07 December 2012

Friday Follies...
Well, boys and girls, through absolutely NO fault of our own, we've arrived at the weekend....finally.
And if you like temps in the mid to upper 40s with slight rain off and on for the next 24 hours, today will be right up your alley here in the Heartland.
Perfect weather for stringing those OUTDOOR lights, hmm?
So while we're waiting to dredge up some motivation to do THAT, let's take a look at what's been going on.
*** Today is Pearl Harbor Day, and it was back in 1941 when the Japanese pulled a sneak attack on our navy base in Hawaii.
Nowadays, we seem to recall things like this less and less, and I suppose it's due to the fact that every day, we lose more veterans from not only THAT day, but also from ALL of WW2.
As a young'un, this day was a pretty big deal, and while NOT a holiday in ANY sense of the word, it was a SOLEMN day, and many vets back then spent some time in the local taprooms, talking about where THEY were when the attack occurred. It was much like where MY generation was when JFK was assassinated.
I consider these to be those pivotal moments in history...the ones we will always remember...just like 9/11.
Times and people seemed different then.
Many men left everything here and volunteered to serve following Pearl Harbor.
It was just the thing to do.
On the Japanese side, the attack was more pre-emptive than anything else - a way to keep the Americans away from the conquest of the Pacific by the Empire of the Rising Sun.
But, as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto noted after the attack on Pearl:
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant, and fill him with a terrible resolve."
And he was right.
You can check out the WIKI for the Pearl Harbor attack here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor
It's there you find all the back stories leading up to the attack itself, and it's a pretty good read.
We should never forget things such as this, because they are defining points in the history of America.
Moving on...
*** Yes, the CHASE bank on Lower Huntington Rd was hit...AGAIN.
Seems it was just last month when it was robbed.
But apparently, the robbers KNOW when the police aren't about and when the "pickins are ripe".
You do have to admire the style of clothing worn by the robber...really makes a "statement".
When the f$ck did this guy ever believe that his "hat" was "all that"?
Talk about looking like a smacked ass.
Here's the story about the latest heist:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Chase-Bank-on-Lower-Huntington-Road-Robbed-Again-182397781.html
It's interesting to note that before the vid-caps were released, WANE did NOT say that the robber was BLACK, while both WPTA and WOWO did.
Guess I'm right again when I stated the crime was moving WEST (and NORTH) of the SE quadrant.
It's not rocket science - it's just a logical progression...this type of crime spreads like the disease it is, and since it's been relatively left UNCHECKED, things like THIS are the usual result of a NON-PROACTIVE stance on criminal activity.
And having TWENTY-ONE FEWER OFFICERS to handle the load sure helps the crims out there, doesn't it?
But wait, we've barely started...
*** A Fort Wayne pastor is arrested on charges of molesting a FOSTER child.
Here's the story:
You ever READ the book you PREACH from, pastor?
Somehow, I don't see this crime as being any better than robbing a bank.
*** Police are looking for OUR help...(what...AGAIN?) in finding as many as FIVE suspects in a HOME INVASION on the city's (yep, you guessed it)...SOUTHEAST SIDE
.
Here's the story link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/police-look-for-5-suspects-in-home-invasion-robbery
This happened last night around 2030 hrs in the 2500 block of E. Tillman Rd.
The perps got away with a significant amount of money, and although shots WERE fired, no one (at the house) was injured.
Bolder and bolder...AND in greater numbers...and still the police can't seem to get a handle on this?
And please, don't blame the "holiday season" for this sh*t...it just happens to coincide with the holidays.
Anyone with half a brain could SEE this type of crime was coming...and to a lot more neighborhoods than JUST the usual ones on the SE side.
I used to refer to this to our former quadrant captain as: "...a rising tide that was inevitably moving farther SOUTH."
That was OVER SEVEN years ago!
And I have seen NO change that leads me to believe that crime is being abated in ANY way.
The stats bear that fact out...it's UP...ALL across the board in EVERY category...even the crimes they moved to other categories to skew the stats.
That just deferred what was already known.
Can't hide from this ANY longer...and it's time to DEAL with the crime, or watch this town become a mini-Detroit.
*** This story is from nearby Steuben County (or as I call it - STEUPID County).
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/police-find-meth-lab-stolen-property-in-woods
Seems we have this "cook" who like to produce METH...in the woods...where he thinks he can't get caught.
Think again.
