Friday Follies...

End of the week, almost the end of the month, and the start of spring break just around the corner...can we stand the strain?
The Hoosierland weather won't be as accommodating as we would prefer, what with off and on rain showers today throughout most of the early weekend, plenty of cloud cover turning to partly cloudy skies later, and some gusty winds tossed in for good measure.
Today's high will be right around where yesterday's high was - in the 45 degree range, so plan and dress accordingly.
Feel free to grab a cup of your preferred morning beverage as we see what's been on my mind.
*** First out of the confession box today is the preposterous photo-op of our fearless leader with Pope Francis yesterday.
Now, I'm not catholic (nor do I play on online or on television), but I really did not see the reason for this papal junket, other than for the 'O' to hang with a COOL person.

Hangin' with a COOL guy makes ME cool (I hope).

And the logic behind that is simple - Barry's NOT that cool these days, and he just wants to GET some of that (mojo) back by shmoozing with someone who IS pretty cool, and Popes tend to be that way with a lot of people.
If you heard Barry's "speech" at the Vatican, it was full of stuttering (no teleprompter I'm guessing) and "fill" words like the infamous "UH".
The single person applauding at the Hague was priceless, too.
Now, da prez is off to Saudi Arabia (to mend a fence or two)...another apology tour? God, let's hope not.
When it comes to world leaders, I have to admit that Barry IS a pretty sorry person, considering all the crap he's tossed at Americans in these last several years...enough already.
Moving on (briskly)...
*** Next up, you know your day is going to be a "lulu" when your fire up the one computer and hear this groan from the cooling fan.
So, you do what I normally do - perform the "Han Solo Repair Procedure Number One" - you THUMP it!

I'm...gonna need a BIGGER hammer.

Amazingly, the noise went away...for the time being, but as I gaze into my Crystal Skull, I foresee yet another trip to Stone Computer for either a fix or a replacement system in the not-so-distant-future.
It's not clairvoyance...just a keen knowledge over the years of how PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE works, my friends...

Whatever happened to GOOD engineers?

I sure miss the days when you had something SO long, and got rid of it ONLY because it was outdated, and NOT because it failed or was costing you more money than the original price.
*** There is this story in the News-Sentinel about  this "My City Summit" which is supposed to teach how to"connect and thrive".

It all starts with YOURSELF.

Here's the story link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140327/NEWS/140329687/1005/SPORTS
What I find curious, is WHY we even NEED this?
Don't people of this area already KNOW how to connect...or even thrive?
I would think that with ALL the technology available, connecting to anything or with anyone would be one of the EASIEST situations to find oneself .

As to thriving, that also comes down to the individual...usually through persistence, dedication, some hard work now and then, and yes, being educated enough to know HOW to thrive in whatever venue you choose.
But, no...we need a "summit", like some grandiose plan that will ENSURE success, rather than ensure the OPPORTUNITY for such success.
And, rather than be FREE, it costs $55 to attend, but hey, FWPD chief Garry Hamilton will be there.
(finally found something for him to do)
Naturally, hizzoner, King Henry will attend.
In today's world, people connect on levels they never imagined a mere thirty years ago, so why this gig?
City need money THAT bad?
*** And speaking of city money, the city WILL be spending around $20 MIL to fix and improve streets and roads about town, and this is an aside from all the pothole work being done from our harsh winter.
BUT, think on this...

The LEGACY money, which has been  frittered away with abandon on nonsense projects recently will NOT figure into the $20 million being spent on the roads...instead, the city is looking at jacking up the income tax to cover the freight.
The first story on this can be found HERE (6 March):
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140306/LOCAL/140309580/-1/LOCAL11

More taxes - more government.

But recent coverage doesn't MENTION that fact about tax INCREASES...wonder why that is?
The WANE story has nothing as seen here:
http://wane.com/news/big-repairs-coming-to-some-neighborhoods-in-need/
Sure makes you want to ask the question WHY, doesn't it?
*** Last back to the hangar today, as mentioned previously, our culture (as we define it today) is certainly a LOT more complex than in times past.

