07 February 2013

Sometimes, the System Works...
...And I'll explain why in a minute.
The Heartland weather today will see a day where the temps WILL actually rise ABOVE freezing (by late afternoon and early evening).
How 'bout THEM apples?
We are supposed to have some RAIN later on as well, and that will give way to a changeover to snow as the temps drop back below freezing , but no appreciable accumulation is anticipated.
So, we have a little bit of damn near everything...talk about "variety".
Meanwhile, back at the gambling parlor...
*** First up this Thursday is the answer to our WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."
This was spoken by someone probably none of you have heard of, but that's okay...I hadn't either until I looked him up and learned about him.
His name was Sydney Smith, an English writer and clergyman (born 3 June 1771 - died 22 February 1845) and yes, he DOES have a WIKI:
Sydney is one of those people that you WISH you were taught about in school, and not because he was extremely remarkable, but rather because he was not, and yet attained a level of prominence that many have sought.
Smith was one of those people that attended lots of schools, and not due to his being tossed OUT of them, as is often the case today.
See, back in earlier times, it was very important to become a LEARNED individual, and since Al Gore hadn't invented the Internet in the Colonial period, and Henry Ford wasn't around to allow people to travel distances by car, education in other places took TIME (to just get there and back).
Smith became a preacher in London in the early 1800s, due to him being ordained in 1796, and it was in Amesbury where he provided the rudiments of education to the people there, making better things possible.
He was considered a man of "restless activity and ingenuity", which provided him a podium for his preaching and lecturing.
Apparently, the people loved it, and flocked to wherever he was speaking.
Curiously enough, he never sought POLITICAL office, even though his speakings could be touted as being charismatic.
Smith was thought to be rather radical for his time, but was really more progressive and far-sighted, as he favored education for women, abolition of slavery, and the teaching of practical subjects, rather than classical ones.
One quote of his can even be found in the Dallas Museum of Art, so his influences and legacies have been far-reaching
It's a pretty good read for someone we never even knew about...until today.
Moving on...
*** Here is the (followup) story to which the TITLE of today's post is based:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130207/LOCAL03/302079978
Yep, Dontay (Sir thugs-a-lot) Martin was found GUILTY on NINE counts, and it took the jury LESS THAN AN HOUR to reach the verdict!
Now THAT is what I call a SPEEDY trial (by his peers)...
I can see light at the end of that long judicial tunnel...finally.
The article is worth reading because of the nuances presented, such as how the accused conducted himself (little if any remorse - seemed like he was sorry...that he GOT CAUGHT), along with the friends and family of the guilty (crying crocodile tears because...he GOT CAUGHT), and even some young black men, who milled around the courthouse, where they waved at Martin as he was led back and forth from the courtroom.
During the trial, these men slouched or NAPPED in courtroom seats.
As Martin was led out, a few in the group called to him, to which Martin replied with repeated chants of ALLAHU AKBAR (God is great)...
Seems like the same phrase uttered before people blow themselves up.
Yes, that IS from Islam.
The deputy prosecutor, Jason Custer is a man worth applauding.
He stated in court the following:
"We're lucky, not because he's (Martin) reckless, but because he's an INCOMPETENT MURDERER". (my emphasis)
Custer told the jury in closing arguments:
"We avoided becoming a community of a mass killing...but just by a hair."
Martin, along with Traneilous Jackson and Alphonso Chappell are members of the M.O.B. street gang.
Guess we DO have a gang problem in Fort Wayne, hmm?
Sheriff Ken Fries was on scene for the proceedings, as was OVER A DOZEN Allen County police officers when the verdict was read...just in case.
Good for YOU, Sheriff...!
Sentencing phase of the trial is scheduled for next month, I believe.
Maybe someone should check any connection between black islamists and the M.O.B. gang...just a thought.
Hope Dontay likes being the new prison bitch of cell block D...keep them pants saggin,'"brutha"!
*** The King holds court...
Yesterday King Henry addressed vassals and serfs alike throughout the realm, and the message was a bit one-sided.
