Friday Follies...(Holy Weekend Edition)...
And we're finishing off Holy Week in a more "seasonal" venue. We actually had a FROST warning out here in the Heartland last night, and this morning is a bit on the "brisk" side, temperature-wise.
Now, before we get into the meaning of today (and what I see regarding it), we've got to take care of some other "business" first...
So, get yourselves settled in...because we're asking the questions and demanding answers.
(and there's a good pursuit going on with the police radio with stop sticks deployed successfully - score one for the GOOD guys...and just so's you know, LAW-ENFORCEMENT will be out IN FORCE on the highways, looking for IMPAIRED drivers...they should hang out DOWN HERE...plenty to go around)
*** First on the plate today, what could be worse than having someone break in to your house?
Answer: Having a hit-and-run DRIVER attempt the same thing.
Here's the story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/a-front-porch-hit-and-run
This happened in the 2400 block of Maumee Ave in the near SE side of town, and police believe it as a white Buick SUV that struck the house.
(that would be a Buick Rendezvous or Enclave, for the uninitiated)
The vehicle was ditched a few blocks away (I would imagine so, after all the damage IT must have suffered), but it was NOT reported stolen.
(so then, it SHOULD be pretty damn EASY to find the OWNER, and question HIM or HER, don'cha think?)
*** When it is okay for a babysitter to dip a child's feet in scalding water as "punishment"?
Answer: NEVER!
But at least ONE babysitter found it normal to do so...in Richmond, Indiana.
Here's the story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/cops-babysitter-burned-girl-as-penalty
First off, I wouldn't let ANYONE that looked even remotely like THIS mook babysit ANY child of mine...not even my PETS or HOUSE!
This perp ADMITS to doing it, considering the child went to hospital with 2nd degree burns to the feet...WTH was this asshole thinking anyway?
Cripes, this guy makes Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) look FRIENDLY!
*** Next up... Why weren't we ALL informed about OPPOSITE DAY?
Answer: Because some loons can't read a damn CALENDAR and take note of the ACTUAL "holiday" (which is always on 25 JANUARY)
Here's this story out of Indy:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana/impd-naked-man-declares-opposite-day
And here's some info about "Opposite Day":
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/January/oppositeday.htm
Things worked out for the best with this totally NAKED MAN, (one Leonard Fedora) seen walking in public around Broad Ripple, who was soon in police custody.
The IMPD officers obviously ALSO heard of "Opposite Day" and had therefore instructed him: "We're NOT going to arrest you for public indecency"
And then...THEY DID.
I guess "opposites" DO attract...LOL!
*** And now, as promised...some thoughts on GOOD FRIDAY.
I like to think of this as opening the door into Easter (holiest day of the Christian calendar), and Mom was always keen to make sure that the hours between 12-3 PM, were QUIET around our house, out of RESPECT for the 3 hours that Christ hung on the cross at Calvary.
We also didn't eat meat on Good Friday...didn't have to be Catholic to do that.
Now, here's the WIKI on today:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday
Coincidentally, today ALSO marks the beginning of the Jewish celebration of PASSOVER.

And here's THAT WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover
So, it's a rare culmination of BOTH "holidays" as it were, and I kinda like that.
It reminds me of a time in my childhood when days JUST like this held a lot more REVERENCE than we seem to do today.
Personally, I don't mind watching a movie that symbolizes this week, such as Jesus of Nazareth with Robert Powell, or even King of Kings with the late Jeffrey Hunter. Yeah, I seen 'em both before, but it puts my heart at ease to remember the REASON behind such days as today...and Sunday.
Used to be times when EASTER clothes were "the thing"...had to get some new pants or shirts...or even (if we could afford it) a new suit...for just "going to church".
But that was when an outfit for your child didn't cost a week's salary, too (including shoes).
I can say with assurance that NONE of the local human refuse (read the neighbors) will have a "dog in THIS hunt", and by that I mean they simply WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE the importance of today...OR Sunday.
It's not "their" holiday...unlike Kwanzaa (a manufactured holiday at that), so they'll do what they always do every other day.
A very few "might" attend some service, and then come back home and pick right up where they left off with the noise and disrespect...
God only serves them at THEIR convenience...not HIS.
That might be a bit brutal to say, but, it's the TRUTH.
That's pretty sad...to NOT remember in some manner our Creator, and the sacrifice HE made so WE could have eternal life.
