We had a great Christmas this year. (Really can't think of any bad ones though.) Once again, we've been counting our blessings.
Our day started with a late breakfast. I made a big "open" ham and cheese omelet, we cut it in circles with the biscuit cutter, and placed the circles on biscuits to make mini egg-muffins (ours are more tasty than Mickey-D's). Those who didn't want muffin sandwiches (all 2 of us: me and dad) got a "normal" ham and cheese omelet. After the Varmints were dressed, we read the Christmas story, explained it to them, and unwrapped presents. They played with the presents awhile (I got to play with all of my kids' new toys too). My parents and Grandmother are in town, so after a huge lunch we got to play "grown up" games, like Dutch Blitz and Mexican Train (rather than Candyland and Shutes & Ladders), and we all took most of the day off (except for the cooking and cleanup). Since it's Florida, we were even able to send the kids outside to play for awhile. The only downside was it was too hot, muggy, and overcast to open the windows, so we just let the air conditioning run. (I can imagine all of you Northerners that don't like cold weather are really feeling our pain.)
Do have much work to do in the next few days (to get ready for the end of the year financial stuff), but this is definitely my favorite time of the year. (Even if I do walk around whistling Feliz Navidad for weeks on end.)
Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas too. I'm going to get some rest so I can enjoy the rest of the holidays.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Kwanzaa? Really?
For me, learning is fun. When anyone, any time, anywhere, asks anything, I like to know the answer. Therefore, I read often. My mind is an eclectic mix of all types of information that I can hardly help but offer in various amounts (ranging from snippet to discourse -- depending upon how much I've studied the topic in question). For some unknown reason, this year I decided to educate myself on the "holiday" celebrated in the U.S. called Kwanzaa.
Prior to doing any research on the subject, I thought Kwanzaa was a holiday created by African Americans to celebrate Christ's birth from an "African Heritage" viewpoint. I was wrong -- in fact, if I were to graph how far off I was with a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game, my pin would definitely be in another county or state, perhaps even off-planet. So now that I'm slightly more educated than I was last week, I thought I'd put thoughts to... er... blog and educate anyone else that happens to be interested. DISCLAIMER: if you don't like my opinions, if you are blinded by what you consider to be "your civic duty," OR if your "open mind" only refers to viewpoints you agree with -- too bad. I call them like I find them.
First, a little about the "father" of Kwanzaa: Dr. Maulana Karenga. Born Ronald McKinley Everett, he first changed his name to Ron Ndabezitha Everett-Karenga (ndabezitha is Zulu for "your majesty" and karenga is Swahili for "nationalist"). Later, when Karenga founded the "US Organization" (United Slaves Organization, or US) he shortened his name to Maulana Karenga (maulana is Swahili for "master teacher" or "lord").
I'm no psychologist or psychiatrist, but generally, when I find out someone has changed their name (except in the case of changing one's last name at marriage), a big warning bell goes off in my head:
Why?
Are they selling something?
What are they hiding?
If they aren't hiding something specific, then what are they trying to deceive others about?
No surprise then to find a criminal record that included jail time. Convicted of sexual assault and torturing his own (female) followers would definitely keep him off most individual's list of people to emulate, except that he's s'posed to be this exceptionally enlightened torch-bearer for civil rights, so -- he got a free pass on that one. Never mind that he jammed a flowing garden hose in these girls' mouths, put one's toe in a vise, stuck a hot soldering iron in the other one's mouth (after he burned her face with it). Yes, definitely a pillar of the community.
Next, I thought it expedient to look at the good Doctor's educational credentials. He was a professor of black studies at California State University (Long Beach) when he created Kwanzaa in 1966 (years later, he chaired the department -- after serving time for sexual assault!!). Curious as to just what exactly a "professor of black studies" would be teaching, I dug a little deeper. It seems Dr. Karenga was doing what today is commonly called "community organizing" -- but in order to differentiate him from the masses (since he was the head honcho) the more politically correct way to phrase his work would be so say he "led" a "black freedom movement" or a "cultural black nationalist group" in the 60s. If you didn't use one of these PC terms, Dr. Karenga might sound too much like a thug, and we wouldn't want to besmirch his less-than-stellar reputation.
