Friday Follies...
With this being the FIRST weekend of February, it's a rather important weekend.
NO, I don't mean the "Super" Bowl, either.
It's...Welfare Weekend!!!!
(thunderous applause)
All the "locals" have gotten their checks (courtesy of YOU, the working people), and you can sure tell by the way they've been acting.
It's like feeding time at the damn zoo.
Everyone is a bit more "manic" than usual.
I much prefer the last 2 weeks of the month...the charm has worn off, the bloom is off their "rose", and they're getting antsy for that NEXT check. Unfortunately, that's when they get uppity and start committing crime to feed whatever habit they have.
Nice to know that SOME things never change, isn't it?
But wait...it's not ALL bad news.
Unless you're driving a TOYOTA, that is...
*** The car company has been installing a "fix" (called a shim....a bloody SHIM???) to correct the acceleration problem.
Toyota (after several new complaints) is now looking into the computer assist for braking on the Prius. Nothing like whacking a pothole and then having the brakes fade, right?
You have to remember, we're in the 21st century now...all the old, reliable MECHANICAL parts have been supplanted with electronics.
Not necessarily a good thing.
With my 26 year old Firebird, all my accelerator/braking is done MECHANICALLY, as in cables and linkages. There is a "power" assist for the steering and brakes, but that's HYDRAULIC in nature, NOT electronic.
With these new cars, it's close to the "fly-by-wire" gig you have with aircraft. A computer does all the "work" receiving signals from sensors, which in turn activates motors (and other parts) that are SUPPOSED to "get 'r done", when it comes to braking or accelerating.
Sometimes, these "brains" get a might screwed-up, and then things aren't working the way they were supposed to.
That's called "TROUBLE, my friends...right here in River City" (under your hood).
What you may see happen in the near future is a return to a more reliable mechanism for PRIMARY on board systems in vehicles.
I say if something WORKS...don't change it.
But that will occur ONLY if the car companies can make a ton of money off of you in the process, got it?
*** Now, while you're waiting for that car to fail...OR get fixed, you might want to think on this:
People are NOT drinking the "top-shelf" alcohol products in the quantities they used to. Don't get me wrong...people are STILL drinking MORE liquor (and in this present-day world, what's the reason NOT to drink,hmm?), they're just opting for the cheaper stuff.
And people are drinking more AT HOME (good idea when it comes to driving - no one ever got a DUI on their SOFA)
Industry growth slowed in 2009, with supply UP 1.4%.
That's the smallest increase since 2001 and below the 10-year average of 2.6%.
I do like Chivas Regal (scotch), but I'm choosing to get brands like Passport and Clan MacGregor, because of the price. Taste about the same, too.
Ditto for bourbon. While Jim Beam is enticing, I'll go with either a sale on Wild Turkey, or a lesser brand. And yes, I DO cook with booze.
Whiskey is pretty much the same when it comes to blended Canadians (my personal favorite), so the field is wide open there.
Same can be said for basic white rum. Vodka I use in small quantities, so that's not a problem. And while I love Tanqueray gin, I'll go with a Seagrams or even a Gordon's smaller bottle (with tonic and lime).
I was never one for all these "specialty" liquors, so that saves money at the start.
My wine choices are few...perhaps a bottle of Zifandel or a Lambrusco once every several years.
Just so you know...if you HAVE to drink (and like I said, who doesn't these days, ESPECIALLY if you live in a neighborhood like MINE?) there are plenty of good choices out there...for cheap. We're not doing the cheap-ass VS or Thunderbird wine gig yet, gang. Leave that to my "neighbors"...LOL!
*** Indianapolis schools get a post-Super Bowl "delay".
Welcome to the Unites States of Entertainment, folks.
We care MORE about a damn football game that our children's education (apparently).
The school system (there) originally wanted a TWO-hour delay, but the state "boss" of education didn't want ANY delay at all.
There this compromise, though; a ONE hour delay. Guess being accountable for one's actions and having a level of personal responsibility doesn't mean what it USED to, does it?
First off, is there ANY reason this game HAS to be played at 6 PM? It's in FLORIDA, for cripes sake.
Why aren't they playing it at NOON...or even 3PM, instead of this damn dumbass 6 PM thing?
Playing a Super Bowl at night is just wrong...
