Monday Musings...

Welcome to another fun-filled (?) week in the Heartland of America.
We're expecting some RAIN today (it's cloudy outside already, so there is hope), which means we may all have to dust off that LAWNMOWER (remember that?) within the next week or sooner. It's going to remain nicely cooler as well, with temps topping out in the mid-upper 70s.
It's sure been an interesting 72 hours, and that doesn't even include what all went on across the "pond", so let's get started and jump right into the action...
*** Fort Wayne (Allen County) records it's 22nd and 23rd homicides.
(for those still keeping count with your dead pools)
Now, the actual SEQUENCE might vary, but dead is still DEAD, right?
-- Here's the lowdown on the first story that was presented by the local media:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120811/LOCAL07/120819931/1043/LOCAL07

The fatal shooting took place at the Coventry Court Apartments around 0038 hours early Saturday morning.
The complex is NOT located on the...(all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side, but rather the SOUTHWEST side, in the 500 block of Birchtree Lane near Fairfield Avenue and W. Paulding Rd. (it's close to that SHELL station at Baer Field Thruway and Paulding...take a left there, you'll find it).
FWPD stated the man was found with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored car leave the area shortly after the shooting.
(one person thought it a a firework going off)
Investigators don't know if the car was related to the crime.
The name of the victim has not been released yet, and the case is ongoing (as usual).
-- Here's the skinny on the second death investigation:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120813/LOCAL07/308139961/1043

In THIS case, the person arrested was driving the victim's car and was busted by IPFW police for DUI.
Made it REAL easy to locate this perp.

The cause of death is still not being released, but Michael R. Alexander was arrested in preliminary charges of aggravated battery (what? no STOLEN VEHICLE call on this?), and is being held without bond at the Allen County lockup.

This death occurred in one of those NICE neighborhoods - OAK CROSSING, near Tonkel and Dupont Rds.,just north of Ft. Wayne, where the lawns are lush and the ghetto is nowhere to be found. The body was discovered by a friend and authorities were notified around 1140 hrs. Saturday morning.
The worst crime in that area in recent YEARS was one garage break-in...
The victim was remembered by neighbors as a man who was friendly, helpful and had a passion for holiday decoration.
"He had two dogs that meant the world to him", stated one neighbor.
He had lived there since the late 1990s.
Other neighbors have expressed shock over the death and hope this is just an anomaly.
*** In a related story, WANE had a spot (15 Finds Out) about SHOOTINGS on the SOUTH SIDE of Ft. Wayne.
Here's the *4-1-1* on this:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/rise-in-shootings-after-police-move

Adam Widener (WANE) did a decent job of expressing the bare bones of the situation, but the nuances were sorely missing...(maybe because he hasn't talked to ME about this part of town yet).
At least the STATS are there...for a change.
(the video is a good watch, too)
The FWPD chief doesn't think (we know that much...lol) that the lack of an HQ is the reason for the RISE in shootings down here.
(no, but it sure CONTRIBUTES to it!)
The good news is that the FWPD is planning to put an "outpost" (like my LAST one?) on the SE side of town...
Funny, the FWPD USED to have a "sub-station" located right in Southgate Plaza...complete with it's own armory, locker room, showers...it was pretty much it's OWN entity...and crime WAS a lot lower! (then)

The BEST part about the story are the 30+ COMMENTS found below the article...THERE you will find a LOT of people that DO "get it" when it comes to the TRUTH of the matter down here.
Many folks DO know the score, but few admit to not even showing up "for the game".
And those not showing up are the black community leaders...
*** Well, there wa a "solution" of sorts to THAT.
And here's the link to THIS story:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/community-leaders-look-for-solutions-to-violence
Oh, NOW the black community "leaders" seek some kind of SOLUTION to a problem they've SAT on for the last 15+ years...fantastic timing, people!