You see, I also discovered that his "movement" wasn't your run-of-the-mill garden-club-variety group of peace-loving-children-of-the-60s. "US" (sometimes called "Organization US") was so violent, that when they had a disagreement with the Black Panthers -- US resolved the issue to their satisfaction -- by offing 2 Black Panthers! Evidently, for all their militant radicalism, the Black Panthers didn't quite live down to the low standards of US Organization.
In looking for any other sociological "problem areas" in his life, character, and actions, I discovered he met Malcolm X in California a few years before Malcolm's assassination. Just how important Malcolm X was to Dr. K can be found in his own words:
In closing, I did read thru the seven tenets of Kwanzaa -- twice. At first glance (before I knew anything about the man) they seemed to be OK, the type of rather bland statements usually proffered by politicians attempting to retain their seat at election time. Once I understood his background, philosophy, and ideals I reread the same seven tenets. Although thinly-disguised, the Marxist ideals of community activism, collectivism, and blind adherence to those in leadership clearly shone thru.
For my part, even if a "Happy Kwanzaa" is offended, I'm done wishing anyone anything but a "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year."
PS -- If you'd like to know more, I found numerous links to Karenga and Kwanzaa with Google. Two of the shorter, more informative were the following:
newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/12/23/kwanzaa-created-rapist-torturer
wikipedia.org/wiki/Maulana_Karenga
Prior to doing any research on the subject, I thought Kwanzaa was a holiday created by African Americans to celebrate Christ's birth from an "African Heritage" viewpoint. I was wrong -- in fact, if I were to graph how far off I was with a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game, my pin would definitely be in another county or state, perhaps even off-planet. So now that I'm slightly more educated than I was last week, I thought I'd put thoughts to... er... blog and educate anyone else that happens to be interested. DISCLAIMER: if you don't like my opinions, if you are blinded by what you consider to be "your civic duty," OR if your "open mind" only refers to viewpoints you agree with -- too bad. I call them like I find them.
First, a little about the "father" of Kwanzaa: Dr. Maulana Karenga. Born Ronald McKinley Everett, he first changed his name to Ron Ndabezitha Everett-Karenga (ndabezitha is Zulu for "your majesty" and karenga is Swahili for "nationalist"). Later, when Karenga founded the "US Organization" (United Slaves Organization, or US) he shortened his name to Maulana Karenga (maulana is Swahili for "master teacher" or "lord").
I'm no psychologist or psychiatrist, but generally, when I find out someone has changed their name (except in the case of changing one's last name at marriage), a big warning bell goes off in my head:
Why?
Are they selling something?
What are they hiding?
If they aren't hiding something specific, then what are they trying to deceive others about?
No surprise then to find a criminal record that included jail time. Convicted of sexual assault and torturing his own (female) followers would definitely keep him off most individual's list of people to emulate, except that he's s'posed to be this exceptionally enlightened torch-bearer for civil rights, so -- he got a free pass on that one. Never mind that he jammed a flowing garden hose in these girls' mouths, put one's toe in a vise, stuck a hot soldering iron in the other one's mouth (after he burned her face with it). Yes, definitely a pillar of the community.
Next, I thought it expedient to look at the good Doctor's educational credentials. He was a professor of black studies at California State University (Long Beach) when he created Kwanzaa in 1966 (years later, he chaired the department -- after serving time for sexual assault!!). Curious as to just what exactly a "professor of black studies" would be teaching, I dug a little deeper. It seems Dr. Karenga was doing what today is commonly called "community organizing" -- but in order to differentiate him from the masses (since he was the head honcho) the more politically correct way to phrase his work would be so say he "led" a "black freedom movement" or a "cultural black nationalist group" in the 60s. If you didn't use one of these PC terms, Dr. Karenga might sound too much like a thug, and we wouldn't want to besmirch his less-than-stellar reputation.
You see, I also discovered that his "movement" wasn't your run-of-the-mill garden-club-variety group of peace-loving-children-of-the-60s. "US" (sometimes called "Organization US") was so violent, that when they had a disagreement with the Black Panthers -- US resolved the issue to their satisfaction -- by offing 2 Black Panthers! Evidently, for all their militant radicalism, the Black Panthers didn't quite live down to the low standards of US Organization.