Someone called in a suspicious van in a wooded area on CR 600 W, north of CR 200 S in rural Jackson Township.
It was there that police found Scotty Miller, 33, of FORT WAYNE in possession of (suspected) meth and meth paraphernalia.
After getting a search warrant for the van, police found several items associated with the production of meth, and several guns that were reported STOLEN from a LaGrange County house.
Suffice it to say, Scotty isn't going anywhere EXCEPT to jail...and for a nice spell.
*** I find this story interesting because of the specifics.
It has to do with the Fabini brothers, who live in nice, UPSCALE neighborhoods.
And while former footballer Jason doesn't appear to be the TARGET of the FBI raids, his brother might be another story.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121207/LOCAL07/312079973
What strikes me as ODD about this, is that the "Safe Streets Task Force" was in on the raids...
Weren't they supposed to be a gang-related unit?
According to THIS link from the FBI website, they are:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/vc_majorthefts/gangs/violent-gangs-task-forces
So, one can only conclude that there IS, or WAS some "gang-related" activity involved, right?
Can't wait to hear what the FBI finds out.
*** Lastly, it's amazing how far we've come as a nation in a mere 230 (or so) years.
Other countries STILL have civil strife..after CENTURIES.
But, that's not to say we should rest on OUR laurels...we have SO much farther to go.
These days, it seems we're always standing at some crossroads, be it financial, social, political...you name it.
And we entrust those we elect to take the RIGHT path...for ALL of us.
There is EQUALITY and then there is FAIRNESS.
NEVER confuse the two, for they are VERY different animals.
Equality means that we all START OUT THE SAME...with the same OPPORTUNITY to do with our lives as WE choose.
There is NO guarantee for success...OR failure. It's UP TO US.
Fairness means we start out the same.,..and END UP THE SAME.
There IS a guarantee that everyone will HAVE THE SAME RESULTS...no exceptions.
And if that means we take from the successful to make the failed BETTER...so be it.
The result become a matter of DEGREE.
The government cannot control EQUALITY, but they are damn sure trying to control FAIRNESS.
They will dumb down tests and requirements, so that the playing field is level.
They will legislate anything and everything in the pursuit of "fairness".
And, they will attempt to run every aspect of your life, so that everything is more FAIR.
We used to call such things...BULLSH*T.
It comes down to every one of us doing what WE need to do (and not want to do...or not do) when it comes to our lives, and how best to manage it.
Some do well...others (like we have seen above)...not so much.
Always try to do your best...and make the best decisions you can, based on knowledge tempered with wisdom.
THAT is the great equalizer.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

06 December 2012

If Truth Be Told...
Finally made it to POST #1700...(wow...or is that WHEW?).
Has it been THAT many?
And here we are again, staring at another Thursday in the Heartland of America.
Temps will again top out today in the mid-40s and no chance of precipitation...for now, anyway.
If you want sunshine, well today it'll be harder to come by.
Some showers tonight and into tomorrow.
*** Now then, let's have the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
" For the first time in my life, I have seen 'History' at close quarters, and I know that it's actual process is very different from what is presented for posterity."
This is attributed to General Max Hoffman, War Diaries and Other papers, 1929.
And here is Max's WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Hoffmann
You folks remember "good old Max", right?
Great strategist, and known for criticizing commanders such as Hindenberg and Ludendorff for taking credit for HIS tactics (which won battles).
Ultimately Germany lost The Great War, but, interestingly enough, was NEVER invaded...(that would come later in WW2).
Meanwhile, back in the trenches...
*** Bill O'Reilly had a really "spirited" debate with Bob Costas over the halftime "opinion" given by Costas regarding KC Chief footballer Jovan (good name for a cologne) Belcher's murder-suicide by gun.
Costas stated he was not anti-2nd amendment, but HIS preference is to not wanting to carry a gun, and I can fully grasp his POV.
He's part of those in the media that happens to be VERY successful, and as a result, happens to have something called an ENTOURAGE accompanying him damn near everywhere...and THOSE guys are ARMED (that's what bodyguards do...carry guns).
Costas spoke to our "gun culture", and it's there that he and I differ, provisionally-speaking.
I don't view our ENTIRE culture as being a "gun" culture.
What I DO see are a few SUB-CULTURES that have their basis in firearms, and understandably so.
-- First, we have the MILITARY or LAW-ENFORCEMENT culture (by design and by choice) which is there to serve the public, and protect our nation.