This COURAGE OF UNITY forum held last evening at SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL (deep in the heart of the Ghettohood) was to get the community to come together to "make a difference" IN the community...
(guess THEIR version of that difference must differ from MINE vastly, hmm?)
Interestingly enough, the place was NOT packed (as it should have been, if these people were REALLY concerned), and from what I could see, other races were not well represented at all...and the last time I checked, we have MORE than just blacks down here.
Not a fair representation of ALL the community...for sure.
This is a classic case of way too little...way too late (imho)..

I can truthfully state that we had a HELLUVA LOT LESS CRIME down here around 15 years ago...when we had a lot MORE whites who OWNED the houses around here (along with working-class blacks and a few Hispanics) and who ALSO took care of them (as too few of us who are left still manage to do).
SO, what happened between THEN...and NOW?
Well, it sure wasn't the rapidly declining number of decent whites that increased crime, and the only ones that INCREASED down here were Hispanics and Blacks, so YOU do the math. Hell, a 2nd grader could figure this one out.
(damn shame the city, police chief and black community leaders cannot)
Moving on...
*** The London Olympics were BRILLIANT...period.

The USA walked, ran, rode, swam, dove, paddled, and kicked it's way into FIRST PLACE to capture both the overall medal count AND the highest number of GOLD medals. China was Second, with Russia third and Great Britain 4th (although the UK had more GOLD medals than the Russkies).
Indeed, it was a remarkable series of games with some spectacular standouts from a number of nations.
Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin, Oscar Pistorias...the list goes on.
Here's the link to the final results:
http://www.london2012.com/medals/
When you look at these athletes, you actually believe that there IS hope for our future, in that we CAN all come together in the world arena and compete against one another with a sense of true sportsmanship...sure is a lot less bloody than combat warfare, isn't it?
Be funny if wars in the future were waged using GAMES instead of bombs...
(and yes, they're done a lot of movies with such a theme...check them out).
*** Our garden is FINALLY bearing some fruit...in the nature of TOMATOES!

Been taking forever to get them to bloom and then ripen, with this drought and all.
Lord knows it hasn't been a walk in the park...er, I mean garden.
And the first harvest doesn't look all that bad....until you pull back the camera a bit, and put things into their PROPER PERSPECTIVE...
((...ahem...))

Now, I suppose this could be a "WTF???" moment, but it's just too damn funny to think that...it's more like a "WHY ME?" moment.
At least my G.I. Joe's can enjoy these "beefsteaks"...as can Barbie, IF she drops by...ROFLMAO!!
Ah, well...maybe NEXT year?
Thing is, Where the hell am I going to find some 1/6th scale BREAD and BACON to go with those tomatoes?
That JOE looks damn hungry...AND he's ARMED!
*** Lastly today...The USA still has a good amount of exceptionalism...whether it's found in the Olympic games, or by those in the FWPD that give a ride in their V-150 armored car to a terminally ill teenager (I apologize for not being able to find this story from WPTA - it was on the news last night).

What matters is that people STILL DO give a damn, and will do what needs to be done to achieve a goal...or to allow a dying youngster to fulfill a desire. Every one of us has that same capacity to make such things reality.
Many of us succeed at some level...others fail miserably, because they're not making the hard choices. They take the easy way out of things, with the predictable results.
How we measure our success should not always be about what we "get back" for our troubles, our persistence, or our perspicacity.
It should be more about WHO WE BECOME as a result...and we usually become BETTER in some way.
THAT is the kind of exceptionalism this nation has produced over it's short history, and I believe we STILL have the capacity to further such things for all of us.
We are remarkable individually, but even more remarkable when we pull together to make this nation great...or greater.

Let that be our guidepost this week.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...

Stay SAFE out there, America.

Friday Follies...

