Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of the week once again (does this week seem to be passing faster than last week?) and it's a lot more comfortable outside this morning in the Heartland.
Our Hoosierland weather for today finds us with partly cloudy skies, some light breezes, and more seasonal morning temps which will eventually top out around the 70-degree mark by late afternoon.
Not a bad day for the middle of the week.
So what say we all get a nice refreshing drink poured as we take a peek at what's been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the rabbit hole is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"All mankind...being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty, or possessions."
Oh, if ONLY this were a lot more true in ACTION than in mere concept, right?
We would enjoy a LOT fewer problems associated with people in today's world, would we not?
So, WHO said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Westminster School of London...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
April 20 -
---Today is NATIONAL CHEDDAR FRIES DAY

(I like both, but I never mix the two. I'm so damn traditional)
---It's also NATIONAL LIMA BEAN RESPECT DAY

(show respect for a lima bean, when we have a respect problem with the human race?)
---And, it's NATIONAL LOOK ALIKE DAY

(Didn't think anyone would want to look like me, especially on a Monday morning...lol)
---It's also NATIONAL PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE DAY

(um, do they ever make it RIGHT SIDE UP? Just wondering)
*** Next up, I watched the premiere of a six-part series on AMC called THE NIGHT MANAGER,  which stars Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. I like to call this series "Loki's House"...LOL.

A very intriguing show, and some very good acting. The opener told just enough to have you guessing about the background of Hiddleston's character (Jonathan Pine). I think I'm hooked into watching the rest of the mini-series.
*** Next, we have this little "get together" than only tells us what most of us already know. Here's the link to the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Panel-on-police--race-exposes-tough-truths-12651889#

And what REALLY gets accomplished?

When you read the story, you'll see a very clear excuse as to why the black community and the police never seem to get on "common ground" when it comes to one faction assisting the other.
Notice I did not say a "reason", because any reasoning as to WHY blacks don't wish to always cooperate with law-enforcement is just not there.
And that's why I want you to also read THIS story from the other newspaper:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Panel-discusses-chasm-between-blacks--law-enforcement
Both stories talk about a "code of silence" that some officers take advantage of, but flip that coin over and look at the other side - the black community.

Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words.

That very same "code of silence" with THEM allows perps to get away, and creates that divide we see between the police and many of these people.
They ONLY want the police when something happens to THEM (or what passes for their families), and yet, in the same breath, will not seek to help police find the ones responsible for whatever crime took place.
That makes no sense to regular people, but it's fact in such communities, otherwise a lot more criminals would be caught and crime WOULD actually start going DOWN, right?
I read stuff like this and can only say "typical".
Doesn't look like this issue will have an easy fix attached to it, does it?
*** Next, crime just doesn't exist in the black community, nor does it rear it's head on the SE side, as evidenced by THIS story. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Man-arrested-in-alleged-Walgreens-pharmacy-robbery

Okay, so we have a homeless (white) man, who is "living" (read existing) over in the Waynedale area, and because he has access to a pencil and paper, thought it would be okay to attempt to rob the Walgreens along Bluffton Rd.
That didn't work out exactly as planned, although the perp did make off with 71 methadone pills..
And, at least he fessed up to the robbery when police found him nearby, and didn't attempt to run. He just wanted a bottle of methadone (like it's a fifth of Jack Daniels) for a broken shoulder he suffered last September. He said he was on pain management since then.
I'd have to wonder about the "management" part of that, as well as to who treated his condition.
Scott K. Jordan, 44 is the person in question here, and a lot of his story is hard to swallow (unlike the 10 pills he swallowed in the store before he walked out). Medics were called to treat a potential OD.
Police noted that 29 pills were missing from the bottle Scott took from Walgreens.
That's a serious addiction problem, but as long as you have a note and keep your hand in your pocket, you'll probably get what you want in this city. Pretty sad deal all around.
*** Next, Kevin Leininger has a good piece about Fort Wayne being a nice place to save money.
Here's the link to his column:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Is-it-really-good-to-be-known-as-one-of-America-s--cheapest--cities-

So we're a "cheap" city...let's amend that and say we're more "cost-effective" to people living here.
Amazing that at the other end of that spectrum, it's the Socialist Republik of Kalifornia that has the MOST least-desirable places to live...imagine that.
Still, we're not that bad off, as long as the tentacles of the dumbocratic party don't reach TOO deeply into the working of this city. Besides, it's only CERTAIN parts of Fort Wayne that are problematic at all (but those problems ARE spreading, as are the people causing them).
Kevin mentions that local officials are determined to change the very things that make this city so desirable (to live)  in the first place. Well, them's liberals for 'ya.

But think on this...when the "Occupy" movement (back in 2005) can be allowed to remain downtown and trash that area up, or when a homeless man can actively SUE the city for "rights violations" (you don't have the right to be stupid, without any means of support, and live under a damn bridge, BUT can still get lawyered-up), you have to wonder if the direction the city is headed in could be a wrong one.
*** Last back to the tea party...today's post spoke to many things, but there was a commonality among the stories that I would not otherwise notice.
It actually came to me as I was finishing up that last bit about the city itself.

There is a problem with PRIORITIES in this town (and it's people). Think about that.
Every story I mentioned here (except the AMC show tidbit) demonstrates (to me) what people prefer to put ahead of other things in life. Thing is, there are inherent risks and consequences for pursuing such a course.
Now, this isn't to say that everyone CAN get their own priorities set in stone and in proper order. Life has a way of providing some "detours" along the way, and therefore, WE have to adapt to the situation.
It's like being in combat - everything is in a state of flux - of constant change, and you either roll with that, or get pegged by the bad guys.

Many times, it requires (more like demands) almost constant movement, because it's hard to hit a moving target, and when you're stationary (in combat OR in life) you are just that - a TARGET for whatever is headed your way.
People just simply need to start making better choices, there's NO other way to put it.
With better choices come a better sense of HOW to prioritize a lot more going on in their lives. And that itself is a damn good start.
It's not impossible, but it does (and will) require some effort to get that done.
May we all be up to that task.

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