17 December 2010

Friday Follies....
Well, gang...looks like we're entering the home-stretch for the Christmas season...
And it would appear we've plenty to chat about today...
*** The errant shopping cart that I posted about back on Wednesday is gone.
After a call into the city street department, a caring government worker came by in one of those orange city trucks and took the metallic waif with him.
Problem solved.
*** The victim of that robbery/strip/shooting on the 4200 block of Monroe was ID'ed.
(( FORT WAYNE – A robbery Tuesday night left a man with three gunshot wounds after two men made him take off his clothes and stole his backpack with electronics inside, police said.
According to 37-year-old Jubbar L. Jefferson’s statements to police, he was walking in an alley behind his Monroe Street home when two men approached him and told him to give them everything he had.
Jefferson told police he took off most of his clothes and was left with nothing but his boxers and a T-shirt when he was shot in both arms and his upper leg.
He told police both men wore black jackets and dark-colored pants. One wore a mask and was black with a dark
complexion. The other was black with a light complexion. They took his backpack before one of them shot him, police said.
In the bag were video games and an Xbox 360 video game console.
Jefferson told police the two men also stole all the money he had with him.
He told police he thought the gun was a chrome handgun.
))
***
Navy Tests New Super Gun...
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/14/the-navys-new-super-gun-explained/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C190493
Now this technology has been around (experimentally) for more than a handful of years, with the theory of what a RAILGUN is has been around even longer.
It uses EM power to propel a projectile well in excess of current ballistic velocities.
In other words, it shoots things REALLY FAST!
Okay, Santa...gimme one of THOSE.
*** The Florida school board shooter story has an interesting "twist".
If any of you have seen that video, you might have noticed that before he opened fire, he spray painted something on the wall.

It was the "resistance logo" from the movie:
V FOR VENDETTA (it's actually a good movie about an authoritarian government taken to task, and eventually overthrown by one person using "less-than-peaceful" means - it stars Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving, and is based on the graphic novel).
Now call me silly, but if someone started painting that on the wall during MY school board meeting, I'd be reaching for MY gun pronto, or looking for the nearest exit, or flagging down the nearest LEO, especially if he wasn't wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and black clothing.
*** Don't even get me started on this "tax-cut" bill (that is over 1900 pages long)...
I cannot for the life of me figure out HOW they (the powers that be) can manage to WRITE so much damn legislation...and in such RECORD time...
Cripes...Tolstoy, Proust and Ayn Rand COMBINED couldn't pull that one off!
*** Wifey is a teacher...a HIGH SCHOOL teacher to be exact.
And, as such, she has to deal with all kinds of issues with the students.
Seems yesterday, some wise-ass decided to call her every name in the damn book...he just flew off and spouted all kinds of obscenities at her.
This student also is not what any of us would call an "over-achiever"...he is, in fact, a failing student (yes, it DOES pay to show up...AND pay attention...AND do the assigned work). The student MUST be a NASA candidate, however...because he IS "taking up SPACE".
Wifey refuses to allow him back in class after that tirade yesterday, and with good reason...
She's there to EDUCATE...not become the catch-all for epithets from some punk-ass teenager wanting to be as disruptive and deny the other 30+ teens the shot at an education.
Apparently, this boy is diagnosed as being BI-POLAR, and the meds are doing their job as prescribed.
Maybe the PARENTS should take the lead in this...'ya think?
And MAY-BE this boy doesn't need to be "mainstreamed" in with the normals.
See, back in my day, if we had a "problem" student, they were shipped off to a "special" school for problem kids...a more remedial environment and with LOADS of discipline. They had no place in regular classrooms, simply because it was UNFAIR to the rest of the students.
And that WAS fair...back then.
Today...ah, just lump them ALL together...and then wonder WHY test scores are tanking, and kids are not learning, and teachers don't seem to be meeting the growing list of criteria for achievement.
Well, it's certainly NOT about the educators...they've been tasked with wearing a few too many "hats" these days.
They're NOT cops...or a damn drill instructor...or even social care workers. They have a degree and license to TEACH...to EDUCATE the youth of this nation.
If the kid doesn't want to LEARN, that's NOT the teacher's problem...the PROBLEM lies elsewhere, and THAT is where everyone has to start looking.
Simple as that.
And that's all I have to say on that for now...
*** Finally today, I know you've been busy getting ready for Christmas.
But you also need to take time to practice some personal security when you're either out and about OR at home.
Remember, there ARE lots of folks out there that would LOVE to avail themselves of YOUR Christmas gifts.
When you're out shopping, take some time to practice SITUATIONAL AWARENESS!
Check to see if you're being followed to your vehicle, or if someone might be watching you stuff things in the trunk.
Always walk with authority...never LOOK like a victim (that sends signals to potential predators out there).
And NEVER place items in the back seat area...that's an invite to any robber to "come and get it".
Make sure your vehicle is LOCKED when you go into a store or mall. If in doubt, double-check.
Nothing sucks worse to come out and find your ride home MIA, right?
Ladies, always keep your handbag CLOSE to your bodies...
If you can, place it over your shoulder and UNDER your overcoat, that way, it's a damn sight harder to have it removed from your person.
Make sure no one is watching whenever you do a credit card transaction, and ask for the receipt, so you can put it in the handbag, purse, or pocket.
Ditto for personal ID, such as your driver's license (which you should have WITH YOU whenever you drive, right?). The number of people WITHOUT their IDs is amazing...ask any LEO that does regular traffic stops.
Keep your checkbook close as well, and keep it up-to-date, so you know WHERE the money is going.
Men, keep your wallet tucked well away, and if need be, place it in a upper jacket pocket, in case of pick-pockets.
Beware of "road rage", too.
A lot of people tend to get VERY impatient out there, especially when the combination of gift buying, parking and foul weather all mix it up together.
If someone else is in a hurry, let 'em go...they'll get paid back for their haste eventually, and it's not worth it for YOU to "help" them along.
With a bit of caution and education, so can always be sure to have a great holiday season, regardless of the number of asshats you might encounter.
So there you are...lots to think about this weekend.
Take it easy, remain calm, and you will survive the mayhem.
Have yourselevs a fantastic weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and as always...
Stay safe out there, America.

