Friday Follies...

Welcome to the weekend...and it's going to be a very nice day weather-wise here in the Heartland (at least where WE are), with temps topping out in the LOW 70s...now THAT I can live with (and so can our ELECTRIC BILL...LOL).

And I suppose that we'll be seeing those Halloween sales abounding very shortly, with Christmas sales right behind them...you know marketing LOVES to push things WAY in advance.

But, for now, we're going to see if we can get the next 72 hours off nice and easy, instead of with a ton of angst and trepidation.

So let's get rolling and get this load hauled to market.

*** First up, I want to thank ALL of you (deeply) that allowed this blog to PASS the 200K PAGE VIEW mark!

I checked the stats the other day and went..."WOW"...!

Two Hundred Thousand...I'm totally astounded by your loyal readership (or at least the ability to wander in here by accident, and poke about a bit...lol).
Thanks, again.

*** Yesterday, I was talking about the FWPD cruiser fleet taking a few whacks, courtesy of the dumbass drivers in and around this city, and then, as I was watching the local news, they mentioned this device that can potentially LOWER the number of crashes at intersections.

Made here in INDIANA, it's called the ELIMINATOR...and wouldn't you JUST know it...

WAY, WAY back on 27 August 2008, I posted here (check the archives for that date - it's THERE still) about a Fort Wayne City Council meeting I had just watched, where they discussed the possibility of using a device for "traffic light control" (priority vehicles aka police and fire) called...(...you guessed it...)...
THE ELIMINATOR...!

Well, at least I've been doing MY homework all these years.

Here's the website for the device:

http://www.collisioncontrol.net/

And coincidently, here is the story from last night's news (with video):

http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/technology-designed-to-prevent-emergency-responder-crashes

It amazes me that this city has not had the chance to USE this yet...Indy has done so for FIVE years - ditto for St. Louis.

And given the recent rash of accidents when citizens have crashed INTO FWPD cruisers, you'd "think" it was high time we gave this device a SERIOUS look.

Not so fast, believes FWPD chief Rusty York.
He's not convinced this will aid enough to pay for itself.
I dunno...weigh the COST of a damn police CRUISER (or a fire engine), fully-outfitted and the possible hospital costs of an officer or firefighter(s) AGAINST the price to hook up this device around town...I'm sure the OFFICERS (and FIREFIGHTERS) might believe OTHERWISE when THEIR LIVES are in jeopardy, right, Rus?
Seems to ME to be a "NO-BRAINER", Chief York...something you SHOULD be well-acquainted with...LOL.
Now, the interesting thing about traffic control devices (as I stated back in 2008) is that for a nominal cost (as much as a high-end radar detector), I can go to a website and get me a little thing that can CHANGE TRAFFIC LIGHTS for ME...!

((...WTF???...))
Yep, you heard me right...
YOU can have the ability to do what our FWPD chief would deny his officers.
(imagine that)

Now, THIS device, called the MIRT, is nowhere AS sophisticated as the Eliminator, BUT, what it does is trip the sensor that is built into those BIG RED "buttons" you push to cross the street, thereby turning a RED light to GREEN...pretty cool, huh?

Here's THEIR website with links for ordering:

http://www.themirt.com/
However, if you happen to be strapped for cash (and who isn't under THIS regime?), you can go to AMAZON and order up something called the the TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGER, and THIS baby can be had for around $16, and is made for your moped, scooter or motorcycle.

Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Traffic-Light-Changer-Specifically-Motorcycle/dp/B001DC7L42

Or THIS one for even LESS:

http://www.amazon.com/CHANGER-Trigger-Traffic-Signal-MOTORCYCLE/dp/B005UHUCKQ

But, if you wish to be REALLY up-to-date with your technology...they HAVE AN APP for it now (what...you thought otherwise?)

And here's THIS link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/traffic-light-changer-make/id367093036?mt=8

There are a bunch more, but you can easily see that the CITIZENS can handily have more control over traffic signals than our police chief would allow for first responders.