A nice damp morning greets us after a night of thunderstorms and much-needed rain...(and about damn time, too).
Might even have to consider getting the LAWNMOWER back out and doing some trimming.
And, it's cooler than most days, with highs ONLY going into the upper 60s.
(be raking LEAVES next week at THIS rate...LOL)
So, let's get busy with our weekend, shall we?
*** First up, a story about a house...a stove...and FIRE.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120809/LOCAL07/120809506/1043/LOCAL07

Yes, friends...yet ANOTHER house fire, sparked by an unattended stove.
This time, it was at 4865 S. Oliver St. on the city's...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST SIDE.
(thanks for your participation)
The occupant suffered smoke inhalation, but was recued from the house, as were two dogs (who were probably NOT using that stove).
Another case of not knowing WTH you're doing...with the predictable results.
When all you DO is cookouts with a grill or fire pit, there's nothing REALLY to figure the hell out...it's aboriginal in nature, actually.
Man...((grunt))...fire...meat...((grunt))...good!
See how it works?

It's when you make things "complex" and toss idiots into a situation where they have CONTROLS on an APPLIANCE that need to be turned ON or OFF...no grill, no charcoal, no fire pit...it's called TECHNOLOGY...and it WORKS damn well...when utilized in the manner it was intended.
Food does not tend to itself, especially on a STOVE that's ON...it becomes a study in physics with the application of continued HEAT to certain biological items and metal containers.

I'll tell 'ya...if there is ONE street I wouldn't live on down here on a dare (beside MY street...LOL), it would be OLIVER STREET...whatta damn depository for the chronically criminal and stupid...that street has MORE sh*t going down along just a few blocks, than damn near anywhere else (except Eden Green, the epicenter of crime in many respects).
If your neighbor isn't trying to burn down his crib, he's being shot at.
THIS is what happens when the city doesn't give a rat's ass...and neither do many of the residents...chaos (on a good day)!
But wait...we're not finished YET...
*** A fire at an apartment complex chases out two tenants.
Here's THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120810/LOCAL07/308109944/1002/local

Oops, here we go AGAIN....more idiocy involving morons, fire, and a stove.
This time, the fire was at the Hickory Mills Apartments  at 5804 Turtle Creek Drive near Paulding and Hessen Cassel Rd. on the SE side (where the hell ELSE would you expect this kind of sh*t?)
Two adults were evacuated from the property and slight smoke damage occurred at several other apartments.
This fire ALSO happened on the damn STOVE. (last time I checked, they still DO even come with INSTRUCTIONS with them)

And when people are not even cognisant of the method to USE a major appliance like a stove (or oven, God help us there), a portion of society is in DEEP, deep trouble.

I'd have to say that the engine companies of the FWFD are certainly EARNING their pay these days.

But, I'd also have to say that whenever you get these dumbasses that are moved into ANY house or apartment, there needs to be SOME sort of "qualification test" or EXAM issued to see If these people can do things for themselves on their own, without placing their neighborhood OR their own lives (and family) AT RISK...it's coming down to that...It's got to.

Find a way to see if these folks can be RESPONSIBLE individuals BEFORE they get a chance to torch the crib...
Maybe we'll find out that SOME people really AREN'T meant to handle appliances...(or automobiles...or firearms).
Just a thought.
*** The FAST AND FURIOUS scandal is taking a weird "turn" of late.

Now, suppose all those guns that were allowed to go across our border were NOT by accident, but done ON PURPOSE...and the purpose being to SUPPLY one major cartel (Sinaloa) with enough arms and ammo to off all the OTHER cartels...?
Impossible you say?
Check out THIS story from THE BLAZE:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/high-ranking-mexican-drug-cartel-member-makes-explosive-allegation-fast-and-furious-is-not-what-you-think-it-is/

Now, it could be a ruse on the part of the accused (in custody), but sometimes, songbirds DO produce a nice tune (that helps the GOOD guys).
It would NOT be the first time the U.S. has done such an OP...
Anyone remember IRAN-CONTRA?
How about the PLOT TO OVERTHROW CASTRO??
Sound a bit too familiar?
This Fast and Furiious debacle has enough plausibility in it NOW (with this latest news) to warrant a lot more scrutiny, that's for sure.

*** At the London Olympics, we've pulled AHEAD of China in the overall AND gold medal race...AGAIN, and Great Britain wrested THIRD from the Russkies...again.