(( Only 8 shopping days until Christmas))

16 comments:

Ann T. said...

Dear Bob,
ALL GOOD ADVICE!!!! and thanks for the reminder!!!!

Too Mrs. Bobby G.,
Thank you for trying to keep a standard in your classroom.

Thank you for trying to educate young people. I am sure after yesterday you doubt you are reaching anyone. But you are providing an opportunity to many.

Thank you, because the standard, the opportunity, and the reach-out all make our society better, for those who see a standard, an opportunity, and reach back.

You help us all.

Very truly yours,
Ann T. Hathaway

Momma Fargo said...

Super Friday post, Bob G.! Love your humor mixed with reality. Tell wifey Merry Christmas and thanks for training our young adults! She is one brave soul. :)

Bob G. said...

Ann:
Thanks for the kudos...I'll be SURE to have Mrs. Bobby G. see it.

And to think she was wondering about doing a "ride-along" w/ the FWPD...LOL.
Guess she wanted to see if she'd meet any FORMER students.
I know she sees them in the FELONY REPORTS...at least twice a month.

Thanks again for stopping by the (it's snowing AGAIN?) fence today.

Have a great weekend.

Bob G. said...

Momma Fargo:

I'd love to have her "take some lessons" from YOU...that would rock the educational world here in the Summit City (in a BIBLICAL way)...ROFL!

Glad you like the post.

I've learned (after much trial and error) that we all HAVE to mix the real with the surreal OFTEN...if we're going to hang onto whatever sanity we have left these days.

We got way too much scary sh*t out there, but we also need to keep our spirits UP, lest we get caught up in the mess.
(and some of that doesn't wash out in the laundry, trust me)

Thanks so much for rolling up and cooping for a spell.
You're ALWAYS welcome here.
(and we're user-friendly)

Stay safe & warm out there.

And have a marvelous weekend!

Ann T. said...

Dear Bob,
When Mrs. B.G. sees this, she's also going to see that I mis-spelled "to".
Aughh!!! That's no way to write to a teacher! Sorry about that.

Also I had to come back and say, Joe Friday should not wear a Santa Hat. Totally ROFL first thing in the morning!

Ann

Bob G. said...

Ann:
Mrs. Bobby G will forgive you on the spelling thing...Lord know she forgives ME often enough...LOL.

I call it "job security" for her (with me, that is)

As for Joe?
You can see how "pleased" he was to don the hat.
(I think he's undercover - he's too tall to be an elf)

"Back away from the tinsel, ma'am"

:)

Mrs. Bobby G. said...

Thanks for the kind words. I can't say too much, but it looks like the problem will be resolved to my satisfaction.
Today I got a little teary eyed driving to school because the kids have been great this week (except for that one) and that I was going to miss some of them from time to time over the next two weeks.
I learned a lot of tricks trying to handle Bobby G. At least I don't spend hours trying to find my students' glasses.
Merry Christmas-
Mrs. Bobby G.

CWMartin said...

Bob, two things:
First, given the fact that no one in your neighborhood other than LEO wear armor, the houses of your neighbors are by and large not substantially constructed or maintained, and cramming people together makes even a small calliber weapon efficient, I think Santa might nix your request for the rail gun.

