Tuesday Tidbits...

Looks like some parts of our area might need a fog horn today.
We're told visibility is down to 1/4 mile (not where we live, sadly).
Welcome to another adventure into quasi-oblivion, as we start the day with cloudy skies.
It's supposed to brighten up soon enough, with temps in the Hoosierland reaching (again) into the mid-60s.
Just not seeing the fog,however...must be happening in more rural locales.
Anyway, I have my morning cup of coffee at the ready, so you and get whatever you're having and together, let's see what else is going on, shall we?
*** First out of the hornet's nest is the "What are we celebrating today, Bob?" segment
Well, today is the Trail of Tears Commemoration Day, and for a slice of what that's all about, hee is a WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trail_of_Tears

Basically, this was the forced "relocation" of the Native-American nations of the southeastern areas of the United States, as per the Indian Removal Act of 1830 (gotta thank president Andrew Jackson for this one, folks).
It's a really good read, and demonstrates how government can easily subjugate those already living here.
Why they were not all just made U.S. citizens and left on their reservations beats the hell outta me. The Indians who DID choose to stay put were in fact made citizens on this country, so why not all of them?
One of our history's less "nice" aspects, (imho).
Moving on...
*** And, it's also time for a feature I like to call "Where did all the local shootings take place last week, Bob?"

And here you go:
SHOTS FIRED CALLS - 9/7/14 - 9-14-14
September 7
14F118541 01:23:00 113 SHOTS FIRED 2600 TRENTMAN AVE
14F118542 01:24:34 113 SHOTS FIRED 3800 WEISSER PARK AVE
14F118575 03:17:31 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 DREXEL AVE
14F118623 08:34:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 2600 CENTRAL DR
14F118659 10:52:41 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 TILL RD E
14F118791 17:21:07 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 ST MARTINS ST & HANNA ST S
14F118809 18:23:59 113 SHOTS FIRED 6100 KENT RD
14F118873 21:49:55 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 RUDISILL BLVD E
14F118874 21:59:07 58 SHOOTING 700 BROADWAY
September 8
14F119133 14:19:37 113 SHOTS FIRED 6900 ROTHMAN RD
14F119345 22:22:43 58 SHOOTING 2100 EBY AVE
September 9
14F119399 02:04:17 113 SHOTS FIRED 900 TAMERA GARDEN AVE
14F119542 12:54:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 3500 COLISEUM BLVD W
14F119550 13:19:02 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 OXFORD ST & HANNA ST S
September 10
(none)
September 11
14F120302 01:25:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 WASHINGTON CENTER RD W
14F120684 20:55:20 113 SHOTS FIRED 2800 MAIN ST W & JEFFERSON BLVD W
14F120596 17:15:51 58 SHOOTING 1900 GREENTREE CT
September 12
(none)
September 13
14F121291 02:30:26 113 SHOTS FIRED 2500 BROADWAY
14F121306 03:25:16 113 SHOTS FIRED 2800 NORTHGATE BLVD
14F121336 07:10:50 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 SECOND ST
14F121634 20:54:11 113 SHOTS FIRED 1000 DEGROFF ST & BURGESS ST
14F121636 20:55:21 113 SHOTS FIRED 3100 COVINGTON RD & FREEMAN ST
September 14
14F121818 03:00:10 113 SHOTS FIRED 300 RADIAL LN
14F121828 03:22:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 1100 RUDISILL BLVD E
14F122032 17:22:55 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 LIGHTNING WOOD CT
14F122098 20:08:02 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 PONTIAC ST E & HANNA ST S
14F122105 20:37:52 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 BARR ST S
14F122157 23:28:51 113 SHOTS FIRED 4900 TRACE DR
===============================================
Yeah, with very few exceptions, all these calls are in the south part of Fort Wayne, and demonstrate clearly that those doing the shootings, were they a bit more proficient, would have our homicide rate right back up in the running to easily hit 30 or more.
I say as long as the REST of us practice to some degree, we stand a better chance of hitting whatever the hell we're aiming at...and with fewer rounds expended. In some circles, that's still know as "Urban Renewal"...lol.
*** Next up, proof positive that some people don;t have the brain power when it comes to making good decisions where they live:
Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2014/09/15/man-critically-hurt-after-apartment-catches-fire/
Not the brightest bulb in the socket, is he?

Okay, who fell the hell ASLEEP again?

And he managed to temporarily displace others because of HIS stupidity.
This is typical down here, and that's why we have so many fires that begin in the kitchen...many people have absolutely NO common sense when it comes to cooking and major appliances.
*** And here we have a story about the shooter on Eby Ave last week:
http://wane.com/2014/09/15/15-finds-out-profile-of-an-accused-killer/

Charles Benson has a "history" with the judicial system, as I posted last week...as did his victim, John Holman, but regardless of whatever problems Benson had growing up, it was the CHOICE he made that caused ever single problem he encountered.
Now, you'd think that the "once bitten, twice shy" factor would kick in somewhere, but apparently not in this instance.
What I can't understand is that there ARE people out there who have similar upbringings, and yet, because of a GOOD choice here and there, managed to extricate themselves from this vicious cycle of crime. So, it CAN be done...but it does requite some work on the part of the individual, and that's where this often falls apart. They feel that EASIER IS BETTER when it comes to life, and the results of such incorrect "problem-solving" are too apparent.
The lack of motivation for such POSITIVE facets in life are perhaps the most disturbing aspect to such people.
*** And now, a little something for a fellow blogger...
Back on 13 September, John D. (Nobody Move! blog - link at left) had a post about a TV show from the 1970s - SPACE: 1999.
Had a very good cast, a plausible story-line and some really cool effects and model work.
I commented that I still had my EAGLE-1 transport ship I bought all those years ago, and so, here are the pictures of the (still in restoration mode) item.

Eagle-One project - all parts there.

Landing pads and thruster assemblies

Main body - yellowing with age

Accessory bag and all 3 figures

Command Module

This was made by Mattel Toys that cost less than $20 (new), and will NOW cost you several HUNDRED BUCKS on eBay.
That's IF you can find a COMPLETE one!
Yeah, sometimes, it PAYS to keep that stuff from your youth, and in my case, I was in my early 20s and still enjoying that youth...LOL.
*** Last back to the Final Frontier today...now many times have we wondering "if I only kept this...or that..."
I do every day, just not as much because that stuff is LONG gone, and hopefully, made someone happy as it did me.

And the quality of things from those days has no comparison to what's made for kids today.
We had METAL toys that, if we weren't careful, could hurt is...so we LEARNED to be careful.
Many toys also played on our creativity...our IMAGINATION...much like books can do.
It opens the windows to our minds (and often lets the STALE AIR OUT...lol).
Nothing wrong with that.
Today, toys just seem to "take kids along for the ride", rather than foster imaginative play...it's like "something" is playing FOR them.

We don't stand a chance against them, men...

I mean, how can tangible, 3 inch tall green army men compete with any version of HALO, right?
Maybe that's got something to do with the way kids are today...maybe it's got a LOT to do with it.

And we got PLASMA rifles.

In an age where we dumb kids down (an insult to them), make everyone a winner (stifle competitiveness), and stroke their self esteem (when they should be learning that self esteem comes from WITHIN and not from outside sources), it makes sense to allow children the chance to be, well...children, and by that it should mean teach them how to get up after a fall by themselves, and that working through a problem if better than giving up (or letting someone else solve it).
That's the way we were taught, and we turned out pretty damn good (hippes not withstanding).
Back to the BASICS whether it raising a child, educating a child or allowing them to play...works every time.

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