Still not feeling too creative, so I'll let the Muppets do it for me. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY
Monday, January 4, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Quotable Quote
"Just the existance of flamethrowers proves that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves, 'You know, I want to set those people over there on fire. but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.'"
George Carlin was a genius!
George Carlin was a genius!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Survey Says...
78% of people said 22% of people were dumb as a rock.
21% of people said 78% of people should mind their own business.
1% of people said can't we all just get along?
21% of people said 78% of people should mind their own business.
1% of people said can't we all just get along?
Friday, December 11, 2009
News Flash
This just in....
The search for the world's most uncomfortable pillow has ended.
More to follow.
The search for the world's most uncomfortable pillow has ended.
More to follow.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Global Warning
If you have read much of this blog, you know how I feel about the idiotic pseudo-science of "global warming". (I put it in quotes because we may have some warming of our climate, but NOT man-made, and NOT anything we can control) If you follow any of the non-traditional news or do any digging beyond the headlines, you may have seen the reporting of the scandal based around tens of thousands of documents and emails from the Hadley Climate Research Unit in England. These emails and documents, although possibly out of context, contain damning evidence of a conspiracy to defraud the world concerning man-made global warming.
Check out "Climategate" in a Google or anywhere else for details.
I, like others, am now more convinced than ever that the whole man-made global warming thing is a hoax. Maybe not even an innocent one. The cost to society and our way of life to do what these eco-nuts wanted would have (and still could if we don't act on this info) destroyed it.
The correspondence between these global warming "experts" shows that exclusion of anyone that disagreed with them was commonplace, that manipulation of facts and figures was necessary to back up their claims, and that the whole thing is/was a lie.
If you want more on this STUDY. Go and read posts I have done previously - I have links and info there that will help. Get with friends and family and have them study. Then get with your elected officials and STOP any plans to "fight global warming".
Following is a link to a great site with documented FACTS about climate change.
http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/global_warming.html
If we allow this, either by participation or apathy - we will all pay. (hey, I sound like a global warming alarmist - "the sky is falling" - sorry)
Climategate should be the end to this nonsense. Help make it so.
Check out "Climategate" in a Google or anywhere else for details.
I, like others, am now more convinced than ever that the whole man-made global warming thing is a hoax. Maybe not even an innocent one. The cost to society and our way of life to do what these eco-nuts wanted would have (and still could if we don't act on this info) destroyed it.
The correspondence between these global warming "experts" shows that exclusion of anyone that disagreed with them was commonplace, that manipulation of facts and figures was necessary to back up their claims, and that the whole thing is/was a lie.
If you want more on this STUDY. Go and read posts I have done previously - I have links and info there that will help. Get with friends and family and have them study. Then get with your elected officials and STOP any plans to "fight global warming".
Following is a link to a great site with documented FACTS about climate change.
http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/global_warming.html
If we allow this, either by participation or apathy - we will all pay. (hey, I sound like a global warming alarmist - "the sky is falling" - sorry)
Climategate should be the end to this nonsense. Help make it so.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thanks and stuff
I was going to do a wonderful, erudite, elucitative, and enjoyable post about Thanksgiving and the giving of thanks. Been there, done that... go to the days pre and post Thanksgiving for the past two years and read if you are looking for that.
Blah, Blah, thankful.. yada, yada, ate too much.. whatever.
Enlightenment to resume shortly. Stay tuned.
Blah, Blah, thankful.. yada, yada, ate too much.. whatever.
Enlightenment to resume shortly. Stay tuned.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Want some cheese with that?
We are a nation of whiners. If you add the social, political, and financial freedoms we have, we are indeed living in the greatest nation on earth. I have a shirt that I wear occasionally that says "No Whining" on it. People love it. I have had more comments on that shirt than any other piece of clothing I own. The problem is, everyone likes it; no one owns up to it!
I know I whine. One could say this blog is an exercise in whining. (maybe it is, what's it to you? I can't make my opinions known? .....sorry - lost it a minute) We complain about how horrible things are. I know that we are going through some challenging times financially. I feel we are going through some very challenging times socially/politically. But, all in all for most of us, things are pretty good.