Second, I can tell you where Mrs. G's problem child will end up- in New Haven, with all the formerly-known-as-Harding students. Be interesting to look in two years at a graph charting number of former Hardings attending NHHS and the rate of petty crime increase in New Haven over the same period. Just sayin'.

Bob G. said...

CWM:
You may have a point with the railgun...(damn!)
Perhaps a LOWER-YIELD E/M version?

I know I would LOVE to get my paws on a small LRAD device...oh, the "fun" I could have.

I wouldn't put it past any of these chronic morons to have vests...One perp a couple months ago DID have one (must been a matched set with that AK he was toting?)
Those items must look MUCH better in the evidence/property room.

I have the same feeling YOU do about the Harding kids going to NH.
Once a blight...always a blight when it comes to folks such as those...
Betcha test scores drop along with attendance while behavioral problems rise, too.
(nature of the "beast"?)

Makes me wonder whatever happend to REFORM SCHOOLS?

Hey, thanks a lot for taking time to drop by today.

Have yourself a great weekend.

indy said...

so thats why there is such cheap housing in new haven.......mmmmm interesting. sorry about having a rough week with the kids. at least she isnt down here in ips, or warren central area. well, i'm not eithor anymore...........lol

never the less i dont carry a purse except for the summer to put my sunglasses in it. i normally carry my money in my bra. and the rest of my ids around my neck on a lynard. (i know sooooo sexxxyyyyy. what a fashion statement!!!!!!) the old walmart lynard.

gift buying is over for me. perhaps i'll got some orange juice and some milk. i've been thinking the same thing bob. this is the weekend for robberies at any mall. and any store. i personally want to be known as the old chick thats just out for milk. lol

Bob G. said...

Indy:

Sounds like you still practice a military-style of "personal security"...lOL

Nothing wrong with that one damn bit!

New Haven will be "fun" to watch for the next 2-3 years, that's for sure.

I'm gonna to predict (NOW) that we're going to see a rise in "crossover" crime...that which "bleeds" from the EAST side of Fort Wayne over into New Haven...
(I'd be surprised if it did NOT...honest-to-God)

The student was NOT back in Wifey's class...and he wasn't even under the auspices of being "special-ed"...even with a BI-POLAR condition...

I mean WTF?

No wonder overall achievement is NOT where it should be...too many PROBLEM kids mixed in with the normal ones, dragging THEM down...not fair AT ALL.

Kroger usually has SUNNY D (another nickname for Wifey, LOL) for less than OJ...

And YES, it DOES make AS GOOD A MIX with whatever ALCOHOL you choose to amend it with...!!!
(trust me on this one..)
Canadian Mist works VERY nicely...mmmmmmmm.

Have yourself a safe weekend.
Stay warm down there.
Thanks for dropping by.

gadfly said...

Your comment about the 1900+ page omnibus budget bill complete with thousands upon thousands of earmarks has activated my "conspiracy sensors" as well. Who indeed is writing this stuff on such short notice . . . my bet is that the writers are in the employ of George Soros.

That goes well with the news that Julian Assange of Wikileaks "says he believes the US Government version of 9/11 and calls the Bilderberg Group a normal meeting of people, a very establishment view." So you can forget about docs being released about US government involvement in 9/11 and blow away thoughts about docs concerning secret black helicopters with soldiers aboard wearing blue helmets.

Since I might not get the chance next week ... Merry Christmas to you and Mrs G.

Bob G. said...

Gadfly:
Yeah, don'cha think it TOO weird that all this legislation is so "readily-at-hand"?

I mean, when I did a FIVE page book report in high school, it certainly didn't manifest itself out of thin air like this newest bikll...AND all it's forerunners.

I'm really beginning to believe that all of this is more or less "pre-written" (way in advance it would seem)...there is simply no other explanation.

And you can be sure that whatever IS leaked will be very selective in nature...(another "nudge"?)

THanks so much for taking time and stoping by today.


And a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Stay safe.

Phil Marx said...

It would only take one or two pages to cut the taxes and extend unemploment benefits. The other 1,898 pages are the special interest earmarks - a.k.a. legalized bribes.

Further proof that this last election changed nothing.

Bob G. said...

Phil:
You're EXACTLY right, my friend.

This last election changed some FACES...as to the rhetoric?
I sure hope this record isn't another BROKEN one.
That gets real old...real fast.

Thanks for stopping on by and commenting today.

Don't be a stranger.
And stay safe up there.

Ann T. said...

Dear Mrs. G.,
I am SO GLAD that the situation is getting resolved. And even more glad that most of the students are good--sometimes I worry about a room of bad apples!

They probably cried a little and miss you too.

Thanks for updating us! And Bob,

I had to howl over Joe Friday and the tinsel. I thought it was gunsel.

LOL,
Ann