Tuesday Tidbits...

Global warming...whatta joke!

And, the "big freeze" continues here in the Heartland of America.
As a result, all the area schools are on a 2-hour delay (good idea).
That damn wind-chill is going to hang around the BELOW - ZERO range for the most part, so take care out there and dress accordingly. Don't forget to drive safely as well.
Seen too many who are tooling around like it's summer outside, and that can't be good for anyone.
Don't expect much of a warm-up today, either, as the high will only be slowly reaching around 18 degrees.
But, we will have mostly sunny skies, so it's not a total loss, right?

So, what say we all get our piping hot morning beverage of choice, as we see what the frigid weather has in store for us elsewhere...
*** First off of the bobsled run is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 19 -
---Today is NATIONAL POPCORN DAY

(got that one covered, especially for this evening...you'll understand)
And that's all we got, folks.
*** Next up, it's time to bring to you ALL the police calls the media doesn't mention because they want you to "think" that crime is going down.

SHOTS FIRED / ARMED ROBBERY CALLS - 1/11- 1/10
===============================================
JAN 11 -
16F004761 19:37:19 113 SHOTS FIRED 4600 AVONDALE DR
16F004750 19:07:14 58 SHOOTING 3300 ALEXANDER ST
((NO armed robberies))
JAN 12 -
16F004864 01:42:44 113 SHOTS FIRED 1100 STATE BLVD E & CRESCENT AVE
16F005190 18:54:07 53 ARMED ROB 3400 TIMBERHILL DR
JAN 13 - 
((NO shots fired))
16F005625 21:02:06 53 ARMED ROB 600 COLISEUM BLVD E
JAN 14 -
16F006012 19:02:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 SECOND ST
16F006044 20:21:10 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 ALEXANDER ST & ECKART ST
16F006050 20:29:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 7700 WORTH DR
16F006071 21:36:05 53 ARMED ROB 200 PETTIT AVE E
JAN 15 -
16F006547 22:12:08 113 SHOTS FIRED 5600 ROBIN RUN
16F006563 22:59:39 113 SHOTS FIRED 800 POPLAR ST
16F006501 20:17:17 53 ARMED ROB 1200 APPLE GLEN BLVD
Jan 16 -
16F006677 02:43:24 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 DUNBAR LN
16F006688 03:18:14 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 THREE RIVERS N
16F006690 03:32:38 113 SHOTS FIRED 3700 GRAYSTON AVE
16F006701 04:11:22 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 THIRD ST
16F006786 10:48:22 113 SHOTS FIRED 300 WILLIAMS ST W
16F006990 19:29:06 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 NORTHHIGHLANDS BLVD
16F007082 23:12:32 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 EASTBROOK DR
16F006750 09:12:33 53 ARMED ROB 2000 HARRISON ST S
16F006782 10:33:36 53 ARMED ROB 1600 OLLADALE DR
JAN 17 -
16F007119 00:26:29 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 LIMA RD
16F007134 01:08:56 113 SHOTS FIRED 2400 NEW HAVEN AVE
16F007433 20:37:57 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 ELIZA ST
16F007442 21:03:56 113 SHOTS FIRED 3800 OXFORD ST
16F007486 23:31:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 GAYWOOD DR
16F007155 02:09:07 53 ARMED ROB 200 RUDISILL BLVD E
================================
FIREWORKS CALLS - 1/11 - 1/17
============================
((NONE - for a change))
See how many calls always go out on the WEEKEND?
I have noticed a LOT of thefts all over, and we still have our share of burglaries too (certain people love free stuff from others). Also, we had at least ONE rape per day over the past week.
(Guess the lazy-ass locals have to "keep warm" somehow...at the expense to women around the city. Friggin' Perverts!)
*** Next, we've lost another rock star. Glenn Frey, co-founder of the Eagles, and who also had a decent solo career has passed away at the age of 67 .

Here's the story link:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35349025
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Frey
I know all of you out there are quite familiar with a lot of the songs he sang while both with the Eagles as well as during his solo stint after the Eagles broke up in 1980.

He also was an actor, appearing in Miami Vice, Wiseguy, and co-starred in the movie "Let's Get Harry" (1986), as well as appearing as the coach in "Jerry McGuire".
Chris Martin said it was going to be one of "those" years where we lose our fair share of music personalities. I agreed with him, and it looks as though we're off to some kinda start, aren't we?
*** Next up,  there will be popcorn tonight around our "Fortress", because we have some quality TV on. There is one, small glitch it that, however.
One show I want to watch is on the same time as another show.