Our whining manifests itself in our tremendous sense of entitlement. Striving for a better lifestyle and a more secure financial future is good. That ideal was one that built this nation into the greatest financial growth engine on earth. However, today people want a better lifestyle and financial security, but want it given to them. If I have six and you have two, taking two from me is not a way to make things "fair". Yes, we both would have four now (I did the math for you, I know math can be a challenge), but how is taking something from someone that obtained them legally, morally, and ethically; fair?
The best illustration of this that most people "get" is with grades. In every classroom setting you have the studious, the not-so-studious, and the stupid. (I know, not PC - but hey - some people are just not as well endowed in the cranial portion of their anatomy - if you don't follow that - you may be one of them) You have the people that make the A's, some people that make some B's, if a teacher/professor is following the intent - most people making C's, some struggling at D, some collecting F's, and some that a new letter should be invented for. How about if at the end of the course the teacher/professor said "It is unfair that there are people making A's and people making F's. I am going to average everything out and give all of you a C". That means the deadwood gets a C as well as the person that worked and studied and gave it their all. Most folks can see the inherent problem with that grading system. However, when it comes to incomes and financial aspects of life, they just don't get it.
The reason communism/socialism do not, and have not worked is - they can't. If you take away the incentive for performers to be rewarded for their efforts, they will not perform. If you take away the "punishment" (failure) from those that do not perform; they become even more of a burden. By the way, for those of you that point to Cuba, China, or others as proof that these forms of government DO work - shame on you. The point of communism or socialism is to "even out" the wealth between all people. Greed, ambition, drive, etc prevent this from happening. If you do not think that there is a difference between how an average Chinese peasant and a member of the Chinese politburo lives and their incomes - go away now! You cannot "even out" the distribution of wealth without destroying the source of that wealth - ambition and drive from those willing to work for a better life.
I was in a convenience store the other day and was met at the counter by a VERY happy clerk. I commented that he seemed especially joyous and he said "Today I became a US citizen". I congratulated him. I asked how long he had been here and he proceeded to tell me his story. Briefly, here it is. He came here on a student visa from India four years ago. He was very captivated by our way of life. After two years of school, he decided he wanted to live here in America. He got a work visa and went out to find a job in computers/IT - what he had done in India. Now this was 2007 and we were rolling along economically, but he could not find a job in IT. He went to work at a computer assembly plant on the line while continuing to go to school at night. He had problems making his bills, so he took a second job (while still working full time at the computer plant and going to school part-time). As we headed into this recession, he lost his job at the computer plant and had to leave school to find a job that made enough money. He went to work for this local convenience store company while keeping his second job at McDonald's. He later started cleaning up offices at night - so he worked three jobs. But, he is now a citizen, can now become a manager for this convenience store company. He told me that they have a program where he can become part owner of the store he runs if he goes to certain markets and helps them open a store. He proceeded to tell me that this is the greatest country on earth. He was literally beaming with pride at becoming a citizen and flush with the excitement of all the opportunities he had before him.
Notice the timeline on this - during the Great Recession. Did I mention he was black? In India, blacks are treated with extreme contempt in most areas. Did I mention he was Muslim? Muslims in India are a minority and are also treated with tremendous prejudice. He was thrilled at the reception he got here in this country, and how he was able to get ahead. He said in his native country he would have been lucky to get a small plot of land and work it for a subsistence living.
We have people of all colors, creeds, and religions in this country. We have a large group of them that expect the larger group of us that work for what we have to subsidise them. This convenience store clerk is proof that if you are willing to work - three jobs if necessary - at night if necessary - you can get ahead. Even if you are dark skinned, have a "funny" accent, and are not a Christian.
You don't need mine - earn your own. If you need a bit of help while you earn yours - I'll be here.
I know I whine. One could say this blog is an exercise in whining. (maybe it is, what's it to you? I can't make my opinions known? .....sorry - lost it a minute) We complain about how horrible things are. I know that we are going through some challenging times financially. I feel we are going through some very challenging times socially/politically. But, all in all for most of us, things are pretty good.
Our whining manifests itself in our tremendous sense of entitlement. Striving for a better lifestyle and a more secure financial future is good. That ideal was one that built this nation into the greatest financial growth engine on earth. However, today people want a better lifestyle and financial security, but want it given to them. If I have six and you have two, taking two from me is not a way to make things "fair". Yes, we both would have four now (I did the math for you, I know math can be a challenge), but how is taking something from someone that obtained them legally, morally, and ethically; fair?