In looking for any other sociological "problem areas" in his life, character, and actions, I discovered he met Malcolm X in California a few years before Malcolm's assassination. Just how important Malcolm X was to Dr. K can be found in his own words:
"Malcolm was the major African American thinker that influenced me in terms of nationalism and Pan-Africanism."The "Why" and "How" of the purpose of "US" is simply put, in his own words:
"...I founded it [US], as the sons and daughters of Malcolm, and as an heir to his legacy."What a legacy. I should point out however, that when he was released from prison in the mid-70s, he "re-established" US Organization. Unfortunately, it was not for the better. Instead, he infused his newly acquired Marxist views, with his already suspect thuggish tendencies. I can only hope that the movement doesn't continue to add to its legacy in future generations of melding the worst of all the world has to offer.
In closing, I did read thru the seven tenets of Kwanzaa -- twice. At first glance (before I knew anything about the man) they seemed to be OK, the type of rather bland statements usually proffered by politicians attempting to retain their seat at election time. Once I understood his background, philosophy, and ideals I reread the same seven tenets. Although thinly-disguised, the Marxist ideals of community activism, collectivism, and blind adherence to those in leadership clearly shone thru.
For my part, even if a "Happy Kwanzaa" is offended, I'm done wishing anyone anything but a "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year."
PS -- If you'd like to know more, I found numerous links to Karenga and Kwanzaa with Google. Two of the shorter, more informative were the following:
newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/12/23/kwanzaa-created-rapist-torturer
wikipedia.org/wiki/Maulana_Karenga
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Aging -- Less Than Gracefully
I've been meaning to blog about the flag-football game on Saturday, Dec 9 (The First Annual Turkey-Bowl), but keep putting it off. It was fun spending time with friends; but starting a game I knew we couldn't win: not-so-much. Actually, even losing wasn't as bad as other worse "remembrances" -- those varied aches and pains that resulted from it. In the interest of full-disclosure, I've decided to go back and relate the day's goings-on.
That morning, just prior to picking teams we did have something happen that can best be described as: odd. One of the older ladies from church had come to watch and cheer -- I thought. All of a sudden, she stood up, blew a whistle, called everyone over, and proceeded to (attempt to) lead us in warm-up stretches. Notwithstanding the parentheses, "attempt" is the key word in the preceding sentence. Most of the kids walked over to her and followed her lead, but the Pastor, a few others, and I did not go along. Having someone attempt to hijack my stretch-time was on the far-side of bizarre, but the worst of it was the stretches she led in were not only unsafe, but also inadequate! Had I followed her lead I would have either pulled a muscle stretching, or not been stretched out and pulled a muscle during the game! Thankfully, that was the extent of the weirdness that day. We ended up moving our playing field soon after, so she didn't stay after the first turn over.
Just after the stretching incident we divided into teams; prior to the kick-off I looked around to see what we were up against. Based on average age and talent-levels of all the players on both teams, my initial comparison was "blowout" plain and simple. I've never been a fan of choosing teams of any kind by the "team-captain's-pick" method. In my experience, that rarely produces well-balanced teams, and I prefer competition. To me, it's more fun to play games -- any games -- when each team has the same chance at winning. When it comes down to "desire" rather than a "stacked deck" of talent, speed, and skills on one team, then I enjoy playing the most. As for our football game, suffice it to say that the average age on my team was just under 40, while theirs was just over 25. I'm living proof that "experience" rarely wins over "youth" in flag football.
Actually,I don't think I did too badly covering the teenagers and our 31-year-old Pastor. However, by the end of the game my legs had a strange, jello-like quality to them. You remember the old Jello commercials -- the ones they talked about the "jiggly-ness" of Jello? Well, that's what my thigh- and calf-muscles were doing by the end of the game. I remembered that feeling, too. I had it way back in high school; right after my first day of running 3 miles in cross-country. Back then, a hot bath and a good night's sleep would cure just about any of my problems. Today that's not the case. I could walk fine the next day (Sunday) at church, but some of the kids didn't. The problems I experienced came later, when crossing my legs, jogging, and attempting to run after my three year old as he tried to ride a bike with no training wheels for the first time in his life.
Every once-in-awhile I discover another one of those odd little things that let one know old-age is fast-approaching. The latest was realizing I not only have a preference in the type of Tums I like best (Smoothies -- Extra Strength 750), but also have a favorite flavor (Berry Fusion). Sadly, I also have a 2nd favorite type (ultra 1,000, maximum strength) and flavor (assorted berries).
Thankfully, I still don't have to concern myself with the flavor of my denture cream.
