07 October 2015

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to the middle of the week, and another one of these "ditto days"...pretty much a repeat forecast of the last two days. but we are seeing some local school delays due to fog.
 I'm not seeing it where we live, but Wifey told me that farther north did have some fog (yesterday).
There is a dense fog advisory until 1000 hrs today, but it doesn't seem to be affecting FWCS.
Our Hoosierland weather will have us enjoying partly to mostly cloudy skies with the sun stopping by to burn off any leftover haze or fog, the temps will again reach into the low 70s, and toss in some breezes in the 5 MPH range.
Still, if this is a rut, it's a NICE rut to find ourselves in, weather-wise. So you go and get your morning drink, I''ll get mine, and together we'll see what's been going on elsewhere.
*** First out of the oven is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"Truth is not only violated by falsehood, it may be equally outraged by silence."
Since we're always striving to uncover the truth of things, how apropos is this quote?
And WHO said that anyway?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Academy of Geneva...
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
October 7 -
---Today is NATIONAL FRAPPE DAY
Now, if you want to know WTH this is, here's a little coffee-related knowledge to sip:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frapp%C3%A9_coffee
Basically, it's an ICED coffee drink, so no big surprises here...just big PRICES at the places that sell this stuff.
*** Next up, since no one seemed to shoot or stab anyone to death in Fort Wayne yesterday, let's see what crime has been like in Chicago.
Seized ILLEGAL firearms.
Here's a story in today's paper that seems to do more damage control than anything else, BUT does shed some light on WHY they have the gun problems they do.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/politics/Chicago-example-of-failed-laws-9215619
Okay, so once again, we see that the headline does not portray AS accurate a picture of the story ITSELF as it should.
It's "said" that Chicago suffers from failed LAWS.
In reality, they have pretty STRICT laws regarding guns, even AFTER the Supreme Court decision to NOT ban handguns in the city.
That hasn't made getting guns easier there...no shops have opened within the city of Chicago.
You want a (legal) gun...you gotta go OUTSIDE the damn city. Illegal guns are a different matter.
So, if the LAWS aren't flawed, what IS?
It's basically the SENTENCING of people convicted of crimes with guns...the JUDICIAL system dropped the ball here.
This is a pattern repeated in MANY major cities across America.
A large number of guns make it to Chicago from INDIANA (as well as other neighboring states).
Now, I don't blame Indiana for this...but I do blame those who are probably straw-purchasing or any person taking part in securing guns for criminal activity in another state.
While some would argue that "more guns are causing more crime", let's remember that the "more" refers to guns in the WRONG peoples hands...like gang members, so yes, more guns for them DOES mean more crime.
That's a no-brainer.
Plus, there is democrat rule in Chicago, and most EVERY city where a similar political aspect is displayed, there are HIGHER crime rates, especially in minority communities...just go down the list and add up the bodies.
And when you also factor in this "trend" to disrespect law-enforcement, single THEM out and, in some cases, TARGET them as part of a larger agenda to nationalize the police force (as Obummer would like to see), it all shows it's part of their "big picture"..
We only have laws for the LAW-LESS, and all too often, the bad guys just thumb their noses at the law,
No better case can be made than that for the ability of the criminal element to procure firearms.
Change the sentences to reflect a sincere desire to REMOVE such criminals from our streets.
Don't make it hard for law-abiding people to have firearms...just make it more difficult for the bad guys to have them and provide harsher consequences..
*** Next up, I said that technology has it's problems, and once again, I've been proven correct.
This is related to all the new-fangled "stuff" we have in our vehicles today.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/New-safety-features-create-confusion-9214848
That's INFOTAINMENT, folks!
Yep, all those wonderful "safety" features in automobiles are getting a bit on the CONFUSING side...
Who'da thunk THAT?
How in God's name did we survive those days when all we had to do was get behind the wheel, turn the key, put the vehicle in DRIVE, step on the gas, and motor off into the sunset...SANS seatbelts?
Somehow, I don't believe that "safety" was as big a deal as it's being made out to be today.
We knew how to SAFELY drive about, because we passed a driver's TEST.
