When the mind shuts down.....

The spring is coming! The spring is coming!!!

Before going to bed, remember to----->

Set your clocks ahead 1 hour.  Otherwise, you'll be late for church or temple.

Turn your sun dial 15.012 degrees to the south.  Otherwise, you'll get moss on your sox.

Change the battery in your pacemaker.  Otherwise, you'll flunk the ECG.

Move all those Christmas decoration boxes away from the smoke detector.  Otherwise, POOF!

Thoughticus Accumalotis

Mini note pages accumulate when all one does is jot and put them aside, with tons of intent on expanding all those individual thoughts.  The act of admonishment shall begin when I find myself in front of a mirror, as that is where we'll discover the birth of most fault. 
My notes consist of random thoughts that most of us think about and, in forgetting to write them, they are lost.  Some are what I would have enjoyed if Andy Rooney had explored and expanded on them.  The others?  YOU decide..................................
Without further ado, or is it further I didn't?

Separated at birth #1: On-field baseball commentator Ken Rosenthal and Pee Wee Herman
                                #2: Bosox pitcher Alfredo Aceves and Actor Tommy Lee Jones
                                #3: Bosox pitcher John Lester and any EWOK
                                #4: Dave Letterman and sports talk show host Bruce Drennan

Achieve happiness by giving---neither expecting nor demanding same

You never know---until you find out

Baseball is the only sport wherein umpires have the ability to walk on water.  Their 1st commandment being, "Thou shalt NOT question me."  I wonder how they can position themselves between the batter and the catcher and successfully see the outside edge of home plate.  Have you noticed that they often are on the opposite side of the runner when a steal is attempted and are able to "see" if a tag is made or not?  Hmmm

TeeVee commercials are introducing new, improved drugs, telling us to take it if "such and such" drug isn't working.  I wonder if they have new, improved side effects.  I also "like" the new vitamins for kids who won't eat real food.  Does mommy give dressed up princess just the vitamin?  My children had supplemental vitamins...not replacements!

Great read for summer...or any other time: Wayne Dyer's, "Gifts from Eykis"

If a clock used hay bales instead of numerals, would you call it "Hour Fodder?"

Chugging Vernor's Ginger Ale is not an easy task

C'mon...can Shaq O'Neal really drive that Buick???

When someone says, "Have good one"...are we expected to know what it means???

Will the marketing geniasses ever realize that the incessant drumming during commercials and other announcements is about as captivating as a bucket of spit

Speaking of spit, I lie awake wondering how much is generated during a baseball game

The longer you're in solitary confinement, the less likely you'll run into someone you know

And, as Carmen says.................CIAO!

ET TU, Walmart?

Hmmm.  Walmart ditches American jobs for overseas labor where employees/slaves are locked in for lousy pay and conditions.  Walmart forces small businesses OUT of business to minimize paperwork and deal with only large suppliers.  Shortcuts are taken in food that jeopardize the health of millions.  Many other yet undiscovered ways of increasing the Walmart family fortunes at the suffering of others continue, yet they immediately judge Paula Deen for a not so nice incident, yet super minor when compared to the deeds of Walmart.  Same for all the retailers who immediately cut ties while they continue to lie, cheat and steal until they themselves get caught and then proclaim innocence.  Is ANYONE watching what is happening in this once proud country???

Wednesday is not Monday

             

For those of you in the unemployment lines...there's GOTTA be an opening for film and fashion critics.  Hurry and apply NOW! 1. History has proven to me that if I viewed a movie that got "panned," I liked it a lot.  I'm sure many of you might feel the same...so, go for it! 2. I'm not one for perusing the local rag's entertainment section, officially named, "Style & Fashion," but since rain has been falling all day, I gave it a shot.  Yikes!  Of the Oscars' Red Carpet, the critic-ette penned, "No, my shallow darlings, the topic du jour on morning gab fests, quasi-news shows and the endless maw that is the blogosphere was Anne Hathaway's pink Prada dress and its placement of two darts-prominent little tentlike protrusions that, in the mind of many a critic, too closely resembled nipples."  I'm so glad she cleared THAT up for me.  Incidentally, the photo of the aforementioned's article makes her appear to be maybe 9 or 10, so, there's room for improvement.  Hopefully a lot---and soon.  She then continued on, telling us what all the other "experts" called the darts on Anne's dress.  I'd like to read one of her "What I did on summer vacation" reports. Obviously, I was misinformed on the Pope's retirement.  A week ago, it was thought that his excellency had hit the Irish Sweepstakes and left town.  As of this morning, there are more distinct facts mentioned, although I doubt we'll ever know the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  So be it.  According to what I've read and heard, the last time a pope said, "Sono fuori di qua" ("I'm outta here!") was in 1415, even prior to the birth of Chris Columbus.  Benedict XVI was quite the corporate man though, as witnessed by his submission of a 2 week notice.  Wotta guy, huh?  Although, I wonder if they made him sign a non-compete clause.                                                                                               Onward, Christian Soldiers!

