Humpday Happenings...
Seems we're getting an early dose of St. Patrick's Day, thanks to Gunny (that's tomorrow, btw, so dig out the green) as well as Spring in the Midwest as temperatures reach into the mid FIFTIES...for the next few days (gonna be seeing lots of homeboys in shorts and dress-length white t-shirts, the ghetto-duds of choice...and that's for sure...LOL)
And that also means more than our share of loud ass car stereos in the area, just waiting to be CITED (FWPD - take note).
But before we get into the local "stuff"...there's this:
*** The nuclear situation in Japan is not getting any better.
But, it's not really getting any worse, either.
The reactors spent fuel pools are apparently the source of the major concern.
With the water having been boiled off, this is the primary source of radioactivity in the area.
Spent fuel pools are (traditionally) not kept that close to the actual reactor containment.
Fox news provides a comprehensive assessment to the situation here:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/16/japans-uncertain-following-radiation-level-panic/#
Cooling efforts were suspended yesterday when a radiation spike was revealed.
The workers have since returned to their task-at-hand.
And after several days since the earthquake and tsunami...there are STILL no signs or evidence of RIOTS or LOOTING...astounding!
Unlike these morons up in Albany, New York:
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2011/03/14/video-of-the-albany-kegs-and-eggs-riot
(good videos of the melee from the scene)
Guess there really IS no substitute for STUPIDITY when reason and sanity doesn't "quench one's thirst"...right?
Hell, they didn't even have a nuclear threat in order to pull this crap.
*** Elsewhere in the U.S., other people are getting a bit too much into "panic-mode".
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/15/drug-stores-report-sudden-increase-potassium-iodide-sales/#
Some folks are taking NO chances, but then again, it IS the LEFT COAST.
If things were honestly THAT bad in Japan, the authorities would be letting us know, and taking the proper precautions. So, I wouldn't really go rushing out to CVS or WALGREENS for some potassium iodide tablets.
And while we're on the subject of pharmaceuticals...
*** The DEA has seized a new drug being used in Georgia for prisoner "euthanasia" aka execution, as the old drug "cocktail" combo has been suspended due to lack of one of the drugs used in the mix.
Here's the story link...pretty decent read:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/15/dea-seizes-key-execution-drug-ga/#
You know...if you definitely, positively HAVE to execute a felon on death row, there aren't ANY drugs used (or needed to be regulated) in either the GALLOWS or the ELECTRIC CHAIR. And the tried and true GAS CHAMBER always worked well (thanks to cyanide).
Face it, some people are THAT evil that they NEED to be "put down" (like a rabid animal), so stop beating about the bush here, and get it done. Others are waiting to move in to the jail space...(trust me, they are).
*** And it just wouldn't be a typical day, week, or month here in Fort Wayne without something like THIS:
(( Early morning shooting sends one person to the hospital
Updated: Wednesday, 16 Mar 2011, 5:31 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 16 Mar 2011, 3:47 AM EDT
(WANE) - Fort Wayne police are investigating an early morning shooting.
It happened around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday in a mobile home community in the 2200 block of Dunkelberg Road near Bluffton Rd.
When police arrived, they found a male victim with multiple gunshot wounds.
Medics took him to the hospital in serious condition.
Investigators haven't confirmed the circumstances of the shooting or said if any arrests were made. ))
Hey, at least it wasn't on the SE side of town...for a change.
But never fear, with warmer weather, you can DEPEND on the locals to get uppity and start doing what THEY do best, namely being a menace to society in general, and a threat to decent folk in particular (down in the Ghettoland Abusement Park and discount house of drugs).
*** This story about Lucas Oil Stadium is kind of ironic, considering HOW MUCH MONEY went into the venue down in Indianapolis:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Lucas-Oil-Stadium-Facing-Major-Repairs-117998094.html
And this place cost the taxpayers HOW MUCH exactly?
Plus, it's ONLY a YEAR AND A HALF OLD?
Sure glad THOSE contractors don't work in conjunction with anything REALLY important, like INFRASTRUCTURE, aren't you?
Goes to show that the older stadiums held up better...and for longer...and for less money.
But, it IS all about the "big show" these days...pathetic.
*** Lastly today, I want to take a line from Sun Tzu who said:
"Know your enemy...and know yourself"
I don't really need an "enemy", and I would rather substitute the word SOCIETY, which should be our friend, rather than an enemy.
You can learn a LOT about YOURSELF from watching OTHERS.
And you learn even more about those others BY watching them...that's a given.
Now, we see the Japanese people dealing with ALL the crap that's been tossed at them in less than a week...and still they remain relatively calm.
While many here in the USA will (often) panic , or at least "jerk their knees" at the drop of a hat.
Granted, there do come times when actual CONCERN becomes the order of the day, but it should not down to outright panic.
That helps no one, least of all yourself.
We saw small evidence of concern in NOLA...very small.
We DID see wholesale LOOTING masquerading AS "panic", when in fact, it was a device...a toll for taking from others when there was no other intent than to take...period. There are those among us who will do anything to satisfy their "appetite" whether it's theft, mayhem, or even murder.
And we should not panic, but rather become more vigilant...more aware of what and who is nearby.
We need to assess our surroundings DAILY, in order to prevent panic from ruling our minds.
We also need to take whatever precautions are needed to keep those barbarians from our gates.
It's better to be able to look out for one another...that's what real Americans do...and do quite well. Always have...always will.
But we have to learn to temper our concern with self-protection.
For we are no good to anyone, even ourselves, if we allow the predators of our society a place to play...and to thrive.
Therein lies the lesson.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.