Humpday Happenings...
Should be an interesting day today in some respects, and hopefully a less "vibrant" day than it was yesterday.
Let's take the interesting stuff first, OK?
*** Went down (actually traveled NORTH, so make that "UP") to the courthouse to "attend" jury duty.
(( *rolls eyes* ))
Always a fun time...not.
They told us to be there at 0830....and I was there at 0805.
Even held the door for an Allen Country deputy as he went inside. Told him to roll safe out there. He thanked me and gave a "you too, SIR" back.
Me? SIR? Kinda cool...might be a good day after all.
Well, 0830 came...and went....and went a little more. Then the bailiff came and called the "first twelve" prospective jurors...and I'll give 'ya THREE guesses WHO was in that bunch? ((hint, your first two guesses don't count...LOL))
Yep...right into the JURY BOX (nice swivel leather padded chairs...could use one in the 'puter room HERE).
This was a CRIMINAL case (2 days long, no sequestering required), and involved a young black male left in charge of a 6-month old who was accused of NEGLECT and BATTERY. (I'll show you the "rap sheet" for the defendant in tomorrow's post...)
Sorry, but that's ALL you have to "splain" to me...child abuse and/or neglect....got NO sympathy for people like this.
Do you recall the case where "baby-mama" killed her child and then stuffed him into a plastic bin for the better part of a year (at another house)...or the case with the "demon-possession" where baby-mama force fed vinegar and oil into a 3 year old's mouth until HE croaked?
Some people just do NOT deserve to HAVE children, let alone be charged with WATCHING THEM.
They need REAL parents...period.
When the attorneys asked the "impartiality" question, I had to voice my opinion, so I raised my hand...and when asked, I told them this:
"I live in the SE side of Fort Wayne, and get to see a lot of things regular folks don't, such as neglect of toddlers...allowing them to wander into a street with traffic going by, or swinging an infant by it's arm over one's head, like it was some sort of rag doll.
These people treat their pit bulls better in many cases, yet they keep having kids with no accountability or trying to maintain any personal responsibility...so you see my view of things is from my front door, and not tainted by media bias. One has to believe what one sees...."
At this point, you could hear a pin drop...and the floor was CARPETED nicely.
But, I had to say what I believe..and what IS the TRUTH.
Didn't take long to call my number and send me packing...(again).
My car was where I parked it, so THAT was a plus, AND, I did get to climb (and later descend) all THREE floors of marble steps (my morning edification), as well as take an "abbreviated" tour of the Allen County Courthouse. (to superior room #1)
And yes, Judge Surbeck is nicer in person, than as quoted...LOL.
Thankfully, aside from the daggers stared at me by the defendant's family (who look like most any of my neighbors), I even got to talk to an older man (on the way back to the car-park) who TAUGHT procedure regarding SEARCH & SEIZURE...!
(how cool is that?)
We talked about the Creamer book "Law of Arrest, Search & Seizure"...this man TAUGHT from it, and I helped PUBLISH it way back in the 1970s...
A kinship was struck...I LOVE it.
So, we chatted for a few, then I drove home, in the drizzle, even screeched the tires at one light...heh, heh, heh...my old Batmobile's STILL got it!
And here I am typing the blog for those faithful readers out there...
Mission Accomplished...!
(for another TWO years...didn't even have to invoke the 13th Amendment, either)
*** Now, onto the "vibrant" aspect to yesterday down in the ghettohood.
It never ceases to amaze as to how WELL taxpayer money is used by our government.
I mean one could always suppose that our government (Fed, state or local) always has OUR "best interest" at heart, right?
Well...maybe not so much.
Here's just one example as to how our government sees fit to spend YOUR hard-earned tax dollars.
They fund public displays such as the one I'm about to reveal.
(and trust me, you will NOT see THIS on the news anywhere in Fort Wayne)
I saw this "couple" walking down the street around noon, and I could just tell by the manner in which they walked that "something" was up...or soon would be.
You can just tell the stride...the "purpose" in the footfalls.
Pay attention to THIS car...it figures in the whole mix..
Sure enough, it wasn't long before a "meeting of the minds" took place, and right outside my window.
(talk about some front row seating - can't get spots THIS good at center ice at the Coliseum)
Now, I don't know what all this was over, and don't care to know.
What I DO know, is that to the casual observer, it would appear to have come out of the blue.
But I saw a potential for confrontation brewing, and I my "hunch" was proved right again (these moolies are predictable).
So, between getting a picture, I was on the horn to the po-po, getting them a *20* and the descriptions of the mid-day UFC "participants"...
Strangely enough, they began to break it up as I was hanging up (isn't that always the way? - must have po-po radar or something), but two cruisers rolled up and stopped one of the black women (there were several involved complete with torn shirts and fists flying - still had a piece of shirt on our lawn).
The one officer (looked to be Mike Joyner, of all people - former PIO for the FWPD) chatted with the woman for a few, and then LEFT the scene.
Now, I HAD provided BOTH the HOUSE NUMBERS where these people came from who were fighting, so, the least I expected was to see the police roll up to either or both of the residences, and see what was going on...
Nope...absolutely NO FOLLOW-UP...AT ALL.
(( "WTF?" ))
Yeah, believe the woman with the torn shirt, all sweaty from a smackdown that says: "evathins' cool...we be cool".
Yeah....right.
If it happened ONCE, it will invariably happen AGAIN, and maybe NEXT time, a WEAPON might be involved.
That's the way these people shake.
And that is why they don't want ME on their jury...I KNOW more than they would want me to know (can't get MY age without picking up a few things and a good gut for feelings - always a dangerous proposition, but fun for ME)
I do plan to forward a set of these pictures to our quadrant captain, in the hope that what I've been telling her about certain houses around here for OVER a year starts to SINK IN...
A picture IS worth a thousand words anyway, right, people?
So there we have it...Bob's (sorta) Excellent Adventure. And it's ONLY noon time.
