Monday Musings...

Well, here we are again, and we've a LOT of things to cover...
The Hoosierland weather is still playing "follow the leader" as in each new day seems to be a replay of tha last...(shades of the movie Groundhog Day, hmm?), but that's fine, as it's not been adverse in any way, shape, or form.
Today we'll see a high in the low to mid 80s, some sunshine, some clouds, some breezes (and in my part of the ghettohood, probably some drunk Latinos hanging out front of their crib later this evening). We might even have the possibility of a shower tonight.
Sure makes those weather-peoples' job a lot easier.
Anyway, let's get this show on the road, as we all go grab a cup of our favorite morning beverage of choice, shall we?
*** First out of the cupboard today, I neglected to mention that back on Friday (1 August),  it was the start of the WARSAW UPRISING (1944).

A riveting story about their resistance.

And this is an event that I found very interesting, so here's the WIKI on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Uprising
Here is the official site of this conflict:
http://www.warsawuprising.com/
This was a tragic event, lasting almost TWO months, but demonstrated that there were indeed many Polish resistance fighters not wanting the Nazis to take over their country. It also demonstrates the agenda that Stalin was pursuing in his reluctance to come to the aid of the Poles.
*** Now, onto the next day of events.
--August 2  
216 B.C. - Battle of Cannae in the Second Punic War...strategically a pivotal battle.
1610 - Henry Hudson sails into what will be known as HUDSON BAY

And tell Hancock to use a LARGE quill.

1776 - Signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
1790 - First U.S. census is taken.
1934 - Adolph Hitler becomes the Fuhrer of Germany following the death of president Von Hindenburg.
1939 - Einstein and Szilard write a letter to FDR urging him to begin the Manhattan Project.

1943 - The P.T.109 is rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer, and Lt. J.G. John Kennedy manages to save all but two of the crew members.
1964 - The Gulf of Tonken incident
1990 - Iraq invades Kuwait
Notable birthdays:
1892 - Jack Warner (one of the Warner Bros d-1978)
1915 - Gary Merrill - American actor (d-1980)

Yeah, I got dis from dat Santa Claus Land...so what?

1924 - Carroll O'Connor (d-2001)
1932 - Peter O'Toole (d-2013)
1943 - Max Wright (Willie on ALF)

One of the NICER faces of the 1980s

1950 - Kathryn Harrold - actress (above)
1953 - Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster)
1959 - Victoria Jackson and Appolonia
1960 - Linda Fratianne - American skater
--August 3
1492 - Christopher Columbus sets sails from Spain
1900 - The FIRESTONE tire and rubber company was founded
1914 - Germany declares war on France.

And Jesse wasn't done with winning.

1936 - Jesse Owens wins the 100 meter dash in Berlin.
1946 - Santa Claus Land opens in Santa Claus, INDIANA

SSN 571 USS Nautilus

1958 - The First nuclear submarine, U.S.S. Nautilus travels under the polar ice cap
1977 - Tandy company announces the TRS-80, one of the world's 1st personal computers (and the genie was let out of the bottle).
Notable birthdays:

Ernie Pyle during WW2

1900 - Ernie Pyle - American journalist (d-1945)
1904 - Clifford D. Simak - Sci-Fi author (d-1988)
1926 - Tony Bennett (the singer)
1941 - Martha Stewart

The years have been kind to "Dennis".

1951 - Jay North (TV's Dennis the Menace)
1977 - Tom Brady - QB
*** And that brings us to TODAY'S events...
--August 4
1892 - Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother are found dead in Fall River, Massachusetts (first account of "Don't AXE, don't tell"?)
1914 - Germany invades Belgium. Belgium AND the UK declare war on Germany. The U.S. declares neutrality.
1924 - Diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and Mexico are established.
(that explains a LOT)

August 1 was her last diary entry.

1944 - Anne Frank and her parents are arrested in an Amsterdam warehouse by the Gestapo.
1958 - The Billboard Hot 100 list is published for the first time.
1964 - Three civil rights workers are found dead in Mississippi after going missing on 21 June.

The DoE - And it's COST us PLENTY ever since...

1977 - President Carter creates the Department of Energy.
1987 - The FCC rescinds the "fairness doctrine"
2007 - NASA launches the Phoenix spacecraft
Notable birthdays:
1792 - Percy Bysshe Shelley (d-1822)
1901 - Louis Armstrong (d-1971)

The Rocket with Lord Stanley's cup.