Of course, this is all based on the premise that you DO BELIEVE in GOD.
Sometimes, all it takes is the fear of death to turn the godless into the God-fearing (and God-loving).
I know I appreciate my life, however long it may last.
And I'm sure many of you appreciate your lives...both the good and the bad.
So, if you have a few moments to spare this weekend, especially today and on Sunday, take that time to be appreciative...to come to an understanding of the WHY regarding the death (and resurrection) of that man from Galilee...all those many centuries ago.
I'm sure you'll feel just a bit more free in doing so, because the TRUTH has a way of doing just that.
Okay, I'm all done preaching now, so I'll get off my soapbox...
Do have yourselves a very blessed Good Friday and/or a Happy Passover.
May you find a renewed meaning in that which you seek.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

The Nature Of The Beast...
For some reason, I've been recently intrigued with the "status" of OUR human nature, and I'm one of those people that firmly believe that WE are both the causes AND the solutions to ALL of OUR problems (rather than those blaming others or things beyond their own control).
I suppose that comes down to the whole "You can't second-guess God" premise.
My take about such matters shortly, but first, the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"More is not better; better is better."
This was attributed to General Gordon R, Sullivan, quoted in Military Review - July/August 1996
And, just in case you were wondering WHO (the hell) he IS (yes, he's STILL alive at 74 years old, God bless him), here's his WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_R._Sullivan
Also, here's the *4-1-1* from the Strategic Studies Institute with his published works:
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/people.cfm?authorID=214
Good solid soldier...love those guys!
Meanwhile, back at the Battalion HQ...
*** Yes, human nature is something every species has had since their particular model came out.
Consider it a form of "instinct" - that which is inherent in us all.
Could be that fight or flight response, or the penchant to hunt for food, but it's mostly things in our lives that we usually control quite readily, and with good reason. We've been TAUGHT what is meant by SELF-CONTROL (or we all should have been).
For example...we are ALL (basically) KILLERS. I know you find that hard to believe, but it's true.
We ALL have the capacity to KILL...when REQUIRED to do so, be it in self-defense (which is actually an adjunct to combat - kill the OTHER guy FIRST, because he's trying to kill you, ergo SELF-defense or a pre-emptive measure), or to protect our loved ones.
We could go out and do ALL sorts of nasty to anyone we choose, because we have this "human nature" within us...but we just CHOOSE not to participate in such things. Besides, they're all pretty much AGAINST THE LAWS we have established for our CIVILIZED society.
That's NOT to say that some people WILL skirt the LAW, and do what they damn well please, in essence, give IN to those instinctual behaviors, for whatever reason.
Now, I'm tickling 60 years old (get there in August, God willing), and I spent a part of yesterday with Wifey outside, prepping the garden, while she was planting seeds in small pots for seedlings (dodging those frost alerts).
Other people the SAME age, though, are WAY too busy walking much darker paths, giving in to those bestial aspects of our human nature...
*** Case in point, THIS little gem on the...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side of Ft. Wayne:
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120405/LOCAL07/304059972
Looks like James A. Howell (age 60...what a coincidence) got a LOT more than he was bargaining for yesterday, when he attempted to rob a couple businesses in Southgate Plaza - a mere spit and a slide form our "fortress".
The story says the teller at the Chase bank (first robbery attempt) refused to comply...he actually LAUGHED at the robber, who fled and went into Belmont Beverages, punched a clerk twice in the chest and took some money from the open cash drawer.
He then fled past the Salvation Army and was taken to ground by two young men when the clerk yelled "we've been robbed" and noticed Howell "jogging" on by. Howell was "detained" until police arrived, which, given the "nature" of the area, was rather quickly.
And here I was...gardening...while I COULD have been robbing stores and being chased down by citizens.
Or perhaps, MAYBE "Jimmy-Boy" COULD have been gardening instead of practicing his felonious tendencies?
Chalk it ALL up to human nature...and a few BAD CHOICES on HIS part.
Now, Jim-bo has a rap sheet (you figured as much, right?)
02D04-0707-MC-001457 Howell, James A 07/16/2007
Allen Superior Court 6 MC - Miscellaneous Criminal
Decided P.C. THEFT
02D04-0707-FD-000594 Howell, James A 07/19/2007
Allen Superior Court 5 FD - Class D Felony
Decided THEFT
02D05-1203-CM-001753 NA HOWELL, JAMES A 03/26/2012
Allen Superior Court 5 CM - Criminal Misdemeanor
Pending 35-43-4-3(a)/MA: Conversion
==================================
What's amazing is that this last offense is PENDING - hearing set for 23 April.