Now, what all these other devices do (as I just said above) is trip the preemptive sensor in the signal...like pushing that button, if you were standing on the corner, waiting to cross.

The ELIMINATOR would work with ANY light, providing it was tied into the system.

I think that considering that the president and CEO of the company (Dave Gross) wants to GIVE the devices to Fort Wayne, I think it can only be a help, and not any sort of hindrance.

City Council should really think on this again...and 3rd district councilman Tom Didier should lead the charge, as he was one of those very interested back in 2008.

But, it's not like I wind up sitting at lights that don't change for no reason...as do we all, right?

*** I've been a "fan" of John Stossel when he used to be on ABC, and that was a long time.

I enjoy his take on the issues facing us, and the common sense reasoning behind why things need to change, or even if they don't.

He's got some great videos on YouTube, including one about those damnable BOOMCARS (and why the idiots have them).

Now, he's got a show on FBN (Fox Business) that is re-aired on Fox News (check listings for local times), and last night's show was nothing short of brilliant. I love when I hear the TRUTH being told.

He showed us TEN PROMISES that politicians don't keep...

(I supposed that time constraints prevented the other 379...LOL)

Here's a link that gives you a "CLIFFS NOTES" on the episode:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel/blog/2012/08/16/politicians-top-10-promises-gone-wrong-airs-tonight-9pm-fbn

You have to say one thing about Stossel...he does HIS homework, too.

(wow, that's like DEJA VU...all over again...LOL)

It's definitely worth a watch...and you can learn so DAMN much in that hour.

And yes, KNOWLEDGE is STILL power, people.

*** Lastly today, Fort Wayne has a gang problem...a GROWING one, and we've recently had articles addressing the issue, but no REAL solutions, and sometimes, no idea how to even attempt to control the problem.

(I've got MY ideas, and that's why I'll NEVER be elected to public office...think Judge Roy Bean...or The Punisher...heh, heh, heh)

So, I'm going to do a gratuitous plug for another show on (this) Saturday called THE FORT REPORT.

It's on at 5:30PM (local time here) on Comcast channel 57 - FiOS channel 27, and is slated to have FWPD chief Rusty York on.

Kevin Leininger will be discussing the gang issue with him, and that should be (quite) interesting.

I know I will be watching...intently.

This city COULD have taken a more proactive stance with gangs and crime back when Helmke was mayor...and crack cocaine first came to town...but we see that was not the case.

And successive city leaders have followed suit and done as little as possible to keep the SE side (and now, parts of the SW side as well) from falling into the societal abyss.

I've always said that:

 "ANY CITY IS ONLY AS GOOD AS IT'S WORST AREA."

And that seems to apply all to well to the Summit City.

Remember, I come from PHILADELPHIA - a city that has had democrat leadership for way too long and suffers a worse fate than we do here, because THEIR problem is much wider spread, and was allowed to grow damn near exponentially over the past few decades.

I have already seen (back there) where Fort Wayne might be heading, and it's not a pretty picture.

I believe the citizens of Ft. Wayne have it within them (most of them anyway) to get all those "civil servants" to OWN UP to the problems, call them out on them, and get them rectified to the betterment of ALL the citizenry.

It's not a pipe dream...but it can be the future for this city.

And the future is one place where most ALL of us will be spending damn near ALL of our time.

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...

Time once again for more of the "stuff" that goes down deep in the crotch of Fort Wayne.
But before we begin THAT, let's find out the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"If we are strong, our character will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help."

I sort of tossed a slight curve ball here, as this was attributed to President John F. Kennedy, (undelivered address), Dallas, 22 November 1963.

(well, JFK was a JG in the navy during WW2)

And it begs the question (to me, anyway) what was the REST of that undelivered address and how important might THOSE words be to us today?

I suppose we may never know the full impact.
Meanwhile, back at Arlington...
*** Uh, oh...ANOTHER shooting on the city's...(...all together, gang...)...SOUTHEAST side (you're ALL in fine voice today).