(as I expected).
Most of the oratory was spent on all the GOOD things he's done to...I mean FOR this city.
Don't get me wrong...Ft. Wayne DOES have some good points.
As I stated yesterday, the ballpark, the Harrison, downtown improvement...most all the things many of us couldn't be that concerned about, because we're up to our hips in crime, the lack of retail, low-income housing around us, and low-information residents who have all day to do nothing at the taxpayers' expense.
 NONE of THAT type of thing was mentioned.
The mayor cites the lack of property tax revenue for shortfalls (read challenges) in budgets across the city...
Well, how about this - What about the rising number of government-sponsored RENTALS that took a bite out of that as well, thanks to people moving OUT of the city (the county isn't hurting nearly as bad - as proof). or what about the LACK of retail on the SE side, thanks to the rising crime that shuttered OVER A HUNDRED businesses in the last decade and a half (including a mall)?
How soon "we" forget about THOSE, hmm?
So, the city has to raise the parking meter rates...((rolls eyes))...yeah, that'll overflow the coffers in NO time.
Why is it that any NEW housing developments are in the COUNTY, rather than in the city confines?
Distressed neighborhoods, crime, no stores...ALL of this leads to a devaluation of existing properties...I know...I "live the adventure" (just like REMO WILLIAMS).
Our property tax payments dropped from around $600 a year to WELL UNDER $100. The house is worth LESS than what we paid my wife's parents for it.
Hell, it's damn near twice of the ORIGINAL selling price...from back in the late 1960s...!
And that price was around $12K and change.
Henry stated that both the FWFD and the FWPD are doing a great job...(I would add)...for being two city departments that have a COMBINED shortage of staff numbering close to FIFTY pairs of boots on the ground!
Yeah, that LAST part he DIDN'T mention...wonder why?
You cannot laud the HIGH points of a city, while all but ignoring the LOW points, and any mayor worth his salt would address the good AS WELL AS the bad, and how the city hopes to change that.
That's what a "State of the _____" speech is all about.
Henry DID say that each of us can make a difference, and should.
Hell, I've been TRYING for YEARS...small as it seems, but I'm a believer in what Rev. Smith was quoted as saying (above).
I do WHAT I CAN, no matter how small it might appear.
*** Lastly today, the system DOES work...sometimes, and provisionally-speaking.
Other times, not as well as intended, and certainly NOT with the frequency that it should.
If we carried an analogy over to say...our personal vehicles, we'd be suing the manufacturer for them selling us a damn LEMON.
(and you can only make so much "lemonade" at times)
The "system" is one of those things that needs constant attention...like an infant more so than a car or house.
And, is often the case, we get distracted from that required attention, which leads to some sort of breakdown.
We have to maintain the system, or it WILL fail every one of us.
Thing is, the system has grown SO complex over time, that we barely recall how it's supposed to operate, let alone operate PROPERLY.
Many times, the only thing we can do is keep it running...after a fashion.
It might backfire, stall, or even strand us, but somehow, it eventually starts up again.
We need to keep close watch on not JUST the operation of the system, but how WE figure into it's "maintenance".
Each of us is a (sort of) caretaker for the system, and like our cars or even families, we are responsible for it's function in some part.
We just need to be better able to repair it when needed, using the proper tools at our disposal (which could be a simple vote), and not be afraid to get our mitts dirty when we know things need fixing.
And much like our car...the "system" can run like a dream...or become a "hangar queen" (military term)...and it all depends on how it's cared for.
Just something to think about...
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

06 February 2013

Humpday Happenings...
And it's time for more "fun" things that we never seem to run out of.
We'll actually get to see the SUN today, but temps will remain below 32 degrees F.
Reflective melting WILL however, take care of most of the roads nicely.
So, hopefully, we'll have some normalcy returning to the streets and roads here (yeah, LOL...I can dream).
*** First up today, the Motto Of The Week, otherwise known as WHO SAID THAT?
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the fortress...
