Gonna Be a TWO-Coffee Morning...
We are in the midst of a lull between storm fronts, and that's always nice.
Good to get outside, "blow the stink off" (as Dad used to say), and see what's been happening in the garden while it was raining.
(April showers? In May? Someone needs a new calendar)
Of course, the inclement weather DOES have another pleasant side to it, other than making things grow...it keeps the "locals" inside, and that's ALWAYS a good thing around here. Nothing worse than having people meander about the street, causing traffic to go AROUND them. I rarely do that...I AIM for them, but I'm also making a point..."that's what the city made SIDEWALKS for, dumbass!"
I figure if I whack one (or more) of them...it's THEIR fault, and no jury would convict me, because my car was driving where it belonged (in the street) and their sorry asses were where they should not have been (the aforementioned street).
So there 'ya are.
*** It's now official - Allen County has recorded it's 15th HOMICIDE of the year (only ten away from my "magic" number of 25 that I predicted...could go even higher, knowing these people).
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20100520/LOCAL07/305209977/0/FRONTPAGE
Now, if we set out "WAY-BACK" machine to 9 March of this year, you'll recall another woman who was killed just off of rt 27 on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. That woman was 44 years old, while the one killed by blunt force trauma was 46. The recent Alexander Street killing was on (you guessed it) the SOUTH EAST side of the city...in our neck o' the woods.
Are we seeing a "trend" with lone women being targeted by some person (or persons) preying on those who are home alone?
Time will tell.
I would only state that wherever you live, never present yourself to be a victim.
Walk with authority, and not with an air like you're scared (even if you ARE scared). Predators love victims that are scared - makes their job a lot easier. Be aware of your surroundings, wherever you go.
If you're in a parking lot, returning to your vehicle, don't hesitate to LOOK INSIDE FIRST, before opening the door. Look around you for suspicious people who might be watching YOU.
And remember, YOU are in control...they are not, and that's why they want to take that control from you and transfer it to them.
Your car keys can be your best weapon...or some OC spray...or even a stun gun or collapsible baton.
Even a lowly ink pen can be turned on THEM, should they wish to relieve you of your possessions (or worse).
In cases like this...an "ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure".
And the life you save WILL be your own.
Moving along...
*** Ever wonder about your electric bill?
Sure, you pay it every month, and many times without giving that statement a second glance, except to see the AMOUNT you have to fork out to that utility company as you write that check.
Well, how's about some government agency coming along, and, while working with these utility companies, goes and installs ON your house a DIGITAL METER, that records every single kilowatt hour you're using.
Sounds like a plan, right?
Good way to better track the usage so your bill isn't "estimated" (I know...I hate when they "guess", too).
BUT...this meter can ALSO turn ON, or turn OFF the power to your house (via remote access).
Not so neat an idea NOW...is it?
Imagine that during peak usage, you can't wash the clothes you needed to, or perhaps your usage becomes "limited" in that you can only use "so much" electricity.
I guess all those ENERGY-EFFICIENT appliances you buy don't mean anything?
Now, also imagine that this technology is "supposed" to PAY FOR ITSELF (I wish I had a dollar for EVERY time I heard that from some dipshit saying it was going to save ME money...I'd be a whole lot wealthier now).
In South Bend, Indiana, there is a PILOT program in place to do just that.
Here's the link to the article (and it's an "interesting" read, if you get my drift):
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20100520/BIZ/305209991
The powers that be are calling this "THE SMART GRID".
Personally, I see this as a form of CONTROL.
It's insidious in concept, and terrifying in practicality.
Government wants to say HOW MUCH electricity you can have...screw whether you CAN pay for it...that doesn't matter one damn bit.
What does matter, is that with such a system in place, power can be "diverted" at the whim of whoever is throwing the switches at the power company. It "could" even send the power to those "poor people" who are getting ALL those nice freebies from "big brother", and laughing at you when you go grocery shopping looking for bargains, as they fill THEIR carts with the best of everything (that YOU already paid for).
Nice, huh?
Think of it as a covert form of "redistributive wealth".
It's a damn good way to "even the playing field"...not to bring others UP to the standard of living YOU work hard to enjoy, but rather bring YOU down to a lower standard of living
Like I said...nice, huh?
They're already doing such things in Germany. Moving the wealth around, that is (by taxation).
Hard to believe that if you (in America) ONLY make $30K a year, you are considered (by the world) to be in the TOP SEVEN PERCENT of the wealthiest people on the planet. Well, we can't have all those AMERICANS with ALL that wealth, can we?
Let's try to level things out...and let's try this experiment in America itself, and when we get it in place, and the people can't do anything about it...we can go GLOBAL....oh yeah, that sounds so damn sweet to those few (in power) who will reap the whirlwind of wealth at everyone else's expense, doesn't it?
It's NOT capitalism in this manner...it's more like Totalitarianism!
MY advice on ANY type of "control" like this digital metering system is to:
1) LEARN everything about it.
2) ASK as many questions about it that you can think of.
3) READ between the lines.
4) Seek the TRUTH in something like this.
--If this will truly benefit everyone without taking from many to give to others (gratis)...fine.
--If this DOES in fact, modernize our (already overburdened) power grid WITHOUT another layer of control upon the general populace..okie-dokie.
--If people can be brought up FROM poverty and be integrated into the working class as a result of this WITHOUT bringing the working class DOWN to poverty level for the sake of some perverse form of "equality"...no problem.
But, if this is a "diversion"....a MISDIRECTION from those in power...we need to pay close attention to this.
Just like that parking lot scenario (above)...we have to embrace SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.
Keep your heads on the swivel whenever you hear about something that seems a little too good to be true...
Because it usually is, and suckers ARE still born every minute.
Don't become a victim...in ANY "parking lot".
You're all better than that...and it's time to show everyone else.
You are AMERICANS, and that has some responsibility attached to it.
You are not fools to be trifled with...by anyone.
Never allow the blinders of apathy to be placed upon you.
We've too many that have fallen victim already.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.