And, rather than amend what our former culture used to be, we have added on so many other "cultures" along the way.
What we used to mean by AMERICAN culture was the whole "mom, apple pie" kinda thing. We waved the flag proudly for no reason other than what it represented to US...the "we the people" folks, because there used to be a lot more of us.
Today's culture is based more on tangibles than intangibles...the "stuff" we have or can acquire.
And it gets confusing here, because (as I have also stated many times) it's becoming a gray area where NEEDS and WANTS are concerned.
Our definition of "poverty" is a prime example.
Too many people have supplanted WANTS for NEEDS, and that creates a totally new facet to modern culture...
(cue doom music)
...a CONSUMER culture.
And marketing gurus flock to the calling.
From a capitalistic standpoint, that's a good thing, but when the government gets involved with over-regulations and unions seeking to overpay people for the same work, forcing manufacturing OVERSEAS, eventually LOSING more jobs than we can create...but we still have the need to be consumers.

Life is DEFINITELY more than just THIS!

We cannot stop consuming, that much is obvious, but we also need to stop government intervention into our culture for political gain and power.
Sadly we find another problem connected with that; does our government define our culture, or does our culture define our government?
I say, it should be the PEOPLE that define both...if they CHOOSE to.
Like I have said before, this gets complicated very easily...if we're not careful.
But, it's not insurmountable, and that is the glimmer of hope we should hold onto.
Have yourselves a great weekend.
See 'ya on the flip-side.

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

Just When You Thought...

It could not get worse, and then it does, but not in the manner you expected.
Now, don't fret, it was just a small brain fart on MY part, and we'll be taking care of that anon.
Meanwhile, here in the Hoosierland, it's going to be a day with some RAIN in it.
If we do see the sun, it might be just a glance or two, according to the weatherman.
The high today will be around 46 degrees with more rain coming into tonight...that ought to chase the last of the snow away.
(the "high" around my part of the ghettohood will be whenever the mooks wake the hell up)
*** Now, as I so marvelously FORGOT yesterday, here is the WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week, complete with the answer.
"Hatred is something peculiar. You will always find it strongest and most violent where there is the lowest degree of culture."

This was spoken by our old buddy, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (28 August 1749 - 22 March 1832) - the same birthday as my father...we would have gotten along well... and here is his WIKI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Wolfgang_von_Goethe
Now here was a renaissance man; a writer, a scientist, and a politician.
Von Goethe was also noted for his studies in evolution, linguistics, and philosophy.
Much of his poetry was set to music by Mozart and Mahler.
His views count him among some other pretty notable individuals such as Thomas Jefferson and Ludwig Von Beethoven.
It was also said that Nikola Tesla was highly influenced by Von Goethe's FAUST (his favorite poem) and Tesla had memorized the entire text, and it was this that led to the idea of the rotating magnetic field and eventually alternating current.
Heavy stuff, huh?
Meanwhile, back in the laboratory...
*** An invasion/armed robbery nets ONE perp out of two.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/news/crime/gunmen-threaten-to-kill-apartment-occupants/

Two armed men kicked in a door to an apartment in the 1200 block of Swinney Ave around 2130 hrs on 25 March.
When inside, they forced a woman to tie up her 12-year old son, threatened to kill them, and then availed themselves of various items around the place, such as video games, a cell phone, a debit card and a handgun that belonged to the woman's boyfriend..
They attempted to flee in a gray Trailblazer and it as then they were caught when the SUV stopped in an alley nearby.

Jonesin' with the WRONG crowd?