*** Next up, we had our first SNOW PLOW come through...it was f$cking amazing!
Around 1342 hours, I heard this obnoxious noise outside on the street, and living where Wifey and I do, you always have to check things out, in case someone is being arrested on YOUR property, or some vehicle decides to park and/or break down in front of YOUR house (they love white people - we're such a "novelty" around here these days ).
What I saw instead, was a city truck loaded with salt, PLOWING the damn street!!!
First one I've seen since winter weather hit.
Hey, maybe someone in some city department READS this blog...(like I said...I can dream).
That's usually the way though...you bitch, and THEN, something (maybe) gets done.
Seems to be S.O.P. in THIS city, at least...sometimes.
In the other cases, it takes an act of GOD to motivate City Hall into some sort of action.
*** This next item relates to this ongoing "problem" I have with our paper carrier (Journal Gazette).
This latest carrier has this nasty habit of running up the side "hill" across our lawn, walking over a decorative wire fence to deliver the paper.
Yes, the FOOTPRINTS in the snow make THAT much OBVIOUS!
And, I have complained to the paper SEVERAL times so far...apparently to little if ANY avail.
The carrier goes back to running up the lawn after a short time.

I know what you did...
 Now, I don't know if this person is BRAIN-DAMAGED or what, but to be THAT damn lazy as to NOT use the CLEARED SIDEWALK, that I spend time shoveling to make things EASIER...well, that says so much about this person.
I'll give you THREE guesses as to the ethnicity of the carrier, and the FIRST TWO don't count.
And whatever WAS said (if anything) to the carrier, must have leaked out of his ears over the last month!
(as we can plainly see THIS morning)

And I see where you went.
 I told the newspaper representative I'm not going to be liable if the person falls or gets injured while doing what they're NOT supposed to be doing (using the lawn rather than the sidewalk), and the rep said they'd pass the request along...(for the FOURTH TIME!)
If they don't want our business THAT much, I can easily change papers to the News-Sentinel, which will be my next (and final) step.
It's as though SOME people need to be constantly TOLD the right and proper manner to do things...
Guess they're making skulls THICKER these days?
In any event, this carrier has GOT to learn that you can't take the lazy-ass way of doing things in life.
(especially, when an actual less snow-covered way is PROVIDED by someone else)
I have thought about getting up early enough to confront him...now THAT would be fun (for me, anyway)...haven't told anyone off face-to-face in a while...gotta stay in practice, you know...LOL.
*** Next up, is the "State of the Realm" address today by none other than our local monarch, King Henry.
It's GOOD to be "king".
It's supposed to take place downtown around midday, and it should provide some much needed amusement for me.
I can't wait to hear how MUCH is being done...everyplace ELSE but where WE happen to live.
I'm sure our king will tout HIS accomplishments for "our" city (translation - downtown improvement, Costaplenty Square, and the ballparkand the hostile takeover of Aqua Indiana)
Yeah, all that is REALLY helping us down here in the crotch of this city...with businesses drying up faster than a piss puddle in the Sahara, crime on the RISE, fewer police to manage it, and a majority of the minority populace causing most of the trouble.
And that's only for starters.
Still, when you never fully define the PROBLEM (let alone acknowledge it), there's NO way in hell you're ever going to SOLVE it...right?
(...and YES, you may quote me...)
*** Being a Fort Wayne "meter maid" CAN be hazardous to your health.
And here's the proof:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130206/LOCAL07/302069940/1002/LOCAL
The picture doesn't appear on the online edition...ONLY in the printed version, and I have NO idea as to why.
(Just so you know)
I took a picture OF the picture just because I love you guys!
*** The trial for the second ambulance shooter (from last year) continues...
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130206/LOCAL03/302069966
Dontay (Sir thugs-a-lot) Martin, of the 4100 block of Hessen Cassel was the perp wielding a Glock 17 with a 30 rd mag who is accused of shooting at the TRAA ambulance (reference my archives - 17 September 2012) along with his already tried, found GUILTY and awaiting sentencing "cohort", one Traneilous (Mr Badass) Jackson of 4801 S. Hanna St (just one block over from our "Fortress" - see blog post from 14 September 2012 ).