The best illustration of this that most people "get" is with grades. In every classroom setting you have the studious, the not-so-studious, and the stupid. (I know, not PC - but hey - some people are just not as well endowed in the cranial portion of their anatomy - if you don't follow that - you may be one of them) You have the people that make the A's, some people that make some B's, if a teacher/professor is following the intent - most people making C's, some struggling at D, some collecting F's, and some that a new letter should be invented for. How about if at the end of the course the teacher/professor said "It is unfair that there are people making A's and people making F's. I am going to average everything out and give all of you a C". That means the deadwood gets a C as well as the person that worked and studied and gave it their all. Most folks can see the inherent problem with that grading system. However, when it comes to incomes and financial aspects of life, they just don't get it.
The reason communism/socialism do not, and have not worked is - they can't. If you take away the incentive for performers to be rewarded for their efforts, they will not perform. If you take away the "punishment" (failure) from those that do not perform; they become even more of a burden. By the way, for those of you that point to Cuba, China, or others as proof that these forms of government DO work - shame on you. The point of communism or socialism is to "even out" the wealth between all people. Greed, ambition, drive, etc prevent this from happening. If you do not think that there is a difference between how an average Chinese peasant and a member of the Chinese politburo lives and their incomes - go away now! You cannot "even out" the distribution of wealth without destroying the source of that wealth - ambition and drive from those willing to work for a better life.
I was in a convenience store the other day and was met at the counter by a VERY happy clerk. I commented that he seemed especially joyous and he said "Today I became a US citizen". I congratulated him. I asked how long he had been here and he proceeded to tell me his story. Briefly, here it is. He came here on a student visa from India four years ago. He was very captivated by our way of life. After two years of school, he decided he wanted to live here in America. He got a work visa and went out to find a job in computers/IT - what he had done in India. Now this was 2007 and we were rolling along economically, but he could not find a job in IT. He went to work at a computer assembly plant on the line while continuing to go to school at night. He had problems making his bills, so he took a second job (while still working full time at the computer plant and going to school part-time). As we headed into this recession, he lost his job at the computer plant and had to leave school to find a job that made enough money. He went to work for this local convenience store company while keeping his second job at McDonald's. He later started cleaning up offices at night - so he worked three jobs. But, he is now a citizen, can now become a manager for this convenience store company. He told me that they have a program where he can become part owner of the store he runs if he goes to certain markets and helps them open a store. He proceeded to tell me that this is the greatest country on earth. He was literally beaming with pride at becoming a citizen and flush with the excitement of all the opportunities he had before him.
Notice the timeline on this - during the Great Recession. Did I mention he was black? In India, blacks are treated with extreme contempt in most areas. Did I mention he was Muslim? Muslims in India are a minority and are also treated with tremendous prejudice. He was thrilled at the reception he got here in this country, and how he was able to get ahead. He said in his native country he would have been lucky to get a small plot of land and work it for a subsistence living.
We have people of all colors, creeds, and religions in this country. We have a large group of them that expect the larger group of us that work for what we have to subsidise them. This convenience store clerk is proof that if you are willing to work - three jobs if necessary - at night if necessary - you can get ahead. Even if you are dark skinned, have a "funny" accent, and are not a Christian.
You don't need mine - earn your own. If you need a bit of help while you earn yours - I'll be here.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Still here
Remember the "atom smasher" I talked about a while back that was built in France? The largest machine ever built by man. It is going to be used to find quantum particles that until now have eluded researchers. These particles have been determined by math and physics to exist, but have never been "seen".
I mentioned that the problem with this machine is that it appears to be a "lemon". After years of design and construction and billions and billions of dollars, it still won't work. The problem with this machine and the fact that it might be a dud is that there are no small number of people that believe it could destroy the earth when it is actually used. (to be fair there are a large number of people that believe Elvis is sitting somewhere with JFK and a space alien drinking gin fizzes)
Well, they tried to crank this thing up again this week. Can you say "shut down". The machine had to be shut down when a bread crumb, possibly from a stray bird (this unit is over 300 feet underground, but they said a bird) was dropped into the machine. Just a mention - THE MACHINE COULD DESTROY THE EARTH! IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK! BIRDS ARE DROPPING BREAD CRUMBS IN IT!
There are some people that think the machine, when operating, would create a particle so "vile to nature" that there is something from the future that is preventing it from operating. No really, I heard Elvis say it...
Oh well.