2-23-13 Rantz-N-Rave

I no longer see the hairy pig commercials from GEICO.  Thanks to those who helped get them off the air.   Now, if someone can do the same for ads that insist on thinking drumbeats are cool in the background of nearly every TV ad.  All they do is cause people to change the channel or leave the room.  Several years back, those drumbeats were everywhere.  They did stop for awhile, but I noticed a resurgence in the past several weeks.  I surveyed numerous contacts and couldn't find any people who had positive thoughts about them.  In fact, they all questioned the sanity of those who submit and those who pay for them.  C'mon, ad agencies...where's the originality? Cars are getting better mileage.  Just this week, gas shot up 30 cents per gallon in my neighborhood.  A man on the news told the nation that gas is more expensive because we don't have enough pipelines and refineries.  What the ----? All the panic about 1 week remaining before the federal budget goes bazonkers.  YOU MEAN NO ONE SAW THIS COMING?!?  GEEZISS PETE, ALREADY!!!  WHAT THE H--- ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING IN D.C??? Outsourcing = job losses = unemployment and all that goes with it, being taxes, etc.  See federal budget woes in previous paragraph. On the bright side:  Major League Baseball played the 1st game of spring training yesterday and hope springs eternal.  Will this be YOUR team's year?

Time to get REALLY P-----D OFF!!!

The marketing/advertising "specialists" are always busy trying to induce the public into buying their products.  One method is called subliminal advertising.  If you've been on this planet long enough, you'll recall the quick flash of a soft drink and pop corn on the drive-in movie or local bijou theater screen, causing you to waltz to the lobby, not really knowing why...just that you had to have refreshments at that moment.  Those methods continue.  I see specific items being subliminally presented on a constant basis, but those can be addressed at another time. Other ads truly upset me because they seem to think so little of our intelligence.  One example is the blue bear family whom we now see in the bathroom, with a specific brand of toilet paper.  My astonishment is not only with the designer of the ads, but I wonder what is in the minds of those who authorize payment and distribution of those commercials. And...now, the BOMB!  For nearly a week, I've been shocked at watching the GEICO Insurance Company literally inferring and condoning beastiality.   You see a hairy pig with a young lady, who doesn't even seem to be 18 years old, seated in the front seat of a disabled car.  Mr. hairy pig holds a phone, stating that a tow truck will be there in 30 minutes.  Miss young lady(?) has a look of disappointment on her face and utters a question seemingly about not being able to "make out" instead. This has already been copied to my local newspaper, The Cleveland Plain Dealer.   I implore you to do the same in YOUR locale. If you want your children to be continually subjected to these kinds of ads, you may choose to delete this, then wonder years hence, "What happened?"

Harry & Bess: As received from a friend

Harry Truman was a different kind of President. He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 32 Presidents preceding him.  However, a measure of his greatness might rest on what he did after he left the White House. The only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri . His wife had inherited the house from her mother and father and other than their years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there. When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year. After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service following them. When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me.  It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale." Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise." As president, he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food. Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, too many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale. Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!

