Today is a Red Letter Day! It's the first day of Summer, and the longest day of the year. But its a little overcast and dismal. But still.. its 70 degrees, so what is wrong with that?
We woke up this morning to a loud beeping from one of our smoke detectors. I called our Security Patrol, that replaces batteries for us old folks that can't reach high places. The guy who showed up is in his 70's, so his ears are no better than mine with high notes. We both wandered around, trying to find where the beep was coming from. After some false starts, we determined that it was coming from the detector on the roof in our so-called Great Room. The ceiling there is 25 feet high, so our Security guy had to scout up a very large ladder and risk his life climbing up to the sky. Even with the high ladder, he had to stretch up on his toes. But he got 'er done. Afterwards, the detector sat there quietly until our hero left and then, just to preserve its dignity, it emitted a loud beep and shut up for the rest of the morning.
Some Follow-ups
Kurt lambasts Fred who lambasted Zirpoli
I wrote about Fred, who is a fellow NARFE member, and who wrote a letter in which he said that he did not like the liberal writing of Professor Zirpoli. He also did not like the actions of President Obama and compared some of the President's actions to those of Hitler. (Fighting Words!) Now, into the squared circle has come my friend, Kurt Wenzing, a real nice guy who was a fellow worker at Social Security. Kurt lambasted Fred, calling some of the observations in his letter childish and disgusting. I'm waiting for Fred's reply.
Starbucks Money
I wrote about Starbucks about to pay the tuition for online College courses for their employees. Before coming up with this idea and expense, CEO Howard Schulz said in March that Starbucks would not be raising prices. Well.. the newspaper today writes that Starbucks will be increasing the prices for certain drinks from 5 to 20 cents.
Stocks
The Dow
After a small drop, the Dow is back up to within striking range of the 17,000 mark. Us rich get richer all the time. Ha....
Radio Shack
In 1999, the price of Radio Shack was $79.50. Yesterday it was 92 cents! Should we buy a lot? Maybe not.. I tried that before and lost my buttocks.
Religion
The Reverend Mike Taylor has the Religious Column today. Mike is listed as an evangelical outreach preacher and I want to quote him:
"I know that God is raising up a company of men and women both inside and outside of the Church that will fear no one but God... their way will be the way of peace..."
"Pray that God will grant us the ability to be delivered from the land of our enemies and that we might serve Him without fear all the days of our life."
Questions: Will the company be a militia? Posse Commitatus? Who do these people fear now?
Who are these enemies? Why would we want to be delivered anywhere but where we are now?
Who is the Reverend preaching to? The downtrodden? Who are the downtrodden?
Mike... I want to know what you are talking about. I am very curious about your words.
Politics
Early Voting
This was a big success this year. The Carroll County Times reports that 4,395 early ballots were cast in the 8 day early voting period. Earlier totals were: 2010 = 1,770 2012 = 1,894. Very good progress!
Candidate Support
A lady wrote the newspaper about her support for a certain candidate. She said: "I have been with A. at the shooting range. She is totally for the rights of gun owners." Also, "She will not vote for a liberal agenda." Unfortunately, the refusal to accept anything the Maryland Democrats propose is akin to shooting yourself in the foot at that shooting range. The Democrats are in control, and until Republicans in this County learn to compromise with them on matters, our County will be receiving very little monetary ammunition.
Gimme my guns!
A total of 75 guns were confiscated from a convicted felon. He wants them back and has hired a lawyer to get them for him. The lawyer should not be telling his client that he can get the guns back because under provisions of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms. (By the way, 3 of the guns appear to have been stolen and others are being examined to see if they were used in criminal activity.)
New Hot APP!
The YO! App is all the rage right now. I gotta get me that App, so I can send and receive the e-message "YO!".
Butt-Dialing
I had forgotten about this danger. Keeping your cell phone in your back pocket where driving over a bump or doing certain exercises can accidentally dial your phone. I get a lot of calls from people saying.."Oh.. I didn't mean to dial you.. I must have bumped against something and it dialed in error."
(Just think of all the trouble you could get into if you accidentally butt-dialed your old girl friend while doing some aerobics with your new girl-friend!)
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Saturday, June 21, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Cholesterol; The VA; Food for the Poor; The Bible; Supreme Court Cases; Violence in the News; Meals on Wheels; GOP Leadership; Illegal Fundraising; Iraq Again; Facebook.
Low humidity, temperature in 70's.. nice sunny day!
Yesterday, my GP doctor told me that all of my blood tests came back within normal ranges, even my cholesterol, which; however, is sneaking slowly upward. He suggested an increase in one of my medications.. but, since I will see my Cardiologist today, I need to ask him if he agrees. I'm tired of taking pills, even though they are doing me good!
I get copies of the Progressive Populist delivered to the house. It's boring to Elaine, but I find lots of interesting stuff within it's pages. For instance:
The VA
A quote from the editor, James M. Cullen: "Any Republican who claims to be 'pro-veteran' and 'pro-life' but votes to deny VA benefits in Congress or Medicaid expansion at the state level is a hypocrite who is more to blame for the denial of health care and avoidable deaths of veterans than Eric Shinseki is on his worst day." AMEN!
Food for the Poor
Jim Hightower writes that we should be helping the poor get adequate food, and not helping pay for gourmet meals for "fat-cats." AMEN!
The Bible
Don Rollins, a Unitarian Minister, writes that billionaire Hobby Lobby president spoke to the National Bible Association in 2013. Steve Green is the guy who is involved in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby currently being considered by the Supreme Court. Green told the Bible association that we need to know the Bible, because if we don't know it, our future will be very scary. So, the Mustang, Oklahoma school board, near the headquarters of Hobby Lobby, is beta testing the first 108 units of a four year program of Bible study that Mr. Green is promoting. The ACLU is closely watching.
Back to Local News
Creative Violence in the News
An Eldersburg policeman has been suspended for slitting the throat of a biting dog.
A Manchester man clubbed another guy with a 2x4.
New Mind Candy
An Eldersburg studio is filming a new game show for TV called "Pong Wars", people try to put ping pong balls into tubes, based on answers to trivia. BORING!
National News
Disgusting Criminal
A Pennsylvania criminal followed a Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle, in order to find elderly and disabled persons to target. At one point, he even got so bold as to barge into a house receiving a delivery and say that he wanted to do repairs on the house. Told "no", he then asked for a drink of water, and even got up to get it himself, on the way helping himself to prescription drugs and the elderly lady's pocketbook. Apparently, that became his modus operandi until he got caught.
Religious Switch
Presbyterian Church leaders have now voted to allow clergy to perform same-sex weddings. This is a major reversal in their stance.
Politics
Illegal Fund Raising
Prosecutors say that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker took part in a nationwide criminal scheme to coordinate illegal fundraising with Conservative groups.
House Majority Leadership
The GOP, by secret ballot, has elected Kevin McCarthy of California as House Majority Leader after Eric Cantor's defeat in the Virginia primary. Louisiana Rep Steve Scalise was elected to replace McCarthy as Whip.
Here We Go Again
Apparently, the Hawks have talked President Obama into sending some American soldiers to Iraq. Can they teach the Iraqis to stop running away in the face of opposition? Will we end up bombing the so-called insurgents? Bombing Syria? Will we end up sending lots of "boots" to Iraq on another fruitless mission. Will the Sunnis and the Shiites ever learn to live together? And what about the Kurds and the Christian minority? .... and..... as the song says: "When will they ever learn?"
The Supremes Have Spoken
The Supreme Court has ruled that public employees cannot be fired for testifying against their superiors. (Does this invalidate Delaware's law that employees or former employees cannot sue their current or former boss?)
The Supremes and Facebook
A man threatened his wife on facebook. Scared, she filed suit and the case is now before the Supreme Court. The husband says he was only joking. So, was it an actual threat or a joke?
Facebook Alone
A daughter sent her mother a bouquet of flowers for Mothers' Day. The mother thought it was so beautiful that she took a picture of it with her cell phone and posted it on Facebook. Unfortunately, in the picture is a card from the daughter that shows the daughter's name, address and cell phone number. The mother refused to remove the picture, so the daughter asked Facebook to remove it because she was afraid of what would happen if a criminal saw her information.
Facebook refused to remove the picture because they did not want to get in the middle of a family fight. What do you think?
.................................................................................
Yesterday, my GP doctor told me that all of my blood tests came back within normal ranges, even my cholesterol, which; however, is sneaking slowly upward. He suggested an increase in one of my medications.. but, since I will see my Cardiologist today, I need to ask him if he agrees. I'm tired of taking pills, even though they are doing me good!
I get copies of the Progressive Populist delivered to the house. It's boring to Elaine, but I find lots of interesting stuff within it's pages. For instance:
The VA
A quote from the editor, James M. Cullen: "Any Republican who claims to be 'pro-veteran' and 'pro-life' but votes to deny VA benefits in Congress or Medicaid expansion at the state level is a hypocrite who is more to blame for the denial of health care and avoidable deaths of veterans than Eric Shinseki is on his worst day." AMEN!
Food for the Poor
Jim Hightower writes that we should be helping the poor get adequate food, and not helping pay for gourmet meals for "fat-cats." AMEN!
The Bible
Don Rollins, a Unitarian Minister, writes that billionaire Hobby Lobby president spoke to the National Bible Association in 2013. Steve Green is the guy who is involved in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby currently being considered by the Supreme Court. Green told the Bible association that we need to know the Bible, because if we don't know it, our future will be very scary. So, the Mustang, Oklahoma school board, near the headquarters of Hobby Lobby, is beta testing the first 108 units of a four year program of Bible study that Mr. Green is promoting. The ACLU is closely watching.
Back to Local News
Creative Violence in the News
An Eldersburg policeman has been suspended for slitting the throat of a biting dog.
A Manchester man clubbed another guy with a 2x4.
New Mind Candy
An Eldersburg studio is filming a new game show for TV called "Pong Wars", people try to put ping pong balls into tubes, based on answers to trivia. BORING!
National News
Disgusting Criminal
A Pennsylvania criminal followed a Meals on Wheels delivery vehicle, in order to find elderly and disabled persons to target. At one point, he even got so bold as to barge into a house receiving a delivery and say that he wanted to do repairs on the house. Told "no", he then asked for a drink of water, and even got up to get it himself, on the way helping himself to prescription drugs and the elderly lady's pocketbook. Apparently, that became his modus operandi until he got caught.
Religious Switch
Presbyterian Church leaders have now voted to allow clergy to perform same-sex weddings. This is a major reversal in their stance.
Politics
Illegal Fund Raising
Prosecutors say that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker took part in a nationwide criminal scheme to coordinate illegal fundraising with Conservative groups.
House Majority Leadership
The GOP, by secret ballot, has elected Kevin McCarthy of California as House Majority Leader after Eric Cantor's defeat in the Virginia primary. Louisiana Rep Steve Scalise was elected to replace McCarthy as Whip.
Here We Go Again
Apparently, the Hawks have talked President Obama into sending some American soldiers to Iraq. Can they teach the Iraqis to stop running away in the face of opposition? Will we end up bombing the so-called insurgents? Bombing Syria? Will we end up sending lots of "boots" to Iraq on another fruitless mission. Will the Sunnis and the Shiites ever learn to live together? And what about the Kurds and the Christian minority? .... and..... as the song says: "When will they ever learn?"
The Supremes Have Spoken
The Supreme Court has ruled that public employees cannot be fired for testifying against their superiors. (Does this invalidate Delaware's law that employees or former employees cannot sue their current or former boss?)
The Supremes and Facebook
A man threatened his wife on facebook. Scared, she filed suit and the case is now before the Supreme Court. The husband says he was only joking. So, was it an actual threat or a joke?
Facebook Alone
A daughter sent her mother a bouquet of flowers for Mothers' Day. The mother thought it was so beautiful that she took a picture of it with her cell phone and posted it on Facebook. Unfortunately, in the picture is a card from the daughter that shows the daughter's name, address and cell phone number. The mother refused to remove the picture, so the daughter asked Facebook to remove it because she was afraid of what would happen if a criminal saw her information.
Facebook refused to remove the picture because they did not want to get in the middle of a family fight. What do you think?
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Thursday, June 19, 2014
Southern Poverty Law Center; Adolf; Candidates for Public Office; Early Voting; False Ads; Email lists; Chickens; El Rey; World Cup
A day of contrasts.. sometimes 90 degrees, some heavy rain, sometimes 70 degrees, sometimes sunny, some times overcast and 80 degrees. Typical weather for us.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) publishes their Intelligence Report, which points out what hate groups are doing these days. I find it very interesting and often the things that I read seem to be impossible in the U.S. However, there are strange people everywhere and they like to do and say strange things. Maybe you haven't heard about some of these things, so I'll mention some below.
Adorable Adolph
The SPLC reports on the Barnes Review (a bi-monthly journal SPLC says is dedicated to the denial of the Holocaust.) That publication released an article this year with the title: "In Defense of Adolf Hitler." They supposedly once suggested that Hitler was unfairly overlooked as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize!! (I warned you.)
Candidates for Public Office
The SPLC also wrote about some current candidates for public office, and had some interesting things to say about them:
Man running for the Senate from West Virginia: Wants photos removed from drivers' licenses, because digitized photos contain "the mark of the beast."
Woman running for Commissioner of a Tennessee District: Is fighting against the construction of a mosque and is against LGBT people adopting children, because that will be like authorizing "pedophilia and sexual molestation."
Man running for Governor of Massachusetts: Helped to get the draconian anti-LCBT bill passed in Uganda. He wants to restore "respect for masculinity and male authority in the home and community."
Man running for the Senate from North Carolina: Describes food stamps as being comparable to slavery and insists that States do not have to follow Federal law.
Man running for the Senate from South Carolina: Once introduced a bill to ban all abortions in SC, and another to criminalize the Affordable Care Act, which he likened to Hitler's Brown Shirts, trained by President Obama.
Man running for the House from New Jersey: He blogs on the "evil Jews" and on the evils of synthetic sweeteners, good nutrition and why womanizing is bad for you. However, he says he has been a past master at womanizing, because of his "good looks."
Man running for the North Carolina State Senate: Was in support of Uganda's anti-homosexual law that included the death penalty. He wants homosexuality abolished to avoid the pitfall of effeminate Christianity.
Man running for sheriff in Wisconsin: He believes that the Government is going to round up all Conservatives and place them into concentration camps.
Man running for Anne Arundel County Counsel, Maryland: He has claimed that the gay rights movement will lead to "forced Homosexuality".. and called on local officials to prosecute women who have abortions for murder.
Another man running for Anne Arundel County Counsel, Maryland: Claims that there is such a thing as Biblically justifiable homicide.. especially for abortion doctors. He has also advised members of his church to buy but not register guns.
Woman running for State Rep in Florida: She once claimed that there is a mind control plan operating at policy meetings open to citizens. She also claims that climate change is a lie perpetrated by the Government.. she also advocates getting rid of all computers.
A former Congressman, running for Governor of Colorado: Wants a complete moratorium on immigration, the bombing of Mecca, and more of the same.
Apparently, the SPLC hasn't been following the Carroll County, Maryland candidates. Otherwise, they might have a couple more to add to their list.
Voting
Today was the last day for early voting and I was surprised to see quite a few folks in line at the opening time. I was there to run the monthly TRIAD meeting. We had lots of old and new scams to talk about. Yep.. those scumbags are still out there preying on Senior Citizens. The more we know about their scams, the better able we will be to avoid them.
Candidate Trickery?
One of our CC candidates put out information that he was endorsed by former State Agricultural Agent, Bob Jones, and also Mayor Utz of Westminster. They both denied that they were either endorsing or supporting the candidate. I guess he misunderstood.
