Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of the week, and the rain makes a return to the Heartland.
(can we stand the strain?)
We did have two NICE days outside...very enjoyable.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with increasing clouds, temps going back up onto the low 80s, and yes, rain coming our way once again.
No sense getting all bent out of shape over that, so let's get that morning drink poured as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the hangar is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"Human morality is unthinkable without empathy."

There you go - short and to the point, right?
We often hear about how today's young people LACK empathy, and if we track that back, we find that they also lack a sense of morality as well. That speaks volumes as to the state of affairs when it comes to our future.
So, who said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the University of Utrecht...
*** Next up, we bring you our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature
AUGUST 24 -
---Today is NATIONAL PEACH PIE DAY

(sure have a lot of pie days in August)
---And, it's NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY

(never to be confused with all the WAFFLING that goes on in our nation's capital)
*** Next, just how stupid can some people be?

Well, one need look no further than the person in THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Gun--marijuana-charges-levied-against-city-man-14885451

Patrick C. Scott, 19,  is the latest dumbass to show his face.
Seems he was in a car with 3 other people who just happened to show up at a shooting scene (McKinnie and Avondale) where police were assisting a victim's family.
Police on Senate Ave noticed the car parking quickly and went to investigate (good sense there).
Officers approached the vehicle and searched it after smelling some MJ coming from the car.
Inside the blue Impala was found a gun (reported stolen) in the possession of Scott, who admitted he "traded" a ,25 caliber pistol for the silver and black Smith & Wesson (probably an SD9VE - they tend to come in "two-tone" and are a less-expensive pistol than say the M&P).
Scott gave his address as the 6500 block of Bristol Rd (SW side - not far from Candelite Apts, another hot-spot for crime). He does not have a license to carry a handgun, but he did have some marijuana in a plastic bag in his pants.
His bond was ONLY set at $3,250. He only needs to post 10% of that amount to be on the streets again.
Should have been about $10K...if you WANT to make a statement to such vermin like this punk.
*** Next up,  here is the update to the Eden Green shooting:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Man-charged-with-Aug--13-fatal-shooting-of-man-on-Greene-Street

Once a thug...

Seems there are TWO mug shots of "Pooder"...LMAO. Whatta friggin name...!Daquavion...hell, that's just a stupid a moniker to carry around.

Always a thug.

No wonder these assholes commit crime. It's their way to make up for the retarded names they've been given by generationally government-sponsored baby-mamas.
Maybe it's a plot BY black women to demean their own males? Wouldn't that be something?
*** Next up, Wifey finally FOUND the birthday gift she got me a while back...LOL.
I have to admit, it was worth the hassle (don't let it happen again, toots).
It's a 20 oz Doctor Who ceramic mug, with the TARDIS exterior emblazoned on it.

Pretty hefty in weight, too.
Gonna be hard to knock the hell over, that's for sure.
Nice way to hold a pint (20 ounces is an imperial pint and not the domestic 16 ounces - just so's you know) of Guinness...or anything else that wets the old whistle.
*** Next, a story about remembering another homicide victim from a year ago:
http://wane.com/2016/08/24/remembering-teen-killed-in-crossfire-of-rival-gangs/

Caught in the crossfire between two "rival gangs", a young girl was at the wrong place at the wrong time...but it should NOT have been a WRONG place, right?
Alonna Allison would have turned 18 yesterday.
Alonna’s case is currently in the hands of the Allen County prosecutor. A spokesperson there said they do not know if or when charges may be filed.
In other words, it doesn't sound like they have suspects in custody, or even if they KNOW who pulled the trigger (of a possibly illegally obtained firearm).
Case NOT solved...and Lord knows when.
*** Next, everyone has to have heard about these ISP troopers and their ability to lip-sync, right?
Here's the (local) story:
http://wane.com/2016/08/23/lip-syncing-troopers-spread-laughter-across-the-country/

People are amazed at how police have a HUMAN side to them...
This should not be a revelation to anyone...all LEOs are JUST like everyone else.
They just happen to have a stressful occupation that garners little thanks and often incurs rebukes from society.
But they are REAL people...with families (that they like to return home to), hobbies, and yes, can make you smile.
I've been to parties with them, as well as cookouts and formal breakfasts in downtown Philly.

They laugh...and they cry right along with us.

They tell jokes, have barbecues, read books, watch TV, and listen to music just like the rest of us.
About damn time people took notice to the true humanity of our law-enforcement personnel.
*** Next, a story about our friends, the Monarch Butterfly:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/monarch-butterfly-population-in-jeopardy-after-mexican-storm-1.3581065

As much as 50% of the population is affected, and that's not a good thing, especially when the monarchs have been re-surging since 2013.
Canadians will be the worse off as to seeing the butterflies.
Here in Indiana, we may be a little more fortunate.
Let's hope so, because on 11 September, we have the annual Monarch Festival at Eagle Marsh, which is always a great way to spend part of a Sunday.
*** Next up, another installment of "The Hobo Chronicles"...

Guarding the ramparts.

Then, a brief nap, before...

...a bite to eat, and then...

I may be an old softie when it comes to animals (at least the ones that DON'T want to devour me), but I never get tired of the "cuteness-factor".

...a roll in the back yard.

There are times I think our pets (and critters in general) have more humanity in them than other people.
*** Last back the runway...you've heard me speak about how people act and how animals act.

This is evolution?

Now, I'm no sociologist OR zoologist (nor do I play one on TV...lol), but I know what I can see and hear when it comes to both species on the evolutionary scale. And, I'm sure you can as well.
So why, if we're supposed to be "at the top" on the Darwinian ladder, do we constantly see or read about things that cause us doubt along those lines?

We MUST be in there...somewhere.

We'd all like to believe that we, as a species ARE moving in a forward direction, and yet, unless our senses are failing us, we're seeing little evidence to that effect.
We inch closer to anarchy, and yet lay claim to democracy. We fight over the most trivial and yet ignore the important. And we promote and profess tolerance, but fail to tolerate those with differing viewpoints or opinions.
Don't see the animal kingdom having such problems these days.
Then again, animals don't tend to politicize damn near everything (Orwell's Animal Farm excluded).
As politics invades and supplants more facets of our lives, the more we lose the liberty we enjoy when politics minds it's own place, which lately, it has not.
And when we lose liberty, the loss of freedom is never far behind, is it?
Be nice to reverse such a trend, wouldn't it?
We can, we should, and more importantly...we must.

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