Hoopdee "Dupe" and other observances

From today's paper:  "The Energy Department says U.S. households spent an average of $2,912.00 on gasoline, or almost 4 percent of their pretax income, the highest percentage in 30 years."  ON WHAT PLANET?!?  Using the Energy Department's 4%, that $2912 translates to a pretax income of $72,800.  There are no absolute income numbers published that I could find for 2012.  The most current I located was for 2006, which listed approximately 68 million households had less than $58,000 for pretax income.  I'm going to let some other financial whiz extrapolate for current year percentages.  In essence, many households are below $72,000 annual income, thereby increasing the gasoline outlay above 4%.  Proof again that numbers can be made to say whatever the accountants wish them to say. Car commercials 1:  Subaru shows a mom who's very proud of her safety conscious son.  While son is driving with a friend, son is not lured into doing stupid stuff.  Preparing to turn into the driveway, the camera shows a dry, sunny street.  The camera in the yard shows everything as being wet.  Son exits the car and the scene is once again sunny.  (I don't do drugs). Car commercials 2:  The northeast Ohio Ford commercial shows many vehicles with a distorted Ohio license plate, but, wearing my Polish CSI cap, I determined the plate to read, 6NX 9704.  Question?  Why distort the number and why is the same plate on different vehicles, while other cars and truck have no plate at all? TeePee commercial:  When are we going to see the blue bears actually USING the toilet paper?!? GACK-OH:  What the #!+*! is up with the lizard and now a pig selling insurance?!? My favorite TV ad disclaimer at the screen's bottom on a Progressive Insurance ad..."Prices vary based on how you buy."  REELEE? Separated at birth:  Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith and comic Steve Martin Who exchanged the very 1st email?  Who was YOUR first? Off to the next mystery: seeking the forest where man and wife sit in dual bath tubs...

Unending Soapbox

I've "preached" forever about learning as much as one can prior to making an intelligent decision, regardless the situation, person, and yes, even a teevee program! That in mind, I'm introducing you to Mr. Niel, (That's the way he spells it), Young.  Niel has a radio program and writes a column for The Weirs Times in New Hampshire.  He presents a view of our nation that you might not have yet considered.  Neither am I pulling his wagon, nor am I suggesting you hop on, rather, it's an invite to read what others take the time to offer. I tried to copy the article, but it seems today that one must "log on" to most everything prior to forwarding, etc.  I shy away from social sites and the like.  As I told the friend next door, "I don't even like that my neighbor knows where I live!"  Anyway, if you'd like to read the article, kindly use your address bar to type in: www.weirs.com  Once there, you'll see the current edition, whereupon you can use the page-turning arrow on the right, until you reach page 13.  You can also enlarge the page...directions are easy. Thanks, and, Have a Nice Country!

Ironic irony or "The department of HMMM..."

Last night's news on ABC... There's a whacked out Korean rapper who's going to "perform" in Warshington, D. C. real soon.  Previously, one of his songs(?) pleaded that a lot of murders be committed because America didn't agree with a religious(?) organization.  There were protests issued asking that this PSY...cho character not be allowed.  The current resident of the egg-shaped office said, "I have no control over who is in the show."  Hmmm.  Can he explain why nearly 5000 people have died Over There? Sad news it is that the nurse in the British hospital died.  Word is she committed suicide as a result of the prank played by an Australian morning show radio team.  If it WERE a suicide, one has to wonder if that were the only impetus.  Seems a bit strange that a relatively isolated prank would be the only cause of such a dire reaction.  However, many people are screaming that an ultimate in punishment be put upon the radio duet. Hmmm.  bernie madoff knowingly stole BILLIONS out of American retirement funds, etc., yet he spends his time laughing about it while relaxing at a taxpayer funded almost royal estate that's called a white collar prison! I'm certain you can illustrate many other examples.  These just popped into my head while waiting for the Folgers.  Incidentally, please don't chastise me for the lack of name capitalization.  Those who don't receive it, no longer deserve it.

When David Muir talks, Bob listens.....sometimes

ABC Evening News...Wednesday...11-28-12
David Muir did a nice feature on how buying American at Christmas time can create American jobs.  His take was, if everyone spent $64 of their Christmas shopping budget, a large quantity of jobs would be created in the USA.  Forgive me, as I can't recall the exact number, but it was substantial.  KUDOS, Dave!
I spend a fair number of hours throughout the year attending moving sales, downsizing sales, garage sales, estate sales, garage sales that are advertised as estate sales, swap meets, flea markets, antique malls, thrift shops and whatever other titles humans conjure up in their attempt to separate you from your dollars.  Nothing wrong with any of them.  After all, that's how many a company began.   It's also the basic form of social media, which means, you actually can look someone in the eyes, forming complete words that they'll understand, make new friends, exchange referrals, and....have some fun!  Sadly, the current economy has forced many sellers to depart with personal goods, including heirlooms, in hopes of paying a mortgage, utility, insurance or grocery bills.   But I digress.