Part of the plea deal with Jackson was that he would testify AGAINST Martin...sweet.
These thugs have as good weaponry as the damn POLICE for God's sake...how's that possible?
Who GETS this stuff for them, and why can't it be stopped?
We need to ENFORCE the gun laws we ALREADY have...simple as that.
There are FOUR counts of attempted murder pending along with a litany of other GOOD charges, and if convicted of them all, Martin faces TWO HUNDRED YEARS in jail.
I say off BOTH of them,...and call it JUSTICE.
Thugs such as these two have NO place in society...just have them neutralized...period.
Two FEWER thugs on OUR streets.
Now THAT'S urban renewal!
*** Lastly today, it could be a case against hi-cap mags with that ambulance story, but let's tell things the way they really ARE, and not how some would want them to be...
All of that fracas could have been avoided...IF the "combatants" were more CIVIL to one another, and weren't prone to flying off the handle because neither of them are intelligent enough to conduct themselves in a more human manner.
People like this are purely REACTIVE in nature, and not with the best intentions.
But, when you haven't the intellect or knowledge to TALK things out like rational people, all you can do is become an animal, and act more savagely and instinctively. Screw consequences, right?
Like I say, we are ALL capable of becoming murderers, given the proper impetus and circumstances.
Thing is, most all of us choose a lot more WISELY, and do not allow such escalation to the level of violence these thugs have apparently grown accustomed to.
That does not mean we will never become violent...when the need arises.
I've learned over time, that you cannot talk to such people on ANY intellectual or CIVIL level - they can't comprehend it, nor wish to do so.
Their only rebuttal to anything YOU have to say is to ramp up the drama...ergo, the violent intent.
The most direct way to diffuse such a scenario is with like intent on your part...and the willingness to back it up with whatever means, should you feel yourself in imminent danger from THEIR violence.
It's not the BEST way, mind you...just the only way to deal with such assholes.
If they believe you value THEIR life so damn little, they usually back the hell off pronto.
That's the only way to beat back a coward who displays more hormones than reason.
We'd much rather be able to TALK things out, but when pressed with such low-intelligence people, there are few options available.
We can thank the lack of CIVILITY and MORAL BEHAVIOR in our society for this.
Cooler heads USED to prevail a lot more in times past.
And it would be nice to return to such days...if only to prove we are truly EVOLVING...as a species.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

((P.S. - For all you fine folks, today is the birthday of Ronald Reagan. H/T to Rush Limbaugh for the reminder))

05 February 2013

Tuesday Tidbits...
It's another cold morning in the Heartland...but temps will be rising to NEAR the freezing point today.
And a touch of light snow showers to finish off the day.
Yesterday's off and on snow showers produced some "fun" road conditions (police radio was full of calls early on), so I can only imagine that drivers (here) had NO idea (again) on how to drive cautiously when bad weather hits.
No snow this morning, though...and around OUR part of the ghettohood, probably NO SNOW PLOWS either.
Since the first snowfall of winter LAST year, I have yet to see ONE single city plow come down our streets.
Have seen a couple orange dump trucks that didn't even place salt at the intersection.
Fortunately, the high volume of traffic (thanks to the non-working masses down here) managed to spread salt from the main streets gradually onto OURS...at least near the corners where the streets intersect.
So maybe these lowlife government-sponsored welfare queens (and their Boyfriend of the week) are good for SOMETHING.
That won't stop me from feeding my "friends" in the area.
Also, we have some NICE (thick) fog rolling into the SE side as well this morning...gonna be "sporty" for a while, that's for sure.
Anyway, let's get busy with what is going on elsewhere in REALVILLE, shall we?
*** The Alabama hostage situation with the young boy in that bunker has been resolved.
The boy is OK, and the abductor has been "neutralized".
Here's the story (with press conference video):
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130205/NEWS03/302059980
I really didn't this ending any other way.
Why this guy took the child off a school bus, killing the driver is anyone's guess.