That morning, just prior to picking teams we did have something happen that can best be described as: odd. One of the older ladies from church had come to watch and cheer -- I thought. All of a sudden, she stood up, blew a whistle, called everyone over, and proceeded to (attempt to) lead us in warm-up stretches. Notwithstanding the parentheses, "attempt" is the key word in the preceding sentence. Most of the kids walked over to her and followed her lead, but the Pastor, a few others, and I did not go along. Having someone attempt to hijack my stretch-time was on the far-side of bizarre, but the worst of it was the stretches she led in were not only unsafe, but also inadequate! Had I followed her lead I would have either pulled a muscle stretching, or not been stretched out and pulled a muscle during the game! Thankfully, that was the extent of the weirdness that day. We ended up moving our playing field soon after, so she didn't stay after the first turn over.
Just after the stretching incident we divided into teams; prior to the kick-off I looked around to see what we were up against. Based on average age and talent-levels of all the players on both teams, my initial comparison was "blowout" plain and simple. I've never been a fan of choosing teams of any kind by the "team-captain's-pick" method. In my experience, that rarely produces well-balanced teams, and I prefer competition. To me, it's more fun to play games -- any games -- when each team has the same chance at winning. When it comes down to "desire" rather than a "stacked deck" of talent, speed, and skills on one team, then I enjoy playing the most. As for our football game, suffice it to say that the average age on my team was just under 40, while theirs was just over 25. I'm living proof that "experience" rarely wins over "youth" in flag football.
Actually,I don't think I did too badly covering the teenagers and our 31-year-old Pastor. However, by the end of the game my legs had a strange, jello-like quality to them. You remember the old Jello commercials -- the ones they talked about the "jiggly-ness" of Jello? Well, that's what my thigh- and calf-muscles were doing by the end of the game. I remembered that feeling, too. I had it way back in high school; right after my first day of running 3 miles in cross-country. Back then, a hot bath and a good night's sleep would cure just about any of my problems. Today that's not the case. I could walk fine the next day (Sunday) at church, but some of the kids didn't. The problems I experienced came later, when crossing my legs, jogging, and attempting to run after my three year old as he tried to ride a bike with no training wheels for the first time in his life.
Every once-in-awhile I discover another one of those odd little things that let one know old-age is fast-approaching. The latest was realizing I not only have a preference in the type of Tums I like best (Smoothies -- Extra Strength 750), but also have a favorite flavor (Berry Fusion). Sadly, I also have a 2nd favorite type (ultra 1,000, maximum strength) and flavor (assorted berries).
Thankfully, I still don't have to concern myself with the flavor of my denture cream.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Bitten by Reality
My wife goes to these ladies' meetings; they're usually every two to five weeks apart. I'm not really sure what they do there? Perhaps just talk with all the other ladies from our church with no men or children to interrupt?
Needless to say, ladies' meetings are great for her, and a challenge for me. Tonight's meeting did have a great added bonus though: cookie exchange! She's only been home a few hours, so I have yet to sample all of the cookies she's brought back, but I'm sure I will have done so by tomorrow evening.
The opposite side of the coin is the dark side. I get to watch all of the children by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. We did, after all, have FOUR of the little buggers.) =) The problem is the age of said children, and the resulting responsibilities corresponding to each.
Five is a great age. I can play with Little Bear, tickle him until he can't walk, stand, or even talk, sword fight, play with his LEGO blocks, and all sorts of other fun things. Very few draw-backs with this age.
Three is also a "fun" age, the kids are old enough to play with, reason with, and generally have a lot of fun. It does occasionally have its downsides though. Like when one three-year-old "pokes" the other, or takes the chair, crayon, or toy the other wanted, or (heaven forbid) doesn't get the correct spoon at dinner-time! The resulting drama that unfolds normally rivals the best "All My Children" could ever hope to offer. Sometimes I wonder how much I could make rewriting dinner-time drama and selling it to the major soaps.
The real kicker, however, is not the five year old, the twin three year olds, or even the fact that I watch them, alone, for two to four hours. What gets me are the stomach-churning capabilities of our five month old. What, you may ask, can a five month old do that bothers my stomach? plenty. For starters, just seeing the mixture of cereal and peas I fed her for dinner hasn't changed all that much the second time around usually does it. Actually, color doesn't matter quite as much as stench.
I can handle gunshots, blood, guts, broken bones, death, and any number of other things that would turn anyone's stomach. The problem for me lies in bodily excretions, from either end.