Commissioners Do It Again
All but one of our Carroll County Commissioners refused to turn over their email lists to newspaper requests. Now they are under another court order to do so and pay expenses of $92,000. Where will this money come from? Are the citizens on the hook again for the stupid actions of the commissioners?
Over Light, Please
Rent-a-hen is going strong these days. You can rent a chicken and coop for four weeks for $160. and another $125 for four weeks more... or you can buy the coop for $615.
World Cup vs the King
Spain has shown where its priorities lie. Crown Prince Felipe ascended the Spanish throne on Wednesday and replaced his abdicating father, Juan Carlos, who, at 76, still loved to shoot elephants in Africa. Instead of a big show of support for the new king, the Spaniards wisely chose to stay home and watch the World Cup on TV.
..................................................
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) publishes their Intelligence Report, which points out what hate groups are doing these days. I find it very interesting and often the things that I read seem to be impossible in the U.S. However, there are strange people everywhere and they like to do and say strange things. Maybe you haven't heard about some of these things, so I'll mention some below.
Adorable Adolph
The SPLC reports on the Barnes Review (a bi-monthly journal SPLC says is dedicated to the denial of the Holocaust.) That publication released an article this year with the title: "In Defense of Adolf Hitler." They supposedly once suggested that Hitler was unfairly overlooked as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize!! (I warned you.)
Candidates for Public Office
The SPLC also wrote about some current candidates for public office, and had some interesting things to say about them:
Man running for the Senate from West Virginia: Wants photos removed from drivers' licenses, because digitized photos contain "the mark of the beast."
Woman running for Commissioner of a Tennessee District: Is fighting against the construction of a mosque and is against LGBT people adopting children, because that will be like authorizing "pedophilia and sexual molestation."
Man running for Governor of Massachusetts: Helped to get the draconian anti-LCBT bill passed in Uganda. He wants to restore "respect for masculinity and male authority in the home and community."
Man running for the Senate from North Carolina: Describes food stamps as being comparable to slavery and insists that States do not have to follow Federal law.
Man running for the Senate from South Carolina: Once introduced a bill to ban all abortions in SC, and another to criminalize the Affordable Care Act, which he likened to Hitler's Brown Shirts, trained by President Obama.
Man running for the House from New Jersey: He blogs on the "evil Jews" and on the evils of synthetic sweeteners, good nutrition and why womanizing is bad for you. However, he says he has been a past master at womanizing, because of his "good looks."
Man running for the North Carolina State Senate: Was in support of Uganda's anti-homosexual law that included the death penalty. He wants homosexuality abolished to avoid the pitfall of effeminate Christianity.
Man running for sheriff in Wisconsin: He believes that the Government is going to round up all Conservatives and place them into concentration camps.
Man running for Anne Arundel County Counsel, Maryland: He has claimed that the gay rights movement will lead to "forced Homosexuality".. and called on local officials to prosecute women who have abortions for murder.
Another man running for Anne Arundel County Counsel, Maryland: Claims that there is such a thing as Biblically justifiable homicide.. especially for abortion doctors. He has also advised members of his church to buy but not register guns.
Woman running for State Rep in Florida: She once claimed that there is a mind control plan operating at policy meetings open to citizens. She also claims that climate change is a lie perpetrated by the Government.. she also advocates getting rid of all computers.
A former Congressman, running for Governor of Colorado: Wants a complete moratorium on immigration, the bombing of Mecca, and more of the same.
Apparently, the SPLC hasn't been following the Carroll County, Maryland candidates. Otherwise, they might have a couple more to add to their list.
Voting
Today was the last day for early voting and I was surprised to see quite a few folks in line at the opening time. I was there to run the monthly TRIAD meeting. We had lots of old and new scams to talk about. Yep.. those scumbags are still out there preying on Senior Citizens. The more we know about their scams, the better able we will be to avoid them.
Candidate Trickery?
One of our CC candidates put out information that he was endorsed by former State Agricultural Agent, Bob Jones, and also Mayor Utz of Westminster. They both denied that they were either endorsing or supporting the candidate. I guess he misunderstood.
Commissioners Do It Again
All but one of our Carroll County Commissioners refused to turn over their email lists to newspaper requests. Now they are under another court order to do so and pay expenses of $92,000. Where will this money come from? Are the citizens on the hook again for the stupid actions of the commissioners?
Over Light, Please
Rent-a-hen is going strong these days. You can rent a chicken and coop for four weeks for $160. and another $125 for four weeks more... or you can buy the coop for $615.
World Cup vs the King
Spain has shown where its priorities lie. Crown Prince Felipe ascended the Spanish throne on Wednesday and replaced his abdicating father, Juan Carlos, who, at 76, still loved to shoot elephants in Africa. Instead of a big show of support for the new king, the Spaniards wisely chose to stay home and watch the World Cup on TV.
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Wednesday, June 18, 2014
School Debt; Fishing; Ocean Preserve; Rio; World Cup; Benghazi; Jails; Pay
Another 90+ day with a 30% chance of thunderstorms... looks like Maryland is now a northern Florida. Hope this heat is good for the crops.. everything looks nice and green. Every year my grandfather would say: "The grass is so much greener this year!"
Reducing School Debt
Local Democratic candidate, Dan Rupli, reports that Tennessee has a program where publicly funded tuition for the first two years of college or trade school is available through proceeds of the State lottery. It was initiated by Republicans. Sounds great to me.
I already mentioned Maryland's program for full tuition funding if the student agreed to be a teacher in Maryland for a fixed number of years.
Something Fishy
The Mid-Atlantic Fishing Management Council dramatically lowered the amount of anadromous fish that can be harvested by trawlers while catching other fish. I wonder how New Bedford is taking that.
anadromous fish: born in fresh water, spends most of its life in the sea and returns to fresh water to spawn, like herring, salmon, smelt, shad, striped bath and sturgeon.
catadromous fish: lives in fresh water and enters salt water to spawn, like eels.
Fish Room
The Associated Press has announced that President Obama will soon be creating the world's largest ocean preserve by expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, a remote part of the Pacific Ocean set apart by President George W. Bush. (Why hadn't I heard of this before?)
Rio
As a reporter was enjoying a street festival and preparing a report on the World Cup, she was mugged by two teen-agers on a motorcycle.
World Cup
Yesterday, as we ate at the Hollywood Diner, we watched some of the Brazil/Mexico game, along with excited kitchen personnel and wait-staff. I'm sorry to say, we were not excited. I confess that Baseball puts me to sleep and Soccer comes in second in my soporific scale.
But... I did notice something that made an impression on me. Some of the coaches (owners?) yelling on the sidelines were chubby... but all of the players were slim and muscular. Let that be a lesson to me to get off my dead ass and get moving!
Benghazi
Our criminal catchers got another one. A guy who was involved in the Benghazi terrorist attack. The President said: "When Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible and bring them to justice."
American Incarceration
Chase Madar says in the Washington Spectator, that America leads the world in the number of people put in jail. He says that we lock up more people than Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China. He cites the Soviet Union's Cold War rate of Goulag incarceration, and says that we are not far behind that rate.
Take Home Pay?
The Washington Spectator also mentions information from the Institute for Policy Studies that spotlights the salaries of certain CEO's. For instance: YUM! Brands CEO David Novak received $67 million in performance pay during 2012 and 2013. That was in addition to the $232 plus millions in tax-deferred retirement benefits provided to Novak over a 14 year period.
Workers in YUM! restaurants, such as KFC and Pizza Hut, make an average of $8. per hour, and many are subsidized by the U./S. Government (us) because they earn such a low raise. As a YUM! shareholder, I apologize.
....................................................................
Reducing School Debt
Local Democratic candidate, Dan Rupli, reports that Tennessee has a program where publicly funded tuition for the first two years of college or trade school is available through proceeds of the State lottery. It was initiated by Republicans. Sounds great to me.
I already mentioned Maryland's program for full tuition funding if the student agreed to be a teacher in Maryland for a fixed number of years.
Something Fishy
The Mid-Atlantic Fishing Management Council dramatically lowered the amount of anadromous fish that can be harvested by trawlers while catching other fish. I wonder how New Bedford is taking that.
anadromous fish: born in fresh water, spends most of its life in the sea and returns to fresh water to spawn, like herring, salmon, smelt, shad, striped bath and sturgeon.
catadromous fish: lives in fresh water and enters salt water to spawn, like eels.
Fish Room
The Associated Press has announced that President Obama will soon be creating the world's largest ocean preserve by expanding the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, a remote part of the Pacific Ocean set apart by President George W. Bush. (Why hadn't I heard of this before?)
Rio
As a reporter was enjoying a street festival and preparing a report on the World Cup, she was mugged by two teen-agers on a motorcycle.
World Cup
Yesterday, as we ate at the Hollywood Diner, we watched some of the Brazil/Mexico game, along with excited kitchen personnel and wait-staff. I'm sorry to say, we were not excited. I confess that Baseball puts me to sleep and Soccer comes in second in my soporific scale.
But... I did notice something that made an impression on me. Some of the coaches (owners?) yelling on the sidelines were chubby... but all of the players were slim and muscular. Let that be a lesson to me to get off my dead ass and get moving!
Benghazi
Our criminal catchers got another one. A guy who was involved in the Benghazi terrorist attack. The President said: "When Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible and bring them to justice."
American Incarceration
Chase Madar says in the Washington Spectator, that America leads the world in the number of people put in jail. He says that we lock up more people than Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China. He cites the Soviet Union's Cold War rate of Goulag incarceration, and says that we are not far behind that rate.
Take Home Pay?
The Washington Spectator also mentions information from the Institute for Policy Studies that spotlights the salaries of certain CEO's. For instance: YUM! Brands CEO David Novak received $67 million in performance pay during 2012 and 2013. That was in addition to the $232 plus millions in tax-deferred retirement benefits provided to Novak over a 14 year period.
Workers in YUM! restaurants, such as KFC and Pizza Hut, make an average of $8. per hour, and many are subsidized by the U./S. Government (us) because they earn such a low raise. As a YUM! shareholder, I apologize.
....................................................................
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Heat; Hopkins; Traffic; Last Whaling Ship; Voting Circus; The Supremes on Guns; African Vilolence; Billionaires
A bit hot today. In Westminster, it was 90+, and in downtown Baltimore, where we were, it was 95, except in the Hopkins parking lot, where It was 104!
I saw a Hopkins dermatologist and he said my legs looked ok. I am to continue wearing Jobst support stockings each day, and he suggested that I buy some more so I won't run short while a couple are being washed.
While at Hopkins, we also got to see Nurse Kelly Carnacio (sp?) ... I gave her one of my Joe Vaughan Fan Club pens and congratulated her on the award she got from my write-up. She is a great nurse, and a nice person.
After Hopkins, Elaine and I went to the nearby Hollywood Diner for lunch. Elaine had a bountiful spinach salad, followed by chocolate cake. I had a vegetarian omelet, grits, and two orders of wheat toast with butter and preserves.. all washed down by about 5 cups of decaf coffee. Good Baltimore stuff.
We left the diner at 4 pm and got caught in a super slow traffic backup.. by masterful taxi driver maneuvers, I was able to extricate ourselves from the snag.. and we made it home by 6:30 PM. Two and one half hours for a one hour drive. Oh Well... I'll bet there are still some cars left in the backup.
New Bedford Shindig
We got an invitation to help celebrate the "homecoming" of the whaling ship The Charles W. Morgan to its former homeport of New Bedford, Massachusetts. This was the ship that I played on as a kid. On June 28, there will be a Homecoming Gala, consisting of a tour of the refitted vessel, cocktails, dinner and appropriate seafarer entertainment. I'd love to go, but our medical situations would not allow it.
Westminster Circus
Carroll County election officials raised the devil last week about candidates and their helpers blocking the Senior Center entrance and taking up all the parking spaces.. and also acting like it was a "circus" instead of a serious attempt at early voting. But the circus atmosphere did not seem to deter people from voting.. so far, the total votes cast early has exceeded those in 2010. (I wonder if it's anything to do with all those people who switched from Democrat to Republican to game the system, like folks may have done for a certain big-shot candidate from Virginia.)
Supremes on Guns
The Supreme Court has now ruled that the Federal Government can strictly enforce laws that ban a "straw" purchaser from buying a gun for someone else. The case concerned a Virginia man who bought a gun, with the intention of transferring it to his uncle in Pennsylvania.
African Violence Again
In Nairobi, Kenya, Somali Al-Shabab members went door to door in a coastal town. They asked the inhabitants if they were Muslims and spoke Somali. If not, the men were killed as their wives watched. (The year is 2014, and we still have monsters killing their fellow humans.. and, of course, stealing young girls. Civilization.. where are you?)
Interesting Person
Sixty years ago, Martin Rothblatt was born. At age 34, he had sex-reassignment surgery and became Martine Rothblatt. She has been married for 32 years, and has four children. In 1960 she founded a company that evolved into Sirius XM Radio. Currently, she has teamed up with a biotech company to develop pigs with genetically modified organs for transplantation into humans. She has a lot of money and has the motivation to use it for the good of all. Let's hope she and Bill Gates give more money to cancer research.
...............................................
I saw a Hopkins dermatologist and he said my legs looked ok. I am to continue wearing Jobst support stockings each day, and he suggested that I buy some more so I won't run short while a couple are being washed.
While at Hopkins, we also got to see Nurse Kelly Carnacio (sp?) ... I gave her one of my Joe Vaughan Fan Club pens and congratulated her on the award she got from my write-up. She is a great nurse, and a nice person.
After Hopkins, Elaine and I went to the nearby Hollywood Diner for lunch. Elaine had a bountiful spinach salad, followed by chocolate cake. I had a vegetarian omelet, grits, and two orders of wheat toast with butter and preserves.. all washed down by about 5 cups of decaf coffee. Good Baltimore stuff.
We left the diner at 4 pm and got caught in a super slow traffic backup.. by masterful taxi driver maneuvers, I was able to extricate ourselves from the snag.. and we made it home by 6:30 PM. Two and one half hours for a one hour drive. Oh Well... I'll bet there are still some cars left in the backup.
New Bedford Shindig
We got an invitation to help celebrate the "homecoming" of the whaling ship The Charles W. Morgan to its former homeport of New Bedford, Massachusetts. This was the ship that I played on as a kid. On June 28, there will be a Homecoming Gala, consisting of a tour of the refitted vessel, cocktails, dinner and appropriate seafarer entertainment. I'd love to go, but our medical situations would not allow it.
Westminster Circus
Carroll County election officials raised the devil last week about candidates and their helpers blocking the Senior Center entrance and taking up all the parking spaces.. and also acting like it was a "circus" instead of a serious attempt at early voting. But the circus atmosphere did not seem to deter people from voting.. so far, the total votes cast early has exceeded those in 2010. (I wonder if it's anything to do with all those people who switched from Democrat to Republican to game the system, like folks may have done for a certain big-shot candidate from Virginia.)
Supremes on Guns
The Supreme Court has now ruled that the Federal Government can strictly enforce laws that ban a "straw" purchaser from buying a gun for someone else. The case concerned a Virginia man who bought a gun, with the intention of transferring it to his uncle in Pennsylvania.
African Violence Again
In Nairobi, Kenya, Somali Al-Shabab members went door to door in a coastal town. They asked the inhabitants if they were Muslims and spoke Somali. If not, the men were killed as their wives watched. (The year is 2014, and we still have monsters killing their fellow humans.. and, of course, stealing young girls. Civilization.. where are you?)
