HAPPY NEW YEAR

I want to wish all of the followers and readers of Dooley Observed

A Very Happy New Year

and hope and pray that 2012

finds all of us prosperous and in good health.

I have published "The Bridge maker" a number of times.
The last stanza states ...............

"This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."


Building a Bridge - Good thought for 2012
Happy New Year to ALL

What has America become?

Has America become the land of special interest and home of the double standard?

Lets see: if we lie to the Congress, it's a felony and if the Congress lies to us its just politics; if we dislike a black person, we're racist and if a black person dislikes whites, its their 1st Amendment right; the government spends millions to rehabilitate criminals and they do almost nothing for the victims; in public schools you can teach that homosexuality is OK, but you better not use the word God in the process; you can kill an unborn child, but it is wrong to execute a mass murderer; we don't burn books in America, we now rewrite them; we got rid of communist and socialist threats by renaming them progressive; we are unable to close our border with Mexico, but have no problem protecting the 38th parallel in Korea; if you protest against President Obama's policies you're a terrorist, but if you burned an American flag or George Bush in effigy it was your 1st Amendment right.

You can have pornography on TV or the internet, but you better not put a nativity scene in a public park during Christmas; we have eliminated all criminals in America, they are now called sick people; we can use a human fetus for medical research, but it is wrong to use an animal.

We take money from those who work hard for it and give it to those who don't want to work; we all support the Constitution, but only when it supports our political ideology; we still have freedom of speech, but only if we are being politically correct; parenting has been replaced with Ritalin and video games; the land of opportunity is now the land of hand outs; the similarity between Hurricane Katrina and the gulf oil spill is that neither president did anything to help.

And how do we handle a major crisis today? The government appoints a committee to determine who's at fault, then threatens them, passes a law, raises our taxes; tells us the problem is solved so they can get back to their reelection campaign.

What has happened to the land of the free and home of the brave?

- Ken Huber
Tawas City, Michigan

Blind, lost dog, reunited with family

SAN ANTONIO -- A blind dog that was lost and believed to be dead is reunited with his San Antonio family for Christmas, thanks to Craigslist, a teacher and an animal care agency.


The San Antonio Express-News reports Saturday that nearly a month after Stevie Oedipus Wonder disappeared, the cairn terrier mix puppy that was born without eyes is home.

Stevie's owner Belinda Gutierrez says she thought she was going to end the year on a sad note.

The dog showed up at the Animal Care Services on Dec. 11. He would have been euthanized, but a high school teacher agreed to care for him over the holiday. Then she found the lost dog notice on Craigslist, and Stevie went home Thursday. He's getting doggy treats, carrots and toys for Christmas.

Christmas, 2011

Saturday, 23 December, 2011. News of the Day. Air Jordan shoes go on sale and causes riots in stores. I buy my tennis shoes at Walmart when they go on sale for $5, the AJ's went for $160 or $170, and they sold out. I'm sure, somewhere, there were some homeless and hungry people, looking at the riots and the lines to buy those high priced shoes. Something wrong with this country.

Unemployment, the economy is bad, yet, in Newark, Ohio, today, parking lots were full, traffic, at 3 in the afternoon, was bumper to bumper, the North 21st Street Walmart was packed, their parking lot was full. My guess is they did a "million"  today, or very close to it, and they have another day for the week.

Walmart, police, fire, TV and some others, collect toys for kids, they go to those who can't afford to buy toys, but I have a hunch that some of those parents who will be getting those toys for their kids will be wearing those Air Jordan's when their toys get delivered. I am amazed at the quality of the cars, driven to the "food pantry" to get their free groceries, clothes and toys. Sharing the wealth is good.

I often heard, "You only get out of a thing, what you put in to it." We don't do much anymore, dinner for our kids, that's about our Christmas, anymore. And, our family and friends are scattered all over, New York, New Jersey, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado, and that's just on one side of the family.

I don't listen for Santa anymore, or look skyward for a glimpse of the sleigh, I kept doing that for a long time, just to be on the safe side,and I enjoyed the season more. At our age, health and health issues take on more importance. We did buy a stocking full of toys for Caleb, our dog, we have to have some fun.

To my surprise, this blog has an broad extended readership, many diverse countries. I extend holiday greetings to all who read this, and pray that we remember the reason for the holiday. I have noticed on TV, in stores and in yards, NO decorations or mention of the birth of Jesus. What a shame that schools can no longer meet in the auditorium, and see their fellow students enact Joseph and Mary, the Innkeeper letting them know that, "There is no room at the Inn."