1921 - Maurice "Rocket" Richard - (ice hockey d-2000)
1942 - Don S. Davis (Stargate SG-1 d-2008)
1955 - Billy Bob Thornton
1961 - "the anointed one" 44th president
1962 - Roger Clemens

One of  the best interviewers out there.

1970 - Bret Baier (Fox news)
1971 - Jeff Gordon
1978 - Kurt Busch
And, it's COAST GUARD DAY in the USA.
So there 'ya go.,..you're all now a LOT more informed than the average person.
*** Last back to the barn, It looks like the commander of the 122nd Indiana ANG will be retiring .
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140804/LOCAL/308049987

He's got some SERIOUS "fruit salad" on that uniform.

In lieu of the recent (and unfounded) investigation into alleged misuse of funds for the ANG, it does seem a bit "timely", but the health condition of Col. Augustine had to have played a significant part in his decision.
After 32 years in the ANG, he's done his part for our country and I wish him well.
I can only hope the next commander has as much dedication to carry on the mission of the 122nd, keeping it a FIGHTER WING.
And yes, summer IS winding down, school is on the horizon, and we (here) can be thankful we're not suffering such things as toxic water from algae blooms (Toledo), or earthquakes (China), or missiles being shot at us (Ukraine and Israel).
All in all, we're not doing that bad...but we can ALWAYS do better.
(and we should whenever the need arises).
Let THIS be our guidepost for the day.

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

Friday Follies...

Welcome to the merry month of AUGUST...(supposedly the most "boring" month on the calendar).
I will attempt to dispel THAT myth in just a bit, but first, what's the weather doing?
Well, it's another carbon copy of the last few days...but it WILL be a tad warmer outside, with temps climbing to around EIGHTY degrees.
Going to have lots of sunshine, a mild breeze and perhaps (here we go again) a CHANCE of a shower later today or maybe tonight.
Hey, that's what THEY'RE saying...not me.
So, let's get this month started in style with a cup of your favorite morning beverage, and we'll see what's been going on...
*** First out of the laundry chute is my claim that the month of AUGUST is indeed an important month...and NOT just because my birthday falls into the mix in 3 weeks...lol.
Let's look at the WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August

Okay, in the southern hemisphere, this month is equivalent to NOVEMBER...(why did I need to know that?)
And the month was originally named SEXFIL (Latin, naturally meaning 6th month), because the Roman 10-month calendar was amended along the way.
There's a bit more to it, but let's get to the GOOD stuff...
-- Notable events in August include:
Pakistan Independence Day - 14 Aug 1947
India Independence Day - 15 Aug 1947
And the Irish LOVED to fight battles during this month...such as the Battle of Atheny (1316), Knockdoe (1504), Curlew Pass (1599), Dungan's Hill (1647), Castlebar (1796), and the Battle of Bogside (1969)
-- Here's some MONTH-LONG events of note:
Edinburgh Festival
National Immunizartion Awareness Month
National Psoriasis Awareness month (stop yer scratching)
National Water Quality Month
National Back-to-School Month (USA)

And parents are SO happy.

National GOAT CHEESE Month (USA) Got FETA?
American Adventures month (every day is an adventure where we love)
Audio Appreciation Month (boomcars need not apply)
Black Business Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
Childrens' Vision and Learning month
Get Ready For Kindergarten month

Milk, cookies and naps...(and liberal indoctrination?)

Happiness Happens Month (love to see how THIS one is celebrated)
Neurosurgery Outreach month
Panini Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
What Will Be Your Legacy month
...And a personal favorite of mine...WIN WITH CIVILITY MONTH.

No losers found here.

--Here's some week-long events
First week of August - World Breastfeeding Month (guys...BEHAVE yourselves and eyes front)
First FULL week - Sturgis Motorcycle event

Middle week of August (not to be confused with Middle EARTH) - The Perseid Meteor showers
--Other events include:
First weekend of August - TWINS DAYS
13th - National Lefthanders day
29th - International Day against Nuclear Tests
30th - International Day of the Disappeared (exactly what you think it is...people, and not your eyeglasses or TV remote)
--The BIRTHSTONE is (either) Peridot OR Sardonyx (not to be confused with Dr. Sardonicus...lol)
--The BIRTHFLOWER is gladiolus OR poppy (and not "Papi")

A single-malt scotch will get your far...