Interesting Person
Sixty years ago, Martin Rothblatt was born. At age 34, he had sex-reassignment surgery and became Martine Rothblatt. She has been married for 32 years, and has four children. In 1960 she founded a company that evolved into Sirius XM Radio. Currently, she has teamed up with a biotech company to develop pigs with genetically modified organs for transplantation into humans. She has a lot of money and has the motivation to use it for the good of all. Let's hope she and Bill Gates give more money to cancer research.
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Monday, June 16, 2014
Kid on School Board; Maryland Gerrymander; Weapons; Hoarding; World Cup; Hidden Money; Elvis; Casey; the Supremes; Starbucks Tuition; Fourth of July Fact
Hot and sunny. It's Summer already in Maryland.
I had blood work done this morning.. fasting.. so when I did get to eat, I pigged out on scrapple and eggs with 2 coffees instead of my usual one.. now I feel bloated.
Local Stuff
School Kid on the School Board
Mathew Saxton, a high school junior will be a member of the Carroll County Public School Board of Education for two years. He's been quite a volunteer during his short life, and should bring a student's viewpoint to deliberations. I wonder how he will make out if the Tea Party candidates are successful in this Primary Election. From their issuances, I would say that their viewpoint will be decidedly negative and destructive.
Gerrymandered Districts
Most of Carroll County's Republican delegates will be "contained" in a marvelously contorted District 5, that stretches across the State. Democrats feel that this will keep them as even less an irritant as they are today. Some of the other delegates will be included with Howard County and Frederick, thus further diluting Carroll County issues. Of course, I could be completely wrong in all I am saying. I need to revisit the situation after the Primary is over.
National and World Stuff
Creative Weapons
Crooks know that if they use guns in the commission of crime, they could possibly be shot themselves, so they are using other weapons, at least it says so in the Baltimore Sun.
A robber using a machete has struck twice in the same community.
A robber using pepper spray has hit a bank.
Oh Oh!
A 66 year-old female hoarder in Connecticut has been crushed under the collapsed floor that held part of her treasures. (Let that be a lesson to me and Elaine.)
Expensive World Cup
Rio's astronomical prices, referred to as the "Custo Brasil" (or Brazil Cost) is quickly depleting the pocketbooks of tourists. If you have any money left after the pickpockets have gotten you, you might have to pay $17 for a cheeseburger, $35 for a pizza, and $10 for a cocktail.
Hidden Money
Copying somebody in a TV show, an anonymous guy from Howard County has been hiding money around Baltimore. Some people have already found $50 or $20 bills in creative locations near the Inner Harbor. Anonymous says that he likes to see people smile.
Elvis?
Elvis Pista, a so-called flamboyant Kosovo politician with spiked hair, has been gunned down as he exited a restaurant in his hometown.
RIP Casey
"Top 40" DJ, Casey Kasem, passed away this week at 82. I listened to his distinctive voice for 40 years. In addition to his music career, Casey did "voice-overs" for 10,000 commercials.
The Supremes
By the end of June, the Supreme Court should have rulings on the following 6 questions:
1. Do the owners of private companies have a right to refuse to provide their workers with contraception material thru Obamacare, if it violates their religious views? (Hobby Lobby case.)
2. Can Massachusetts enforce a 35 foot "quiet zone" near abortion clinics? ("Sidewalk Counselors" want to be able to use that space to try and talk patients out of abortions.)
3. Did Illinois violate home health care workers' rights when it authorized them to be unionized and pay a fee if they refuse to join a union?
4. Can police examine the contents of a suspect's smartphone?
5. Can a company rent antennas to customers and use them to stream over-the-air broadcast signals without paying licensing fees?
6. Did President Obama stretch the law by allowing regulators to require that power plant permits include measures to reduce carbon emissions?
School Money Deal
Students who work at least 20 hours a week at Starbucks and enroll in an online Bachelor Degree program will get half of their tuition paid (up to $6,500) and full tuition for the final two years.
Some years ago, the State of Maryland agreed to pay for four years of education, if the student agreed to work as a teacher in Maryland for a stated period of time. Lots of people took advantage of that. Why couldn't we do that again around the country. Let's be creative on this, just like Starbucks.
Amazing American History
Three of the first four Presidents of the United States died on the Fourth of July! Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day in 1826. James Monroe died on that day in 1831.
......................................................................
I had blood work done this morning.. fasting.. so when I did get to eat, I pigged out on scrapple and eggs with 2 coffees instead of my usual one.. now I feel bloated.
Local Stuff
School Kid on the School Board
Mathew Saxton, a high school junior will be a member of the Carroll County Public School Board of Education for two years. He's been quite a volunteer during his short life, and should bring a student's viewpoint to deliberations. I wonder how he will make out if the Tea Party candidates are successful in this Primary Election. From their issuances, I would say that their viewpoint will be decidedly negative and destructive.
Gerrymandered Districts
Most of Carroll County's Republican delegates will be "contained" in a marvelously contorted District 5, that stretches across the State. Democrats feel that this will keep them as even less an irritant as they are today. Some of the other delegates will be included with Howard County and Frederick, thus further diluting Carroll County issues. Of course, I could be completely wrong in all I am saying. I need to revisit the situation after the Primary is over.
National and World Stuff
Creative Weapons
Crooks know that if they use guns in the commission of crime, they could possibly be shot themselves, so they are using other weapons, at least it says so in the Baltimore Sun.
A robber using a machete has struck twice in the same community.
A robber using pepper spray has hit a bank.
Oh Oh!
A 66 year-old female hoarder in Connecticut has been crushed under the collapsed floor that held part of her treasures. (Let that be a lesson to me and Elaine.)
Expensive World Cup
Rio's astronomical prices, referred to as the "Custo Brasil" (or Brazil Cost) is quickly depleting the pocketbooks of tourists. If you have any money left after the pickpockets have gotten you, you might have to pay $17 for a cheeseburger, $35 for a pizza, and $10 for a cocktail.
Hidden Money
Copying somebody in a TV show, an anonymous guy from Howard County has been hiding money around Baltimore. Some people have already found $50 or $20 bills in creative locations near the Inner Harbor. Anonymous says that he likes to see people smile.
Elvis?
Elvis Pista, a so-called flamboyant Kosovo politician with spiked hair, has been gunned down as he exited a restaurant in his hometown.
RIP Casey
"Top 40" DJ, Casey Kasem, passed away this week at 82. I listened to his distinctive voice for 40 years. In addition to his music career, Casey did "voice-overs" for 10,000 commercials.
The Supremes
By the end of June, the Supreme Court should have rulings on the following 6 questions:
1. Do the owners of private companies have a right to refuse to provide their workers with contraception material thru Obamacare, if it violates their religious views? (Hobby Lobby case.)
2. Can Massachusetts enforce a 35 foot "quiet zone" near abortion clinics? ("Sidewalk Counselors" want to be able to use that space to try and talk patients out of abortions.)
3. Did Illinois violate home health care workers' rights when it authorized them to be unionized and pay a fee if they refuse to join a union?
4. Can police examine the contents of a suspect's smartphone?
5. Can a company rent antennas to customers and use them to stream over-the-air broadcast signals without paying licensing fees?
6. Did President Obama stretch the law by allowing regulators to require that power plant permits include measures to reduce carbon emissions?
School Money Deal
Students who work at least 20 hours a week at Starbucks and enroll in an online Bachelor Degree program will get half of their tuition paid (up to $6,500) and full tuition for the final two years.
Some years ago, the State of Maryland agreed to pay for four years of education, if the student agreed to work as a teacher in Maryland for a stated period of time. Lots of people took advantage of that. Why couldn't we do that again around the country. Let's be creative on this, just like Starbucks.
Amazing American History
Three of the first four Presidents of the United States died on the Fourth of July! Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day in 1826. James Monroe died on that day in 1831.
......................................................................
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Father's Day; Politics; Voting; Candidate Ratings; Obama; Oh Say Can You See; Rogue Cow; Famous Naughty Historians; Guns.
A nice hot muggy Father's Day.. but beautiful. Some of my wonderful family accompanied me for lunch at our so-called Bistro. Nice!
More "stuff" from the news
Politics
Our local paper had an editorial about political parties and said: "... while others got the 'book' from their party..." Huh? I think they meant 'boot'. There are a lot of these "spell checker" errors in this paper. I would recommend a read by a human before publication.
At one time, my late wife got tired of these errors and betook herself to the newspaper office and offered her services as a proofreader. Even though she brought many examples with her, they still insisted that they did not need a proofreader.
Voting
Elaine and I did our duty and voted early today. She had a nice fat ballot to consider, while I, as an Independent, could only vote for three out of seven candidates for the School Board. I probably should have changed affiliation in order to feel as though my vote counted.. but I didn't.
Candidate Ratings
The local "Sportsmen's Association" published their ratings list today. The scores are based on "questionaires, records, and the personal knowledge of members." Wow!
Even though you probably don't know these folks, but they all got A's.
Ken George
Charles Lollar
Joe Getty
Sue Krebs
Robin Frazier
Richard Rothschild
Jerry Barnes
Some interesting names there. All are Conservatives (or say they are) and a couple are constantly breaking whatever rules they feel do not pertain to them.
Sportsmen? Are these the guys who shoot Bambi? Today, I read about something Thomas Jefferson said. Instead of sitting around and playing board games, one should take walks carrying guns. ??
Crazy King George of England.. when he was about to die, his minions carried him outside so that he could enjoy shooting his weapons. Before he finished that night, he had shot and killed hundreds of little birds, flushed out of hiding by servants. Great sport, hey George. Go directly to Hell!
Fred is Mad as Hell
A fellow member of the local NARFE chapter, Fred Frevert, does not like President Obama very much. In a wild letter to the local paper, he blasts the President for his stand on the Ukraine and for the Bergdahl prisoner swap. Fred seems to be quite gentle in person, but I guess Obama rubs him the wrong way.
Baltimore Celebrity
John Waters has written a book called CARSICK, about hitch-hiking from Baltimore to San Francisco. Might be a fun read.
Francis Scott Key
Don Rodricks writes in the Baltimore Sun about handsome Phil Key, son of the famous 1812 lyricist. Mr. Phil was messing with a Congressman's wife and that got him shot by Dan Sickles, who was acquitted because of "temporary insanity". You remember General Sickles from the Civil War.. same guy.
Cow
Oh.. that Rogue Cow that I reported on recently... it was really a steer. I apologize to my bovine friends.
Naval Historian
Samuel Eliot Morrison, famous naval historian and author of the great book about Columbus. Well, his grandson walked out of the U.S. Navy Archives with three boxes of files used by his grandfather. Still missing is a letter written by Lincoln, WWII maps of atomic bomb targets and a ring that belonged to Lyndon Johnson. Other stuff was recovered in a raid on his home. Some had been sold to a Baltimore bookseller.
Presidential Historian
Another theft of archived material was undertaken by Barry Landau, who was sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was caught stealing documents from the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore. (I am a member.)
A 2013 Harper Collins Publishers biographic piece about Landau praised him as "....a Presidential historian and one of the foremost collectors of historical memorabilia and artifacts. " (Well I guess so.) Landau's latest book was "The President's Table". I wonder how that is selling right now.
Guns Again
This week, a 14 year-old shot and killed a 17 year-old as he sat in his car in York, Pennsylvania.
.........................................
More "stuff" from the news
Politics
Our local paper had an editorial about political parties and said: "... while others got the 'book' from their party..." Huh? I think they meant 'boot'. There are a lot of these "spell checker" errors in this paper. I would recommend a read by a human before publication.
At one time, my late wife got tired of these errors and betook herself to the newspaper office and offered her services as a proofreader. Even though she brought many examples with her, they still insisted that they did not need a proofreader.
Voting
Elaine and I did our duty and voted early today. She had a nice fat ballot to consider, while I, as an Independent, could only vote for three out of seven candidates for the School Board. I probably should have changed affiliation in order to feel as though my vote counted.. but I didn't.
Candidate Ratings
The local "Sportsmen's Association" published their ratings list today. The scores are based on "questionaires, records, and the personal knowledge of members." Wow!
Even though you probably don't know these folks, but they all got A's.
Ken George
Charles Lollar
Joe Getty
Sue Krebs
Robin Frazier
Richard Rothschild
Jerry Barnes
Some interesting names there. All are Conservatives (or say they are) and a couple are constantly breaking whatever rules they feel do not pertain to them.
Sportsmen? Are these the guys who shoot Bambi? Today, I read about something Thomas Jefferson said. Instead of sitting around and playing board games, one should take walks carrying guns. ??
Crazy King George of England.. when he was about to die, his minions carried him outside so that he could enjoy shooting his weapons. Before he finished that night, he had shot and killed hundreds of little birds, flushed out of hiding by servants. Great sport, hey George. Go directly to Hell!
Fred is Mad as Hell
A fellow member of the local NARFE chapter, Fred Frevert, does not like President Obama very much. In a wild letter to the local paper, he blasts the President for his stand on the Ukraine and for the Bergdahl prisoner swap. Fred seems to be quite gentle in person, but I guess Obama rubs him the wrong way.
Baltimore Celebrity
John Waters has written a book called CARSICK, about hitch-hiking from Baltimore to San Francisco. Might be a fun read.
Francis Scott Key
Don Rodricks writes in the Baltimore Sun about handsome Phil Key, son of the famous 1812 lyricist. Mr. Phil was messing with a Congressman's wife and that got him shot by Dan Sickles, who was acquitted because of "temporary insanity". You remember General Sickles from the Civil War.. same guy.
Cow
Oh.. that Rogue Cow that I reported on recently... it was really a steer. I apologize to my bovine friends.
Naval Historian
Samuel Eliot Morrison, famous naval historian and author of the great book about Columbus. Well, his grandson walked out of the U.S. Navy Archives with three boxes of files used by his grandfather. Still missing is a letter written by Lincoln, WWII maps of atomic bomb targets and a ring that belonged to Lyndon Johnson. Other stuff was recovered in a raid on his home. Some had been sold to a Baltimore bookseller.
Presidential Historian
Another theft of archived material was undertaken by Barry Landau, who was sentenced to 7 years in prison. He was caught stealing documents from the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore. (I am a member.)
A 2013 Harper Collins Publishers biographic piece about Landau praised him as "....a Presidential historian and one of the foremost collectors of historical memorabilia and artifacts. " (Well I guess so.) Landau's latest book was "The President's Table". I wonder how that is selling right now.
Guns Again
This week, a 14 year-old shot and killed a 17 year-old as he sat in his car in York, Pennsylvania.
.........................................
Saturday, June 14, 2014
NRS, INC; Red Hat "Mother"; Yoga Tax; Greedy Crooks; Car Trouble; Cow Trouble; Nicknames; Iraq; Texting; Underwear
A little overcast today, but almost 80 degrees. Good day for sitting out on the porch and letting the wind caress your aching old body.
Lots of stuff:
Religion
A Reverend Ellen Dize wrote in a religious column today about a Don E. Timney, who apparently had a "fall" of some kind. Who is this guy? Should I know him? Why doesn't she give us more information? The column is very confusing and disjointed. Embedded in the first part is the information that she doesn't believe in the devil.
She says she is the director of Non-profit NRS, Inc. Can a non-profit be an Inc? I looked it up and only found a "Non-Profit Risk Service, Inc".. an Insurance company for 501 (c) 3 organizations. It sounded like a mysterious group that she says provides "A Course in Miracles." I'll have to look into this group a little more, it intrigues me.
Sadness
A very nice lady died last Monday at Carroll Lutheran Village. Evelyn Schillaci was 99 years-old. She was always the "mother" for Red Hat Ladies' activities. She would often visit our genealogy club and regale us with stories of her long life. Sometimes, she would be accompanied by her "little girl".. her 77 year-old daughter. Rest in peace, dear lady.