Then the little crib, in the manger, holding the baby Jesus, the star overhead, the three Wise men, and in some cases, the animals, many year old memories, but still vivid. Maybe afterwards, a bag or a basket of Christmas candy, a popcorn ball, and then, school is out "Till next year." Some of the fondest memories I have.

Merry Christmas to All .....

Trash bags, toilet paper and rubber gloves

Oh, how I wish, that many years ago, I had gone in to manufacturing, and was farsighted enough to see the potential in plastic trash bags, toilet paper and who would have thought then, but rubber gloves.

I cannot imagine how many rubber gloves are used each day, both sterile and non sterile. They are used everywhere. There are white ones and many different colors. Our local hospital uses purple ones, and they told me that they often got "back ordered" on certain sizes, they just can't make them fast enough. I wonder how they are made.

Toilet paper was easy to figure out. The population would increase so much, so usage would go up accordingly.

Trash bags, seems like we are always buying a box of them at Walmart. Just two of us, but we almost do a  bag a day. Don't see how, but we do.

I still, just can't imagine, how they are able to manufacture so many rubber gloves, in so many colors, every day.

The Would - Highland, New York

OPEN for LUNCH Tuesday - Friday 11 am- 2 pm....

Dine in our WINTER WONDERLAND...


Serving dinner at 5 pm Tuesday - Saturday

Call today to make you Christmas Eve and New Years Eve reservations

845-691-9883

The Would Restaurant
120 North Rd, Highland
NY 12528....

Gift Certificates available.

Texans surprise Marine’s widow and son with a new house

Nice story, worth knowing about

By Chris Chase

Marine Scott Wood died four weeks ago after suffering injuries during combat in Iraq. Before his burial, his wife dressed him in two uniforms. On the outside, Scott wore his military dress blues. Underneath, he wore the blue No. 80 jersey of Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Sara Wood had been married to Scott for eight years. They have a five-year-old son together named Landon. Now he and Sara live in a single room in her parent's house.

"He knows daddy's in heaven," Sara said of Landon, "though I don't know if he fully comprehends what that means. He knows daddy's not coming back."

When Sara got an offer to go watch the Houston Texans play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, she jumped at the opportunity. She knew her husband would have loved to go the Reliant Stadium to watch his beloved team play. Plus, she and Landon had never been to a game before.

As described in a column by Tully Corcoran on FSHouston.com, the team brought Sara to the game under the pretense that she and her son would be part of a halftime ceremony in which Landon would receive a bike and Scott's memory would be celebrated by the 71,500 in attendance. Both those things happened, but a much bigger surprise awaited.

The team told Sara she and London would be receiving a custom-built, mortgage-free house in a Houston suburb. It's courtesy Operation Finally Home, an organization the builds houses for wounded and disabled veterans or their widowed families. In its seven years of existence, the charity has built 32 homes in 32 states, all mortgage free.

This home will allow the Wood family to stay close to family but have a place of their own. The hope is that she and Landon will move in next May. Scott won't be there, but that doesn't mean Landon won't talk to him.

"We told him he could talk to daddy in his prayers," she said, "and even in the middle of the day, you'll see him walk around the corner and you'll hear him say the 'now I lay me down to sleep prayer,' which Scott taught him. And then he starts talking to daddy."

The Payphone

I feel sorry, for people today,

especially children, who will

never know the joy, of opening

the coin return, and finding a

coin there, it was pure joy.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel or ..............

I am constantly amazed when I check statistics, and find how far reaching Dooley Observed actually is.

I hope that on this one day, at least, we can all pause in our lives, look to the heavens for that bright star, and realize the reason for the day, and say, to the world, Merry Christmas,

or any of the below.

Merry Christmas

Afrikaans - een plesierige kerfees

Arabic - I'D MIILAD SAID OUA SANA SAIDA

Argentine - Felices Pasquas Y felices ano Nuevo

Armenian - Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand

Azeri - Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun

Basque - Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!

Bohemian - Vesele Vanoce

Brazilian - Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo

Breton - Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat

Bulgarian - Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo

Cree - Mitho Makosi Kesikansi

Croatian - Sretan Bozic

Czech - Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok

Danish - Glædelig Jul

Dutch - Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

English - Merry Christmas

Esperanto - Gajan Kristnaskon

Estonian - Ruumsaid juulup

Farsi - Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad

Finnish - Hyvaa joulua

French - Joyeux Noel

Frisian - Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!

