Friday Follies...

Well boys and girls, through absolutely NO fault of our own, we made it to another weekend.
(sound the trumpets and loose the pigeons)
Our Heartland weather will be a bit cooler than the last several days, with temps only climbing into the low 30s (if that). Got some snow showers also, but no accumulation expected.
Oh, don't expect much in the way of sunshine, either, as clouds will dominate the sky today.
More light snow showers tonight and into tomorrow with an overnight low back in the teens.
So, let's get this show on the road, and see what we have in store for us today, shall we?
*** First out the door, is the arrest of Olympic double amputee Oscar Pistorius on charges of murder (of his girlfriend).

Helluva way to spend Valentine's Day, isn't it?
Here's the story (so far):
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/02/14/blade-runner-pistorius-reportedly-being-questioned-in-shooting-death-girlfriend/
Given South Africa's atrocious history of violence, it's little wonder that a celeb like Pistorius WOULD have firearms in his house (in a gated community in the capital city).
And, since he probably does not sleep with his artificial legs on, he would make a good victim should anyone try a home invasion.
At this point, there can only be speculation.
*** Luxury Cruise ship is NOT "The Love Boat".

The Carnival Triumph was towed into Mobile, AL last night after suffering an engine room fire which incapacitated the liner completely.

Here's the story:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/02/15/stranded-carnival-cruise-expected-to-dock-in-alabama-after-four-days-with/
What amazes me is that with ALL this technology, a ship this size with so many passengers (around 4200) can be rendered incapable of producing the most basic of services, like lighting, heating and proper waste removal.
It seems like what passes for a "crew" is woefully unable to FIX problems as they arise.
(they just drive the bus, as it were)

When you are AT SEA, it really makes sense to have personnel on board who are FULLY CAPABLE of repairs to most every system, especially the engines, which power the entire vessel.
Considering the vast majority OF a ship's systems are reliant upon computer technology, you STILL have to have a few people who can make the MECHANICS function to power the computers...now THAT would make sense to me.
Suppose this occurred during hurricane season? The outcome would have been a LOT more severe.

*** Okay, so it's Valentine's Day, you're a young black male with loads of time on your government-sponsored hands, so how BEST to secure an adequate amount of cash to buy that baby-mama a truly NICE gift to show your "love" for her ('cause drugs and booze ain't cheap)?

Well, you round up your "posse", and GO ROB A BANK.

That's what happened yesterday morning along Coventry Lane...the SAME PNC bank that was robbed only TWO months ago.

Here's the story (with video):

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Police-Responded-To-A-Robbery-At-PNC-Bank-191203601.html

This threesome managed to snag some swag (cash) and book out the back door before police arrived.

The robbers hit the bank when it was opening, and no customers were yet inside.

A K-9 unit managed to get a track which led to a development behind the bank, but then lost the scent, leading police to believe that a getaway car was probably waiting.

The bank is offering a $25K reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the perps.

(nice chunk of change)

For the original story on the first robbery at this bank, refer to my archives from 13 December 2012.

The Pro Fed Credit Union robbery from late last year is in my archives from 30 November 2012 (the 3 ninja robbers).

We have got a REAL and growing problem on our hands in this city...'YA THINK?

*** And speaking of "problems", Chicago (of all places for criminal activity) now has a new PUBLIC ENEMY #1.

He is Sinaloa cartel capo Joaquin Guzman aka El Chapo (Shorty).
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130215/NEWS03/302159956/0/SEARCH
Thing is, this mook has NEVER SET FOOT in Chi-Town.
But, he's the "new Capone", according to the Chicago Crime Commission.

Guzman is considered MORE menacing than Capone, because he (and his cartel) supplies most of the narcotics to Chicago.