Guess "chunky-boy" couldn't get away FAST enough to elude officers, hmm?
Lewis Jones was the one caught and charged with multiple felonies including criminal recklessness, burglary, robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (seems they ALL suffer from that one), battery, and criminal confinement.
The other perp remains at-large.
*** There was also another robbery in the 4300 block of Avondale Dr. around 0130 hrs on 26 March.
(this story has been played down for some odd reason)

Sure miss having a SCANNER so I would know how CLOSE this sh*t happens to us.
According to WOWO,  in this robbery/home invasion, there were THREE men who kicked in a door, and demanded cash.
One of the men wielded a shotgun.
The three men fled the scene BEFORE police arrived (as they seem to do down here with regularity) with the woman's wallet.
FWPD is still searching for the suspects.
NO descriptions were available, but I'll give you THREE guesses as to ethnicity (and the first two don't count)
*** And yet ANOTHER armed robbery of a residence, this time early in the morning and on Riedmiller Ave.
Here's the story from the WOWO site:

(( FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Fort Wayne police are investigating a Wednesday morning robbery that happened at a home on Riedmiller Avenue.
 According to police, an officer arrived on the scene around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday. 
A woman said that she was robbed by three teenagers. 
She told the officer that at approximately 7:05 a.m., she heard a knock on her door. 
When she asked who it was and a male replied by saying that he missed the school bus and wanted to use her telephone. 
The woman opened the door and gave him her cellphone. 
She then stated that he walked into her living room without permission. 
She told him to stop and that’s when two other teenagers entered her home. 
The woman said one suspect had a gun tucked into his waistband, while he was holding onto with his hand.
 They took her prescription medications, laptop, and television. They then left the scene.  
The victim described the suspect who knocked on her door as black, approximately 17-years-old, with an “afro” hairstyle and a short, thin build. 
She described another suspect as black, around 17-years-old, with a very short, thin build. 
The third suspect is described as black, about 17-years-old, with a dark completion and stocky build.
The officer did find a pill bottle outside of the victim’s home on the ground, which had apparently been dropped. 
The officer collected the bottle and placed it into evidence for fingerprints.))
Seems the crime IS spreading WEST...just as I said it would...and by teens before school.
*** Next up,  I guess I kinda blew everyone away with my opening salvo about CULTURE.

I didn't mean to make it seem that involved, but it really IS. I suppose I was expecting some feedback on it, but I will admit that it does take time to let it all sink in.
Hopefully, you won't find it totally incomprehensible, as I am not trying to make it anything close to that...
I'm of the "K.I.S.S." mentality, and we're not talking Gene Simmons or Ace Frehley here, but rather the OTHER acronym (Keep It Simple, Stupid)...LOL
I do think that what I have to share will make you think , and if THAT happens, I've done my part.
*** Speaking of CULTURE...there was a rather interesting "editorial" in today's J-G, written by noted libtard, Eugene Robinson.

Here's the link to the article at the Washington (Com)Post, because for some "odd" reason, I cannot locate it in the local Journal Gazette, even though I was holding the story IN MY HANDS (wonder why it's NOT on the online version?)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-paul-ryans-culture-attack-is-an-excuse-to-do-nothing-about-poverty/2014/03/24/f650fc0e-b397-11e3-8cb6-284052554d74_story.html
Robinson, obviously has absolutely NO idea on how to address Paul Ryan's assertions (which happen to be CORRECT)...so, like any OTHER leftist, he goes after the individual, rather than the content..
When a libtard CANNOT attack the MESSAGE, they attack the MESSENGER...which shows how weak a hand they're playing with (as usual).

Ryan speaks to the culture of work...and that IS part of who we are...our vocation often defines us in our life pursuits.
Ryan also mentions about a generation of inner city men who actively do NOT want to work, and that again, is spot on.
While it's not representative of any class or ethnicity, the FACTS are just that...FACTS.
There IS an inordinate number of men in the inner city that DO NOT work, nor have any desire to do so...as long as they can crib with babay-mamas and live off her government-sponsorship...OR deal in street pharms to support them both (and whatever children they choose to bring into the world to perpetuate this societal farce).
This "culture of work" as Ryan puts it, is one of those "intangibles" that usually produces the tangibles (like cash and stuff) OF our culture, or ANY culture.

