I read where the Shuttle Astronauts were replacing the Solar Batteries on the International Space Station . There was a photograph showing them floating in space performing with the heavenly display as a back drop, the earth below with the darkness of the cosmos in stark contrast.
The adjacent article had to do with the Solar Eclipse which shrouded Asia in darkness, the moon blotting out the sun. Many had predicted insane behavior, riots and other forms of chaos as the natural phenomenon often troubles ignorant and insecure folks, “It’s the end of the world; by golly, it’s the end of the world!”.
If you’re going to change out Solar Batteries, what better time than when the moon has the sun all covered up…and don’t tell me that looking directly at the sun doesn’t cause damage; after the eclipse I noticed how many of the folks in China had their eye lids pulled sideways…bada bing!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Intentionally Walking Davis to Get to Bass
Years and years ago the Astros had a power hitter, Glenn Davis . During the course of one particular game, I couldn’t tell you which game now, the opposing team had a meeting on the mound and came to the decision to intentionally walk Davis and take their chances with the next batter, Kevin Bass .
The way I remember it, the next pitch left the yard scoring who ever was on at the time they walked Davis, along with Davis and Bass. From that day on there’s always that glimmer of a smile anytime an opposing team walks an Astro’s power hitter in favor of the next batter. Regardless of their names; it will always be, “they walked Davis to get to Bass” if the next batter knocks one over the fence.
Tonight was such a night. The Astros had a slight lead against the first place St. Louis Cardinals. We had runners on 2nd and third with Tejada, a hot bat, coming to the plate. They signaled the intentional pass and I called out to Lucy, in the other room working on the computer, “They’re walking Davis to get to Bass”.
A short porch Grand Slam into the Crawford Boxes, maybe the second row, was very rewarding as the Astros padded their lead. Blum followed on the very next pitch with a solo shot over the right field wall. The Astros needed all those runs as they brought in a Triple A batting practice pitcher to relieve Wandy Rodriguez, giving up four quick runs before being yanked.
Tomorrow the Astros go for a sweep, Oswalt against Carpenter making the National League Central look like Wal-Marts parking lot on the 4th of July; should be a lot of fun.
The way I remember it, the next pitch left the yard scoring who ever was on at the time they walked Davis, along with Davis and Bass. From that day on there’s always that glimmer of a smile anytime an opposing team walks an Astro’s power hitter in favor of the next batter. Regardless of their names; it will always be, “they walked Davis to get to Bass” if the next batter knocks one over the fence.
Tonight was such a night. The Astros had a slight lead against the first place St. Louis Cardinals. We had runners on 2nd and third with Tejada, a hot bat, coming to the plate. They signaled the intentional pass and I called out to Lucy, in the other room working on the computer, “They’re walking Davis to get to Bass”.
A short porch Grand Slam into the Crawford Boxes, maybe the second row, was very rewarding as the Astros padded their lead. Blum followed on the very next pitch with a solo shot over the right field wall. The Astros needed all those runs as they brought in a Triple A batting practice pitcher to relieve Wandy Rodriguez, giving up four quick runs before being yanked.
Tomorrow the Astros go for a sweep, Oswalt against Carpenter making the National League Central look like Wal-Marts parking lot on the 4th of July; should be a lot of fun.
Positive Identification Required
The Greater Houston Locksmith Association (GHLA) sent out their monthly newsletter containing a change in the manner in which locksmiths document having properly identified customers. The State mandated locksmiths obtain proper photographic identification such as a driver’s license or passport when carrying out our particular profession. The state went so far as to mandate a legal form, to be printed either on the front or back of each Sale Receipt or Work Order, providing a statement from the customer to the effect that he/she had a legal right to the property being worked on, a signature line and one to document the form of identification.
The State has so many laws on the books; is it any wonder that there is yet another law which specifically prohibits writing down the driver’s license number of any customer on a sales slip? Well, as it turns out, locksmiths have now been told not to write down the license number; only list that such an instrument of identification was shown; go figure.
When I was working as a police officer I often times used the information from a driver’s license as a means of documenting who I’d spoken with; either for an incident report or for the issuance of a traffic ticket. Every now and then someone would take offense at my asking for some form of valid identification; believe it or not, most often it was a “race card” being played. I’d get to hear how white police had been using traffic laws to hold down Blacks; nothing to do with why they’d run a red light or a stop sign. (This is the same argument being used to stall any legislation requiring a valid photo ID to cast a ballot at the voting booth.)
One time when stopping a young Black woman for a traffic violation downtown I was privileged to witness an extreme form of the “race card”. The young woman sat with her arms folded and refused to talk with me, refused to hand me a driver’s license and at one point climbed from her seat onto the open top t-bar where the sun roof sections fit on her neat little sports car.
I looked around, kind of like pinching yourself to see if everything was real, and luck was on my side. Across the street at one of the large banks working a police extra job was one of my immediate supervisors; he’s been watching the whole time. He gestured that I should put the cuffs on her as he smiled approvingly. I pointed this out to the young woman who then lost some of her confidence and yet remained sitting on top of the t-bar.
“You have the choice of sitting on top of your car and acting like a baboon or getting down and handing me your license. My supervisor has already seen enough to justify putting you in jail.” The incident ended with my writing a traffic ticket; she never came to court or pursued her complaint regarding racism.
Reading another racially charged article , this one on CNN, brought the past to mind. A Black professor played the “race card” when an officer investigating a possible break in asked to see some identification.
“Why, because I'm a black man in America?”
A neighbor had seen what looked like two men trying to bash in the front door and called police. Turns out the professor lived there and his front door was stuck; no burglary was happening; but the officer would still have needed to see some ID.
The police officer could have walked away being reasonably certain the fellow he’d talked with actually did live there; but what about verifying the name of the person he’d spoken to for his official report?
I wouldn’t want to be in the officer’s shoes if, later on, the actual owner came home to a burglarized house and the officer could only say, “I talked to some guy who claimed he lived there; but I didn’t bother to have him prove it.”
“So, officer, did you help the bad guys load my HD television into the truck too?”, followed by, “What the hell are we paying you for?”
Wouldn’t it have been even worse had the police officer neglected to see some form of identification, a double standard? What’s the deal; police only protect white people’s houses? They don’t care who’s in a house if some Black person lives there?
Sorry, professor; you should have said, “Thank You”, to the nice police officer for doing exactly what he was supposed to do instead of giving him a worn out lesson on racism in America. The race card is an ugly part of life here in America; a permanent chip on the shoulder for many folks.
Here’s something to ponder; the most significant minority in America isn’t the Black, the Vietnamese, the Jews or any of those groups; no, the most significant minority has been and always will be the Individual. Maybe someday that will make sense to those who play the race card; I doubt it.
The State has so many laws on the books; is it any wonder that there is yet another law which specifically prohibits writing down the driver’s license number of any customer on a sales slip? Well, as it turns out, locksmiths have now been told not to write down the license number; only list that such an instrument of identification was shown; go figure.
When I was working as a police officer I often times used the information from a driver’s license as a means of documenting who I’d spoken with; either for an incident report or for the issuance of a traffic ticket. Every now and then someone would take offense at my asking for some form of valid identification; believe it or not, most often it was a “race card” being played. I’d get to hear how white police had been using traffic laws to hold down Blacks; nothing to do with why they’d run a red light or a stop sign. (This is the same argument being used to stall any legislation requiring a valid photo ID to cast a ballot at the voting booth.)
One time when stopping a young Black woman for a traffic violation downtown I was privileged to witness an extreme form of the “race card”. The young woman sat with her arms folded and refused to talk with me, refused to hand me a driver’s license and at one point climbed from her seat onto the open top t-bar where the sun roof sections fit on her neat little sports car.
I looked around, kind of like pinching yourself to see if everything was real, and luck was on my side. Across the street at one of the large banks working a police extra job was one of my immediate supervisors; he’s been watching the whole time. He gestured that I should put the cuffs on her as he smiled approvingly. I pointed this out to the young woman who then lost some of her confidence and yet remained sitting on top of the t-bar.
“You have the choice of sitting on top of your car and acting like a baboon or getting down and handing me your license. My supervisor has already seen enough to justify putting you in jail.” The incident ended with my writing a traffic ticket; she never came to court or pursued her complaint regarding racism.
Reading another racially charged article , this one on CNN, brought the past to mind. A Black professor played the “race card” when an officer investigating a possible break in asked to see some identification.
“Why, because I'm a black man in America?”
A neighbor had seen what looked like two men trying to bash in the front door and called police. Turns out the professor lived there and his front door was stuck; no burglary was happening; but the officer would still have needed to see some ID.
The police officer could have walked away being reasonably certain the fellow he’d talked with actually did live there; but what about verifying the name of the person he’d spoken to for his official report?
I wouldn’t want to be in the officer’s shoes if, later on, the actual owner came home to a burglarized house and the officer could only say, “I talked to some guy who claimed he lived there; but I didn’t bother to have him prove it.”
“So, officer, did you help the bad guys load my HD television into the truck too?”, followed by, “What the hell are we paying you for?”