I mentioned that the problem with this machine is that it appears to be a "lemon". After years of design and construction and billions and billions of dollars, it still won't work. The problem with this machine and the fact that it might be a dud is that there are no small number of people that believe it could destroy the earth when it is actually used. (to be fair there are a large number of people that believe Elvis is sitting somewhere with JFK and a space alien drinking gin fizzes)
Well, they tried to crank this thing up again this week. Can you say "shut down". The machine had to be shut down when a bread crumb, possibly from a stray bird (this unit is over 300 feet underground, but they said a bird) was dropped into the machine. Just a mention - THE MACHINE COULD DESTROY THE EARTH! IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK! BIRDS ARE DROPPING BREAD CRUMBS IN IT!
There are some people that think the machine, when operating, would create a particle so "vile to nature" that there is something from the future that is preventing it from operating. No really, I heard Elvis say it...
Oh well.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tsk, Tsk, Tsk
I don't know where to begin, so I'll just wade on in.
The anti-capitalist eco-nuts have almost (that is my optimism - in reality they probably HAVE) done it. The unsupported, non-documented, anti-science theory of man-made global warming is now a given. I read something every day from unsuspecting or willing accomplises that talk about how this is being done, or should be done to "combat global warming" or "fight climate change". Sad. But as I wrote many months ago -
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
Joseph Goebbels
The people that are out to destroy capitalism and your way of life know this. Get the media on board and have them spew the half-truths and pseudo-science of global warming and people will accept it as fact. I have many, many posts on this blog about this, so I won't repeat myself. But, do some studying people. There are tens of thousands of respected and trained scientists that are trying to let us know that the whole thing is a hoax.
There are two main reasons for the climate change lie. (and a third innocent one - the poor uneducated mind-numb saps that just want to help preserve and protect the earth and the environment and don't know any better) 1) money - if we go to this carbon credit system as a requirement of businesses and others to justify their lifestyle - the trading of carbon offset credits will be a HUGE moneymaker. The major financial trading firms want a piece of this. They all know that they can sit back and make a commission off of every carbon credit trade and get rich. 2) destruction of the evil thing that is the American way of life. Unfortunately there are people living here (and living well) off of the American way of life that don't think it is "fair" that we are the most powerful and rich nation on the earth. The fact that we are better off than most of the world's population is disgusting to them. Therefore we have to be taken down a couple of notches. What better way that to put a penalty on the energy sources that power our way of life?
Again, do some reading. Google - climate change hoax or similar and read.
The other thing that is being forced upon us is the health care / insurance deal. First, do not think for a minute that the powers that be are really trying to get healthcare at a reasonable cost for all of us. That is the cover story that is being used to lull you into supporting this debacle. If the goal was really to get cost effective healthcare for all Americans there are easier ways to do it. If you wanted to do it the easiest - just expand Medicare and Medicaid to cover the people that don't have insurance now that want it. (I say "want it" because there are people out there with insurance available that don't want to pay for it - I have a son that way. He is 22 and is still invincible in his mind. Although he has insurance available from his job, he is not signed up because he doesn't want to pay the premiums.) Even if you believe the doomsayers that use the 46 million number, that cost figure would be a lot less than what they are doing now. (if we stop giving free healthcare to illegals it would be a lot less)
If the goal was affordable quality healthcare for all there are many other changes that could be made to help. How about tort reform. Defensive medicine, or the ordering of tests to rule out the most obscure diagnosis are rampant. The US takes more MRIs than the rest of the world combined (or close anyway - hey I need some hyperbole as well). Doctors can't treat you for the obvious just in case you picked up a weird parasite from that last trip to Somalia or whatever. People don't seem to want to accept that doctors are people too. They are just doing a job. Like you and me they will make mistakes. That is inevitable. Legal action is NOT a substitute for medical care. How about allowing insurance companies to write policies accross state lines? That would help cut costs as well. How about allowing insurance companies to offer limited coverage insurance policies? Every policy written now has to include coverage for pregnancy, for example - I don't need to pay for that! But, it is required to be in there.
Oh whatever. It just bothers me because people are such lemmings. All they can see it the butt of the lemming in front of them.