(guess he's gonna be REAL EASY to locate FOR that hearing, hmm?).

He ALSO has had three addresses since 2007:
2706 OLIVER ST
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
------------------------------------
1317 West Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
------------------------------------
Other Agency Numbers
143019 Fort Wayne Police Department,
2753 Allen County Sheriff's Department
-----------------------------------
301 Superior St W
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
================================
Funny thing, for FIVE years, old Jimmy was a good boy, then, all of a sudden, he gets BACK into "the game"...
I think he could have used a GARDEN to occupy his time better.
*** Uh, oh...ANOTHER house fire blamed on COOKING!
(say it ain't so, Bob)
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120405/LOCAL07/304059932
AGAIN, we see it was food that was LEFT UNATTENDED that caused the blaze on the ...(all together gang...) SOUTHEAST side of town.
At least it wasn't at 2-freaking-AM!!!
More human nature...thinking (erroneously) that FOOD will ATTEND TO ITSELF..without ANY intervention.
Sorry, I think Gordon Ramsay or Bobby Flay would have something to say on THAT matter.
When are people going to realize that SOME folks simply do NOT know how to f$cking ENGAGE their BRAINS when performing relatively SIMPLE TASKS about the house...or for that matter, why are they living IN the damn house, when they'd obviously be MUCH more "at home" on some wide-open plain in the Veldt? Idiocy like this is becoming too much the "norm" these days.
*** Lastly, human nature can do a great many things both FOR us in life, as well as AGAINST us, depending upon how WE choose to put it to work.
You will hear many people say "Well, that's only human nature", when they see something happen.
It could be something stupid like that attempted bank robbery, OR it could be the selfless act of rescuing a person from a burning vehicle.
Human nature is comprised of a myriad of responses, both emotional and logical...sometimes, a melding of both.
Some folks operate solely upon the instincts that fuel such behavior, while the rest of us will weigh the causes and effect, determine the consequences, and then act appropriately.
The amazing thing, is that we can often do this in mere SECONDS, because we have been TAUGHT (by parents, teachers, mentors or even self) to understand such things.
And I believe that THIS is just "human nature" at work...for the best.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

Humpday Happenings...
Halfway down the pike towards the weekend...smack dab in the middle of Holy week (for the Judeo-Christian calendar, anyway), and we're cooling down just a tad here in the Heartland today...highs around 60, and NO sign of any turbulent weather, such as what struck in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth areas in Texas yesterday.
That was certainly some BAD tornadic activity with golf ball-size hail.
Our prayers go out to those affected by the storms down there...certainly NOT the best way to approach Good Friday and Easter, that's for sure.
And that reminds me...the other week, here in Ft. Wayne, the city tested their tornado warning sirens, and you know what?
I never heard them AT ALL...either at 1015 hrs, OR at 1935 hrs...imagine that. The (...all together, gang...) SOUTHEAST side of town gets the sh*t end of the severe weather stick...guess we can ADD that to the REST of the sticks we've been "collecting" all these years.
Nice to know we've plenty of "kindling" (in case of riots).
Meanwhile...back at the Fortress...
*** Today's military quote aka WHO SAID THAT?
"More is not better; BETTER is better.
"So, WHO said that, anyway? Answer at the top tomorrow.
*** It's Spring Break, and that means kids are out of school for the duration, unlike the times they're supposed to be IN school, and decide they just can't get the hell out of bed to GO to school.
And our LIBRARIES are fast becoming the new "gathering place" for kids of those parents that just don't wish to...well...parent the children while they're AT HOME.

Now, don't get me wrong here...I LOVE libraries, but when I was a youngster, I ALWAYS had Dad (or sometimes Mom) take me there to get books out or to return them...until I was old enough to go BY MYSELF, and never to spend ALL day there when my parents wanted a cheap-ass babysitter.
These days, it's a whole other game, and that has library staff chiding these parents for the lack OF parenting.
Here's the story from WANE:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/area-libraries-are-seeing-more-unsupervised-children-due-to-spring-break
The operative word to remember here is...UNSUPERVISED...kinda like the kids we have roaming all over our streets down here in the ghettohood.