Wouldn’t it have been even worse had the police officer neglected to see some form of identification, a double standard? What’s the deal; police only protect white people’s houses? They don’t care who’s in a house if some Black person lives there?
Sorry, professor; you should have said, “Thank You”, to the nice police officer for doing exactly what he was supposed to do instead of giving him a worn out lesson on racism in America. The race card is an ugly part of life here in America; a permanent chip on the shoulder for many folks.
Here’s something to ponder; the most significant minority in America isn’t the Black, the Vietnamese, the Jews or any of those groups; no, the most significant minority has been and always will be the Individual. Maybe someday that will make sense to those who play the race card; I doubt it.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Emergency Operators Forget Their Purpose
I found an article at Never Yet Melted, “In an Emergency, Call 911” , about an incident where a frustrated caller alienated the emergency operator who then hung up on her in spite of the real need for emergency services. You’d have to read the entire story to understand how this could happen.
It reminded me of a very specific burglary call that happened on night shift many years ago. We’d found entry on a large warehouse and two of us went in to investigate while two other officers stood at the other end watching the exit doors. Once inside I noticed my hand held radio quit working when one of the outside officers tried to contact me; not a good thing if you’re trying to coordinate your efforts.
I picked up a telephone inside the warehouse and called the police dispatcher to act as a go between only to get a smart-alecky young woman, “Well, if you really are a police officer why don’t you use your radio?” My fuse runs short to begin with and she'd lighted a match.
“Put your supervisor on the phone or you won’t have a job after the dust settles!” The supervisor took the phone and asked a few questions and decided to relay my information to the other officers. I held my tongue and never once swore; really.
If you ever watched the movie Die Hard, where our hero is on the radio talking to the police dispatcher trying to get help, “Sir, this line is reserved for emergency communication only.” I think that dispatcher must have relatives, similar to the crew in the movie Space Balls.
“I’m Major…”, you’d have to have seen the movie…this is a family oriented blog; but all the same, “I’m surrounded by…”
It reminded me of a very specific burglary call that happened on night shift many years ago. We’d found entry on a large warehouse and two of us went in to investigate while two other officers stood at the other end watching the exit doors. Once inside I noticed my hand held radio quit working when one of the outside officers tried to contact me; not a good thing if you’re trying to coordinate your efforts.
I picked up a telephone inside the warehouse and called the police dispatcher to act as a go between only to get a smart-alecky young woman, “Well, if you really are a police officer why don’t you use your radio?” My fuse runs short to begin with and she'd lighted a match.
“Put your supervisor on the phone or you won’t have a job after the dust settles!” The supervisor took the phone and asked a few questions and decided to relay my information to the other officers. I held my tongue and never once swore; really.
If you ever watched the movie Die Hard, where our hero is on the radio talking to the police dispatcher trying to get help, “Sir, this line is reserved for emergency communication only.” I think that dispatcher must have relatives, similar to the crew in the movie Space Balls.
“I’m Major…”, you’d have to have seen the movie…this is a family oriented blog; but all the same, “I’m surrounded by…”
Friday, July 17, 2009
Career Criminal Gets Life… for Shoplifting?
If all you read were headlines, never got into details; that’s what you’d come away thinking. The Houston Chronicle needed a hook to pull attention to an article about a paroled murderer who was convicted of robbery at a Wal-Mart store; started out as shoplifting until he fought with and injured the store’s security officer.
My first reaction was to laugh at the thought of this schnook having to explain to fellow inmates his latest crime spree, “I was shoplifting some music”. They’ll probably laugh at him until he tosses in how he’d been convicted of murder and spent time. He and his brother set up an ambush, pretending to be broke down on the side of the road. A young couple on their honeymoon stopped to help; the newly wed husband was murdered and they tried to rape the new bride; but she escaped with a couple of bullet wounds. They wanted to help someone stopped in traffic, a simple act which ended in murder.
I heard something on the radio the other day regarding the percentage of police officers killed while conducting a “simple traffic stop”. The problem with such a statement becomes clear when you put the two thoughts together; officer killed during traffic stop. I couldn’t find the article in print; however, I searched the internet “officer killed during traffic stop” and came up with a never ending list to back up such a statement.
I’ve had two friends, fellow police officers who lost their lives on the job. John Salvagio was killed while writing a traffic ticket for no insurance when he got hit from behind, thrown 30 or so feet in the air by a hit and run driver and splattered all over the freeway.
Jimmy Irby got shot in the face during a traffic stop. The fellow who murdered my friend was convicted and sent to prison. Fifteen years and several appeals later a federal judge agreed this POS may not have gotten a fair trial, the POS claimed he shot in self defense , on a traffic stop?
No, there’s nothing simple about a traffic stop; wish folks understood how using such a phrase trivializes one of the most dangerous activities a police officer does. I have several long time friends still wearing the uniform, may God protect them from the dangers of becoming complacent during the mundane task of writing a traffic ticket.
My first reaction was to laugh at the thought of this schnook having to explain to fellow inmates his latest crime spree, “I was shoplifting some music”. They’ll probably laugh at him until he tosses in how he’d been convicted of murder and spent time. He and his brother set up an ambush, pretending to be broke down on the side of the road. A young couple on their honeymoon stopped to help; the newly wed husband was murdered and they tried to rape the new bride; but she escaped with a couple of bullet wounds. They wanted to help someone stopped in traffic, a simple act which ended in murder.
I heard something on the radio the other day regarding the percentage of police officers killed while conducting a “simple traffic stop”. The problem with such a statement becomes clear when you put the two thoughts together; officer killed during traffic stop. I couldn’t find the article in print; however, I searched the internet “officer killed during traffic stop” and came up with a never ending list to back up such a statement.
I’ve had two friends, fellow police officers who lost their lives on the job. John Salvagio was killed while writing a traffic ticket for no insurance when he got hit from behind, thrown 30 or so feet in the air by a hit and run driver and splattered all over the freeway.
Jimmy Irby got shot in the face during a traffic stop. The fellow who murdered my friend was convicted and sent to prison. Fifteen years and several appeals later a federal judge agreed this POS may not have gotten a fair trial, the POS claimed he shot in self defense , on a traffic stop?
No, there’s nothing simple about a traffic stop; wish folks understood how using such a phrase trivializes one of the most dangerous activities a police officer does. I have several long time friends still wearing the uniform, may God protect them from the dangers of becoming complacent during the mundane task of writing a traffic ticket.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sometimes you have to laugh…
I was going through some of the “weird stories” listed on my local news website and came across this one, The Greatest Hoax of All Time .
“…for conspiracy theorists, the whole thing smelled of an elaborate hoax from the beginning. Hoax-theory advocates say the Apollo program was a mountain of lies that amounts to the greatest conspiracy of all time.”
I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists mentioned in the story. I painted the picture many years ago as a follow up to a sketch I did one day when suffering from the flu. Imagination is a wonderful distraction, astronauts taking fishing gear to the moon would likely use cheese for bait.
Go read the article; however, my idea of the greatest hoax of all time would have to be the Religion of Global Warming, Climate Change; call it what you will. The wool has been pulled over so many, believing the trumped up phony science data and turning over power to a band of thieves promising to keep Chicken Little safe. Cap and Trade will save the planet, Nationalized Health Care Reform is the only answer and the Check is in the Mail; yea, right?
“…for conspiracy theorists, the whole thing smelled of an elaborate hoax from the beginning. Hoax-theory advocates say the Apollo program was a mountain of lies that amounts to the greatest conspiracy of all time.”
I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists mentioned in the story. I painted the picture many years ago as a follow up to a sketch I did one day when suffering from the flu. Imagination is a wonderful distraction, astronauts taking fishing gear to the moon would likely use cheese for bait.
Go read the article; however, my idea of the greatest hoax of all time would have to be the Religion of Global Warming, Climate Change; call it what you will. The wool has been pulled over so many, believing the trumped up phony science data and turning over power to a band of thieves promising to keep Chicken Little safe. Cap and Trade will save the planet, Nationalized Health Care Reform is the only answer and the Check is in the Mail; yea, right?
Being Put In Your Place
The State, that all powerful entity which once was a servant to the citizenry, has decided to put everyone in their place as a reminder that whatever the State wants, the State gets .
“Unless Congress drops a requirement by year's end for new super-secure state-issued driver's licenses to be presented at airport checkpoints, travelers will encounter massive delays and extra diligent security screenings, national security officials warned Wednesday.”
“Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano raised the specter of unpopular checkpoint backups to bolster the Obama administration's appeal for “urgent” congressional revision of parts of the 4-year-old Real ID Act adopted during the Bush administration.”
Back in April Napolitano came out against the Real ID Act , the one enacted during the Bush administration, wanting to alter it without giving any specifics as to what would be better. Is it just me or does this sound like, “I didn’t like the wrapping paper Bush’s administration put on Real ID; but if you insist… I’ll do what I can to make everyone regret Real ID by pushing it so hard it totally pisses everyone off.”