They don't run the Indy 500 at night, do they?
Haven't seen the Kentucky Derby run after the sun sets, have you?
Guess the NFL (lapdog of the corporate juggernauts) doesn't give a rat's ass about people staying up past 11PM (especially kids and school bus drivers) with all the "post-game" partying that's going to happen. Hell, they're getting THEIR money, so what do they care, right?
All that doesn't really matter to ME, anyway.
I plan to enjoy this Sunday in the BEST manner possible...
By watching the PUPPY BOWL on Animal Planet!!!
Say what you want, think what you may, THAT is the place to be this Sunday.
I'm "down with that", as our current vernacular would infer.
*** We're also staring at the winter storm heading this way (up from the southwest)...probably a couple inches up here in NE Indiana (2-5 is the best guess), but I see that further south and east will get substantially more.
One buddy in Delaware might be looking at up to SIXTEEN inches (yowsah)!
To my friends and followers in those areas....DO be careful.
Take your time shovelling, rest frequently, and go inside if you become fatigued.
And stay warm!
Death never takes a holiday, and we don't need to be adding to any "celebration", do we?
And if you HAVE to be on the roads in those areas, remember that slow and steady wins the race.
That's why they give everyone those "1" and "2" gears on the instrument panels of your vehicles.
They're NOT there to look nice or to "balance out the space" between NEUTRAL and DRIVE.
They have a purpose...as do we all in life.
So have yourselves a great weekend, wherever life finds you.
May you all learn something every day, and be an even better person for it on Monday than you are this minute.
Do well, make a difference today, and...as always,
Stay safe out there, America.

Make Up Your Mind...
There comes a time when people of good conscience will invariably do one of two things:
A - They will act in the best interest of a situation.
(Someone's got to get it done)
B - They will not act in the best interest of a situation.
(Discretion can often be the better part of valor)
There is also a THIRD choice, that many don't even care to mention.
(They will act in an erroneous manner to serve THEIR OWN best interest, regardless of the consequences.)
Now, what I've been following in the news and on the streets (along with about 72 OTHER things), is the DoD and the recent decision about the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.
Here's is an article that puts things in more perspective:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/business/03fighter.html
Now, you have to admit that ANY weapons platform designed for such use in the 21st century "ain't gonna come cheap".
But this is another case of changing horses in the middle of the stream (imho).
If you're going to allow a program to go forward, you HAVE to plan for budgetary "tweaks", in order to deliver the product AS DESIGNED.
But, if you start cutting corners, something's gonna start to "roll", and usually in the wrong direction.
We either stick to our guns and continue to lead the way in this particular technology...OR, we just take our own sweet time, not deciding how to proceed, and let someone else pass us "on the freeway", while we just hold up traffic.
Lord knows we're already playing out a version of "It's A Wonderful Life", with the nation of CHINA as the surly Mr. Potter (brilliant analogy courtesy of Glenn Beck), as far as our ECONOMY goes.
And we have politicians in place with little if any experience with finding REAL, sustainable solutions to our growing problems.
The debt clock continues to run up "our tab" at an astronomical rate (love to have about FIVE SECONDS of money from that clock...JUST five), while those politicos look for ways to spend money they simply DO NOT HAVE.
And all this is occurring on the GLOBAL STAGE...
We haven't even looked at the LOCAL level of the state of affairs.
It's small wonder that most of us are having a tough time trying to digest ALL that's going on.
It seems as though we're like a damn STRETCH ARMSTRONG...being pulled in several directions AT ONCE, doesn't it? And I can tell you...after a while, it grows a bit tiresome.
I'm probably one of the most average guys you're gonna find...and all I want to do is live my life the best way possible, with whatever time left the good Lord allows me to enjoy.
Now that doesn't sound like a big deal, does it?
Well, considering the manner in which this world (and our nation) could be headed, it tends to "divert my attention" from that life I'm trying to live. And I'm sure much of the same preys on your minds, too.
Times like this can be trying, that's for sure.
We're all part of this, in spite of the fact that we're busy busting our tails working, maintaining households, sending our kids to schools, paying our bills, and trying not to wind up taking the big "dirt nap" in the process.
I'd like to know (as I'm sure you do), that I can be assured of a modicum of safety and security, be it on my streets, or in my country.