We'll see you back here on the morrow, kapeesh?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
"TRUTH WILL ULTIMATELY PREVAIL WHERE THERE IS PAINS TO BRING IT TO LIGHT." ~ (George Washington) ~ Submitted for your contemplation is a compendium of commentary, news, opinions, contrasts, and similarities regarding the many facets of the human condition be they found in Indiana, or Pennsylvania, or wherever else the 4 winds blow ~ It's COMMON SENSE for the common man (or woman) ~ Your mileage may vary.
07 September 2011
06 September 2011
Only Solutions...
While this might seem like a lead-in for a rather obscure song from Journey (from the movie TRON - the first flick), it really not. Sorry about that.
What the title infers is that it would be nice to HAVE only solutions available to us these days.
We need someone to step up and provide solutions...not more problems.
And certainly not another way around a problem, as in avoidance of the issue completely.
Now, there may be some folks out there with solutions in search OF a problem.
To them I'd say: "Don't worry, another one will come along soon enough, and perhaps it will be a match."
Problems are like inner city buses.
They have the same beginning and end to whatever route they're on, and they usually operate with some level of regularity.
Our main problem with America is that we've lost track of who "WE" are, as a nation.
Who we USED to be isn't so much who we are TODAY...or even in the immediate tomorrow.
We've allowed our government to over-regulate, over-obfuscate, and over-intimidate it's people.
That's not a good thing, believe it or not.
And we've permitted different standards for different people.
We've allowed ourselves to be taxed seven ways to Sunday while the government keeps on spending, and stating it's "what this country needs".
Really? REALLY???
Your payroll is taxed, your savings and/or holdings are taxed, and any and all purchases are taxed.
My, that's taxing...!
And what are YOU seeing for all that money YOU are putting out?
Well, we COULD take a look at cities like DETROIT, a once proud bastion of innovation, invention, and production.
Sorry, not seeing much of anything there these days...except SQUALOR, DEBT, and DISILLUSIONMENT.
Nice return on our "investment"...but that's only ONE instance.
This same cycle is repeated across this country, and to what end?
We hear poverty levels are rising dramatically, all the while these same folks who are classified as "poor", have damn near EVERY amenity offered and bought by working-class stiffs all the way up to professionals.
Hardly seems poor to me.
Close to 50% of America's populace is on SOME form of "government-assistance", and yet nothing can seem to be done to relieve this burden on our citizens OR our government.
We've allowed people to be "spoon-fed" by the state with sustenance provided by taxpaying people, who themselves are often struggling to just get by.
Granted, there are those that cannot fend for themselves, through whatever reason such as illness, catastrophe, financial ruin...whatever, but I cannot believe that SO MANY are in such dire straits...and for SO damn long.
People used to be able to rely on ONE ANOTHER, if not THEMSELVES to extricate them from whatever pitfall life has tossed at them.
And believe me, life DOES have it's pitfalls, often with OUR name on it...just waiting.
But our government has taken the mantle of help from many charitable agencies (for our own good), and regulated those agencies into relative oblivion.
When a child can't even have a damn LEMONADE stand in front of their house to make a few bucks for whatever reason, that sends a powerful message as to how entrepreneurship is taking it on the damn chin.
When the bloody FDA comes down on a high school for having a damn BAKE SALE to pay for their sports equipment or fund a class trip, that sends another powerful message.
The government has become TOO overprotective.
(Gee, I thought that's what PARENTS were for...lol.)
There are those that feel our government isn't LARGE ENOUGH...they want even more "control" in our lives.
I cannot subscribe to that...at all.
I believe that an EDUCATED public makes the best citizenry.
But again, our government seeks to "adapt" our educational system to fit their view of the 21st century.
Make EVERYONE equal....no one left behind...no one fails. We ALL succeed...period.
Nice idea, if everyone managed to WORK to earning such a thing.
Everyone IS already equal, in that we ALL have the same chance...the same opportunity to "test the waters" and determine our OWN course, and whether we succeed or fail in whatever endeavor we attempt.
But some people have found thinking for themselves a bit of an issue...they'd rather have THAT done for them as well.
Again, not a good thing.
Stifling creativity on ANY level is inherently wrong.
Who are we as a nation...today, right now...this very minute?
And who have we become, or are allowing ourselves to become?
The government has PROVEN that whenever they take over something that should be under the control OF THE PEOPLE...they fail.
AMTRAK? Kinda sucks for a government-run rail system. Losing money every year.
The USPS? On the verge of collapse. Money is drying up.
Thank God the military is still intact.
But rather than figure ways to SOLVE these issues, government seems more concerned with whether or not our ROOF is white...or how big our "carbon-footprint" might be, or even how much we "need" ethanol, while abbreviating the corn crops for such necessities as grain-feed for animals, corn for consumer food products, and the like. And that doesn't include the millions of bushels of corn we ship OVERSEAS (to where our jobs all went).
There are people with a lot of problems today...and mostly, it's called our government.
There are also people with solutions waiting for the right problem to come along.
I say we somehow manage to get these two groups TOGETHER, place them in a nice room and let them figure all this crap the hell out...once and for all. We need a better sense of "direction" for this nation, because being adrift with no sail or rudder in the global scene just ain't cutting it.
DO we have political candidates worthy of such direction?
Depends on who you talk to.
No ONE person has all the answers, that's a given, but we do have to see who can do the least damage in the least amount of time.
I think that's a good starting point.
Now, you're all wondering why I seem to be all full of "piss and vinegar" this morning.
I dunno...maybe it's the constant bombardment from the media about ALL this crap we seem to be hip-deep in.
Maybe it's questioning why we changed since the era when I was growing up.
Perhaps it's frustration at seeing people too damn lazy to do anything but prey on others.
I think it's a combination of all of that...and more.
I believe this nation has a LOT of good years left in her, and I also believe in the spirit that makes this country great.
And I also think such a spirit in this nation has been too long gone.
One person cannot hope to tackle such challenges by themselves.
But one person, speaking the truth, can enlist the aid of another person...and that person can tell another...and so on.
We can reclaim that which this nation has lost, but it will not happen overnight.