Today, this is a lot more dangerous job than in times past both at home or overseas.
People willingly sign on to serve the public as a LEO, or serve in our all-volunteer military (every branch), unlike the days of conscription (like in the 'Nam), where men were DRAFTED into that sub-culture, based on a lottery system. You either embraced firearms...or you died..simple choice.
-- Next, we have the HUNTING culture; those who take down game for either food, recreation, or just to assist the DNR with culling herds that overpopulate. Doesn't matter if it's garden varmints, duck, deer, bear...whatever you get a license for is fair game when in season.
-- Then, we have the PROFESSIONAL culture - the people who buy a gun, train thousands of hours and use up hundreds of thousands of rounds in the pursuit of EXCELLENCE...something THIS nation has always prided itself in. People like Jerry Miceluk would fill the bill here.
-- Lastly, we have the "GANG" culture. These are the ones who get guns by ANY means (usually illegal in nature), and then rob people, their houses, and businesses in order to feed their drug habit, or as an indoctrination into a formal gang, or just to prove their masculinity and testosterone levels to others (and get some free sh*t, too).
And it's this LAST sub-culture that presents the MAJORITY of issues, because it's HERE that law-abiding citizens take up arms to DEFEND THEMSELVES and not become the next victim or statistic.
THESE people are the ones who take courses on proper handling and use of a firearm...not the common street thug.
Those using firearms in criminal activity are further driven by hip-hop and rap music blared at deafening levels (never knew anyone driven to rob a bank after hearing NAT KING COLE...have you?), a plethora of films to actually elevate gun violence without purpose to iconic status, and the use, abuse, sale and distribution of controlled substances (that would be street pharms, folks).
So, let's set this record STRAIGHT...we are "diverse" in our societal pursuits, and thereby our SUB-cultures, some being most violent in nature, contributing to the ever-growing number of homicides across this nation.
Detroit is TEN OVER the TOTAL number of homicides from last year (was 344 - they're now holding at 354).
This entire issue is NOT that difficult to skull the hell out, and to me, actually presents a NON-ISSUE.
I will grant you that there will always be some that just don't find guns attractive and won't possess one, and I can relate.
But try telling that particular stance to a potential RAPIST...BURGLAR, or HOME INVADER, when they come calling.
While they're laughing, you "might" be able to get away...BIG maybe.
And perhaps you WILL survive, but as many find in combat...you are NEVER the same again.
Best to defend YOURSELF and YOUR FAMILY first...and it's always better to be judged by TWELVE...than be carried by SIX.
Moving on...
*** When you want to be "not found", it's ALWAYS good to come down here to our part of the ghettohood.
Case in point...last evening, around "ten-ish", I see a red explorer (Eddie Bauer edition) pull up to the curb next door (vacant house), and saw a man with a brimmed hat get out and walk BEHIND the vacant house (jawwing on a cell phone, of course).
Now, he doesn't live in the area, and he didn't go two doors down to the occupied house, but rather towards the alley, and I've seen this vehicle before, so I was wondering "What the hell is this guy doing, and why is he doing it here?"
I call the FWPD, and was NOT put on hold (amazing), described the situation, man and vehicle (had the tag number from a previous day), and wouldn't you know it...FOUR FWPD CRUISERS show up (astounding response! - musta been either a slow night, or they were making up for when they put me on hold?), and began canvassing the area.
Apparently they did not FIND the driver, but gave the SUV the once-over, checking inside and out.
After they left (20 minutes later), the driver must have returned to his vehicle, because it was not there when I woke up around 0530 today.
Another case of "missing people" staying under the radar from the po-po.
For all I know, this guy could be a drug dealer making his money pickup (or stash drop-off) the next street over, or down the alley...or he could be that Daniel Martin guy  that's wanted for a murder in Celina,Ohio (and whose "red" SUV was found on Smith Street a few weeks ago), because we KNOW he's still AT-LARGE...and could be down here, for what that's worth.
Sure makes 'ya wonder why the FWPD spent SO much time going over the SUV...I figured they "got a hit" on something that caused them to hang around. Who knows?
I'll try to get a photo of the driver next time and see where he goes, so we can see IF in fact he IS dropping off those HYMNALS for the holidays to those "less-fortunate"...yeah, right.
*** Lastly today, I'm from the generation directly following that "greatest generation" so I've always believed we had to prove something...maybe it was only to TRY and be as good as the last generation.