It's disheartening to see TODDLERS in the damn street, unsupervised, especially with all the dumbass mooks we having DRIVING along those streets.
And it's only by the grace of God we haven't had any hit and runs OR fatalities...but it IS only a matter of time.
I've yet to be a parent, but I HAVE been a child raised by parents who DID give a damn, and with my folks, it was a FULL-TIME job for them...same goes for ANY parent. You don't clock in and out or pull ONE shift per day with child-rearing.
If you don't want to put the TIME into raising that child (or children) and that means SUPERVISING their activities when needed, than maybe being a parent isn't on your short list of IMPORTANCE and therefore having (and raising) kids might not be the best thing for YOU...OR the children.
*** Next up, another house fire on the...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side of town.
Here's the story link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/five-people-escape-drexel-ave-house-fire
And, it would appear from the article that since the fire began near a mattress, one can conclude that someone fell asleep while smoking...well, that's the USUAL gig on this.
If some of these people had an inkling of common sense, they're figure out this isn't some mud hut village in Zimbabwe and that some things you just DON'T do because it places people AT RISK. Maybe they just don't deserve to be handed a HOUSE without first checking to see if they have a functioning BRAIN CELL in that melon they call a cranium.
I understand that ACCIDENTS can (and do) happen, but the frequency we see such fires dictates that some folks are just not "up to speed" when it comes to living in a civilized environment among civilized people.
(that would also account for a LOT of the other issues down here, wouldn't it?)
*** Moving on...
The Fort Wayne neighborhood where the lawyer was shot (last week) is dealing with this as best they can.
Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/shorewood-neighborhood-coping-after-shooting
The FWPD believe this was an isolated incident and that the victim was "targeted", so there doesn't appear to be any randomness attached to the case (at this time). Well, that's good to know for everyone else...I suppose.
People in the neighborhood ARE closing windows, garage doors, and the like...(welcome to MY part of town, where it looks like Winter all year with all the closed-up houses). You simply can't take ANYTHING for granted where we live, and trusting people becomes a lost art.
You trust in yourself...and those under YOUR roof exclusively.
Everyone else in the area...you keep at arm's length (if you're smart).
It's not really the way we want to live down here...just the way we NEED to live.
It's the old friend SITUATIONAL AWARENESS...
And, you pretty much HAVE to be that way, considering that damn near everyone else is either doing drugs, dealing drugs, or otherwise engaged in some form of dubious activity that could impact on YOUR lie at the drop of a hat (or the kicking in of your door, as is often heard on the police radio).
*** Remember that story a while back about how unfit Fort Wayneans were alleged to be?
No? Well, here's further proof that many of them are indeed in that group:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120404/LOCAL/304049976
The County Allen (in Indiana) is ranked 35th (out of 92 counties) in state healthiness.
(Yeah, and I come from Philly - land of HOAGIES, PIZZA, CHEESESTEAKS, TASTYKAKES and SCRAPPLE...so what's yer point?)
Now, I might not be the HEALTHIEST sum-bitch in the county, but I'm doing okay for someone about to enter their 6th decade on this planet.
I've kept the same weight for about 25-30 years, much of it due to my following of Ben Franklin's quote:
"Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation".
Granted, that Indiana has NONE of the culinary amenities I lived upon LIKE those cheesesteaks (they DO have a Penn Station shop...up NORTH, where everything is freaking at, so we don't get there that often...but it IS damn tasty stuff.)
I pretty much eat what I want...I just never see the need to pig the hell out...OR subsist TOTALLY upon fast-food joints, unlike the ghettohood locals (also being government-sponsored) when it come to THEIR eating choices.
And their GIRTH kind of demonstrates what the result of such habits will do.
I swear, some of these baby-mamas are so large due to improper eating habits, they MUST have their own gravitational field surrounding them...which would explain why their children "orbit" them whenever they walk down the MIDDLE of the streets.
But this report soes have some skewed stats...like they say that 47% of the eateries in ALLEN county are fast food places (yikes!)...okay, I can believe that much.
But, when the report mentions that 9% have low income and no EASY way to get to a grocery store, that just isn't all that truthful.
They ALL have SOME form of transportation to drive their asses around...that's a FACT, and I can testify to that.