It will take some courage...some integrity, some moral application, and a whole lot of ethics.
And one person at a time, we can become a nation of the PEOPLE, and NOT of the government, which Lincoln stated was (itself) OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people.
The government is there for US, and not the other way around.
Our government is tasked with running the NATION, and not running the lives of individuals or groups of people.
The government is charged with PROTECTING the people from tyranny both here and abroad, and NOT protecting people from themselves (by controlling their lives).
Simple concepts both, yet ones which seem void of value today.
Perhaps it's time we fill that void.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
While this might seem like a lead-in for a rather obscure song from Journey (from the movie TRON - the first flick), it really not. Sorry about that.
What the title infers is that it would be nice to HAVE only solutions available to us these days.
We need someone to step up and provide solutions...not more problems.
And certainly not another way around a problem, as in avoidance of the issue completely.
Now, there may be some folks out there with solutions in search OF a problem.
To them I'd say: "Don't worry, another one will come along soon enough, and perhaps it will be a match."
Problems are like inner city buses.
They have the same beginning and end to whatever route they're on, and they usually operate with some level of regularity.
Our main problem with America is that we've lost track of who "WE" are, as a nation.
Who we USED to be isn't so much who we are TODAY...or even in the immediate tomorrow.
We've allowed our government to over-regulate, over-obfuscate, and over-intimidate it's people.
That's not a good thing, believe it or not.
And we've permitted different standards for different people.
We've allowed ourselves to be taxed seven ways to Sunday while the government keeps on spending, and stating it's "what this country needs".
Really? REALLY???
Your payroll is taxed, your savings and/or holdings are taxed, and any and all purchases are taxed.
My, that's taxing...!
And what are YOU seeing for all that money YOU are putting out?
Well, we COULD take a look at cities like DETROIT, a once proud bastion of innovation, invention, and production.
Sorry, not seeing much of anything there these days...except SQUALOR, DEBT, and DISILLUSIONMENT.
Nice return on our "investment"...but that's only ONE instance.
This same cycle is repeated across this country, and to what end?
We hear poverty levels are rising dramatically, all the while these same folks who are classified as "poor", have damn near EVERY amenity offered and bought by working-class stiffs all the way up to professionals.
Hardly seems poor to me.
Close to 50% of America's populace is on SOME form of "government-assistance", and yet nothing can seem to be done to relieve this burden on our citizens OR our government.
We've allowed people to be "spoon-fed" by the state with sustenance provided by taxpaying people, who themselves are often struggling to just get by.
Granted, there are those that cannot fend for themselves, through whatever reason such as illness, catastrophe, financial ruin...whatever, but I cannot believe that SO MANY are in such dire straits...and for SO damn long.
People used to be able to rely on ONE ANOTHER, if not THEMSELVES to extricate them from whatever pitfall life has tossed at them.
And believe me, life DOES have it's pitfalls, often with OUR name on it...just waiting.
But our government has taken the mantle of help from many charitable agencies (for our own good), and regulated those agencies into relative oblivion.
When a child can't even have a damn LEMONADE stand in front of their house to make a few bucks for whatever reason, that sends a powerful message as to how entrepreneurship is taking it on the damn chin.
When the bloody FDA comes down on a high school for having a damn BAKE SALE to pay for their sports equipment or fund a class trip, that sends another powerful message.
The government has become TOO overprotective.
(Gee, I thought that's what PARENTS were for...lol.)
There are those that feel our government isn't LARGE ENOUGH...they want even more "control" in our lives.
I cannot subscribe to that...at all.
I believe that an EDUCATED public makes the best citizenry.
But again, our government seeks to "adapt" our educational system to fit their view of the 21st century.
Make EVERYONE equal....no one left behind...no one fails. We ALL succeed...period.
Nice idea, if everyone managed to WORK to earning such a thing.
Everyone IS already equal, in that we ALL have the same chance...the same opportunity to "test the waters" and determine our OWN course, and whether we succeed or fail in whatever endeavor we attempt.
But some people have found thinking for themselves a bit of an issue...they'd rather have THAT done for them as well.
Again, not a good thing.
Stifling creativity on ANY level is inherently wrong.
Who are we as a nation...today, right now...this very minute?
And who have we become, or are allowing ourselves to become?
The government has PROVEN that whenever they take over something that should be under the control OF THE PEOPLE...they fail.
AMTRAK? Kinda sucks for a government-run rail system. Losing money every year.
The USPS? On the verge of collapse. Money is drying up.
Thank God the military is still intact.
But rather than figure ways to SOLVE these issues, government seems more concerned with whether or not our ROOF is white...or how big our "carbon-footprint" might be, or even how much we "need" ethanol, while abbreviating the corn crops for such necessities as grain-feed for animals, corn for consumer food products, and the like. And that doesn't include the millions of bushels of corn we ship OVERSEAS (to where our jobs all went).
There are people with a lot of problems today...and mostly, it's called our government.
There are also people with solutions waiting for the right problem to come along.
I say we somehow manage to get these two groups TOGETHER, place them in a nice room and let them figure all this crap the hell out...once and for all. We need a better sense of "direction" for this nation, because being adrift with no sail or rudder in the global scene just ain't cutting it.
DO we have political candidates worthy of such direction?
Depends on who you talk to.
No ONE person has all the answers, that's a given, but we do have to see who can do the least damage in the least amount of time.
I think that's a good starting point.
Now, you're all wondering why I seem to be all full of "piss and vinegar" this morning.
I dunno...maybe it's the constant bombardment from the media about ALL this crap we seem to be hip-deep in.
Maybe it's questioning why we changed since the era when I was growing up.
Perhaps it's frustration at seeing people too damn lazy to do anything but prey on others.
I think it's a combination of all of that...and more.
I believe this nation has a LOT of good years left in her, and I also believe in the spirit that makes this country great.
And I also think such a spirit in this nation has been too long gone.
One person cannot hope to tackle such challenges by themselves.
But one person, speaking the truth, can enlist the aid of another person...and that person can tell another...and so on.