Maybe that's why I've always been a proponent of a strong DEFENSE, on any level of government.
I LIKE having a strong MILITARY with the latest technologies, designed to "secure the common defense".
I LIKE having an effective POLICE FORCE patrolling my streets.
I LIKE having a government that is designed and fore sworn to PROTECT my country and it's people.
Somehow, that makes me sleep a bit better at night, how about you?
That "walk softly, but carry a big stick" rhetoric seems to fit the bill here nicely. But, if there is one thing that cheeses me off, it's a government, ANY government at ANY level that decides to castrate itself in order to placate to other people, other nations, and other values.
Sorry, but in today's world, with all the crap going on, you'd best HAVE some "cajones", in order to fend off those who would attempt to get their foot in YOUR door.
Does that mean I will trust our military, our police, and other agencies to protect me and mine 24/7/365?
Not implicitly, I won't.
It goes without saying that in ANY situation YOU find yourself in...YOU are always your FIRST, BEST defense.
The military will not be everywhere, all the time...same goes for state and local law-enforcement.
The manner in which our police (for the most part) "protect and serve" often times comes after the fact, meaning they show up AFTER a robbery has been committed, or AFTER a murder has been perpetrated.
In times like today, it's rare that a crime is "headed off at the pass", as in days of yore. It IS nice to roll up to something "still in progress", however infrequent that might be. That's just the way we've "evolved" from the days of having officers walk a beat, know all the people in neighborhoods, and such.
We're relying on all this technology to do what "warm bodies" used to do, and with a higher level of efficiency when it came to crime PREVENTION.
Ditto for our military, although it IS a different "arena" they find themselves in.
Our troops rely on technology to be more "surgical" in combat, taking out more of the ENEMY, and leaving the civilian populace a lot more alone, but we still cannot stop some soldiers from getting killed, due to enemy actions.
In foreign lands, our troops become endangered by actions here in America, when some governmental agency cuts costs, or does away with a particular program, due to "funding".
But that same government can shove a trillion-dollar financial fiasco in our faces, saying that spending ALL that money will SAVE us money (in the same breath).
Our cities cut back police and other law-enforcement programs, citing funding woes, fully expecting crime to remain stagnant in the process, while the citizens are all but "left to fend for themselves".
But all the while, those same cities push forward more entitlements to people undeserving to receive them in the first place (thanks to federal funding).
Regarding our military...if you're not going to fund our troops with all that they need in theater, then why stay?
Regarding our law-enforcement agencies...if you're going to cut funding and programs designed to PROTECT the public, WHO (exactly) will protect them (us) in this aftermath?
We either fight to win...or we do not fight at all.
We can't choose some "middle ground" here...it would make no sense to do so.
And when it comes to whoever our enemy might be...ANY enemy, we don't smack them soundly on the wrist, chiding them to NOT do those nasty things again, and call it done.
We wade into them, kill them before they can kill us, and THEN call it done.
This applies to fighting a war in a foreign land, or fighting domestic conflicts on our city streets.
To do less, is to deny the meaning of the oath that was taken regarding the service to this country, or the duty to be performed to protect it's people.
And to perform such duty without the proper tools, because someone in a government position wants to feather THEIR hat, is inviting nothing short of disaster to those just trying to live their lives...like you and me.
Time for some people to make up their minds...sh*t, or get off the pot (as Dad used to say).
You can be indecisive and vacillate your ass off when it comes to selecting something off of a dinner menu...or the type of vehicle you might wish to purchase...
You CAN'T be that way when it comes to personal safety, or the safety of this nation and her people.
Those that made this nation also made those hard choices, and stuck by them.
We can learn from their example. We can learn a LOT.
Be well, make a difference, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

Humpday Happenings...
In today's economy, people are getting by with less. That's a fact.
And for as long as I can recall, we've BEEN doing more...with less.
Yet, there is one thing we cannot do WITHOUT...and that's food.
Sorry, just no getting around it...we need to eat in order to survive.
That's just the way the model was built, and how it's supposed to function.
America has long been chastised for being an "overweight" nation, and considering the food CHOICES we have (and in abundance), it's small wonder we're staring at generations with health concerns.
But let's look at the OTHER end of this consumption spectrum...the people who are apparently starving HERE...in THIS country.
