Thoughts For Thursday...

I will say one thing about this lake-effect snow thing here in northern Indiana...IT SUCKS!
An inch here...an inch there...just enough to piss you off, but not enough to snow you in, or make things come to a nice quiet halt. Yes, just enough to be concerned about (because a lot of others aren't).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies, temps reaching to around 24 degrees (the only snow melting will be reflective then), and light winds.

So, let's not waste any more time, as we all get ourselves some hot coffee, tea, or cocoa to chase that chill away, and steel us to whatever will come along...
*** First off of the slippery sidewalk is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"You don't teach morals and ethics and empathy and kindness in the schools. You teach that at home, and children learn by example."
This is attributed to one Judith Susan Sheindlin  (née Blum; born October 21, 1942) who you all know by her "other name"...JUDGE JUDY. She is an American prosecution lawyer, former Manhattan family court judge, television personality, television producer, and author.
Not bad for a little girl from Brooklyn, is it? And here is her WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Sheindlin
((In October 2013 it was reported that Sheindlin was still the highest paid TV star, earning $47 million per year for Judge Judy. Sheindlin is the longest serving judge or arbitrator in courtroom-themed programming history, a distinction that earned Sheindlin a place in the Guinness World Records.))
Now that is certainly saying something. Anyone care to argue that women in the workplace don't get their dues? All it takes is hard work, dedication and passion.

All she can say to some is "really?".

((In February 1993, Sheindlin's outspoken reputation made her the subject of a Los Angeles Times article,  profiling her as a woman determined to make the court system work for the common good.))
Would be be so fortunate that OTHER court systems in other cities were wanting to do likewise.
(especially in our fair city of Ft. Wayne)
Author Brendan I. Koerner has commented on the popularity of Judge Judy:
"Court-show viewers don't seem to want moral conundrums or technical wrinkles. They love Sheindlin's show because she offers them a fantasy of how they'd like the justice system to operate—swiftly, and without procedural mishaps or uppity lawyers. They get to see wrongdoers publicly humiliated by a strong authority figure. There is no uncertainty after Sheindlin renders her verdict and bounds off the bench, and there certainly are no lengthy appeals."

Another dummy gets the eye roll.

((A 2013 Reader's Digest poll supported Koerner's statements, revealing that Americans trusted Judge Judy more than all nine justices of the United States Supreme Court
Since the debut of her court show in 1996, it has been the #1 rated show of it's kind.))
It's a really good read, and you'll find out the other facets of broadcasting she is involved with, as well as a list of her books (she has written seven to date).
I really like her...maybe it's because she reminds me of my late Mom...lol.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 14 -
---It's National Alabama Day

(how timely is THIS, with that recent election, hmm?)
---It's National Bouillabaisse Day

(fish stew with fennel and saffron...yummy)
*** Next , an update on the two men found dead on Calhoun St. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171214/homicide-suicide-ruled-in-calhoun-street-deaths

Okay, so it's NOT 39 homicides, but 38 (for the time being). The other death has been ruled a suicide (which is really a SELF-INFLICTED homicide).
In any event, I would be surprised if we did NOT hit at least 40 homicides here for the year. Last year's record rate of 49 is the new "benchmark" for the criminals to shoot for (no pun intended).
*** Next, and just in time for the new year comes THIS story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20171214/city-utilities-studying-rate-hike

Now, we're right in the midst of a go-round concerning an ELECTRIC rate hike (of damn near astronomical proportions like 20+ %), and (as could be predicted) smack-dab on the heels of THAT jackal come a study which looks at raising the WATER rates.

I guess we also forgot about the recent natural gas rate hike...and the wheel tax...and rising fuel prices at the pumps...right?
Sure, implement it INCREMENTALLY over the years...so as not to make we peons feel TOO put out (of pocket) with whatever funds we have available. More bullshit from more sources. A shame we can't somehow make THAT substance work to alleviate our constantly rising rates for every utility under the sun.
((The last water rate increase was phased in between 2013 and 2015.

“While no one likes a rate increase, all the money they spend on it goes right back into benefiting the entire community,” CEO Kumar Menon said. “You might not experience a water main break today, but when you do, it's a pain. This is one way to stave off that pain.” City Utilities' $184.6 million budget is funded through rates paid by customers.))
And WHO, EXACTLY pays for the all the government-sponsored welfare queens who use water like there's no tomorrow? Oh, that would ALSO be the TAXPAYERS, my friend.