We can reclaim that which this nation has lost, but it will not happen overnight.
It will take some courage...some integrity, some moral application, and a whole lot of ethics.
And one person at a time, we can become a nation of the PEOPLE, and NOT of the government, which Lincoln stated was (itself) OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people.
The government is there for US, and not the other way around.
Our government is tasked with running the NATION, and not running the lives of individuals or groups of people.
The government is charged with PROTECTING the people from tyranny both here and abroad, and NOT protecting people from themselves (by controlling their lives).
Simple concepts both, yet ones which seem void of value today.
Perhaps it's time we fill that void.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
05 September 2011
Monday Musings - Labor Day Edition...
Today is one of those holidays that might tend to confuse some folks.
It IS a day to fly our flag (so get out there and run it up, people), and it IS a federal holiday (government offices are closed), and usually spells the unofficial end to Summer.
But to those who do NOT have the day off (police, fire, doctors, nurses, etc.), there IS no real holiday for THEM.
It's "business as usual"...
In order to to get a better idea on the REAL meaning of LABOR DAY, we're going to take a look as to how OTHERS have viewed it over the years, both visually as well as by hearts and minds of the written word (and even song).
So buckle up, keep your hands and feet inside the car, and wait until this ride comes to a complete stop to exit.
*** First off, if you want to see (and hear) some good "working" songs, do yourselves a favor and drop on over to CWM's blog - Tilting at Windmills - link at left. Everything from Sam Cooke to Huey Lewis & the News to Disney's Snow White (there's a working song in there?). Yep. Just recall what those 7 dwarfs were up to before Snow White came by.
Next, the WIKI link for LABOR DAY, complete with the history and how we celebrate :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day
Yes, it's one of the few GOOD things the unions were mostly responsible for.
(which is a far cry from what they are responsible for TODAY).
*** Next up, the photos and words from times past and present that represent the nature of human labor, and why THAT is to be celebrated.
-- Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.
Abraham Lincoln
-- All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
-- A wise and frugal Government, which shall retrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
Thomas Jefferson
-- The end of labor is to gain leisure.
Aristotle
-- Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius
-- It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.
Theodore Roosevelt
-- Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
George Washington
-- There is no labor a person does that is undignified; if they do it right.
Bill Cosby
-- Labor gives birth to ideas.
Jim Rohn
-- To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.
Bette Davis
-- A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.
Victor Hugo
-- Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them.
Samuel Johnson
-- To be born woman is to know - although they do not speak of it at school - women must labor to be beautiful.
William Butler Yeats
-- If you pursue good with labor, the labor passes away but the good remains; if you pursue evil with pleasure, the pleasure passes away and the evil remains.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
-- I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
John D. Rockefeller
-- Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.
Booker T. Washington
-- Without labor nothing prospers. Sophocles
-- He who tampers with the currency robs labor of its bread.
Daniel Webster
-- A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.
Grover Cleveland
-- America must be the moral leader. It is not enough to have power. Power must be used to protect freedom and give all people hope for the opportunity to see the fruit of their own labor.
Jesse Helms
-- Dignity does not float down from heaven it cannot be purchased nor manufactured. It is a reward reserved for those who labor with diligence.
Bill Hybels
-- A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.
Liberty Hyde Bailey
-- Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself. William Ellery Channing
-- He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.
Menander
-- Labor is the fabled magician's wand, the philosophers stone, and the cap of good fortune.
James Weldon Johnson
And there you have it friends...from the mouths of others to your ears.
Spend a few minutes and ponder those words...powerful words...words that exemplify a sense of dignity...of pride, and of accomplishment in both ourselves and in this nation.
We (America) CAN do it.
Do enjoy today's activities with friends, family or even alone in thought.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
Today is one of those holidays that might tend to confuse some folks.
It IS a day to fly our flag (so get out there and run it up, people), and it IS a federal holiday (government offices are closed), and usually spells the unofficial end to Summer.
But to those who do NOT have the day off (police, fire, doctors, nurses, etc.), there IS no real holiday for THEM.
It's "business as usual"...
In order to to get a better idea on the REAL meaning of LABOR DAY, we're going to take a look as to how OTHERS have viewed it over the years, both visually as well as by hearts and minds of the written word (and even song).
So buckle up, keep your hands and feet inside the car, and wait until this ride comes to a complete stop to exit.
*** First off, if you want to see (and hear) some good "working" songs, do yourselves a favor and drop on over to CWM's blog - Tilting at Windmills - link at left. Everything from Sam Cooke to Huey Lewis & the News to Disney's Snow White (there's a working song in there?). Yep. Just recall what those 7 dwarfs were up to before Snow White came by.
Next, the WIKI link for LABOR DAY, complete with the history and how we celebrate :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day
Yes, it's one of the few GOOD things the unions were mostly responsible for.
(which is a far cry from what they are responsible for TODAY).
*** Next up, the photos and words from times past and present that represent the nature of human labor, and why THAT is to be celebrated.
-- Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.
Abraham Lincoln
-- All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
-- A wise and frugal Government, which shall retrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
Thomas Jefferson
-- The end of labor is to gain leisure.
Aristotle
-- Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Confucius
-- It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.
Theodore Roosevelt
-- Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
George Washington
-- There is no labor a person does that is undignified; if they do it right.
Bill Cosby
-- Labor gives birth to ideas.
Jim Rohn
-- To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.
Bette Davis
-- A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor.
Victor Hugo
-- Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them.
Samuel Johnson
-- To be born woman is to know - although they do not speak of it at school - women must labor to be beautiful.
William Butler Yeats
-- If you pursue good with labor, the labor passes away but the good remains; if you pursue evil with pleasure, the pleasure passes away and the evil remains.
Marcus Tullius Cicero
-- I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
John D. Rockefeller
-- Dignify and glorify common labor. It is at the bottom of life that we must begin, not at the top.
Booker T. Washington
-- Without labor nothing prospers. Sophocles
-- He who tampers with the currency robs labor of its bread.
Daniel Webster
-- A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil.