If it's not their OWN vehicle (which many times is a rather NEW one at that), it's that of the hundreds of "friends" they have (most of which manage to move into the same house at some point, or at least hang there enough to have you think they DO live there), so that part doesn't wash for me.
And they also have the BUSES..and TAXIS. (if they wish to pay, which they have money enough to buy booze and drugs for)
These people all but LIVE at all the CONVENIENCE STORES that dot the area like pimples on an acne-ridden teenager's face.
And that's when they're NOT going to the fast food places...which is almost EVERY DAY (and sometimes starting FIGHTS inside).
The ONLY divergence from this modus operandi, is when they have a COOKOUT...charred something on the grill.
Thank God they're not attempting anything like REAL cooking...that would mean they could make such things like actual MEALS for their children..or (dare I say it?)...BREAKFAST, and where would the schools be without all those freebie programs for the meals these kids get on YOUR dime.
There are those that DO try to cook...and burn their frigging house DOWN as a result of falling asleep or using tons of GREASE to prepare whatever it is they're trying to make...either way...BAD idea.
The story just made me smile, because a LOT more people used to be a LOT better than this, and these days, they're simply NOT.
*** Lastly today, human nature is an interesting thing, whether you experience it, or just watch it.
Actually, we ALL experience it...and every day, but we often neglect to notice it, because we're busy doing it.
Human nature is what we produce as individuals through our words, actions, and thoughts.
People will always tell you that "It's only human nature"...and that can apply to something GOOD and decent from people, or it can demonstrate the depths of depravity we all can be capable of...depends on the person, the level of intent, and the ease one can achieve it...good OR bad.
What we all have to realize is that we can't avoid human nature, so we'd be better off embracing it.
It's like living out lives...WE are going to spend the MOST time in our own life, so better to make the most of it, rather than shirk our responsibilities.
We can train ourselves, adapt ourselves, and empower ourselves to do better...to become better.
All we need to do is WANT to make it happen, and that's a good way to begin any day.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

Believe It...Or Else...
Yes, friends, if it's the first Tuesday of the 4th month of the year, that means it's time once again for some stories that will get you scratching your head in disbelief, pondering the improbable, and questioning the impossible.
And, it also means that whatever I was going to post today got tossed out the window and I decided to limp this one back to the barn instead...LOL.
So, without any further ado, let's get cracking.
*** Suppose that after EIGHTEEN YEARS, a once settled (and notorious) criminal case reared it head AGAIN...would you be interested?
Well, the O.J. Simpson murder case has some startling (but circumstantial) evidence that can prove that O.J. was NOT the murderer.
Here's but one (of many) links to the story:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2123547/OJ-innocent-Private-investigator-claims-Simpsons-SON-hacked-stars-wife-friend-death--went-trial-cover-up.html
Now, I've an affinity for this case, and my position has changed more than several times over those years, but the credibility of the P.I. that has been investigating this during the time that's passed lends itself to perhaps another, and more thorough revisit to the case.
What was weird to me, was that my (first) wife and I had flown back from the L.A. area the day AFTER this occurred (and no, I was nowhere near the neighborhood in question, and I have witnesses that were with me). It was damn odd to see all this unfold while UNPACKING from that trip to the left coast.
You do have to remember that the P.I., one William Dear is promoting his book ABOUT his findings (576 pages in length).
Mr. Dear makes some very good points about WHO really killed Nicole and Ron Goldman, but what surprises me is that the investigative team back THEN seemed to MISS all this...makes on wonder WHY?
We will have to see what the pundits and reviewers have to say on this, and then make OUR OWN decision.
Guilty or innocent? It might not be over just yet...even after 18 years.
*** And that reminds me, I've been neglectful of another blogger who has written his OWN book (a novel).
So, allow me a few moments to hawk his goods here and now.
He's a PPD officer (A Philly guy - I liked that from the get-go), and his blog is called SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (link at left - the "usual suspects"), and goes by the handle of Wyatt Earp (another reason to like him).
Take a stop over there and buy the book...or at least check out the link found here:
http://supportyourlocalgunfighter.com/2012/03/book-em-earp-o/#more-54231
I think you'll find his honesty refreshing, as I have.
And it's a way for him to live a dream; to get published (and not necessarily rich, trust me).
Anyone that wants to reach for their dream has got MY vote.
So maybe it's not a classic...it IS from the heart (and mind) of a good officer, and that's enough for me.