--The zodiac sign...well that's easy...LEO (the lion)...hear us roar.
Now, as I did LAST year, I plan to mention some of the events that take place for EACH day of this "so-called" boring month, to show everyone as to ALL the stuff that went on and never gets the good press.
I hope you find all of this enjoyable as well as enlightening...I know I have in the past.
*** Today is the birthday of one WILLIAM CLARK of Lewis and Clark fame (1770).

Other people of note who share (or have shared) birthdays today are:
Francis Scott Key (1779)
Herman Melville (1819)

Dom DeLuise and his alter-ego Captain Chaos.

Dom DeLuise (1933)
Yves St. Laurent (1936)
-- And I do believe that TODAY marks the 26th YEAR of Rush Limbaugh being on the radio with his EIB (Excellence In Broadcasting) Network.

Nice job, Rush...keep it goin'!

Congrats!
*** Last back to the Library of Congress today...yes, this month will see me another year OLDER...and hopefully another year WISER.
(It's always better to be a WISE-ass than a DUMB-ass ANY day, right?)
And, every year, around this time, I always get a little pensive...hearkening back to ALL those years that came before this one.

Now, I don't recall much about those first two or three...too busy learning to walk, talk, and use the toilet, rather than my diaper...twas a time of challenge, that's for sure...LOL.
But subsequent years brought about SO much love from two of the best parents a boy (and later man) could ever hope to have
Things were not always a bed of roses, either....there WERE rules, very often NON-negotiable, and there were CONSEQUENCES for breaking whatever the rules were.
Conversely, there were REWARDS for keeping one's nose clean, being a good person and doing the right things.
And many times, the rewards were not measured in MONETARY or even TANGIBLE items.

Much of it was all the FACETS of my person that were created, nurtured, polished and fine-tuned to allow ME to make better decisions than many of my contemporaries...or even those younger than I.
THAT is the kind of thing you don;t wait around all year to celebrate on ONE day...it's like the gift that keeps ON giving.
I guess that is another part of what you learn to appreciate each year that your birthday rolls around, hmm?
Now, go have yourselves a great weekend.

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

Bye-Bye To July...

And believe it or else, it's been close to the COOLEST July we've seen here in the Heartland
(blame it on global warming, no doubt)
Today will mimic the past few days...partly to mostly cloudy, some sun, temps up around the upper 70s (it is getting a bit warmer), and the possibility of a shower later in the day...maybe, perhaps...sorta-kinda.
So, while we're pondering that, let's get that morning cup of "fortification" poured (or topped off) as we set about and see what today brings us.
*** First out of the compost heap is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense."

This was spoken by one Robert Green Ingersoll (August 11, 1833 - July 21, 1899)...almost made it to the next century.
And here is his WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_G._Ingersoll
He was a lawyer, a civil war vet, political leader, and an orator of the United States during the "Golden Age of Freethought".
And, if you're wondering WTH THAT is all about here.s the WIKI on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Age_of_Freethought
In a nutshell, let's just say it was an era where secular humanism and agnosticism had a "head-on" with traditional beliefs and religious teachings.
And, believe it or else, THIS was a popular thing in the latter part of the 19th century.
Kinda like the I-TUNES of it's day.
Other notables beside "Bobby" were Charles Knowlton (born into a PURITAN household), and D.M Bennett.
Now, "Bobby G." (the OTHER one, NOT to be confused with the contemporary curmudgeon writing these words...lol) was the founder of the American Secular Union, the successor organization to the National Liberal League.

Bobby grew up in Dresden, NY, the son of am abolitionist-leaning congregational preacher, so there was this devout Christian household.
But, Bobby became a bit of a "pot-stirrer", due in part to his father's orthodoxy, and liberal views as a preacher, which often rubbed the congregation the wreong way, and that meant his own views began to change when he saw his father facing bigotry and unjust treatment by several churches.
And yet, even though Robert became a secularist, he never wavered in his belief in FAMILY and the importance in family life.
He raised the 11th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War (he had moved a few times since his boyhood), and this regiment fought in the battle of Shiloh. Robert was captured but paroled by the south, promising to not return to the conflict (and men honored that agreement in those days).