Grover Cleveland
-- America must be the moral leader. It is not enough to have power. Power must be used to protect freedom and give all people hope for the opportunity to see the fruit of their own labor.
Jesse Helms
-- Dignity does not float down from heaven it cannot be purchased nor manufactured. It is a reward reserved for those who labor with diligence.
Bill Hybels
-- A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.
Liberty Hyde Bailey
-- Undoubtedly a man is to labor to better his condition, but first to better himself. William Ellery Channing
-- He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor.
Menander
-- Labor is the fabled magician's wand, the philosophers stone, and the cap of good fortune.
James Weldon Johnson
And there you have it friends...from the mouths of others to your ears.
Spend a few minutes and ponder those words...powerful words...words that exemplify a sense of dignity...of pride, and of accomplishment in both ourselves and in this nation.
We (America) CAN do it.
Do enjoy today's activities with friends, family or even alone in thought.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.
02 September 2011
Friday Follies...
We're in the midst of a mini-heatwave here in the Summit City, with temps heading towards the century mark (Summer's last gasp?), so do be warned that there WILL be a heat and air-quality advisory today including free rides with CITILINK.
Stay inside if you can, and stay hydrated if you cannot.
*** Now, onto some more "stuff" regarding the mistrial of Andre Washington.
Here's the latest (verbatim) from our local paper (along with *my* running comments):
(( Published: September 2, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Drama, accusations disrupt court - Judge chides prosecutors but keeps murder charge; family infuriated
Rebecca S. Green The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – A court hearing exploded Thursday after the county’s elected prosecutor argued with a defense attorney over allegations of misconduct, the police department’s work was called into question and an angry family wished damnation on a judge (TNB).
The hour-long, emotion-laden and drama-filled hearing drew dozens – mostly attorneys – to the courtroom alongside the families of an accused murderer and the victim.
They were there to hear whether Allen Superior Court Judge John Surbeck would dismiss the murder and robbery charges against 20-year-old Andre Washington, who is accused of shooting to death 32-year-old Ian Crace in November 2009.
After a pair of prosecutorial errors (OOPS!) brought the murder case to an end Wednesday with a mistrial, Surbeck entertained arguments Thursday about whether he should dismiss the case if he found the prosecutors’ behavior had been intentional or negligent. A dismissal would have resulted in Washington’s release from custody (that's just what we need, ANOTHER felon back on the streets), something his family clearly anticipated.
After the hearing’s dramatic ending, which created a mistrial in an unrelated case because of the disturbance, it appeared the relationships between the police and prosecutors and between prosecutors and defense attorneys might have been damaged (that can't be good for anyone).
But by the end of the day Thursday, those involved promised to work together and expressed hope that the relationships, necessary for the courts to work, would heal.
Along with Deangelo Bennett, Washington is accused of the murder and robbery of Crace, a deliveryman for Vito’s Pizza called to deliver an order to a home in the 2800 block of Schele Drive on the night of Nov. 29, 2009.
Not long after Washington’s trial got under way Tuesday, it was revealed that deputy prosecutors Tom Chaille and Christine Neilson never told defense attorneys Michelle Kraus and William Lebrato that the timestamp on security camera footage was off by an hour.
The mistake was attributed to the McCormick Place apartments’ information technology staff’s failure to switch the cameras back from daylight saving time (yet NO ONE made the connection and CAUGHT the error).
Surbeck cautioned the prosecutors and called a recess in the trial to allow Kraus and Lebrato time to re-interview witnesses, and the trial resumed again Wednesday morning.
During testimony Wednesday, it was revealed that a ballistics report, which eliminated a potential murder weapon – and, to the defense, an alternate theory of the crime – had also not been turned over to the defense (another "OOPS" moment).
Surbeck granted a request for a mistrial and scheduled Thursday’s hearing. Under local rules governing court procedure, prosecutors share information freely with defense attorneys to allow them to better advocate for their clients (it helps when plea-bargaining for lighter sentencing).
At Thursday’s hearing, Surbeck described a "downward spiral" in the way prosecutors and the defense attorneys work together of late.
Kraus made an impassioned plea for the dismissal, arguing that the two incidents in the Washington case were recent examples in an ongoing problem defense attorneys have had in getting information from the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office (I'm sure if someone digs around, they'll find a lot more).
"We are constantly finding ourselves, at the last minute, handed things that help us defend our clients," Kraus said. "Mr. Washington has been denied fundamental fairness" (I guess FAIRNESS for Ian Crace doesn't matter, hmm?) .
"At some point, enough is enough. Justice will not prevail if we retry him," Kraus said. "Please dismiss the case."
Richards vehemently defended her office (she has to if she wants to keep her job) and the attorneys handling Washington’s prosecution.
"I’m not going to tell you we didn’t make mistakes because we did," Richards told Surbeck.
She said while the mistakes in the Washington case were solely those of her office (as usual), it has become increasingly difficult lately to get timely information from police agencies on developments in specific cases (and pass that buck while you're at it).
Prosecutors now have to check with police on all of their cases more frequently than they used to (technology should make it FASTER and more comprehensive), as opposed to having the officers forward information immediately, Richards said.
"This is a system that doesn’t have enough money or enough people. We’ve been addressing these issues," Richards said. "To give (Kraus) what she wants, you have to find two really good prosecutors acted dishonestly. … People make mistakes. I will do my absolute best to make sure this doesn’t happen again."
After hearing their arguments, Surbeck declined to dismiss the case against Washington but told the prosecutors that what happened in the case was wrong (good call for once).
"My opinion is that the way we do this has been deteriorating," Surbeck said. "It is clear to me these lawyers violated the working rules. I’m not talking ‘fancy terms’; … very simply, respected counsel had an obligation."
After Surbeck announced his ruling, Washington’s family became extremely emotional (wild animal syndrome - happens with ghetto toads all the time). One woman called the judge the devil, saying he was going to go to hell for his ruling (and the judge will probably see YOUR WHOLE FAMILY there, I'd wager). The group refused repeated orders by the bailiffs to leave quietly (no respect for procedure OR authority...typical) and carried on with chants and shouts throughout the entire building for about 10 more minutes (they ALL should have gotten the "bum's rush" out of the damn building at that point by police) .