We appear to have a growing problem with AMERICANS being on the short end of the food stick.
What bothers me is the fact that every American family winds up WASTING over a few HUNDRED POUNDS of food EVERY YEAR.
That adds the hell up...in a HURRY!
Don't believe me? Check THIS out:
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp
Here we are, the land of plenty, and yet, we've got people who (according to statistics, which we all know can NEVER, ever be wrong) are starving in AMERICA.
Now, I've got a bit of a problem with this "sudden" increase of starvation (or at least the perception of it).
Sure, the economy sucks right now, and we've all got to yank in our belts another notch, but come on, how can SO MANY people be going hungry when food is in more than ample supply?
This is a case where my "cynicism" tends to get the best of me, and probably with good cause.
I grew up in a lower-middle class home - blue collar inner city working class folks.
Dad made about $75 (and change) per week busting ass at a printing plant, and mom took side jobs as a seamstress.
We were far from living the good life, but we always had food on our table.
It might have not been the BEST cut of meat, or the largest cut from the animal, but we just did not go hungry.
And...we NEVER had our hand OUT for assistance...to anyone.
(But Bob, that was a much different time...when jobs were plentiful, and the economy was great)
Maybe, (could have fooled me back then) but I think it speaks more to the "attitude" of my parents at that time.
They grew up during the Great Depression, and saw what it was like for over 25% of this nation's people to be OUT OF WORK.
They knew the value of a dollar, how to do for themselves, all while raising a child. Not an easy feat even in days like today.
They didn't grow up with fast food, and neither did I for the most part.
"You want fast food? Make a damn sandwich, 'cause that's AS FAST as it's gonna get..."
Yeah, that's what Dad would say IF he were here today.
I think there is a much larger issue here that is fueling this increase in "hunger" in America...
I believe that many people have forgotten how to do for themselves.
The "pioneer spirit" has been supplanted by having everyone else do things "we" seem are too mundane...or less than entertaining.
And that means COOKING.
Used to be that my MOM was THE go-to person for FOOD.
And in hard times, it was never unusual to have some type of SOUP for dinner...most ALL damn week.
In our house, Mom would make a "big" dinner on Sunday, and then we'd have the leftovers the following few days, until that was gone, and then it was SOUP-TIME (until the following Sunday).
It might have seemed all too "routine", but at least we ate...and ate well enough to not go begging about.
I really think the art of "family" cooking at home has been lost, although it may be seeing a resurgence with all the cooking shows on TV (if you're planning some "nouveus riche" or haute cuisine instead of plain old "meat & taters").
Now, I do all the cooking in OUR house...I'm good at it, love doing it, and I like to think I'm carrying on my Mom's "tradition" (in some small way). It does cost a lot less than hitting McDs damn near every day...and "It's better for 'ya..so sit down and eat it". (sorry, that was something Mom always said...)
In my neighborhood, I can see the evidence of embracing a fast food lifestyle every trash day, when bins brimming over with fast food containers line our streets, but then again, I AM talking an area that is "blighted", and replete with "poverty".
What really amazes me, is that the people who might be showing up at the local food banks, are the SAME ones pulling into the local Kroger lot in that nice, shiny Cadillac, wearing some fur-lined coat, coming to fill up a shopping cart with all the choice stuff (BBQ items and orange drink)...and paying for it with FOOD STAMPS.
Fact is, some people can become quite adept at "playing the system".
Are these people HUNGRY?
Probably not, at least not by the SIZE of some of these people behind the wheels of those Caddys, with a handbag full of "public assistance". Folks like that could stand to back away from the table a bit sooner.
Now, don't go thinking I'm ragging on "big" people...I'm ragging on those who are fraudulently taking YOUR money for THEIR food, feigning hunger and poverty, while not looking the least bit wanting for food.
I'm busting on those too damn lazy to cook for themselves. I'm at odds with people skewing the numbers data at our food banks, while smiling at their own "ingenuity" by doing so.
Granted, having people like THIS cook for themselves (indoors for a change) brings it's OWN set of problems. These people love to FALL ASLEEP "while cooking", which explains the number of house fires we see in my city. These are the same people who fall asleep with an infant next to them, then roll over and smother the child.
In other words...highly IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE.