Well, we baby-boomers didn't make that grade, although many of us DID try our damnedest along the way...and are still doing so.
In fact, it was the generation directly FOLLOWING ours that is running much of "the show" in this country...and with the predictable results.
Somewhere along the way, someone dropped the ball.
Now, I grew up with all kinds of toy guns, and after reaching adulthood, got to fire a number of REAL guns...never had ONE fatality in all that.
There was always a measure of SAFETY to be practiced, even with cap guns...my Dad made sure of that.
(and of course, we know of men with 3 stripes that ALSO make us aware of safety protocols...or ELSE)
Guns have ALWAYS been a part of this nation, from the day the first true settler placed his foot upon the shores of our country and had to hunt for supper.
Our founding fathers made provisions for US ALL to "Keep and Bear Arms" to allow us the chance to fight TYRANNY.
And it was firearms that allowed us to create our OWN nation, repel the British (again) in 1812, settle a CIVIL war, win TWO World Wars, along with every single subsequent conflict around the globe (yes, militarily, we DID win in Vietnam - never lost ONE battle there).
We are a nation that PRIDES itself on gun-ownership.
In SWITZERLAND, it is MANDATORY for EVERY household to HAVE A GUN (and know how to use it), and how bad is THEIR crime rate again?
In JAPAN, they have very STRICT gun laws, and yet, they STILL have a huge murder and suicide rate (thanks to EDGED weapons).
So, let's call things as they are...we (still) DO NOT have a GUN problem in this nation - we have a PEOPLE problem.
And when we STOP with the firearms bashing, and concentrate more on proper care, diagnosis, and judicial punishment for people with insufficient mental capacity who commit gun-related CRIMES, the better off (read SAFER) we will ALL become.
Something as plain and as simple to understand as this should really be a no-contest in the realm of CRITICAL THINKING.
But then again, saying that means that some people MIGHT have TO THINK...and we know what that can entail, right?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

05 December 2012

Humpday Happenings...
I'll bet you think that today is nothing special - that it's certainly not a day that's remembered.
In most circles, you'd be correct...today is like any other day, except for the following highlights:
1766 - In London, James Christie holds his first sale (later to become the most famous auctioneer in the world)
1847 - Jefferson Davis is elected to the U.S. senate - his first political post.
1932 - German-born physicist Albert Einstein is granted an American visa.
1933 - Prohibition in the USA ends (have a drink to celebrate).
1943 - WW2 - USAAF begins attacking German secret weapons facilities in Operation Crossbow.
1945 - Flight 19 is lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
1955 - Labor unions merge to form the AFL-CIO
1978 - The Soviet Union forms a "friendship treaty" with the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
...And that's just some of the goings-on.
Today is the birthday of Little Richard and Andy Kim (among others).
Today is Discovery Day in Haiti (thanks to Chris Columbus), and for all you out there subscribing to AGENDA 21, today is the International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (better living through currency manipulation and eugenics).
Now who says today is anything but boring?
At least the weather will be nice in the Heartland - sunshine and temps reaching into the mid-40s - maybe a slight chance of showers later.
So, with that dispensed with, let's get busy with our Military Quote of the week aka WHO SAID THAT?
" For the first time in my life, I have seen 'History' at close quarters, and I know that it's actual process is very different from what is presented for posterity."
So...WHO said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the salt mines...
*** Down here in the ghettohood, I've often described how the "locals" find ways to amuse themselves, much of it entails SOME form of criminal activity.
But, when it comes to the children in the area, they like to pursue things that are out of the ordinary as well, so the apples never do fall far from the tree.
Case in point - those nasty SHOPPING CARTS that (somehow) manage to "exscape" (sic) from the nearby stores and always find their way to OUR neck of the woods. And there will always be some youngster finding said cart and wanting to play with it.
Well, yesterday a young boy was doing just that, and as ADHD-ridden children will do, became bored with it and decided to dump it on OUR property.
Yeah...see, that sh*t doesn't fly with me.
So, as I was watching him, I already KNEW what he was going to do (you just know this after a while - they're predictable in that way), and as SOON as he dumped the cart, I was out the door and shouted : "HEY"...and motioned with my curling finger to "come back here".
I told him "You forgot your cart...it DOESN'T BELONG HERE."
The boy grudgingly began pushing the cart away, and I actually THANKED him.
And, as is the usual result, he merely pushed the cart to ANOTHER property and left it THERE.
