Thoughts For Thursday...

The mild weather continues in the Heartland of America, and it sure beats the hell out of what's going on in the Pacific Northwest (where they get rain about 300 days a year).
They're dealing with floods out there now...not a pretty sight.
Not even sure if WE will have a white Christmas yet, but we are hopeful.
It's not like we haven't lacked one BEFORE, right?
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with more of the same as far as the temps go. Highs will be into the upper 50s, and partly to mostly cloudy skies and breezy conditions follow us around today.
So what say we get our morning drink poured and take a look at what's been going on elsewhere?
*** First out of the microwave is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."
Fellow blogger (and friend) "MsN" called this one right on the money.

It was spoken by noted entertainment icon, Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (29 May 1903 - 27 July 2003) and he was an American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author (whew, that's a lot going one).
And here is his (extensive) WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hope

Most remembered for his "Road" pictures with Bing Crosby, he was also the host for the Academy Awards for many years (and they're still looking to find anyone close to being good enough to fill those shoes).

He was also the face of the USO, and entertained our troops both here and (especially) overseas through FIFTY-SEVEN tours dating from 1941 - 1991.
He was married for 69 years to Dolores Hope (nee DeFina) and died at the age of 100 at his home in Toluca Lake, California.
Take some time and read up oin one of America's "originals" when it comes to entertainment.
During his life, Hope was presented with over TWO-THOUSAND HONORS and AWARDS including FIFTY-FOUR honorary doctorates.
And although he was never nominated for a competitive Oscar, he DID receive FIVE honorary ones.
Not a bad run, if you ask me. And his comedy style is still funny.
Moving on...
*** Next up, we have our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
December 10 -
---Today is HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Wonder if these folks know the difference between RIGHTS and PRIVILEGES?)
---It's also DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM DAY

Helps you find your way around ANY library)
---NOBEL PRIZE DAY

(Doesn't mean what it USED to. They give them out for doing NOTHING, right, Mr President?)
*** Next up, it's stories like THIS that should keep us ALL sleeping a bit "better"...or not:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/health/More-states-making-cuts-to-mental-care-10381332

How about that?
Many states are cutting BACK on MENTAL CARE.
And who (exactly) cause a higher number of mass shootings here?
Short answer - the MENTALLY UNSTABLE.
Guess we can attribute much of this to the (forced) enactment of the ACA (aka Obummercare)?
Oh, let's give the D.C. "Supremes" a round of feigned applause, too.
Their hands will be bloody over this one as well whenever the next mass shooting occurs due to some lunatic that didn't get the help that was needed.
At least Indiana is moving the OTHER way regarding this:

http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Indiana-among-states-stepping-up-awareness-of-mental-illnesses-10375543
We're not into MASS shootings here...just INDIVIDUAL ones pertaining to gangs and other assorted crimes.
Oh yeah, I feel a LOT better now.
*** Next, anyone living in Indiana ought to take notice of this other health-related story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/State-makes-progress-in-health-areas--but-still-41st-10377312

Imagine that - Indiana ranks 41st when it comes to being a "healthy" state.
Top 5 are HAWAII, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, MINNESOTA, and NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Bottom 5 are LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS, WEST VIRGINIA, and ALABAMA.
The good news is that Indiana has a reduced rate of diabetes, we drink less (tell the DUI checkpoints and LEOS that find too many impeded by alcohol while driving that one), and we're more physically active than in years past.
This study is for STATES only without specific cities or towns mentioned.
What the hell...go have a donut, or brownie anyway...it ain't gonna kill 'ya.
*** Next, this story goes to show you how far DOWN the crapper some publications have gone over the years. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/worth-a-click/German-chancellor-is-Time-s-Person-of-Year-10376812

NOT flattering

I have not touched a copy of TIME magazine for more years than I can remember, and I can remember when it was a GOOD magazine (that was a few decades ago).
Since then, it's not even worthy to use as lining for a bird cage or the cat's litter pan.
Consider the cover of the "Person of the Year".
Angela Merkel?
Seriously?
WHY?
Well, she WAS better than the "runner-up" -  Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS.
Caitlyn Jenner was also a runner-up. as was the "Black Lives Matter" movement.