Anyone that tells you women are inferior to men... is a full-blown liar, or has never had to juggle the responsibilities of several small children, the phone, and a simultaneous diaper change. Thankfully, tonight I did have the five year old, and he likes to help. I had him hang on to each of Little Squirt's hands while I cleaned the other end. No finger-painting allowed on my watch you know.
Needless to say, ladies' meetings are great for her, and a challenge for me. Tonight's meeting did have a great added bonus though: cookie exchange! She's only been home a few hours, so I have yet to sample all of the cookies she's brought back, but I'm sure I will have done so by tomorrow evening.
The opposite side of the coin is the dark side. I get to watch all of the children by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. We did, after all, have FOUR of the little buggers.) =) The problem is the age of said children, and the resulting responsibilities corresponding to each.
Five is a great age. I can play with Little Bear, tickle him until he can't walk, stand, or even talk, sword fight, play with his LEGO blocks, and all sorts of other fun things. Very few draw-backs with this age.
Three is also a "fun" age, the kids are old enough to play with, reason with, and generally have a lot of fun. It does occasionally have its downsides though. Like when one three-year-old "pokes" the other, or takes the chair, crayon, or toy the other wanted, or (heaven forbid) doesn't get the correct spoon at dinner-time! The resulting drama that unfolds normally rivals the best "All My Children" could ever hope to offer. Sometimes I wonder how much I could make rewriting dinner-time drama and selling it to the major soaps.
The real kicker, however, is not the five year old, the twin three year olds, or even the fact that I watch them, alone, for two to four hours. What gets me are the stomach-churning capabilities of our five month old. What, you may ask, can a five month old do that bothers my stomach? plenty. For starters, just seeing the mixture of cereal and peas I fed her for dinner hasn't changed all that much the second time around usually does it. Actually, color doesn't matter quite as much as stench.
I can handle gunshots, blood, guts, broken bones, death, and any number of other things that would turn anyone's stomach. The problem for me lies in bodily excretions, from either end.
Anyone that tells you women are inferior to men... is a full-blown liar, or has never had to juggle the responsibilities of several small children, the phone, and a simultaneous diaper change. Thankfully, tonight I did have the five year old, and he likes to help. I had him hang on to each of Little Squirt's hands while I cleaned the other end. No finger-painting allowed on my watch you know.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Still Fiddling with the Settings
I've been gradually messing around with all of the "new" (to me) stuff I've found here on Blogger. Adding little gadgets & gizmos, tweaking different settings, making the blog list rotate to keep the freshest content on top, etc., etc., etc...
I do like the lighthouse template I've been using since I started this blog in 2005, but it is getting old. I was hoping to find a more modern lighthouse template somewhere, but it hasn't happened, yet. Last night around midnight (after everyone else was sleeping and my heartburn was keeping me up) I decided to look at the templates and see what was else was easily available. Let me tell you, that was a huge mistake. Not only do I get distracted easily, I like puzzles, too. I did find a physical layout I like, but I don't like the default color scheme, and I wanted to be able to rotate road-themed scenic pictures into the header.
Now, here it is 5 am, I've just noticed the time, and I'm still not satisfied that I haven't figured out how to tweak all of the internal settings (I'm editing the raw HTML). I am getting there, but I really need to sleep, as I have a lot of work I want to finish tomorrow. So -- for now -- the blog and its settings are fine as-is. I'll finish fiddling some other time. Right now, I'm going to go get a "nap" before I need to get up and work.
I do like the lighthouse template I've been using since I started this blog in 2005, but it is getting old. I was hoping to find a more modern lighthouse template somewhere, but it hasn't happened, yet. Last night around midnight (after everyone else was sleeping and my heartburn was keeping me up) I decided to look at the templates and see what was else was easily available. Let me tell you, that was a huge mistake. Not only do I get distracted easily, I like puzzles, too. I did find a physical layout I like, but I don't like the default color scheme, and I wanted to be able to rotate road-themed scenic pictures into the header.
Now, here it is 5 am, I've just noticed the time, and I'm still not satisfied that I haven't figured out how to tweak all of the internal settings (I'm editing the raw HTML). I am getting there, but I really need to sleep, as I have a lot of work I want to finish tomorrow. So -- for now -- the blog and its settings are fine as-is. I'll finish fiddling some other time. Right now, I'm going to go get a "nap" before I need to get up and work.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Thug-Politics at Their Worst -- Again
Relatives have asked many times if we will ever move to Chicago (where much of my Mom's family lives) or southern Illinois (where some of Mom's family and much of Dad's lives) to be "closer to my family." Southern Illinois would be nice, but the thug-politics of the Illinois/Chicago machine has no appeal for me. While disappointed, I wasn't overly surprised by this morning's headline:
I hope most Americans going into politics today are NOT doing so soley for the money, power, influence, and a chance at a free get-out-of-jail card when they break the law -- although, I have yet to be proven wrong.
