Friday Follies...

Another weekend has arrived right on schedule. They seem to come a bit faster these days...not that I'm complaining. Personally, I think every third day should be Friday (but then, even less would get done in places where we need things done). Yeah, it's a trade-off.
It looks like we traded nice for naughty as far as conditions outside go.
Our Hoosierland weather finds us freezing our butts off this morning (wind chill has it feeling like single digits - helluva shift from Monday, isn't it?), but we will have sunny skies with temps getting up to around 33 degrees, and yes, the breezy (20+ MPH) conditions continue (crap).

Now if that isn't a reason to get a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, I don't know what is, so let's all get something inside us to chase the chill out, as we see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the ice cube tray is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 8 -
---It's National Brownie Day

(fresh out of the oven is even better on a day like this)
---It's Pretend to Be a Time-Traveler Day

(who's pretending...I just can't find where I left my TARDIS!)
*** Next, and since we are at week's end, let's see what is "observable" over the following 48 hours...
DECEMBER 9 -
---Saturday is National Pastry Day

(that can be any day at our house - there's always room for pastry)
---It's Weary Willie Day

(yeah, it's a clown thing, and not from City Hall either)
DECEMBER 10 -
---Sunday is Dewey Decimal System Day

(most likely soon to be added to all things obsolete...a shame people have gotten that lazy)
---It's Human Rights Day

(just as long as we're not making ONE class more equal than another, and that we also remember the DIFFERENCE between a RIGHT and a PRIVILEGE.)
---It's Nobel Prize Day

(wonder who gets one this year for doing nothing?)
And there you are then...enough things to keep you busy, should you so choose.
Remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, looks like our (long past due to leave office) mayor...I mean "king" Henry wants to play "ball's back in your court" with City Council. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/12/07/fort-wayne-mayor-tom-henry-declines-to-sign-city-councils-campaign-finance-ordinance-citing-legality-concerns-documents/

It's still good to be king...

This "pay to play" ordinance, designed to limit contracts for campaign donors who cough up more than $2000 isn't sitting well with our highness.
He ignored the ordinance (by not signing it for more than 10 days, which means it's an "auto-veto:" and goes back to council for a rework.
Henry believes it violates state and federal law.
Sure, ANYTHING seems to violate something unless a democrat wants to pass it (sometimes without even knowing what's in it)...right?
Included in the story is Henry's letter to council and other pertinent documents, as well as a good (truthful) comment by one John Bloom. You can't fool all the people ALL the time, your majesty.
*** Next, is you enjoyed the nice low cost of downtown meter parking, that's going to change. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2017/12/08/new-fort-wayne-app-connected-parking-meters-tell-when-drivers-overstay-their-welcome-parking-rates-to-go-up/

Out with the old...

But, never fear...there IS an "app" for that (of sorts).
((City Clerk Lana Keesling discussed the new meters with Fort Wayne Board of Public Safety members Thursday afternoon.
Rusty York {cripes, I thought he went away}, former city public safety director and Fort Wayne Police chief who was part of the group looking at new meters, said, “This takes us from the ’40s up to today’s technology.”))
And this only benefits the CITY, doesn't it? It hurts the taxpayers looking to park.
((City Council must approve the five-year agreement for $799,175, with the ability to renew, for a total of 12 years, for 800 meters, including the poles, housings, installation and one year of free maintenance, Keesling said.))
Okay gang...time to pull out that good old rubber stamp.

In with the "new"?

((The money to pay for the meters would be appropriated from CEDIT funds, but Keesling said her office expects to pay back the cost so it ultimately would not cost taxpayers.))
Well, THAT would be a first...we'll have to wait and see on this one.
((The cost of parking at meters on city streets will go up next year from 50 cents per hour to $1.25, at least for a period of time, Keesling said. Once the city completes a study of parking in downtown pay garages and lots, which typically cost $1 an hour for parking, the cost will likely be adjusted downward, she said.))
I'll believe that (downturn) when I see it. Not before.
*** Next, illegal border crossings are up (again?). Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20171208/after-all-time-low-border-crossings-up

Your new "neighbors? Let's hope not.

Yep, blame those damnable Latin American GANGS
((A survey published this year found that 30 percent of adults had considered migrating in the last year due to the effect of crime in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, which have a total population of about 30 million people. The survey was conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project at Vanderbilt University.))
Anyone think a border wall is still not a good idea? Show of hands?
*** Next, dumbocrat senator Al Franken will be ceiling it quits (and about damn time).

Not good enough, not smart enough and dammit, people DON'T like you

Here's the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/politics/20171208/defiant-franken-quitting-senate
Even his fellow leftards are tossing him under the bus.
Now, anyone want to get rid of Schumer and Pelosi?
*** Next up, time to leave the crap behind and instead, stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Another great day to have two young cats in the house. They keep discovering all the toys we have for them, which might save some money come Christmas...lol.
Evenings are spent in the living room with "daddy" while he watches the tv.

Guess bird watching and chasing each other for short period does tend to wear one out.
Works for me.
*** Next, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome spent most all day close by the house, but Whiskers did miss a snack feeding (have no idea where she went), but by dinnertime, she was at the patio door with Midnight (who stayed at his "nest" rather than inside a shelter (and out of the damn wind).

That dusting of snow didn't deter either of them, but it kept me from spending more time with them outside (you get cold fast in that wind).
I wonder how they will handle the impending snowfall tomorrow?

Hopefully, both shelters will be used.
We didn't make them to become garden ornaments.
*** Last back to the space heater...you know, there is this problem with people in power.
And it's been around for a very long time.
The best description is what was said to us by Lord John Dalberg Acton:

Jasmine Guy makes a very good case along these lines, too.

And even Joss Whedon weighs in on the affect of power and control.

This doesn't apply JUST to the realm of politics (and any and all levels), but to any industry, group, organization...you name it.
Thing is, with all this going on, what happens to that thing we call the truth?
Well, it tends to get lost in the shuffle, as most things factual tend to do in thee matters.

And, it's there that we come to the center of this whole shrubbery maze.
Yes, leave it to Doctor Who to provide us with some common sense.
Often times, we discover truth in places of fiction and fantasy, for it's there that people can expound on issues that would draw ire in the real world.
May all of us take time to discover truth every day, for without truth, hope becomes just another four-letter word.
Have yourselves a good weekend.

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