Pretty easy to figure out, but leave it to a progressive to complicate the obvious.
Robinson believes that if Ryan refers to rap and saggy pants, then he needs to look at schools in affluent suburbs instead of the inner city, because kids there are similar in nature (yeah, right...those affluent areas that all the inner city kids were BUSED to, right Eugene?).
How well has that worked out for everyone?
Robinson also states that Ryan CANNOT be referring to the use of illegal drugs, because that crosses ALL borders (literally) and classes of people.
I'm sure that Ryan is not talking about drug USE as much as drug DEALING, which is primarily an inner city issue, fostered mainly by those of ethnicity.

Again, learn to know the FACTS, Eugene, and get your head out of your...."sandbox".
Robinson's tirade against Rep Ryan is so indicative of turning a social issue into a political one. It also is a way of seeing just how LARGE the blinders are that most leftists wear when tackling such problems.
Granted, there IS a severe shortage of MEANINGFUL WORK, but that's not JUST in the inner cities...that's damn near everywhere these days.
But does that become the only reason that inner city men of color do not WANT to seek employment, while turning to more "lucrative" ventures such as the burglaries, robberies, home invasions drug dealing and other sundry crimes?
I tend to believe that even IF you had jobs by the score...good, well-paying jobs in abundance, that many of these people STILL would pursue "the fast buck" in the easiest manner possible. THAT has become a hallmark of a portion of our society today, and poverty is such a small part of all this.

Poverty? Not so much.

Poor people don't have cell phones, big-screen TVs, nice cars, nice clothes and athletic shoes, gold teeth,  assorted bling, and the like.
Or at least they shouldn't, because such things are akin to a fraudulently-acquired lifestyle.
Unfortunately, our government seems to want that for more than a few of the inner city folks.
*** Last back to garage today,  one can easily see how much of an impact on our culture such things have become...and conversely, how much of an impact our "culture" has on everyday life, no matter what part of town you hail from.
We have created this interwoven and complex web one with the other.
If one were to invoke a better analogy, you could say there is a "symbiotic" relationship between what we call culture and the people.
It would appear that one cannot (or will not) exist without the other...and inter-dependency exists between the two.
It's like a heroin addict and the syringe.
We ARE a product of our culture, but you have to remember that WE are responsible for creating that culture.
In that. it should be more like one hand washing the other...more COMPLIMENTARY than anything else.
THAT is how we become better people.
Betterment and refinement through education is how it was explained in yesterday's post.
And that's one damn good start...for ANY of us, no matter WHERE we live.
Therein lies the lesson for today.

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

Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of the week, and it's a COLD morning here in the Hoosierland.
And unless that's volcanic ash coming down, I do believe we're having a slight snow flurry out there.
I heard tell that the next several months will see cooler temperatures than normal (blame global warning), which will undoubtedly impact the farming seasons, as the ground is still quite saturated...when it's not frozen, that is.
The weather today will have us enjoying (?) a high of around 35, which is some ways under the NORMAL high we should be having (50s), sunny skies and some rain in the forecast for the NEXT couple days.
So, let's not sweat the small stuff yet, as we top off that warm, comforting morning beverage, and look to this day.
*** First out of the starting gate is a followup story to a perp that just keeps asking for more jail time...and getting it.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140326/LOCAL03/303269964

Slam that gavel!

Good old Deadrian Boykins, the thug that attacked a guard at the lockup last year was still smirking during a bench troal (no jury required) for his aggravated assault on the confinement officer. Didn't help his case one damn bit, either.
Boykins is already awaiting transfer to the IDC for his 65-year sentence for MURDER, and this is just more icing on his cake.
During the trial, Boykins did say he "felt" the officer was unprofessional and had previously "warned" the officer..

Sir THUGS-A-LOT

An INMATE...warning a GUARD?...you have got to be kidding me. He hasn't the right to do anything but obey the rules and keep his yap shut.
When Boykins is sentenced next month, he's looking at an additional TWENTY YEARS for the attack on the corrections officer.
Sometimes, you DO get a happy ending...just not for the person Boykins originally murdered.
Rot in hell, you bastard (sorry, just thinking out loud).
Moving on...
*** I found this story interesting from a more ironic standpoint than anything else.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140326/LOCAL/303269974

We have a COUNTY flag???

