07 November 2011


Monday Musings...
Well, at long last, this week marks the beginning of leaf-pickup in OUR part of town...the (...all together, gang...) SOUTH SIDE, and the "locals" were busy as bees raking THEIR leaves into the STREET...and with the light rain we're having this morning...wonder how much THAT will clog up the culverts?
Now, I can understand when you HAVE no curb to rake them to (only a berm), but when there IS a tax-payer funded sidewalk and curb...well, (as Forrest Gump would say) stupid IS, as stupid DOES, I suppose.
One house has a leaf pile that approaches 4 1/2 feet in height (yeah, they sure do like "ridiculous" down here, too...look at the way they DRESS and the COLORS they paint their cars...so YES, they DO call it DOPE for a reason...LOL).
In any event, I'm sure we won't have to look at all this after this week (when the leaves are gone). Round two comes the first week in December (which will probably not even occur, like last year).
With that out of the way, let's proceed into the week, shall we?
*** I was kind of sad to see Andy Rooney pass away.
I mean I wouldn't have evolved into the wonderfully social-pungent curmudgeon without his "guidance" all those years.
To me, he represented in such a marvelous way, the "everyman" aspect to society's daily problems.
It could be anything from the manner in which something was packaged (truth in advertising?) to a rant on how SOME people have no clue on how to be mannerly...all of it presented with a certain "flair" for the dramatic, which happened to to be all too true.
If any of us who followed Rooney have learned anything from him, it's that we ALL have a voice, and that we ALL have reason to speak (with warranted boldness) when the need arises.
And I think that's probably one of the BEST legacies anyone could leave to someone else.
I know it's not going to be the same in "curmudgeonland" without him...
*** Had something really weird occur last evening, and it has to do with technology.
I'm sitting in the living room, watching Bruce Lee wail the snot out of damn near everyone in Enter The Dragon (great movie), and Wifey was in the family room, watching Bravo (or something akin to it)...typical Sunday night for us.
Suddenly, there came a rather staccato knocking at our door.
Wondering who would be rapping with such urgency, I got up, opened the door, and saw a (younger male) FWPD officer standing at the bottom of our steps.
I leaned out and asked: "What seems to be the problem, officer?"
It was then I heard something really "strange".
"We got a 9-1-1 hangup that pinged back to THIS location...is everything OK?"
I stepped outside and replied: "That's kind of impossible, because no one is on our phone, and the missus has her cell turned off, and she's in the other end of the house, sitting on the couch...I don't even OWN one, and I've been sitting here watching a movie."
He then said something I hadn't known before last night.
"Hmm, it could have been a MOVING VEHICLE - the 'ping' we sent showed it here, but I can see there doesn't seem to be any trouble." (I was half-smiling the whole time...and rather calm considering).
I said: "Yeah, the ONLY person doing ANY shouting is Bruce Lee on TV, and HE'S got a reason. I thought maybe someone was breaking into the vacant house next door,...AGAIN."
"Nah, wasn't that...sometimes the cells give us false hits when tracking...could be several HUNDRED feet from where the call originates by the time we receive the data back."
I replied: "So, someone the next block up could have hit 911 while travelling southbound and because they happened to be rolling past OUR house, it shows OUR location as the *20* for the call?"
"Right...far from a foolproof system to be sure...so, you're good then?"
"Yeah, I'm good...damn shame you got chased here when there's nothing here to happen...that ain't right."
"...Just goes with the job..."
"I hear 'ya."
"Well, you have a good night, then..."
"You too...drive safe out there."
"Thanks, goodnight."
And that was it...over in less than 3 minutes...pretty odd sh*t.
Did NOT know that cell phones will NOT track back to MOVING vehicles, but will offer only a "hit" at whatever location they are passing AT THAT MOMENT...
Whatever happened to all this "real time" stuff?
That could definitely present problems for officers on the streets, trying to get to that "emergency" call.
If it's at a STATIC *20*...no problem, right?
BUT...if it's on the move, officers could be chasing a whole lot of "wild geese", and never resolve the call, which would cause a potential victim some worry (and a lawsuit for inadequate protection)...
Not to mention, if "someone" wants to have the police roll to a specific area (other then where a crime might be committed), all they have to do is get some of those dollar-store tracphones, and play "cry wolf" a few times... can't really trace those back to the "owner" as readily as those with bonifide "call-plans" from the major companies, right?
Guess we can blame that on technology (as usual).
*** I'm still getting used to having the clocks rolled back AN HOUR...like I got "extra" sleep over that one, hmm?
The hardest one to change back was the damn digital wristwatch - it's got a hinky button on it that reactivated the HOURLY CHIME (I hate that damn thing). At least that "atomic" clock in the basement RESET ITSELF! (now THAT, I love)
So, it gets light EARLIER now...on the other side, it GETS DARKER SOONER...helluva trade off, isn't it?
Obviously not gonna save electricity for the next several months (and all that we DID "save" during the Summer gets eaten up).
To every YIN, there IS a YANG...always remember that, folks.
*** Life without balance is a life without challenge...without achievement...without sacrifice.
Actually, it becomes pretty pathetic without balance.
We simply cannot hang onto one side of the "scales" of our lives...
Everything in our life should reach an accord...a harmony of some sort with everything else.
Remember the whole "cause and effect" gig I mention here from time to time?
Well, that's a DIRECT result of having that balance in our lives.
It's always nice to GET BACK that which we put into our lives...at least to some degree.
Many times, outside forces will tip those scales, and not always in our favor.
That just means we have to strive harder to get things set back to rights...that's all.
And this isn't some tree-hugging rhetoric...not by a long shot.
Read about the native Americans, and how THEY view life.
They work to live WITH nature, not wrest control from it
They work to improve themselves in that harmony...not sit back, hold out their hands and say "gimme".
They work to achieve greatness FROM WITHIN, and not rely on "things" to show how great they are.
I suppose the ONE word to take from this is..."work".
We all do our part in some manner to work towards a goal, be it immediate or far-reaching.
And many times, we have to be task-oriented first, in order to become goal-oriented later, for one is accomplished by making the other possible.
It's really not all that profound...just good old common sense...like Andy Rooney would say.
Have yourselves a great week.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