The U.S. track stars shined as expected, and that alone got us some medals.

Here's the breakdown:

http://www.london2012.com/medals/medal-count/

GO USA...we're almost at the end of the games and I'd like to see us come out ON TOP.
*** Lastly today...it's always nice to go grocery shopping...meet a few new people, say hi to store staff, and to get bargains...IF you remember to BRING THE LIST.
Today, I did not.
But, I always have a fall-back plan...a PLAN-B (as should we all with much of our lives).

My plan is to rely on MEMORY, and at damn near 60 years old, it could be a bit dicey...except in MY case.

Wifey and I went with my memory, and came home to find we had gotten EVERY SINGLE ITEM on the list...!

Take THAT, you mental health researchers!
And with the possibility of a Zombie Apocalypse lurking in the background, you're gonna NEED your MEMORY...and WITS about you.

So what better way to say "I Love You" to your significant other than with THIS beauty.

The PARATUS-16 rifle, made by DRD Tactical Arms, comes chambered for .308 - 20 round box mag (yeah, that'll stop ANY zombie at distance) that also breaks down and fits into something as small as a camera case (okay, a larger camera, but you get the idea).

Here's the lowdown on this remarkable weapon that IS available to CIVVIES:
 (yeeHaaahhhhh).
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/blaze-exclusive-check-out-the-paratus-308-clandestine-breakdown-special-ops-rifle-available-to-civilians-too/
Now that would make a perfect birthday gift, OR stocking stuffer for Christmas...
(hint to the Lovely Mrs. Bobby G.)
(Note to self - might need a slightly LARGER stocking.)
Just so you know...it retails for around $6K...the price of a NEW ROOF (for our house)...I think under THIS circumstance, we'll opt for the ROOF, and I can settle for something a bit less..."costly".
I prefer to be DRY first, then well kitted-out second...it's called PRIORITIES...LOL.
Here's their website...(like a kid in a candy store...lol)
http://www.drdtactical.com/
Yeah, I could easily see myself mowing my lawn with THAT on a 3-point sling....!
Hopefully, the zombies will stay dead...and not UNdead for the time being.

It's like I say...you NEED to be PREPARED...and you NEED to be INFORMED.
Everyone should be to some degree, because that makes things in this country run a whole lot smoother.
In order to do this, you NEED to set PROPER PRIORITIES, too.
Some of the folks above obviously did not...I always like to TRY to, and if I fail, I learn from it and move forward again (and at least I haven't burned down a house yet "by accident"...heh, heh, heh)
As long as we draw breath, we have the opportunity to BE better...DO better...and WANT better...as long as we're willing to work to pursue our goals.
That's the E-ticket, friends.

Have yourselves a great weekend.

Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...

Stay SAFE out there, America.

Tales From The SOUTH Side...

Welcome back to another edition of our "tales", which differ from those found in the tome of Grimm, or those found by Strauss in The Vienna Woods, in that mine happen to be ALL TOO TRUE.

We'll be looking into that, but FIRST, it's time to find our the answer to the WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"Never lead soldiers into combat before having made sufficient trial of their courage."

This is attributed to the Emperor Maurice, The Strategikon, c.A.D. 600 (Maurice's Strategikon, tr. George Dennis - 1969)

And wouldn't you just KNOW that good old "Mo" has his OWN WIKI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_(emperor)
He was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.
His reign, which ended tragically was considered to be the last of the classical antiquity era (Romanesque).
It's a pretty good read, and his STRATEGIKON (not to be confused with a convention in San Diego for strategists...lol) was considered THE manual for (combined arms theory) warfare until WW2, even if present day historians now believe it was written by Maurice's brother.
Interesting to see that even way back then, similar problems plagued HIS empire much like things do today in America.
Meanwhile, back at the palace...
*** Another shooting on the...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side (well done...heard every one of you).