Apparently, the County Allen (of Indiana) might enjoy a good environment, and plenty of access to health and exercise facilities, but when it comes to longevity, we seem to be falling behind, and the usual suspects are the cause.
Bad habits, poor decisions combined with social and economic factors are the culprits.
Of those, I'd place POOR DECISIONS at the top of the list.

That's what it's all about...!

We (here) are ranked 37th healthiest county in the entire state.
But we DID rank 10th in the state for good drinking water...
In lifespan alone, we ranked 34th...must be all the HOMICIDES?
(that only applies to certain parts of the population, though, and the stats are not by race)
So, it seems it's the BEHAVIOR of people in our county that managed to rank us so low.

Sounds like a plan to me.

(wonder if the government sponsorship giveaways are helping fudge those numbers?)
Seventeen percent of Allen County residents are considered heavy drinkers.
(I'm surprised that's not a LOT higher, given all the DUIs, related crimes, and some of the social issues)
Allen County only has 21% of the population smoking.
(seems that's a tad low to me, too)
Allen County does share (with Noble County) the highest number of single-parent households (because we can't call them a family in the traditional sense for some odd reason), while the counties with large AMISH populations have the lowest.
(another revelation there).
When it comes to "poverty", the state average is 22%, and Allen is slightly higher at 23%.

Let's define REAL poverty from perceived, shall we?

We do have a 65% rate of college attendance.
(that doesn't mean they graduated).
The unemployment rate in Allen County is 8.3% (thought it was lower than that?) with the state average at 8.4%.
But the WINNER in Allen County is...(...drum roll, please...)...VIOLENT CRIME!

Ray Charles could see this one coming!

(absolutely NO surprise there, aside from wresting the title from Gary and Indy)
We enjoy (?) a crime rate of 255 per 100,000 people...and that's not a stat to be proud of, that's for sure.
But, with the Rusty and Garry Show, I'm sure that Fort Wayne can drop those numbers to zero in NO time.
(no way...lol)
*** Next up, I want to begin oir tour of this curious aspect of humankind called:
BOBBY G'S CLIFFS NOTES ON CULTURE.

So, let's start with the traditional DEFINITION from Merriam-Webster, which is:
cul·ture - noun (latin - cultura - lit. to cultivate)
The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time
 a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.
 a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in a place or organization (such as a business)
1)  cultivation, tillage
2)  the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education
3)  expert care and training (beauty culture)
4a) enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training
 b) acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills
5a) the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
 b) the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also :  the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time (popular culture - southern culture)
 c) the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization
 d ) the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic - (studying the effect of computers on print culture) - (changing the culture of materialism will take time — Peggy O'Mara)
6)  the act or process of cultivating living material (as bacteria or viruses) in prepared nutrient media; also - a product of such cultivation
((whew!))
And THAT is the EASY part...trust me.

When we talk about culture we usually refer to such things as that of the American Indian and their particular reverence for the land, earth and sky.
Or maybe we talk about Italians or French and their specific cuisine...or the Germans and their classical music
Whatever the case, we believe we already know what are the factors which determine one culture from another, and in most cases, we're pretty good at calling it spot on.
But those are TYPICAL aspects of culture - that which we EXPECT to find in any particular group of people or those of a given country
But, as always, we have to scratch the surface to find out what the ELEMENTS of culture truly are.