04 November 2011

On A Sad Note...

















I couldn't let this weekend get by without mentioning this news from the FWPD.
Officer Kevin Weber, of the FWPD K-9 unit lost his battle against brain cancer and has passed away Thursday.
I never knew him, but I know people that have. I also know those that handle and become "buddies" with their four-footed partners on the streets.

"Badge" was Kevin's partner, and in some ways, people bond with animals in ways they could never explain to their human counterparts

Kevin once said a few months back:
“I have a relationship with time. I think every moment is precious.”
And so I'm positive it was.
When Weber was plagued with intense pain for a few consecutive days, Badge never left Weber’s side.
“We slept together a couple of nights,” Weber said. “He was with me when normally he was in his kennel.
He recognized it.
I had headaches, and he seemed to be getting to me and helping me more than medicine.”
FWPD Chief York adds:
“He’s made the Fort Wayne Police Department’s K-9 unit one of the most highly respected in all the Midwest.”

I'm sure Kevin will be sorely missed by the department, and I send along our condolences to his family, his friends, and to the thin blue line that protects us all 24.7.365.

Rest in peace, trooper...we have you signal *88*.





* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,

Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.

How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,and at times my talk was rough,

and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,That wasn't mine to keep....

Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place

Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,

Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne

Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,

You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
((Author Unknown))

