Thoughts For Thursday...

It's looks as though we've manged to secure a few days of very nice weather here in the Heartland.
I don't see any rain in the forecast for at least the next 4-5 days.
And I also think we may be over all those freezing temps we get overnight. Could Spring finally be here?
Our Hoosierland weather for today will have us with sunny skies, a mild breeze, and highs approaching the 60-degree mark. Took long enough, didn't it?
Let's enjoy what we can while we can.
And, while we let that happen, it's time to get that morning drink poured as we see what's been going on elsewhere.
*** First out of the garden store is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Our principles are the springs of our actions. Our actions, the springs of our happiness or misery. Too much care, therefore, cannot be taken in forming our principles." 

This was spoken by none other than that icon of comedy, RED SKELTON (July 16, 1913 - September 17, 1997) who was an American  entertainer with "local" ties. He was from Vincennes, Indiana.
Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Skelton
And here is the "official" page:
http://www.redskelton.com/

Some GREAT characters.

Now, I grew up watching him on TV, and he was one of the funniest people on during that era.
Skelton was not only a performer, even though he started out in a traveling medicine show and spent time on a showboat (The Cotton Blossom), as well as the burlesque circuit, before he made his debut in radio and them television.
He was also an artist, and his collection of clowns, (although mostly done as a hobby) were put on display at the Sands hotel in Vegas when he was performing there in 1964.
Sale of the originals was successful, and he eventually made about $2.5 million a year selling prints and lithographs of his work, which was reputed to be more than his television work.
The WIKI is a lengthy read, but it's well worth it, if you wish to bone up on one of the pioneers of television comedy.
From someone who had to go to work at the age of seven, and who rose to worldwide prominence, it's a  very good story of (basically) rags to riches.
And yes, he even made it to the silver screen with such films as Bathing Beauty (w/ Esther Williams), and the "Whistling" series (3 films total) where he plays a fictional radio detective who gets caught up in crime and intrigue OFF the air.

Not to mention, that the Red Skelton Museum (in Vincennes) was one place where Wifey visited when she was down there the other week. (and she didn't guess the quote...lol)
And you simply HAVE to hear, read, or watch his Pledge Of Allegiance.
Here's a link to the video:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/redskeltonpledgeofallegiance.htm
I will never forget his trademark sign off which was:
"Good night, and may God bless".
Wonder how well THAT would go over in times such as OURS, and on a national network channel as well? I'd wager the ACLU would something to say about that (sadly).
Different times we live in, that's for sure.
*** Next, we bring you our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
April 14 -
---Today is NATIONAL DOLPHIN DAY

(good luck finding one in Indiana)
---It's also NATIONAL EX-SPOUSE DAY

(There are times I remember her, even after she passed away)
---It's also NATIONAL PAN AMERICAN DAY

(Kinda sounds like another oxymoron of sorts)
---And, it's NATIONAL PECAN DAY

(Eat 'em if 'ya got 'em)
And lastly, it's NATIONAL REACH AS HIGH AS YOU CAN DAY

(S'cuse me while I kiss the sky)
*** Next up, there seems to be a rather high number of vehicle break-ins of late in the Summit City, Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2016/04/13/fwpd-investigate-196-reports-of-car-break-ins-over-the-last-month/

Much of the blame for this can be placed on the VICTIMS of these crimes, says the story..
People (in their distracted stupor) tend to leave things IN their vehicles, and in plain sight, and there's nothing the perps love more than an "invitation" to take what doesn't belong to them. That's the way they shake.
Naturally, the MAJORITY of such thefts have taken place on the SOUTH side of town (more convenient than driving up north for the criminals)
There's been 196 reports (so far this year), and we're only into April.
I notice a LOT of theft reports and vandalism on the blotter, too many, in fact.
People need to remember that they ARE being watched. Your car or house/apartment IS being "noticed" by someone looking for the opportunity to relieve you of what is yours, and you need to be on constant guard these days.

Nothing in there worth DYING for, asshole.