Their disturbance was so great that it upset potential jurors (like I will not become next week) being interviewed in another courtroom, causing Allen Superior Court Judge Wendy Davis to declare a mistrial in the case (see how the system works, now? their behavior caused a 2nd mistrial) .
Washington sat there, shaking his head. At one point, he said it wasn’t fair and that he wanted to attend college (they have a "college" for HIS kind...called PRISON).
In an interview Thursday afternoon, Richards said she is trying to address the issues she has had with local law enforcement, particularly the Fort Wayne Police Department, and how supplemental reports are forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.
But she again stressed that the mistake in Washington’s case was her office’s alone (at least she's NOT "losing" court records like the fomer prosecutor, Bob Gevers used to frequently do, causing a lot of cases to get tossed. He's now a DEFENSE ATTORNEY...whatta laugh).
"This is our mistake, absolutely," she said (then why cast aspersions at the FWPD?).
Fort Wayne Police Chief Rusty York said Thursday afternoon he had spoken with Richards after the hearing and was confident his officers did their job in the case.
"We work together as a team," York said. "We are always open to criticism and comments from the prosecutor’s office. It’s a two-way street."
He acknowledged Richards’ comments would likely hurt the rank-and-file officers who work closely with the prosecutors on these cases (cops hate to see a good case tossed because the DA screwed up).
"They’ll continue their professional relationship because we all have to work together to get the job done," York said.
Surbeck said he believed all the relationships damaged by the statements made Thursday would recover, though probably not entirely. He said he hopes that the close working relationship with the prosecutors and the public defenders can continue.
"I’m satisfied that … in spite of the fact we get along and violate the ‘technical’ rules, a little more justice is done, rather than less," he said. ))
(( *AHEM* ))
I'm really curious to see how this turns out, and for a lot of reasons.
Moving on...
*** Did you know that FORT WAYNE is the 15TH BEST DRIVING CITY?
Well, it's #1 in INDIANA...
(( *rolls eyes* ))
Wonder who was smoking what when THIS study was made?
Here's the link to the source article:
http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/channels/News-Releases/releases/seventh-annual-allstate-america-s-best-drivers-report-reveals-safest-driving-cities
There is a PDF file in case you want to see all the cities in the study.
And it's a decent read (...if a bit fictitious, imho...then again, I like a good novel once in a while...lol).
I've driven (and ridden) a LOT of miles in quite a few towns and cities in America and even in other countries.
I grew up learning to drive IN PHLLY...(SOUTH Philly to be exact...plenty of one way streets and narrow streets to keep one on their toes).
Passed my driver's test the FIRST time...and in a friend's car to boot.
Now the Schuylkill Expressway (Rt 76), other wise known affectionately as the SUREKILL CRAWLWAY, I confess, IS pretty bad.
One numbnut can tie the damn thing up for (literally) HOURS.
But parts of the highway system of L.A. are horrendous...I mean it's not so much driving FAST as FLYING LOW, if you get my drift.
NYC has it's OWN "unique" system for moving people....SLOWLY...LOL.
As long as you know the number streets and which DIRECTION they go (one way hell again), you can get around fairly well...maybe...at 0300 hours.
The topper comes along the BELTWAY around Washington, D.C (and deservedly so).
People merging in and out, from left AND right, and God help if you want to get the hell OFF of the damn thing...
You might have to make a loop or two before that can be accomplished with a modicum of safety.
Those native to the area have less trouble (aggression DOES have it's place on the highway, it seems).
So, one would think that Fort Wayne, Indiana might fare a bit better all around...and it should, provisionally-speaking.
We DO have our assortment of assholes who never pay the hell attention to things like STOP SIGNS, or RED LIGHTS.
The police radio has it's share of accidents on air, that's for sure, and they're not ALL along I-469, trust me.
We have people that somehow secure a license, and that apparently means (to them) that they can do anything with 2000+lbs of metal plastic and rubber they choose to.
WRONG!
Both Wifey and myself have had our share of "near-misses", and I'm okay with that (considering my penchant to pursue justice in a more "immediate sense"), but although I can certainly understand the NEED to keep one's head on a damn swivel while driving in Philly, given the size of THIS city, I shouldn't have to as much, right?
WRONG!
Although there are fewer people on the streets, roads and highways HERE, they are in fact, MORE prone to that bad behavior we see a lot more of in much larger cities...and that's disturbing.
Coldwater and Coliseum is a clusterf*ck in the making...been that way for years, too.
Guess that's what happens when you OVER-DEVELOP one area to the exclusion of others...no REAL "balance" in traffic flow.
My street down in the ghettohood actually has a lot more people that toss traffic rules out the damn window, and drive recklessly and with a cell-phone glued to their f$cking primate ear, than when I lived off of the major artery to the Tacony-Palmyra bridge (also a truck route). And given that most everyone ELSE (here) prefers the STREETS, instead of those wonderful "taxpayer-sponsored" PAVEMENTS to walk upon, it only exacerbates the problem.
And my street is a bloody RESIDENTIAL area!
(when it's not a damn dragstrip that isn't regularly patrolled to CATCH these morons)
Now, I'm sure this study is well-intended, but we ALL know what the "road to hell" is paved with (pun intended), right?
Still, given the relative EASE with which people who have no business driving can secure a license (and maybe insurance...for a time anyway), it's little wonder we have the issues we now face, with traffic flow, road construction (usually widening), resurfacing, and the like.
And THAT is intended to make things BETTER.
I'd have to say that Fort wayne is a LOT better than many cities I've have the (dis) pleasure to drive in, but it might be a tad high on the list for my liking.
Yet this city COULD be a lot more "user-friendly" when it comes to traffic flow in high-number areas like uptown, or even downtown.
Damn shame the city planners didn't see this coming decades ago...
