Thoughts For Thursday...

Well, wouldn't you know it...JUST as we're drying out from the rain we had earlier in the week, we get more (coming by tonight into tomorrow). I guess if it were all snow, we'd be nicely screwed.
As for seeing the sun? Maybe a peek today.
And, since we didn't even make it to 40 degrees yesterday, we will do so today.
Our Hoosierland weather brings us mostly cloudy skies, some rain moving in later this afternoon into evening, and temps reaching up to around 48 degrees. Must be that global warming to blame.
So, let's stop messing around and get ourselves a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out from under the blankets is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom 'to' and freedom 'from.' "

This was spoken by another "newbie" here, one Marilyn Vos Savant (born August 11, 1946) who is an American magazine columnist, author, lecturer, and playwright. She also has the distinction of being known for having the highest recorded IQ according to the Guinness Book of Records, a competitive category the publication has since retired.
(guess they couldn't take having such an intelligent WOMAN...how sexist of them...lol)
And here is her WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_vos_Savant#cite_note-1

It's interesting to not that she has been married to Robert Jarvik (yes, the artificial heart creator) since 1987
And, if you read Parade magazine, you would come across the ASK MARILYN column...yep, she is THAT Marilyn.
The WIKI is a good read, especially if things such as Fermat's Theorem interests you (and why wouldn't it?).
The method once used to test IQ scores is something worth reading (they've since abandoned it, and gone to a test that "limits" IQs to 170 (level the playing field?).
I thought it was really fun to read, especially about someone who is a fellow astrological sign (Leo).
*** Next up, it's time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 19 -
---Today is National Popcorn Day

(we have got this one SO covered)
---And, it's Get To Know Your Customers Day

(it'a a quarterly thing, but still doesn't apply to me)
*** Next, what's this we hear about the OLD police HQ building along Creighton Avenue?
Let's find out with this story link:
http://wane.com/2017/01/18/activist-southeast-side-doesnt-need-another-vacant-lot/

The old FWPD HQ in better days.

So, the SOUTHEAST SIDE doesn't need another vacant lot? Really???
Now, that's a real two-edged sword kinda statement, isn't it?
(I could use a lot of them surrounding us)
There's a plan to keep the old building located in the 1400 block of Creighton Ave, which has been vacant for more than a couple years. Another plan is to RAZE it, due to interior deterioration...oh, AND the lack of any developer showing any interest in purchasing it.
How the hell are you going to entice ANY sane and reasonable developer to buy into a building that's a stone's throw from the Eden Green Apartments? I'm sorry...I mean "The Villages At Hanna".
That's the MAJOR problem with down here (as I've said too often)...the CRIME.

The SE side does take it's toll.

So, why NOT have another vacant lot. We get enough of them, we'll have less areas for the human refuse to live, and they'll move elsewhere (as they're already starting to do...and it shows).
One community activist (uh oh) wants to keep the building a few years so they CAN find a developer.

Sure, the building is over 100 years old (I've was inside once during my ride-along) and it was nice. Lots of dark wood framing and such), but the lot's been broken into and vandalized more than a few times since the FWPD moved downtown (which I still think was a bad idea...crime went UP when they moved out). The interior photos show that the inside isn't too bad off (whenever they were taken).
But, time never stops for anyone (or anything). The "new" plan is to raze the building and add it to the Renaissance Pointe YMCA for "recreational use" (like the drugs over at the Villages at Hanna?).

Bowser complex in better days.

The city didn't want to keep the police there, because the upkeep of the old building (part of the original Bowser Complex) was becoming too costly.
So the city spent MILLIONS more to move the FWPD HQ downtown...makes sense (if you're a spendaholic dumbocrat).
*** Next, if you thought we didn't have any "STUPID" around town to speak of...think again.

Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/01/18/police-find-guns-drugs-in-raid-3-arrested/
A NORTH side house was the target of vice and narcotics when they raided a "crib" in the  600 block of Russell Avenue, near Wells Street, and arrested three people around 1200 hrs yesterday.

BUSTED!

Police found 3 handguns, roughly 1 ounce of marijuana, 1 ounce of edible marijuana products, 3.7 grams of hash oil and some 3 grams of heroin (another "one-stop"). They also removed three pit bulls from the house. Oh, I thought they meant the "residents"...lol.
Nice work by the EST and detectives.
*** Next up, more proof that crime is spreading out, especially over in Waynedale.

Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/01/18/police-search-for-suspect-in-pharmacy-hold-up/

The Walgreens located along Bluffton Rd (and Lower Huntington) had it's pharmacy robbed on 17 January around 1730 hrs.
A man threatened to blow up the store unless he got some prescripts...which he did.
Good video capture of the perp, too.
First, we had black males snatching purses at the Kroger, and now we have white trash with bomb threats at Walgreens.
Makes you wonder what the hell will be next in a part of town that USED to be wonderfully sedate.
*** Next up, Let's leave the stupid behind, and take a stop over to "Kitten Corner"...
Some days, the kids are angelic as all get out, while other days they act like the spawn of Satan...lol.

"Time to play with Daddy's slippers".

Yesterday, they were very well-behaved until a half hour before Wifey got home. Then, they started dashing back and forth through the house...chasing one another. What fascinates them (doing that while they have a floor full of toys, I will never figure out.

"What's he doing with Daddy's slippers?"

But with every manic phase, there is (thankfully) a QUIET phase, and that follows soon enough.
Sure beats having an "empty" house, I will grant you that.
*** Last back under the comforter, I'd like to pose a query...

Question: How you create a "teachable moment" to those not willing to be taught? Welcome to one of Wifey's classrooms.
I'm sure this is applicable to many other high schools across America, too.
There are a few kids that refuse to be taught, refuse to learn, and refuse to participate in the "free" school they have available to them. When the hell did THIS mindset take hold in our educational system and why are we even permitting it?

You're NOT at home.

Such behaviors were unheard of in MY day, but back then, WE, as students, were held much more accountable (by teachers and parents) for our actions...and especially our INACTIONS.
Today, it seems like anything goes in the classroom, and those few asshole kids tend to ruin the learning experience for the other 30+ or so, right? It's disruptive as hell, and denies education to those seeking it.
And you know what the WORST part is? People will always want to blame the educators, when the problem lies with the SCHOOL SYSTEMS and the STUDENTS (as well as what passes for parents of those problem kids).
The really sad part, is that the school systems seem selectively oblivious to this,. or will do little to get such troublemakers OUT of the class in which they're are a nuisance.

Sometimes, police have to step in, too.

A slap on the wrist here and there, does little to get them OUT of the classroom and into some remedial program with STRICTER guidelines to have them tow the mark (before they wind up in juvey prison).

School is for LEARNING, not "hanging out".

It's damn well time to  take back the public school system from the leftards who are concerned with data, test scores, diversity, and all the other shit that is NOT allowing our kids (who WANT to learn) to achieve their full potential.

We used to have something called "reform school" when I was young - a place to send the incorrigible among us before they got into REALLY bad shit. Maybe, since we're so entrenched in "diversity", it's time to revisit such a venue...JUST to make things "fair" for ALL our children. That would truly be a TEACHABLE moment, would it not?

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