And while car (and house) alarms serve a purpose, the sheer boldness of these criminals trumps such devices.
A word to the wise, right?
*** Next up, it looks like our own 122nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana ANG is on a shorter list to get the F-35 as an eventual replacement for the tried and true A-10 Warthogs.
Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/122nd-on-list-as-potential-home-of-new-F-35-fighter-12535013

Now, if you recall, I mentioned that HERE a while back (6 Feb 2012,  25 Feb 2014), and I think it would be a good fit for the 122nd Blacksnakes. Let's just hope the funding FOR the JSFs doesn't crap out, and that any and all issues with this fighter are ironed out well enough to have a viable fleet based in Ft. Wayne.
*** Next, What is being done with the old FWPD building along Creighton, down in the ghettohood? Well, it's been sitting there, being vandalized, and relatively ignored (like the city tends to do with OUR part of town). But this story might shed a little light in this darkness:
http://wane.com/2016/04/13/activists-want-to-save-old-police-headquarters-city-on-track-to-demolish-building/

Either apartments or "green space".

Yep, some activists want to SAVE the building from the wrecking ball and turn it into housing.
(that beats new housing elsewhere in better areas where crime can get a foothold THERE).
The city (meanwhile) is on track to raze the place.
It would take about $7 MIL to turn the place into apartments (the EPA might want to oversee the removal of asbestos), so the cost will be higher than usual. Not to mention, it's RIGHT near Eden Green Apartments (excuse me, I mean the "Villages at Hanna"), and that's STILL a hotbed of criminal activity. Is this potentially tossing (more) good money after bad?
While those who want the building saved do make a GOOD case, much of what they say will most likely fall on DEAF ears when it comes to City Hall. Those downtown seem to EXCEL at that. They're too busy with THEIR projects.
*** Next up,  you just KNOW when it's Springtime in Fort Wayne, because you start to see more stories like THIS one:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Pizza-Hut-driver-reports-robbery-to-Fort-Wayne-Police

Now, this didn't take place on the SE side (where you'd expect such things to happen, and they usually do).
This happened in the 5400 block of River Run Trail (that's more NE) around 2324 hrs this past Tuesday.
Amazing that  hardly ANY news sources reported this.
A deliveryman was confronted by first one man, and then another (holding a handgun).
He was robbed of cash from his wallet, as well as the 2 large pizzas and 2-liter bottle of soda (because robbery IS thirsty work and gives perps an appetite).
The deliveryman returned to his store unharmed (bet'cha he was shaken up psychologically).
That's a shame, because that's NOT a bad area, but with more of this crap going down, it WILL get a reputation (and probably fewer deliveries).
*** Last back to the flower shop...this area is a marvelous study in contrasts.

"Can't you see this is the land of confusion..."

For example, you have some people who want to renovate a building that should be torn down. Then you have others who want new housing in places it doesn't need to be placed (over-congestion).

You have prime retail areas that cost a LOT to place a business on, while other areas can't be made ripe for retail if the land is GIVEN away.
You have police high numbers of traffic stops in SOME part of the city, while they still cannot quiet the din of loud car stereos in another.
You have parts of town where litter is practically non-existent, while in other areas, gutters are clogged with every type of litter imaginable.
You have people in many areas who actually KNOW what a sidewalk is used for, while in other areas, walking up or down the middle of any traffic-laden street is the preferred place to walk, or push a stroller.

Outta the damn street, you idiots!

So, what makes these parts of the city SO different?
Well, the short answer (as usual) is: THE PEOPLE.
In the good areas, the people know how to act NORMAL, do do stupid stuff, and basically know how to hold THEMSELVES to a certain "standard".

In the other areas...NONE of that applies, and is given a "free pass".
Many will call this cultural diversity...I call it bullshit.
You can judge who is correct here, but I think you already know as much.
People always cry out for EQUALITY, and yet, act in a manner that is contrary to such tenets of society.
How can they ever get what they feel they want (or need) at that rate?
I think it's time to (once and for all) say to hell with all this PC conventionality, and start holding EVERYONE to the same standard, and that should not even approach anything close to the mediocrity we're currently hip-deep in.
We need to ALL be doing better and expect better of ourselves AND those around us.
Then, we can enjoy that equality so many out there are desperately wanting.
It will manifest itself as it should, and the level of contrasts will dissipate (also, as it should)

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