What I saw at those aforementioned sales was an IMMENSE amount of non-USA manufactured goods.  Folks, I'm talking TONS!!!  One needn't be an alum of Wharton or MIT to see/understand what has been happening.  Not in any particular sequence...Greed caused facilities to close as manufacturing headed out of the country and Americans lost jobs.  Shareholders quickly made increased profits.  (Keep in mind that snowballs don't go uphill.)  One money person saw how rich another was becoming, so HE sold HIS company and had those goods produced in a lower labor market outside of the USA.  HE made higher and quicker profits.  More Americans lost jobs.  (Can you see the snowball now?)  As more snowballs are grown, more Americans are losing jobs.  A handful of money people are making more money and in a very short period of time.  In time, a great many Americans will not have jobs, causing the inability to afford the cheaply made products that now fill the racks and bins of American stores.  Are you getting the picture?
Back to the sales venues mentioned above.  The seller needs to raise money and has little room to haggle.  The prospective buyer has little money and wants a bargain.  The twain are having difficulty reaching an agreeable price.  The buyer moves along.  The seller makes no sale, but must pay rent if he is at a privately owned facility.  The facility owner has less vendors than in years past.  To make up, he raises the rental fees.  The sellers have to raise prices to pay the rent, but the buyers are still short on funds.  The sellers pull their wares because sales are dwindling.  The privately owned venue closes when the dwindled rental income is not enough to cover the overhead.  The local municipality loses tax revenues.  Safety and fire forces are cut.  Public assistance is pared.  Unemployment payments run out.  Less jobs are available.  Food lines increase.  More Americans are having garage sales and are setting up at flea markets.  No one has money to spend.  The sellers paid rent, but made no sales.  The venue owner didn't make enough to cover overhead and shuts down his property.  He has a garage sale the following week but no one came because there was no spendable money.  Remaining "professional" vendors are overstocked with imported items and complain to each other about the lack of sales.  I asked why they didn't sell American made goods.  They told me that the costs were too high.  I suggested they combine and buy American after negotiating better prices.  They gave me weird looks.  I asked if they were to go to a garage sale in China, might they see items made in America?  More weird looks.

SO...great advice from David Muir.  However, when the Christmas season is over, what then?  Well, I'LL tell you what then!  Go to your local establishments.  Trust me...when you look, you'll find many.  Explain how you'd love to keep them in business by purchasing their American made goods, but because your income is shaky at best, you'll need a discount.  If he can understand that he'll stay in business by allowing an equitable discount, as opposed to closing down from zero sales, it can catch on!  Ask your friends to do the same.  Know ye this: You MUST CONTINUE the practice to make it successful.  You can actually do without something once in awhile.  In a recent interview, I heard a man ask, "If you had to leave your home in 30 minutes, what would you take?"  That's a good start.  In time, jobs CAN return!  I fully realize I'll be branded insane, but the collective stance is what got this country going in the first place and made it a success for more than 200 years!  Don't let the power driven take what is yours. 

The rich are rich partly due to the risks they took and the long range sight they had and continue to have.  They shouldn't have to pay for everything.  After all, it was their money that made a lot possible.  Our government must look inside the monstrous house they allowed to grow and begin trimming therein.  With a computer driven world, the government keeps adding people to the payroll, making it the largest employer in the land.  Stop voting for people who truly don't care about you.  Vote for those with proven financial success.  I could go on, but don't wish to veer too far off track.

Hey Buddy, "Kudzu Paradigm?"

An idle coal truck on Upper Second Creek Road, just outside of Hazard, Kentucky

Covered in Kudzu.  Paradigm Shift = Work truck but No work for truck

Black Friday is history.  Many stores continue their sales in hopes of a successful year.  I'm now treating that hectic shopping fiasco as I do New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day...I stay home.

I just double-checked the local newspaper from the past few days.  Thursday, in addition to the stuff till you puff day of Thanksgiving, was anniversary No. 49 of JFK's assassination.  No mention of it.  Perhaps "they" forgot/moved on/stopped caring.

In any event, you may now spin the old radio dial and officially start your holiday spirit by listening to the repeated playing of the same 20-some songs until you consider a self-inflicted round of water boarding.  2 years back, I contacted the local FM's Program Manager about there being many more tunes available.  His response is permanently filed under, "Canned answers containing zero sense"

                                                                      ***********

Near Lake Erie, the temperature is a "torrid 31", with a slight breeze and a bit of snow flurries.  Somewhere, people are setting up the Christmas tree while, "It's a Wonderful Life" spins in the CD player; Moms are teaching daughters the art of cookie baking; Dads are joining sons with hopes of watching their favorite college football team win a berth in a holiday bowl game. I wonder if anyone still strings pop corn.  Somewhere else, there are battles being fought in foreign lands while others are trying to rebuild after losing homes and loved ones during the tragic storm called, "Sandy."