So, I suppose I'll have to call Kroger and notify them that another one of their carts has gotten loose and is resting "comfortably" along a street nearby our "Fortress".
Ya know...IF we had POLICE PATROLS in the area, maybe some of this would not happen?
Every year we go through the same sh*t...carts taken from Southgate, winding up in OUR area...carelessly abandoned.
Wonder if our mayor, King Henry would like it if it was done in HIS neighborhood?
Merry Christmas, Mayor...and here's YOUR cart!
*** And speaking of typical behavior, there's this story of a failed robbery.
Here's the story link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/Police-nab-three-in-connection-with-attempted-armed-robbery
This is the THIRD robbery in that area in the past few weeks, and bears out what I've been saying all along - that crime IS moving NORTH...and west.
The perp didn't get any money, nor did he and his friend get far, thanks to WITNESS DESCRIPTIONS of the getaway vehicle, which was pulled over in the 3500 block of Reynolds St (another nice SE part of town...not).
Two men were in the vehicle, and while one bailed and attempted to flee, both were taken into custody.
Deshawn T. Boykins, 19, was charged with felony armed robbery, resisting, and had an outstanding warrant for probation violation.
His partner, Eligha L. Billingsley, 29, was charged with robbery.
What some media source needs to do is run a ten year history of the last quarter of the year in Ft. Wayne, and see what trends surface regarding crime.
Note - The FWPD will be INCREASING patrols up THERE, but NOT in areas like OURS that have GUNFIRE damn near DAILY...go figure.
A GOOD investigative reporter could determine IF in fact, we can attribute a rise in business robberies to the HOLIDAY season (I think not).
While I could understand vehicle break-ins rising, it doesn't make sense to rob businesses which would tend to be BUSIER at this time of year
To me, that's like ASKING for trouble.
You would WANT to hit a place when NO ONE is around (like the early morning bank-opening holdups).
Then again, no one ever said that all criminals were SMART, right?
*** Now, imagine your child is coming home from school, and the bus they're riding in comes under fire, taking out some windows.
How to allay their fears?
Well, here's a story about JUST THAT:
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Shots-Fired-At-School-Buses-Full-Of-Students-182090931.html
This took place in Kendalville within the East Noble School District.
Granted, it was only a high-powered pellet weapon, but many of the airguns out there can have muzzle velocities from 200 FPS all the up to over 800 FPS, so we're not just talking about a Daisy Red Ryder BB rifle, Ralphie.
Some of the air rifles can send a lead pellet (either .177 or .22 caliber) a damn good distance, and let's face it, a big orange SCHOOL BUS is a fairly LARGE target.
The numbnuts that did the shooting need to be taken to justice on this, because those children COULD have been injured.
Taking a pellet to the face or head is bad enough, but if you splinter or shatter "safety glass", the shards multiply that possibility of injury many times over. We don't need to start placing ballistic-grade glass in school buses...the expense ALONE would be staggering.
*** Here's a story that got little attention, even though it was on the city's EAST side (the growing ghettohood):
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Ground-Broken-for-New-Recycling-Center-182024071.html
Seems a new RECYCLING facility will be located near Meyer Rd at Allen Martin Drive.
We NEED retail and get recycling...typical city knee-jerk.
And up in high retail areas (which is pretty much everywhere else) people DECRY the fact that retail is SO thick, it's actually encroaching on the residential areas, thanks to ad-hoc rezoning (that many people never really find out about until after the fact).
Well, I'm sure that this new EAST side facility will UP the numbers from that pitiful 46% that ALREADY recycle down here (like US) in the ghettohood...
Yeah, I can dream.
If you want a good representation of just OUR zip code in Ft. Wayne, here's a link that's most interesting:
http://www.city-data.com/zips/46806.html
At the very bottom, after all the household information is a small block with the BUSINESSES located in our zip...damn near one of each, and considering the density of the population, that ain't all that much, kids!
*** Lastly today, I'm still having trouble with the whole holiday season thing. I should be putting up decorations, but my mind's just not into it.
I look at the troubles that abound, near and far, knowing I can do little to minimize most all of them, and I think of times when we didn't HAVE all this crap flying at us from every direction...and I want those times back...at least to some small degree.
I think we ALL need that level of "breathing room"...the ability to stand back once in a while to catch our wind while thinking about how best to plan our next move in life.
So often, we look forward to the holidays...for that time of renewal.