Friday Follies...
I know that yesterday's post about the President's Executive Order left you ALL a might speechless, and I can't say I blame you.
There was a LOT of stuff there to digest, but at least the HISTORY portion of it was something I found interesting.
Anyway, we have made it to yet another weekend (how the time does fly).
Let's get in shape for the Christmas season and "wrap" this week up as nice as we can, okay? (you can add a bow if you want)
*** Item: Oakland under siege.
The recent outbreak of vandalism, violence and downright anarchy seems to be part and parcel to the "Occupy" movement. (out there, at least).
Health concerns, theft, assaults, and rapes are occurring elsewhere, and can we honestly say that we DIDN'T KNOW this was going to happen?
Did these cities really believe that this whole "Peace Through Appeasement" would WORK with such people?
We're finding out in many of the cities involved with larger protests that it HAS NOT.
I'm a firm believer that: ANY SOCIETY IS ONLY AS GOOD AS IT'S WORST REPRESENTATIVES...
Out in Oakland, we saw wholesale mayhem, bonfires (NOT of the vanities), attacks on the police charged with breaking up this bombastic bastion of buffoonery, and the occupiers taking over an empty warehouse, breaking windows, spraying graffiti, and even shutting down the waterfront (which is the 5th largest in the nation). By doing such things, they are hurting the very people they are "supposed" to be representing..."the common man", but we can plainly see this is not the case. The occupiers are NOT the rest of us, and such tactics employed by them in this case (in Oakland) bear that much out.
Such anarchy is representative of desperate people, and not those willing to embrace common sense.
When cornered, confronted, or criticized, they lash out...vehemently, with but one purpose...chaos.
Kind of makes the typical citizen want to cringe in some corner, until it all goes away...or perhaps even better, have someone come along with the promise of an end to the civil unrest.
Interesting thing about that...
Should such a person come along, people would flock to him/her like it was the second coming, and that would mean that one person would be better able to "control the masses", because the people's only alternative would be a return to the anarchy.
We might want to go down THAT path. We should never allow ANY one person to wield that much power over that many for any reason.
That is called fascism...or it will devolve into it in short order.
When these people legally secured permits to stage a "be-in" or whatever, they should have moved along AFTER the permit to protest expired...and whatever city that held the protest should have IMMEDIATELY upheld the law, and moved them along...or arrested them.
But, for the cause of "understanding them", many cities decided to allow them their say for as long as needed, in the hope that by giving in to them, they'd get tired and break up on their own, peacefully, and with no violent aftermath.
Well, how's that working out for those cities NOW, hmm?
Philly is on the hook for over $500K in police O/T, NYC is over a couple MILLION, and other cities are being stretched financially.
(It's all part of the movement...to overwhelm "the system"...forcing it to collapse in some manner.)
Wouldn't have to happen if the police stepped in immediately and kept this from festering in those cities.
It's times like these that we will see and hear rumors of the POLICE being the "bad guys" here...using gestapo tactics to suppress the people, when in fact it's the people in this movement that are doing the incivility gig.
Like I said the other week, there is a RIGHT WAY to do anything, and a WRONG way.
And whichever choice you decide upon, know that it WILL have it's appropriate effect to that cause.
Let's hope this situation can be quelled with the least amount of angst, injury, and damage...to all concerned.
Moving on...
*** Item: What's good for one should be good for all?
It can be said that MANY of our cities (and surrounding areas) are studies in CONTRASTS.
America (herself) is the ultimate such venue.
Our nation was built upon contrasts...be they political, religious, societal, or vocational.
And contrasts can be good. They can allow us to learn about others, and they about us.
We can enjoy experiencing differing views and make better decisions and choices based on such knowledge.
But, there comes that time when CONTRASTS work against themselves, and not in a way intended.
Take Michigan, or more correctly, Detroit.
(and I know lots of people would rather LEAVE it than take it...anywhere for any reason)
Just last Friday, I mentioned a story about these new streetlights, called INTELLISTREET, which are so wonderfully Orwellian in nature, that it boggles the mind.. And these were being put up in Farmington Hills, MI.

Farmington Hills is a suburb of the whole Detroit-Metro area (near Livonia), and they're getting NEW streetlights...
But in places like Highland Park (another part of Detroit-Metro), just a few miles away, they are RIPPING OUT street lighting, in an "austerity measure" to keep an already broke city from getting a lot more "broker"...does this make ANY sense?
Here is the link to the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20111104/NEWS03/311049957
I find it appalling that ANY city would stoop to something such as this.
Granted, the area has fewer than 12,000 residents (and once had over 30,000), and the city is $58 MILLION BUCKS in the hole (in debt), with a $4 million dollar electric bill, but is that reason to compromise the safety of those who remain in the area?
(or do we want this to become the hub for illegal activity, which it most certainly will?)
Situations JUST LIKE THIS are the direct result of growing entitlements, while at the same time suppressing empowerment (of the people).
You cannot sustain ANY system that rewards those who DO NOTHING because it's their "lifestyle-of-choice", can you?
If we can get a government GRANT to supply these "intelligent lights" in ONE part of the city, WHY can't ot be done in areas harder hit by CRIME, which Highland park will most definitely become?
Again, we see evidence of this marvelous DOUBLE-STANDARD that is thriving across this nation.
This needs to be addressed, and long before (more) people begin to mimic those in Oakland.
(( Update - rumor has it that the electric bill may be "forgiven" and that the remaining lights will NOT be removed, which adds up to about 500, or so. ))
We shall see...
*** Item: Let's ALL fall back.
Lastly today, this weekend is the time we "gain an hour", if you're into this whole daylight saving time thing.
Sunday at 0200 hours, we TURN THE CLOCKS BACK (Spring forward, Fall backwards), in an effort to make us all feel better about saving (something).
Personally, I'm not saving a damn thing.
We always had this in Philly, and only recently did we make the switch here in Indiana, and I'm sorry, but I don't see where this state (or it's people) have saved ANYTHING...at all.
Whatever we "save" on one end...we "lose" on the other end.
Always been that way...always will, too, because we can't change the sun in it's course across the sky, no matter HOW we (or the governments) dicker with our timepieces.
Remind yourselves to turn them BACK (late Saturday).
Here's some *4-1-1* on the whole thing:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/daylight1.html
So please remember...ALL of this crap IS for YOUR OWN GOOD...so says our government, who also wants us to put toxic CFL bulbs in our homes.