Didn't pan out as PLANNED, did it?

Granted that in the past, TIME featured Hitler (1938) and Josef Stalin (1939 and 1942), and Khrushchev (1957), and Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini (1979), and Barack Obama (2008 and 2012), so you can clearly see that some years the standard of journalism DID slip a lot.
Goes to show that the LEFTARDS are running a majority of our media.
*** Next up, and changing gears here let's talk (quality) television...for me, anyway.
There are few shows that I really enjoy on cable these days.

I love DOCTOR WHO  (on BBC America), but you already could figure that one out), as well as THE FLASH and ARROW (both on the CW channel).

I also enjoy SUPERGIRL on CBS, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Agent Carter.

So, it's not a surprise that I would find a new show set to debut early next yea,r which is a spin-off from THE FLASH entitled LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.

This is from the DC universe, and already looks to be well done.
The Flash has already introduced Hawkman and Hawkgirl.
But the really cool thing about most of these shows - many appearances for these shows offer those actors from Doctor Who. The crossovers are kinda neat to see. Completely different characters, but the same actors/actresses. I like that.
Now, much of this won\t matter at all to most of you, but here goes anyway...

Colin Salmon - also in 3 Bond movies

On Arrow, the stepfather (Walter Steele) of Oliver Queen was played by the same actor who was "doctor Moon" in Doctor Who (Silence in the Library - Forest of the Dead).

As Dinah Drake-Lance.

River Song (Alex Kingston), the daughter of Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) from many of the Doctor Who episodes also played Laurel Lance's mother in Arrow.

Can't get away from traveling in time.

And speaking of Arthur Darvill, he's set to play the main character (Rip Hunter - Time Traveler) in the new CW series LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.
The DC universe is being well-represented on the small screen.

John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness from Doctor Who and Torchwood series) is Malcolm Merlyn aka the newest incarnation of League of Assassins's R'az Al-Gul.
Also (not Doctor Who related), Brandon Routh, who played Superman on the big screen, became Ray Palmer (The Atom) on the Arrow series and will join the cast of LEGENDS next year.
And, on this week's Supergirl episode, we were introduced to  J'onn J'onzz "The Martian Manhunter"

Here's a WIKI to refresh your comic book memory of this great character:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_Manhunter
He is one of the original founding members of the Justice League of America.
(not bad for another superhero "immigrant")
And if you followed the Smallville series, he made an appearance there (played by another actor).
Now you're all caught up.
*** Last back to the countertop...There is nothing wrong with putting a little FANTASY into your life. As children, we played "pretend" with anything and everything.

But, as we grow up, we tend to pit away such things because we have to deal with LIFE-101.
That's not to day we can't indulge that "inner child" once in a while through hobbies and such.

In fact, to NOT have some form of fantasy in one's life tends to stifle creativity and impedes our ability to IMAGINE.
As with most anything in life, we should never forget Ben Franklin's "Everything in MODERATION" gig.
Seems he was onto something there.
I like to believe that the more BALANCED a life is, the BETTER it is, and the better YOU BECOME.
Conversely, the more IMBALANCED a life becomes, the worse it is, as evidenced by so many of the mental health issues that befall our nation. It's those people who have this problem with the separation of fact from fantasy.
And they often act upon those wrong impulses to their eventual and logical conclusions.
The Bible has told us that "there is a time (season) for everything", and there's no delineation between good or bad here.

That is something left up to US.
WE determine what is good OR bad, and with the proper upbringing and adherence to many basic themes that guide human behavior, we tend not to stray that far from the "straight and narrow", right?
It is ALWAYS about choices, isn't it? That's why it's important to choose wisely, hmm?

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