Going through airport security was an inconvenience before; longer lines, delayed flights and random full body searches without probable cause will be used as the tool to push through Big Brother’s Updated Real ID Act. You thought this was just a bad dream; it will only get worse.
“Passengers without enhanced security driver's licenses will face “additional screening by TSA — and one can only contemplate the inconvenience in airline travel that could occur if everyone has to undergo additional screening because they don't have a Real ID-compliant drivers license,” Napolitano testified.”
Folks will be lined up like sheep, how appropriate, a punched tag through one ear just so they can get on an airplane that no longer has beverage service, arrives an hour or so late and may or may not be air worthy because of budget cuts. Maybe this is what Napolitano wants; are we having fun yet?
If you thought the 4th Amendment to the Constitution might keep TSA from conducting unreasonable searches without first obtaining a warrant based on probable cause; think again. The Interstate Commerce Act, the all encompassing fall back argument used by the federal government, has been rubber stamped by the Supreme Court as justification to get around warrantless searches involving transportation issues.
Wasn’t it Ben Franklin who said, “Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”? I’ve heard many variations on the exact wording; regardless, the issue remains the same.
If you miss an important flight, having been delayed by rubber gloved security officials going through your personal items simply because you only had a valid driver’s license instead of the more invasive national security ID module which would contain your complete medical history, political party affiliation (you think I’m joking; maybe so, maybe not), terrorist profile based on Twitter, Facebook comments or blog entries, yearly declared taxable income or anything else the digital library of congress may wish to have encoded; that my friends, is what lies ahead.
Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, acting as a tool for the government’s endless agenda to do away with individual rights, will frustrate an already weary public through intimidation and/or inconvenience each time you go to an airport; and why not, the strategy has worked time and time again. When the lines get longer some folks will demand “change”; just what this administration wants to hear.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Snack for Later On
I just finished slicing up a few tomatoes and one huge cucumber, sprinkled them with salt and poured Italian dressing over the whole mess. Everything I’ve read about my psoriasis tells me to avoid tomatoes; guess I’ll have to buy some more anti itch cream.
No, I’m not sharing; get your own!
Antique Laptop Computer
The Wine Commonsewer put a short blurb on his Facebook page the other day about how his new cell phone has three times more memory than his first computer. I brought up how our first business computer didn't have a hard drive at all; two floppy ports, one for the program disk and the other for data. If the program required more information you had to switch disks in and out, say for spell check on a word processing program. I still have my first laptop, a Compaq and it still works, a little.
That got me to wondering if the old laptop would still crank up after all these years of collecting dust. I found the “brick” as it was called, plugged it into the back of the computer and switched it on. Amazing, the screen came to life, the hard drive sputtered a couple of times and let me know there was a systems error; basically it was working just as it did when I retired it for one that was reliable.
As for the new fangled cell phones; haven’t got much use for all the fancy “extras”, just want to use it as a phone believe it or not. The only “extra”, if you could call it that, is the hands free plug I use when driving; wish everyone else would do the same.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not in favor of the Nanny State legislating common sense laws that require things like that, just mentioning how much safer it would make things if those with a cell phone stuck in the crick of their neck could see the other half of the driving environment. I keep an eye on folks putting make up on, the whole time their sun visor is down, not that they’re watching the road, so they can use the mirror. I see folks with their favorite novel propped up on the steering wheel, that can get you a little closer to “the end”. Others have a laptop in the front seat which they're constantly checking; half a second to check traffic while throttling down the street. No, if common sense has to be legislated it wouldn’t do any good; folks are going to be stupid humans regardless.
Lucy just got a new cell phone called, a Gravity, that has a miniature keyboard for texting, a camera and some other features. My daughter has one even fancier that has internet just like you were at your desk at home. I like mine because it can be used to get me out of this insanity; flipping the cover, “Scotty, beam me up.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
CIA Had Plan to Destroy Terrorists
…but Democrats in congress weren’t told.
Okay, some English teacher is pulling on the last gray hair I left her for starting off like that; apologies in advance. The Democrats, the party of national disaster and doom have their panties in a bind because battle plans and strategies made in our nations interest never made it to the front page of the New York Times, at least that’s how I perceive this latest uproar.
Ideas on how to capture and/or kill Al Qaeda operatives have come under heavy scrutiny because members of congress were not given sufficient details regarding secret operations.
Is this where Gomer Pyle is supposed to enter stage left and say, “Well, Gooooollllllyy!”?
Imagine that, secret plans which our government didn’t want the enemy to know about being considered or implemented without blabbing each and every detail to the terrorist sympathizers in congress, the same folks who leaked all about how our intelligence community was tracking terrorists through the use of cell phones to the New York Times.
“According to current and former government officials, the agency spent money on planning and possibly some training. It was acting on a 2001 presidential legal pronouncement, known as a finding, which authorized the CIA to pursue such efforts. The initiative hadn't become fully operational at the time Panetta ended it.”
I fell off the turnip truck the other day and had no idea that going after terrorists intent on killing Americans, either as they sat behind a desk in the World Trade Center buildings or soldiers in the field; I had no idea that trying to stop our enemies might involve capturing and or killing them. I thought we’d put them in the “time out chair” with a warning for behaving poorly with the other children. Give me a break!
Okay, some English teacher is pulling on the last gray hair I left her for starting off like that; apologies in advance. The Democrats, the party of national disaster and doom have their panties in a bind because battle plans and strategies made in our nations interest never made it to the front page of the New York Times, at least that’s how I perceive this latest uproar.
Ideas on how to capture and/or kill Al Qaeda operatives have come under heavy scrutiny because members of congress were not given sufficient details regarding secret operations.
Is this where Gomer Pyle is supposed to enter stage left and say, “Well, Gooooollllllyy!”?
Imagine that, secret plans which our government didn’t want the enemy to know about being considered or implemented without blabbing each and every detail to the terrorist sympathizers in congress, the same folks who leaked all about how our intelligence community was tracking terrorists through the use of cell phones to the New York Times.
“According to current and former government officials, the agency spent money on planning and possibly some training. It was acting on a 2001 presidential legal pronouncement, known as a finding, which authorized the CIA to pursue such efforts. The initiative hadn't become fully operational at the time Panetta ended it.”
I fell off the turnip truck the other day and had no idea that going after terrorists intent on killing Americans, either as they sat behind a desk in the World Trade Center buildings or soldiers in the field; I had no idea that trying to stop our enemies might involve capturing and or killing them. I thought we’d put them in the “time out chair” with a warning for behaving poorly with the other children. Give me a break!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
CIA Deceived Congress According to Democrats – a Rant!
The New York Times had an article posted on the web, Democrats Say C.I.A. Deceived Congress . The brouhaha centers around whether or not the C.I.A. concealed “significant actions” from congress.
‘In a June 26 letter to Mr. Panetta discussing his testimony, Democrats said that the agency had “misled members” of Congress for eight years about the classified matters, which the letter did not disclose. This is similar to other deceptions of which we are aware from other recent periods,” said the letter, made public late Wednesday by Representative Rush D. Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, one of the signers.’
‘In an interview, Mr. Holt declined to reveal the nature of the C.I.A.’s alleged deceptions,. But he said, “We wouldn’t be doing this over a trivial matter.”’
EXCUSE ME! What does the congress of the United States of America call a “deception” and what qualifies as a “trivial matter”? I ask, gathering my breath, having to pick myself up from the floor after falling out of my chair, the hypocrisy of such a statement landing on what’s left of the one raw nerve congress has seen fit to leave me.
Maybe congress considers trillions of taxpayer dollars spent on a Stimulus Package that didn’t stimulate the economy, the economy which congress helped to destroy; rather it only served to enlarge government beyond the uncontrollable monster which has been feeding off my generation into an uncontrollable monster that now has devoured my children’s generation along with my grandchildren’s generation. I understand the Democrat controlled congress is contemplating yet another Stimulus Package; spending even more money we don’t have in order to produce results which will not stimulate anything.
Maybe that falls under the category of deception since most of what was called “emergency measures” to stimulate the economy won’t kick in for years; not exactly a judicious use of so called emergency funding. Do you think the responsible folks, those footing the bill and “sacrificing for the good of all Americans” might be a bit angry with such irresponsible actions by a deceptive congress, a congress which withheld information from the public which would have shown this piece of legislation for what it was; PURE PORK?
Maybe the public should be angry at congress for calling Cap and Trade a means of curbing global warming when in fact it is nothing more than a way to destroy capitalism by penalizing businesses and industries which produce goods and services necessary for a healthy economy through legislation aimed at increasing the cost of energy required to sustain production within a competitive global market. Even the EPA has estimated the cost of doing business will rise approximately 40%.
I want you to think about what it will be like having that 40% increase in the cost of doing business passed along to each individual consumer; not a pretty picture to go along with Obama’s promise not to increase taxes on folks making less than $250,000, now is it. Looks more like the middle and lower income folks are going to take a major hit, one which will impoverish a serious portion of our country at a time when they are barely able to stay afloat. You think it was tough after your neighbor lost his job; wait until you lose yours because the only way for American industries to survive will be to relocate outside our boundaries in third world nations where Cap and Trade isn’t an issue. Is that the kind of “trivial matter” which annoys the honorable Democrat representatives in congress or is that still listed under “deceptive”?