Many in America have become a people that shy away from doing difficult things. We'd much rather kick back, and either snap our fingers and have it magically happen for us (not gonna happen), OR...have someone else do it FOR us (usually the taxpayers).
Tough times call for tough measures....that should be simple enough.
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going", was the old saying.
It's the old "taking the road less travelled" gig.
When you see people sending their kids off to school HUNGRY, when all these "parents" need to do is snag a box of cheap cereal at any store, a jug of milk and a damn spoon and put that all together, you sure don't have a "hunger" issue...
You've got a MOTIVATIONAL issue!
And that's costing a LOT more than that milk and cereal thing...for a lot more people, especially when you multiply that times a few million.
It's small wonder that school budgets are shot to hell, with freebie programs like this.
Now, if people are homeless, or living in some shelter, that's a different story altogether.
I'm talking about ALL those being given an *E* ticket "free-ride".
People like this see the word HUNGER as an open door to some more free sh*t, that's all.
Used to be a time when getting ONE NICKEL for candy was a REAL treat. Now, people toss a ten-spot at the kids, tell 'em to go "get something to eat", and that's that. What message does that send to our kids, anyway, hmm?
Someone doesn't give a damn somewhere.
The time has come for people to start being a LOT more responsible, especially to those children they saw fit to sire.
If you can't prepare a meal for YOURSELF, at least have the decency to NOT deny the children a damn meal, that YOU could most easily PREPARE, given all the choices out there.
Microwave ovens are cheap enough, and the last time I checked most rentals HAVE to have amenities such as REFRIGERATORS and RANGES (stoves to the old-fashioned people like me...LOL), so there is absolutely NO reason to NOT be able in some way to have a meal AT HOME...with whatever is passing for a "family".
Mom once said that the ONLY people who could NEVER (or should never) cook, are those who can't boil a damn pot of water.
She never said anything about being too damn lazy to boil that water, because in our day, NO ONE was ever that bad, and if they were, they hid it damn well.
So when I hear about anyone starving in AMERICA, I only think of those in the Appalachian regions back east. THAT is poverty!
I have no sympathy for those UNWILLING to take it upon their OWN shoulders to learn to cook or otherwise prepare something for themselves OR their kids. But it IS highly unfair to these kids in no small degree.
There is simply no excuse for not being able to open a $1 can of CHEF BOY, get some cereal or toast into your kids, instead of letting everyone else feed them. That's fostering a dangerous cycle of false entitlement.
People need to start making better choices...give up that fancy TV and make a dinner for the kids.
Walk past that MP3 player and go make your child some breakfast.
Put down the crack pipe, stop hanging out at the food bank (with your bullsh*t story about being poor), and get your sh*t in gear by doing the responsible thing for a change...you might even learn to like it.
Charity begins AT HOME...not by waiting for the next handout.
There's nothing wrong with being charitable...much of America is based in charity and charitable ways.
We love to help one another.
But we also need to realize that by helping people, we help ourselves.
Helping others do FOR themselves is the right thing, for all of us.
We teach by example...we learn by doing.
can't make it simpler than that, can we?
Do well today, make a difference, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

Six More Weeks Of Winter...
As it was told today on Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania by none other than the prognosticator extraordinaire, Punxatawney Phil...our favorite iconic groundhog.
Well, considering the several million watts of power driving ALL those lights, I'm not surprised Phil didn't see about FORTY shadows...which would mean we're heading for another ICE AGE...LOL.
Now, I know I very much detest having myself dragged out of the sack, so I can empathize with Phil here.
Dad once rousted my butt up around 4AM to go FISHING...
Just once.
Face it...it's COLD outside. It's warm and toasty in bed.
It's DARK outside. It's dark in the warm bedroom, too, so why do I need to go OUTSIDE to get what I already have INSIDE, hmm?
Far be for me to take anything away from Phil. He (and his predecessors) have been around longer than I have, and that little guy has got one helluva sweet gig working for himself.
He gets taken care of ALL year, and only has to come out in the cold ONE DAY a year...not bad at all.
And, he has all these guys around with wearing dark topcoats and black top hats. He get handled with white gloves, and gets his "3 hots and a cot" the whole year. Who wouldn't like THAT deal...I ask you?
Not to mention, the animal world also has Phil's "six"...
It would be scary if some of our "furry friends" started packing heat...