Oh, yeah, we're stockpiling normal bulbs...just in case...lol.

Have yourselves a great weekend.

Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

03 November 2011

On The Road Again...Executive Order
(hold the onions)
Hope you all have your beverages of choice at-hand today, and have gone to the bathroom before we leave, because we're back in the car, and rolling along that highway to Dystopia, making a little side-trip to a hamlet know as THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.
Now, being president can be VERY hard work...just ask our current leader, the "One".
I mean between shooting hoops, playing golf, and jet-setting around the globe, apologizing for our country, he's got to do some really IMPORTANT things...like SIGN STUFF.
Most of the time, this "stuff" is the legislation that comes from that OTHER branch of government (the legislative branch), and as chief EXECUTIVE, his job is to either sign things into law, or veto it...mostly.
But, there is this ONE little "ace-in-the-hole" the President has as his disposal, called the executive order.
In our Constitution, Article I, Section 1 states:
"All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."
Sounds simple enough, right?
Not so fast, kids...there's more.
The "official" explanation of the EXECUTIVE ORDER is as follows:
(( An executive order in the United States is an order issued by the President, the head of the executive branch of the federal government. In other countries, similar edicts may be known as decrees, or orders in council.
Executive orders may also be issued at the state level by a state's governor or at the local level by the city's mayor. U.S. Presidents have issued executive orders since 1789, usually to help officers and agencies of the Executive branch manage the operations within the federal government itself.
Executive orders have the full force of law, since issuances are typically made in pursuance of certain Acts of Congress, some of which specifically delegate to the President some degree of discretionary power (delegated legislation), or are believed to take authority from a power granted directly to the Executive by the Constitution.
However, these perceived justifications cited by Presidents when authoring Executive Orders have come under criticism for exceeding Executive authority; at various times throughout U.S. history, challenges to the legal validity or justification for an order have resulted in legal proceedings.
))
Now, back in 1789, the anti-federalists argued that there was no Bill of Rights to protect the people. They also said that a centralized government would become too powerful, usurping the rights granted to individual states (as was framed in the Constitution).
When the Constitution was being written, it was being done "behind closed doors", which was a direct contradiction to the mandate of the Congress, which was to amend the original Articles of Confederation (the governing power in America since the Revolution).
It was John Adams that argued (and quite well) that a GOOD government should consist of THREE balancing powers.
(legislative, executive, and judicial)
It was Adams' contention that the only effective way to secure the rights of the people and promote their welfare was to establish an opposition of interests between the members of two distinct bodies (legislative and executive) in the exercise of the powers of government, and balanced by those of a third (judicial). Again, seemed simple enough, right?
On 8 July, 1789, Adams proposed the Bill of Rights to Congress. James Madison was initially opposed to this, but after having spoken at length with Jefferson, he was convinced of the necessity of such Constitutional amendments. As Madison stated:
"That all power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursing and obtaining happiness and safety. That the people have an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform or change their government whenever it be found adverse or inadequate to the purpose of its institution."
Seems like he's on to something here.
The executive order is curious in that it doesn't seem to be found directly WITHIN the framework of the Constitution, nor does it allude to it.
Although there is no Constitutional provision or statute that explicitly permits executive orders, there is a vague grant of "executive power" given in Article II, Section 1, Clause 1 of the Constitution, and furthered by the declaration "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed" made in Article II, Section 3, Clause 4.
At the minimum, most Executive Orders use these Constitutional reasonings as the authorization allowing for their issuance to be justified as part of the President's sworn duties, the intent being to help direct officers of the US Executive carry out their delegated duties as well as the normal operations of the Federal Government - the consequence of failing to comply possibly being the removal from office.
This is not to be confused with a:
--Presidential Proclamation
--Presidential Determination
--Presidential Memorandum
Those are a whole other bunch of animals. (that too often get loose)
The Executive Order governs everything from the Flag Code of the United States to the ability to single-handedly declare Martial Law. Presidents have used the Executive Order in times of emergencies to override the Constitution of the United States and the Congress.
** Jackson used the "EO" to remove the law-abiding Cherokee from THEIR OWN ANCESTRAL LANDS. (the Trail of Tears)
** Lincoln used such orders to suspend fundamental rights during the Civil War. He shut down anti-war publications and jailed political prisoners.
He suspended the right to trial and the right to be confronted by one's accusers (habeas corpus).
Lincoln said this was done to PRESERVE THE UNION (which it did)...and after his death, Constitutional law was restored.
** Woodrow Wilson used EO during WW1 to arm U.S. vessels sailing through enemy waters (before we joined the war)
EO 1860 - fixing the interest rate of currency
EO 1997 - Amending the civil service rules providing the appointment of aliens when no citizens are available
EO 2039 - Admitting foreign ships into the U.S. registry
** FDR has a ton of them...here's a sampling:
EO 6102 - Forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates
EO 6166 - Reorganization of executive agencies generally
EO 6511 - Powers of the National Labor Board increased
EO 6917 - Creating a corporate body known as Federal Prison Industries, Inc.
EO 7732 - Federal Housing Projects
EO 8248 - Establishing divisions of the executive office of the President and defining their function & duties
EO 9182 - Office of War Information
EO 9300 - Subversive activities by federal employees
EO 9340 - Seizure of coal mines
EO 9412 - Seizure of the railroads
EO 9508 - Seizure of Montgomery Ward properties