(talk about an epiphany for the uber-obvious)

Capone was designated Public Enemy #1 back in 1930.
Chicago is deemed not only a destination for Guzman's drugs, but ALSO a HUB for further distribution....to places like FORT WAYNE, for example.
And Ft. Wayne is it's OWN hub of sorts...to Indy, Cincy, Detroit, Cleveland...you get the picture.
Could be WHY we're seeing a rise in HEROIN in the Summit City (been going on for well over year now), and we know the pot market is still going strong, even after local growers get shut down. And crack cocaine never seems to lessen in it's presence in this city, which would account for the rise in violent homicides.
(most likely power struggles and turf wars)
Guzman has been in hiding in the mountains of Mexico with a personal "army", and how much you want to bet that some of the guns in his army belong to the "Fast and Furious" clusterf$ck?
Guzman escaped from prison back in 2001 by hiding in a damn LAUNDRY CART.
But, he's not only one of the most dangerous criminals walking the earth today...he's also one of the RICHEST!
According to Forbes magazine, his "net worth" is about ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
(that ain't no chump-change, people)
The U.S. government is offering a five MILLION dollar reward for his capture...no one said anything about DEAD OR ALIVE...did they?
*** Lastly today, Wifey and I were talking about FREEDOM this morning, and I love a good chat as much as the next person.

When you live in a ghettohood, such things that many take for granted, like GOOD conversation (and not shouting at one another for no reason) are rare and well received by me.

Well, we ARE social creatures, right?

But, it seems today that many people aren't quite understanding WHAT is meant by freedom.

The dictionary says it thus:

Freedom:
1: the quality or state of being free: as
a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another
:independence
c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous (freedom from care)
d: ease, facility spoke the language with freedom
e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken (answered with freedom)
f: improper familiarity
g: boldness of conception or execution
h: unrestricted use (gave him the freedom of their home)
2a: a political right
b: franchise, privilege
============
Synonyms: autonomy, independence, independency, liberty, self-determination, self-governance, self-government, sovereignty (also sovranty)
Antonyms: dependence (also dependance), heteronomy, subjection, unfreedom
And there is an EXTENSIVE WIKI on Freedom, depending upon the philosophy and application:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom
So, you can read that for yourselves and make a determination.
But what Wifey and I are finding is that what USED to entail freedom isn't really all that these days.
Sure, we DO enjoy LOTS of "freedom", and perhaps some of it IS misplaced.
There is a point at which one can become "too free", And by that I mean free to do whatever, whenever, and to whomever one chooses.
That is no longer freedom as we know it, but rather ANARCHY.

When people are never taught PROPERLY about the rights of others, making GOOD choices, instead of just making those choices haphazardly, doing "what feels good", and never knowing what BOUNDARIES are (for themselves), and feeding whatever desire one might experience, while saying to hell with everyone else is NOT freedom.

Doing for yourself IS freedom, but not when it involves the intrusion upon others without their consent or wishes.

When young kids behave in the most reprehensible manner, that is NOT freedom...it's CHAOS.
And the sad part to all this is that we have at least ONE generation grown up without such knowledge of what being free (and responsible) means.
With the freedoms we enjoy in THIS country, does come a level of RESPONSIBILITY, because true freedom IS a powerful thing.
We are free to speak whatever we want, BUT we are not permitted to yell "FIRE" in a crowded auditorium or movie theater.
See how that works?
It becomes a personal CHOICE to take such freedom, and turn it against itself, and our society has started looking "the other way" in many cases.
If we are to appreciate not only the MEANING of FREEDOM, but the enjoyment that we can derive from not being subservient to some government or authoritarian regime, then we HAVE to choose wisely when it comes to the practice of our rights to BE a free people.

Otherwise, we don't deserve that right, and we will lose such freedom...and liberty.
From little on up, people NEED to be shown and taught WHAT freedom really is, how to practice it, how to instill the purpose behind it to others, and to embrace it properly, without hurting others or ourselves.
We ALL have, from our Creator received the gift of FREE WILL, and that determines HOW much freedom we are capable of.
But, even that comes with a price, and we ALL need to understand that freedom is NEVER free, whether it's in a foreign land or at home, in uniform or as a civilian, in our homes or on our streets, fighting for liberty, or fighting ideologies contrary to this nation's founding principles.
To understand our freedom IS...to better appreciate our freedom.
Therein lies the lesson for this week.

Do have yourselves a great weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.