Having my cat put a gun in my face and hand me a note saying "change my litter...NOW" would have a tendency to all but ruin MY day.
Fortunately for US, many species do NOT have opposing thumbs that could properly grasp a weapon...
We dodged a bullet on that one (pun intended).
Of course, PETA would much rather see Phil turned back into the wild, and substituted for a ROBOTIC "groundhog"...
Think of it as an audio-animatronic, Disney type of groundhog.
Somehow, that just doesn't seem right. You simply cannot take an animal that has been raised and cared for by HUMANS, and plop his furry butt BACK into Mother Nature...he'll get KILLED. Back, off, PETA...you're barking up the WRONG tree here.
And a "robotic" groundhog? Are you people serious?
You need to get off that "medical marijuana" you've been tokin' on from San Francisco, and get back to REALITY.
Leave the little guy ALONE.
Go chase after those people killing dolphins in the Pacific, will 'ya?
Leave winter to run it's course, and leave Phil alone so we can enjoy his company and predictions every year, OK?
(but you can still send me those free address labels for wanting me to join PETA ...which I haven't)
In other news...
*** An update to yesterday's story about a man shot in his CAR on Reed St. in Fort Wayne:
(( Homicide victim ID’d as felon, 32 Shot behind wheel on Reed St.; police lack motive, suspects
Holly Abrams - The Journal Gazette
A Fort Wayne man who was shot to death Sunday night has been identified, and his death ruled the city’s fourth homicide of the year, according to Allen County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy performed Monday identified the victim as Michael Andrew Green, 32.
He died shortly after being shot in the 5200 block of Reed Street, on the city’s southeast side, about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Fort Wayne police.
Meanwhile, police have no suspects or motive in the slaying, said officer Liza Thomas, a police spokeswoman.
Thomas was unsure whether drugs or gang activity might have played a role in the slaying.
Police said Green was driving a blue Pontiac Bonneville south on Reed Street when he was shot.
A 911 caller initially told police there was more than one person in the car, but officers did not find any passengers at the crime scene, Thomas said.
After the shooting, Green ran from his moving car to a home on Reed Street for help. The Pontiac, with a shattered driver’s-side window, continued moving south until it struck a parked car in a driveway on Roosevelt Drive, police said.
Thomas said the Pontiac was not registered to Green.
She said Green’s relationship to the vehicle’s owner was unclear.
Green was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He died shortly after arrival, police said.
A police dog searching the area led officers to Winter Street but failed to turn up any evidence, Thomas said.
According to the Indiana Department of Correction Web site, Green was sentenced in March 2000 to prison for an Allen County conviction of escape. He was released in September 2001.
Allen Superior Court records show Green was also formally charged with residential entry in 1998. He was sentenced to probation in that case.
habrams@jg.net ))
It would seem that Mr. Green, although having been a former felon was pretty much keeping his nose clean of late, but it does raise questions as to the WHY in this case.
My take would be that if you're going to take down some felons, start with the WORST ones in the city, and leave those not causing any trouble at the moment the hell alone.
But gangs and drug dealers don't always "follow script" in situations like this.
We can take from this the fact that "if you're not playing the game" in this part of town...things can happen to you.
I've always said that it's a bad idea to keep people that have a penchant for criminal activity TOGETHER.
Our city leaders (and rental landlords) MUST think differently.
For example, you NEVER keep all your prisoners grouped together, nor do you keep all your hostages together. You divide them up so they can't conspire to attack you, escape, or evade.Being able to restrain them properly can negate that, however.
People down in this part of town are FAR from being restrained...they basically run rampant, as is evidenced by the amount of CRIME we have here.
And their community sticks up for them, blaming the usual suspects such as poverty, oppression, and the like.
Their community SHOULD (instead) be taking a good long, hard look in the MIRROR and see the REAL reason things devolve to such a state. They aren't SOLVING the problem, so they must be fostering it. It's that simple.
In their eyes, those that would have a level of authority, or otherwise enforce the laws of the land are the ones viewed with contempt...and scorn...and distrust.
Talk about your screwed up priorities in life...
But situations like Mr. Green's shooting will continue, until someone wakes the rest of the folks up, and shows them what the hell is wrong with the status quo.