The boy seemed in good health and was taken to hospital to be checked over.
*** Next up, four FWPD officers suspended for policy lapses.
Here's the *4-1-1*:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130205/LOCAL07/302059971
A female officer (a 27 year veteran) received a one day suspension for not wearing a seat belt AND for having an expired license...
OK...this is a "WTF???" moment.
You're a LEO...you TICKET (or in some cases even arrest) people who DO NOT HAVE A VALID LICENSE!
How the hell can you NOT know these things and renew yours when it comes time...especially when you're involved in an on-duty ACCIDENT?
Cripes, in Indiana, you can do it all ONLINE!
Another officer (a Sgt, at that) was suspended 3 days for discharging his service weapon as a "warning shot" during a fight at a city restaurant.
I take that to mean he fired it OUTSIDE...(in the air the story says).
I mean with SEVENTEEN YEARS in the department, you should KNOW better by now...right?
Another officer ( a 23 year veteran) was suspended for "inappropriate questions" while interviewing an assault victim. I have nio idea what that implies.
And the last officer, a detective (and also a 23 year veteran) was suspended one day for failing to submit a doctor's note while on sick leave.
Sounds more like GRADE SCHOOL.
This officer has been suspended eight times in the past for failure to follow department policies.
All I can glean from this, is that you have a total of NINETY YEARS of police service between them, and they're having such "lapses" of procedure?
Something doesn't add up here.
I can understand some "rooks" forgetting stuff and having a few brain-farts...that's why they're on probation for close to a year, but all these VETERAN officers doing dumb things makes no sense to me.
There could be one parameter at work here...that being a MORALE issue.
When morale goes in the tank, people will concentrate on other things to assuage their disgust or anger.
And that can mean a level of compromise while on the job.
It's just a thought, but it merits some investigation as to WHY veteran officers are missing the "small sh*t".
*** They finally FOUND (the remains of) King Richard III...!
Hell, I didn't even know he WAS LOST!
Here's the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130205/NEWS04/302059983/1006/NEWS
Now, I'm not going to get into ALL the history behind the War of the Roses, the Plantagenet line being severed, or the Tudors...that's YOUR assignment.
The article gives some good back story.
Let's just say that it's all quite interesting, even for a monarch who only ruled between 1483-1485.
And to be found under a bloody municipal parking lot, too.
That's the kicker!
(who knew?)
I suppose only in Leicester, UK hmm?
*** Lastly today, history is one of, if not the best descriptors of humanity.
Contained within ages of days past we can find answers to most anything we can conjure up, regarding the human condition.
And, it's always said that if we don't LEARN from history, we are destined to REPEAT it, and sometimes not in a good way.
What each of us has to do is become a caretaker, of sorts, when it comes to history...
None of us can completely and comprehensively bestow upon others ALL of it...just a minuscule part of it, but it's a start.
It can begin with our own family history...or perhaps the history of our hometown.
And if enough of us are able to pass on to the next generation those small portions of history, we can rest assured that the totality of whatever WE can make that will become the future's history, will not be able to be misinterpreted.
In essence, that's how ALL of history has been made through the ages...not by one, or a few, but by MANY.
If we rely on a single account of some event or person, we lose much of what the event or person represents in the bigger picture.
But, if we take the time to familiarize ourselves with various accounts from numerous sources, we become more enlightened and educated.
Think of this as staring at the Mona Lisa...but ONLY at her left eye...can't get a feel or appreciation for the whole painting (or the artist), can we?
It's like listening to less than one movement of a famous symphony...
We have to pursue the truth of history with both eyes (and ears) open, if we are to know as much as we can.
And to better understand HISTORY, is to better understand OURSELVES...because we are living it daily and watching it unfold before us.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

04 February 2013

Monday Musings...
If you prefer your weather a bit on the LOUSY side, then today in the Heartland is gonna be right up your alley, friends.
We're supposed to have snow over the course of the day, with accumulation of between 1-3 inches, depending on where you live.
Temps won't get much into the TWENTIES, so any reflected melting is out the window.
