Thoughts For Thursday...

We have another nice day in store for us here in the Heartland.
They say it's supposed to be the hottest day of the week (well, they can keep that).
And no rain to speak of (that may come tomorrow).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly sunny skies, temps reaching up to around 82 degrees, and maybe some light gusty winds, as clouds increase overnight.

Now, let's get the day started with a refreshing morning beverage, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off the freshly mowed yard is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." 

This is attributed to one James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) who was an American statesman and Founding Father who served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817.
He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And here is the rest of his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madison

It is a lengthy read, but gives some very interesting insight as to HOW our Constitution came to be, and how, after becoming president  dealt with the War of 1812.
Politically, he is listed as a "democratic-republican", which today, says more about his affiliations and ideology than the ambiguity we seem to see in both republican and democratic parties.
It's a good read and worth the time, especially if you're into American history...
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 17 -
---It's National Cherry Cobbler Day

(that would make a good breakfast)
---It's National Graduation Tassel Day

(aren't we getting a bit ahead of ourselves here?)
---It's National Pack Rat Day

(never to be confused with the RAT-PACK, however.)

We should say NOT!

---It's National Walnut Day

(love them in brownies)
*** Next, an update to ALL the shootings we had yesterday. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180517/6-hurt-in-multiple-shootings

We wound up with a total of SIX people shot, and if you check the map, they ALL seem to be located on the SOUTH side of the city. Imagine that.

A shame. Looks like a nice Camaro.

Bet if this was downtown, we'd have some action on this crap a LOT sooner.
That last shooting happened around 2000 hrs yesterday evening in the 3500 block of Plaza Drive (yep, deep down in the SE side ghettohood.

Here's the link (and not much is know at this time:
http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/police-investigate-plaza-dr-shooting/1183921433
Like I said...not much is known...and each time I read that, I get kinda  creeped out about it (as should we ALL).
I did enjoy FWPD officer Mike Joyner's take on this when he described "the level of stupidity" demonstrated by these shootings, Kudos to him for telling the TRUTH here.
*** Next up, if you think such stupidity is limited to the south side of Ft. Wayne, think again.
http://www.wane.com/news/national-world/da-says-kids-shot-with-crossbows-waterboarded/1183293215

In the Socialist People's Republik of Kalifornia, we had TEN children removed from a house where what passes for "parents" took to waterboarding the kids. CPS removed the children from the trash and feces strewn house.

Ten kids lived HERE?

The children were punched, kicked, strangled, shot with a BB gun and subjected to waterboarding by their father and their mother did nothing to stop it. Ina Rogers is the baby-mama, and her "boyfriend of the month" is Jonathan Allen, who wrangled a plea deal to lesser charges and 3 years probation (even though weapons were involved).

Allen           LOSERS!       Rogers

See...you gotta LOVE the judicial system, especially in the democrat-run states...NOT!
At least the kids are safe for the time being. Makes the case that SOME people should NEVER be permitted to procreate...period.
*** Next, let's get rid of all this rampant ignorance and chronic stupidity, and take time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

"I like looking outside."

The kids did fine yesterday. The A/C was on, so they had no reason to act up.

"And I like looking at him looking outside."

They played, and ate, and napped, and got head rubs.
We got a nice sedate day as a result. That works out for all of us.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

I'm hot. Where's the zipper on this fur coat?"

Our furry twosome spent most all the day nearby the house. Midnight did go on patrol, but we called him back . That boy can run, too.

"Tell me about it. I'm hot, too."

Whiskers just busied herself finding new places to curl up and snooze.
I mowed the back yard, and they stayed around, so the mower doesn't bother them all that much.

Nice walking for the kitties.

And, no dead birds around...or mice. I did find a worm, and tossed him back into the garden...those are NOT play toys...lol. But our trees are, obviously.

"Don't worry. I can get down."

Naturally, last call was good for them with those treats they got.
*** Last back to the outhouse...people never seem to be at a loss to find more deplorable ways to act out or act up.

If they're not abusing children, it's killing domestic animals...or shooting one another.
Thing is, such morons never take the time to figure out ALL the collateral damage they leave in the wake OF their ignorance and stupidity. That's the real crime here, because innocents get caught up in the mix.
Why we, as a society have not addressed such issues sooner, amazes the hell outta me.
Why we have allowed such acts to continue is something none of us should be proud of, and should do everything to stop.
It's fine to be a FREE society, and to permit people to not be placed under the thumb of some regime or government,
But, there also has to be a much higher level of SELF-CONTROL. That is also a large part of a free society.
As long as you feed ignorance, you will have problems.

But, if you can starve it, it has no place in a nation, or it's people.
I'd be ecstatic if we could at least minimize ignorance and put it back under the rock it crawled from.
And this country would be a lot better off if that were so...don'cha think?

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