Here's the skinny from WANE
(because for some reason, the J-G didn't have word ONE about it):
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/shooting-on-oliver
Can you believe it?
Oliver Street...AGAIN???

Seems the city has a SERIOUS problem (of late) with the "people" that infest that area.
Two guys walking down the street around 1630 hrs...a black Impala passes them, turns around and gunfire erupts from the vehicle, striking one of the walkers (not to be confused with the "walkers" from the TV show THE WALKING DEAD, although there ARE similarities) in the shoulder.
He's in serious but stable condition at the hospital.
The perp-mobile attempted to then flee, striking a parked car, before leaving the scene.
And imagine that...there were REAL WITNESSES at the scene...(that's a switch)...amazing!
No report as to the disposition of that Impala, but ONE of the three believed to be involved in this shooting is in FWPD custody.
Police also believe that the man shot was initially on the SIDEWALK (that's a change, they USUALLY walk down the middle of the damn streets around here...must be a "cultural thang").

*** And in a related story, we have this column written by Kevin Leininger (and it's a GOOD read):

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120816/NEWS/120819727/1015

Now, you have to know that Kevin USED to live down here, only a few blocks from where the Bobby G. "Fortress of Reason" stands, so he has seen the way this part of town has gone downhill over time.

GANGS are the reason we have a spike in the homicide rate...
Even FWPD chief York states that it's mainly AFRICAN-AMERICAN gangs.
(hell, I could have told him that...about a decade ago, but he never returns my emails)

The recent addition of the FBI and the BATFE working with local authorities in the "Safe Street task Force" goes far to add FEDERAL charges to any thug wanting to commit gang-related crimes (such as murder).
Kinda hard to dodge the FEDS in this instance.
Kevin brings up the METRO SQUAD (see my archives from 29 March 2007 forward and you'll get a much better understanding of THAT situation) that was shot down by local civil rights leaders and central city residents as being racist, with one analogy made to the Gestapo by a prominent activist (Could that be...HANA STITH?).

York states that: "People are getting involved because they've had enough." (been saying that for YEARS, Rus...where you been and WHY haven't you listened?), and he's been working with religious leaders of the BLACK community to promote non-violence (and as Kevin writes) - "something that's been tried before, without apparent success" (could have told them THAT, too).
What did (ret) Lt. Col. Ralph Peters say about some people... "ONLY being able to understand a BIGGER GUN pointed at them"...?
(refer to post from 26 July 2012 - WHO SAID THAT? quote)
York states "We can't arrest our way out of this (gang problem)."
I dunno, Rus...seems a damn GOOD starting point.
How's about arresting SOME of them...MORE of them?

Maybe we should NOT be giving rat bastards like Rico Parrish a "pass" because he turns into some C.I. (confidential informant) for the authorities, and still commits crimes in the process. Maybe we need a DA with some CAJONES (instead of a bottle-blond coiffure)?
Maybe we need the BLACK leaders to man up and get TOUGH with families that support, conspire with, and even house these crims?
Or maybe we just need an "open season" for gang members and drug dealers (like deer season...or "wabbit" season)...someone needs to put the fear of GOD back into such people, because they all seem to fear little else and have NO regard for anyone else (especially law-enforcement).
It's just a thought.
*** This is not the BEST way to change out the police fleet.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120816/LOCAL07/308169874/1002/LOCAL

Here we have a female FWPD officer responding to a call...doing the "Hollywood" (running WITH lights and sirens)...when she gets t-boned at an intersection by another driver in a van (check his CELL PHONE)...

The officer was transported to hospital and is in fair condition with no life-threatening injuries.

The van driver was NOT injured.

(but would have been if I were there and saw it...then I'd be arrested for battery...go figure.)

This is the SECOND FWPD cruiser nailed in less than a week.

