Thoughts For Thursday...

Well, the best part of today is that I don't have a DAMN thing to mow...!
I can just sit back and let the old body ache. Not a bad way to end the month.
Our Hoosierland weather for today bring us partly sunny skies, a "chance" of showers (no one knows when exactly), and temps climbing back up to around the 90 degree mark.
And don't forget all that humidity that's still in the air.
(at least any static cling will be minimized)
Also, no volcanic activity in the Heartland to speak of (yay!).

So, let's all get settled in with a refreshing drink to start the day, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the freshly dampened lawn is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"Bias and prejudice are attitudes to be kept in hand, not attitudes to be avoided."
This was spoken by another newbie (here) - one Charles Curtis (January 25, 1860 – February 8, 1936) was an American attorney and politician, who served as the 31st Vice President of the United States from 1929 to 1933. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Curtis
((A member of the Kaw Nation born in the Kansas Territory, Curtis was the first person with significant Native American ancestry and the first person with acknowledged non-European ancestry to reach either of the highest offices in the United States government's executive branch. He also was an Executive Branch officer born in a territory rather than a state.))

How about that... another first, and one that for some reason, we don't seem to hear about.
It's a pretty good read, and follows his political career closely, citing his working to create the first civil rights amendment (with a fellow Kansas rep). It did not go forward (probably thanks to the liberals in D.C.).
He was a republican, in case you were wondering.
Amazing that we never read about this man. We should.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 31 -
---It's National Autonomous Vehicle Day

(LOL - yeah, how's that been working out for them SO far?)
---It's National Macaroon Day

(these would make a good breakfast for me)
---It's National Save Your Hearing Day

(I'd love to, but the law doesn't permit me to shoot ALL the damn boomcar drivers around here)
---It's National Smile Day

(every time another one of the "locals" gets arrested or moves away...I smile.)
---It's National Speak in Complete Sentences Day

(that DOES include Klingon...right?)
---It's Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day

(if I get it, I'll be aware of it)
*** Next, it looks like we made it to homicide # 19 (or 20, depending on your count).

Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38305132/police-investigate-apparent-domestic-dispute-turned-deadly

This began as a SOUTHEAST SIDE domestic call at 808 Baxter Street around 0610 hrs.
((The Fort Wayne Police Department said there was a language barrier. Officers had a service brought in that the city contracts with to assist with translation. ))
Makes me wonder if we might have an ILLEGAL here. We are "along the route", and this guy has NO record in Allen County.
Julio Rodriguez, 47, has been arrested (for aggravated battery?).
But, since there are SO damn many Julio Rodriguezes in the state already, who can say which one is the same one?
Cripes, the warrant search brings up about 30+ with the same last name for just Allen County (must be the Latino Equivalent to SMITH).
And to think he was married for 20 years?
He's got a serious anger management issue (probably laced with liberal amounts of alcohol...that's the usual deal).
*** Next up, an armed robbery near downtown (where everyone should be living):
http://www.wane.com/news/crime/robber-hits-downtown-laundry-mat/1207495422
This took place at the  Coin Laundry, 519 E. Jefferson Blvd, shortly before 0200 hrs Wednesday.

Guess cleaning clothes (or just being at businesses) is getting harder and more dangerous in the city?
*** Next up, another armed robbery, this time in BROAD DAYLIGHT. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180531/ohio-man-deputy-hurt-after-pursuit-fight

This took place near the Belmont Beverage located in Southgate Plaza in the 100 block of E. Pettit Av, back on 29 May around 1430 hrs.
((A store employee was taking a deposit to the bank and was behind the building when the robber appeared armed with a Taser stun gun, police said. He had come out from behind a car, according to police.
The suspect pointed the Taser at the employee and said “give me the bag,” police said. Once he got the money, the robber got into a small black car with an out-of-state license plate, driven by an accomplice, according to police. 