Yoga Tax
Did you know that the District of Columbia has a special sales tax on Yoga classes and gym memberships? There is currently a fight going on in the DC Counsel. Some are attempting to eliminate the tax; others want it to stay in effect.
Greedy Crooks
Local crooks are getting more daring. The other day, one stood in line at an ATM machine and when the customer started to get money, the crook tried to grab it. A tussle ensued and the crook ran off. His surveillance picture reminded the local police of someone who had been in trouble before and they hurriedly rounded him up.
Car Trouble
A police inspection of cars traveling in Taneytown last week resulted in the following statistics:
92 cards stopped
53 citations issued
68 warnings given out
18 repair orders issued
5 persons arrested
Apparently, no DUI cases, and I guess that is a good sign. But 144 car problems out of 92 cars stopped seems like an awful lot for a small town like Taneytown.
Cow Trouble
A "rogue" cow, causing trouble in Baltimore City was shot. Police think that it may have escaped from a slaughterhouse.
Many, many years ago, as I was driving on Route 83 through Baltimore, a riderless horse suddenly appeared next to my car. We raced along for a while until the traffic got thicker and the horse decided to leave on the next off-ramp. I wouldn't be surprised if that horse had also escaped from a slaughterhouse, because, as you must know, some of the most delicious wienerschnitzel is made from horse meat rather than veal... at least, that was the way it was in Germany when I was there a number of years ago.
Where are they now?
A picture in the Carroll County Times today shows two Taneytown High School students, "Greasy" Eyler and "Chicken" Airing in their caps and gowns at their 1961 graduation. Everyone should have nice nicknames, like these boys had.
Plaidman!
I've noticed that in all Associated Press pictures of the Ukrainian conflict, there is a man in an American-style plaid shirt standing somewhere in the picture. Very interesting!
Iraqi Nonsense Again
The Shiites and the Sunnis are at it again. They are all Moslems. Why do they fight all the time?
It still reminds me of that Star Trek episode where all the people's bodies are divided in half; one side being black; one side being white. They hate each other and when Kirk asks why they hate each other if they are so much alike.. they say, "Are you blind? Don't you see that our black half is on the right side of our bodies and theirs is on the left side."
GOP Stuff
Dave Brat, who defeated Eric Cantor in the Virginia GOP Primary Race the other day, sent a "text message" to the Associated Press. A 49 year-old College Professor sending a text message! Well, I guess we will all have to learn to do so soon.
Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
WWDTM reports that the FDA has ruled that caffeine-impregnated underwear does not cause you to lose weight, contrary to company claims. DAMN!
...................................................
Lots of stuff:
Religion
A Reverend Ellen Dize wrote in a religious column today about a Don E. Timney, who apparently had a "fall" of some kind. Who is this guy? Should I know him? Why doesn't she give us more information? The column is very confusing and disjointed. Embedded in the first part is the information that she doesn't believe in the devil.
She says she is the director of Non-profit NRS, Inc. Can a non-profit be an Inc? I looked it up and only found a "Non-Profit Risk Service, Inc".. an Insurance company for 501 (c) 3 organizations. It sounded like a mysterious group that she says provides "A Course in Miracles." I'll have to look into this group a little more, it intrigues me.
Sadness
A very nice lady died last Monday at Carroll Lutheran Village. Evelyn Schillaci was 99 years-old. She was always the "mother" for Red Hat Ladies' activities. She would often visit our genealogy club and regale us with stories of her long life. Sometimes, she would be accompanied by her "little girl".. her 77 year-old daughter. Rest in peace, dear lady.
Yoga Tax
Did you know that the District of Columbia has a special sales tax on Yoga classes and gym memberships? There is currently a fight going on in the DC Counsel. Some are attempting to eliminate the tax; others want it to stay in effect.
Greedy Crooks
Local crooks are getting more daring. The other day, one stood in line at an ATM machine and when the customer started to get money, the crook tried to grab it. A tussle ensued and the crook ran off. His surveillance picture reminded the local police of someone who had been in trouble before and they hurriedly rounded him up.
Car Trouble
A police inspection of cars traveling in Taneytown last week resulted in the following statistics:
92 cards stopped
53 citations issued
68 warnings given out
18 repair orders issued
5 persons arrested
Apparently, no DUI cases, and I guess that is a good sign. But 144 car problems out of 92 cars stopped seems like an awful lot for a small town like Taneytown.
Cow Trouble
A "rogue" cow, causing trouble in Baltimore City was shot. Police think that it may have escaped from a slaughterhouse.
Many, many years ago, as I was driving on Route 83 through Baltimore, a riderless horse suddenly appeared next to my car. We raced along for a while until the traffic got thicker and the horse decided to leave on the next off-ramp. I wouldn't be surprised if that horse had also escaped from a slaughterhouse, because, as you must know, some of the most delicious wienerschnitzel is made from horse meat rather than veal... at least, that was the way it was in Germany when I was there a number of years ago.
Where are they now?
A picture in the Carroll County Times today shows two Taneytown High School students, "Greasy" Eyler and "Chicken" Airing in their caps and gowns at their 1961 graduation. Everyone should have nice nicknames, like these boys had.
Plaidman!
I've noticed that in all Associated Press pictures of the Ukrainian conflict, there is a man in an American-style plaid shirt standing somewhere in the picture. Very interesting!
Iraqi Nonsense Again
The Shiites and the Sunnis are at it again. They are all Moslems. Why do they fight all the time?
It still reminds me of that Star Trek episode where all the people's bodies are divided in half; one side being black; one side being white. They hate each other and when Kirk asks why they hate each other if they are so much alike.. they say, "Are you blind? Don't you see that our black half is on the right side of our bodies and theirs is on the left side."
GOP Stuff
Dave Brat, who defeated Eric Cantor in the Virginia GOP Primary Race the other day, sent a "text message" to the Associated Press. A 49 year-old College Professor sending a text message! Well, I guess we will all have to learn to do so soon.
Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
WWDTM reports that the FDA has ruled that caffeine-impregnated underwear does not cause you to lose weight, contrary to company claims. DAMN!
...................................................
Friday, June 13, 2014
Crime Class; New Scams; Southern Baptists; Debtors' Prison; Obamacare; Horrible Murders in Georgia; Gun Violence; ID Theft; George H. W. Bush
Off and on rain and sun... no rainbow noticed.
I gave my "Crime Prevention" discussion group class this morning. I think it went ok. At least two people said they enjoyed it, and we got one person who will be coming to our TRIAD meetings. Bruce Lohr was a great resource to have there. I mentioned a couple of scams that he had not heard of yet: The Diabetic Sticks Scam and the Romance Scam. More about them in a future blog entry.
As usual, I'll be jumping around all over the place with my news pointers.
Religion
The Southern Baptist Convention was held recently, and they decided that they would not relax their position on gay marriage and transgender identity. Come on, guys, get with the 21st Century!
I still remember when I went to my Baptist Church's Halloween party as a magician. When one of the old lady chaperone saw playing cards in my hand, she went ballistic. Thou shalt have no other Gods (kings or queens?) before me. Huh?
There also was a Baptist restriction on smoking; however, after a Sunday service, all of the men hurriedly lit up as they exited the church. I can remember lots of other hypocritical activity very well. Yet, overall, they were nice folks and human. They just were not very tolerant of people who were different from themselves... like poor little Joe Vaughan and his buddy, poor little Bob Case.
Dickensonian Punishment?
Charles Dickens wrote about Debtors' Prisons and such, during the 1800's. Well, it looks like we have a similar situation todaty in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where they jail parents who are not able to pay fines owed because of their children's truancy from school. In fact, in one case, a mother had a 48-hour in jail penalty imposed, and half-way through it, she died.
Local Candidate loses my Support
Actually, who cares? But anyway.. local candidate, Susan Krebs, is trying to come out well in a newly gerrymandered district here in Maryland. She wrote a letter to the local newspaper emphasizing her continual activity to destroy Obamacare. I can see that this rant has been made to show voters (and party leaders) that she is a valiant Republican, eager to jump into the fray, for the good of the party. I had admired Susan's apparent concern for Senior Citizens, in fact, I was glad that she was allowed to become some kind of Board Member for the Continuing Care Community where I live. However, if she is against Obamacare, then I feel that she does not have a good feeling for us common folks and senior citizens.. or else, she is trying to fool us. Either way, that is my opinion, and I shall vote against her.
Georgia Horror
An 88 year old retiree was found in his garage with his head missing. His elderly wife's body was found 6 miles away, floating in a lake. They had been living in a nice gated high-class community. No one seems to know what happened, except that there is no sign of a struggle. The couple had sons, who have been talking to police and a reward will be offered for information. I'm sure this gruesome case will be fodder for lots of TV shows in the future.
More Gun Violence
A Las Vegas policeman was shot at a pizza shop by a couple of nutbags. His partner was killed before he could fire his gun in response and a shopper was killed as he drew his concealed weapon to confront the couple. This sounds a lot like an episode of Gunsmoke.
More on Identity Theft
Recently, I mentioned an ID theft victim who left his wallet containing his Social Security Card in his clothes within a non-secured locker, where it was stolen. Today, I read that the victim did not even notice his wallet was missing until he got home. (Give me a break!) People! You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and, even in safe Carroll County, you need to lock your valuables and always know where your wallet is.
And.. if you are going to Rio for the Soccer cup activity, remember, Rio is Pickpocket Heaven.
Names
One of the names of one of the early voters yesterday was Rambo. I hope he doesn't take his name too seriously.
Dastardly Crime
The Los Angeles County DA has decided not to charge Justin Bieber as a felon even though he reached into a woman's purse and pulled out her cell phone, to ensure that she was not taking a video of him as he worked out. Ho Hum!
Old El Presidente
George H.W. Bush did it again! He tandem jumped from a plane for his 90th birthday. He is no longer able to use his legs, so there was some tripping up on the landing, but he is reported to be fine. His next jump will be when he is 95. I hope I'm around to see it.
Enough!
.............................................
I gave my "Crime Prevention" discussion group class this morning. I think it went ok. At least two people said they enjoyed it, and we got one person who will be coming to our TRIAD meetings. Bruce Lohr was a great resource to have there. I mentioned a couple of scams that he had not heard of yet: The Diabetic Sticks Scam and the Romance Scam. More about them in a future blog entry.
As usual, I'll be jumping around all over the place with my news pointers.
Religion
The Southern Baptist Convention was held recently, and they decided that they would not relax their position on gay marriage and transgender identity. Come on, guys, get with the 21st Century!
I still remember when I went to my Baptist Church's Halloween party as a magician. When one of the old lady chaperone saw playing cards in my hand, she went ballistic. Thou shalt have no other Gods (kings or queens?) before me. Huh?
There also was a Baptist restriction on smoking; however, after a Sunday service, all of the men hurriedly lit up as they exited the church. I can remember lots of other hypocritical activity very well. Yet, overall, they were nice folks and human. They just were not very tolerant of people who were different from themselves... like poor little Joe Vaughan and his buddy, poor little Bob Case.
Dickensonian Punishment?
Charles Dickens wrote about Debtors' Prisons and such, during the 1800's. Well, it looks like we have a similar situation todaty in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where they jail parents who are not able to pay fines owed because of their children's truancy from school. In fact, in one case, a mother had a 48-hour in jail penalty imposed, and half-way through it, she died.
Local Candidate loses my Support
Actually, who cares? But anyway.. local candidate, Susan Krebs, is trying to come out well in a newly gerrymandered district here in Maryland. She wrote a letter to the local newspaper emphasizing her continual activity to destroy Obamacare. I can see that this rant has been made to show voters (and party leaders) that she is a valiant Republican, eager to jump into the fray, for the good of the party. I had admired Susan's apparent concern for Senior Citizens, in fact, I was glad that she was allowed to become some kind of Board Member for the Continuing Care Community where I live. However, if she is against Obamacare, then I feel that she does not have a good feeling for us common folks and senior citizens.. or else, she is trying to fool us. Either way, that is my opinion, and I shall vote against her.
Georgia Horror
An 88 year old retiree was found in his garage with his head missing. His elderly wife's body was found 6 miles away, floating in a lake. They had been living in a nice gated high-class community. No one seems to know what happened, except that there is no sign of a struggle. The couple had sons, who have been talking to police and a reward will be offered for information. I'm sure this gruesome case will be fodder for lots of TV shows in the future.
More Gun Violence
A Las Vegas policeman was shot at a pizza shop by a couple of nutbags. His partner was killed before he could fire his gun in response and a shopper was killed as he drew his concealed weapon to confront the couple. This sounds a lot like an episode of Gunsmoke.
More on Identity Theft
Recently, I mentioned an ID theft victim who left his wallet containing his Social Security Card in his clothes within a non-secured locker, where it was stolen. Today, I read that the victim did not even notice his wallet was missing until he got home. (Give me a break!) People! You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and, even in safe Carroll County, you need to lock your valuables and always know where your wallet is.
And.. if you are going to Rio for the Soccer cup activity, remember, Rio is Pickpocket Heaven.
Names
One of the names of one of the early voters yesterday was Rambo. I hope he doesn't take his name too seriously.
Dastardly Crime
The Los Angeles County DA has decided not to charge Justin Bieber as a felon even though he reached into a woman's purse and pulled out her cell phone, to ensure that she was not taking a video of him as he worked out. Ho Hum!
Old El Presidente
George H.W. Bush did it again! He tandem jumped from a plane for his 90th birthday. He is no longer able to use his legs, so there was some tripping up on the landing, but he is reported to be fine. His next jump will be when he is 95. I hope I'm around to see it.
Enough!
.............................................
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Luka; Lily; Birthdays; Blog Pictures; Brain; Memory; Boston U; Howard Stern; Earthquake; Bodywatching; Cheek Screw; Stripes; Dreams; Prohibition Joke
Rainy Thursday. We treat Mat and Emily and Lily and Luka to supper at the Towson Diner. Lots and lots of food! Today is Luka's birthday. Elaine got some nice things for him, and also for Lily. We won't be able to go to their birthday party on Saturday because we can't get Elaine up the front steps at Emily's house.. also, the rest room is a tough squeeze for Elaine. Sad situation for Grandma.
I've been trying for some time to get some pictures posted to this blog.. unsuccessfully .. I'll keep trying. Meanwhile, here are some old blog entry items:
The Brain
Dr. Howard Eichenbaum, director of the Center for Memory and Brain at Boston University, "is studying the firing of neurons in the hippocampus, a structure near the center of the brain that plays a major role in memory. Decoding the machinations of the hippocampus could help us design drugs to treat memory disorders such as Alzheimer's."
BU is doing great research on Brain matters. Nice school.
Boston University
I found out last night that Howard Stern attended B.U. OMG! Perhaps he might like to donate his brain to Dr. Eichenbaum's lab. Just kidding. I am seeing a remarkable down-toning of Howard's scatological silliness since he's been a judge of America's Got Talent. That's good.
Anticipation?
Five to 10 seconds before an earthquake in August 2011, the orangutan, Kyle, and the gorilla, Kojo, at DC's National Zoo, climbed to the top of trees. The Zoo master suggested that the animals may have detected the "P waves" that struck Washingotn 15 seconds before the "surface waves."
Does this kind of thing happen with cats. Whenever there is a violent thunderstorm, SuZee disappears before the first rumblings.
Bodily Clues
Desmond Morris' book Bodywatching was published some time ago, but it is still a good read, as discussed by Jerry Ford.
Desmond reveals some little-known secrets about how to "read people."