After the war, Ingersoll became active in politics, but knew he would never achieve any worthwhile office, due to his views on religion, slavery, woman's suffrage, and other issues of the day. Still, that didn't stop him from SPEAKING bout them, which he did with much success.
Actually, this was an age where ORATORY was public entertainment...(like a ZZ Top concert with words?), and people would shell out a whole DOLLAR (when it was worth a lot more than it is today) to hear hiim speak.
I will leave you to read up on him for yourselves, but I will add that although he was considered "The Great Agnostic", he DID have some really good quotes.
And much of what he spoke about made sense, if you keep religion out of the mix (which he did).
Other than that, he's someone we should read up on, because we might come to understand the liberal mindset a bit better along the way.
Moving on...
*** Back to the mundane with a high-speed chase on the city's SOUTH side that leaves the perp DOA.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140731/LOCAL07/307319984

So...cream-filled or powdered jelly?

I will give the FWPD credit for setting this arrest up, even if it didn't end well for someone with several outstanding warrants. (but it does save a ton of court and jail costs).
This started at SOUTHGATE PLAZA (wow, so close to our "Fortress"), when police attempted to arrest the yet-to-he-named individual.
He drove way towards the airport, and when stop sticks were deployed, he wrecked, killing himself in the process...(not the BEST getaway, was it?).
This took place yesterday evening around 1845 hrs.
And, it managed to tie up the Airport Expressway for several hours.
*** Next, we have a story that explains why I don't see many FWPD officers where I live...
Here's the story link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140730/NEWS/140729682/1012/LOCAL

Don't hear ANY gunshots there, do they?

Okay, so we have these BIKE PATROLS, and THEY are near the (where the hell else?) DOWNTOWN AREA.
Well, I'll bet that makes neighborhoods surrounding THAT part of town a LOT safer...haven;t heard any reports of GUNSHOTS THERE, have we?
And wow, one officer stated that this allows more of a CONNECTION to the patrol area and it residents...now who the hell woulda thunk THAT?

Yeah, we need a REAL donut shop here.

The story has some good pictures of the officers, too.
(be nice to see them down HERE...where we NEED them)
And the video is a decent watch...nice to see what we COULD have down here, but DON'T.
*** Next, is one of "those" stories that always cracks me the hell up, and you'll find out why.
Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2014/07/30/study-people-want-more-restaurants-entertainment-downtown/
Naturally, this is about the DOWNTOWN area...isn't it always?

Don't you have ENOUGH of this already?

What I find so amusing is that when asked what people WANT to see downtown, they say more RESTAURANTS, more RETAIL, and more ENTERTAINMENT...
((...rolls eyes...))
Isn't that what you people USED to have downtown, before you closed it down and retreated to the "burbs"?
And now, since those burbs are so damn OVER-developed out the a$$, you want all the stuff you once had in the downtown area BACK again...sound about right so far?

Downtown retail hey-day in Ft. Wayne

Well, let's bring back Wolf and Desauer's while we're at it, hmm? Maybe those ELECTRIC trackless trolleys, too.
"A vibrant downtown is vital for a city", says one Jake Pickett (tell that to DETROIT and their newly acquired "ghost town" downtown).

You once HAD a very vibrant downtown, and pissed it all way for strip malls, housing developments and assorted amenities AWAY from the downtown area. It really takes the cake to hear this after reading about the history of our downtown and how to fell by the wayside.
Sorry, but a nice big, shiny JEWEL in a crown that has seen better days and has it;'s share of tarnish won;t make up for the lack of vision over the last few decades.
*** Last back to the barn today...we see evidence of a society that is being led around by it's nose...all that's missing is a RING through it (and in some cases with young people, they already have THAT, too...lol).
Everyone wants the "next thing", whatever it is, because someone said they SHOULD want it.
Whatever happened to standing on something called TRADITION?
If people had done that, the downtown area of this city would have never "gone away", only to be REINVENTED (or worse, re-branded).
In the meantime, parts of this city continue their slide further into Dante's 7th layer of hell, with no apparent cessation to that slide.
We used to hear about "Midwest charm", but these days, you have to really drive some distance to FIND any, as the smaller towns around the area STILL pursue such noble intentions and do it well enough.

Midwest "charm" is a LOT more than this.

People have got to refrain from wanting what someone else thinks they should have, and rather think about what is right for themselves, exclusive of outside "intervention". Those who are constantly seeking "change for change sake" have their OWN agenda, and it usually entails lining their OWN pockets...NOT yours. That's a rocky road to travel for the average person, because they wind up with no say in the matter.
What needs to be done is to bring UP the worst areas of a city to at least the level of everyone else...and THEN you can set about looking for "room for improvement", which, when it comes to THIS city, has a lot farther to go than many realize.