- Ill. Gov. Arrested in Obama Successor Probe
By MIKE ROBINSON, Associated Press Writer -- 11:21 am
Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
(The article continues if you click the link, but the gist of it is contained in the first paragraph.)
I hope most Americans going into politics today are NOT doing so soley for the money, power, influence, and a chance at a free get-out-of-jail card when they break the law -- although, I have yet to be proven wrong.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Dumb People on the Loose
I frequent Yahoo's Odd News section. I love to see what the crazies are doing, as well as what the "normal" people like me are doing to defend themselves against the encroaching mobs. (As the British Royal Observer Corps' motto says, "Fore-warned is fore-armed.")
I ran across this article yesterday. Too bad I passed up that elective in fencing:
This morning I found another story worth repeating:
I wonder what would happen if we here the U.S. implemented across-the-board monthly drug testing as well as yearly standardized achievement testing for every member of the House and Senate? Maybe our resulting laws would make more sense.
I ran across this article yesterday. Too bad I passed up that elective in fencing:
- Man uses candy cane to subdue attacker with knife
Wed Dec 3, 5:53 pm ET
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A man using a candy cane lawn ornament fended off a knife-wielding neighbor who had been attacking holiday guests at a Sacramento home. Police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said the man used the two-foot-tall plastic ornament to subdue the attacker until officers arrived.
He said the 49-year-old suspect became intoxicated, went over to a neighbor's home on Thanksgiving and began waving a kitchen knife at people gathered on the lawn.
He cut several peoples' clothing before one of them decided to fight back.
Police said the man with the knife was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The guest who took up the candy cane was not arrested because police determined he acted in self-defense.
This morning I found another story worth repeating:
- Aussies mull breath-test before voting
Thu Dec 4, 1:38 am ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Politicians in Australia's most populous state could be breath-tested for alcohol before voting on laws after a series of late-night incidents that have embarrassed the center-left government.
New South Wales state lawmaker Andrew Fraser resigned from his conservative opposition frontbench role after shoving a female colleague in the wake of Christmas party celebrations.
"Breath test this mob," said a front page headline in Sydney's mass-selling Daily Telegraph newspaper. State police minister Matt Brown was dumped from his portfolio in September after allegedly "dirty" dancing in his underwear over the chest of a female colleague after a drunken post-budget office party.
Conservative Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said he would support alcohol breath tests for drunkenness for lawmakers before they entered parliament, while Green MPs John Kaye and Lee Rhiannon also backed the plan, along with the parliament's speaker.
"Honestly, if you are going to have breathalyzers for people driving cranes you should have breathalyzers for people writing laws," Kaye told the Telegraph.
I wonder what would happen if we here the U.S. implemented across-the-board monthly drug testing as well as yearly standardized achievement testing for every member of the House and Senate? Maybe our resulting laws would make more sense.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Weird People
I frequent Yahoo's Odd News section. I love to see what the crazies are doing, as well as what the "normal" people like me are doing to defend themselves against the encroaching mobs. (As the British Royal Observer Corps' motto says, "Fore-warned is fore-armed.") I ran across this article yesterday. Too bad I passed up that elective in fencing:
So the crazy was only arrested on "suspicion of assault" even though "He cut several peoples' clothing" -- Wow. I'm surprised they didn't go ahead and arrest the victim for carrying a concealed candy cane.
Then this morning I found another story worth repeating:
I think we here the U.S. should implement across the board drug testing as well as standardized achievement testing for every member of the House and Senate. Maybe our laws would make more sense
- Man uses candy cane to subdue attacker with knife
Wed Dec 3, 5:53 pm ET
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A man using a candy cane lawn ornament fended off a knife-wielding neighbor who had been attacking holiday guests at a Sacramento home. Police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said the man used the two-foot-tall plastic ornament to subdue the attacker until officers arrived.
He said the 49-year-old suspect became intoxicated, went over to a neighbor's home on Thanksgiving and began waving a kitchen knife at people gathered on the lawn.