Although we can fake a smile, our legs often give us away because we have much less control over our legs and feet.. so we tend to try to hide them when we are under stress.
The "cheek screw" reveals different things in different countries:
In Italy, screwing a finger in one's cheek means "good".
In Southern Spain, it indicates that a man is effeminate.
In Germany, it indicates that the object of the gesture is crazy.
(In my own experience, in Southern U.S., the gesture often indicates that the person in question is "black.")
Desmond also discusses circumcision, as an act equated with a snake's shedding of skin. By shedding foreskin, older cultures believed that they might become immortal.
He also discusses feet binding by the Chinese and butt binding by Victorians.
Stripes
Why stripes on zebras? Why, of course, to repel flies, you dummy! Researchers have discovered that when they set out black, white, and zebra-patterned horse statues in a field, the striped models attracted the fewest horseflies. Over long evolutionary periods, zebra striped animals suffered less bites from insects and were favored by evolution.
That reminds me of what is told to medical school students.. If you see hoofprints, think Horse instead of Zebra.
Dreams
My daughter, Elizabeth, called to tell me that she had a very realistic dream about her mother, my late wife, Elaine. Sometimes such dreams are very traumatic. Often, we try to find meaning in them.
For a long time after my wife died, I would dream of being on a trip with her, when she went on ahead of me and turned a corner, and I couldn't find her. I can still feel the sense of loss that entailed.
In 2011, I dreamed that I was talking to my boss at Social Security and I was told to be very precise because a famous technical consultant was listening in the next room. When I looked in to see the Tech..it was my late wife.
Around the same time, I woke up in a sweat as I tried to stomp some kind of white animal that was trying to eat one of our cats, SuZee or Lucky.
Psychologists could probably learn a lot about me from the telling of these dreams.
Prohibition Joke
At a revival meeting, the minister yelled: "If I had all the wine in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
"And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd throw it into the river.!"
"And if I had all the beer in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
"And now, let's sing the next hymn: 'Shall we gather at the river!"
.............................................
I've been trying for some time to get some pictures posted to this blog.. unsuccessfully .. I'll keep trying. Meanwhile, here are some old blog entry items:
The Brain
Dr. Howard Eichenbaum, director of the Center for Memory and Brain at Boston University, "is studying the firing of neurons in the hippocampus, a structure near the center of the brain that plays a major role in memory. Decoding the machinations of the hippocampus could help us design drugs to treat memory disorders such as Alzheimer's."
BU is doing great research on Brain matters. Nice school.
Boston University
I found out last night that Howard Stern attended B.U. OMG! Perhaps he might like to donate his brain to Dr. Eichenbaum's lab. Just kidding. I am seeing a remarkable down-toning of Howard's scatological silliness since he's been a judge of America's Got Talent. That's good.
Anticipation?
Five to 10 seconds before an earthquake in August 2011, the orangutan, Kyle, and the gorilla, Kojo, at DC's National Zoo, climbed to the top of trees. The Zoo master suggested that the animals may have detected the "P waves" that struck Washingotn 15 seconds before the "surface waves."
Does this kind of thing happen with cats. Whenever there is a violent thunderstorm, SuZee disappears before the first rumblings.
Bodily Clues
Desmond Morris' book Bodywatching was published some time ago, but it is still a good read, as discussed by Jerry Ford.
Desmond reveals some little-known secrets about how to "read people."
Although we can fake a smile, our legs often give us away because we have much less control over our legs and feet.. so we tend to try to hide them when we are under stress.
The "cheek screw" reveals different things in different countries:
In Italy, screwing a finger in one's cheek means "good".
In Southern Spain, it indicates that a man is effeminate.
In Germany, it indicates that the object of the gesture is crazy.
(In my own experience, in Southern U.S., the gesture often indicates that the person in question is "black.")
Desmond also discusses circumcision, as an act equated with a snake's shedding of skin. By shedding foreskin, older cultures believed that they might become immortal.
He also discusses feet binding by the Chinese and butt binding by Victorians.
Stripes
Why stripes on zebras? Why, of course, to repel flies, you dummy! Researchers have discovered that when they set out black, white, and zebra-patterned horse statues in a field, the striped models attracted the fewest horseflies. Over long evolutionary periods, zebra striped animals suffered less bites from insects and were favored by evolution.
That reminds me of what is told to medical school students.. If you see hoofprints, think Horse instead of Zebra.
Dreams
My daughter, Elizabeth, called to tell me that she had a very realistic dream about her mother, my late wife, Elaine. Sometimes such dreams are very traumatic. Often, we try to find meaning in them.
For a long time after my wife died, I would dream of being on a trip with her, when she went on ahead of me and turned a corner, and I couldn't find her. I can still feel the sense of loss that entailed.
In 2011, I dreamed that I was talking to my boss at Social Security and I was told to be very precise because a famous technical consultant was listening in the next room. When I looked in to see the Tech..it was my late wife.
Around the same time, I woke up in a sweat as I tried to stomp some kind of white animal that was trying to eat one of our cats, SuZee or Lucky.
Psychologists could probably learn a lot about me from the telling of these dreams.
Prohibition Joke
At a revival meeting, the minister yelled: "If I had all the wine in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
"And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I'd throw it into the river.!"
"And if I had all the beer in the world, I'd throw it into the river!"
"And now, let's sing the next hymn: 'Shall we gather at the river!"
.............................................
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Virginia Primary Vote; Pet Expo; Teen Violence; Politicians; Robocalls; Crib Death; Guns; Ebola; Cartoons
Well.. we all knew it would happen.. its a rainy day. That's good for the flowers and vegetables.
The 3 or maybe 4 ( I can't tell) tomato plants that my daughter, Diane, gave us, are glowing very fast. Each has its own gigantic pot. I haven't set my Earth Boxes up yet. No pep. Maybe I need more caffeine.
Some news from here and there
GOP Lost/Dems Win?
In an "anybody can vote" primary in Virginia, Eric Cantor, GOP bigwig was defeated by a college professor endorsed by the Tea Party. This is bad news for the GOP because they lose an experienced politician who may have been "gang voted on" by Democrats, so that they would have a chance on taking back his seat in the final election. Listening to CSPAN radio this morning, I did not hear anyone say anything nice about Mister Cantor.
I wish that Maryland had an open primary. Right now, as an Independent, I can only vote for School Board candidates... who, by the way, are supposed to be above political party. However, three Tea Party guys have gotten together to try to win by loudly publicizing their "conservative" leaning.
Pet Expo
There is an ad in the Carroll County Times that says:
"Adults Under 17 Free"
Teen Adults?
A 17 year-old and an 18 year-old assaulted a former friend. While the 17 year-old held the victim down and tried to strangle him, his 18 year-old girl friend kept hitting the victim with a brick. Nice to know that at least they did not use a gun or a knife, the usual weapons of choice in Westminster, Maryland.
Bergdahl Swap Again
Local educator, Tom Zirpoli, writes in his column about the apparent hypocracy (sp?) by John McCain and other politicians, who were for the swap, before they were against the swap, while they said they did not know about the swap. But they did know about and approve the swap, as shown by publically available media.
Politicians.. damn them all!
One of Carroll County politicians wrote a "fact" and "fiction" piece, in which she talked about another member who I guess she doesn't like very much. Very interesting coming from a person who "stood up" a Carroll County delegation of voters who came to Annapolis to question their representatives. After the meeting, I cornered her in the hall and she said that she couldn't meet with us because she was "having her hair done."
Robocalls
They've started. Make it easy on yourself... get Caller ID and an answering machine.. also you could call NoMorobo.(sp?) (I'll put that info into a later blog entry.)
Baby Loss
The obituaries today listed a 1-year old who died "unexpectedly." My Grandson, Kyle, died of "crib death" while napping at a baby-sitter's house. The parents and I still haven't gotten over that.
"When will they learn?"
1. Another school shooting. An Oregon teen ager killed a 14 year-old and himself with a rifle.
2. The Seattle college shooter left a note: "I just want people to die, and then I'm gonna die with them."
3. Some of my grandkids were playing a violent video game on Sunday. I asked them, :Do you get points for killing someone?" They replied: "Yes."
Deadly Virus
In the face of the threat of an EBOLA outbreak, West Africans are fasting and praying. Unfortunately, this scourge has no cure and kills almost 90% of those infected. It is spread by a virus passed to humans by infected animals, or between humans in close contact with infected bodily fluids. Also, by needles in hospitals.
Better News
I've finally found a large number of my cartoon drawings. These were from earlier days, when I drew a cartoon every night before bed. Some are good; most are lousy. As soon as I learn how to scan them into a database, I will start adding some to these blog entries. A few may even make you chuckle.
...................................................................
The 3 or maybe 4 ( I can't tell) tomato plants that my daughter, Diane, gave us, are glowing very fast. Each has its own gigantic pot. I haven't set my Earth Boxes up yet. No pep. Maybe I need more caffeine.
Some news from here and there
GOP Lost/Dems Win?
In an "anybody can vote" primary in Virginia, Eric Cantor, GOP bigwig was defeated by a college professor endorsed by the Tea Party. This is bad news for the GOP because they lose an experienced politician who may have been "gang voted on" by Democrats, so that they would have a chance on taking back his seat in the final election. Listening to CSPAN radio this morning, I did not hear anyone say anything nice about Mister Cantor.
I wish that Maryland had an open primary. Right now, as an Independent, I can only vote for School Board candidates... who, by the way, are supposed to be above political party. However, three Tea Party guys have gotten together to try to win by loudly publicizing their "conservative" leaning.
Pet Expo
There is an ad in the Carroll County Times that says:
"Adults Under 17 Free"
Teen Adults?
A 17 year-old and an 18 year-old assaulted a former friend. While the 17 year-old held the victim down and tried to strangle him, his 18 year-old girl friend kept hitting the victim with a brick. Nice to know that at least they did not use a gun or a knife, the usual weapons of choice in Westminster, Maryland.
Bergdahl Swap Again
Local educator, Tom Zirpoli, writes in his column about the apparent hypocracy (sp?) by John McCain and other politicians, who were for the swap, before they were against the swap, while they said they did not know about the swap. But they did know about and approve the swap, as shown by publically available media.
Politicians.. damn them all!
One of Carroll County politicians wrote a "fact" and "fiction" piece, in which she talked about another member who I guess she doesn't like very much. Very interesting coming from a person who "stood up" a Carroll County delegation of voters who came to Annapolis to question their representatives. After the meeting, I cornered her in the hall and she said that she couldn't meet with us because she was "having her hair done."
Robocalls
They've started. Make it easy on yourself... get Caller ID and an answering machine.. also you could call NoMorobo.(sp?) (I'll put that info into a later blog entry.)
Baby Loss
The obituaries today listed a 1-year old who died "unexpectedly." My Grandson, Kyle, died of "crib death" while napping at a baby-sitter's house. The parents and I still haven't gotten over that.
"When will they learn?"
1. Another school shooting. An Oregon teen ager killed a 14 year-old and himself with a rifle.
2. The Seattle college shooter left a note: "I just want people to die, and then I'm gonna die with them."
3. Some of my grandkids were playing a violent video game on Sunday. I asked them, :Do you get points for killing someone?" They replied: "Yes."
Deadly Virus
In the face of the threat of an EBOLA outbreak, West Africans are fasting and praying. Unfortunately, this scourge has no cure and kills almost 90% of those infected. It is spread by a virus passed to humans by infected animals, or between humans in close contact with infected bodily fluids. Also, by needles in hospitals.
Better News
I've finally found a large number of my cartoon drawings. These were from earlier days, when I drew a cartoon every night before bed. Some are good; most are lousy. As soon as I learn how to scan them into a database, I will start adding some to these blog entries. A few may even make you chuckle.
...................................................................
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Reading; Flag; Voting; Politics; Guns; Violence; Belly Buttons; Marriage.
Now how long can this beautiful weather go on? I need to remember this when the winds of Winter whip across our patio.
Some nice local news
Reading
The Carroll Lutheran School is now rewarding students for reading books in their Black Eyed Susan Reading Program which ran from November 2013 through March 2014. Each reader got some pizza and a lot of ice cream.. Nice. One kid read 10 books during that time.. I guess the average was 6 or 7.
I think it is really good that children are reading and not texting or playing video games all the time. And I suppose book reading will never go back to what it was when I was 9 years old. At that time, I discovered books (as opposed to comics, which we called "funny books") and a whole new world opened up to me. I read every Hardy Boys book ever written and every book in Baum's Wizard of Oz series.. all while I was 9 years old. I probably read almost a whole book each day. Yet, I still had time to do the outside things I liked to do, including some that was illegal and stupid. But then again, I was, of course, the smartest kid that ever lived.. or at least, I thought I was.
You remember the lyrics to that song that Paul Lind sang:
"Kids! Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way!
What's the matter with kids today?"
Nutbag Flag
The Las Vegas husband and wife screwballs who recently went on a deadly shooting rampage, draped their "Don't Tread on Me!" flag on the bodies of two policemen that they murdered. Some of my neighbors, members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) received copies of that flag from their association, and proudly displayed it for a while.. until their brains kicked in, I believe. I'll bet their wives made them take those flags down and exchange them for nice flowered ones.
Voting Boating
The village of Kasigluk is separated into 2 parts by a river without a bridge. On election day, people on one side have to hurry finish voting so that the ballot machine can be boated to the other side before the voting day is over.
Political Truth
I've said this many times before... if the women voters would all get out to vote, they could elect anyone they chose to. Remember the power of women in the play by Aristophanes: Lysistrata? The men would let them go vote alone, because then they could watch football without interruption.
Which is worse?
Which is worse, the mass killings in the US by guns, or the suicide bombings by Taliban members in Pakistan? How about assaults on women in Egypt? How about the kidnapping of girls in Nigeria?
Burning Questions
What is the use of a belly button after birth?
Is it true that Alfred Hitchcock was born without a belly button?
What is metallic arthritis?
Marriage Joke
A married couple were in a bar, watching a man dancing around wildly and happily.
The wife said to her husband: "Years ago, he asked me to marry him and I turned him down."
The husband replied: "It looks like he's still celebrating."
................................
Some nice local news
Reading
The Carroll Lutheran School is now rewarding students for reading books in their Black Eyed Susan Reading Program which ran from November 2013 through March 2014. Each reader got some pizza and a lot of ice cream.. Nice. One kid read 10 books during that time.. I guess the average was 6 or 7.
I think it is really good that children are reading and not texting or playing video games all the time. And I suppose book reading will never go back to what it was when I was 9 years old. At that time, I discovered books (as opposed to comics, which we called "funny books") and a whole new world opened up to me. I read every Hardy Boys book ever written and every book in Baum's Wizard of Oz series.. all while I was 9 years old. I probably read almost a whole book each day. Yet, I still had time to do the outside things I liked to do, including some that was illegal and stupid. But then again, I was, of course, the smartest kid that ever lived.. or at least, I thought I was.
You remember the lyrics to that song that Paul Lind sang:
"Kids! Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way!
What's the matter with kids today?"
Nutbag Flag
The Las Vegas husband and wife screwballs who recently went on a deadly shooting rampage, draped their "Don't Tread on Me!" flag on the bodies of two policemen that they murdered. Some of my neighbors, members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) received copies of that flag from their association, and proudly displayed it for a while.. until their brains kicked in, I believe. I'll bet their wives made them take those flags down and exchange them for nice flowered ones.
Voting Boating
The village of Kasigluk is separated into 2 parts by a river without a bridge. On election day, people on one side have to hurry finish voting so that the ballot machine can be boated to the other side before the voting day is over.