And hearing the radio chatter today, looks like both the FWPD, and the FWFD will have THEIR hands full with drivers not paying attention to deteriorating road conditions.
With that said, let's settle in for the day, get cozy, and pour a cup of whatever beverage strikes your fancy.
*** First out the door is the passing of Ft. Wayne Bishop John D'Arcy yesterday.
And here's the story
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130204/LOCAL/302049944
I never knew, or met the Bishop, but I've spent my share of time among Catholics in and out of church (not bad for a METHODIST - even met a Cardinal once in Philly), and I have to say he was a (godly) man of the people.
His devotion to his following and his priests was exemplary, and that's just from what I heard about him.
Many who knew him would say it was so much more.
Always sad to see a man of the cloth get called home, as such is the fate of us ALL, but he did it with the grace that a man of God should.
And, I'm sure he will be missed by many.
*** One of the most dangerous men in our military history was killed this weekend.
And, he was a decorated war hero.
I say he was dangerous, because the ENEMY was the one who nicknamed this man "The Devil of Ramadi".
He was a navy SEAL team sniper and noted author Chris Kyle.
And here's the tragic story:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/03/navy-seal-chris-kyle-fatally-shot-at-texas-shooting-range-report-says/
Trying to help a fellow warrior suffering with PTSD can be lethal.
Kyle was the author of the book "American Sniper", and worked with soldiers coming back from theater suffering the effects of multiple tours of duty, often referred to as PTSD.
Going to a shooting range was a good venue to help these warriors through their struggle.
We have to wonder about this tragic event, considering the suicide rate for troops is literally off the chart, as evidenced by THIS story:
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-14/world/36343832_1_military-suicides-rise-suicide-rate-active-duty-suicides
Imagine that, we had MORE suicides than combat deaths last year...something is terribly WRONG here.
And yet, there were men of honor like Kyle, who KNEW the stresses of combat and multiple tours (he served FOUR), and would work WITH potential candidates for suicidal behavior and help them through the difficulties.
My prayers to his family, friends fellow soldiers, and his friend (who was also killed) and HIS family as well.
Godspeed, Chris.
And thank you!
*** That female white-trash armed robber was finally caught yesterday.
And here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130204/LOCAL07/302049942/0/FRONTPAGE
Looks like Traci Dennison made one too many BAD choices, and the law of averages caught the hell UP with her (as they always do to such people).
She didn't steal ONE car, but TWO on Sunday. The first car, a white Bonneville from the K-Mart lot and then promptly crashed it (the owner's gonna love that). Then, she goes to the Target on Stellhorn, and steals another car, a black Acura from THAT owner.
And officer saw the car a short time after and apprehended Dennison after she pulled into a parking lot.
She admitted to both thefts...
And they have active warrants for her heist back on 11 Jan at that Walgreen's.
Wonder HOW the Allen County PROSECUTOR will let THIS one off the hook?
Damn shame Traci has a history of drugs and crime, because, if you clean her the hell up and put some makeup on her, she might look a helluva lot BETTER than she does in that mug shot. She ain't no fugly-girl...just a dumbass girl now.
*** Punxey Phil does NOT see his shadow.
(who knew?)
And here's the lowdown:
http://www.groundhog.org/
An EARLY Spring?
Someone needs to clue in Mother Nature...unless she's working all the NASTY out of her system (this week in the Midwest) in anticipation OF that early Spring...
Phil looked less than enthusiastic (as usual - who wants to be rousted out and paraded around by some old white guy in a top hat that stares at you?) as he gave HIS "prediction" for the season.
Still, 20K+ other people braved the weather to get the 411 from Phil.
Got to be something to it, but I'll believe it when I see (and feel) it.
*** Lastly today, there are heroes and villains everywhere these days. Some seek or find notoriety...others, not so much.
Our society (erroneously) tends to sensationalize the evil ones to a much larger extent than we do those performing GOOD acts upon humankind.
Is this by design?
Somewhat.
It's because those that perform evil to their fellow man can be exploited to a much greater level than those doing good.