The anti-capitalist eco-nuts have almost (that is my optimism - in reality they probably HAVE) done it. The unsupported, non-documented, anti-science theory of man-made global warming is now a given. I read something every day from unsuspecting or willing accomplises that talk about how this is being done, or should be done to "combat global warming" or "fight climate change". Sad. But as I wrote many months ago -
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”
Joseph Goebbels
The people that are out to destroy capitalism and your way of life know this. Get the media on board and have them spew the half-truths and pseudo-science of global warming and people will accept it as fact. I have many, many posts on this blog about this, so I won't repeat myself. But, do some studying people. There are tens of thousands of respected and trained scientists that are trying to let us know that the whole thing is a hoax.
There are two main reasons for the climate change lie. (and a third innocent one - the poor uneducated mind-numb saps that just want to help preserve and protect the earth and the environment and don't know any better) 1) money - if we go to this carbon credit system as a requirement of businesses and others to justify their lifestyle - the trading of carbon offset credits will be a HUGE moneymaker. The major financial trading firms want a piece of this. They all know that they can sit back and make a commission off of every carbon credit trade and get rich. 2) destruction of the evil thing that is the American way of life. Unfortunately there are people living here (and living well) off of the American way of life that don't think it is "fair" that we are the most powerful and rich nation on the earth. The fact that we are better off than most of the world's population is disgusting to them. Therefore we have to be taken down a couple of notches. What better way that to put a penalty on the energy sources that power our way of life?
Again, do some reading. Google - climate change hoax or similar and read.
The other thing that is being forced upon us is the health care / insurance deal. First, do not think for a minute that the powers that be are really trying to get healthcare at a reasonable cost for all of us. That is the cover story that is being used to lull you into supporting this debacle. If the goal was really to get cost effective healthcare for all Americans there are easier ways to do it. If you wanted to do it the easiest - just expand Medicare and Medicaid to cover the people that don't have insurance now that want it. (I say "want it" because there are people out there with insurance available that don't want to pay for it - I have a son that way. He is 22 and is still invincible in his mind. Although he has insurance available from his job, he is not signed up because he doesn't want to pay the premiums.) Even if you believe the doomsayers that use the 46 million number, that cost figure would be a lot less than what they are doing now. (if we stop giving free healthcare to illegals it would be a lot less)
If the goal was affordable quality healthcare for all there are many other changes that could be made to help. How about tort reform. Defensive medicine, or the ordering of tests to rule out the most obscure diagnosis are rampant. The US takes more MRIs than the rest of the world combined (or close anyway - hey I need some hyperbole as well). Doctors can't treat you for the obvious just in case you picked up a weird parasite from that last trip to Somalia or whatever. People don't seem to want to accept that doctors are people too. They are just doing a job. Like you and me they will make mistakes. That is inevitable. Legal action is NOT a substitute for medical care. How about allowing insurance companies to write policies accross state lines? That would help cut costs as well. How about allowing insurance companies to offer limited coverage insurance policies? Every policy written now has to include coverage for pregnancy, for example - I don't need to pay for that! But, it is required to be in there.
Oh whatever. It just bothers me because people are such lemmings. All they can see it the butt of the lemming in front of them.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
No Snappy Title Available
I just finished some travelling and since I have not done a post in a few weeks I thought I would just do some random thoughts...
Have you ever noticed that for the most part fireworks are sold by people that proudly proclaim their insanity? Crazy Joe, Loco Larry, Insane Ike all sell fireworks. You don't see Responsible Bob's Fireworks Emporium along the highway. Now I realize that selling personal explosives to anyone with the money to buy them might require a small bit of detachment with reality, I still wonder why James Cash Penney or Alva Roebuck didn't get into fireworks.
Part of my travels included a cruise. One of the discussion points about any cruise for those that have NOT taken one as well as those that have) is the food. "Did ya' eat a lot?" is usually the first question from anyone that finds out you were on a cruise. I think the cruise lines are now pressured into providing food in insane quantities (Loco Joe's Cruises & Fireworks?) at all hours of the day just to keep up with the expectations. There is somewhere to eat on board 24 hours of the day. There are many different places to eat as well. You can sit down and be served or go to a buffet and serve yourself. My post of a few weeks ago comes to mind - we eat and eat and eat to fill the time between meals.
What amazed me is the almost animal desperation that seems to infect the cruising human being as they approach the buffet line or seating area for the restaurant. Unless you were passed out or ill, as I said there has/had been copious amounts of food available for anyone to eat at any hour they desired. But, get them near the food and it is like a rice truck unloading in Ethiopia! People push and shove and yell at each other about what is there or not there as if they were coming off of a fast that would rival Gandhi in intensity. FYI, it is NOT an American thing either. There was yelling in many languages and it seemed to cross all cultural boundaries. It made me proud to be a human.