The only difference was that we didn't have the car trying to drive US!
Where once we had a 50-page owner's manual that came with every new car (and we ALL read them, right?), we now have close to over 500 pages (like a damn Manhattan phone book) of what we need to know about these new vehicles.
Cripes, they don't PRINT them, either.
And these manuals just HAVE to be intimidating to anyone but the most avid car-geek.
I suppose the NEXT thing will be CLASSES (as mentioned in the story) you HAVE to take BEFORE you can own a damn vehicle.
Wonder how that will pan out at all those rent-a-car places when you NEED a vehicle ASAP?
The HUMAN component will always be the one thing that car-makers cannot circumvent, no matter how much they try.
And, it's that same part of driving that invariably causes trouble on our streets, roads, and highways.
We can thank distractions behind the wheel for that...and Lord knows we have MORE of them today than in decades past, don't we?
*** Last back to the major appliance store...when are we going to learn that making things EASIER for people is not nearly as good as making things BETTER for people?
Slowly, but surely, we have seen an invasion, and incursion into SO many facets of our lives by technology, and when we weigh BETTER versus EASY, it's the "easy" that's winning out.
I'm not all that comfortable with that.
I wish I could be, because the picture of the future that was once painted for us looked SO much better.
I miss the days when we did more for ourselves, and didn't bat an eye in the process.
The days when WE called the shots in our lives was much more preferred than what we have nowadays.
There are some that believe that to make our lives EASIER allows us to have MORE free time...to do WHAT, exactly?
Too many people have TOO MUCH free time, and their brains are stuck in "idle".
And "an idle mind is the devil's playground", isn't it?
WE used to make our OWN "free time", after we finished whatever it was that were were engaged in, so why change that?
WE made our lives better, through OUR perseverance, OUR persistence, and OUR work.
And you know what? WE appreciated it a helluva lot MORE than we do today.
People these days EXPECT to have the world on a string, and a lot of the technology allows that.
Is that making all of us BETTER people?
I hardly think so.
It IS making us an "easy" people (and not easy like Sunday morning)...easier to be manipulated, cajoled, and led about by those motivated by SELF-interest alone.
Better people are stronger, self-motivated and more appreciative of what they have as well as what they can accomplish by the opportunities that  present themselves.
THAT is what made this country great, and that's the TRUTH.
Count me in on THAT side of humanity.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

06 October 2015

Tuesday Tidbits...
It's going to be another one of those "ditto days" as far as conditions outside will dictate.
And, considering it's fall, that's not too bad. It could always be worse, like out in South Carolina, where parts of the state are under water due to flooding, or it could be the Socialist Republic of Kalifornia, where drought has got people all but rationing water.
On the UP side, you NOW can take your own life, so, I guess things break even out there, given that Governor "Moonbeam" is running that state.
Back here, our Hoosierland weather sees us with partly to mostly cloudy skies, temps reaching into the low 70s and some light breezes.Not seeing any fog, though.
Like I said...we're doing okay, and that's the main thing.
So, go get your morning drink poured and let's get this ball rolling...
*** First off of the hard drive is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
October 6 -
---Today is NATIONAL MAD HATTER DAY
(Guess that means a very happy UNBIRTHDAY to all? Have some tea)
---It's also NATIONAL GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY
(You could break out the lederhosen, but I was never one of those "hyphenated American" kinda guys. We're AMERICANS first and foremost)
---And, it's NATIONAL NOODLE DAY
(you can either USE yours...or enjoy a bowl of the other chicken kind
*** Next up, as is a regular event on Tuesdays, it's time to see ALL the police calls that the local drive-by media doesn't tell us about involving moronic gun-play, as well as armed robberies (wonder what is an UNARMED robbery? Is that like a robbery on crutches?).