*** Lastly, this is Labor day weekend, and that means getting toether with friends and family...and driving along those street and highways of the 15th best city FOR driving.
Be careful out there, and watch out for the other person, because you can bet they're NOT watching out for you.
Take your time, and plan your route...your destination will STILL be there if you arrive 10 minutes later...it honestly will.
Enjoy the day off...you working stiffs certainly EARNED it...God knows!
We'll see you back here on Monday, good Lord willing.
Have a great weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
We're in the midst of a mini-heatwave here in the Summit City, with temps heading towards the century mark (Summer's last gasp?), so do be warned that there WILL be a heat and air-quality advisory today including free rides with CITILINK.
Stay inside if you can, and stay hydrated if you cannot.
*** Now, onto some more "stuff" regarding the mistrial of Andre Washington.
Here's the latest (verbatim) from our local paper (along with *my* running comments):
(( Published: September 2, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Drama, accusations disrupt court - Judge chides prosecutors but keeps murder charge; family infuriated
Rebecca S. Green The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – A court hearing exploded Thursday after the county’s elected prosecutor argued with a defense attorney over allegations of misconduct, the police department’s work was called into question and an angry family wished damnation on a judge (TNB).
The hour-long, emotion-laden and drama-filled hearing drew dozens – mostly attorneys – to the courtroom alongside the families of an accused murderer and the victim.
They were there to hear whether Allen Superior Court Judge John Surbeck would dismiss the murder and robbery charges against 20-year-old Andre Washington, who is accused of shooting to death 32-year-old Ian Crace in November 2009.
After a pair of prosecutorial errors (OOPS!) brought the murder case to an end Wednesday with a mistrial, Surbeck entertained arguments Thursday about whether he should dismiss the case if he found the prosecutors’ behavior had been intentional or negligent. A dismissal would have resulted in Washington’s release from custody (that's just what we need, ANOTHER felon back on the streets), something his family clearly anticipated.
After the hearing’s dramatic ending, which created a mistrial in an unrelated case because of the disturbance, it appeared the relationships between the police and prosecutors and between prosecutors and defense attorneys might have been damaged (that can't be good for anyone).
But by the end of the day Thursday, those involved promised to work together and expressed hope that the relationships, necessary for the courts to work, would heal.
Along with Deangelo Bennett, Washington is accused of the murder and robbery of Crace, a deliveryman for Vito’s Pizza called to deliver an order to a home in the 2800 block of Schele Drive on the night of Nov. 29, 2009.
Not long after Washington’s trial got under way Tuesday, it was revealed that deputy prosecutors Tom Chaille and Christine Neilson never told defense attorneys Michelle Kraus and William Lebrato that the timestamp on security camera footage was off by an hour.
The mistake was attributed to the McCormick Place apartments’ information technology staff’s failure to switch the cameras back from daylight saving time (yet NO ONE made the connection and CAUGHT the error).
Surbeck cautioned the prosecutors and called a recess in the trial to allow Kraus and Lebrato time to re-interview witnesses, and the trial resumed again Wednesday morning.
During testimony Wednesday, it was revealed that a ballistics report, which eliminated a potential murder weapon – and, to the defense, an alternate theory of the crime – had also not been turned over to the defense (another "OOPS" moment).
Surbeck granted a request for a mistrial and scheduled Thursday’s hearing. Under local rules governing court procedure, prosecutors share information freely with defense attorneys to allow them to better advocate for their clients (it helps when plea-bargaining for lighter sentencing).
At Thursday’s hearing, Surbeck described a "downward spiral" in the way prosecutors and the defense attorneys work together of late.
Kraus made an impassioned plea for the dismissal, arguing that the two incidents in the Washington case were recent examples in an ongoing problem defense attorneys have had in getting information from the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office (I'm sure if someone digs around, they'll find a lot more).
"We are constantly finding ourselves, at the last minute, handed things that help us defend our clients," Kraus said. "Mr. Washington has been denied fundamental fairness" (I guess FAIRNESS for Ian Crace doesn't matter, hmm?) .
"At some point, enough is enough. Justice will not prevail if we retry him," Kraus said. "Please dismiss the case."
Richards vehemently defended her office (she has to if she wants to keep her job) and the attorneys handling Washington’s prosecution.
"I’m not going to tell you we didn’t make mistakes because we did," Richards told Surbeck.
She said while the mistakes in the Washington case were solely those of her office (as usual), it has become increasingly difficult lately to get timely information from police agencies on developments in specific cases (and pass that buck while you're at it).
Prosecutors now have to check with police on all of their cases more frequently than they used to (technology should make it FASTER and more comprehensive), as opposed to having the officers forward information immediately, Richards said.
"This is a system that doesn’t have enough money or enough people. We’ve been addressing these issues," Richards said. "To give (Kraus) what she wants, you have to find two really good prosecutors acted dishonestly. … People make mistakes. I will do my absolute best to make sure this doesn’t happen again."
After hearing their arguments, Surbeck declined to dismiss the case against Washington but told the prosecutors that what happened in the case was wrong (good call for once).
"My opinion is that the way we do this has been deteriorating," Surbeck said. "It is clear to me these lawyers violated the working rules. I’m not talking ‘fancy terms’; … very simply, respected counsel had an obligation."
After Surbeck announced his ruling, Washington’s family became extremely emotional (wild animal syndrome - happens with ghetto toads all the time). One woman called the judge the devil, saying he was going to go to hell for his ruling (and the judge will probably see YOUR WHOLE FAMILY there, I'd wager). The group refused repeated orders by the bailiffs to leave quietly (no respect for procedure OR authority...typical) and carried on with chants and shouts throughout the entire building for about 10 more minutes (they ALL should have gotten the "bum's rush" out of the damn building at that point by police) .
Their disturbance was so great that it upset potential jurors (like I will not become next week) being interviewed in another courtroom, causing Allen Superior Court Judge Wendy Davis to declare a mistrial in the case (see how the system works, now? their behavior caused a 2nd mistrial) .