Political Truth
I've said this many times before... if the women voters would all get out to vote, they could elect anyone they chose to. Remember the power of women in the play by Aristophanes: Lysistrata? The men would let them go vote alone, because then they could watch football without interruption.
Which is worse?
Which is worse, the mass killings in the US by guns, or the suicide bombings by Taliban members in Pakistan? How about assaults on women in Egypt? How about the kidnapping of girls in Nigeria?
Burning Questions
What is the use of a belly button after birth?
Is it true that Alfred Hitchcock was born without a belly button?
What is metallic arthritis?
Marriage Joke
A married couple were in a bar, watching a man dancing around wildly and happily.
The wife said to her husband: "Years ago, he asked me to marry him and I turned him down."
The husband replied: "It looks like he's still celebrating."
................................
Monday, June 09, 2014
Footbaths; Smart Fish; Death File; Ears; Pompeii; Love Languages; Guns; Weapons; Debris
Another sunny day with occasional quick showers designed to water our plants.
Today, I want to discuss some old Blog stuff that I have been saving up.
1. Moslim footbaths:
Bathrooms have been recently remodeled at Boston University, my old school. They were given a fresh coat of paint and the addition of footbaths. Muslims have been studying at BU for several years and to help them more easily prepare for prayer, the footbaths have now been provided, even though the students did not ask for them.
Muslims pray five times a day, and they are required to perform ablution.. the washing of hands, face and feet before prayer. The students had been using the regular high sinks, and the footbaths will be a big help to them.
2. Fish brains
Peter Buston of Boston University has been studying fish intelligence and finds that the finny creatures are smarter than we give them credit for. For instance: When striped bass have been snared on a fisherman's line, they sometimes wrap the line around a rock so that it breaks as the angler tries to reel the fish in. Also squid and octopi have been taught to open jars! Peter also says that fish have personalities. (We've always known that whales had personalities, but not fish.) What about crabs and lobsters?
3. Death File
The Social Security Admiistration, as the result of a law suit, is required to allow usage of its "Death File". This is a databank that contains information about a person who has died and there are no benefits remaining on that persons account. Many years ago, this information was kept in locked rooms at each of 7 Payment Centers.. I know, because I was given the task of getting this information on tape. One of my workers figured out how to glean information out of the hundreds of thousands of IBM cards with punches. Some of these cards had those infamous "hanging chads" that you may have heard of.
Anyway, once all of that information was on tape data files, it was tempting to genealogists. I've used it on many occasions, even though I fought to try to preserve its privacy. The Court's argument, I believe, was: These people are all dead, with no immediate relatives to complain.
Harper's Index from February 2012, indicated that 14,000 people are erroneously included on the file each year. I don't think so. What the figure may indicate is the number of people who had an application for Social Security Benefits filed after they learned their relative had died, and wanted to see if they were eligible. While the case was being adjudicated, the record would be removed from the database.. and reinstated if the applicant did not receive a good outcome.
4. Religious Joke (From James Hoskins, RD)
Joe attends a revival meeting, seeking help. "I need you to pray for my hearing," he tells the preacher.
The preacher puts his fingers on Joe's ears and prays and prays and prays.
When he's finished, he asks Joe: "How's your hearing now?"
"I don't know," says Joe. I don't go to court until next Friday."
5. Pompeii Trash
Science Daily reports that in ancient Pompeii, cemeteries were located on main roads and trash was piled high everywhere, even inside residences. Burial places looked like dumps.
6. Love Languages
Jill Murphy of Manchester, Maryland reviewed the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Chapman says there are five love languages:
physical touch,
quality time,
acts of service,
gifts,
words of affirmation
When you are speaking the same love language as your partner, life is good. However, when your love language is not communicated with, life is not good.
For instance, when your quality time is to sit quietly and read, and your partner's is to bounce around to loud rock music, there are troubled times ahead.
7. Wise words
"Give a person a gun, and they can rob a bank. Give a person a bank and they can rob the world" Phil's Phunny Phacts
8. More Harper's Index Items to Think About
Five U. S. colleges give courses in unmanned-drone operation.
A total of 11,448 weapons were confiscated from visitors to the Statue of Liberty in 2011.
An estimated 5 million tons of debris from Japanese earthquakes reached the U.S. shore in 2013.
................................
Today, I want to discuss some old Blog stuff that I have been saving up.
1. Moslim footbaths:
Bathrooms have been recently remodeled at Boston University, my old school. They were given a fresh coat of paint and the addition of footbaths. Muslims have been studying at BU for several years and to help them more easily prepare for prayer, the footbaths have now been provided, even though the students did not ask for them.
Muslims pray five times a day, and they are required to perform ablution.. the washing of hands, face and feet before prayer. The students had been using the regular high sinks, and the footbaths will be a big help to them.
2. Fish brains
Peter Buston of Boston University has been studying fish intelligence and finds that the finny creatures are smarter than we give them credit for. For instance: When striped bass have been snared on a fisherman's line, they sometimes wrap the line around a rock so that it breaks as the angler tries to reel the fish in. Also squid and octopi have been taught to open jars! Peter also says that fish have personalities. (We've always known that whales had personalities, but not fish.) What about crabs and lobsters?
3. Death File
The Social Security Admiistration, as the result of a law suit, is required to allow usage of its "Death File". This is a databank that contains information about a person who has died and there are no benefits remaining on that persons account. Many years ago, this information was kept in locked rooms at each of 7 Payment Centers.. I know, because I was given the task of getting this information on tape. One of my workers figured out how to glean information out of the hundreds of thousands of IBM cards with punches. Some of these cards had those infamous "hanging chads" that you may have heard of.
Anyway, once all of that information was on tape data files, it was tempting to genealogists. I've used it on many occasions, even though I fought to try to preserve its privacy. The Court's argument, I believe, was: These people are all dead, with no immediate relatives to complain.
Harper's Index from February 2012, indicated that 14,000 people are erroneously included on the file each year. I don't think so. What the figure may indicate is the number of people who had an application for Social Security Benefits filed after they learned their relative had died, and wanted to see if they were eligible. While the case was being adjudicated, the record would be removed from the database.. and reinstated if the applicant did not receive a good outcome.
4. Religious Joke (From James Hoskins, RD)
Joe attends a revival meeting, seeking help. "I need you to pray for my hearing," he tells the preacher.
The preacher puts his fingers on Joe's ears and prays and prays and prays.
When he's finished, he asks Joe: "How's your hearing now?"
"I don't know," says Joe. I don't go to court until next Friday."
5. Pompeii Trash
Science Daily reports that in ancient Pompeii, cemeteries were located on main roads and trash was piled high everywhere, even inside residences. Burial places looked like dumps.
6. Love Languages
Jill Murphy of Manchester, Maryland reviewed the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. Chapman says there are five love languages:
physical touch,
quality time,
acts of service,
gifts,
words of affirmation
When you are speaking the same love language as your partner, life is good. However, when your love language is not communicated with, life is not good.
For instance, when your quality time is to sit quietly and read, and your partner's is to bounce around to loud rock music, there are troubled times ahead.
7. Wise words
"Give a person a gun, and they can rob a bank. Give a person a bank and they can rob the world" Phil's Phunny Phacts
8. More Harper's Index Items to Think About
Five U. S. colleges give courses in unmanned-drone operation.
A total of 11,448 weapons were confiscated from visitors to the Statue of Liberty in 2011.
An estimated 5 million tons of debris from Japanese earthquakes reached the U.S. shore in 2013.
................................
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Texas Tea; Common Core; Maya Speaks; Old-time Names; Fun; German Ancestor; Sad Chrome
Another nice Spring day. We are going to my son's house this afternoon to visit with my nephew in law from Massachusetts and enjoy a cookout.
A Little News from the Carroll County Times for today:
Reparative Therapy
The Texas GOP Tea Party guys managed to get the Texas Republican party to endorse Anti-Gay Reparative Therapy. That therapy is dedicated to convincing homosexuals that they really don't want to be like that and supposedly helps them change back to being a Texual or an ammosexual. Hey, you-all, this is probably just going to kill you some more at the polls.
Common Core
Jim Lee, CC Times Editor, singled out some of local Board of Education candidates for ridicule because they say that their goal in office will be to stop Common Core. These guys have yet to say how they are going to kill a program that has been approved by the Maryland State Legislature and heartily endorsed by the current Governor, as well as the guy who will be elected new Governor in a little while. The only way to stop Common Core is with legislation... legislation that will go nowhere. Hey, guys, why not concentrate on figuring out how to better educate our kids.. although, our school kids are already above average in State statistics on how well students are doing.
Maya Speaks
I think I've mentioned this before recently. I like the late Maya Angelou's words.... "People will forget what you did or said in your life, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
How true!
Forgotten Names
A couple of 90 year-old persons passed away this week, and the obits show the names of their fathers who were born in the 1800's: Hezekaiah and Celius. The word Hittite comes to my mind when I see the name Hezekaiah, and I can't help visualizing a thermometer when I see the name Celius.
How Fun Can it be?
In an Associated Press article about Coca Cola, the first sentence reads: "... an online video showing how fun it could be to burn off the 140 calories in a can of its soda." I have read that this usage of fun is valid in today's usage.. but it still seems to me that the sentence would be much better if it just had a "much" stuck in. I guess I'm just too old-fashioned.
German Heritage
Mary Ann Ashcraft (Mimi, I think) wrote a very nice article about Conrad Zile, a Hessian mercenary for the British, who was captured during the Revolutionary War, walked away from the loosely guarded prison, and settled in a German-speaking American town, where he prospered.
Disappointment
Elaine was very disappointed that California Chrome did not win the Belmont Stakes and through that, the Triple Crown. The 100,000 people at Belmont Park seemed to be very disappointed as well. Elaine and I like to watch horse races... so I guess this definition means us:
Definition of a Horse Race: A bunch of horses, showing their asses, to a bunch of horses' asses.
....................................................................
A Little News from the Carroll County Times for today:
Reparative Therapy
The Texas GOP Tea Party guys managed to get the Texas Republican party to endorse Anti-Gay Reparative Therapy. That therapy is dedicated to convincing homosexuals that they really don't want to be like that and supposedly helps them change back to being a Texual or an ammosexual. Hey, you-all, this is probably just going to kill you some more at the polls.
Common Core
Jim Lee, CC Times Editor, singled out some of local Board of Education candidates for ridicule because they say that their goal in office will be to stop Common Core. These guys have yet to say how they are going to kill a program that has been approved by the Maryland State Legislature and heartily endorsed by the current Governor, as well as the guy who will be elected new Governor in a little while. The only way to stop Common Core is with legislation... legislation that will go nowhere. Hey, guys, why not concentrate on figuring out how to better educate our kids.. although, our school kids are already above average in State statistics on how well students are doing.
Maya Speaks
I think I've mentioned this before recently. I like the late Maya Angelou's words.... "People will forget what you did or said in your life, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
How true!
Forgotten Names
A couple of 90 year-old persons passed away this week, and the obits show the names of their fathers who were born in the 1800's: Hezekaiah and Celius. The word Hittite comes to my mind when I see the name Hezekaiah, and I can't help visualizing a thermometer when I see the name Celius.
How Fun Can it be?
In an Associated Press article about Coca Cola, the first sentence reads: "... an online video showing how fun it could be to burn off the 140 calories in a can of its soda." I have read that this usage of fun is valid in today's usage.. but it still seems to me that the sentence would be much better if it just had a "much" stuck in. I guess I'm just too old-fashioned.
German Heritage
Mary Ann Ashcraft (Mimi, I think) wrote a very nice article about Conrad Zile, a Hessian mercenary for the British, who was captured during the Revolutionary War, walked away from the loosely guarded prison, and settled in a German-speaking American town, where he prospered.
Disappointment
Elaine was very disappointed that California Chrome did not win the Belmont Stakes and through that, the Triple Crown. The 100,000 people at Belmont Park seemed to be very disappointed as well. Elaine and I like to watch horse races... so I guess this definition means us:
Definition of a Horse Race: A bunch of horses, showing their asses, to a bunch of horses' asses.
....................................................................
Saturday, June 07, 2014
Birds; Dow-Jones; Pot; Strangelove; Rising Waterline; Book Lover; Shootings; and Sugar
Back again.. A little brown bird just peeked into both of the cottage-like bird houses that we have set up on our side porch. I hope he liked what he saw and takes up residence. My daughter, Diane, has a Christmas wreath on her porch that she can't take down because a fat robin has built a nest on top of it and has deposited several blue eggs therein. Mama robin sits on the eggs for hours each day.
News Bites that I think are interesting:
$$$
The Dow-Jones average is almost to the 17,000 level... up almost 1,000 since last December. What does that say about the economy?
Pot
Marijuana vending machines are popping up in Colorado.
Bombs away!
Today is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Strangelove, a marvelous "take" on a crazy world.
Global Warming Denial?
Jamestown Island, site of America's first permanent European settlement is getting smaller every year because of rising water.
Book Lover
The New Yorker magazine mentions the author of a book called "The Shelf", in which she outlines her experiences in reading all of the books on the library shelf: lea through lez, or a similar spread. More on this later.
Here We Go Again!
Headline: "Four shot on Seattle Campus by 26 year old"
Headline: "24 Year-Old killed Mounties"
(A Canadian shooting? Huh? Well.. the killing was in a town "east of Maine." Are our homicidal proclivities rubbing off on our Canadian neighbors?)
A Subtlety
A Subtlety is a massive sphinx-like figure sculpted entirely in white sugar by Kara Walker. Instead of an Egyptian head, it has an African head to indicate that the perennial gatherers of sugar cane were Africans. (Commissioned by Domino Sugar.) Its a beautiful work by a person who does amazing representations of African figures. A Google search will reveal a lot of images of Kara's work.
Bye for now... got to go listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
...............................................................
News Bites that I think are interesting:
$$$
The Dow-Jones average is almost to the 17,000 level... up almost 1,000 since last December. What does that say about the economy?
Pot
Marijuana vending machines are popping up in Colorado.
Bombs away!
Today is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Strangelove, a marvelous "take" on a crazy world.
Global Warming Denial?
Jamestown Island, site of America's first permanent European settlement is getting smaller every year because of rising water.
Book Lover
The New Yorker magazine mentions the author of a book called "The Shelf", in which she outlines her experiences in reading all of the books on the library shelf: lea through lez, or a similar spread. More on this later.
Here We Go Again!
Headline: "Four shot on Seattle Campus by 26 year old"
Headline: "24 Year-Old killed Mounties"
(A Canadian shooting? Huh? Well.. the killing was in a town "east of Maine." Are our homicidal proclivities rubbing off on our Canadian neighbors?)
A Subtlety
A Subtlety is a massive sphinx-like figure sculpted entirely in white sugar by Kara Walker. Instead of an Egyptian head, it has an African head to indicate that the perennial gatherers of sugar cane were Africans. (Commissioned by Domino Sugar.) Its a beautiful work by a person who does amazing representations of African figures. A Google search will reveal a lot of images of Kara's work.
Bye for now... got to go listen to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
...............................................................
D Day; Viola Musicians; Identity Theft
Another beautiful day in Westminster, Maryland, USA.
Lots of family stuff going on. Grandson, Jackson, graduates from High School today. Granddaughter, Adrienne, graduates from High School on Monday. Yesterday, Elaine and I bought luggage sets for both of them. Adrienne will be going to college in Salisbury, Maryland and should need luggage right away. Jackson may study in the Westminster area, but will need luggage if he travels to Switzerland later in the year, to visit his grandmother Cole.
