News and Notes [ October ]

Have you been following this story out of Orange County , Ca. In the small hamlet of Seal Beach , a gunman walked into a hair salon , and opened fire killing eight , and another is in critical condition . Apparently a custody battle , for the son sparked the shooter , a male who also injured his leg on the job out at sea . He also watched a man die , as part of the same kind of work and accident . But while the little boy was at school waiting to be picked up , his father killed his mother and others during moments of terror . The Orange County District attorney , is going to prosecute to the max , and ask for the death penalty . This raises the discussion for Baby Boomers . What is your feeling on the death penalty? Of 312 Baby Boomers interviewd , the results found almost a even split . The more conservative your politics , the more you favored , the more liberal , one was more inclined to say , the death penalty was not a deterent to crime . Some argue that cases exist where , the false accused , have been put to death . Illinois , had this occur over the last decade , prompting change . In Texas they lead the nation , in putting people to death . The answer , is not a good one .So many factors enter the thoughts of Baby Boomers . Factors such as Religion , Socio-Economic circumstances , Area of the country in which you were raised , all influence your thinking . It should be noted , Orange County , Ca. is a bastion , of conservative thinking , but it is also fair to consider , that a rampage , pre-meditated , motive defined , killer immediatly caught , is as clear a case as you will find for the advocates of the death penalty. But is it morally right ? Baby Boomers continue the debate ...............................................Are Baby Boomers shifting to the right ? This is the quetion posed by Karlyn Bowman and Andrew Rugg , as seen in the Los Angeles Times .There thesis is , and they state , " as Baby Boomers get old , they're becoming more conservative . "  The shift they think will alter the political landscape , and could have a impact on the 2012 election . They base there thought on the fact that only about 25% of Baby Boomers were as wild as the reputation of the 60's and 70's would suggest .They also suggest events such as Watergate effected , the way Baby Boomers think about politics .There conclusion is that Baby Boomers are now the establishment , and have been moving to the right politically . It begs the question , are Baby Boomers as they age becoming more conservative ? They say interview after interview that they expect there retirement , to look different than there parents . They imply change , they talk of staying active , fit , seeing to a weelness campaign . They say there judgement has not been clouded by world events , the economy . But underneath the surface , Bowman and Rugg may be on to something . As Baby Boomers age , there mindset does shift , health concerns , and security become more in focus . Baby Boomers today talk just as much about , Social Security and Medicare, as they once talked about changing the world , and having it all . Do Baby Boomers look more like there parents than they want to admit ? There children may be the barometer , as well as the miiror . The children see parents , and the mirror does not lie . As far as political beliefs , the 2012 election , may tell the story ................................................. Ok , I have read my e-mail , there are a lot of fellow Baby Boomers telling me that nobody is paying attention to the baseball playoffs . That me writing about it with the theory , that because we grew up on baseball , loved baseball , does not account for tastes changing . They site the ratings being down , that football is now king . That interest fell by the wayside once the Yankees , Red Sox , and Phillies were eliminated . Well fellow Baby Boomers I respect your opinion but disagree . The games this year have been compelling . Both the Rangers-Tigers Series , as well as Cardinals- Brewers , both at 3-2 , as of this writing has been great theatre . The Cardinal Fans last night waving there white towels , were dedicated . The night before in Detroit , hard hit by economic downturn , were there supporting there team. You see comparing baseball to football is apple to oranges . Football is event driven once a week to gear up , like going to a concert . There is nothing like that three hours on Sunday , for sure. But baseball is part of the fabric of society , part of a daily routine , it is over a period of time . You enjoy it for the culmination of a series of events  , for its complexities , and drama of situration . It is for people 9-99 . You pass time with baseball . Yes , like with everything today , perhaps money has diminished the romance of baseball . But Baby Boomers tune in to the remainder of the playoffs , and the World Series , you won't be sorry .