Many would see a philanthropist as so much a syrupy, corn-laced story, while the mass murderer keeps our attention riveted.
Games, or sports fills the gaps between those evil stories, and keeps the masses entertained.
If we're not careful, we might wind up losing more of our own CIVILITY than we think.
Lord knows, we lost too much of it already, and we see the resulting instances every night on the news or in the papers.
We need to promote the GOOD in people a lot more, rather that all but laud the evil in people.
So what if it doesn't see AS MUCH air time or newsprint...it's who we REALLY are, down deep.
We are all inherently good people...it's just that many get side-tracked onto the wrong road in life.
There's always a way back, but some don't want to be bothered.
I think to be bothered is nothing short of God tapping you on the shoulder, trying to motivate you to being better than bad...much better.
We need to stop for a spell, get quiet, and hear what is being said to us.
There indeed IS a time for everything.
Have yourselves a good week and mind the weather.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

01 February 2013

Friday Follies...

It's the end of the week, AND the beginning of February...how convenient is THAT?
If you like COLD weather, then you'll simply enjoy this morning's chill, which is around 10 degrees BELOW zero (with that nice breeze).
We're not going to rise above freezing today (highs in the mid-teens), so feel free to hose down the nearest intersection and "watch the fun".
Some snow is coming our way tonight and into tomorrow with 1-2 inches accumulation possible.
In the meantime, keep that hot chocolate coming, and the whipped cream handy (the ONLY way to enjoy it)...we've things to ponder today.
*** February is Black History Month, and quaintly enough, February in Old English was once called Solmonath, which means MUD MONTH.
How odd is THAT?
It was also called Kalemonath (named for cabbage)
February is also LGBT month in the UK (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), but more importantly, it's NATIONAL BIRD FEEDING MONTH in the USA!
Last year's theme was "If you feed them...they will come", and by God they were right.
I fed the birds...LOTS of birds in fact (downright "Hitchcockian" in nature), and then the SQUIRRELS and RABBITS also came (...along with the birds).
Where's the GRUB, Bob?
I just refer to it as: "National Bobby G. Feeds the Critters Month".
-- For the shortest month of our calendar year, it's also one of the "busiest", what with Groundhog Day (tomorrow, and which we will speak about on Monday), Valentine's Day (and the massacre which happened in of ALL places..CHICAGO...still much the crime capital of the USA), and even leap day (every fourth year).
-- It's also when the (yawn) Super Bowl is on TV...for what that's worth.
Personally, there is nothing there that would attract me enough to actively WANT to tune in...seriously.
Several commercials that were going to air have already been pulled, thanks to uber-sensitive leftards with no lives.
Volkswagen had a great commercial with a white guy doing a damn good Jamaican accent to laud the fun derived from driving a VW.
Taco Bell poked fun at people that bring veggie plates to a Super Bowl party (like that would ever happen at a REAL fan's house)...instead praising their 12-pack takeout...and the irony in that was that the TACOS that were shown in the commercial had LETTUCE in them
Last time I checked, lettuce was STILL a vegetable.
(and so were the brains of progressives...lol)
Beyonce promises she will sing "live" at the halftime extravaganza, too...like I really give a rat's ass what the hell she does.
(talk about a colossal waste of femininity)
-- And there has been a dismissal of ONE of the Baltimore Raven's cheerleaders because she gained...(get this) TWO WHOLE POUNDS.
Cripes, the girl probably only weighs about 107 dripping wet...geezus, what a bunch of prigs!
-- And a SF player apologized for not being "sensitive" enough when it came to the possibility of gay players in the locker room.
(he wasn't down with that...but he has seen the light, Hallelujah)
I mean, this is some real BEYOND STUPID SH*T...you have to admit it!
And that's WHY I won't be watching THAT...couldn't care less who the hell wins.
-- I will be watching...PUPPY BOWL IX on Animal Planet instead!
No "PC" bullsh*t to bother me for several hours.
(thank you, Lord!) 
No sensitivity lessons for those (of us) who don't embrace LUNACY on a daily basis.