The robber was described as black, wearing a black jacket and a blue bandannaace. The victim said the robber was about  5-foot-8 with a skinny build, looked no older than his mid-30s and was wearing a black hooded shirt.))
Now who says that black males down here DON'T WORK? Well, few if any  pursue LEGAL employment, that's for sure.

Oh, and that (foreground) car is a black FORD FUSION...easy to ID the grille and oval emblem on the hood, right officers? See the similarities?

The car in the upper right background looks to be a Hyundai Accent hatchback.
Out of state plates...definitely belongs on the SOUTHEAST SIDE. I see O-O-S plates damn near every day, and from as far away as Alabama and Georgia.
Try looking around here first, and check to see if the car is stolen...that might help.
*** Next, Starbucks posted the anit-bias handbook questions, and it's a real hoot and half.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-questions-starbucks-asked-staff-on-racial-bias-training-day-2018-5

Now, whether or not the 2 black men who didn't buy anything and were asked to leave and because of their decision to remain got them arrested is a moot point now.
The DEVELOPMENT of the people who wrote these questions (and booklet) is what has been ARRESTED.
Back in the day, this stuff wouldn't even make a good comedy routine...it's THAT bad.
Then again, people had thicker skin, followed the rules, and didn't have idiots from BLM lock-stepping the unwashed masses into compliance of perceived racial bias...hmm?
And here's the skinny on arrested development, for no reason whatsoever:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_development
I rest my case.
*** Next up, time to stop on by our "Kitten Corner"...

Rain is good sleepy weather for me.

Whenever we get heavy rain, it's a mixed bag for the cats. If they';re napping, they will sleep through it (much like I do), but if they're awake, they get a bit scared with the noise the rain makes on the siding or roof.

I can seez other kitties...

But, there was some time to see what's outside with that rain...
Aside from that, things were pretty much normal inside, and that's always something to be happy about.
*** Next, we take a minute to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

That was a good breakfast, too!

Our furry twosome spent part of the day away from the patio, and Midnight actually missed lunch (he came back a hour later).

My "pre-rain" mowing supervisor.

Both of them were around for breakfast and dinner (last call), but late in the afternoon, we ALL had to play "try not to get wet" because as soon as I went to feed them, it began to come down again.
We did the hand held treats a bit later on, when the rain abated, and none of got a soaking.

Dodging the raindrops.

The cats did get their share of being "moist" for the day, but they dry out fast enough, and were still around when it got dark.
A happy ending...there's something to smile about.
*** Last back to the cracker factory...our society is in a precarious state.

It's like a delicate balancing act...trying to maintain that level of eequilibrium (without having to reult in TAKING librium...lol).
And there are some days when we do okay.
The rest of the time...we really suck, and that ain't good.
We are seeing people doing and saying stuff that was UNHEARD of when I was young, and why they do it makes no sense (to normal folks, anyway).
School shootings - how many did we have back in the days of the Cleavers? A helluva lot FEWER than we have today, and back then, gun laws were a LOT less restrictive.

You didn't need a permit to carry one in many states. Hell out here, people had gun racks in damn near every pickup...WITH a rifle (or two) in them...not a problem.
We had fewer homicides by guns as well, but since those times, some would tell us the guns are to blame.
Funny, guns haven't changed near as much as the PEOPLE have, and that's the truth.
So maybe, we need to examine those PEOPLE instead? What caused THOSE changes in behavior that result in more death by guns?

Oh, and back then, people with mental issues were INSTITUTIONALIZED, and not allowed to roam our streets, or were not otherwise mainstreamed into society (like we do with problem children).
The over medication of America is to blame as well. We did a lot better when we had fewer drugs to "cure" every ill known to mankind.
Today, we have to take care of any and all symptoms with some sort of "happy pill". It's not working, folks.
If anything, the side effects are causing MORE problems than solving them.
Yes, there is lots of blame to go around, and moist all of it resides in our humanity.

We start taking care of that first, we might be able to turn this garbage truck of mankind around, and avoid winding up at the dump. We might even be able to lose the truck, too.
If we don't, well, we might just get what many aeem to be asking for, and it's NOT a better society.

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