And then, there's a few that are really interesting or "odd"...
--Truman:
EO 9577A
- Authorizing the "Petroleum Administrator" to take possession of and operate the plants in Port Arthur TX
EO 9631 - Termination of the Office of Censorship
EO 9808 - Establishing the President's Committee on Civil Rights
--Eisenhower:
EO 10450
- Security requirements for government employment
EO 10501 - Safeguarding official information in the interests of the defense of the U.S.
--Kennedy:
EO 10914
- Expanded program of food distribution to needy families (his first order)
EO 11063 - Equal opportunity in housing
--Nixon:
EO 11490 - Assigning emergency preparedness functions to federal departments & agencies
--Ford:
EO 11798
- Regulation of exports
EO 11808 - President's economic policy board
EO 11836 - National cargo security program
EO 11855 - Membership of the energy resources council
--Carter:
EO 11973
- President's council on mental health
EO 11987 - exotic organisms
EO 12044 - Improvement of federal regulations
EO 12049 - Defense economic adjustment programs
EO 12072 - Federal space management
EO 12089 - National productivity council
EO 12116 - Issuance of food stamps by the USPS
EO 12146 - Management of federal legal resources
EO 12153 - Decontrol of heavy oil
EO 12170 - Blocking of Iranian government property
EO 12201 - credit control
EO 12241 - National contingency plan
--Reagan:
EO 12287
- Decontrol of crude and refined petroleum products
EO 12324 - Interdiction of illegal aliens
EO 12360 - President's task force on victims of crime
EO 12457 - President's Commission on industrial competitiveness
EO 12523 - National WH conference on small business
EO 12555 - Protection of cultural property
EO 12564 - Drug-free federal workplace
EO 12576 - Victims of terrorism compensation
--Bush (1):
EO 12695
- Delegation of debt-relief authority
EO 12735 - Chemical & biological weapons proliferation
EO 12755 - Administration of export controls
EO 12778 - Civil justice reform
EO 12807 - Interdiction of illegal aliens
--Clinton:
EO 12835
- Establishment of the National Economic Council
EO 12844 - Federal use of alternative energy vehicles
EO 12857 - Budget control
EO 12858 - Deficit reduction fund
EO 12878 - Bipartisan commission on entitlement reform
EO 12931 - Federal procurement reform
EO 13010 - Critical infrastructure protection
EO 13089 - Coral reef protection
EO 13112 - Invasive species
EO 13151 - Global disaster information network
--Bush (2):
EO 13212
- Actions to expedite energy-related projects
EO 13271 - Establishment of the corporate fraud task force
* * * * *
And that's a SMALL part of ALL of them...(whew)
They're still working on ALL the one's JOHNSON put out there.
Thanks to: http://www.conservativeusa.org/eo/default.htm
Obama (to date) has signed NINETY-SEVEN executive orders, so he's right up there with the BIG GUNS when it comes to signing stuff.
(move over FDR)
A few of these include:
EO 13583 - Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce
EO 13579 - Regulation and Independent Regulatory Agencies
EO 13578 - Coordinating Policies on Automotive Communities and Workers
EO 13571 - Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service
EO 13563 - Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
EO 13561 - Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay
EO 13560 - White House Council for Community Solutions
EO 13557 - Controlled Unclassified Information
EO 13546 - Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States
EO 13544 - Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
EO 13538 - Establishing the President's Management Advisory Board
Here's a link to a blog that chronicles them all (so far):
http://1461days.blogspot.com/2009/01/current-list-of-president-obamas.html
And it's pretty intense.
But you HAVE to remember that the EXECUTIVE ORDER is a method to BYPASS the legislative part of our government (Congress).
*** One might say that the executive order (as utilized TODAY) is ABUSED, and on a rather regular basis...
And there's a crapload more of these I didn't even list...with mostly ONE thing in mind...CONTROL to some degree.
Remember, we can't decide FOR OURSELVES, and that's why we need a HUGE government with eyes and ears everywhere, so we can be taken care of...(like a doting parent to a child)
The EXECUTIVE ORDER has become more the norm, rather than something to be used ONLY in time on national emergency or war...
It might behoove the leaders of this nation to remember that.
They might want to recall the story about the boy who "cried wolf"?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