The term "culture:" is a modern concept based on a term first used in antiquity by the noted Roman orator, CICERO.
The term was "cultura animi" (cultivation of the soul)
The term later resurfaced in the 17th century, referring to the refinement and betterment of individuals, ESPECIALLY THROUGH EDUCATION.
(talk about another revelation, hmm?)
Later on during the following two centuries, this concept came to frequently include entire PEOPLES, and some scientists, such as Edward Tylor, used the term "culture" to refer to a universal human capacity.
Last century, this came into the science of anthropology (natural progression,no doubt), and encompassed the range of human phenomena that can't be DIRECTLY attributable to genetic inheritance.
(so much for Darwin, I guess). .
In AMERICAN anthropology, the word "culture:" has had TWO meanings:
1) the evolved human capacity to classify and represent experiences with symbols, and to act imaginatively and creatively; and
2) the distinct ways that people, who live differently, classified and represented their experiences, and acted creatively.
(man, that's a frigging mouthful, isn't it?)
And with modern times, distinctions were made between the physical items created by a society (tangibles), called the MATERIAL CULTURE (which can be confused with the material girl), :and everything else (intangibles), sich as language, customs, and so on.
=============
Like I said, we're barely started and this is ONLY referring to the "clinical" DEFINITION of the word.
That's why I'm taking it slow...for ALL of us...lol.
*** Last back to the barn today, I think you will find that although in past times, we had a distinct separation between cultures on a global scale, we're finding more and more melding of both the tangible and intangible facets of culture, and while that can be a good thing to SHARE our uniqueness with others on a planetary level, we must be cautious to not allow ourselves, as Americans, to "get lost in the shuffle"

Every nation comes with it's own set of values, beliefs (religious and secular), principles, laws, and heritage.
To that fact, it could be said that on a much smaller level, EACH of us comes with similar parts to our being.
I mean, we are the only US in existence...every man, woman and child is THAT special, so whatever culture we have garnered in our lives becomes part of who we are, like it or not.
It would seem that being THAT unique would carry a proper amount of responsibility, if we are to make our culture, or any culture survive.
In future posts, we'll be "peeling the onion", and pulling back ALL the layers that comprise what modern culture is...and is not.
I believe that if we're all aware of WHO we are, and become more sure of ourselves by wanting to preserve our culture (intact), we DO become better individuals and thereby become a better people as a whole.

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

Tuesday Tidbits...

And, it's going to be an interesting "Spring" day...
The snowfall originally predicted for yesterday has take it's own sweet time getting to the Hoosierland, so we're getting it TODAY.
We're expecting about 1/2 inch later this morning, with temps never getting past freezing...and breezes gusting to 30 MPH...sound likes MORE than a bloody "breeze" to me...sounds more like WIND (break out the kites). Might even see the sun after this passes.
Call it partly sunny or partly cloudy, depending on how YOU feel about it.
In the meantime, pour another cup of your preferred beverage and let's get this show on the road.
*** First out of the garage today, is the FACT that Hoosier homeowners are "quietly" getting those "smart-meters" (from NIPSCO) for the natural gas lines to their houses.

And this comes from (of all things) a letter to the editor of today's Journal-Gazette.
Here's the link to the letter:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140325/EDIT09/303259997/1021/EDIT
Now, I blogged about this quite some time ago (archive post - 20 May 2010), and most recently, 13 Jan this year.
Pretty sneaky of NIPSCO, isn't it?

The company that MAKES the smart-meters.

Granted the original post dealt with the ELECTRIC grid (initially), but you just had to know this would also apply (eventually) to both natural gas and water utilities. The trickle down effect of "Big Brother"...because the government "cares"...(yeah, right).

The company INSTALLING the meters.

I will be checking into the phone number given (1-855-368-2494), and see about getting on the DENIED ACCESS list (add that to the no-call list that too many telemarketers don't pay attention to) and see about the legitimacy of this crap.
*** Next up, Indiana has become the first state to dump the Common Core curriculum.
Here's the story:

Be afraid...be very afraid.

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140325/LOCAL06/303259973/0/SEARCH
The state board of education will be tasked with drafting new standards that will outline what students should be learning in each grade.
There are some who believe that whatever OTHER standards are set, they will be akin to common core, and will appear to have little difference from what was done before common core, which many say was similar to common core.
Sounds like a damned if you do, damned if you don't potential scenario to me.
*** Wifey came home yesterday and told me something that I could not believe came from the mouth of a teenage student.