Nephew, Michael, is here with his wife and stepson. They are staying with my daughter Diane's family. We hope to see them this afternoon. There is a rumor that they brought us some linguica from New Bedford. If you haven't tried this Portuguese food yet, you are in for a treat when you do. Its rather hard to get in this area, but plentiful in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and I remember it well, except, that I can't remember if I was a paper boy or not on that day. I don't think so. But I remember how happy we all were to hear the invasion news. It gave us hope that the war would be over soon.
Local News
Twin Musicians
My friend, Jim, has two granddaughters who are excellent viola players. Vertuosi (sp?) They are graduating from High School and each will be pursuing their musical careers, albeit, in different ways. One will be playing in some kind of National youth orchestra until college. The other will be going directly to college. We will be hearing a lot about these young ladies very soon.
Identity Theft
A patron of a local gym had his wallet stolen by an identity theft who has been caught after using (abusing) the victim's identity. Shame on him!
But also: Shame on the victim!
The victim made two big mistakes:
1. He left his clothes and his wallet in an unlocked gym locker.
2. He was carrying his Social Security Card in his wallet.
He's lucky that he got ripped off by a dumb crook. A professional would have been able to really steal his identity and would have known what to do in order not to be caught.
OOPS! Interruption.. I'll have to cut this entry off and start anew in a little while.
...........................................................
Lots of family stuff going on. Grandson, Jackson, graduates from High School today. Granddaughter, Adrienne, graduates from High School on Monday. Yesterday, Elaine and I bought luggage sets for both of them. Adrienne will be going to college in Salisbury, Maryland and should need luggage right away. Jackson may study in the Westminster area, but will need luggage if he travels to Switzerland later in the year, to visit his grandmother Cole.
Nephew, Michael, is here with his wife and stepson. They are staying with my daughter Diane's family. We hope to see them this afternoon. There is a rumor that they brought us some linguica from New Bedford. If you haven't tried this Portuguese food yet, you are in for a treat when you do. Its rather hard to get in this area, but plentiful in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and I remember it well, except, that I can't remember if I was a paper boy or not on that day. I don't think so. But I remember how happy we all were to hear the invasion news. It gave us hope that the war would be over soon.
Local News
Twin Musicians
My friend, Jim, has two granddaughters who are excellent viola players. Vertuosi (sp?) They are graduating from High School and each will be pursuing their musical careers, albeit, in different ways. One will be playing in some kind of National youth orchestra until college. The other will be going directly to college. We will be hearing a lot about these young ladies very soon.
Identity Theft
A patron of a local gym had his wallet stolen by an identity theft who has been caught after using (abusing) the victim's identity. Shame on him!
But also: Shame on the victim!
The victim made two big mistakes:
1. He left his clothes and his wallet in an unlocked gym locker.
2. He was carrying his Social Security Card in his wallet.
He's lucky that he got ripped off by a dumb crook. A professional would have been able to really steal his identity and would have known what to do in order not to be caught.
OOPS! Interruption.. I'll have to cut this entry off and start anew in a little while.
...........................................................
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Refrigerator Cards; Tilting Bridge; Stabbing Teens; Movie Star; More Prayer; Tianenmen Square and Shopping Carts
Another nice warm day in Maryland. The sun is playing "peek-a-boo", but is seen more often than not. I took a bundle of medication refrigerator cards to the Senior Aged and Disabled office, because one of the area's senior care organizations asked for them. If used properly, they can save lives. We've been giving them out from our TRIAD group for years.
Travel
A major Rte 495 bridge near Wilmington, Delaware, has been closed because its support pilings have begun to tilt. This has caused a major traffic jam throughout the east coast. My late wife's nephew wants to visit his relatives in Maryland, and will be driving a rented recreational vehicle the 400+ miles to where we live. However, I'm afraid he is going to encounter hours of backups and detours because of the bridge problem. But, its better to be safe than having a doggone bridge fall down, along with cars and trucks.
Ka-Boom!
Bomb making material was found in a Social Media expert's apartment in San Francisco. Part of this was ball-bearings, screws and other things designed to maim and kill people. I wonder why they were searching his apartment. A tip?
Impressionable
The two 12 year-old girls who stabbed another 12 year-old in the woods, did it to please a fictional character named Slender-Man. Information and purchasing items on Slender-Man can be found on the internet @creepypasta.com.
A Star
Movie actress, Rosalind Russell, was born today in 1907. She was the beautiful lady who appeared in 41 or more movies.. most memorable: Auntie Mame. A phrase of Auntie Mame's is framed and hanging on my den wall:
"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"
Prayer Again
NARFE acquaintance and fellow Social Security employee, Ron Bowers, in a letter to the Baltimore Sun, has a lot to say about prayers at Government meetings, and at the end of his letter he quotes Jesus: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them...And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites for they love to stand and pray (in public places) where they may be seen."
China Necessities
Today is the 25th anniversary of the Tianenmen Square protest (1987). Somebody said that the reason for the protest was that China had stopped price control and the cost of necessities went out of sight. They also said that protests go on all the time in China, but we seldom hear about them.
U.S. Necessities
Shopping carts were invented on this day in 1939. Just think about how it would be if they had not been invented. People would be starving to death.
...................................................
Travel
A major Rte 495 bridge near Wilmington, Delaware, has been closed because its support pilings have begun to tilt. This has caused a major traffic jam throughout the east coast. My late wife's nephew wants to visit his relatives in Maryland, and will be driving a rented recreational vehicle the 400+ miles to where we live. However, I'm afraid he is going to encounter hours of backups and detours because of the bridge problem. But, its better to be safe than having a doggone bridge fall down, along with cars and trucks.
Ka-Boom!
Bomb making material was found in a Social Media expert's apartment in San Francisco. Part of this was ball-bearings, screws and other things designed to maim and kill people. I wonder why they were searching his apartment. A tip?
Impressionable
The two 12 year-old girls who stabbed another 12 year-old in the woods, did it to please a fictional character named Slender-Man. Information and purchasing items on Slender-Man can be found on the internet @creepypasta.com.
A Star
Movie actress, Rosalind Russell, was born today in 1907. She was the beautiful lady who appeared in 41 or more movies.. most memorable: Auntie Mame. A phrase of Auntie Mame's is framed and hanging on my den wall:
"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"
Prayer Again
NARFE acquaintance and fellow Social Security employee, Ron Bowers, in a letter to the Baltimore Sun, has a lot to say about prayers at Government meetings, and at the end of his letter he quotes Jesus: "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them...And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites for they love to stand and pray (in public places) where they may be seen."
China Necessities
Today is the 25th anniversary of the Tianenmen Square protest (1987). Somebody said that the reason for the protest was that China had stopped price control and the cost of necessities went out of sight. They also said that protests go on all the time in China, but we seldom hear about them.
U.S. Necessities
Shopping carts were invented on this day in 1939. Just think about how it would be if they had not been invented. People would be starving to death.
...................................................
Bizarre Genealogy; Ammosexuals; YMCA Dancers; Safe Streets; Salty Spital; Global Warming; Prisoner Swap; CHIEF!
A little rain in the AM, but nice and sunny around noon.
Genealogy
Went to the Genealogy Gang meeting this morning, where we talked about bizarre relatives. Bill did his Jack the Ripper story that everyone likes. I talked about my cousin Billy. What.. you haven't heard that story? Well, here is what I said:
My Aunt Laurana married a man in Boston. His name was William, and he liked to build store-front churches, or so I've been told. Apparently, some of his activity was not considered kosher and he may have spent some time in the slammer. He and Laurana had two children before she divorced him. One was Billy.. (Laurana went on to have at least three more husbands and died early, possibly connected with her having only one kidney.)
Billy was a wild kid. Every year, when our family had a clambake at Aunt Ella's house, Billy would show up with a brand new car, and a different wife. He said it was the same one, but even us kids weren't fooled. Aunt Ella, however, was a soft-touch, and would let them "shack up" at her house for the night, even though, as a good Christian lady, she didn't like it.
Anyway.. I lost touch with Billy for many years until Billy apparently learned that I was working for the Social Security Administration. He gave me a call and said that the people at the Social Security office were giving him a hard time about his application for disability benefits. He said that he was completely blind and also deaf. He asked me to straighten the situation out before he got more sick and died.
I promised him nothing..but I did mention the call to my supervisor. My boss reported the call to the Boston District Office manager, who sent a Claims Representative out to check and make sure that they were not doing anything to impede Billy's claim for benefits. The Claims Rep went to see Billy, and he sent me a copy of his Report of Contact:
"I went up the stairs of the brownstone building and pressed the doorbell. A loud voice said: 'Who the hell is that? Go away!' So, I rang the bell again. The loud voice cursed again and told me to go away. So, I knocked hard on the door, and it opened to an angry looking man, who looked me right straight in the eyes and yelled; 'Didn't I tell you to go away?'"
"I told him that I was from Social Security to talk to him about his disability claim because of deafness and blindness. He immediately closed his eyes, moved his head all around and said: 'What? Who's there? I can't see you."
.................................................
Jane Nupp is a descendant of Swiss immigrants, and took a trip back there to visit with relatives still living in a small village. When she walked into a family gathering, one of the men fainted. He thought that he had seen a ghost because Jane looked exactly like his deceased wife.. Jane said that everybody in that village seemed to look alike.
This sounds like the story I submitted to Creative Expressions about Edith Carr and the twin sister that showed up at her wake.
.........................................
One of the ladies told about her legendary outlaw relative who wound up in jail because of a "toe print". I mentioned the outlaw who changed his name to Joe Vaughan and started a family in Arkansas.
.........................................
Rifle Packin Papa
I watched the u-tube video on Facebook of guys in Texas toting assault weapons into fast food joints. They seemed to be surprised at the stores' negative reaction and by other patrons leaving quickly when they saw the weapons. I liked what one commenter called these guys: ammosexuals.
Baltimore Area News
Oriole Fans
The two men who beat a fan at Camden Yards because he was a New York Yankees fan, danced to YMCA, while the victim lay bleeding with a fractured skull. The victim is suing for $5 million.
Safe Streets
Baltimore Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake walked through downtown Baltimore to promote the safety of those streets... of course, she was accompanied by several police cars. I wonder if she would walk alone, after dark, in the same area, without a police escort?
Salty Saliva
An Ocean City man accused of assault has the last name of Spitzer.. that seems appropriate to his crime, which involved spitting in a woman's face.
National News
Global Warming?
Carson City, Nevada, has warmed up more than any other city in the US during the last 30 years. The temperature rise averaged 4.1 degrees.
Swap
Sargent Bowe Bergdahl's return after 5 years as a Taliban prisoner in Afghanistan is causing some criticism.. even from famous prisoner, John McCain.. and also lots of "hate" mail. What do these critics know about the situation?
Was Bergdahl a spy? Was he on a secret CIA mission? Did the 5 men released receive microscopic GPS implants? Or was he just a son, sent to a stupid war, who was united with his loving family by a caring President?
Chief!
It has now happened. The last of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers has died. One of these guys was my friend, "Chief".. who I've written about many times. He was a gentle man, who was hassled by stupid 2nd Lieutenants, whose teaspoon sized brains were unable to recognize a true hero. Rest in Peace, at the Happy Hunting Ground all of you heroes.
.....................................................................
Genealogy
Went to the Genealogy Gang meeting this morning, where we talked about bizarre relatives. Bill did his Jack the Ripper story that everyone likes. I talked about my cousin Billy. What.. you haven't heard that story? Well, here is what I said:
My Aunt Laurana married a man in Boston. His name was William, and he liked to build store-front churches, or so I've been told. Apparently, some of his activity was not considered kosher and he may have spent some time in the slammer. He and Laurana had two children before she divorced him. One was Billy.. (Laurana went on to have at least three more husbands and died early, possibly connected with her having only one kidney.)
Billy was a wild kid. Every year, when our family had a clambake at Aunt Ella's house, Billy would show up with a brand new car, and a different wife. He said it was the same one, but even us kids weren't fooled. Aunt Ella, however, was a soft-touch, and would let them "shack up" at her house for the night, even though, as a good Christian lady, she didn't like it.
Anyway.. I lost touch with Billy for many years until Billy apparently learned that I was working for the Social Security Administration. He gave me a call and said that the people at the Social Security office were giving him a hard time about his application for disability benefits. He said that he was completely blind and also deaf. He asked me to straighten the situation out before he got more sick and died.
I promised him nothing..but I did mention the call to my supervisor. My boss reported the call to the Boston District Office manager, who sent a Claims Representative out to check and make sure that they were not doing anything to impede Billy's claim for benefits. The Claims Rep went to see Billy, and he sent me a copy of his Report of Contact:
"I went up the stairs of the brownstone building and pressed the doorbell. A loud voice said: 'Who the hell is that? Go away!' So, I rang the bell again. The loud voice cursed again and told me to go away. So, I knocked hard on the door, and it opened to an angry looking man, who looked me right straight in the eyes and yelled; 'Didn't I tell you to go away?'"
"I told him that I was from Social Security to talk to him about his disability claim because of deafness and blindness. He immediately closed his eyes, moved his head all around and said: 'What? Who's there? I can't see you."
.................................................
Jane Nupp is a descendant of Swiss immigrants, and took a trip back there to visit with relatives still living in a small village. When she walked into a family gathering, one of the men fainted. He thought that he had seen a ghost because Jane looked exactly like his deceased wife.. Jane said that everybody in that village seemed to look alike.
This sounds like the story I submitted to Creative Expressions about Edith Carr and the twin sister that showed up at her wake.
.........................................
One of the ladies told about her legendary outlaw relative who wound up in jail because of a "toe print". I mentioned the outlaw who changed his name to Joe Vaughan and started a family in Arkansas.
.........................................
Rifle Packin Papa
I watched the u-tube video on Facebook of guys in Texas toting assault weapons into fast food joints. They seemed to be surprised at the stores' negative reaction and by other patrons leaving quickly when they saw the weapons. I liked what one commenter called these guys: ammosexuals.
Baltimore Area News
Oriole Fans
The two men who beat a fan at Camden Yards because he was a New York Yankees fan, danced to YMCA, while the victim lay bleeding with a fractured skull. The victim is suing for $5 million.
Safe Streets
Baltimore Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake walked through downtown Baltimore to promote the safety of those streets... of course, she was accompanied by several police cars. I wonder if she would walk alone, after dark, in the same area, without a police escort?
Salty Saliva
An Ocean City man accused of assault has the last name of Spitzer.. that seems appropriate to his crime, which involved spitting in a woman's face.
National News
Global Warming?
Carson City, Nevada, has warmed up more than any other city in the US during the last 30 years. The temperature rise averaged 4.1 degrees.
Swap
Sargent Bowe Bergdahl's return after 5 years as a Taliban prisoner in Afghanistan is causing some criticism.. even from famous prisoner, John McCain.. and also lots of "hate" mail. What do these critics know about the situation?
Was Bergdahl a spy? Was he on a secret CIA mission? Did the 5 men released receive microscopic GPS implants? Or was he just a son, sent to a stupid war, who was united with his loving family by a caring President?
Chief!
It has now happened. The last of the WWII Navajo Code Talkers has died. One of these guys was my friend, "Chief".. who I've written about many times. He was a gentle man, who was hassled by stupid 2nd Lieutenants, whose teaspoon sized brains were unable to recognize a true hero. Rest in Peace, at the Happy Hunting Ground all of you heroes.
.....................................................................
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Ethics; Car Jumping; Obama; Eggs; Cute Pets; Ocean City; Analemma; and Crosswords
Another beautiful day. I have to decide whether to drive all the way to Hopkins today, or just to Owings Mills and take the subway in. If I drive, I get to hear more of my Teaching Company course on Hospital Rounds... incidentally, I think that Hopkins was the first teaching hospital to initiate the daily "rounds" that revolutionized medicine.