Now, just on a whim, WHO is paying for that BIG DIG (sewer runoff tunnel) we got going on? Is this rate hike ONE way of paying THAT bill? Just asking.
*** Next up, another black guy gets brave with a knife. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171214/man-44-accused-of-holding-knife-to-neck-of-woman

He be busted AGAIN.

((Michael T. Harris, 44, of the 3600 block of Avondale Drive, was charged Wednesday with intimidation using a deadly weapon, four charges of domestic battery, one in the presence of children, and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.))
Some men just cannot take "NO" for an answer...can they?
((Harris was arrested the next day when he appeared for a probation meeting at 11 a.m.
He was being held at the Allen County Jail in lieu of $37,500 bail, a jail spokesman said. ))
He was ALREADY ON PROBATION? Well, that sounds TYPICAL, doesn't it? And ghetto, too.
No wonder the black community has problems...they ignore them and let them fester.
*** Next, let's not be biased, so here are some meth-head white trash perps and their fanciful story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171214/drug-charges-filed-following-november-raid

((Colton Vibbert and Veronica Grear, both 25, of the 3200 block of Lost Valley Drive, are charged with dealing methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance.
When police raided a mobile home Nov. 9, they found more methamphetamine than what would be normal for personal use.  Five separate plastic bags contained 46.5 grams of methamphetamine and another plastic bag had 12.2 grams of inositol, a common cutting agent used by narcotic traffickers, court documents said.

Vibbert                      Grear

There was also $500 in cash, a digital scale and a box of plastic sandwich bags.))
Yeah, they weren't doing any free lunch programs with THOSE sandwich bags.
((Vibbert was being held in lieu of $125,000 bail; Grear has bail of $52,500, according to an Allen County Jail spokesman. The location of the raid was redacted from court records.))
Redacted? I thought it WAS at the mobile home...maybe some place we're NOT supposed to know about, because it might cause CONCERN?
BTW, nice HEAD and FACE TATTS, you moron. Sure to get hired with THAT crap inked all over you...NOT! Got that "illustrated man" thing going on, hmm?
*** Next up, I've got to get away from all this crap and take a visit to "Kitten Corner"...

But then they do cute stuff like this...

Well, the kids were a bit more "anxious" yesterday...getting into run around mode.
Had to even shout at them once.
They were flying through the house, leaping over furniture, but thankfully not breaking anything along the way.
Guess they miss "mommy"?
Nah, I think it's more of the "terrible twos" acting up...lol.
*** Next, let's see what's going on with "Midnight and Company"...

Right on time as always, our furry duo were there at the patio door, awaiting their breakfast, and since it was "Wet Food Wednesday", they got some Friskies pate` (turkey and giblets) with dry food covering the wet food.
Needless to say, ti was well-received.

The rest of the day was spent close by and since it was snowing at "last call", rather than hand-feed them (treats) as I usually do, I just placed some on their plates.
I think ALL three of us thought that worked out well.
*** Last back to the frozen pond...the human condition is a funny thing.

And yes, we can use funny "ha-ha" as well as funny "peculiar".
So, if you want to see a typical slice of the nonsense some people can display with a zeal that could best be used elsewhere, watch Judge Judy a few times.

I watch just so I can see what my "neighbors" are up to, because a LOT of her cases involve the type of people and their behavior that permeates our part of Ft. Wayne.
Granted this is "small claims court" (most that can be had is a $5K limit), but the mannerisms of those involved on both sides of that aisle are SO southside Fort Wayne.
I believe you can learn a lot from her program. You can learn about the LAW, and you can learn about the morons who BREAK the law.

She's NOT addressing Congress...lol.

I'd go so far as to say that it's actually more EDUCATIONAL than entertaining, although when a black man (born and raised in our country with no foreign ties) tries to make his case, and they have SUBTITLES to understand his "mumble-speak", ( lazy English) that tells me a lot of what ails the black community (specifically) and our nation (in general). I admit that part was entertaining, but it speaks to human nature, it's permissiveness, and how much some folks are willing to tolerate (for tolerance sake).
Fortunately, Judge Judy doesn't tolerate much, and says so quite often.
Be nice to see and hear MORE people speak up and not put up with such BS...PC or otherwise.

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