Washington sat there, shaking his head. At one point, he said it wasn’t fair and that he wanted to attend college (they have a "college" for HIS kind...called PRISON).
In an interview Thursday afternoon, Richards said she is trying to address the issues she has had with local law enforcement, particularly the Fort Wayne Police Department, and how supplemental reports are forwarded to the prosecutor’s office.
But she again stressed that the mistake in Washington’s case was her office’s alone (at least she's NOT "losing" court records like the fomer prosecutor, Bob Gevers used to frequently do, causing a lot of cases to get tossed. He's now a DEFENSE ATTORNEY...whatta laugh).
"This is our mistake, absolutely," she said (then why cast aspersions at the FWPD?).
Fort Wayne Police Chief Rusty York said Thursday afternoon he had spoken with Richards after the hearing and was confident his officers did their job in the case.
"We work together as a team," York said. "We are always open to criticism and comments from the prosecutor’s office. It’s a two-way street."
He acknowledged Richards’ comments would likely hurt the rank-and-file officers who work closely with the prosecutors on these cases (cops hate to see a good case tossed because the DA screwed up).
"They’ll continue their professional relationship because we all have to work together to get the job done," York said.
Surbeck said he believed all the relationships damaged by the statements made Thursday would recover, though probably not entirely. He said he hopes that the close working relationship with the prosecutors and the public defenders can continue.
"I’m satisfied that … in spite of the fact we get along and violate the ‘technical’ rules, a little more justice is done, rather than less," he said. ))
(( *AHEM* ))
I'm really curious to see how this turns out, and for a lot of reasons.
Moving on...
*** Did you know that FORT WAYNE is the 15TH BEST DRIVING CITY?
Well, it's #1 in INDIANA...
(( *rolls eyes* ))
Wonder who was smoking what when THIS study was made?
Here's the link to the source article:
http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/channels/News-Releases/releases/seventh-annual-allstate-america-s-best-drivers-report-reveals-safest-driving-cities
There is a PDF file in case you want to see all the cities in the study.
And it's a decent read (...if a bit fictitious, imho...then again, I like a good novel once in a while...lol).
I've driven (and ridden) a LOT of miles in quite a few towns and cities in America and even in other countries.
I grew up learning to drive IN PHLLY...(SOUTH Philly to be exact...plenty of one way streets and narrow streets to keep one on their toes).
Passed my driver's test the FIRST time...and in a friend's car to boot.
Now the Schuylkill Expressway (Rt 76), other wise known affectionately as the SUREKILL CRAWLWAY, I confess, IS pretty bad.
One numbnut can tie the damn thing up for (literally) HOURS.
But parts of the highway system of L.A. are horrendous...I mean it's not so much driving FAST as FLYING LOW, if you get my drift.
NYC has it's OWN "unique" system for moving people....SLOWLY...LOL.
As long as you know the number streets and which DIRECTION they go (one way hell again), you can get around fairly well...maybe...at 0300 hours.
The topper comes along the BELTWAY around Washington, D.C (and deservedly so).
People merging in and out, from left AND right, and God help if you want to get the hell OFF of the damn thing...
You might have to make a loop or two before that can be accomplished with a modicum of safety.
Those native to the area have less trouble (aggression DOES have it's place on the highway, it seems).
So, one would think that Fort Wayne, Indiana might fare a bit better all around...and it should, provisionally-speaking.
We DO have our assortment of assholes who never pay the hell attention to things like STOP SIGNS, or RED LIGHTS.
The police radio has it's share of accidents on air, that's for sure, and they're not ALL along I-469, trust me.
We have people that somehow secure a license, and that apparently means (to them) that they can do anything with 2000+lbs of metal plastic and rubber they choose to.
WRONG!
Both Wifey and myself have had our share of "near-misses", and I'm okay with that (considering my penchant to pursue justice in a more "immediate sense"), but although I can certainly understand the NEED to keep one's head on a damn swivel while driving in Philly, given the size of THIS city, I shouldn't have to as much, right?
WRONG!
Although there are fewer people on the streets, roads and highways HERE, they are in fact, MORE prone to that bad behavior we see a lot more of in much larger cities...and that's disturbing.
Coldwater and Coliseum is a clusterf*ck in the making...been that way for years, too.
Guess that's what happens when you OVER-DEVELOP one area to the exclusion of others...no REAL "balance" in traffic flow.
My street down in the ghettohood actually has a lot more people that toss traffic rules out the damn window, and drive recklessly and with a cell-phone glued to their f$cking primate ear, than when I lived off of the major artery to the Tacony-Palmyra bridge (also a truck route). And given that most everyone ELSE (here) prefers the STREETS, instead of those wonderful "taxpayer-sponsored" PAVEMENTS to walk upon, it only exacerbates the problem.
And my street is a bloody RESIDENTIAL area!
(when it's not a damn dragstrip that isn't regularly patrolled to CATCH these morons)
Now, I'm sure this study is well-intended, but we ALL know what the "road to hell" is paved with (pun intended), right?
Still, given the relative EASE with which people who have no business driving can secure a license (and maybe insurance...for a time anyway), it's little wonder we have the issues we now face, with traffic flow, road construction (usually widening), resurfacing, and the like.
And THAT is intended to make things BETTER.
I'd have to say that Fort wayne is a LOT better than many cities I've have the (dis) pleasure to drive in, but it might be a tad high on the list for my liking.
Yet this city COULD be a lot more "user-friendly" when it comes to traffic flow in high-number areas like uptown, or even downtown.
Damn shame the city planners didn't see this coming decades ago...
*** Lastly, this is Labor day weekend, and that means getting toether with friends and family...and driving along those street and highways of the 15th best city FOR driving.
Be careful out there, and watch out for the other person, because you can bet they're NOT watching out for you.
Take your time, and plan your route...your destination will STILL be there if you arrive 10 minutes later...it honestly will.
Enjoy the day off...you working stiffs certainly EARNED it...God knows!
We'll see you back here on Monday, good Lord willing.
Have a great weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
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