I have other thoughts that I will share - I just wanted to "get back on the horse" so to speak.
Have you ever noticed that for the most part fireworks are sold by people that proudly proclaim their insanity? Crazy Joe, Loco Larry, Insane Ike all sell fireworks. You don't see Responsible Bob's Fireworks Emporium along the highway. Now I realize that selling personal explosives to anyone with the money to buy them might require a small bit of detachment with reality, I still wonder why James Cash Penney or Alva Roebuck didn't get into fireworks.
Part of my travels included a cruise. One of the discussion points about any cruise for those that have NOT taken one as well as those that have) is the food. "Did ya' eat a lot?" is usually the first question from anyone that finds out you were on a cruise. I think the cruise lines are now pressured into providing food in insane quantities (Loco Joe's Cruises & Fireworks?) at all hours of the day just to keep up with the expectations. There is somewhere to eat on board 24 hours of the day. There are many different places to eat as well. You can sit down and be served or go to a buffet and serve yourself. My post of a few weeks ago comes to mind - we eat and eat and eat to fill the time between meals.
What amazed me is the almost animal desperation that seems to infect the cruising human being as they approach the buffet line or seating area for the restaurant. Unless you were passed out or ill, as I said there has/had been copious amounts of food available for anyone to eat at any hour they desired. But, get them near the food and it is like a rice truck unloading in Ethiopia! People push and shove and yell at each other about what is there or not there as if they were coming off of a fast that would rival Gandhi in intensity. FYI, it is NOT an American thing either. There was yelling in many languages and it seemed to cross all cultural boundaries. It made me proud to be a human.
I have other thoughts that I will share - I just wanted to "get back on the horse" so to speak.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
They's jus' kids!!
Anyone that has read this blog for any time at all knows I love a great news headline. I scour the web for them. I went looking this morning and found one at the top of the first site I went to. Here you go:
Dead deer in clown suit left on Iowa porch
Now I don't know about you, but boy did this bring back memories. Getting the guys together, shooting some hoops, grabbing a bite to eat, and dressing up wildlife like Bozo! Ahh, those were the days.
Now I will admit that in most cases I never even see the stories that go along with the headlines. In this case it was a short paragraph and I read on. This extra reading of mine may have provided info that is as good if not better than the headline. The police in Sioux City, Iowa obviously have a great detective division and possibly a CSI lab and investigators just like all those TV shows. The comment from the paper regarding the results of the police investigation was:
Officers suspect it was a prank
I had first suspected a Godfather-type message to the family - Iowa crime family style. But, I am glad to know it was a prank. Those silly Iowans!
I can't wait to see how they decorate for the holidays.
Gotta go. There is a groundhog out back that would look stunning in a pair of shorts and a fright wig.
Dead deer in clown suit left on Iowa porch
Now I don't know about you, but boy did this bring back memories. Getting the guys together, shooting some hoops, grabbing a bite to eat, and dressing up wildlife like Bozo! Ahh, those were the days.
Now I will admit that in most cases I never even see the stories that go along with the headlines. In this case it was a short paragraph and I read on. This extra reading of mine may have provided info that is as good if not better than the headline. The police in Sioux City, Iowa obviously have a great detective division and possibly a CSI lab and investigators just like all those TV shows. The comment from the paper regarding the results of the police investigation was:
Officers suspect it was a prank
I had first suspected a Godfather-type message to the family - Iowa crime family style. But, I am glad to know it was a prank. Those silly Iowans!
I can't wait to see how they decorate for the holidays.
Gotta go. There is a groundhog out back that would look stunning in a pair of shorts and a fright wig.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Heaven forbid they ever put any tables out there!
I heard a news story on the radio yesterday at lunch (and again with additional info going home) that brought home to me one of the major problems in our society. After I heard it I felt this blog coming on. Here we go... (this may be a bit disjointed, I started this Saturday a.m. and had to quit and went back Saturday evening. I tried to put a link to the newspaper story about this and a computer gremlin pounced upon the bits and bytes and took away half of this. I am now finishing it up Sunday p.m.)