German - Froehliche Weihnachten

Greek - Kala Christouyenna!

Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka

Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova

Hindi - Shub Naya Baras

Hungarian - Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket

Icelandic - Gledileg Jol

Indonesian - Selamat Hari Natal

Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah

Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Italian - Buone Feste Natalizie

Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto

Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Latvian - Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu!

Lithuanian - Linksmu Kaledu

Manx - Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa

Maori - Meri Kirihimete

Marathi - Shub Naya Varsh

Navajo - Merry Keshmish

Norwegian - God Jul

Pennsylvania German - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!

Polish - Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

Portuguese - Boas Festas

Rapa-Nui - Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua

Rumanian - Sarbatori vesele

Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom

Serbian - Hristos se rodi

Slovakian - Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce

Sami - Buorrit Juovllat

Samoan - La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou

Scots Gaelic - Nollaig chridheil huibh

Serb-Croatian - Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina

Singhalese - Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa

Slovak - Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok

Slovene - Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto

Spanish - Feliz Navidad

Swedish - God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År

Tagalog - Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon

Tamil - Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal

Thai - Sawadee Pee Mai

Turkish - Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun

Ukrainian - Srozhdestvom Kristovym

Urdu - Naya Saal Mubarak Ho

Vietnamese - Chung Mung Giang Sinh

Welsh - Nadolig Llawen

Yugoslavian - Cestitamo Bozic

Papua New Guinea - Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu

Happy Birthday, Mom

Today is the birthday of Jessie Maud Shannon Dooley, my Mom. One of the easier ones to remember, the week before Christmas. When I was home, we always trimmed our Christmas Tree on her birthday, so it has always been a big day in my life.

She got a little cheated though, all the activity of getting the tree, trimming it, didn't leave much time to celebrate her "day."

As I write this, I am looking at a little rocking chair, which was hers, and is well over one hundred years old, it was one of her "treasures." She often told how, as a child, on Christmas morning, her gifts would be by her chair, perhaps a plate of "goodies" on the chair, she cherished that little chair.

Mom was a PK, a Preacher's Kid. Her Father being a minister in the old United Brethren Church, and he later became a Bishop in the Church. She could relate many stories about incidents that arose from being a PK.

She loved a good time. She was never happier than when she had her family together, sitting at the dinner table and enjoying one of her meals. She loved to cook for them. She loved good times.

She was a perfect Doctors wife, she took the disappointments and cancellations in stride, his medical practice came first. In the early years when we had our home and office together, she often had to do what today is called, "Triage." It was not uncommon to have many patients in our living room, overflow from the office, and Mom would have to decide what was serious and needed immediate attention.

Fred Taylor, the Ohio State basketball coach legend, was brought to their home once by a mutual friend, they just stopped by to say hello. Mom and just baked an apple pie. Before they left, Coach Taylor had two pieces of pie, a number of cups of coffee, and spent a few hours talking with Mom and Dad in that homey dining room on Montgomery Road. Coach even tried his had at a little fishing in their pond. He said he had never enjoyed an afternoon quite so much. That's just the way Mom and Dad were, gracious and giving.

Mom left us many years ago, I have forgotten may dates since then, but her birthday will never be forgotten, one week before Christmas. Happy Birthday.

The Bridge Builder

The Bridge BuilderAn old man, going a lone highway,

Came, at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned, when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim, near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again will pass this way;
You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide-
Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today,
A youth, whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm, that has been naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.


When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

My handshake ..... with greatness

A few years ago we were vacationing in Northern Michigan on Mullett Lake. We had all of our kids, and my daughter from New York, Debra, flew in for a few days. We had a great time, a vacation I will never forget, for a number of reasons.

When it came time for Debra to leave, I had to drive her to Lansing for her return flight home. It was a pleasant drive down, and I got to spend some "quality" time with my daughter.

The Lansing Airport, at that time, was not too big, and we had a wait for her plane to come in.

As it got closer to the arrival time of her plane, I noticed an increase in people waiting. I noticed one elderly man in the waiting crowd, looked familiar, but I could not place him, but it lingered in my mind.

Then, it dawned on me who he was, and I knew what was happening.

"That is Magic Johnson's father," I blurted out to my daughter. They it all dawned on me, Magic is from Lansing, the playoffs are over, the Lakers won, and Magic is coming home, and his father is here to meet him. I got excited, I'm going to get to see Magic Johnson. I had Debra rummaging around in her stuff to find me a piece of paper and a pen or pencil, he is going to walk right by here and I am going to get his autograph, actually the first autograph I had ever asked for.