The last crash happened back on 11 August and here's the link:

http://www.fortwayne.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120811/NEWS/320109232

And before that one, back on 21 July, another FWPD cruiser was struck:
Here is THAT story link:
http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/police-cruiser-involved-in-crash
Cripes, at THIS rate (and thanks to the dumbass drivers this city seems to have an overabundance of), the FWPD will get the entire FLEET changed out in less than a YEAR!!!
Hey, maybe they can opt for some of those new 2013 Ford Interceptors???
Again...just a thought.
*** One way to spruce up the old ghettohood...NOT!

I snapped this picture yesterday as this house was being "renovated" in the newest fashion.
Goes to show what can be done when "people pull together"...or at least try to break into a nearby crib, right?
THIS is the kind of thing the city NEEDS to address...and not be plopping more strip malls (or housing developments) up north or out west.
New bridges might look nice ELSEWHERE, but critical help in required DOWN HERE...NOW!
I know I get pretty damn sick and tired of ALL these mooks, moolies, and aborigines with nothing BETTER to do than nothing at all...and ALL damn day and night in which to do it.

Be nice to tap some of that (as yet undiscovered) "youthful male workforce" and get these lazy bucks out doing something PRODUCTIVE to make the area a BETTER place to live, instead of driving around and crashing into police cruisers, walking around smoking blunts or swilling that "40", or driving about and shooting at one another.
And maybe it's time to re-re-re visit that whole METRO SQUAD gig, in lieu of the current situation down here in the crotch of this fair city.
*** Lastly today, Wifey heads back to school (to get ready for the urchin invasion next week), and I have to say that some folks are being caught off guard with a "new" policy from FWCS - that being NO FLIP-FLOPS or foot thongs!

Who the hell ever ALLOWED them in the first damn place?
They are about the MOST unsafe footwear you can wear anywhere else but the damn BEACH...and the last time I checked, we didn't HAVE any real "beaches" around here at all - and river banks don't count...!
(no, I said B E A C H E S...I'm not imitating the Hispanics in the area...sheesh)
People can get stepped on, injuring their foot or toes, get tripped up when someone steps on the heels...not a good thing with hard school FLOORING all about, right?
How's about we BAN all types of them from ALL schools...period?
They have NO place in an educational environment at all.
And there is NO reason why kids of ANY age cannot wear PROPER footwear to school...and while you're at it, leave the damn "athletic shoes" in the GYM LOCKER ROOMS!
You take care of your feet NOW...and when you're older, you won't have the problems associated with wearing the wrong footwear.

Again, it comes down to making those GOOD choices in life...AND abiding by THE RULES, which are meant to make YOUR life better, and not through governmental intrusion, but by good old COMMON SENSE.
Besides, you ever drop a English Lit or World History textbook on an exposed foot?
NOT a pretty sight.

It's for your PROTECTION...and God knows we can always use a bit more of that, eh?

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

Stay SAFE out there, America.

Humpday Happenings...

Welcome to the mid-week edition replete with comfortable temperatures, and a nice day ahead of us here in the Heartland.

But, as is the case today, we've got to take care of out Military Quote of he week - aka - WHO SAID THAT?

"If we are strong, our character will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help."

So, who said that anyway?

The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.

Meanwhile, back at the library...

*** Animal cruelty charges finally made against Fort Wayne man.

Here's the story:

(A word of warning - it's not for the squeamish)

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120815/LOCAL07/308159972

Here we have this dumbass punk, one Matthew Jerome, 22, of the 600 block of Yellowstone Drive, who looks like some cast out refugee from Barnum & Bailey with a penchant for harming a little kitten, because he just didn't like it around his girlfriend's place.

(If I were HER, I'd have looked for another boyfriend a LOT sooner)

The GOOD news is that the kitten is doing well, and is expected to be adopted in the next few months. A lottery will determine who will adopt the cat (named Sparkles), because SO many requests were forthcoming.