***********

For some unexplained reason, I spot and hear oddities or coincidences that I am compelled to share.  Whether the "excitement" is shared or not depends upon reader mood.  I know SOMEbody reads them, because there are those willing to recommend something to do with couches.

Moving on...while watching a college football game, I noticed that Dustin Fox, current ABC commentator and former Ohio State defensive back, bears a resemblance to Joey Tribiani, from "Friends."  At any moment, I expected Dustin to utter the famous, "How YOU doin?"  Another birth separation is baseball announcer Ken Rosenthal and Pee Wee Herman...not to be outdone by the pairing of San Francisco Giant right fielder, Hunter Pence and comedian, Chris Elliott.

I'm drawn to reading the mini disclaimers at the bottom of teevee commercials.  Progressive Insurance displays a "no kidding" by telling us that, "Prices vary based on how you buy."  Okaaaay.  Not to be outdone, Ford shows a vehicle soaring off a cliff as the disclaimer informs us, "Professional driver, closed course, do not attempt, cars can't fly."  THANK YOU!!!  (WAY too many lawyers these days)

                                                                   ***********

What you don't see anymore: Burma Shave signs; Sign that cautions, "Quiet-Hospital Zone."  Remember when people would stick their tongue out when they disagreed with you?

There IS a morning after!

You win a few...You lose a few...or maybe just one

It seemed like the campaigns lasted 500 days or more. Oh, wait.....they DID!!!
I was right about one thing. I wrote that I had filled my gas tank because the local price in northeast Ohio was $3.069 per gallon. I predicted that the prices would hold until the election was over, because no one wanted to be blamed for any increase. TA DAH! While driving today, through several communities, the post-vote prices were anywhere from $3.22 up to $3.49 for the regular grade. My money says the increase isn't over. Funny, that last night's computer check showed that crude was on the way down. Explain, please? By the way, if you didn't know, you can check local prices by merely typing in gas prices and your zip code into the top address block on your screen.
What really irked me is the northeast rape. I checked prices in New Jersey and they were listed as high as $4.69 at some stations. Our current/new officials need to stem the tide on this non-consensual screwing tossed upon the storm victims. If you like getting involved, phone YOUR reps and get the ball rolling!
Honest to Godness, I just did see this while on my way home. On the tree lawn front of the local post office, was a table with a person bearing a placard that stated, "Impeach Obama." Holy Moley, Batman...talk about impatience!
I truly hope dems and reps can reach across that aisle and get this country on the road to recovery. Hey Guys/Ladies...that aisle isn't all that wide! Another stalemate as referred to last Sunday on "60 Minutes" will tell me that parties are holding party lines. If all they're going to do is a bunch of nya-nya, get the hell out of Washington and let someone in there who gives a damn! Congress and Senate members are elected to represent what the constituents need. Not what 400 plus individuals want for their own pockets. YOU WORK FOR US, SO, GET TO WORK!!!
On a "lighter" note, a convicted murderer in Ohio has been given the death penalty. He's been claiming that it would be inhumane, as he weighs 480 pounds and the gurney would collapse, causing pain. The man has been on death row for approximately 10 years. What the ---- are they feeding him?!? Meanwhile, the warden said he tested the gurney with a corrections officer who closely matched the convict and the gurney held up. What the ---- is that guard eating and why are we paying his medical?!?

Finally.....
The election is over. Tomorrow is Thursday, signifying the traditional start of weekly garage sales. Please eliminate unnecessary driving and guesswork by removing all election signs. A good way to increase revenue is to levy a $5 fin for each sign still up at 6 AM, local time on Thursday.
Thanks for voting! If you didn't vote, trust me from experience...your local bartender doesn't care to hear your gripes. If you could make it to Joe's Chug-n-Hurl, you could have made it to the voting booth. (My local is at an elementary school and the PTU Moms always have yummy cookies and fudge for sale. So, THERE!)
We now return to some new and less boring commercials..................

You still have time!!!