I know, the Hate Crimes legislation; that must be what we should be lamenting. I read where some of those right wing extremist GOP legislators tried to add an amendment which would remove pedophiles as one of the protected sexually oriented individuals/groups. The Democrats refused to include the amendment since they consider pedophiles as part of the downtrodden recipients of much hatred and in need of protection from right wing extremists. This must be one of the “trivial matters” the Democrats are outraged about.
Could it be the pending Health Care legislation which will eventually destroy private sector insurance carriers? Realistically posing the circumstances proposed, can a privately run “for profit” company compete with a nationalized system which has an unlimited amount of taxpayer funding to make up for loses incurred? The answer is, No; no business in a competitive market could compete. That doesn’t even consider the fact that those attempting to compete must follow rules and guidelines which will be set by its newest competitor, government health care. I recognize how important the cost of medical treatment has become and at the same time I wonder how proper it is to push through a bill which has all the earmarks of pure socialism under the guise of helping Americans. Why does that bother me; maybe I’m simple too sensitive, this must be a “trivial matter”.
I sure don’t like being lied to. I’d have used the word hate being lied to; but under the current politically correct terminology such trigger words might get me charged with a crime.
Why is it the Democrat held congress doesn’t want the Fed to be accountable to the public, killing off a bill which would force an open audit? Is this the transparency promised; change that, is this the transparency of government required by the constitutional form of government which the governed are supposed to have? I know, this is just another “trivial matter”…
Tell you what; you slimy buggers (those wishing for my former “salty” choice of terms; I’m a work in progress, attempting to improve ) had better get your act together and in one quick hurry. The American public is up to here with being trivialized, deceived and lied to. We are more than a little concerned in the manner you have marginalized individual rights and lumped them in with the concept of entitlements, privileges and favors. No, I’m not angry; I’m just getting started!
Have we all been played for suckers? I’d discounted the wild claims made by some during the election process of Obama being born outside the United States; perhaps being born in Kenya. I bristled when the governor of Hawaii sealed the supposed records which may or may not have contained Obama’s alleged birth certificate. I recently was sent an email dated June 15, 2009 containing an AP story which cast further doubt on Obama’s eligibility to hold the presidency. I haven’t seen this information anywhere, not on the internet and certainly not in the government controlled mass media. At one time I’d have looked it up in Snoops; but that’s like asking a liar if he told a lie, (it shows up without comment).
“In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama’s qualifications for the presidency, the group Americans for Freedom of Information has Released copies of President Obama’s college transcripts from Occidental College. Released today, the transcript indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate at the school. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship Program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship. This document would seem to provide the smoking gun that many Obama’s detractors have been seeking.”
The letter went on to explain how Obama has already spent an estimated $950,000 (that’s almost a million dollars for those in Rio Linda) from his campaign fund to eleven law firms in twelve states to block disclosure of any of his personal information. Does this sound like transparency or does it sound more like deception, the kind of deception which the Democrats are all worked up about when they claim the C.I.A. misled them over something which certainly isn’t a “trivial matter”?
I’d like to see the notes taken at the meeting where Nancy Pelosi and the C.I.A. exchanged information regarding extreme measures used on terrorists to obtain information; surely someone took notes. If everyone is on the up and up; yea and I have some ocean front property in West Texas up for sale, let’s see the notes or shut up and get on with the business of fixing all the messes congress has created. Who gives a rat’s pattootie if some ragheads, those who tried to kill American troops and got hauled off to a detention center, who really cares if they had to hold their breath under water; you jerks are going to pressure the close Gitmo and let them all get back to the business of killing American troops eventually. Trivial matters, deception; you, how did I put it earlier,
slimy buggers are a bunch of hypocrites, that’s what you are, hypocrites!
‘In a June 26 letter to Mr. Panetta discussing his testimony, Democrats said that the agency had “misled members” of Congress for eight years about the classified matters, which the letter did not disclose. This is similar to other deceptions of which we are aware from other recent periods,” said the letter, made public late Wednesday by Representative Rush D. Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, one of the signers.’
‘In an interview, Mr. Holt declined to reveal the nature of the C.I.A.’s alleged deceptions,. But he said, “We wouldn’t be doing this over a trivial matter.”’
EXCUSE ME! What does the congress of the United States of America call a “deception” and what qualifies as a “trivial matter”? I ask, gathering my breath, having to pick myself up from the floor after falling out of my chair, the hypocrisy of such a statement landing on what’s left of the one raw nerve congress has seen fit to leave me.
Maybe congress considers trillions of taxpayer dollars spent on a Stimulus Package that didn’t stimulate the economy, the economy which congress helped to destroy; rather it only served to enlarge government beyond the uncontrollable monster which has been feeding off my generation into an uncontrollable monster that now has devoured my children’s generation along with my grandchildren’s generation. I understand the Democrat controlled congress is contemplating yet another Stimulus Package; spending even more money we don’t have in order to produce results which will not stimulate anything.
Maybe that falls under the category of deception since most of what was called “emergency measures” to stimulate the economy won’t kick in for years; not exactly a judicious use of so called emergency funding. Do you think the responsible folks, those footing the bill and “sacrificing for the good of all Americans” might be a bit angry with such irresponsible actions by a deceptive congress, a congress which withheld information from the public which would have shown this piece of legislation for what it was; PURE PORK?
Maybe the public should be angry at congress for calling Cap and Trade a means of curbing global warming when in fact it is nothing more than a way to destroy capitalism by penalizing businesses and industries which produce goods and services necessary for a healthy economy through legislation aimed at increasing the cost of energy required to sustain production within a competitive global market. Even the EPA has estimated the cost of doing business will rise approximately 40%.
I want you to think about what it will be like having that 40% increase in the cost of doing business passed along to each individual consumer; not a pretty picture to go along with Obama’s promise not to increase taxes on folks making less than $250,000, now is it. Looks more like the middle and lower income folks are going to take a major hit, one which will impoverish a serious portion of our country at a time when they are barely able to stay afloat. You think it was tough after your neighbor lost his job; wait until you lose yours because the only way for American industries to survive will be to relocate outside our boundaries in third world nations where Cap and Trade isn’t an issue. Is that the kind of “trivial matter” which annoys the honorable Democrat representatives in congress or is that still listed under “deceptive”?
I know, the Hate Crimes legislation; that must be what we should be lamenting. I read where some of those right wing extremist GOP legislators tried to add an amendment which would remove pedophiles as one of the protected sexually oriented individuals/groups. The Democrats refused to include the amendment since they consider pedophiles as part of the downtrodden recipients of much hatred and in need of protection from right wing extremists. This must be one of the “trivial matters” the Democrats are outraged about.
Could it be the pending Health Care legislation which will eventually destroy private sector insurance carriers? Realistically posing the circumstances proposed, can a privately run “for profit” company compete with a nationalized system which has an unlimited amount of taxpayer funding to make up for loses incurred? The answer is, No; no business in a competitive market could compete. That doesn’t even consider the fact that those attempting to compete must follow rules and guidelines which will be set by its newest competitor, government health care. I recognize how important the cost of medical treatment has become and at the same time I wonder how proper it is to push through a bill which has all the earmarks of pure socialism under the guise of helping Americans. Why does that bother me; maybe I’m simple too sensitive, this must be a “trivial matter”.
I sure don’t like being lied to. I’d have used the word hate being lied to; but under the current politically correct terminology such trigger words might get me charged with a crime.
Why is it the Democrat held congress doesn’t want the Fed to be accountable to the public, killing off a bill which would force an open audit? Is this the transparency promised; change that, is this the transparency of government required by the constitutional form of government which the governed are supposed to have? I know, this is just another “trivial matter”…
Tell you what; you slimy buggers (those wishing for my former “salty” choice of terms; I’m a work in progress, attempting to improve ) had better get your act together and in one quick hurry. The American public is up to here with being trivialized, deceived and lied to. We are more than a little concerned in the manner you have marginalized individual rights and lumped them in with the concept of entitlements, privileges and favors. No, I’m not angry; I’m just getting started!
Have we all been played for suckers? I’d discounted the wild claims made by some during the election process of Obama being born outside the United States; perhaps being born in Kenya. I bristled when the governor of Hawaii sealed the supposed records which may or may not have contained Obama’s alleged birth certificate. I recently was sent an email dated June 15, 2009 containing an AP story which cast further doubt on Obama’s eligibility to hold the presidency. I haven’t seen this information anywhere, not on the internet and certainly not in the government controlled mass media. At one time I’d have looked it up in Snoops; but that’s like asking a liar if he told a lie, (it shows up without comment).
“In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama’s qualifications for the presidency, the group Americans for Freedom of Information has Released copies of President Obama’s college transcripts from Occidental College. Released today, the transcript indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate at the school. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship Program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship. This document would seem to provide the smoking gun that many Obama’s detractors have been seeking.”