SHOTS FIRED / ARMED ROBBERY CALLS - 9/28 -10/4
===========================================
SEP 28 -
15F129173 11:43:36 113 SHOTS FIRED 4800 LILLIE ST
((NO armed robberies)
SEP 29 -
15F129844 19:24:05 113 SHOTS FIRED 1000 TAMERA GARDEN AVE
15F129899 21:51:36 113 SHOTS FIRED 400 MCKINNIE AVE & AVONDALE DR
15F129898 21:52:04 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 BOWSER AVE & ROOSEVELT DR
((NO armed robberies))
SEP 30 -
15F130417 23:36:40 113 SHOTS FIRED 1200 RUDISILL BLVD E & BOWSER AVE
15F130419 23:37:32 113 SHOTS FIRED 4800 BUELL DR
((NO armed robberies))
OCT 1 -
15F130432 00:32:52 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 MCKINNIE CIR
15F130453 02:58:33 113 SHOTS FIRED 2500 DREXEL AVE
15F130863 21:59:37 113 SHOTS FIRED 2100 HOAGLAND AVE
((NO armed robberies))
OCT 2 - 
15F130911 01:08:46 113 SHOTS FIRED 4000 BOWSER AVE
15F130982 09:03:06 113 SHOTS FIRED 4000 LILLIE ST
15F130991 09:25:15 113 SHOTS FIRED 4600 WERLING DR
15F131263 18:58:49 113 SHOTS FIRED 1800 JEFFERSON BLVD W
15F131299 20:20:37 113 SHOTS FIRED 3100 LILLIE ST
15F131310 20:43:10 113 SHOTS FIRED 2200 FOX AVE
15F131387 23:44:58 113 SHOTS FIRED 3100 WELLS ST
15F130923 03:15:13 53 ARMED ROB 3700 WASHINGTON BLVD E
OCT 3-
15F131528 10:53:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 3200 HARRISON ST S
((NO armed robberies))
OCT 4 -
15F131854 02:59:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 400 KINNAIRD AVE
15F131862 03:40:20 113 SHOTS FIRED 1500 WELLS ST
15F131868 04:17:51 113 SHOTS FIRED 800 COLISEUM BLVD E
15F132122 20:55:09 113 SHOTS FIRED 2100 CLINTON ST S & DEWALD ST E
15F132130 21:15:00 113 SHOTS FIRED 2200 DUNKELBERG RD
15F132151 22:40:58 113 SHOTS FIRED 1300 GREENE ST
15F132123 20:58:58 53 ARMED ROB 2600 GOSHEN RD
15F132141 21:46:41 53 ARMED ROB 5400 COVENTRY LN
================================
FIREWORKS CALLS - 9/28-  10/4
NONE!
============================
FINALLY, no more fireworks...took these morons long enough!
Fights and assaults ARE rising markedly, however.
*** Next, a woman (randomly) gets shot while "just walking" along a SE side city street. (where else?)
Here's the story (so far):
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Fort-Wayne-police-respond-to-gas-station-shooting-two-FWCS-on-lock-out-330693141.html
This took place in the vicinity of Hanna and Oxford Sts around 1147 hrs yesterday morning while walking westbound along Oxford.
She was struck in the arm. Her 4 year old daughter was not hit, but her son (age undisclosed) took off after the shooting.
(now THAT seems odd, especially if he was school-age, right?)
The shooter was described as a MALE BLACK, wearing a fishing hat (?) and driving a green or blue minivan.
Police did recover several .380 caliber shell casings in the street. The woman did not provide police with an explanation for the shooting.
As a result, two nearby schools went into lock-down , but later lifted.
Maybe the real target was the SON? I mean why would he take OFF?
This leads me to think he might have been on home-detention OR was older than school age.
Something just doesn't quite add up, does it?
*** Next up, the news was abuzz with this "new report" (regarding a very old problem, I suppose) about FWCS students who are HOMELESS.
Here's the story link from the J-G:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/Homeless-students-on-the-rise-9120590
NOT happening
(except in South America)
Now, forgive me if I'm not seeing school kids sleeping under trees or bridges around the city, but I'm wondering how this can really be an issue when the entire premise is being a bit misrepresented.
These kids are not EXACTLY what one would call HOMELESS...let's make that clear from the start.
What the people who made up this report MEAN is that these kids do NOT have what we call a REGULAR RESIDENCE.
They're not without a "home" (as we define it)...just without a PERMANENT  RESIDENCE or ADDRESS.