To me, it's becoming a time of mixed emotions, and I suppose that the lack of personal control in that, is what is most bothersome.
Back in the day, Dad always put on a "brave face" for the holidays...and so did Mom. Times were tough some years with Dad's place being on strike (unions love to do this sh*t at Christmas for some strange reason), and our money was tight. I might have been a youngster, but I still could hear what they talked about and I remembered what they would do to make the season nice under the circumstances.
Considering how Wifey and I manage today, my folks would have KILLED to have what we have now...seriously.
We're not "rich" by today's standards, but we're well off by yesterday's...how do we manage that?
Perhaps we need to reassess the "standards" by which we perceive those who have and those who have not?
But even if my parents were never financially rich or well-off back then, they were rich in the SPIRIT they possessed.
And I think riches such as THOSE are the basis for the season, and not the sole accumulation of things.
I can understand and appreciate the SPIRIT of the season all too well.
Trying to wrap the rest of me around the "festivities" might be something to work on...
And I will keep trying, but not to fool myself into a sense of false well-being.
It must be real, and it must be valid to mean anything...to anyone.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

04 December 2012

Tuesday Tidbits...
If you're a duck, you will just LOVE the earlier part of today...starting with rain and then progressing into LOWER temperatures (yes, today will be back-asswards) then breaking clouds by tonight, where it will become DARK... and remain so until tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, sit back, relax, grab your favorite beverage, and let's see just HOW screwed up the world has been making itself since a mere 24 hours ago, hmm?
*** Oh my God, they KILLED Papa Smurf...you bastards!
Well, maybe not the "REAL" Papa Smurf, but a reasonable facsimile.
Here's the scoop (that they probably needed for the "body" ):
((Warning - this next photo could be TOO INTENSE for small children! )) - lol.
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/police-explosive-device-behind-loud-boom-in-angola
Seems SOME people (in Angola, IN) have a little TOO much time on their felonious hands these days ('ya think?) when a Papa Smurf plush was detonated in an Angola neighborhood.
People heard the boom blocks away, and one person who moved there from Chicago felt as if she was right BACK in Chi-Town.
Local police are investigating the fireworks-stuffed doll, and have made no arrests.
Yeah, it's pretty smurffin' sad when folks feel the "need" to display their smurfin' stupidity is such way that could traumatize little smurfin' children.
(nah, these idiots were just practicing their 1st Amendment "rights"...to BE f$cking stupid!!!)
I'm sure the ACLU would toss out ANY case against the perp(s).
Gee, if the people in Angola are bothered by this ONE incident, they ought to thank their lucky stars they're NOT in MY part of the ghettohood of Ft. Wayne come New Year's Eve...when it sounds just like when an embassy comes under attack in Benghazi...!
*** Sportscaster Bob Costas blames a GUN for the death of a Kansas City Chiefs football player and his girlfriend.
Yeah, and I blame FLIES FOR GARBAGE...and CARS FOR DUI DEATHS, as well.
Here we go AGAIN...with the lame-ass gun-control assholes that would deny you YOUR 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Perhaps Costas misspoke about guns...I don't know the man personally, so I can't say, but to use a HALFTIME event to proselytize his feelings towards firearms makes NO sense, and should be dealt with by NBC accordingly (which means rather than fine or even fire him, they'll pat him on the back as any leftard would and say "That's okay"...you're not a conservative, so we won't bust on you!").
I will say that's just ONE more reason not to watch football in America any longer.
As to the killings?
It was a PERSON that killed both his girlfriend and himself...and if he was that set on offing the both of them, and didn't have access to a firearm, he could have used a KNIFE on the girlfriend (where have we heard THAT before?), or, given his sheer SIZE...his own TWO HANDS.
And he could have just drove his vehicle into a tree or something, or slit his own throat.
Sure is a far cry from the days where footballers RARELYIF EVER committed such crimes...they were too busy NOT taking steroids or pain-killing drugs that could alter their brain chemistry, and they were NOT being hit by such chemically-enhanced mega-brutes on a weekly basis.
Is this a tragedy? Depends on your POV.
I think it's more a "sign of our times"...anything to entertain...anything that's sensational.
THAT is what brings the sheeple to the stadiums (and TV screens) every week...just ask ANY Roman emperor.
Bread and Circuses, baby!
