Humpday Happenings...

Okay, so we're not going to have AS nice a day as yesterday, but it's still gonna be a keeper.
And as far as late fall conditions go, it can always be a lot worse.
Welcome to our mid-week crisis we call Wednesday. Once we get past this, things should be a bit easier to take as we approach the weekend.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies, temps reaching to around 50 degrees, and no precipitation to speak of (that comes later in the week).
So let's all get ourselves something refreshing (and maybe even comforting) to drink, as we set sail into this day and see where the four winds take us...
*** First off of the bookshelf is our "WHO SAID THAT?" quote for the week:

"It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." 
I believe this covers a lot of the problems I can find with Fort Wayne's city council (and politicians in general). I guess we could add weather-people to the mix...lol.
So, who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at Gastonia, North Carolina...
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 29 -
---It's Electronic Greetings Day

(does this include phone calls?)
---It's National Package Protection Day

(hey, YOU get it to my doorstep - I'LL protect it from there, got it?)
---It's Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Day

(which means little to nothing for anyone NOT from the east coast area)
*** Next, we had another standoff with police (well, not "we" as in Wifey and I...lol).

Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/11/28/police-surround-house-on-southeast-side/

A real POS here.

This body standards (DNA) warrant took place just before 2100 hrs last evening in the 2800 block of Knode Court  (on the SE side...where else?) where police (gang unit)  made visual identification of 27-year-old Trumarkis C. Alexander.
He retreated into the house, and after several hours of negotiations, he  exited the home through a side door and surrendered to police without incident around 2330 hrs.
He is a "guest" of the Allen County Jail facing separate felony counts of neglect of a dependent and criminal recklessness. Alexander also is charged with a misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement.
**(what was not said) -There was a FB post where a female had made allegations (against Alexander) that he was a "baby rapist". There were graphic pictures included with the post and it obviously got the attention of the FWPD, hence the DNA warrant.
Maybe learning to keep your man-bits in your (saggy) pants would be a better way to go in life?

How about just staying the hell out of trouble (and away from children), or is that too much to ask of a member of the minority community?
*** Next up, and in keeping with the stupid-ass "theme", we have FIVE city council members who seem to have NO trouble when it comes to SPENDING taxpayer money, as evidenced here:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/11/28/fort-wayne-city-council-expresses-concerns-about-deal-then-spends-4-63-million-on-downtown-land/

Yes, council DID vote to buy that North River property (all 29 and change acres of it) in a 5-3 vote last evening. Michael Barranda abstained from the vote, but he did use the word STUPID and invoke Voltaire in his soliloquy prior to the vote (he was not present when the vote was taken).
It was amazing to hear most ALL members of council decry the way this was handled and that it was a bad deal, but that didn't stop 5 of them from giving into the Henry (and Rifkin) regime and "going with the flow" with the "hope" that this would be  more of a boon to the city, than a bane.

Those who voted against this were the real heroes of the night, because they had something called conscience.
Yes, ALL of them have to look their constituents in the eye sooner or later, don't they? And FIVE of them have to stop dwelling in the swamp..
*** Next, we had an impromptu "visit" from someone (from the city) who showed up with more heavy equipment - the type that makes a mess.
I"You're not going to tear the hell outta the curb-strip like the last crew did, are you?" (my diplomatic skills were showing...lol).

went out and slightly confronted one of the workers asking
I'm about a subtle as a hammer through a plate glass window.

He assured me that was not the case, and that they were there to rewire the street lighting.
Funny, ours works FINE...so why bother? If it's NOT broke, don't fix it, right?
Anyway, there was more damage to the curb-strip...can;t even run a mower on it now.

I can hardly wait to see what other "fun" things they have planned.
Hey,. here's an idea...repave our damn ALLEY so we don't have ruts and ponding when it rains (thanks to all the people using it as an auxiliary side street), you idiots!
*** Next up,  time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

Our indoor cats were behaving themselves, and not getting into stuff. Gallifrey still likes jumping up onto the stove (busy body), and I keep having to shoo him off.
Violet just watches him (no doubt a silent cheering section).
I don't want him to get used to doing that, because we DO use the stove for cooking, and a hot burner (electric takes longer to cool down) isn't a good fit for a curious cat, is it?
*** Next, let's take a moment to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

I stay close for the food and shelter.

Our furry twosome were around for part of the day. Whiskers is always close by (usually watching some birds in a tree), while Midnight is still content to do his "patrol" in the area.

Well, I'm here NOW, aren't I?

I saw him cross the street while the workers were out front.
As long as they are here for their meals and some loving, they will never go hungry...or uncared for.
*** Last back to the photo album...gambling is often an addictive pastime.

City Council Five go "all in"

Some are drawn to it, and once they start, do not know when to stop, which causes the typical problems.
In many ways, politics is a gamble - we hope we manage to vote for the right candidate(s) and that THEY will act in OUR best interest. Such is not always the case.
Personally, when it comes to the political gambling "casino" (otherwise known as our city, state or nation), I would prefer to see more referendums (and a lot more of this at the local levels).

Spin that wheel...

Let the PEOPLE decide what they want, and are willing to pay for...that's the way things should work.
When we see that consistently, those voted into office act more upon ambiguity and conjecture, as opposed to fact and truth, we should start thinking about changing that status quo.
The whole mindset of that "rubber stamp" has got to come to a halt, and the sooner, the better.
Those on council who voted against this "swindle" (as Glynn Hines put it) are to be commended for making a good call, because ALL council m,embers thought this particular deal was a crappy one, but some of them caved to the unknown, in the HOPE that something MIGHT come of it in a financially profitable manner.

I look at hope as something a bit more personal when it comes to the vicissitudes of life, and not part of some "deal" that could possibly work out, IF everything goes as exactly wished for.
It makes you long for the days when common sense ruled the day in local politics...and not the almighty dollar.

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