(and I hope to hell THEY show the commercials mentioned above...that would be payback)
When it comes to most ALL pro sports..."the bloom is off that rose" for me...too much HYPE, too much marketing, and way too much commercialized sensationalism to make ANY event worthwhile. Just play the damn game or drive the damn race.
*** And while we're acknowledging black "history" month....there's always things like THIS:
A shooting at an Atlanta MIDDLE SCHOOL leaves one 14 year old injured.
(yes, from the footage, it appeared to be in a preominantly BLACK neighborhood)
Here's the lowdown (with video):
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/31/atlanta-school-shooting/1881029/
And here, at the Huff and Puff Post:
The GOOD news was that the shooting took place OUTSIDE the school, on a courtyard, and NO "assault weapons" were used...oh, wait, the shooter, who was ANOTHER TEEN, used a PISTOL...that HAS to qualify, especially if it has a "pistol grip"...!
Thanks to an ARMED school officer, the shooter was disarmed without further gun play.
Score one for the GOOD guys.
The HARD part to all this is the fact that you had ALL these parents becoming "lookie-loos"...standing around and encroaching upon the perimeter the police had established.
Such things actually FASCINATE these people...
It's like WORK for them...they can stand around and WATCH it for HOURS!
Meanwhile, back at the bus stop...
*** Here's proof that either SOME people like to "get an early start" to their day...OR they NEVER sleep.
The BP station on N. Clinton at Coliseum was robbed this morning around 0445 hrs.
Here's the story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/police-investigate-armed-robbery-at-bp-station
Two males went into the store with one being armed (with an "assault weapon", Bob?)...with a HANDGUN.
One clerk was struck across the head.
The cash register drawer was taken and the perps left on foot.
A K-9 unit was dispatched, but was unable to track the robbers.
Police did not provide any suspect descriptions, as investigators were still on scene.
Any bets as to the ethnicity of these jerkoffs?
-- A little later, a Marathon station was also robbed around 0650 hrs out by Lima Rd.
-- Radio chatter states the perps were two male BLACKS, about 5.5", (one being slightly shorter) wearing all dark clothing, with one perp having the drawstring of his hoodie pulled tight around his face.
Possible getaway vehicle was a dark-colored Cherokee.
A black REVOLVER may have been the piece used in the robbery.
Can't be THAT much of a coincidence...can it?
I'd say both robberies = same pair of thugs.
*** Lastly today, between yesterday's stats about blacks in Indiana (and yes, that includes Fort Wayne), and the nature of the types of behavior we're seeing exhibited by some in their community, it's not just becoming a dangerous place for THEM to live...
Everywhere THESE perps go, it becomes dangerous for OTHERS...of every race.
And when the blacks begin to be displaced by the increasing number of Hispanics, then it will become a dangerous place for the Latinos to live.
That's been happening in the Socialist Republik of Kalifornia for YEARS...blacks and Hispanics going at one another.
Thing is, you pay attention to human nature LONG enough, and you can spot tell-tale signs for bad behavior and criminal intent a mile away.
And life is much about us being observers, after a fashion...
Many of us learn a lot JUST by watching.
Yet, even watching has it's own limits.
We cannot just be content to ONLY watch...and never act, unless we derive some perverse pleasure in societal voyeurism.
There comes a time when men and women of good conscience cannot sit idly by while action is required.
That goes for the officer that disarmed the shooter in Atlanta...or the passengers of Flight 93 back on 9/11 over a decade ago.
Our actions (or inaction) will dictate what happens around us...that's a fact.
But, our actions don't always have to be so overt. Many times, it's all the small things we CAN do that accumulate and add up to produce a lasting effect for the better. Conversely, inaction ALSO adds up over time,and allows evil to propagate just as readily.
Every day IS indeed, a new beginning, and as good a time as any to motivate ourselves to action of SOME kind.
So much depends on it...as do so many.
Have yourselves a good weekend and be sure to see what Punxatawney Phil has in store for winter (and us) tomorrow.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.