*** There is an epilogue to the good-samaritan NYPD officer/homeless man story.
And here's the "4-1-1":
(courtesy of the POLICE-ONE website)
http://www.policeone.com/legal/articles/6053488-Homeless-man-wants-piece-of-the-pie-after-cops-good-deed/
Goes to show that "no good deed ever goes unpunished".
The homeless man (who was helped by NYPD officer Larry DePrimo), Jefferey Hillman of Plainfield, NJ (what's he doing in NYC?) was recently seen BAREFOOT AGAIN...I mean WTF???
Yep, seems that Homeless Jeff wants IN on all the viral ACTION (who knew?).
And he's hidden the boots given to him (in a gov't-sponsored apartment?) because "They're worth a lot of money".
He states the picture was circulated WITHOUT his PERMISSION...?!?
Guess the NEXT step for Jeffy will be to SUE the city of NEW YORK for all the surveillance pictures they probably have of him wandering about Manhattan?
Or, he could just be cited for...LOITERING.
Yes folks...MORE signs of our times.
*** This story has got me scratching my head...
And here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/aunt-millies-donates-2400-loaves-of-bread?ref=scroller&categoryId=20000&status=true
Now, as you know, Wifey and I like to grocery shop on a specific day (and early enough to not be bothered by crowds), so imagine our surprise THIS past week when we bop over to the Scotts in Waynedale to find NO KROGER BRAND BREAD on the shelves...AT ALL!
Granted, they DID have other, more EXPENSIVE brands, but we buy the $1 "Kroger" loaf (round top)...tastes the SAME and works for us (in a bad economy).
But here, we have Aunt Millie bakeries DONATING all these loaves to the COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK (to be given out for free), and WE can't even BUY the common loaves we WANT...somehow, that's just not "kosher" to me.
Maybe, we should stop by the food bank, and like (too many) others, fraudulently NAB us some free bread?
Nah, I like to SLEEP at night whenever possible, barring the noise from those who DO frequent the food bank in their ESCALADES and other assorted NEW vehicles that the government sponsors them with.
BTW, this is NOT the first time that the Waynedale Scotts store has been DEVOID of bread...time for a Bobby G. "Nasty-Gram" to their website..
*** And speaking of NASTY-GRAMS...
We have this problem in our ghettohood - vehicles that sit...and sit...and sit some more...for WEEKS and then MONTHS on properties without being started, worked on or moved a single inch.
And, according to city ordinance, THAT is a violation, and citable.
--City code - 72.07, 72.23, and 72.24 - courtesy of the AMLEGAL website.
Amazing that "I" know this, but the city DOES NOT (and they created it).
But, as is the case, there must be a different "set of rules" for such people and their vehicles.
I've been TRYING to get Neighborhood Code Enforcement to have the vehicles tagged and/or towed for OVER A MONTH, and still, they sit.
I used to regard NCE with a greater modicum of respect because they did a decent job...these days, not so much.
Some folks detest NCE, calling them Nazis, whenever they come to THEIR neighborhood, because the department DOES do something someone usually doesn't like.
That's called ENFORCING THE CITY CODES, dumbass!
Around here, it's more like pulling teeth...a LOT.
I don't know the REASON behind this, but I know an eyesore is STILL an eyesore, and an invitation for CRIME.
Just more of the type of things you, the average citizen NEVER hear about, because no one EVER does a report on it.
(so, like most things down here, it gets ignored)
Well, not if I have anything to say about it...it will be noted HERE, if nowhere else.
*** Lastly today, I got all the Christmas bears into the living room...and I've come to several conclusions:
We need:
1) a bigger sofa
2) fewer bears
3) smaller bears,
4) a larger house (my personal favorite...FAR away from this sh*t)
5) some folding chairs to sit upon, should we ever have more than ONE person in that room at a time...LOL.!
Like I said yesterday, for me, it does get a bit harder to REALLY fall into the holiday spirit.
When you were a child, it was SO damn easy, even when it as a "lean" Christmas.
When you had family around, and a sense of being protected and safe, it was...well, easy.
When you had friends over to share the holidays with, it was quite easy.
But, as you get older, too much of the "charm" wears off, like the shine on a new coin.
Still, you TRY and make the best of it, given the circumstances....you want to recapture that feeling of your youth.
And sometimes, that is enough...the TRYING.
I do like the holidays..the smells, the music, the decorations, and yes, even the gift-giving.
I LIKE it when you can put the world outside for a spell, and just enjoy the season and it's meaning for a brief time.
It's just that we have to work at it a bit MORE these days...that's all.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.