Interestingly enough, Jerome ALSO had a domestic battery charge back in 2009 (19 years old and already in jail for abuse...whatta loser), so he apparently didn't get as rehabilitated as he SHOULD have.

Still, a happy ending to an almost fatal story, thanks to the intervention of a caring individual, and EIGHT additional lives (from Sparkles).

The perp gets canned and the cat gets to live her life in MUCH better conditions.

I like when that happens.

*** We've heard it said that it can rain "cats and dogs"...or, as the song goes, it can be "raining men", but how about raining BIRDS?

Well, if you're anywhere near Millville, NJ,. that's what's happening.

Here's the story:

http://www.wane.com/dpps/entertainment/must_see_video/pesticide-makes-brids-fall-from-sky-ob12-jgr_4310246

A farmer there lost $15,000 in crops due to the birds, so he got permission to use a pesticide (and obviously, a damn EFFECTIVE one).

I wonder if Mr. Farmer might be cited for wildlife endangerment now?

Guess that a SCARECROW didn't work out for him?

Crazy stuff...indeed.

*** This story about the Indiana BMV caught my eye, and with good reason.

Here's the link:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120815/EDIT07/308159986/1021/EDIT

Wow, just when you thought it was safe to go back there, hmm?

Actually, the 2 situations mentioned in the article are a rarity and thankfully NOT the norm for the agency, which has seen it's share of ups and down over the last decade, as far as service-related problems go.

Fortunately, most all of them have been ironed out, and the BMV is one of the state's BETTER entities to deal with.

The cases mentioned in the story relate to people who were having issues anyway, and I would find it damn near impossible to have a person with a spotless record targeted for suspension or revocation.

The story is worth a read, even if YOU have a clean driving record, because it shows what CAN happen if you get "into the system", and find you can't get out as easily.

*** I was watching the season premiere of the American version of TOP GEAR, because they were "testing" three new POLICE CRUISERS -

The Chevy Caprice PPV,

the Dodge Charger Pursuit,

and the Ford Police Interceptor.

Shades of MAD MAX, eh?

Now, as they look, I'm partial to the FORD. Hell, I already miss the Crown Vic (except when pathetic morons buy them at auctions and then turn them into rolling LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEMS for rap music).

The Ford is AWD, so I'm curious as to how good the MILEAGE is gonna be on this buggy.

Usually, that takes away a 1/3 of what you SHOULD get per mile.
The Charger looks mean as hell, and the Caprice...well (imho) it always WAS a nice "family car"...LOL.

Makes me wonder WHAT ever happened to the PPV entry from CARBON MOTORS here in INDIANA?
Now THAT car is PURPOSE-BUILT, and not a retool of a passenger vehicle...and incorporates a TON of safety features designed specifically for the LEOs out there. You won't be finding THIS in some civilian's driveway, as all cars and parts are returned to the factory, so none of those "auctions" of ex-PD cruisers the thugs can "ghetto-up" and make into some monstrosity we see on our streets, meant to intimidate regular folks.
My money's on the FORD, if the Carbon E7 can't be had...second choice would be the Charger.
Here's the "4-1-1" on this cruiser (warning, there is an annoying video for something UNRELATED you have to silence first...lol)
http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/ford/2013-ford-police-interceptor-test-drive-video-1997.html
My take is that a TURBOcharger can have it's faults, the renown SUPERcharger might be the way to go.
These are cars that the civviie might only be able to get way after-market.
(hopefully not, though)
*** Lastly today, the Lovely Mrs. Bobby G. took the Wifeymobile in for service (brake noise), and while there, the servicemen noticed it was under warranty, so the entire brake job ONLY cost $50 and change (that was with a wiper blade swap as well).

Good to see people of decent work ethics and character still alive and well.
The place is Yeoman's, located along the 500 block of E. Pettit, and they do good work.
Like US, they are also "holdouts" down here from a better time; a time when the neighborhood was JUST THAT...and not some "future slum of America".
Much can be said for people willing to stay and fight the good fight...as long as the city acknowledges that fact, ant is not willing to ignore it.
Such people (like those at Yeoman's) helped MAKE this area...and keep it vital, until crime was permitted to get it's hold on this part of Ft. Wayne.