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

Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of this last week of July, and we're waking up to very comfortable temps and some cloud covering.
I thought we were supposed to have sun...oh, wait, that's :LATER (got it).
The rest of the Hoosierland weather will see us with a slight warm-up into the mid-70s today (kinda like yesterday(), and an isolated shower perhaps sometime late this afternoon (kinda like yesterday), and a partly-cloudy rest of the day (kinda like yesterday).
Hmm...detecting a "pattern" here, albeit a pleasant one.
In any event, let's go grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever else you find comforting as we set about seeing what's been going on.
*** First out of the kitchen today is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense."
Now THERE is something Washington D.C. could use...in ABUNDANCE these days, hmm?
So, WHO said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the oratory hall...
*** Okay, so what do you think would be the outcome of a motorcyclist excessively speeding along State Blvd and popping a wheelie would be?

That's NOT a grease fire at KFC...

If you said DEATH (by stupidity)...you are correct, and here's the story to prove it:
http://news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140729/NEWS/140729602
Amazing how the LACK of something like...I dunno...COMMON SENSE can lead to tragedy, isn't it?
Still, shouldn't be THAT much of a surprise, given the nature of mankind these days.

Can't be a dumbass any longer, right?

You want to be a dumbass and pull stunts like that...find a DESERTED ROAD to do it on, and NOT a busy city street around midday.
Moving on (and not doing wheelies)...
*** Next up, what happens at a manufacturing plant when you run out of parts to assemble?
Well, you CANCEL the shifts involved for one thing, JUST like they did at the Fort Wayne GM truck plant.
Here's the story link
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140730/BIZ/307309990/0/FRONTPAGE

Yep, so far FOUR shifts have been cancelled due to "lack of parts".
As if GM doesn't have ENOUGH problems, hmm?
Whatever happened to making SURE you have a surplus of items to keep workers WORKING, anyway?
Someone at that plant doesn't deserve their "managership", especially in the INVENTORY department.
But the good news, is that the workers WILL have to "make up" the lost productivity, thank the unions.
How much you want to bet that the parts suppliers are FOREIGN???
(hope they're not ignition switches...lol)
Another lapse of common sense here?
*** Next,  we can't end this post without SOME crime going on, as evidenced in THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140730/LOCAL03/307309976

LLLLLOSER!!!

Now, if the crime of shooting bar patrons isn't enough, how about the CRIME of (yet) another PLEA DEAL to get the charges diminished substantially enough  to halve whatever sentence this perp might have faced? Sounds like the injustice system at work,
Christopher Javon Sewell, 26, of the 5100 block of Lillie St (not too far from the "Fortress") is the perp-in-question, who OBVIOUSLY lacked any common sense by not only becoming a gang member of a local cadre (PAC), but also getting involved with some serious crap, along with two OTHER losers (Adonis Robinson, 24, and Demanuel Tompkins, 27), who will, in all likelihood get their charges "amended" thanks to plea deals.
If I didn't know better, I'd suspect the Allen County prosecutor's office was short a few fries in THEIR common-sense "Happy Meal".
(maybe I DO know better...heh)
*** Last back to the fire-pit today...looks like COMMON SENSE is becoming a lost art, much like cursive writing, or many other aspects of American society, and why IS that?

THAT is the God's honest TRUTH, too.

What has led many people to believe that any substitute for common sense works, when WE know it to be just plain nonsensical?
I've known people with engineering degrees that had trouble putting in a new light switch, and why was that?
They lacked common sense.
I will say that when everything else fails, a little common sense can (and will) get you through a multitude of problems. But there is always the "easy" way out, too...

Never settle for THIS...

Sadly, it's not something that can be structurally "taught" in a classroom...at least I've never seen evidence of that.
Maybe it SHOULD become a part of the educational system...some sort of "formal" learning experience regarding common sense.
But wait, doesn't LIFE experiences teach you about  that?
Well, if you're paying attention AS you go through life it does, unless you've hit the "cruise-control" button and are meandering from year to year.

Well, there's some common sense.

And although we might not be able to properly TEACH common sense, the building blocks TO that goal are all around us.
All we have to do is look, right?
And the way we're brought up will provide us with what we need to PERMIT common sense a part of our makeup.It's really not that :"painful".
Those that don't have that provided for them...well, they're the ones in court, in jail or already dead (through stupidity), if not up to their eyes in problems they can't seem to find a solution for, aren't they?
But, common sense already told YOU that much, didn't it?

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