The story was about five benches that were placed by the city as a gift from a group that was trying to add ambience or a useful area to a greenway park that runs through parts of downtown Greensboro, NC. The benches, along with some large rocks and some sort of artwork, were place in a semi-circular configuration as an "oasis" and resting spot along the greenway; which until this placement had not had any benches or artwork. Now the problems began.
It seems benches are inherently evil; or at least attract those that are. The local community group filed complaints with various city entities to have the benches removed due to "illegal activities" that they attracted. It seems if you install benches it attracts drug dealers, prostitutes, homeless people (which used to be called just "bums" but that is another blog) and all sorts of unsavory types of activities. To hear the head of the community organization talk, it was as if a portal directly to hell had been placed at the mouth of their homes. Remember, we are talking about benches (and rocks, you can go the the Greensboro News & Record website and see the story about a protester that sat unmoving on one of the rocks and would not let the workers take it; until he was arrested)
Now my point. I understand the concern of the families living in the community near the benches. Illegal and illicit activities are not condusive to a peaceful existance. However, my amazement came from the fact that no one ever mentioned the problem - the unsavory types that it attracted - or the lack of police presence to eliminate it! Now, if you leave food out on counters and tables it can attract bugs. You can remove the food and clean the counters and the bugs may not be as visible. However, if you want to eliminate the bugs you have to go at the problem - the bugs! You call an exterminator, put out one of the bug baits or traps, or spray poison around. You continue to do so until you are convinced the bugs have moved on or are dead.
I know we are dealing with human beings here, no matter how vile or evil they may be. I know that poison is not a reasonable humane answer. I realize that traps are not a civilized response either. There are ways to eliminate these vermin without just taking in the "food" (benches - in case you aren't following). I would maybe recommend a demand to the city council and police for increased police presence in the neighborhood. How about a neighborhood watch?
This is a NIMBY response just like a myriad of other responses by people that can't be inconvenienced by the infrastructure required to support our modern way of life. Now I know we are talking benches and rocks here, but I still find that demonizing the benches to be very silly. Just like the saying - "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". I would like to offer up a new one for the citizens of Greensboro, NC - Benches don't commit crimes, people do!"
Go sit on a bench somewhere and think about it...
The story was about five benches that were placed by the city as a gift from a group that was trying to add ambience or a useful area to a greenway park that runs through parts of downtown Greensboro, NC. The benches, along with some large rocks and some sort of artwork, were place in a semi-circular configuration as an "oasis" and resting spot along the greenway; which until this placement had not had any benches or artwork. Now the problems began.
It seems benches are inherently evil; or at least attract those that are. The local community group filed complaints with various city entities to have the benches removed due to "illegal activities" that they attracted. It seems if you install benches it attracts drug dealers, prostitutes, homeless people (which used to be called just "bums" but that is another blog) and all sorts of unsavory types of activities. To hear the head of the community organization talk, it was as if a portal directly to hell had been placed at the mouth of their homes. Remember, we are talking about benches (and rocks, you can go the the Greensboro News & Record website and see the story about a protester that sat unmoving on one of the rocks and would not let the workers take it; until he was arrested)
Now my point. I understand the concern of the families living in the community near the benches. Illegal and illicit activities are not condusive to a peaceful existance. However, my amazement came from the fact that no one ever mentioned the problem - the unsavory types that it attracted - or the lack of police presence to eliminate it! Now, if you leave food out on counters and tables it can attract bugs. You can remove the food and clean the counters and the bugs may not be as visible. However, if you want to eliminate the bugs you have to go at the problem - the bugs! You call an exterminator, put out one of the bug baits or traps, or spray poison around. You continue to do so until you are convinced the bugs have moved on or are dead.
I know we are dealing with human beings here, no matter how vile or evil they may be. I know that poison is not a reasonable humane answer. I realize that traps are not a civilized response either. There are ways to eliminate these vermin without just taking in the "food" (benches - in case you aren't following). I would maybe recommend a demand to the city council and police for increased police presence in the neighborhood. How about a neighborhood watch?
This is a NIMBY response just like a myriad of other responses by people that can't be inconvenienced by the infrastructure required to support our modern way of life. Now I know we are talking benches and rocks here, but I still find that demonizing the benches to be very silly. Just like the saying - "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". I would like to offer up a new one for the citizens of Greensboro, NC - Benches don't commit crimes, people do!"
Go sit on a bench somewhere and think about it...
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