When those erroneously "entitled" were allowed to proliferate, occupying housing designed for people that were a lot more RESPONSIBLE in both ownership and maintenance, the downward spiral began...and has yet to cease.

I believe in redemption...and the ability to change things for the better, and often it is one helluva fight, as so many "powers" are against you.
The easy way is to RUN...to bug out,. but that doesn't do a damn thing to diminish the problem...it only enables it further.

And it's NOT what made this nation a nation in the first place, otherwise we'd have UNION JACKS at all government buildings instead of OLD GLORY!

Those that stood and fought knew what was at stake back then, and the same can be said now.

We all have the opportunity to affect change for the better, if only we take that chance.

If we succeed, we reap so much good, but if we fail, we simply try again.

THAT is part of the American spirit...and it happens to work damn fine.

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

Stay SAFE out there, America.

More Rain for Tuesday...

Yes, friends...some nice and welcome rainfall broke out last evening into this morning in the Heartland.

Don't really know how much it will affect the already poor corn crops, but it might salvage some of the soy and other yields around America's "breadbasket". I do know it's making those dandelions pop back up...(dammit).

Anywho, let's see what's been going on elsewhere...

*** Some updates to the two latest homicide stories posted here yesterday.

-- Here's story number one regarding the Coventry Court Apartment shooting:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120814/LOCAL07/308149930/1002/LOCAL

Cortez Antonio Harris, age 21, is the latest homicide victim.

FWPD have no suspects or motives to the slaying, and the coroner has listed this as the 22nd HOMICIDE of the year in Fort Wayne/Allen County.

-- Here's story number two regarding the Oak Crossing death investigation:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120814/LOCAL07/308149964/1043/LOCAL07
Cause of death for Gregory A. Funich, age 42, was blunt force trauma.
The coroner has ruled his death a homicide, so that makes NUMBER TWENTY THREE (if you're keeping count as I am).

The interesting thing about this, was that Funich's "partner" came home to find him dead, and also told police that Funich's car was missing.

The Lovely Mrs. Bobby G. told me after reading the story that her "gaydar" went off, and I have to agree with her. Mine did too.
Didn't see the media pick up on this angle.

This could been some lover's spat, or a cheating issue...hard to say at this point, but Michael R. Alexander (the person charged) says he was with Funich for seven hours and was smoking crack at the house and went to get more synth pot.

Alexander also had Funich's wallet on his person, and blood spatter on his clothing, along with a cut on his hand that did not appear to be from a knife (used to "open a bag of fish" as Alexander stated to police).

In ALL of 2011, there were TWENTY-FOUR HOMICIDES (I came one short when I said 25...looks like I might be UNDER the total this year) in all of Fort Wayne and Allen County.

But crime IS going down...remember that (and I am also the Great and Powerful OZ...lol)

Moving on...

*** Former heavyweight boxing champ Michael Dokes dies at age 54.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-13/michael-dokes-former-heavyweight-boxing-champion-dies-at-54.html

You talk about someone who had a lot and pissed it away...this man was it.

He died two days ago of liver cancer after spending a brief time in a hospice in Akron, OH.

How fall the mighty...after a drug trafficking charge in 1986, he served 2 years probation, and then in 2000, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, and intent to commit sexual assault to his girlfriend.

Dokes was paroled in 2008.

*** Helen Gurley Brown dies at 90.

Here's this link:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obit/story/2011-08-02/helen-gurley-brown-cosmopolitan-dies-at-90/57039456/1

I have to say I enjoyed the PORTRAYAL of Ms. Brown by the late Natalie Wood a LOT more in the movie Sex and the Single Girl (with co-stars Tony Curtis, Lauren Bacall, and Henry Fonda - 1964), than I did the actual Ms. Brown.