He cut several peoples' clothing before one of them decided to fight back.
Police said the man with the knife was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The guest who took up the candy cane was not arrested because police determined he acted in self-defense.
So the crazy was only arrested on "suspicion of assault" even though "He cut several peoples' clothing" -- Wow. I'm surprised they didn't go ahead and arrest the victim for carrying a concealed candy cane.
Then this morning I found another story worth repeating:
- Aussies mull breath-test before voting
Thu Dec 4, 1:38 am ET
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Politicians in Australia's most populous state could be breath-tested for alcohol before voting on laws after a series of late-night incidents that have embarrassed the center-left government.
New South Wales state lawmaker Andrew Fraser resigned from his conservative opposition frontbench role after shoving a female colleague in the wake of Christmas party celebrations.
"Breath test this mob," said a front page headline in Sydney's mass-selling Daily Telegraph newspaper. State police minister Matt Brown was dumped from his portfolio in September after allegedly "dirty" dancing in his underwear over the chest of a female colleague after a drunken post-budget office party.
Conservative Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said he would support alcohol breath tests for drunkenness for lawmakers before they entered parliament, while Green MPs John Kaye and Lee Rhiannon also backed the plan, along with the parliament's speaker.
"Honestly, if you are going to have breathalyzers for people driving cranes you should have breathalyzers for people writing laws," Kaye told the Telegraph.
I think we here the U.S. should implement across the board drug testing as well as standardized achievement testing for every member of the House and Senate. Maybe our laws would make more sense
Monday, December 01, 2008
Project Lightning: Update #2
I got a call today on my cell -- a rather interesting call. For starters, it was blocked, so I almost didn't answer it, but I'm glad I did. They wanted to hear what I had to say about what I call "Project Lightning."
After a few seconds of explanation, the lady on the other end of the line said she would like everything I could give them. As I relayed the info, she expressed surprise at where the info is stored, how easy it is to access, and was hopeful (as I am) that it hasn't been destroyed. She assured me that their offices would hire a P.I. (or one of the lawyers on a list I emailed them) to find the info, and if the records are still being held there and aren't destroyed, she'll get me full copies!
I was surprised! I've emailed and called about five different places around the US (both companies & individuals) in the last few weeks, NONE of which have any desire to even check to see if the records exist!
In closing, I feel somewhat vindicated. Even if they're kooks and nothing comes of it, I've gotten my theory verified as a "possibility" -- the ball is rolling -- somewhere. Whether it stops because he's truly eligible, a govt entity squashes it, or it ends up being successful in "bringing down the house" I feel I've done all I can.
Here are three things that went through my mind as I hung up the phone:
1. I'm not as crazy as my wife thinks, today anyway =)
2. I've finally found someone else that's willing to do something to make sure the Constitution is upheld, and (most importantly)
3. now my wife is happy and will sleep better. (Because I've passed the info on to someone else, and (probably) taken myself out of the possibility of negative consequences. (If the info is ever brought to the public and Obama is replaced, or forced out, she's afraid I'll become public enemy #1.)
After a few seconds of explanation, the lady on the other end of the line said she would like everything I could give them. As I relayed the info, she expressed surprise at where the info is stored, how easy it is to access, and was hopeful (as I am) that it hasn't been destroyed. She assured me that their offices would hire a P.I. (or one of the lawyers on a list I emailed them) to find the info, and if the records are still being held there and aren't destroyed, she'll get me full copies!
I was surprised! I've emailed and called about five different places around the US (both companies & individuals) in the last few weeks, NONE of which have any desire to even check to see if the records exist!
In closing, I feel somewhat vindicated. Even if they're kooks and nothing comes of it, I've gotten my theory verified as a "possibility" -- the ball is rolling -- somewhere. Whether it stops because he's truly eligible, a govt entity squashes it, or it ends up being successful in "bringing down the house" I feel I've done all I can.
Here are three things that went through my mind as I hung up the phone:
1. I'm not as crazy as my wife thinks, today anyway =)
2. I've finally found someone else that's willing to do something to make sure the Constitution is upheld, and (most importantly)
3. now my wife is happy and will sleep better. (Because I've passed the info on to someone else, and (probably) taken myself out of the possibility of negative consequences. (If the info is ever brought to the public and Obama is replaced, or forced out, she's afraid I'll become public enemy #1.)
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