Okay, here's the lineup:
At 8PM, we have a new episode of THE FLASH on the CW...all well and good.
EXCEPT that at the same time, over on ABC, we have a one-shot "special" titled CAPTAIN AMERICA: 75 HEROIC YEARS.

It's the the history of the star-spangled hero, and since this is a special event, I will grudgingly have to forego the Flash for the time being, but I can watch the episode on the website.
Now, after "Cap", we have the season premiere of Marvel's Agent Carter, starring Hayley Atwll.
This time, she's on the west coast hunting down the bad guys.

It's either FEAST or FAMINE when it comes to television viewing these days. And with all the channels we have today, it's sure not going to get any easier.
I can see a day where, like in many movies, we sit in front of a WALL of various screens, all with something different on them, quietly assimilating as much as we can as fast as we can...as out brains turn to pablum.
*** Next, not much happening on the "critter-front" around here, except for the daily "Hitchcock" effect thanks to all the birds that come by.

HALF of them JUST flew away, too!

The squirrels aren't coming around as often...wonder why that is?
I sure miss Mr Wrinkles and Clover (the rabbit). You'd think the squirrels that do stop by would remember where all the free grub came from, and avail themselves.

At least we get a visit from the "vatican"...heh.

Guess not. I know that no one else feeds them. That's a given.
The current generation of squirrels is very skittish. Hope to hell they grow out of that.
Hard to "make friends" when they won't come close enough to get fed by hand, like SOME squirrels used to do.
*** Next up, it's nice to have a respite from all the damn crimes going on. I suppose that means that even the morons committing them find something ELSE to do once in a great while.
So, let's take a look at some other stuff, such as THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/features/WOWO-s-rich-90-year-history-10902195

This is a good story about WOWO, and although I enjoy the station very much, their latest "change" to 105.7 FM doesn't sit well with me, because (it didn't need changing) the signal is weaker than when it was on 92.3 FM. The 1190 AM frequency isn't much better, with a distinctive AM "buzz" on the channel...but, you learn to deal with that.
I find the HISTORY of the station much better, and the personalities they've had on-air are pretty noteworthy. And to think it all began back in 1925.
Pretty good legacy.
*** Next, is anyone else AS bored with ALL these presidential debates on TV?

And, are you JUST as bored with all the "in-fighting" going on with the candidates on BOTH sides of the political fence?
I know I am, and it makes me wonder if this is not done "by design", to get those of us who DO practice critical thinking to beg off, so all those "low-information" people can get their fill of bread and circuses?
And why they even bother to call these staged conflagrations a "debate" eludes me.
I remember debates in high school...nothing like this at all.
It was all about ISSUES - pro and con. Nothing was about castigating the PEOPLE taking part.
But, we ARE an entertainment-driven society, and the masses HAVE to be appeased withe a virtual "blood-fest", do they not?

Where's the WWE or UFC?

Talk about what is AILING this country, be unafraid to follow our founding documents, and tell us HOW you plan to solve America's problems. Don't nitpick every damn trivial thing about this person, or that person, or the other one...that is NOT a debate; it's glorified and well-tailored 3rd-grade name calling contest...only without any of the physical contact, or teacher intervention.
*** Last back to the ice rink...it's little wonder that the number of people who TRUST the government (at every level) is shrinking, while the number of people who think that government can't seem to find their collective asses with both hands seems to be on the RISE, isn't it?

And while we have to endure another election cycle, we ALSO have to endure the run-up to this "event".
Whatever happened to the REAL candidates and how they used to campaign for our votes, instead of taking to social media to snipe at one another?
Hell, the whole DEBATE gig was nothing THAT new, and here's the proof:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_debates

Lincoln - Douglas...ring a bell somewhere?
THOSE were face-to-face DEBATES. Mano y mano.
And those took a couple HOURS, with no "commercial breaks"...lol.
In 1940, Wendell Wilkie challenged FDR to a debate, but Roosevelt declined.
Now, what we ALL have to remember is one important thing:
What do WE, the People value more - education OR entertainment?

Uhoh, this can;t be good.

Is it better to be happy and stupid, or informed and aware?
Entertainment can be had damn near anywhere at any time, and for any reason, but education requires (actually demands) more from US, and becoming acclimated to being more learned than we used to be is always more desirable than being "amused" at the expense of that educational opportunity.
I think it's time to reacquaint ourselves with knowledge and perhaps especially now in the world we find ourselves, before it's too late. After all, we can always find some fun to have later, right?
Something to think about.

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