All the rest of us can do is hope we're not caught up in any collateral damage that might be incurred when such people fight amongst themselves with the impunity they currently enjoy.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got six more weeks of winter to deal with (as do you)...
And watching a light snow fall upon the patio...you gotta hand it to Phil.
He's looking pretty damn correct in his call...at least TODAY.
Stay warm, don't over-exert yourselves, and do well today.
But above all...
Stay safe out there,America.

Monday Musings...
Wow...a new week, a new month....same old neighborhood.
Amazing that no matter how much some things change, others remain the same...year after year.
** The Grammy awards were (and have been for some time) a real joke, so I didn't watch it.
** The Super Bowl is coming like a jail on wheels. Better to call it the Super HYPE (bowl) instead. Cripes, they even have Haitian children that have come to America for treatment and care clothed in COLTS shirts...!
** Obama and the GOP met over the weekend...nice to see the President in the HOT SEAT for a change (I can believe in)...heh.
But a word of caution here...we should be wary when the President seems to pander to the Republicans and moves a bit to the "right"...there is STILL a progressive agenda in place here, and those people really dislike having their plans dashed, especially by all of us "stupid" people.
** But the really interesting stories follow right on the heels of an article that appeared in SATURDAY'S paper.
The headline read:
Major crime in city down 8% in 2009 - Chief credits targeted police work.
Here's the link to the entire story: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20100130/LOCAL07/301309986
Now that's a very "amusing" article, considering the following:
(( Reed St. shooting possible homicide - Victim fled to house, later died at hospital / Jeff Wiehe - The Journal Gazette
Fort Wayne police were investigating what could be the city's fourth homicide of the year Sunday night.
Police responded to a shooting in the 5200 block of Reed Street about 8:30 p.m. and found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Details remained sketchy, according to police spokeswoman Liza Thomas. She said the southeast-side shooting involved more than one person, and the victim was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Thomas described the shooting victim as a 32-year-old Fort Wayne man but did not identify him.
The shooting victim was apparently in a car when he was shot, Thomas said. He got out of the car and ran to a house. The car, which was in gear, traveled south on Reed and struck a parked car in the driveway at the end of the street.The driver's-side window of the victim's car was shattered.
Thomas did not provide the address of the home the victim ran to, but officers were seen snapping photos of a single-story home at 5226 Reed St. Witnesses were being interviewed, Thomas said. No arrests have been made. ))
And while we're on the subject, how about an update to a story from late last week:
(( Published: February 1, 2010 3:00 a.m.
Police identify slaying victim - Tests pending on whether gun killed woman - Journal Gazette
The Saturday shooting death of a 20-year-old Fort Wayne woman has been ruled a homicide.
Kamilla Wallace was shot to death after a fight among several women at an after-hours club at 2624 Central Drive, on the city’s southeast side, about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, according to preliminary autopsy results.
Her death is the county’s third homicide this year.
Police said 30 to 60 people were at the house, which has a sign on the front porch that advertises "Big City" partying for a $2 cover charge, when the fight broke out. It’s unclear what prompted the brawl, although witnesses told police the women stopped fighting for a moment and then started again.
Someone then fired at least two shots, according to Fort Wayne police. Medics declared Wallace dead shortly after they arrived.
Police questioned a woman who was at the party and recovered a firearm from her vehicle. She was not arrested.
Investigators are waiting to see whether the gun matches the one used to kill Wallace.
Police said it’s unclear whether Wallace was the intended target of the shots. ))
Okay...everyone following SO far?
We've had FOUR homicides (possibly) JUST in January this year...and "major" crime is going DOWN...???
(ahem)
HOW, exactly is that possible, because the LAST time I checked, MURDER / HOMICIDE was considered a MAJOR crime.
(except if I were to practice MY version of "urban renewal"...then it would be a PUBLIC SERVICE)
We're ahead of LAST year in homicides (so far), and if we manage to keep this pace, we'll more than reach the magic *25* for the year (with a few to spare). That's not indicative (to me) of any type of decrease in a major crime.
I guess all other crime has dropped so much that it all balances out.
But hey, this city LOVES to fudge numbers...look at the Harrison Square and the Renaissance Square projects, for example...
The costs keep climbing over and above what we were initially told (and promised)...nice.
So it must also be for crime, I suppose.
Now you have to understand a few things as to why these homicides happened.