I will say she knew how to run a publication, though...made Cosmopolitan a household word.

And, as a self-made woman, she was the classic American success story...goes to show what can happen when capitalism (instead of socialism) rules the roost.

*** Those that know me know I am fascinated with toys...

I grew up with all kinds of them, grew older with them, and will probably go to that big "toybox in the sky" when I pass...without them !
(not enough room in the damn casket)

Besides,  don't people usually say:

"He who has the MOST TOYS...WINS"?

After all these years, I'm pretty selective when I choose the toys I find "cool".

Having grown up with Tinkertoys and cap pistols had it's own unique way of empowering a youngster, but it's when we look for the unusual, the detailed, and the hard-to-find...that the search for the "good stuff" becomes one of life's pursuits.

Unfortunately, as we all get older, lots of toys get tossed, given away, or sold at garage sales...damn shame, too.

THOSE are the ones commanding the HIGH prices these days, although there are some from more recent years that net some nice folding money.

I could rattle off some cool toys from MY era that are probably difficult to find (at best), or are SO hard to come across, that the only way to recall them is by memory (or some museum for "lost toys"...lol).

Ideal toy's Mr. Machine, Remco's Robot Commando, Firebird 99 (car dashboard), Horrible Hamilton, Monkey Division (army toys), Mattel "Tommy-Burst" (machine gun), "Fanner 50" (cowboy pistol), Hubley, Auburn, and Ny-Lint trucks and cars are just a few of the "biggies" back then.

Lego bricks was something relatively new here in the states...and costlier than Lincoln Logs.

We also had a plethora of "white metal" cap guns extolling the TV heroes from the Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers to Gene Autry and even The Rifleman. We even had the Mattel VRR-ROOM "motor" for our bicycles that duplicated a motorcycle roar (battery-powered - it clamped onto the frame and had a "throttle" with a KEY-starter that mounted on the handlebars).

And not once were ANY of these toys banned as being UNSAFE...it was all in the manner you played with them that made them anything close to UNSAFE (and parents scolded you loudly if you even thought about putting ANY of those items near your mouth - that was for FOOD and DRINKS...!)

Today, it's hard to find good toys...toys that have staying power and will last more than a few years.

We can't even make decent cap guns these days, because some dumbass will TRY and use them to hold up a BANK, or something similar...hence the red-tip on them all.

And long gone are the days of $.59 cent ANYTHING that can be played with, like those tried and true GREEN ARMY MEN.

Hell, we could get a cap gun for as cheap as $.25 (stamped metal) and a box of caps for a NICKEL (5 rolls with 100 caps per roll)!

Toys have evolved over time, as they always do, but what is missing in much of today's youngsters is the ability TO PLAY.

The creativity found in playing with army men, building a castle with Legos, a windmill with Tinkertoys or even Barbie moving furniture in her "Dream House" is somehow lost; supplanted by the trusty VIDEO GAME, and that's got to account for some of the issues kids have today.

Much of what we had when we used to play consisted of IMAGINATION...and that as a pretty BIG area to spend time in.

I believe that with creativity and imagination comes a curiosity in children...the GOOD kind that doesn't result in bad behavior or societal problems.

And when kids lose any portion of that, they lose a part OF their childhood as well.

I know there will always be that "inner child" in me, and I'm fine with that.

I think all of us owe it to NEVER lose that part of us that used to be that child.

Maybe, that would keep some of us from doing the things that society frowns upon.

I would bet that if you ask some of the innovators today (and of the recent past) what THEY used to play with, you'd probably find that they had toys that encouraged creativity and imagination.

And as they grew older, they took those things and ran with them.

All I know is I miss that ability to "play", but I can at least remember what it used to be like, and sometimes, that alone is enough.

Our creativeness and imagination will always be with us, because of such things in our youth.

And without them, we are all a bit more lost than we should be,

It's just something to think about.

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

Stay SAFE out there, America.