07 October 2015

Humpday Happenings...
Welcome to the middle of the week, and another one of these "ditto days"...pretty much a repeat forecast of the last two days. but we are seeing some local school delays due to fog.
 I'm not seeing it where we live, but Wifey told me that farther north did have some fog (yesterday).
There is a dense fog advisory until 1000 hrs today, but it doesn't seem to be affecting FWCS.
Our Hoosierland weather will have us enjoying partly to mostly cloudy skies with the sun stopping by to burn off any leftover haze or fog, the temps will again reach into the low 70s, and toss in some breezes in the 5 MPH range.
Still, if this is a rut, it's a NICE rut to find ourselves in, weather-wise. So you go and get your morning drink, I''ll get mine, and together we'll see what's been going on elsewhere.
*** First out of the oven is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"Truth is not only violated by falsehood, it may be equally outraged by silence."
Since we're always striving to uncover the truth of things, how apropos is this quote?
And WHO said that anyway?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Academy of Geneva...
*** Next up is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
October 7 -
---Today is NATIONAL FRAPPE DAY
Now, if you want to know WTH this is, here's a little coffee-related knowledge to sip:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frapp%C3%A9_coffee
Basically, it's an ICED coffee drink, so no big surprises here...just big PRICES at the places that sell this stuff.
*** Next up, since no one seemed to shoot or stab anyone to death in Fort Wayne yesterday, let's see what crime has been like in Chicago.
Seized ILLEGAL firearms.
Here's a story in today's paper that seems to do more damage control than anything else, BUT does shed some light on WHY they have the gun problems they do.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/politics/Chicago-example-of-failed-laws-9215619
Okay, so once again, we see that the headline does not portray AS accurate a picture of the story ITSELF as it should.
It's "said" that Chicago suffers from failed LAWS.
In reality, they have pretty STRICT laws regarding guns, even AFTER the Supreme Court decision to NOT ban handguns in the city.
That hasn't made getting guns easier there...no shops have opened within the city of Chicago.
You want a (legal) gun...you gotta go OUTSIDE the damn city. Illegal guns are a different matter.
So, if the LAWS aren't flawed, what IS?
It's basically the SENTENCING of people convicted of crimes with guns...the JUDICIAL system dropped the ball here.
This is a pattern repeated in MANY major cities across America.
A large number of guns make it to Chicago from INDIANA (as well as other neighboring states).
Now, I don't blame Indiana for this...but I do blame those who are probably straw-purchasing or any person taking part in securing guns for criminal activity in another state.
While some would argue that "more guns are causing more crime", let's remember that the "more" refers to guns in the WRONG peoples hands...like gang members, so yes, more guns for them DOES mean more crime.
That's a no-brainer.
Plus, there is democrat rule in Chicago, and most EVERY city where a similar political aspect is displayed, there are HIGHER crime rates, especially in minority communities...just go down the list and add up the bodies.
And when you also factor in this "trend" to disrespect law-enforcement, single THEM out and, in some cases, TARGET them as part of a larger agenda to nationalize the police force (as Obummer would like to see), it all shows it's part of their "big picture"..
We only have laws for the LAW-LESS, and all too often, the bad guys just thumb their noses at the law,
No better case can be made than that for the ability of the criminal element to procure firearms.
Change the sentences to reflect a sincere desire to REMOVE such criminals from our streets.
Don't make it hard for law-abiding people to have firearms...just make it more difficult for the bad guys to have them and provide harsher consequences..
*** Next up, I said that technology has it's problems, and once again, I've been proven correct.
This is related to all the new-fangled "stuff" we have in our vehicles today.
Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/New-safety-features-create-confusion-9214848
That's INFOTAINMENT, folks!
Yep, all those wonderful "safety" features in automobiles are getting a bit on the CONFUSING side...
Who'da thunk THAT?
How in God's name did we survive those days when all we had to do was get behind the wheel, turn the key, put the vehicle in DRIVE, step on the gas, and motor off into the sunset...SANS seatbelts?
Somehow, I don't believe that "safety" was as big a deal as it's being made out to be today.
We knew how to SAFELY drive about, because we passed a driver's TEST.
The only difference was that we didn't have the car trying to drive US!
Where once we had a 50-page owner's manual that came with every new car (and we ALL read them, right?), we now have close to over 500 pages (like a damn Manhattan phone book) of what we need to know about these new vehicles.
Cripes, they don't PRINT them, either.
And these manuals just HAVE to be intimidating to anyone but the most avid car-geek.
I suppose the NEXT thing will be CLASSES (as mentioned in the story) you HAVE to take BEFORE you can own a damn vehicle.
Wonder how that will pan out at all those rent-a-car places when you NEED a vehicle ASAP?
The HUMAN component will always be the one thing that car-makers cannot circumvent, no matter how much they try.
And, it's that same part of driving that invariably causes trouble on our streets, roads, and highways.
We can thank distractions behind the wheel for that...and Lord knows we have MORE of them today than in decades past, don't we?
*** Last back to the major appliance store...when are we going to learn that making things EASIER for people is not nearly as good as making things BETTER for people?
Slowly, but surely, we have seen an invasion, and incursion into SO many facets of our lives by technology, and when we weigh BETTER versus EASY, it's the "easy" that's winning out.
I'm not all that comfortable with that.
I wish I could be, because the picture of the future that was once painted for us looked SO much better.
I miss the days when we did more for ourselves, and didn't bat an eye in the process.
The days when WE called the shots in our lives was much more preferred than what we have nowadays.
There are some that believe that to make our lives EASIER allows us to have MORE free time...to do WHAT, exactly?
Too many people have TOO MUCH free time, and their brains are stuck in "idle".
And "an idle mind is the devil's playground", isn't it?
WE used to make our OWN "free time", after we finished whatever it was that were were engaged in, so why change that?
WE made our lives better, through OUR perseverance, OUR persistence, and OUR work.
And you know what? WE appreciated it a helluva lot MORE than we do today.
People these days EXPECT to have the world on a string, and a lot of the technology allows that.
Is that making all of us BETTER people?
I hardly think so.
It IS making us an "easy" people (and not easy like Sunday morning)...easier to be manipulated, cajoled, and led about by those motivated by SELF-interest alone.
Better people are stronger, self-motivated and more appreciative of what they have as well as what they can accomplish by the opportunities that  present themselves.
THAT is what made this country great, and that's the TRUTH.
Count me in on THAT side of humanity.
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

4 comments:

Momma Fargo said...

Most awesome post! It does not feel like hump day today. Your gun control issues go along with some of my posts today. Love your points. Have a great day, Bob!

Bob G. said...

Momma Fargo:
I was shooting for a "pleasantly average" post today, but I am SO glad I exceeded your expectations.
We aim to please (and hit the ten-ring).

It doesn't feel like a Wednesday...wonder why?

Rest assured,I will be stopping by to read your posts straight away, Kiddo.

Thanks so much for rolling up today to comment.

Stay safe down there, dear.

CWMartin said...

Didn't feel much like humpday, either!

Chicago has been lawless for a long time. Any perusal of the city's political history tells you that. Why should we be surprised when her "children" have no more respect for the rule of law than their "mother"? Leadership comes from the top, and Chicago is a good example of that, if nothing else.

Bob G. said...

Chris:
My god, that city's had trouble for a CENTURY!
Yes, that is SO true about leadership.
And the results of the opposite seem easier to spot with the passage of time.

Thanks for taking time to stop by today and comment.

Stay safe up there, brother.