Here's the story from the J-G with pictures from WANE:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120808/LOCAL07/120809599/1043/LOCAL07
And here is the story with VIDEO from WANE:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/police-respond-to-reported-shooting-near-anthony-and-pettit

Seems this guy was mowing his lawn when a silver-tan Impala rolls up the street. Mower guy runs and eleven shots ring out, with one round grazing the man's hip. Three rounds wound up going into a neighbor's house, busting one corner window.
The neighbor, when interviewed seemed (to me) to slightly giggle...now it could have been just nerves, but I'm not really finding anything "humorous" about this, other than the fact that with 11 rounds expended, only ONE hit...poor shot, no doubt.
We used to call that...a need for MORE RANGE TIME.
Still, the neighbor (and her husband) is planning to look for another place to live.
She's going to BUG OUT!
This shooting took place on Euclid St.near Pettit Ave.
I say, get with YOUR OWN community LEADERS, the CITY leaders, and FWPD top brass (chief & quadrant commanders/deputy chiefs), and DEMAND that something be done so that YOU don't have to leave YOUR home and go elsewhere.
Make the BAD GUYS go elsewhere...chase THEM away instead.

Now the mower guy obviously KNEW the perps in the car, otherwise he wouldn't have "booked" before they even got close enough to cap off those rounds. Both shooter and victim must have some sort of "connection", because a random act at THIS time of day is rare.

These thugs prefer to wait until after dark, when they think no one can see them (unless they SMILE...lol).

Fortunately, the vehicle description went out soon enough and the vehicle was pulled over at that good old intersection of Anthony & McKinnie, where the driver and shooter bailed.

I was following this on the radio, and heard the take down by FWPD officers of the DRIVER. The passenger (and shooter) is still AT-LARGE.

The driver was damn lucky he wasn't shot by officers on scene, as he began to reach for his waistband (saggy pants?) and made a furtive move.

Good judgment by one officer prevented another shooting, as no weapon was revealed.

The car, a newer Impala (looks like a damn unmarked POLICE CAR, doesn't it, or at least an NCE vehicle - wonder how such gangstas GET the $$$ to buy this stuff?) was flat-bedded off scene.

And another round of expended ROUNDS goes into the SE side books..until the NEXT one (which might occur sooner than we all think).
It makes you wonder if this shooting wasn't a retaliatory act from the Oliver St. shooting that grazed an infant (also in a house) when these (100 or so) moolies held some kind of ad hoc "block party" the other day.
I'm sure the FWPD are pursuing that angle, because even since the DRIVER of this last shooting is in custody, NO description of the shooter/passenger was available...(you're kidding me, right?)
(( blink-blink ))

Yeah, somehow this particular form of "street justice" or the whole "we'll handle our OWN sh*t" isn't in the best interest of ALL the populace in this city, or this neighborhood, but there's not enough to go on with no other witnesses, or the "I din see nuffin" BS.
I dunno, a few slaps up against the head of that driver with a hefty PHONE BOOK might jog his memory (the pre-Miranda days netted so much more information, regardless of the methods used to acquire it).
I'm sorry, but when you trample on OTHER PEOPLES' rights, placing them in danger or fear of death...you just kissed ALL your rights the hell off.
Be nice to get back to some of that JUDGE ROY BEAN kinda justice...that would put some fear BACK into all these thugs, because what we currently have that passes for justice THESE days just ain't cutting it.
*** This is a case for the fact that sometimes, you CAN fix stupid...after a fashion.
Here's the link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/man-attempts-to-hold-up-pop-shop

So, you go into a shop to apparently ROB the place, and trip as you enter the store. Then you point a handgun and demand cash.
It's then you hear the clerk call back to another employee: "Grab the shotgun".
The robber took the hell off, was pursued several blocks by the clerk, until the man got away.
Yep...it's called poor planning, folks.
Other than the robber wearing a hat and bandana, no other description was made available.
(whatta dumbass)
BTW, the robber got away with nothing, and no injuries were reported.
At least it didn't happen on the SE side...for a CHANGE!
(not that there's much LEFT to rob at that time of night around here anymore)
*** USA still behind China for first place in the Olympics...