02 November 2011

Humpday Happenings...
I really MEANT to watch the mayoral "debate" last evening here in Ft. Wayne, but I got tied up watching a Humphrey Bogart classic (from 1946) on the TCM channel...THE BIG SLEEP!
This is still a really good private eye movie with lots of twists and turns.
You gotta love Philip Marlowe.
And Bogey does the character justice.
Not to mention, a very young Lauren Bacall is easy on the eyes.











I mean here's a guy who drove around with TWO (count 'em, 2) .38s attached to the flip-down door of the glovebox...way ahead of James Bond in that regard.
After the movie, I remembered the debate and surfed over the hear the last few minutes...and then it hit me.
There I was, scotch on the rocks in hand, watching THE BIG SLEEP (the movie) when I SHOULD have been watching the BIGGER SLEEP (the debate)...now that's ironic...LOL!
Anywho, on with...the "rest of the story"...
*** Got some more of the *4-1-1* on the person shot and killed at Mookie's on Halloween night. (and you knew I would find something)
Justin L.Bush, 26 of Fort Wayne is the recently deceased, and he's not been a good boy up until his demise.
Bush’s death was ruled a homicide, Fort Wayne’s and Allen County’s 18th this year.
The coroner did not say how many times he had been shot.
Here's his rap sheet:
-02D04-0603-CM-002018 Bush, Justin L 03/22/2006
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (A)
-02D04-0610-CM-007162 Bush, Justin L 10/30/2006
Allen Superior Court 4 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided BATTERY (A)
-02D04-0708-MC-001715 Bush, Justin L 08/20/2007
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. AGGRAVATED BATTERY
CARRYING HANDGUN W/O LICENSE
P.C. BATTERY
P.C. CRIMINAL RECKLESSN'S
-
02D04-0708-FC-000203 Bush, Justin L 08/23/2007
Allen Superior Court 4 FC - Class C Felony
Decided BATTERY
CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS
CARRYING A HANDGUN WITHOUT A LICENSE