On my honor, I will not attempt asking you to vote for anyone in particular.  Please keep in mind that 11-06-12 means electing more than a president.  It means you will be voting for practically a whole new set of people in congress.  Those are the representatives elected to carry out the wishes of those whom they represent, which, of course, is why I chose to overuse the word, representative.  It's rather obvious they aren't, nor have they been, listening to us.  If you care about your country and if you weren't able to see "60 Minutes" last night, you can see it on your computer, for free.  Therein, you'll get to watch some fine interviews.  I'm not referring to the one with a football player.  Steve Kroft tried to elicit some intelligence from both Demorat Harry Reid and Revulsivecan Mitch McConnell as to why compromises could not be made.  Their answers combined might have reached 40 on an I.Q test.  The two of them couldn't even look into each other's eyes!  I now officially love Olithia Snow, Republican Moderate from Maine, who announced that she will not seek re-election.  Why?  She's had it with those who won't even consider playing nice.  I challenge all the voters in Maine to write her in and keep her intelligence at the forefront.  There were other notables with equally good comments.  I recommend you watch that episode in hopes you vote and vote with a clear conscience.  Those chambers need a good housecleaning, and, tomorrow is a good time to begin, by not re-electing those who are in it for the money or a high paying job when they retire.  Kindly keep in mind that there are independents running for many of those seats and you are allowed to vote for them.  Shoot, I'd vote for my Gramma, if she were alive...she couldn't do any worse than some of those money-mongers currently occupying a nice leather chair!

I hope I'm wrong, but-----

If you think there's no control over the price of gasoline...If you think big brother isn't involved in the price of gasoline...Watch what happens to the price of gasoline after the election on Tuesday.

History shows, when tragedy strikes, as in the northeast, gasoline prices shoot skyward very quickly. As yet, they haven't. Someone might say they insisted on cooperation from refiners and suppliers so that folks who lost their homes could at least cook, stay warm and get to their jobs. That's a nice thought.

I filled my tank today at the probably soon to be forgotten price of $3.079 per gallon.

By the way, it's reported that the majority of the congress will be re-elected.   As Riley would say at the end of the old teevee show, "What a revoltin' development!"

I couldn't come up with a "fitting" word...

Today was a pretty nice day. A week of nearly steady cloud wringing came to an end. The spare sump pump was unplugged. The sun struggled and managed to pop out for a bit. (Near Lake Erie, we get a lot of gray skies this time of year.) I solved most of the New York Times crossword puzzle...Saturdays are toughies! Got a great book at a garage sale for 25 cents and found a nearly new keyboard to replace the one onto which I spilled water and had my desktop doing things Bill Gates never could imagine. In the past 11 years, very few events have had a continuing pull on my attention: The Twin Towers, 2 Tsunamis and Sandy Storm. So much damage and so many lives lost/affected in such a short amount of time. When mass tragedy strikes, Americans pull together...without any prompting whatsoever. They just do it! It's who we are. Income, political persuasion, ethnicity, team loyalty, schooling, etc., matter not. People merely grab anything that will help and take it to those who lost out. There are no introductions and no prejudices. There are no language barriers. The eyes tell the stories. The eyes display the loss. They eyes convey the need. In turmoil, there are the sufferers and the bringers. No borders. Just helpers. Life must go on. It will. It always does. I could quickly fill several pages, but don't need to. You know of what I speak. At one time in your lives, you needed and received, no matter how small or large. At one time in your lives, you gave, no matter how small or large. Possessions were/are not always exchanged. Times such as this tells us why God invented hugs.........yep, 'nuff said there, eh? All that in mind, I caught a portion of the ABC news on my local affiliate. That particular segment centered on the New York Marathon's cancellation. Mayor Bloomberg, in my opinion, made the correct call. Few, if any, residents were involved in the running. They were busy in their own races against shock of loss, wet, hunger, cold, missing family and all that accompanies tragedy. Yet, the camera happened to focus on what appeared to be a nice looking blond lady that I guessed might have been in her early thirties. Her words were very close to, "We're upset, we're extremely mad that the race was called off. We traveled many miles, brought families and reserved hotel rooms." She was upset and vehement in her delivery of those words. (Here's where I couldn't come up with a "fitting word" to describe her audacity). In lieu of that, I will stifle the urge to introduce her neck to my knuckles. One wonders what could be done to satisfy this obviously self-entitled ------, ------, ------, ------. Even if the race COULD have been, the entrants would all have to run over, around and through the rubble. Did she consider that? I have to stop here, as I could go on for pages, but don't need to. All I can suggest is that she sue God and may she hope to never experience what she was so put out by. God bless America.