We're only TWO behind in Gold medals and FOUR behind in overall medals.
And Great Britain passed Russia for 3rd place...again.
Here's the current breakdown:
http://www.london2012.com/medals/medal-count/
Women's beach volleyball and men's basketball is producing the expected results...winning.
And some USA track runners might give police a real "run for their money" (pun intended) IF they ever decide to become career criminals.
The way they ran AND vaulted would amaze damn near anyone.
Perhaps they might instead JOIN the ranks of LAW-ENFORCEMENT...make it harder on a fleeing CRIMINAL for a change...now THAT would be worth paying to watch.
*** Lastly today...the SE side of Ft. Wayne has been a write-off for way too long...that's a given.

Yet, it shouldn't HAVE to be that way...not with the people this city STILL has down here that are NOT criminals or thugs.
Everything the city does or tries to do is REACTIVE in nature...same for the FWPD top brass...they all REACT to what happens, instead of trying to prevent what happens.
And a reactionary stance does no damn good to those just wanting to live their lives, and be left the hell alone.

In good neighborhoods, the city will seemingly bend over backwards to keep the status quo, and the residents look out for one another...a very PROACTIVE stance.
But, when an area is allowed to become infested with the law-breaking vermin, and a generation of folks grow up not only distrusting the police (who only uphold the LAW), but seek to take matters into their own hands when it comes to their OWN sub-culture, it's a fine setting for chaos at beast, and anarchy at worst.
The innocents caught in whatever cross-fire taking place are the REAL victims here...NOT the thug that got shot by another thug...OR his family and friends. They tend to be part of the PROBLEM by either doing too little to avoid such problems, or, as is so often the case,...do NOTHING to help police or their fellow citizens.

As we become less civil as a society, such things will grow in nature and scope.
The answer is simple...become MORE civil (again).
You might not be able to legislate stupidity (yet), but you CAN hold people accountable for their OWN behaviors, actions and personal responsibility.
That alone will cure so many ills that are festering in our nation today.
And it's high time we got back on track towards that end.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

Humpday Happenings...

Welcome to the mid-week crisis known as WEDNESDAY, friends.
As is usual, we'll begin with our military quote of the week, otherwise referred to as WHO SAID THAT?
"Never lead soldiers into combat before having made sufficient trial of their courage."

So...who said that?

Answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile...back in the trenches...
*** Free Breakfast at Schools...you probably already KNOW what I'm going to say about THIS, right?

(...pause for effect...)
"WTF???"
I've belabored this point for as long as the noise problems here with moronic boomcar drivers.
How in the name of God can someone NOT be able to figure out HOW to give their child BREAKFAST of all things?
It's the EASIEST MEAL of the day to prepare, if you've got several functional brain cells.!
The claim is that these meals are for the "low-income", or poverty-stricken...
Here's the story link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/education/guidelines-for-free-reduced-school-meals
And HERE:
http://foodservice.fwcs.k12.in.us/price.php

Really?
REALLY???
They've already been handing out free (or reduced) meals ALL DAMN SUMMER...!
No one in this city can ever be THAT broke where they cannot be able to make TOAST...or a stinking bowl of CORN FLAKES.
I mean c'mon now...this isn't APPALACHIA...or SOMALIA...or even KENYA.
These folks HAVE to know how to make the most basic of breakfasts for their kids, even if it's to shove a bowl in front of them, hand them a spoon, some milk and Froot Loops.
If not, then WTH are all those EBT cards and WIC programs funding, anyway?