The letter went on to explain how Obama has already spent an estimated $950,000 (that’s almost a million dollars for those in Rio Linda) from his campaign fund to eleven law firms in twelve states to block disclosure of any of his personal information. Does this sound like transparency or does it sound more like deception, the kind of deception which the Democrats are all worked up about when they claim the C.I.A. misled them over something which certainly isn’t a “trivial matter”?
I’d like to see the notes taken at the meeting where Nancy Pelosi and the C.I.A. exchanged information regarding extreme measures used on terrorists to obtain information; surely someone took notes. If everyone is on the up and up; yea and I have some ocean front property in West Texas up for sale, let’s see the notes or shut up and get on with the business of fixing all the messes congress has created. Who gives a rat’s pattootie if some ragheads, those who tried to kill American troops and got hauled off to a detention center, who really cares if they had to hold their breath under water; you jerks are going to pressure the close Gitmo and let them all get back to the business of killing American troops eventually. Trivial matters, deception; you, how did I put it earlier,
slimy buggers are a bunch of hypocrites, that’s what you are, hypocrites!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Lord, let me live up to this opportunity
It’s been a long while since hearing the Zig Ziglar motivational tape, Biscuits, Fleas and Pump Handles, so I may have botched the line I’m trying to remember. There was a young boy who’d dip his finger in a barrel of molasses each time he visited the local general store. The manager warned him against such behavior saying, “The next time I catch you stealing a finger’s worth of molasses I’m going to dump you head first into that barrel.”
Sure enough, the next time the boy swiped a finger through the sweet confection the manager grabbed him by the ankles and lowered him toward his fate. Just before his head met the surface he was heard to say, “Lord, let me live up to this opportunity.”
Sadly, there’s a story out Camden, New Jersey where a young man working near a boiling vat of chocolate fell in . I doubt he was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming covered in boiling hot chocolate.
“The unidentified man, who worked at the Camden facility, had been in the melting pot for about 10 minutes by the time rescue crews arrived, MyFOXPhilly.com reported."
"By the time he was pulled out of the tank just after 11 a.m., he was already dead.”
Industrial accidents happen; sometimes they end up becoming folklore. I remember listening to Hal Holbrook’s, Mark Twain Tonight program. He had a story about the fellow who fell into the carpet making machine and became part of an area rug.
Back when I was working for the police department a worker at a plastics wrapping facility carelessly became part of a huge roll of the stuff; snatching the victim so quickly as to make her co-workers wonder if she’d taken an unannounced coffee break. She took a break alright, a permanent break.
I don’t mean to sound cold natured about the loss of life; just that some folks leave this planet in the most unusual ways. These are different from the Darwin Award folks who place themselves in harms way by doing extremely dumb things; no, the folks mentioned here just had incredibly bad luck doing something that normally is accomplished without incident. Sure makes for interesting stories; hope they poured out the rest of that chocolate.
Sure enough, the next time the boy swiped a finger through the sweet confection the manager grabbed him by the ankles and lowered him toward his fate. Just before his head met the surface he was heard to say, “Lord, let me live up to this opportunity.”
Sadly, there’s a story out Camden, New Jersey where a young man working near a boiling vat of chocolate fell in . I doubt he was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming covered in boiling hot chocolate.
“The unidentified man, who worked at the Camden facility, had been in the melting pot for about 10 minutes by the time rescue crews arrived, MyFOXPhilly.com reported."
"By the time he was pulled out of the tank just after 11 a.m., he was already dead.”
Industrial accidents happen; sometimes they end up becoming folklore. I remember listening to Hal Holbrook’s, Mark Twain Tonight program. He had a story about the fellow who fell into the carpet making machine and became part of an area rug.
Back when I was working for the police department a worker at a plastics wrapping facility carelessly became part of a huge roll of the stuff; snatching the victim so quickly as to make her co-workers wonder if she’d taken an unannounced coffee break. She took a break alright, a permanent break.
I don’t mean to sound cold natured about the loss of life; just that some folks leave this planet in the most unusual ways. These are different from the Darwin Award folks who place themselves in harms way by doing extremely dumb things; no, the folks mentioned here just had incredibly bad luck doing something that normally is accomplished without incident. Sure makes for interesting stories; hope they poured out the rest of that chocolate.
The Children of Abraham
I was thumbing through channels looking for anything other than a recap of Michael Jackson’s spectacular exit from the land of the living when I stopped on the History Channel to see what they had. The offered program, The Children of Abraham, an interpretation of history through the show’s host, Mark Dowd, a Catholic trained to become a Dominican Friar. Wow, I’m impressed; maybe I could find a rerun of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
I lost interest rather quickly as an explanation of the sacrifice of Isaac was offered, a means of reconciling the Koran’s version with the Bible’s . According to the Islamic version, Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael whereas the Judeo-Christian version has Isaac; no big deal, Abraham didn’t kill his son anyway.
I found it note worthy that neither the Islamic commentator nor Dowd, the Christian appeaser mending fences with our good friends separated only by religion, Dowd never mentioned how Isaac was a similitude of the ultimate sacrifice intended to replace blood sacrifice for all mankind, our Savior, Jesus Christ, which was being foretold through this wonderful story. They did mention that God doesn’t like killing, an agreed upon lesson of this scripture in which the son of Abraham was spared; that’s important. Interesting how the most fundamental foundation of the Christian faith wasn’t mentioned, side stepped if you will; maybe it was all in the name of getting along with our Islamic brothers.
There was a decent explanation of how Abraham came to be the father of three major faiths, having one child through his concubine Hagar and another through his lawful wife Sarah. The world has been at war ever since attempting to define a legitimate heir.
What has this got to do with present day conflicts? How about the speech by Obama this past June to the Muslims given in Cairo ?
“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”
What a moron; I mean; use the Arlo Guthrie “I mean…” drawing all the sarcasm you can muster, I mean, how much more ignorant and irrelevant could Obama be perceived as he glossed over thousands of years of never ending conflict, mutual contempt and bloodshed? Maybe Obama watched the History Channel’s milk toast version of “minor” issues between Islam and the Judeo-Christian faiths and took it as fact.
Obama finished binding the major religions of the world in peaceful coexistence as he floated several inches off the ground, his feet supported by angelic throngs all the while his eyes focused on his teleprompter:
'The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
'The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
‘The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”’
I read a clever “take” applied to the closing lines of Obama’s oration by Thomas Cramer, AKA, Archbishop Cramer on his blog where he came to the same conclusion I did; Obama actually sees himself as the anointed one.
Cramer added:
“Today, in your hearing, these scriptures could be fulfilled.” (*)
I’m touched, truly touched that I have witnessed the second coming. The anointed one is in fact, President Barrack Hussein Obama, of the United States of America, the “largest Muslim nation” on the face of the earth.
(*) “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:20,21)
I’m not saying this material isn't offensive, taking offense is a waste of time; however, somewhere out there in the confines of a humble dwelling a man is shredding his clothing, his eyes lifted skyward and hoping to make it through the day.
I lost interest rather quickly as an explanation of the sacrifice of Isaac was offered, a means of reconciling the Koran’s version with the Bible’s . According to the Islamic version, Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael whereas the Judeo-Christian version has Isaac; no big deal, Abraham didn’t kill his son anyway.
I found it note worthy that neither the Islamic commentator nor Dowd, the Christian appeaser mending fences with our good friends separated only by religion, Dowd never mentioned how Isaac was a similitude of the ultimate sacrifice intended to replace blood sacrifice for all mankind, our Savior, Jesus Christ, which was being foretold through this wonderful story. They did mention that God doesn’t like killing, an agreed upon lesson of this scripture in which the son of Abraham was spared; that’s important. Interesting how the most fundamental foundation of the Christian faith wasn’t mentioned, side stepped if you will; maybe it was all in the name of getting along with our Islamic brothers.
There was a decent explanation of how Abraham came to be the father of three major faiths, having one child through his concubine Hagar and another through his lawful wife Sarah. The world has been at war ever since attempting to define a legitimate heir.
What has this got to do with present day conflicts? How about the speech by Obama this past June to the Muslims given in Cairo ?
“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”
What a moron; I mean; use the Arlo Guthrie “I mean…” drawing all the sarcasm you can muster, I mean, how much more ignorant and irrelevant could Obama be perceived as he glossed over thousands of years of never ending conflict, mutual contempt and bloodshed? Maybe Obama watched the History Channel’s milk toast version of “minor” issues between Islam and the Judeo-Christian faiths and took it as fact.
Obama finished binding the major religions of the world in peaceful coexistence as he floated several inches off the ground, his feet supported by angelic throngs all the while his eyes focused on his teleprompter:
'The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”
'The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”
‘The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”’
I read a clever “take” applied to the closing lines of Obama’s oration by Thomas Cramer, AKA, Archbishop Cramer on his blog where he came to the same conclusion I did; Obama actually sees himself as the anointed one.