Makes a BIG difference, does it not?
In Indiana, we have seen an 81% INCREASE in such cases, and with the dissolution of the TRADITIONAL family, does that really surprise anyone?
In the 2013-14 year, over 15,000 students were without a permanent residence (that's the term I will use, and not the misleading one).
And yet, there has been resources to alleviate such things, like a GRANT program , that in 2006 helped 305 students with $24K to shelters and other related services. But this refers to the "worst of the worst" aspect and certainly does not portray ALL of those without a roof over their heads.
Take for example, the students displaced when their house burns down (because baby-mama was cooking at 3 A.M., or left something on the stove when she visited friends).
That is a worst-case scenario for SOME children, but not for the vast majority of them. Same can be said for a house flood.
We're actually talking about kids (students) being shuttled back and forth between parents or other assorted relatives, sometimes from out-of-state.
This discounts kids who "visit" a parent during summer break, naturally.
I've said for a while that we've got this "nomadic" portion of the population that moves around almost constantly, and some of that can be traced to eluding the long arm of the law (usually for the parent or guardian), but other factors ASIDE from a job-related move (by a parent) figure into this.
I also wonder if the numbers take into account students who LEAVE home (are runaways) for whatever reason?
*** Next, Kevin Leininger wrote a very good column in light of the Oregon shootings and the fallout that always follows about gun-control in the wake of such tragedies.
Here's the link to the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/For-whom-the-bell-tolls--Targeting-guns-is-easier-than-curing-America-s-cultural-sickness
Now, there are some comments after the column, and if you can take this guy named "craig" (resident libtard whacko who probably has a "list" somewhere) OUT of the equation, it's a very good read.
Works for ME.
Sorry, but social media always lets the trolls out from under their bridges.
Libtards always love to take pot-shots at Kevin.
Guess that's to be expected when you don't have anything to contribute to a debate or conversation, right?
Can't attack the MESSAGE, so attack the messenger instead...typical.
*** Last back to the programming department...there seems to be this recurring problem in this nation of late - that of the unwillingness to present the TRUTH to it's citizens.
And, it's not as blatant as an outright lie. That's usually reserved for the POLITICAL arena...LOL.
Let's call it more like a misrepresentation of the FACTS.
It's like a little white lie...a VENIAL sin instead of those nasty CARDINAL ones, hmm?
Perhaps it's due to the unwillingness of some people to actually ACCEPT the truth.
Sure, the truth can often be painful and hard to stomach, but to allow people to be led about by lies and deceit from one generation to the next isn't helping anyone anytime soon, is it?
People really need to start paying attention to such "details" in life, because ALL those little things are cumulative in nature, meaning that sooner or later you've got another case of that broken window theory - the small shit becomes the BIG shit, and THEN, what do you do?
Starting to seem that way...
Those in power and authority need to stop being so damn concerned about whether or not we can "handle the truth" as is quoted in the movie "A Few Good Men"...when presented with the truth in a timely manner, and more importantly, in it's proper context, we CAN handle it...it we CHOOSE to.
Oops, there's that one aspect of humanity again...CHOICE.
Only, in this case, there is no right or wrong choice to be made...just A SIMPLE CHOICE to listen to what others are saying (or not saying).
It's called DISCERNMENT for a reason, and that reason is to help US make better choices, based of facts, which are usually found in the TRUTH of things.
I think we can see where we need to be in this regard, right?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

05 October 2015

Monday Musings...
Welcome to another wonderful week in the Heartland of America.
Well, it's "supposed" to be wonderful, isn't it?
Our Hoosierland weather today is starting out with some fog (not seeing any where we live), and nicely milder temps, with an expected high in the low 70s.
It's overcast currently, but that will give way to sunshine and pleasant breezes this afternoon.
See, now that's kinda wonderful, right?
We are expecting temps to get warmer throughout the week, when it will cool back down for the weekend.
In the meantime, what say we all get that refreshing morning drink poured as we see what has been going one elsewhere...
*** First off of the patio is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
October 5  -
---Today is NATIONAL DO SOMETHING NICE DAY.