(and no, my check is NOT in the mail...I do it gratis...lol)
*** Next up, some local "fun and games".
The Citilink buses here in the Summit City are rarely PACKED (unlike other cities), so it's little wonder that sooner or later we'd have something like THIS, given the nature of those riding them:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120402/LOCAL07/120409935/1043/LOCAL07
Nyelah Hayes, 29, thought it would be a good idea to bring a KNIFE to a "bus-fight", and she came up short on that premise.
(Even though the story doesn't say, you wanna bet what her ethnicity is?)
An altercation broke out over something that another passenger, one Juwan Jones, 33 (wonder what HIS ethnicity is, hmm?) made about her.
There are times when keeping one's piehole the hell SHUT works wonders.
Must have been something REALLY bad that was said for Nyelah to pull out that steak knife. (maybe she was headed to Sizzler and preferred using her OWN utensils? I can relate)
Anyhow, it was Nyelah who wound up getting cut on her hand with that knife.
Other passengers were transferred to another bus.
Hayes was charged with disorderly conduct, attempted (and failed) battery, and criminal recklessness. Jones was able to disarm, says the article.
Nothing about him PROVOKING the "attack", though...guess it still IS okay to GOAD someone into doing something STUPID.
(note to self - that should work on almost ALL the locals down here.)
*** When is it fine for a police officer to catch a few Zs while on duty?
Answer: NEVER, as pointed out in THIS story:













http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120403/LOCAL07/304039968/1043
Yeah, officer Gregory Addison was on "candid camera" in his OWN squad car when the "nap" happened.
Big Brother IS watching (the officers) but who watches the watchers (besides me)?
Along with this suspension were a few others and a couple of promotions to SGT.
*** Now, the NCAA "March Madness" crap is FINALLY over (Kentucky won - big, fat, hairy deal).
And wouldn't you just KNOW something like THIS (madness) was going to happen, given the nature of the beast:





http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120403/SPORTS03/120409913
Again, we see that "celebratory gunfire" when improperly applied, DOES result in serious injury...well, DUH!!!
This is in addition to numerous FIRES that were set with DOZENS being arrested.
There was even a wreck involving a FIRE ENGINE in Lexington, KY.
I'd be very careful about setting those fires....and for one important reason.
*** The parents of Trayvon Martin ask for probe of the special prosecutor.
And here I thought his parents were okay and "down with that" prosecutor coming on board...imagine that.
Here's the story:
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/trayvon-martins-parents-ask-dept-justice-prosecuto/nMHj7/
To say this case has developed a "life of it's own" would be understatement.
And certain people are calling for "taking this to the NEXT level"...
I wonder what that's INFERRING, anyway?
Civil disobedience? Rioting? Looting? Burning parts of cities across America DOWN?
Personally, I'd have to say ALL of the above.
That's JUST the way such people (with an entitlement mentality) operate, and it COULD wind up taxing the resources of the police department across America.
(gee, time for Obama to roll out that "civilian police force" he talked about a couple years back?)
There is a VERY short fuse on this powder keg, and if we're ALL not careful, someone's gonna light the damn thing the hell OFF, and then we'll have a lot more crap hitting a lot more fans, directly MAINLY against the more lighter-skinned of our populace.
It's only going to take ONE asshole doing ONE WRONG thing at the WRONG time to the WRONG person.
*** Lastly today, it can be said that America is at a "crossroads" (I look at it more like a "five-points" )...in many ways.
One need look only to the housing market, the economy, the Middle East conflicts, our currency, inflation, civil unrest, and several other things to notice as much. And the immediate future is not looking ALL that rosy, either.
In the long term, I believe we WILL prevail and remain a major global player, but until then, we're going have to traverse some really rocky ground.
Think of it as a mountain trail...twists, turns, ups, down, and a few critters tossed in for good measure (like that snake under that rock you just kicked accidentally). We need to be prepared for whatever lies ahead.
The foliage might be think, but we can find a way THROUGH it.
The trail might be treacherous, but we will find a way PAST it.
And the journey might be prolonged, but we shall ENDURE it.
There was never a guarantee that life would be easy, and that every obstacle would be magically removed from all our paths.
Hell, it's JUST such things that allow us to learn, and thereby develop character.
We need to never lose sight of that, or of the eventual completion OF this journey, and whatever hazards we find.
Just something to think about...that's all.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.