Debating the Debates...Part II

Debate #1 on 10-3-12 was nothing short of fantastic.....until they spoke.  Jim, the moderator, was overcome with overrun.  Hardly in control.  Incumbent, at certain points, looked as lost as a Chevy man at a Yugo dealership.  Contender...reminiscent of previous contenders...just a different face.  Non-stop salvos of accusation fly across the stage, causing me to ask, "If each candidate were guilty of half the charges, why the h--- do we vote for ANY of them?"
If you watched the debate on democracynow.org, you learned how the 2 major(?) parties formed a commission which ultimately forced the League of Women Voters out of the process and prevented any alternative party contenders from participating.  You also would have learned how the debates are controlled and what questions would be allowed.  Do the words, rehearsal and choreograph come to mind?  Speaking of come to mind, have you noticed the TV/Radio/Newspaper lack of coverage given to any other candidate?  Have you taken the time to wonder why?
The next few weeks will be filled with ads ad infinitum, ad nauseum, causing you to thank the remote gods for a "Mute" button.  Regardless of what you are promised, know that if the White House gets a new occupant, the true 1st priority will be redecorating.  Then, and ONLY then, will the task of business as usual begin.  If the incumbent incumbs, well, you pretty much know what's in store.  (I wonder if any of these people ever watched, "The West Wing?")
Now that I've upset the apple cart, again, I leave you something to consider.  Since Mr. Eisenhower departed the White House, are you REALLY satisfied that YOUR well-being has been at the forefront?

Debating the Debates

Without going into a lengthy diatribe, I'll say that we have been slowly conditioned into believing that there should be ONLY a 2 party system. Why? It's what has been designed by those with money and power. It's called "control." Allowing at least 1 more party threatens the comfortable existence they now enjoy, paid for by we the people. I therefore encourage you to watch what is explained below and give consideration to write-ins. Yes, a write-in dilutes the vote for the 2 main candidates, (My, how convenient), but...done enough times, more people will exercise this option and cause incumbents to do what we voted them to do, as opposed to doing what they can/will get away with.  (You might have to copy/paste the below noted site)


From my great friend in Georgia: Yesterday I found out that democracynow.org is going to be live for the debate tonight and doing something no other channel will (as far as I know). They will pause between the questions to allow both the candidates for the Green Party and Justice Party to answer. This is important to me because I am considering writing in Jill Stein of the Green Party in on my ballot in November and casting my vote for her. Both her and the Justice party are legal write in on the GA ballot.
I think it is important for people to "tune in" online for another reason too. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Democratic and Republican Party are both being run by the corporations and money holders. Although they scream their differences neither stray far from the beliefs of those handing out the cash. In many ways they are casting the vote for the same old same old no matter which way they talk. So, I think it is important for third, fourth and more parties to become a part of the scene. How many people even realize that there are other parties in this country? Not since Perot (Did I spell that right?) I would imagine and only because he was allowed to be present in the debate. So, if enough people watch on democracy now tonight just maybe the media and the Giants of decision making will see that it would be beneficial to their pockets to add variety to the debates. Even if you watch via tv on a media station perhaps you could tune in via computer on to democracynow.com? En joy.

Timely Followup to Yesterday's Post (From a Friend)

Charley Reese's final column for the Orlando Sentinel...


He has been a journalist for 49 years.

He is retiring and this is HIS LAST COLUMN.

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be. The article below is completely neutral, neither anti-republican or democrat. Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day. It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000 People---By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? John Boehner. He is the leader of the majority party. He and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in Iraq and Afghanistan it's because they want them in Iraq and Afghanistan ...

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees...

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Tax his land, tax his bed,
Tax the table, at which he's fed.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule,
Teach him taxes are the rule.

Tax his work, tax his pay,
He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow, tax his goat,
Tax his pants, tax his coat.

Tax his ties, tax his shirt,
Tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his cigars, tax his beers,
If he cries tax his tears.
Tax his car, tax his gas,
Find other ways to tax his ass.

Tax all he has then let him know
That you won't be done till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers; then tax him some more,
Tax him till he's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he's laid...
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom...'

When he's gone, do not relax,
Its time to apply the inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes

Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax

School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax



STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the heck happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'