The plane landed, passengers were getting off, I saw HIM get off and start walking for the door. Remember, years ago, small airport, they walked from the plane to the terminal.

There he came, I had paper and pen in hand, he came closer, he saw me, he knew what I was after.

"Sir, I'm really tired, could we just shake hands"? And we did.

When we got back to the lake, I told a few of the kids what had happened. I was popular, walked down to the basketball court, word got around, and many young boys, and a few girls, came over to shake the hand that had just shaken the hand of Magic Johnson.

More from Justin Other Smith

doolee

 we was a talkin at the grange meetin the other nite bout these publican candates and why they issa fitin tween themselves and given ol bama all thet munition to use wen they commenca campanen fur thet genral lection


thet morman guy we cided is a jack moorman

we got some a them moormans livin ner here n they aint fer thet rommey guy

they all say he gotta bee a jack moorman

thet is a guy is a moorman but dont go long with everthin them elders in the tabernackle in the salt lake place sez

they jus believes the part of thet book thet they want to beeleeve in

they sez too thet no moorman can be a politican cuz ifn you is a politican you gotta ly and cheet n drink n do things with all them gals in the captal n then elders dont like thet

they sed too ifn thet moorman guy got lected ever thing he did wuld have to be liked by them elders they salt lake place

they sed too thet he wuld be on a four yer mission in thet capital to try to get all them guys in washington to take them lessons thet those yung boy missionaries tries to get to peeple when they comes to yur doors

they sed tu thet ol mitt wuld have to be a goin door to door in thet capital bildinng passen out them moorman books n given them lessons to alll them guys

they jus culdnt see him a askin them guys to get down on ther knees at nite and askin ther god to show them ifn thet book is truth n shuld they get to be a morman guy n they is askin fur truth n being a poltician and truth don go tugether

From Justin Other Smith

I occasionally get a letter from my old friend who lives down in Southeast Ohio, in the hills, Justin Other Smith. He types on an old Royal portable typewriter he got at the Goodwill Store, and many of the keys don't work, no shift key and the period and the coma and some others are broken .......... his spelling and grammar leave a lot to be desired, so please excuse any errors.

happen in church today


we had kindee a strang theeng happen in church today

there was this older cuple that had been a going to ar church regular for a long time but they kindee kep to themselves an we didnt no them tu well

his missus had beena coming by herself for the last few weeks or so cause she said her husband had not been feelin too good

well they com today

i guess he wasnt feelin that goodd but the missus wanted him to try to go cause she was a good church goer n didnt want to miss too much church goin

his missus tol him that ifn he got to feelin poorly to just get up n go outside and wait for the end of the sunday chuch service

so they come to church service and he put his hat down under his seat in the wire thing that they had to put hats and things

bout halfway thru the church service he got to feelin poorly n told his missus    mother i think i am a going

she was kinde perturned but his missus sed o alright john go ahead an go but dont forget yur hat

so john reeched down for his hat under the seat in the wire thing well he jes kept goin n died right there on the church floor

we will be a goin to his funral in a few days

No December 25, 1955

One of my annual "Christmas Blogs" concerns 1955 and serving in the US Navy aboard the USS General William T. Mitchell TAP114.

The ship carried both troops and dependents, and this particular trip we had a great number of dependent children aboard. When you cross the International Date Line, you either lose or gain a day. We lost a day, and that happened to be December 25. We went from the 24th to the 26th. We went to bed on the 24th and woke up on the 26th, difficult to explain that to the children. The only thing that was printed and distributed was the Plan of the Day, so we cheated a bit, and dated it on the 25th so we didn't have to explain it to them. I'm sure it has happened to others, but to the old Billy Mitchell, who has gone the way of many old ships, sold for scrap, there was no Christmas in 1955.

Giuliani Defends Gingrich, Attacks Romney

By Greg McDonald

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani offered a vigorous defense of Newt Gingrich today in the face of a strong push by Mitt Romney to drive the former House speaker out of the Republican presidential race.

Appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Giuliani insisted that Gingrich knows how to bring moderates and conservatives together to beat President Barack Obama next year, and added that he was surprised that many in the GOP are coming after him “like he’s some sort of monster.”

Calling Gingrich “a totally smart guy” who connects with the suburban “Reagan Democrats” that Republicans will need to beat Obama, Giuliani said the former House speaker would likely surprise a lot of people if he becomes the nominee just like Reagan did in 1980 against Jimmy Carter.

