Thoughts For Thursday...

Hang in there, it's ALMOST Friday.

Okay, so "someone" must be thinking it's okay to get an EARLY jump on those April showers. I can hold off until tomorrow.
I'm not THAT impatient.
It's always amazing to see how many drivers out there just don't know how to operate their vehicles when it rains. (must be all those in-cabin distractions?)
Our Hooiserland weather for today will see us with rain (period), and perhaps a thundershower tossed in for the hell of it. Mother Nature is a curious gal, that's for sure.
Highs today will reach into the upper 60s, so you won't be needing the furnace.
So, what say we bid a farewell to the month of March with a refreshing morning drink as we see what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the rain barrel is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"When even one American - who has done nothing wrong - is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth - then all Americans are in peril." 

This was spoken by our good buddy, Harry S Truman (8 May 1884 - 26 December 1972) who was the 33rd President of the United States, and here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

As a curious note, the "S" in Truman's name stood for nothing (unlike Superman).
The initial was used as a nod to his grandfathers, Anderson SHIPP Truman and SOLOMON Young.
Truman had only been V.P for 82 days when FDR died. This elevated him into the presidency.
Truman won the Presidency on his OWN in 1948.
It was he who authorized the use of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in August of 1945, bringing a rather abrupt end to WW2.
Truman's main challenge was dealing with a transition in America from a wartime to a peacetime economy (that's never easy). The primary goal was to stem the potential rise of mass unemployment from returning veterans.
FDR had not paid particular attention to Congress, which had a conservative majority of both republicans and southern democrats.

This formed a powerful voting bloc against much of Truman's plans to keep America from suffering economic trouble.
And, of course, there was the labor-management conflicts to deal with.
Truman did work well (and closely) with Republicans when it came to foreign policy.

It was under Truman's watch that the cold war "officially" began, as well as the implementation of the Marshall Plan and the creation of NATO (when it was worth something).
Also the Berlin Airlift took place (an amazing feat of logistics) and the recognition of ISRAEL as a nation occurred during Truman's Presidency.
Although not touted as a "great" President, I think he is gaining some traction and moving up that list rapidly. When you consider the scope and magnitude of what was going on in the world back THEN, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better man in the Oval Office for those moments in history (and be damn glad we did not have someone like our current president in there).
Moving on...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
March 31 -
---Today is NATIONAL PROM DAY

(Never went to either of mine. Them's the breaks)
---It's also NATIONAL BUNSEN BURNER DAY

(always a fun thing in science class)
---And, it's NATIONAL CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL DAY

(I'll take mine deep FRIED if you please)
---It's NATIONAL TATER DAY

(guess we can add some mashed taters there)
*** Next up, yes indeed folks...nice weather means...ANOTHER shooting on the city's SOUTHEAST SIDE. Wait, make that HOMICIDE NUMBER 8 for this year.

Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2016/03/31/police-find-man-critically-wounded-in-alley/

Best and only photo they had so far.

This took place around 0300 hrs in the 500 block of Sherwood Terrace (between Monroe and Warsaw 4500 blocks) where police were called to the scene for numerous 911 "shots fired" calls that came in from people in the area.
Police found a man in the alley suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital in critical condition. The man is believed to be either in his late teens or early 20s.
He died a few hours later.
Officers found shell casings in the alley, but did not know if they were connected to this shooting.
NO suspects, no arrests, and detectives are canvassing the neighborhood talking to residents. Helluva way to start ANY day down here, isn't it?
Then again, I'm always harping about having the police patrol our ALLEYS as well as our damn STREETS, right? RIGHT???

Try patrols HERE like you USED to do

Hey Garry, do yourself (and the department) a favor, and take a page out of MY playbook for a change! You can thank me later.
Neither Wifey nor I heard anything, but it was windy and raining, plus I had the radio on while I slept (with my 9mm under the pillow).
*** This next story has to do with your vehicle. (again?)

Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Car-headlights-are-keeping-drivers-in-the-dark--study-finds-12308640
I did not know I was "in the dark" when it came to my headlamps. Did you?
Apparently, we ALL are, according to a NEW study on car headlights.
Now, they are talking about newer models, with the PRIUS taking top honors for luminosity.

THESE work fine on MY '83 Firebird

Why this sudden interest in brighter headlights?
I (personally) find them annoying as hell, and refrain from driving at night as much as possible.
On the opposite end of that spectrum, I DO see people driving through our area at night with NO lights on AT ALL...and the police never seem to catch them (that's a gang thing, trust me).
This is not the first study on this, either. They had a similar article about a year ago...so it's nothing new.

How about some bi-xenon projectors?

Still, I might want to change out the incandescent headlamps for something a bit more "sinister"...lol.
Might even cause less drain on the alternator to boot...that's always a plus.
Something to think about and not that expensive an upgrade.
*** Next, Wow, talk about an "OOPS" moment for Fort Wayne (again?).

Here's the latest on "Costaplenty Square - The Continuance":
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Downtown-arena-could-cost-millions-more-than-originally-thought
Now how 'bout THAT...this proposed "downtown arena" will wind up costing MORE than originally anticipated (as does everything this city does).
Typical Fort Wayne politics whenever the DEMS control the purse strings.
How MUCH more, you ask?

It's only OUR tax money, right?

Well, let's start at $22 MILLION MORE! (it will probably rise higher than that after all's said and done).
If anything, this should be the impetus needed to DENY the go-ahead with the proposal and building of this NEXT white elephant for our city.
PORK - the OTHER white meat, and what's for dinner (downtown) THESE days...lol.
*** Next up, NO, "Nick Fury" (aka Samuel L. Jackson) will NOT be moving to Fort Wayne and living in the former Richard Freeland / Pizza Hut mansion. Guess someone's getting an early start to April Fool's Day?

Sorry, gang, no "push" here.

In case you were wondering, here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Samuel-L--Jackson-moving-here--No-12307173
And now you know the TRUTH...and are feeling a bit more free, right?
*** Last back to the umbrella store...Truth can be said to be both OBVIOUS, as well as ELUSIVE.

Think about it.
Sometimes, the truth is SO plain to see, and we wonder why others cannot notice it for themselves.
Other times, we're assaulted with SO much hype, deception and obfuscation, that the truth is something we need to get our hands dirty with and actually DIG for.
It's been said that if you tell a lie OFTEN enough, it can become the truth (Joseph Goebbels), and that's where something called DISCERNMENT comes in.
We are being lied to every...single...day, and by way too many people with a personal agenda that will never fit into any aspect of OUR lives.

But, the really SAD part, is that too many of US are content to just let it pass on by, without batting an eyelash. That's not who we are, as Americans.
The search for the truth to ANY matter in ANY situation is something we have always tried to strive for in our past, and we should not settle for less now...or ever.
Truth is a universal constant. Whenever we discover what truth IS, that never changes.
What DOES change are the people involved, and, as is often the case, THEY change the truth to fit themselves or their rhetoric. and that's where many of us fall victim to lies and fallacies manufactured to suit others, while denying us the real truth.
Much of our lives consist of seeking truth and then applying it properly.
And that can often draw the ire from others.
Well, as usual, that's on THEM, and not us, isn't it? Remember, it's always better to speak the truth than to lie.
Both your past and future depends on it.
Therein lies the lesson for today.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.
(see you next month)