Cramer added:
“Today, in your hearing, these scriptures could be fulfilled.” (*)
I’m touched, truly touched that I have witnessed the second coming. The anointed one is in fact, President Barrack Hussein Obama, of the United States of America, the “largest Muslim nation” on the face of the earth.
(*) “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:20,21)
I’m not saying this material isn't offensive, taking offense is a waste of time; however, somewhere out there in the confines of a humble dwelling a man is shredding his clothing, his eyes lifted skyward and hoping to make it through the day.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Photographic Evidence
My daughter Bonnie took a couple of pictures the other night; probably to be used as evidence at the mental health hearing to prove I was out of my mind when doing the Karaoke thing , my granddaughter Jocelyne at my side. The nice part was she also captured me at the pool table during my winning streak.
Ghost Town Teaser Review
I had a treat this afternoon, a movie that was written well and didn’t rely totally on fabulous special effects; instead the characters were well defined and touched the human spirit. Ghost Town , a movie I’d never heard of made for a rewarding afternoon.
In a nutshell, a man who doesn’t deal with people very well is pushed into dealing with lots of folks, awkward and clumsy and every bit vulnerable in his choice to be alone. I found myself pulling for him right up until he…
Not gonna’ give it away; you’re going to have to watch the movie.
In a nutshell, a man who doesn’t deal with people very well is pushed into dealing with lots of folks, awkward and clumsy and every bit vulnerable in his choice to be alone. I found myself pulling for him right up until he…
Not gonna’ give it away; you’re going to have to watch the movie.
Courage to Karaoke
This past Saturday we enjoyed a wonderful diner and social gathering at the Mixa’s home followed by a visit to our children’s where they were to set off fireworks. Justin, our son in law had a huge box of minor explosives; but he took a time out and challenged me to a game of 8 Ball on their new pool table.
Some folks never learn; game, set and match. It was almost as much fun as the first time I whooped him at pool years ago, only this time fighting variable focus glasses and some creaky joints that didn’t want to move. I haven’t lost the touch and went undefeated; Son in law Justin, daughter Bonnie, daughter Jennifer, some cousins of Justin until my nephew Nathan finally edged out a win on his third try.
Bonnie made up a rule that the winner had to sing Karaoke. Richie, one of Justin’s cousins had a fancy Karaoke set up, complete with spot lights for a mock stage. I was at a mild disadvantage for a couple of reasons; most of the music listed was unfamiliar to me, the ones I recognized required a wide range and lastly, courage to make a fool of myself in front of the whole family. My granddaughter Jocelyne gave me a big hug and smile as I grabbed the microphone.
My first attempt at Karaoke, Michael Buble’s version of Feeling Good surprised me as I belted out many parts of the tune with pure confidence in spite of being unable to come close to carrying a tune. David Foster will have to keep looking for his next big star. I finally figured out how the machine’s promptings might help to keep up; yea, that’s why the first attempt sounded a little out of sync.
My grand finale was Josh Groban’s version of O Holy Night. I learned something from my years working in the Primary organization at church, let go and have fun. I have no idea how badly I pulled it off; none of the next door neighbors called the police, either for the music being too loud or for it being off key. When it came time to let loose, I let loose with reckless abandon. I had fun; of that there was no denying.
It was liberating and I look forward to some future Karaoke; except I’ll find something more in line with my talents, story telling. Perhaps a go at Harry Chapin’s, Mr. Tanner or his cult classic, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas. I might even attempt some old Willie Nelson stuff; a raspy country sound might just work. Rest in peace Harry and thanks for some great tunes that anyone can have fun with.
Some folks never learn; game, set and match. It was almost as much fun as the first time I whooped him at pool years ago, only this time fighting variable focus glasses and some creaky joints that didn’t want to move. I haven’t lost the touch and went undefeated; Son in law Justin, daughter Bonnie, daughter Jennifer, some cousins of Justin until my nephew Nathan finally edged out a win on his third try.
Bonnie made up a rule that the winner had to sing Karaoke. Richie, one of Justin’s cousins had a fancy Karaoke set up, complete with spot lights for a mock stage. I was at a mild disadvantage for a couple of reasons; most of the music listed was unfamiliar to me, the ones I recognized required a wide range and lastly, courage to make a fool of myself in front of the whole family. My granddaughter Jocelyne gave me a big hug and smile as I grabbed the microphone.
My first attempt at Karaoke, Michael Buble’s version of Feeling Good surprised me as I belted out many parts of the tune with pure confidence in spite of being unable to come close to carrying a tune. David Foster will have to keep looking for his next big star. I finally figured out how the machine’s promptings might help to keep up; yea, that’s why the first attempt sounded a little out of sync.
My grand finale was Josh Groban’s version of O Holy Night. I learned something from my years working in the Primary organization at church, let go and have fun. I have no idea how badly I pulled it off; none of the next door neighbors called the police, either for the music being too loud or for it being off key. When it came time to let loose, I let loose with reckless abandon. I had fun; of that there was no denying.
It was liberating and I look forward to some future Karaoke; except I’ll find something more in line with my talents, story telling. Perhaps a go at Harry Chapin’s, Mr. Tanner or his cult classic, Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas. I might even attempt some old Willie Nelson stuff; a raspy country sound might just work. Rest in peace Harry and thanks for some great tunes that anyone can have fun with.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Sun Spots and Crop Circles?
Mike Landfair had an interesting link on Facebook worth sharing, having to do with recent sunspot activity sunspot activity which may or may not affect our quite little planet. According to the article our magnetosphere has a hole in it which might make for more damaging effects on July 7th.
There are those who tied the sunspot activity with crop circles; the claim being that these crop circles were a warning of what was to be, a message from extra terrestrial visitors. Believe what you want; but I have always enjoyed the beauty associated with crop circles. Check out the link for some more photographs, neat stuff!
There are those who tied the sunspot activity with crop circles; the claim being that these crop circles were a warning of what was to be, a message from extra terrestrial visitors. Believe what you want; but I have always enjoyed the beauty associated with crop circles. Check out the link for some more photographs, neat stuff!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
The Lighter Side…
It’s become too easy; turning my blog into nothing more than a soapbox of complaints, ranting about anything which made my blood pressure rise. Time to lighten up a bit and my friend Jahn has just the ticket. If you liked West Side Story, you’ll appreciate what has been done at it’s expense. College Humor’s version, Web Site Story deserves at least one curtain call; Bravo!
The Stars and Stripes Forever – A Piece of History
Lucy and I attended the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavilion for the annual 4th of July concert. We took our grandson with us so he could hear the music associated with our national holiday celebrating Independence.
Earlier in the day I played the 1812 Overture for him so he’d recognize it while at the concert; explaining how, in all probability, there would be canons fired to compliment the music. JJ thought that would be neat and put up with the other music as the night wore on. The Houston Symphony did a fine job and the canons were much louder than JJ had anticipated; covering his ears as they blasted away on cue. As an encore, the pavilion’s thankful crowd clapping away; the orchestra played Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever to end the evening’s concert.
A fireworks display followed and we headed home where I immediately put on my favorite version of the 1812 Overture, the one played at the Tchaikovsky 150th Birthday Gala performance. If you’ve never heard this version, and watching the performance is even better as the YouTube video below will convince anyone paying attention; near the end where the music builds, up in the second level alcoves, on both sides of the orchestra, a group of uniformed Russian military band members joins in with the brass section to make for an electrifying conclusion.
My next choice was a CD, Rostropovich Return to Russia , which has, of all things, one of the best versions of The Stars and Stripes forever I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Does that sound a little odd; a Russian who’d been living in America going home to Russia after having been in exile for daring to stand up to a totalitarian communist regime? It doesn’t end there; Rostropovich was welcomed like a returning war hero. He had, traveling and performing with him, the National Symphony Orchestra from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington rather than some Russian orchestra as the Russian audience stood in excited loud applause to America’s Stars And Stripes Forever, clapping and shouting their enjoyment for several minutes at its conclusion. It’ll raise the hair on your back listening to it!
You might be asking, “Okay, what’s the catch?” Well, you’d need to do a little work with the calendar to appreciate how this all came about. Rostropovich’s performance was given on February 11, 1990; ring any bells for you history buffs?
Ronald Reagan gave his famous, “Berlin Wall” Speech on June 12, 1987, where he asked; no, he demanded:
“Mr. Gorbachev -- Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
The stage had been set for freedom and liberty to triumph over tyranny and totalitarianism all because President Ronald Reagan believed in America’s foundations as he proclaimed to those listening at the Brandenburg Gate:
“Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter, to the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.”
Jump ahead to November 9, 1989 and the Berlin Wall came down , much to the amazement of the entire world.
“Over the next few weeks the feeling in the air was electric, as if some great force had been let loose, perhaps the greatest example of positive [collective] human will ever seen, in my mind the opposite of what happened in the summer of 1914 - a real peaceful revolution.” Joseph, Portugal
This should have been the end of my thoughts ( it's almost 2 am now) as I prepare for tomorrow’s pancake breakfast at church followed by an open house at the Mixa’s where barbeque and all manner of festive foods will be served. Included in my jubilation on this our Independence Day, I must include the hidden warning which accompanies such a set of circumstances.