(I like to think I do this every day. I mean our "neighbors" are STILL alive, aren't they?
I would consider that a niceness on MY part.)
---I'ts also NATIONAL APPLE BETTY DAY
(Was never really into this, but I'm sure lots of people are)
---And, it's NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH DAY
(And a healthy child is much more preferred than a sick one)
*** Next up, it would appear that HOMICIDE NUMBER 22 (I'm making that call) has hit the streets (and coroner's office) in Fort Wayne.
I think we can make 25 by year's end...sound about right?
Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2015/10/03/man-stabbed-to-death-during-fight/
This took place Friday night (that seems to happen a LOT these days in this city) around 2245 hrs in the 700 block of Kinnaird Ave.
A fight between two men led to police finding one man dead on the porch of one house and another one injured from a wound at another porch.
Nobody knows what led to the incident (drinking would be my guess, knowing the way these idiots roll),  It's also not known whether the wounds were caused by a gun or a knife., and no arrests have been made.
So, WTF  is it THAT YOU KNOW? You haven't said a damn thing to anyone. WHY is that?
THIS is becoming more the procedure, rather than allow the public to be INFORMED...or, it could just be rampant inability to know the nature of police work.
In any event, the public is consistently kept in the dark.
I thought taking away the free police scanners online did THAT well enough...apparently not.
An uninformed public tends to be a more malleable public...remember that, folks.
*** Next up, we have another shooting near the downtown area (what else is new?)
Here's that story:
http://wane.com/2015/10/04/police-called-for-possible-shooting-on-dewald-street/
This took place in the 100 block of E. Dewald St around 2100 hrs last night.
Police were answering a call for shots fired when they received a call that "someone" found a man bleeding.
Dispatch confirmed that one was taken to hospital in serious condition, but downgraded to critical.
Police said a "disturbance" at a house involving the victim that escalated into gunshots being fired.
K-9 and detectives have canvassed the area looking for anyone who saw anything.
Guess that means another "up in the air" investigation to chase after.
Cripes, even the investigations are clueless these days...kinda fits City Hall.
(( ***Editor's Update - 1345 hrs  - The shooting victim has died, according to media sources, so we can chalk up HOMICIDE NUMBER 23. 
Here's the story:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Sunday-night-shooting-victim-hospitalized-in-critical-condition-330595451.html
That magic number of 25 is looking MUCH easier to achieve now, isn't it? ))
*** And just to add insult to injury, here's another case of an AMBIGUOUS crime and all that's included:
http://wane.com/2015/10/04/police-investigating-possible-gas-station-armed-robbery/
From what you can gather from what WAS told in the story, is that TWO armed robberies occurred last night between 2045 hrs and 2147 hrs in the areas of Phil's One Stop, located 2607 Goshen Rd and the Apollo Cinema, located at 5495 Coventry Lane.
(well, at least we DO KNOW the damn LOCATIONS).
The robberies were made by what police say are SIMILAR SUSPECTS...although the ACTUAL description OF the damn perps is NOT released to the general public, even though that description was available (from store personnel).
Phil's One Stop along  Goshen Rd..
(not many choices to choose from, right?)
Like I said, this is becoming a NASTY HABIT with the FWPD...do we have some sort of GAG ORDER from the top brass saying we can't divulge WHAT the hell the damn perps LOOK like? We afraid to mention WHO is doing the crimes in this city?
How the hell do you expect the PUBLIC'S HELP (as you always seem to do) when these crimes happen?
*** Now, if you think that withholding information to the public is bad enough...how about some potential ARSON to go with that?
That's right, I said it..(seems no one else wants to).
Here's the first story about a VACANT HOUSE that "caught fire":
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Vacant-home-catches-fire-330519021.html
One way to get "new" housing.
This happened around 0538 hrs  Saturday morning in the 2600 block of Mauldin Drive.
Yeah, it's a write-off.
Doesn't take much fire to turn a small bungalow like this into something uninhabitable.
Then, there was THIS fire:
http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Empty-house-catches-fire-330567141.html
Trust me, Google maps shows where the house USED to be.
THIS happened around 0230 hrs Sunday morning in the 1500 block of Edsall Ave.