Carroll County Times News, etc
Politics and Ethics
Some Mississippi candidate for office had conspired with 3 other guys to take pictures of his opponent's wife, who has been in a nursing home for 13 years with dementia, in order to show him as a mean guy for cheating on his poor wife. At least, that is what I am reading into the newspaper article.
What does it mean if a husband spends time with another woman while his disabled wife probably doesn't even know who he is because of Alzheimers Disease, or other type of dementia? Ethical question that many men will have to face, now that their spouses with mental illnesses are living longer and being kept alive through medication. Is it possible to continue to love a person, when that person is completely "out of it?"
Sunday Entertainment.. Car Jumping
Members of the Gamber Firefighting Community were treated last Sunday to the spectacle of a guy chasing his girl friend around their parking lot with a knife. He was mad because she had opened the car door and walked away from him. He managed to cut her hands up pretty badly before police arrived to calm him down, and chain him up.
Confession.... Before we were married, my late wife sometimes got mad at me while we were in the car, and when I stopped for a red light, she would open the door and walk away. This went on once in a while, until we moved away from our New Bedford hometown. She couldn't do it any more then because she was afraid she would get lost. So, instead, she just started to forgive me for whatever dumb thing I would do to irritate her, and we had a nice peaceful life for 43 years.
Also, soon after we were married, Elaine agreed to babysit her 4 year-old sister, Janine a few days a week, even though Janine hated me because I had married her sister and she no longer had her constant attention. One day, Elaine was ill and I had to fill in as Janine's babysitter. After wrestling her into our car and driving off, Janine opened the car door and ran away. (No seat belts or car seats in those days, my friend.) I spent the next hour chasing her through rush hour traffic until I was able to pin her with a "cross over toe hold" and get her back into the car with threats that I can't repeat here, and copious amounts of penny candy. Luckily, she calmed down a little and I was able to control her a little bit until Elaine took over, sick as she was. In years to come, Janine learned that I was a lovable little brother-in-law, and grudgingly accepted me.
El Presidente
I am a little upset about recent political cartoons that the Carroll County Times has been publishing bashing the President and his policies. I could understand cartoons about W, because, in my humble opinion, his actions were not geared to good outcomes for the middle and poor classes. But Obama.. here is a guy who is abused by every nutcase in the Nation for trying to bring health benefits to millions of Americans, some of whom would die if they did not have it, while trying mightily to end the two wars that W got us into. Did all those thousands of Americans have to die in Iraq and Afghanistan? Really? Blessed are the peacemakers... and President Obama is one of them, in my opinion.
Spoiled Eggs
A company that mislabeled old, tainted eggs in order to make a buck, has been fined $6.8 million. In China, the owners would have been shot. Unfortunately, here, they will be able to hire a slick lawyer, go out on appeal for a few years, get their fine reduced and go free. (I hope not.)
Good Pet News
A "Cutest Pet" photo contest is underway in Carroll County, sponsored by Bowman's Feed and Pet Company and Banfield Pet Hospital. Our cat, SuZee, would definitely win this contest if we entered her picture... she's so cute! However, winning would probably go to her head and there would be no living with her after that.
Down the Ocean, Hon
Well, this is the weekend that high school graduates and college students invade Ocean City. After trashing the beach and stabbing each other, they will return home to their normally drab existence. Poor babies.
The Advocate Newspaper
Every Tuesday, the Carroll County Times includes a copy of the Advocate. I believe this is an ancestor of a paper called the Democratic Advocate. Since there are only a few Democrats left in Carroll County, they dropped that part of the name. Besides, it never reports political news.
Astronomical Information
Jon Kelvey of the Advocate, wrote a very informative piece about a mysterious pole recently installed in back of Hoffman's famous Ice Cream store in Westminster. He writes that the ancients somehow figured out that a mirror on a post would produce a figure 8 pattern over time. That pattern is called the analemma. An analemma is a tracing of the course of the sun throughout a year's time. This pattern was known to Aristarchus in the 3rd century BCE and it was also discovered on one of the stones of Stonehenge. Gazing at the annalemma, Johannes Kepler figured out that planets move in elliptical orbits rather than perfect circles. So, have a nice cone of peanut butter ripple and contemplate the erected rod that mimicks those that helped scientists learn about the Universe.
Crossword Puzzle
I look forward to reading the Advocate every Tuesday, but, I would like it better if they didn't print the solution to their crossword puzzle right under that puzzle. Yes, I could put something over it so I wouldn't see the solution; however, when I turn to the page in question, my eyes automatically scan the bottom half of the page and even if I don't see all of the solution, a few of the words imprint themselves on my retina.. that spoils the whole thing for me.
Strawberries
Don't forget.. this weekend lots of Carroll Count churches are having strawberry festivals. Yummy!
.....................................
.
Carroll County Times News, etc
Politics and Ethics
Some Mississippi candidate for office had conspired with 3 other guys to take pictures of his opponent's wife, who has been in a nursing home for 13 years with dementia, in order to show him as a mean guy for cheating on his poor wife. At least, that is what I am reading into the newspaper article.
What does it mean if a husband spends time with another woman while his disabled wife probably doesn't even know who he is because of Alzheimers Disease, or other type of dementia? Ethical question that many men will have to face, now that their spouses with mental illnesses are living longer and being kept alive through medication. Is it possible to continue to love a person, when that person is completely "out of it?"
Sunday Entertainment.. Car Jumping
Members of the Gamber Firefighting Community were treated last Sunday to the spectacle of a guy chasing his girl friend around their parking lot with a knife. He was mad because she had opened the car door and walked away from him. He managed to cut her hands up pretty badly before police arrived to calm him down, and chain him up.
Confession.... Before we were married, my late wife sometimes got mad at me while we were in the car, and when I stopped for a red light, she would open the door and walk away. This went on once in a while, until we moved away from our New Bedford hometown. She couldn't do it any more then because she was afraid she would get lost. So, instead, she just started to forgive me for whatever dumb thing I would do to irritate her, and we had a nice peaceful life for 43 years.
Also, soon after we were married, Elaine agreed to babysit her 4 year-old sister, Janine a few days a week, even though Janine hated me because I had married her sister and she no longer had her constant attention. One day, Elaine was ill and I had to fill in as Janine's babysitter. After wrestling her into our car and driving off, Janine opened the car door and ran away. (No seat belts or car seats in those days, my friend.) I spent the next hour chasing her through rush hour traffic until I was able to pin her with a "cross over toe hold" and get her back into the car with threats that I can't repeat here, and copious amounts of penny candy. Luckily, she calmed down a little and I was able to control her a little bit until Elaine took over, sick as she was. In years to come, Janine learned that I was a lovable little brother-in-law, and grudgingly accepted me.
El Presidente
I am a little upset about recent political cartoons that the Carroll County Times has been publishing bashing the President and his policies. I could understand cartoons about W, because, in my humble opinion, his actions were not geared to good outcomes for the middle and poor classes. But Obama.. here is a guy who is abused by every nutcase in the Nation for trying to bring health benefits to millions of Americans, some of whom would die if they did not have it, while trying mightily to end the two wars that W got us into. Did all those thousands of Americans have to die in Iraq and Afghanistan? Really? Blessed are the peacemakers... and President Obama is one of them, in my opinion.
Spoiled Eggs
A company that mislabeled old, tainted eggs in order to make a buck, has been fined $6.8 million. In China, the owners would have been shot. Unfortunately, here, they will be able to hire a slick lawyer, go out on appeal for a few years, get their fine reduced and go free. (I hope not.)
Good Pet News
A "Cutest Pet" photo contest is underway in Carroll County, sponsored by Bowman's Feed and Pet Company and Banfield Pet Hospital. Our cat, SuZee, would definitely win this contest if we entered her picture... she's so cute! However, winning would probably go to her head and there would be no living with her after that.
Down the Ocean, Hon
Well, this is the weekend that high school graduates and college students invade Ocean City. After trashing the beach and stabbing each other, they will return home to their normally drab existence. Poor babies.
The Advocate Newspaper
Every Tuesday, the Carroll County Times includes a copy of the Advocate. I believe this is an ancestor of a paper called the Democratic Advocate. Since there are only a few Democrats left in Carroll County, they dropped that part of the name. Besides, it never reports political news.
Astronomical Information
Jon Kelvey of the Advocate, wrote a very informative piece about a mysterious pole recently installed in back of Hoffman's famous Ice Cream store in Westminster. He writes that the ancients somehow figured out that a mirror on a post would produce a figure 8 pattern over time. That pattern is called the analemma. An analemma is a tracing of the course of the sun throughout a year's time. This pattern was known to Aristarchus in the 3rd century BCE and it was also discovered on one of the stones of Stonehenge. Gazing at the annalemma, Johannes Kepler figured out that planets move in elliptical orbits rather than perfect circles. So, have a nice cone of peanut butter ripple and contemplate the erected rod that mimicks those that helped scientists learn about the Universe.
Crossword Puzzle
I look forward to reading the Advocate every Tuesday, but, I would like it better if they didn't print the solution to their crossword puzzle right under that puzzle. Yes, I could put something over it so I wouldn't see the solution; however, when I turn to the page in question, my eyes automatically scan the bottom half of the page and even if I don't see all of the solution, a few of the words imprint themselves on my retina.. that spoils the whole thing for me.
Strawberries
Don't forget.. this weekend lots of Carroll Count churches are having strawberry festivals. Yummy!
.....................................
.
Monday, June 02, 2014
Beluga whale; Intelligence; Guns; Glitz; Brawls; and Youth
Another glorious sunny 75 degree day in Maryland. Who says we have lousy weather!
Intelligence
Have you listened to NOC (no C)? NOC is a 35 year old Beluga whale that can talk like a human.
That's what I said. Visit www.smithsonian.com/beluga and be amazed. For a while, a few years ago, NOC decided to mimic the humans that surrounded him every day. The humans never did figure out what NOC was trying to convey.. but I know. NOC had every necessity provided to him except one: female companionship. Anyway, when he realized that humans were not intelligent enough to understand his need in this regard, he gave up trying to communicate with them. At least, that is what I think.
Incidentally, some species of whales have brains that are bigger and more convoluted than those of humans. They probably are more intelligent than we are. Just look at Moby Dick!
I am glad that my New Bedford ancestors decided to discontinue hunting whales and concentrate on fish instead.
By the way, did the large spider I squashed today have a brain? Suppose it is not true that spiders' brains are just used for basic survival and not for the higher level functions of humans. Suppose that we are squashing sentient beings. Also.. crabs and lobsters and the like.. and of course, those New Bedford fish that "Fish Mary" lumps. Maybe I will become a Buddhist and honor and cherish all forms of life.
Thoughts on Guns
John Retsinas, sociologist from Rhode Island writes in the Nation Magazine: "Today forget the pawn shop. You can buy a gun online (Armslist). You can buy one at gun shows, at Walmart, on some city streets. If the restrictions seem onerous, find someone to purchase it for you.. a straw customer." It seems quite easy to get your gun and start legally "packing."
John says that "In the savage land that is America, we are all Paladins, or 'knights without armor.' Our motto: Have gun, shoot."
But you know.. when I was younger, my favorite radio show was Gunsmoke! And my favorite TV show was of course: Have Gun Will Travel.
(When I was active in giving Toastmasters speeches, my motto was: Have gavel, will travel!)
Carroll Magazine
A copy of the glitzy free magazine with that name showed up in today's mail. Its an easy, pleasant read, mostly advertisements and pictures of the "good life" here in glamorous Carroll County Maryland. Many flashy pictures of people I've never seen or heard of before. Perhaps its because the people depicted are a lot younger than I am.
Wait a minute.. the publisher's picture shows an older dude, and there is an article about a couple of older folks. But, overall, the magazine's photographer is good at taking pictures of younger looking people. These glamorous people obviously do not travel in my circles. Only a few look old enough to join AARP. The smiles on the faces of these beautiful people tell me that they enjoy being young and beautiful, and of course they scream out "We are never going to have wrinkles and grow old." My comment is the punchline of an old joke: Thatsa nize! which roughly translates to "Bullshit!"
Finally.. a Donnybrook!
The Carroll County Times printed a "regional item" from Philadelphia. There was a very large fight in a bar in South Philadelphia, in which several people were stabbed last weekend. Big news in Phillie.
Hey, guys.. fights like that occur every weekend in Baltimore, except that guns are used and young men are killed. Hermine Saunders had this title for her column yesterday:
Where have all the Flowers gone?
Well... the youthful human flowers of the Baltimore communities have been going away for some time now... cut down by stabbings, beatings, and drive-by shootings. It has to stop!
.......................................................
Intelligence
Have you listened to NOC (no C)? NOC is a 35 year old Beluga whale that can talk like a human.
That's what I said. Visit www.smithsonian.com/beluga and be amazed. For a while, a few years ago, NOC decided to mimic the humans that surrounded him every day. The humans never did figure out what NOC was trying to convey.. but I know. NOC had every necessity provided to him except one: female companionship. Anyway, when he realized that humans were not intelligent enough to understand his need in this regard, he gave up trying to communicate with them. At least, that is what I think.
Incidentally, some species of whales have brains that are bigger and more convoluted than those of humans. They probably are more intelligent than we are. Just look at Moby Dick!
I am glad that my New Bedford ancestors decided to discontinue hunting whales and concentrate on fish instead.
By the way, did the large spider I squashed today have a brain? Suppose it is not true that spiders' brains are just used for basic survival and not for the higher level functions of humans. Suppose that we are squashing sentient beings. Also.. crabs and lobsters and the like.. and of course, those New Bedford fish that "Fish Mary" lumps. Maybe I will become a Buddhist and honor and cherish all forms of life.
Thoughts on Guns
John Retsinas, sociologist from Rhode Island writes in the Nation Magazine: "Today forget the pawn shop. You can buy a gun online (Armslist). You can buy one at gun shows, at Walmart, on some city streets. If the restrictions seem onerous, find someone to purchase it for you.. a straw customer." It seems quite easy to get your gun and start legally "packing."
John says that "In the savage land that is America, we are all Paladins, or 'knights without armor.' Our motto: Have gun, shoot."
But you know.. when I was younger, my favorite radio show was Gunsmoke! And my favorite TV show was of course: Have Gun Will Travel.
(When I was active in giving Toastmasters speeches, my motto was: Have gavel, will travel!)
Carroll Magazine
A copy of the glitzy free magazine with that name showed up in today's mail. Its an easy, pleasant read, mostly advertisements and pictures of the "good life" here in glamorous Carroll County Maryland. Many flashy pictures of people I've never seen or heard of before. Perhaps its because the people depicted are a lot younger than I am.
Wait a minute.. the publisher's picture shows an older dude, and there is an article about a couple of older folks. But, overall, the magazine's photographer is good at taking pictures of younger looking people. These glamorous people obviously do not travel in my circles. Only a few look old enough to join AARP. The smiles on the faces of these beautiful people tell me that they enjoy being young and beautiful, and of course they scream out "We are never going to have wrinkles and grow old." My comment is the punchline of an old joke: Thatsa nize! which roughly translates to "Bullshit!"
Finally.. a Donnybrook!
The Carroll County Times printed a "regional item" from Philadelphia. There was a very large fight in a bar in South Philadelphia, in which several people were stabbed last weekend. Big news in Phillie.
Hey, guys.. fights like that occur every weekend in Baltimore, except that guns are used and young men are killed. Hermine Saunders had this title for her column yesterday:
Where have all the Flowers gone?
Well... the youthful human flowers of the Baltimore communities have been going away for some time now... cut down by stabbings, beatings, and drive-by shootings. It has to stop!
.......................................................
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