Humpday Happenings...

And the mini-monsoon season of the Midwest will continue for another day.
(then as temps drop, we get ye olde "wintry mix" stuff headed our way)
Yep...can't win for losing some days, can we?
Naturally, our morning paper was soaked (helps to DOUBLE BAG the damn thing when it rains, doesn't it?) I called to get another DRY one delivered.
In the meantime, our Hoosierland weather brings us falling temps through the day (our high is about 40 this morning), so whatever water that's around might just freeze overnight. We'll have cloudy skies and lessening rain until it decodes to change over to whatever comes down the pike this evening.
Remember to drive and dress accordingly.
Now, let's get that hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa made, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the floodplain is our "WHO SAID THAT?" quote for the week:

"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom."

I think you can agree that this fits in nicely with recent events in more ways than one.
So who said that? 

The answer at the top of tomorrow's post. 

 Meanwhile, back at the Agricultural Dept at Tuskegee Institute... 

*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 21 -
---It's National Sticky Bun Day

(man, I'd love to get me a dozen of those right about now)
And that's all for today, kids.
*** Next up, I do believe we have our SIXTH homicide for the city (7th for Allen County). so far this year. At this rate, we can easily see 25 (or more) by year's end.

Here's what's known:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180221/northeast-shooting-leaves-1-dead

Police were called to the Northcrest Apts at 4917 Northcrest Drive yesterday around 1340 hrs where they found a man suffering a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Obviously, no suspect information is available.

Now, this isn't all that far from the hotel parking lot death (yesterday), but police don't believe the two to be related (for now, anyway).
And the crime keeps on spreading like the disease it has become in this city.
*** Next up, from our "Tell Us It's Not So"  Department, we have this story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/20180221/fwcs-retaining-its-honors-courses

Funny thing...while FWCS is being a bit on the AMBIGUOUS side when it comes to any denial regarding dropping those HONORS courses, social media would tend to differ, as Wifey has met up with some colleagues from her teaching days with FWCS, and the scuttlebutt says that indeed the school corporation IS dropping it's honors courses for a more "standardized" curriculum, and that these other teachers are seeking other schools for their children. (uh, oh)
How about those apples?
Guess we can no longer have (public school) students who WANT to excel and achieve. I suppose the NEXT step will be to award diplomas based solely on "showing up"...much like those "participation trophies" they give out willy-nilly.
This makes a good case for private and charter schools, doesn't it?
And we even dare to wonder WHY the public school system has been going down the crapper for decades?
*** Next a good article about the response to the school shootings. Here's the link:
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/laurettabrown/2018/02/16/scalise-theres-no-magic-law-that-can-stop-shootings-n2450272

Guns just make it MUCH easier for lunatics.

The point is made as to how BEST to address the issue, and it would appear that no REAL solution could ever be found.
And, as the story explains, there is NO single, overwhelming and comprehensive "law" that could totally halt such shootings. Where have we all heard that one before, hmm?
As I've said here many times, the laws we already have are sufficient, as long as they are ENFORCED.

If you want culpability, look to the FBI, who managed to drop the ball with this latest shooter (because they were too busy trying to unseat our president with bogus charges), and the physicians and pharmaceutical companies who allow the over-medication of at-risk people while not taking into account any possible adverse "side-effects" from their drugs.
---In a related article that backs up this first story, we have this:
http://amp.nationalreview.com/article/456436/new-gun-laws-wont-stop-mass-shootings-people-can?__twitter_impression=true

It would appear we have a lot more consensus AGAINST gun control that FOR it, but the lame-stream media won't press this for the obvious reasons.

So, perhaps these kids should stop buying into the drive-by media cheerleaders who play on their feelings, be permitted to grieve as they should, get their asses BACK to school, and learn to NOT become like the shooter himself.

Fact-of-life number 47.

It's just a thought.
*** Next up, I found this rather long article (reads more like an essay, actually) about the CAUSES for such mass shootings. Here's the link:
http://modernfolktales.com/modern-monsters/underlying-causes-mass-shootings-america-seethe-below-surface/

This person has put a LOT of effort and truth into what he has written, and even if the piece is a bit dated ( looks to be from 2013 and covers mass shootings up to that point), it still provides a lot of insight into WHY we have such shootings, as well as what CAN be done to lessen the number of them. Even this author all but admits that they will never really stop at all.
It's a good read and worth your time, should you wish to enlighten yourselves.
*** Next, time to visit our "Kitten Corner"...
One good thing that comes from the rain...less craziness with the cats around the house.

And they pose well from time to time.

It's not that they get lethargic, they just calm down to a level that's very nice.
And since it was Love Your Pet Day yesterday, that made it so much easier to pull that one off.
Still, if you're a pet lover, it becomes rather academic, doesn't it?
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome  did fine for the most part, braving the rainy conditions.

Breakfast was served under the table to keep the cats dry, and as the day passed, the rain had abated long enough to get in the midday and dinner meals served in the usual spots.
We did have another "visitor" early on yesterday - a gray long hair cat with what looked liked an injury near the tail.
It wasn't hungry, so rather than risk any fussing with OUR cats,
I chased it off with a squirt bottle with water.
Didn't want to do it, but sometimes, you have to do what's needed.
Both Midnight and Whiskers watched this cat intently, and she even growled a bit when it came near.

I'll watch for that other cat.

After that, all was well again, although Wifey and I saw the "twins" and a couple OTHER cats across the street in late afternoon.

My turn to watch now.

Looks like we have a colony behind a house along Maple Grove, next block up.
Don't need any interlopers messing with our community cats.
*** Last back to the downspout...education is not what it used to be.

And I don't mean all the advances in technology...that was bound to occur in time.
Where it was once important to EXCEL, it's now almost frowned upon and placed on that crowded "back burner" of life.

That kind of bullshit has GOT to stop...right now.
When we go from a society where we have majority rule (for the betterment of everyone) to one where a very FEW call the shots (to serve themselves, and force everyone else to comply to THEIR wishes or demands), something is drastically amiss.
But, you can always look back and see how this happens.
When a society supplants morality with hedonistic pursuits, the results are quite obvious.

It's like a Broken Window Theory for people...we overlook the small problems and then wind up with much BIGGER ones in the end. And education is certainly NOT immune to this process.
Getting back to basics in education means we permit those who CAN and WANT to excel the opportunity TO DO SO
And yes, those who just want to "get by" can also be allotted their choice to do so.
Every single person in this country HAS the chance to do well (or not)...IF they CHOOSE to.
And choices are what make up this curiously funny journey we call LIFE, right?

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

((Tomorrow, some thoughts on the recently-deceased Rev. Billy Graham))