Thoughts For Thursday...

Now this seems a bit more winter-like outside this morning.
(nice and cold)
A good day to be hauled out of bed, placed under a ton of klieg lights to have curious onlookers wonder if you will see your shadow...or not.
Yes, it's THAT time of year once again.
Meanwhile, our Hoosierland weather will have us seeing partly cloudy skies (a chance of some SUN?  Be still my beating heart) With temperatures only rising to the mid-20s.
So, let's get ourselves a nice hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa as we take a look at what has been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the sack is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us."
This was spoken by none other than Olympian Wilma Rudolph (June 23, 1940 – November 12, 1994). Here is her WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilma_Rudolph

((An American track and field sprinter who competed in the 100 and 200 meters dash. Rudolph was acclaimed the fastest woman in the world in the 1960s and competed in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games.
Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games.
Along with other 1960 Olympic athletes such as Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), Oscar Robertson, and Rafer Johnson, Rudolph became an international star due to the first world-wide television coverage of the Olympics that year.))
Not bad for a girl from Tennessee who was born prematurely.
Having also contracted infantile paralysis (from the polio virus) at the age of 4, she wore a leg brace until she was 9 years old. She also survived bouts of polio and scarlet fever by the age of 12.
By the time she was in 10th grade, she was playing basketball for her high school, and it was there she was noticed by the Tennessee State track coach, who urged her to try out for the summer program for the "Tigerbelles" (track team).
By 16, she had competed in the Melbourne Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the 4x100 relay.
The rest of the story describes her advance to the 1960 Olympic games and how she overcame all the physical challenges in childhood to win 3 GOLD medals in Rome.
It's a really interesting story, and shows how she became not only a symbol of American athleticism but also a symbol for civil rights. There was a TV-movie made in 1977, which they never seem to show these days.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 2 -
---Today is National Heavenly Hash Day

(funny thing - no one knows PRECISELY what's in it)
---And, it's National Groundhog Day

(the only day he doesn't get to "sleep in")
*** Next up, we got some STUPID to get out of the way, so let's do this...
There was a shooting on the near NW side of town last night. Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/02/01/two-victims-shot-injured-in-shooting/

This took place at the intersection of Burgess and Sherman Blvd around 1800 hrs when police were called to scene and found two men suffering gunshot wounds. Think drug deal and robbery.
(( Witnesses told investigators the incident may have occurred at or near a home in the 1400 block of 4th Street.))
At least someone saw something for a change.
(unlike the SE side, where "nobody nevah see nuffin")
A person was trying to drive the victims to hospital, but pulled over to call police.
One person is in critical condition, the other in serious.
The IDs of the victims has been released
*** Next, a little more stupid to deal with regarding that Trump effigy. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Councilman--Trump-effigy-hanging-in-Oakdale--vile--17591156

So, councilman Geoff Paddock is weighing in on this. Wonder if it's because it's in HIS district?
((Fort Wayne City Councilman Geoff Paddock said Wednesday he’s reluctant to knock on the door, but he’s not quiet about how he feels about the effigy of President Donald Trump swinging from one of the large trees in front of the home, a red Soviet flag with a hammer and sickle pinned to the human-sized form.
“It’s reprehensible,” said Paddock, D-5th, who adds that it’s an affront “to the beautiful and historic Oakdale Neighborhood” that he represents.))
Well, there 'ya go then...it IS in his district. Got a NIMBY there.
First time I saw a democrat act in a manner that was contrary to such free speech and expression.
I thought the LEFTARDS were "the party of tolerance"? Sounds a tad hypocritical.
And yet, I do agree PARTLY with paddock (no, I have NOT lost my mind). It IS a disgusting way to voice one's opinion, but we DO live in America, and it's not a violent form of expression, although I would grant you that it "could" incite violence in some.

There are much better ways to make your voice heard, and the worst part for me is the NOOSE around the neck.  If it were just an effigy hung or supported in a less blatant manner, that would seem better all around.
Certainly not a good example of a military veteran, imho. And how did a "disabled" vet manage to get that effigy UP there, anyway? Can't be THAT disabled. Just sayin'...
*** Next, how about that Punxatawney Phil, anyway?

Time to see the handlers roust his furry butt out of his burrow, and make a public display of an otherwise peaceful creature, as a media "event". And this related story has me shaking my head in disbelief:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/Groundhogs-symbolize-value-of-science-17584670

Excuse me..."Groundhogs symbolize the value of science"?

Something tells me that this guy has been hanging out with the likes of Bill Nye.
Now, while I will admit that such "data" is often highly skewed, I don't think we should totally take such forecasting as "etched-in-stone" kinda stuff.
I mean, Phil DID see his shadow this morning (saw it live - 6 more weeks of winter)...and considering ALL the damn FLOODLIGHTS that were around, it would be hard NOT to see a shadow anywhere.
I'm surprised Phil didn't see TWENTY shadows and therefore plunge us all into another ICE AGE...LOL.
Hell, the weather models can't even predict with 100% certainty.
Some folks need to remember that Earth is NOT Asgard, where "science and magic are one in the same".
*** Next, time to roll on by "Kitten Corner"...

"I can haz football!"

Ah, yes...always fun to have them around the house.
Most of the time, they're ALL OVER the house, and taking pictures of cats flashing by does become difficult.
(unless you prefer gray, white, and tan blurs)
I can tell when Gallifrey is "sizing me up" as he comes into the living room...he gets some speed and leaps onto my lap.

The renown "litterpan offense"

I told Wifey he's gotta kinda "clumsy affection" going on. He wants to rub against you to the point where he's not aware of his footing...lol.
Violet is a lot more "prim and proper" (like the lady she is), and will test her footing before going forward.
And while each of them is much alike regarding our former cats, they do exhibit unique traits.
*** Last back to the grocery bag...I'm keen on telling us how we should be more like our pets.

And yet, there are those who DO act exactly like their pets, although "pet" is not the word I would use.
Human predators mimic the wild and feral nuances of ANY animal.
The criminal minded among us act with little to no regard for others. call it more instinctual than anything else.
They seek only to serve themselves in whatever capacity they have and to whatever opportunity presents itself.
That's certainly not a "family pet", is it?

There is no unconditional love going on, and certainly no appreciation or gratitude happening.
But, all of this is nothing new, and we're not (as a society) breaking our asses to change things all that much.
We should, and we need to start thinking along those lines, unless we would prefer to see instances like what went on out in UC Berkeley, or other cities whenever someone gets their undies in a bunch.
We used to be so much better than that...and I think we still can be...if we take the time to CHOOSE to.

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