In the "after-hours club" shooting, the "house" in question is supposed to be a Masonic "lodge"...well, then that MUST make me the POPE (not bad for a Methodist).
Perhaps the Masons need to be notified?
Perhaps the excise police need to shake this house (and owner) down?
Perhaps NCE needs to go through this house with a fine-tooth comb?
How about ALL of the above?
Let's just say operations like this one are NOT legal...period, shall we?
Let's also say that when police roll up, you don't peek out the door, then close and LOCK it with a dead woman inside.
Just try creating a crime scene perimeter with 50-60 party people milling about, all talking/shouting at once and all on some cell phone.
Yeah, that's "interesting" to say the least.
Let's say you may also have evidence of serious drug use about the place.
Makes me wonder who's paying for this crash-pad "club" anyway?
But maybe this young woman would not be dead if she didn't go to a place where people are carrying guns, either on their person OR in their vehicles, hmm?
It's ALL about decisions...consequences...and priorities in one's life.
Screw up bad enough...long enough...and it WILL catch up to 'ya.
Kamilla found that out all to suddenly.
As to the Reed St. shooting by the renter...
Well, although ONE thug was killed, others did get away, and knowing the neighborhood, this renter could also be considered a "playa"...difference being he was a little faster on the trigger than the home invader that was shot.
You also have to take into consideration that many of these types of people pack some serious heat...like large caliber handguns and assault rifles like an SKS or AK.
Too many times, criminals will target a house that they KNOW contains "things of interest", be they drugs, weapons, or other items that can easily be turned into "foldin' money" at the local fence or pawn shop.
And also, many of these people LOVE to brag...remember, it IS all about "entertainment" to them, so they will mouth off to their (so-called) friends at the drop of a blunt. That sets them up for being robbed...or worse.
That's just the "nature of the beast" down here...much like it is in certain parts of Philly.
I've seen enough and been in enough houses and apartments to know the pattern of behavior.
It's just another version of "Can't feed or clothe the kids, but I got a nice ride...or stereo...or big screen TV" mentality.
See, that's where "we" come in...the taxpayers.
WE front the goods and services that these kids need, while baby-mama and baby-daddy go do their "own thing" for their OWN self-aggrandizement (how's THAT for a "word of the day, O'Reilly?).
How pathetic that is...but oh so true.
But it IS nice to know that crime has DROPPED a whopping EIGHT PERCENT...(according to Chief Rusty)!
Gee, at THAT rate, I'll be able to WALK THE SIDEWALKS (and not in the streets like some 3rd world Nigerian throwback) during the day again by August....like NORMAL PEOPLE should be able to do.
(right...when pigs fly)
Sorry, Rus...ain't seeing this "drop" in major crime...not down here.
Maybe YOU spoke a bit TOO SOON?
I'm just seeing more of the same old...and that doesn't work for me and any others who still are trying to live their lives down here. The quadrant I live in has the highest expenditure of FWPD resources, and YET...we are still seeing incidents like the above occur with regularity...why IS that?
You know, it's not dishonorable to ASK FOR OUTSIDE HELP when you need it, chief. You always "ask" for the citizens to help out and come forward.
Phil Marx tried helping...
I have been helping with my neighborhood...
And I'm sure others have also been helping with problems in THEIR areas...
Why aren't WE seeing a return for our "investment"?
Just because we aren't victims (yet) doesn't mean there is NO crime.
I maintain we only have a crime problem because we have a PEOPLE problem.
People cause crime..it's that simple.
Guns don't cause crime, nor do knives, bats, pipes, cars, or any other device that can turned against another human being in anger.
(yes, that does include leaf rakes, library paste, and Ticonderoga #2 pencils)
When you begin to address the PEOPLE problem, you WILL get a much better handle on the crime.
And don't you dare blame the educational system...or the economy...or poverty...or even George Bush.
People such as the aforementioned CHOOSE to do what they do; create mayhem and chaos in their neighborhoods.
They KNOW FULL WELL what they're doing, and couldn't give a rat's ass to any consequences.
THAT mindset HAS to end...and soon.
Life has never contained a RESET button...and never will.
You get one chance at life...ONE. That's it.
It's up to every one of us to make it the BEST one we can...
So do well today, make a difference, and...
Stay safe out there, America.