Sure LOOKS that way...
The fire was "fully involved", and it's another total loss...
Not to mention, THIS house was also "vacant".
Somehow, I cannot imagine such places succumbing to bouts of "spontaneous combustion"...they needed some "help".
And I think there's an arsonist out there that has been helping things along. I would be surprised if there was NOT one lurking around.
Scrappers are also known to be arsonists as well, setting fire to places they just finished scrapping to cover their tracks (and asses).
I'll say one thing - we got a LOT of strange crap going on in this city...and never any answers.
*** Next up, let's move away from the lack of transparency we're seeing in THIS city, allow me to lower my BP,  and take a brief journey several thousand miles away where an outbreak has taken place.
The location is the inland island off the prefecture of Hiroshima in Japan...a small island named Okunoshima.
Here's the story link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3170464/Tourists-queue-smothered-Rabbit-Island-let-s-hope-took-change-clothes.html
Those Wascalwy wabbits....
Yes, an outbreak HAS indeed occurred...and outbreak of CUTENESS (or sorts).
Rabbits, feral ones at that, have taken to coming up to humans to get fed.
Not a bad way to spend an afternoon...covered in rabbits, although  you should be warned that they will pee on you, so take along some Scotch-Gard...or a change of clothing.
Abandoned gas plant ruins from WW2
Originally, the island was a base for testing poison gas (they do have a museum there), and the test subjects were (you guessed it)...rabbits.
The people there have banned predatory species like dogs and cats from the area, and the rabbits have bred like (what else?) rabbits.
Gotta love it. The video is great to watch.
Seeing that one woman being CLOSELY pursued by a herd of bunnies is pretty damn cool
And WE have trouble trying to get JUST ONE bunny to stop by to get fed on a daily basis...
Clover likes sundown visits.
So yes, I added this island to my lists of places I would LIKE to visit someday...LOL.
*** In case you were wondering, our own Mr Wrinkles DOES keep stopping by, but he's been busy gathering food for the winter (that he'll forget where he buried), so his visits are not EVERY day.
No, I'm NOT with the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Sometimes, he comes by THREE times, while other days, we don't see him at all.
Yesterday, Wifey saw him at the patio door, and he was following her around the patio as she shelled some peanuts for him.
Well, we couldn't stop there, so I placed some sunflower seeds on the patio table, and there he sat...ruler of his "kingdom", eating his bounty.
Definitely "the money shot" as pictures go.
We even saw another one of our "regulars", named Patches, who still limps with a bum leg (for a couple weeks now), but gets around well enough and has managed to stay ahead of whatever critters would chase him/her around.
Just has a little trouble getting up and down trees and fences.
Patches favors that left hind leg.
I will say that THESE little guys (or gals) sure beat having the TWO-legged ones in the area...ANY day.
These critters are a LOT quieter, don't drive boomcars, or shoot one another, or are committing ANY crime (with the exception of being territorial an chasing one another away as some sort of power-play).
Other than that, THEY are more welcome than most people at our "Fortress".
*** Last back to the garage...we've all heard the saying that "Knowledge is power", and that does hold true, especially in a world of 24/7 media coverage and information out the wazoo (at our fingertips) thanks to the Internet.
But there are those that would have people lacking in knowledge, and for the obvious reason - a DUMB society can be a lot more easily "shaped".
And those who wish to foster such a scenario are ones with power...AND knowledge, both of which are inappropriately applied.
Then, you have those who seek power from violence and fear.
Keep the public FEARFUL, and they also can be easily manipulated.
That's where street gangs and other assorted criminals come in. Such people are NOT knowledgeable, yet they DO wield power.
But, conversely-speaking, an INFORMED public is an AWARE public.
More importantly (to some), an informed public becomes a DANGEROUS public, because they can affect change for the better.
And that's the GOOD kind of dangerous...OUR kind of dangerous, right?
Good and evil should never be defined as a palette of shades of grey, but rather in terms of black and white.
As long as all of us remember that every day, WE can hold the (moral) high ground.
The arena of conflict has not changed that much over the lifespan of mankind, and we're either on one side...or the other.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.