A PRE-Spalding model.

He maintained that basketball was invented by "some black guys in the ghetto"...
((...record-scratch...))
With ALL the technology that can provide information at the touch of a button (or screen) and THAT is the best this kid can come up with???
I'd say this boy needs to get his brain wrapped around a sports-history book, or better (and easier) yet, let's see the WIKI, Bob...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_basketball
Well, there 'ya go then...it was invented by a WHITE guy  - Canadian doctor James Naismith, back in 1891 at Springfield University (Mass.)

HE invented the game...period.

Now who could have figured THAT one out.
And, it was originally invented to condition FOOTBALL players during the winter months.
The advent of BLACK basketball didn't start until 1906 on Brooklyn, NY when the Smart Set ATHLETIC CLUB established an all-black team to play other athletic clubs.

The Smart Set Athletic Club players

There was nothing even close to an "NBA" at that time.
-- In 1910, Howard University became the FIRST college to have a varsity black team.
-- The (then all-white) National Basketball League began to integrate in 1942, with 10 black players added to rosters.
-- By 1951, the NBA had been established and was integrated.
-- Chuck Cooper - first black player drafted into the NBA.
-- Nat Clifton - first black NBA Player to sign a contract.
The rest, as they say...is history.

I don't even LIKE basketball, and I can find all this sh*t out in a heartbeat...
No excuse for being dumb these days...absolutely none-at-all.
To this misinformed student...get your primate nose into some REAL HISTORY, and use that smartphone for something PRODUCTIVE for a change.
Wise up, kid..
*** Next,  George Will was talking with Bill O'Reilly last night, and they got into this whole missing airliner media buzz, and how it's been on front pages and at the top of every news program for the past two weeks.

The word sensationalism came up a few times, and I have to say I agree with them. This HAS been the "top story" for way too long, and that's not to minimize or marginalize the families that have suffered with the loss of loved ones on that flight.
But, as George Will stated, it has become part of our "CULTURE"...there's that dreaded "C" word again.
I admit we seem to live from one bombastic event to another...and like I have said here many times...it's all about being "entertained".

It's the whole "Bread and Circuses" thing.
We've grown too accustomed to that, and shrugged off more responsible pursuits.
*** The UK  show TOP GEAR had a marvelous two-part show as the boys trekked off to Myanmar (Burma) to travel over 1200 miles to the river Kwai and build a bridge over it.

That's NOT the Kwai river.

It was some of the most beautifully scenic, AND hilariously funny 3 hours I've spent in front of the TV for some time.
That land is a real study in contrasts, especially when it comes to the SHAN province, where civil war has been the "deal of the day" for the past SIXTY YEARS. Fortunately the film crew did not encounter any of that.

They looked a LOT worse later on.

The trucks the boys got for the journey were utter rubbish, too, and as time and miles rolled by, it became all too evident.
It was remarkable to see the capital city of Burma with paved roads 18 lanes wide...and NO traffic on them, as if they were built for the future...that never did show up to this day. In some ways, it did mirror roads in SPAIN (and we know how bad THEIR economy is).
You got to see the side of a country the travel brochures never tell you about.
*** Lastly today, have you been mulling over the question I posed yesterday about CULTURE?
Well, we all should be, because it's in our face every day.
When we talk about culture, we're typically talking about a certain set of say, values, foods, music, heritage...all of that, right?

But, what should be properly defined AS culture has become so much more than the simplistic aspects I just mentioned.
And all of that becomes an aside to what is being defined as SUB-cultures, for there are a plethora of them as well now.
What we need to do, is to sift through ALL the chaff to find the wheat, as it were, and we shall be doing that in upcoming posts (where time and space permits). To do a strict multi-part series would be a huge undertaking, and at MY age, I shy away from things than mention "undertaking"...LOL
(ain't ready for that pine box yet, he said confidently)
So stick around, become enlightened, and maybe we can unravel this Gordian Knot regarding culture.

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