America is embracing a march toward a totalitarian state as our government ignores individual freedoms and liberties, these gifts from God vanishing from view. Each new “crisis” creates an opportunity for the totalitarian force to grab away yet another piece of our foundation.
Our latest version of America, the great “new deal”, as I’ve heard it called, or the “change”, brought about with the election of Obama has little if any regard for individual rights as contained in the Constitution and even less respect for the Declaration of Independence; more specifically, the part which defines the foundations of our society.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Many in positions of leadership put up with references to our “ancient documents”; but relegate them to an America of long ago so as to diminish the importance of God, Creator of this great nation, the Author of Liberty and individual rights. It would be so much easier installing a full fledged totalitarian regime if not for unalienable Rights which could only come from God; man being singularly inadequate when it comes to the ability to conjure up “natural rights”.
I’ll run that quote from Ronald Reagan by one more time; placing it before all Americans as a warning, something to ponder given our current path.
“Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter, to the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.”
Either our Creator really did bestow individuals with certain “unalienable Rights” or America was founded on lies; there really can be no middle ground. If God did grant individuals Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness then the State must be halted at each turn of the road where it attempts to hinder any individual’s lawful expression of those God given rights. I find it much easier to believe God granted unalienable rights because the competing line of thought is unthinkably dark, that another human being, another man has the strings which control everything for which an individual may or may not do.
The best celebration on the 4th of July will be those moments spent in quiet reflection attempting to understand the miracle which we call the United States of America, a gift from God which provides a beacon on the hill for all the world to see. Let us appreciate that gift as we pass it along to the next generation is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Earlier in the day I played the 1812 Overture for him so he’d recognize it while at the concert; explaining how, in all probability, there would be canons fired to compliment the music. JJ thought that would be neat and put up with the other music as the night wore on. The Houston Symphony did a fine job and the canons were much louder than JJ had anticipated; covering his ears as they blasted away on cue. As an encore, the pavilion’s thankful crowd clapping away; the orchestra played Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever to end the evening’s concert.
A fireworks display followed and we headed home where I immediately put on my favorite version of the 1812 Overture, the one played at the Tchaikovsky 150th Birthday Gala performance. If you’ve never heard this version, and watching the performance is even better as the YouTube video below will convince anyone paying attention; near the end where the music builds, up in the second level alcoves, on both sides of the orchestra, a group of uniformed Russian military band members joins in with the brass section to make for an electrifying conclusion.
My next choice was a CD, Rostropovich Return to Russia , which has, of all things, one of the best versions of The Stars and Stripes forever I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to.
Does that sound a little odd; a Russian who’d been living in America going home to Russia after having been in exile for daring to stand up to a totalitarian communist regime? It doesn’t end there; Rostropovich was welcomed like a returning war hero. He had, traveling and performing with him, the National Symphony Orchestra from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington rather than some Russian orchestra as the Russian audience stood in excited loud applause to America’s Stars And Stripes Forever, clapping and shouting their enjoyment for several minutes at its conclusion. It’ll raise the hair on your back listening to it!
You might be asking, “Okay, what’s the catch?” Well, you’d need to do a little work with the calendar to appreciate how this all came about. Rostropovich’s performance was given on February 11, 1990; ring any bells for you history buffs?
Ronald Reagan gave his famous, “Berlin Wall” Speech on June 12, 1987, where he asked; no, he demanded:
“Mr. Gorbachev -- Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
The stage had been set for freedom and liberty to triumph over tyranny and totalitarianism all because President Ronald Reagan believed in America’s foundations as he proclaimed to those listening at the Brandenburg Gate:
“Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter, to the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.”
Jump ahead to November 9, 1989 and the Berlin Wall came down , much to the amazement of the entire world.
“Over the next few weeks the feeling in the air was electric, as if some great force had been let loose, perhaps the greatest example of positive [collective] human will ever seen, in my mind the opposite of what happened in the summer of 1914 - a real peaceful revolution.” Joseph, Portugal
This should have been the end of my thoughts ( it's almost 2 am now) as I prepare for tomorrow’s pancake breakfast at church followed by an open house at the Mixa’s where barbeque and all manner of festive foods will be served. Included in my jubilation on this our Independence Day, I must include the hidden warning which accompanies such a set of circumstances.
America is embracing a march toward a totalitarian state as our government ignores individual freedoms and liberties, these gifts from God vanishing from view. Each new “crisis” creates an opportunity for the totalitarian force to grab away yet another piece of our foundation.
Our latest version of America, the great “new deal”, as I’ve heard it called, or the “change”, brought about with the election of Obama has little if any regard for individual rights as contained in the Constitution and even less respect for the Declaration of Independence; more specifically, the part which defines the foundations of our society.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Many in positions of leadership put up with references to our “ancient documents”; but relegate them to an America of long ago so as to diminish the importance of God, Creator of this great nation, the Author of Liberty and individual rights. It would be so much easier installing a full fledged totalitarian regime if not for unalienable Rights which could only come from God; man being singularly inadequate when it comes to the ability to conjure up “natural rights”.
I’ll run that quote from Ronald Reagan by one more time; placing it before all Americans as a warning, something to ponder given our current path.
“Perhaps this gets to the root of the matter, to the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.”
Either our Creator really did bestow individuals with certain “unalienable Rights” or America was founded on lies; there really can be no middle ground. If God did grant individuals Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness then the State must be halted at each turn of the road where it attempts to hinder any individual’s lawful expression of those God given rights. I find it much easier to believe God granted unalienable rights because the competing line of thought is unthinkably dark, that another human being, another man has the strings which control everything for which an individual may or may not do.
The best celebration on the 4th of July will be those moments spent in quiet reflection attempting to understand the miracle which we call the United States of America, a gift from God which provides a beacon on the hill for all the world to see. Let us appreciate that gift as we pass it along to the next generation is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Independence Day – Getting into the Spirit
I’m one of those flag waving Americans with a silly grin on his face at the mere playing of the National Anthem. It’s been explained to me that I’m out of touch with reality and how my vision of America went out with the Hula-Hoop; let’s hope not.
July 4th is only a couple of days away; the annual church pancake breakfast, perhaps a fly over by some neat looking fighter jets since we’re so close to the Veteran’s Cemetery and, not to be too concerned, some of my crazy neighbors shooting rifles and shotguns into the air and listening as the little balls of metal fall through the leaves of surrounding trees; hardly anything more exciting than that. We’re in the middle of a very dry stretch of time and it should be fun watching the local fire department vehicles scurrying with their flashing red lights and sirens blasting as they speed onward to put out a fireworks related fire in some vacant field or one of my neighbor’s homes.
Yep, here in America we’re free to do any damn thing we want; isn’t that the misconception generated by those who interpret their individual rights as if they were the only ones who had them? Boy, this is sure turning out to be a fun holiday already…
I watched a short video which had been posted at Below the Beltway, The Left and Right Agree: The Bill of Rights is Inconvenient . That short distraction caused me to ponder the circumstances which played out a couple of hundred years ago when our Constitution was put together. Some of the most hard headed intellectuals from different schools of thought got together and worked out the wording so as to achieve a working document which could be agreed upon in spite of their many differences. It would be nice if one day our elected representatives took a few minutes to read the Constitution; but I wouldn’t count on it, these folks don’t even bother to read legislation prior casting their vote.
I caught a glimpse of something on Facebook; didn’t really stop to read it as I was looking for another particular entry; but it was worthy of including in my thoughts today. It had to do with celebrating the 4th of July; but another person jumped in and reminded us the celebration was for Independence Day, a slight variation in the thought process. That subtle paradigm shift reminded me of one of the speeches included in a book which my daughter gave me several years ago.
Frederick Douglass’ Independence Day Address at Rochester, New York, serves as a solemn reminder that not everyone has the same feelings regarding Independence Day celebrations. As a minor point of interest, the date shown in my book, Great American Speeches, Gregory R. Suriano , was July 4, 1852 whereas the date listed a copy of the speech on the internet is 1841; not that it changes the importance of what was shared.
“Fellow citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, Why am I called upon to speck here today? What have I, or those I represent to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national alter and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?”
[…]
“Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorry this day, "may my right hand cleave to the roof of my mouth"! To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world. My subject, then, fellow citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate, I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, shall not confess to be right and just....”
How’s that for a kick in the pants? That having been said over a hundred years ago, immediately following the Civil War such an out pouring of resentment was justified as it explained the feelings of an entire culture of people who’d been exempted from the start up of our nation. I’d have to say the process is never ending; however, at some point in time most, if not all of the “issues” which accompanied blatant racism toward Blacks have been dealt with.
Redirecting my focus to a speech given by Martin Luther King, I have a dream , that magic turning point in our history when a majority of Americans accepted racial differences as natural rather than one race being better or worse than the other; something of a modern day starting point for positive forward movement as opposed to constantly looking back at the woes of the past.
“Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
To those who persist in their pent up hostilities regarding the Founding Fathers of America, who in their hearts and minds echo some resentment for “those old white guys”, I feel sorry for you as your feelings of hate dominate what clearly has become a nation where any individual can rise and reach levels of success, and all this regardless of race, creed or color of skin. There are even those who have swung on the pendulum of resentment far past the, “Free at last” sentiment and have the attitude of, “Look out, now it’s our turn”. I guess some folks missed that part of Rev. King’s message which expound on the equality of all races; oh well.
If we’re to be honest about freedoms and liberties in today’s environment, a society where racial equality has come full circle; Frederick Douglas might well have to alter his observed disappointment, “Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Folks so lazy as to become wards of the state, always claiming to be victims of an unfair economy when in fact all they need do is improve their status through education and hard work. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July! We’ve sold our God given birthright for a bowl of porridge and all we do is complain that our neighbor makes too much money and wonder how we can separate him from it through taxes and entitlements. Instead of looking inward for the strength to do what is necessary; we hold our hands out as beggars to an all powerful federal government agency and say, “More, please, Sir, More”. I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, shall not confess to be right and just...
The foundations our nation were built upon are no longer set or embedded to the Rock, separation of church and state has weakened the resolve to follow the commandments from Above. Instead we rely on polling data to set our moral compass and wonder why fourteen year old young women show up at abortion clinics, pedophilia is available for sale on the internet and our elected representatives don’t comprehend the difference between service to their community and the elitism they’ve carved out for themselves on the backs of taxpayers.
The smallest minority in our country has been and always will be, the individual. God granted rights to the individual to protect him from government agencies; local, state and federal. If we ever get to a point where the rights of the individual are blurred to the point where we start worrying more about the collective than the individual, then we should hang our heads down low, then we will have truly sold our birthright for an empty bowl of porridge. The promise of Utopia where all men are handed out equally without concern for the efforts required is an empty promise built on lies. Those who fall under the spell of such a promise are deluding themselves at the expense of their neighbors and don’t deserve the protections offered in the land of the free and home of the brave.
I finished a locksmith job a while ago, much farther out than I normally provide service because it was a friend of one of my regular customers. When I was done I explained how she needed to say thanks to the fellow since he’d saved her a tow truck fee along with the fact that my price is about a hundred dollars less than what the dealership would have charged. She paid my fee agreed upon and added a tip; not a monetary tip, a box of fireworks from the stand where she works (pictured). I’ll try not to burn down my neighbor’s house this weekend, set any of the dry parched fields afire and lastly, to make my folks happy; I’ll do my best to avoid knocking out an eye.
Wave at your neighbors and remember to treat their God given rights with the same respect you’d want from them. Where have I heard that before; oh yes, it comes from the Bible, right? Are we still permitted to quote from the Bible or has Hate Speech legislation banned that? I know we’re not supposed to wave the American Flag as it annoys the rest of the world; are we really an imperialistic nation, grabbing land from weak unfortunate third world nations or do we simply make it possible for other countries to live under the banner of freedom? It’s so confusing being an American citizen.
Saturday is Independence Day; try to live up to all that entails.
July 4th is only a couple of days away; the annual church pancake breakfast, perhaps a fly over by some neat looking fighter jets since we’re so close to the Veteran’s Cemetery and, not to be too concerned, some of my crazy neighbors shooting rifles and shotguns into the air and listening as the little balls of metal fall through the leaves of surrounding trees; hardly anything more exciting than that. We’re in the middle of a very dry stretch of time and it should be fun watching the local fire department vehicles scurrying with their flashing red lights and sirens blasting as they speed onward to put out a fireworks related fire in some vacant field or one of my neighbor’s homes.
Yep, here in America we’re free to do any damn thing we want; isn’t that the misconception generated by those who interpret their individual rights as if they were the only ones who had them? Boy, this is sure turning out to be a fun holiday already…
I watched a short video which had been posted at Below the Beltway, The Left and Right Agree: The Bill of Rights is Inconvenient . That short distraction caused me to ponder the circumstances which played out a couple of hundred years ago when our Constitution was put together. Some of the most hard headed intellectuals from different schools of thought got together and worked out the wording so as to achieve a working document which could be agreed upon in spite of their many differences. It would be nice if one day our elected representatives took a few minutes to read the Constitution; but I wouldn’t count on it, these folks don’t even bother to read legislation prior casting their vote.
I caught a glimpse of something on Facebook; didn’t really stop to read it as I was looking for another particular entry; but it was worthy of including in my thoughts today. It had to do with celebrating the 4th of July; but another person jumped in and reminded us the celebration was for Independence Day, a slight variation in the thought process. That subtle paradigm shift reminded me of one of the speeches included in a book which my daughter gave me several years ago.
Frederick Douglass’ Independence Day Address at Rochester, New York, serves as a solemn reminder that not everyone has the same feelings regarding Independence Day celebrations. As a minor point of interest, the date shown in my book, Great American Speeches, Gregory R. Suriano , was July 4, 1852 whereas the date listed a copy of the speech on the internet is 1841; not that it changes the importance of what was shared.
“Fellow citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, Why am I called upon to speck here today? What have I, or those I represent to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national alter and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?”
[…]
“Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorry this day, "may my right hand cleave to the roof of my mouth"! To forget them, to pass lightly over their wrongs, and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world. My subject, then, fellow citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery-the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate, I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, shall not confess to be right and just....”
How’s that for a kick in the pants? That having been said over a hundred years ago, immediately following the Civil War such an out pouring of resentment was justified as it explained the feelings of an entire culture of people who’d been exempted from the start up of our nation. I’d have to say the process is never ending; however, at some point in time most, if not all of the “issues” which accompanied blatant racism toward Blacks have been dealt with.
Redirecting my focus to a speech given by Martin Luther King, I have a dream , that magic turning point in our history when a majority of Americans accepted racial differences as natural rather than one race being better or worse than the other; something of a modern day starting point for positive forward movement as opposed to constantly looking back at the woes of the past.
“Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
To those who persist in their pent up hostilities regarding the Founding Fathers of America, who in their hearts and minds echo some resentment for “those old white guys”, I feel sorry for you as your feelings of hate dominate what clearly has become a nation where any individual can rise and reach levels of success, and all this regardless of race, creed or color of skin. There are even those who have swung on the pendulum of resentment far past the, “Free at last” sentiment and have the attitude of, “Look out, now it’s our turn”. I guess some folks missed that part of Rev. King’s message which expound on the equality of all races; oh well.
If we’re to be honest about freedoms and liberties in today’s environment, a society where racial equality has come full circle; Frederick Douglas might well have to alter his observed disappointment, “Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! Folks so lazy as to become wards of the state, always claiming to be victims of an unfair economy when in fact all they need do is improve their status through education and hard work. I do not hesitate to declare with all my soul that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this Fourth of July! We’ve sold our God given birthright for a bowl of porridge and all we do is complain that our neighbor makes too much money and wonder how we can separate him from it through taxes and entitlements. Instead of looking inward for the strength to do what is necessary; we hold our hands out as beggars to an all powerful federal government agency and say, “More, please, Sir, More”. I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, shall not confess to be right and just...
The foundations our nation were built upon are no longer set or embedded to the Rock, separation of church and state has weakened the resolve to follow the commandments from Above. Instead we rely on polling data to set our moral compass and wonder why fourteen year old young women show up at abortion clinics, pedophilia is available for sale on the internet and our elected representatives don’t comprehend the difference between service to their community and the elitism they’ve carved out for themselves on the backs of taxpayers.
The smallest minority in our country has been and always will be, the individual. God granted rights to the individual to protect him from government agencies; local, state and federal. If we ever get to a point where the rights of the individual are blurred to the point where we start worrying more about the collective than the individual, then we should hang our heads down low, then we will have truly sold our birthright for an empty bowl of porridge. The promise of Utopia where all men are handed out equally without concern for the efforts required is an empty promise built on lies. Those who fall under the spell of such a promise are deluding themselves at the expense of their neighbors and don’t deserve the protections offered in the land of the free and home of the brave.
I finished a locksmith job a while ago, much farther out than I normally provide service because it was a friend of one of my regular customers. When I was done I explained how she needed to say thanks to the fellow since he’d saved her a tow truck fee along with the fact that my price is about a hundred dollars less than what the dealership would have charged. She paid my fee agreed upon and added a tip; not a monetary tip, a box of fireworks from the stand where she works (pictured). I’ll try not to burn down my neighbor’s house this weekend, set any of the dry parched fields afire and lastly, to make my folks happy; I’ll do my best to avoid knocking out an eye.
Wave at your neighbors and remember to treat their God given rights with the same respect you’d want from them. Where have I heard that before; oh yes, it comes from the Bible, right? Are we still permitted to quote from the Bible or has Hate Speech legislation banned that? I know we’re not supposed to wave the American Flag as it annoys the rest of the world; are we really an imperialistic nation, grabbing land from weak unfortunate third world nations or do we simply make it possible for other countries to live under the banner of freedom? It’s so confusing being an American citizen.
Saturday is Independence Day; try to live up to all that entails.
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