this driver are almost as dangerous as a drunk driver. If one can’t even see over the steering wheel, DON’T DRIVE! A simple eye exam when it is time to renew your license just isn’t enough.

As a society we need to be just as concerned with the older generation and their distracted driving as we are with the younger generation.

8 Comments

My Reaction to Jason Collins

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 1 May 2013

Category: National News

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I recently saw a tweet that said, and I’m paraphrasing, people told Tim Tebow to be quiet about his religion and people are now calling Jason Collins a hero. This has really made me think over the last couple days about how I feel about the announcement of Jason Collins’ sexual orientation.

Another reason I have thought about this announcement so much is the criticism that Chris Broussard is taking after expressing his opinion when asked about it on OTL on ESPN. After the comments were made, Michael Sherrard, from the liberal group Faithful America, urged supporters in a MoveOn.org email to sign a petition that calls on ESPN to discipline Broussard. I have included the video here of his controversial comments.

If you do not subscribe to Sports Illustrated here is a link to the online article titled, Why NBA Center Jason Collins is coming out now.

Jason Collins has now finished his 12th NBA season with what some may call a pretty average career. He is now a free agent and from the way I perceive his comments, still wanting to play more basketball. I referenced ESPN.com to see his career stats which are somewhat unimpressive, but his success in the NBA is not the point of my thoughts.

My thoughts reference more about why a person maybe thought of as a bigot if they openly disagree with in this case a person who is a homosexual. Dictionary.com defines a bigot as a “person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief or opinion.” Mr. Broussard was given the opportunity to express his opinion on the announcement and did so in my opinion very professionally and appropriately.

The great part about America is the right to be able to share your opinions in almost any manner. Another example I would use that relates a little bit closer to my home is the lifestyle of Jim Carlson, owner of the Last Place on Earth. He has every right to open a store, sell a legal product, and make money through his business. Do I like what he sells? No. Would I ever open a store to sell those products? No. I am utterly intolerant of his belief or opinions? No, but I do openly disagree with choices he makes.

Here are my thoughts about Jason Collins. First, I have no problem with him announcing his sexual orientation. Second, I’m happy for him to be able to play 12 years in the NBA. But maybe my most controversial comments about his announcement is more of a question. Will the NBA, or an NBA team be criticized if he does not get another contract offer for his 13th year? Will people be so shallow as to say he is not getting any contract offers because he is gay? I guess time will tell.

4 Comments

Clean Up Your Poop

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 16 April 2013

Category: Duluth News/Opinions, General News/Updates

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As summer maybe coming some day, I was quickly reminded about a friendly reminder I’d like to share. I will also keep this very short and to the point.

I live very close to the Lakewalk in Duluth, MN and as the snow is melting I am noticing a large amount of animal poop, which I can only assume and find it safe to assume is dog poop, on the Lakewalk. I also saw a man today let his dog poop in the middle of the street and not pick it up. WHAT THE HECK. CLEAN UP YOUR ANIMALS POOP!!!!!!!!!!

The City of Duluth very strategically placed garbage’s and animal poop bags (for lack of a better term) on the Lakewalk to facilitate the cleaning up of your animals poop. There is no excuse. Everyone who has an animal knows the animal could poop while out on the walk or run. BE PREPARED!!!!

Please be considerate and clean up your poop. I don’t want to walk, run, ride my bike, or skip through poop.

CLEAN UP YOUR POOP!!!!

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Pray For Boston

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 16 April 2013

Category: National News

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My first thoughts about this tragic event come back to questions about what kind of person can justify in their own mind that making a bomb, planting a bomb in a very congested area, and detonating the bomb to kill men, women, and children is okay.

It baffles my mind that people can come up with excuses as to why this bombing is okay and justified. I used the word excuse because in my mind it is an excuse. I find no reason why the murdering of people in this way is ever justified.

I do have great hope in the government leaders in the Boston area who are now leading this investigation. I just watched the Mayor, Governor, FBI officials and Senators give statements about the actions that will be taken. Another reason I have hope that justice will prevail is because,the general public has already contributed video, pictures and eye witness account about the events. I have great confidence more American people will come forth with more pictures and videos to share with the authorities. These tips from the public and evidence the authorities will find, I believe will lead to justice.

This person or people will not be able to hide and I believe justice will be served.

I have no personal connections to Boston but I do say a deep thank you to all that helped to keep people safe and also helped people get the medical attention they needed.

Pray for Boston.

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March Madness Certainly Didn’t Disappoint

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 10 April 2013

Category: National News

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I am a big lover of college basketball and this years NCAA Tournament certainly didn’t disappoint. Check out my thoughts about the tournament. I have attached the link. Thanks

WHAT A GAME

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I Love Chipotle

Posted by Eddie Bashaw at 9 April 2013

Category: Duluth News/Opinions, General News/Updates

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As a life long resident of Duluth, MN there are many things I love about the city. But one thing that really bothers me about Duluth is why Chipotle will not build one of their resturants in Duluth. So wait maybe then my gripe should be with Chipotle?

Every trip I make somewhere that has a Chipotle I stop every time. I always must get my burrito with chips and guacamole. I always brainstorm locations in my head where a Chipotle would be successful.

Here are some reason why Chipotle would be successful in Duluth. First, a majority of the college students at the 3 major colleges (I’d like to include UWS because they are right across the border) come from bigger cities and have already had Chipotle before and are familiar with their food. Second, every person I have introduced to Chipotle who has never had it before, loves it. Third, if Burrito Union can be successful, so can Chipotle. I do like Burrito Union but I love Chipotle more!

I have contacted Chipotle through Twitter many times with limited success on receiving any concrete word if they will be coming to Duluth. I can only hope and pray some day Chipotle will allow a franchise to come to Duluth. Let’s help spread the word, Chipotle could succeed in Duluth!!

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