-02D04-0902-FD-000154 Bush, Justin L 02/17/2009
Allen Superior Court 5 FD - Class D Felony
Decided FAILURE TO RETURN TO LAWFUL DETENTION
-02D05-1102-CM-000843 150503 BUSH, JUSTIN L 02/11/2011
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 9-24-18-1/MC: Knowingly or Intentionally Operating Motor Vehicle w/o Ever Receiving a License
-02D05-1103-IF-002243 619263 BUSH, JUSTIN L 03/09/2011
Allen Superior Court 5 IF - Infraction
Decided 9-21-17-12/IFC: Sidewalk Available; Prohibition on Walking Along or Upon Roadway
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02D05-1108-CM-005175 661906
661906
661906 BUSH, JUSTIN L 08/29/2011
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Decided 35-44-2-2(d)(1)/MB: False Informing
9-24-18-1/MC: Knowingly or Intentionally Operating Motor Vehicle w/o Ever Receiving a License
9-21-5-2/IFC: Speeding
And his known addresses:
--3022 PENNSYLVANIA ST
Fort Wayne, IN 46803
--5217 Cloverbrook Dr
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
--Miami C F Doc 185405
3038 W 850 S
Bunker Hill, IN 46914
That LAST one sure looks like the address of the MIAMI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY...
(yes, it IS)
Looks like the late Mr. Bush was well-acquainted with the "bologna sandwich-for-lunch" bunch, (and liked orange jumpsuits) hmm?
The recently wounded Dean Bakari, had a brush with the po-po as well back in March this year.
-02D06-1103-IF-002238 619265 BAKARI, DEAN T 03/09/2011
Allen Superior Court 6 IF - Infraction
Decided 9-21-17-12/IFC: Sidewalk Available; Prohibition on Walking Along or Upon Roadway
His address is:
904 Savila Ave.
Fort wayne, 46807
Britteny A. Sanders apparently has no record, or is using an alias, for no records bounce back for her.
What I want to know is WHEN did the FWPD actually CITE PEOPLE for NOT WALKING ON A SIDEWALK?
And WHY don't they do that in MY NEIGHBORHOOD?
Hell, put an officer down here, AND on commission, and he can retire in less than FIVE YEARS with all the violations of THAT ordinance...LOL!
That's ALL people do around here...walk in the middle of the damn street!
Guess that's called "selective ticketing"...much like what doesn't go on (down here) when it comes to IMPROPERLY ILLUMINATED LICENSE PLATES, right? See about 20 of THOSE per night, too.
And then there's the people who place the tag in a DARKENED REAR WINDOW...can't make the damn thing out at all.
But, it IS nice to see that the phrase DOUBLE-STANDARD is not going to waste down here.
I mean this nation pretty much RUNS on such a thing, doesn't it?
(Talk about one helluva "alternative fuel"...)
Almost every facet of our society is beset with some sort of double-standard...
One thing for some people...
Another different thing for the rest of them...
Yeah, that just OOZES equality right there.
*** Now, here's a person with a real capitalistic streak in her:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20111101/LOCAL03/311019956
Yeah, nothing like a nice MEDICAID BILLING SCAM to get the bloodhounds antsy, hmm?
And the house she lives in (after committing fraud to the tune of over $400K) is pretty damn nice, too.
Good thing she ONLY gets ONE YEAR in the pokey...our economy can use people with such "creativity" these days...(tongue in cheek, here).
And I'm glad she ONLY filed about 5000 fake health care bills.
She's now part of the "OCCUPY ALLEN COUNTY JAIL" movement.
*** Smithfield, North Carolina Police are in a "pinch" these days (no pun intended)
Here's the link to an interesting story:
http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/10/31/article/smithfield_police_in_a_bind_over_gas_money_for_patrol_cars
Looks like the 911 calls might have to "wait"...because fuel costs for that department are creating problems.
Well, they call ALWAYS go "green" and start using PRIUSES....'ya think?
This is another case of ENTROPY...taxing a system until it can give no more; stretching things further than they are permitted to go.
And the result might be something the rest of us are getting a bit too used to seeing.
Just imagine a police force that cannot provide the BASICS for the officers on the street, and then think about the ramifications.
You can very well wind up with a MAD MAX scenario...aka a DYSTOPIAN situation.
See how all these seemingly "little" things can add up...like dominoes falling.
We pretty much take for granted the fact that the police will always have fuel available in enough quantity that all the lawbreakers can (and shall) be caught. But that's not always the case today.
The last couple years saw things like certain calibers of ammunition in shorter supplies, and naturally, we're always biting our lip when it comes to fuel availability and the (other) costs accrued.
Hell, when I roll up to the pump and see anything UNDER $3.50...I'm damn near ecstatic!
(and I'm only filling up the Wifey-mobile or my Batmobile...not a police cruiser or SUV)
Like I say, you have to pay attention to ALL the small sh*t out there, because it WILL all congeal into much LARGER SH*T if we're not careful.
And when we're all up to our necks in that larger sh*t, the smell will be the LEAST of our worries.
We need to remain vigilant...and always willing to ask questions.
We need to pay attention to details, and stay on track, no matter how much we're buffeted about. THAT is how this nation get reclaimed and made better again.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and...
Stay safe out there, America.

(( Tomorrow: Get your go-bag ready for another "Road Trip", gang!))