I say if they HAVE to have the free meal program, then make it a bit "less than free" by CHARGING their WIC account or EBT card...at least THAT way, we can "follow the money" and see that it gets to where it's "supposed" to go.
Yeah, that makes sense to me.
Perhaps they should have a class in school where teens can learn to make BREAKFAST in case they wind up as premature parents?
Oh, wait...they USED to have classes like that...we called them HOME ECONOMICS...!!!
And it wasn't for the pregnant girls in high school...didn't really HAVE any back then.
I do know something needs to be done for the accountability aspect of such programs.
But enough with all the FREE sh*t....because it's NOT free...everyone else who pays taxes PAYS for it.
Cradle-to-grave government intrusion...got a helluva start (in our schools), doesn't it?
*** This story is just SO damn typical of what passes for humankind on the..(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side of Ft. Wayne.

Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120808/LOCAL07/308089931/1002/LOCAL
So, you "think" you can have a gathering or block party WITHOUT some sort of fracas down here?
Think again, folks!
Personally, I don't believe ANY of the people involved were actually displaying ANY kind of serious THOUGHT, otherwise, they'd not have dumbasses shooting up the place and injuring an INFANT...that was INSIDE A DAMN HOUSE!
This melee took place at the corner of Bowser and Oliver streets,
When police rolled up, there were about 100 people lining the street (hope they had a permit for a crowd THAT big), and multiple groups within that "mob" were being LOUD AND DISRUPTIVE...(sounds about right for such vermin).

Several groups starting FIGHTING, and that's when the several people began shooting at one another.
Someone yelled at the crowd to STOP, because there were children all over the place, the report stated.
And we ALL know how well such people tend to "comply"...like NOT AT ALL.
Even the FWPD PIO said: "...You have IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE with firearms..."
You expect these "people" to be anything CLOSE to responsible?
WTF are you thinking?
One juvey was busted for MINOR CONSUMPTION, DISORDERLY CONDUCT...AND RESISTING ARREST. (big surprise there)
Another was questioned in the shooting, but was then cut loose by the police.
And THAT is why I prefer to NOT have ANY number of such people milling about OUR corner.
To ME, TWO is a damn crowd with these folks.
I've already had impromptu fights break out on our property by total strangers (to me), and I simply will not tolerate it.

One hundred people at an intersection...that's ASKING for trouble down here.
But, that's what you get with the "government-sponsored" and entitled people when they find that being LAZY gets you MORE than being productive.
(BTW, it can get you SHOT, too)

*** Yesterday at the London Olympics...the USA "done good...we done REAL good".

Here's the wrap-up for the day's events:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120808/SPORTS13/308089970/1008/SPORTS

You had to stay up after 2300 hours to see Aly Raisman win her bronze medal of the balance beam, because after her performance and initial score, Bela Karolyi told the USA coach (from the stands) to challenge the scoring, which he did, and the judges recanted and added a tenth of a point to Raisman's score, placing her in THIRD.

Goes to show that if something is wrong, and you press the issue, you CAN wind up winning.

Good for you, Bela!

And good for YOU, Aly!

Here's the rundown on the medals:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120808/SPORTS13/308089923/1008/SPORTS

We're still right behind China (by 3) with overall and gold medals, but Great Britain has gotten by Russia into 2nd place, with South Korea ousting Russia for 3rd place. Getting really interesting now in the home-stretch of the games.
*** Lastly today, we see more and more evidence about the level that some people display when it comes to SELF-CONTROL, most notably in the Olympic games...

With such self-control comes self-confidence, and a real sense of self-esteem, but it's that foundation of self-CONTROL that gets the ball rolling with everything else.
And we see what can happen when people LACK self-control...and good old COMMON SENSE.
It's not because these people had a brain-fart that they wreak such havoc; they have never really come to KNOW what the hell self-control IS...or should be.
They have been brought up by a government willing to "take care of them", without TEACHING them the basics of civilized behavior.
In other words...you can't become a better person by doing nothing...or "you can't get to THERE from HERE."
Simple as that, friends.
Like I said yesterday, if people LEARNED about how to control ONESELF, all the other "controls" would pretty much take care of themselves...the way things USED to be..a lot less hassle for everyone, and a lot more civility to go around.

Yeah, I think we could ALL do with more of THAT.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...

Stay SAFE out there, America.