“Ronald Reagan was the dumb actor; Ronald Reagan said incendiary things; Ronald Reagan was like Newt. Gosh, you never knew what he was going to say and the whole world would go crazy,” Giuliani said, noting that the Democrats were eager to run against Reagan “and they got trounced.”

It's The American Way - 2011

I was sitting in the car in a parking lot today, for December, it was rather balmy, I even had the windows down a  little. I don't know what made this thought enter my mind, but I got to wondering about, the American Way, how has it changed from the "good old days." What is the American Way, or better yet, what WAS the American way? I asked my friend Jim Snedden that question. After some thought, he said, "Maybe it's the way Norman Rockwell painted it." I didn't have to think of an answer any more, that was it.

Is the recent exodus of our troops Strategic Military move, or a Political move on behalf of Obama. Is the only reason they are leaving to add a piece of the political puzzle to his resume. Is it a bad move, a good move, or a political move.

Illegal to use a cell phone in a moving vehicle. While sitting in that car yesterday I listened to a call in show and that was their question of the day. One man, in his 30's, a truck driver, used his phone, while driving, for directions, for deliveries, to let them know where he was, to talk with his wife, and could not get along with out his phone. My answer, to all of them, HOW did we do it before cell phones, all those years.

The most responses revolved around "the government," taking our  rights away, i.e seat belts and drinking in bars. They were more concerned about their rights, than all of those who were killed or in accidents, while talking or texting. One, intellectual, commented, "The police have been using electronic communication devices for many years, with no adverse affect."

"OK, sir, you were observed by this officer and myself, were you talking or texting, we saw you doing something, oh, you were shaving, sorry."

"Good morning Mister President, what are you up to today."
"Just watching the  news on TV, I love to see Newt and Mitt tear each other up, we're recording every word so that when the time comes we can use it all against whoever wins. My boys tell me we can beat Newt easier than Mitt,so we're  doing what we can to see that Newt gets it. We're working on this third party thing too. If we get a third party guy running, shew in time, gonna spend more time in Hawaii. What'd you think of they way we did that Army-Navy game, gotta go, got a call coming in from Chicago, may be important. Oh, and change that color scheme on the new airplane, a little less red, white and blue, good idea to take that flag off the tail."

Ten BAD resume words ... and more

Ten words that should not be used in a resume, I think the reasons WHY are obvious. I think there are other times they should be excluded also. I picked this up off the Internet and have edited some of their content.

10. Dynamic - According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its primary meaning is “of or pertaining to force producing motion: often opposed to static.” So by using this word, you have literally told your potential employer that you are adept at not being stationary. You are the type of person who does things and moves from place to place.


9. Communication Skills

8. Problem Solving. Both of these guarantee nothing more than the person not being paralyzed by the prospect of a conversation or an empty stapler.

7. Innovative

6. Motivated —Innovative and Motivated,  two more generic adjectives suggesting attributes that an employer would probably like to take for granted.

5. Track Record. Note that it is not specified whether this track record is good or bad.

4. Extensive experience.

3. Effective, a promise that when you are being dynamic, you’re really making the most of it.

2. Organizational — which may be important if you are, say, applying to be an accountant. But in most cases, it is not the most striking skill to be championing — it’s like saying one is punctual or has neat handwriting.

1. Creative. This attribute, like many of the others, is one that is better shown than told.

What a GREAT place to Dine ..........

Wouldn't you love to have a holiday dinner in surroundings like this. This is The Would, in Highland, New York, and their cuisine is equally as wonderful as their decorations.
Claire, Debra and Lisa and the rest of the "crew" are highly skilled and trained to make your holiday dinning an experience to remember.

If you are in  the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie area, call The Would for reservations, then email me and thank me for introducing YOU to this dining experience.

THE WOULD

Bridgestone Developing 'Airless' Puncture-Proof Tire

By Anthony Ingram

Although it'd be unfair to say that tires are one of the more old-fashioned aspects of your modern car - since tire manufacturers spend millions constantly developing them - they do have their flaws.

Your typical pneumatic tire is liable to suffer punctures, which can either be inconvenient or downright dangerous depending on where and when one happens.

A tire that relies on air then is a flawed concept - but what if you could remove air from the equation?

Bridgestone has been working on just that, and has announced the development of the non-pneumatic (airless) concept tire. Not only will you finally be free of punctures, but the company also says the tire is more environmentally friendly than the regular black rings of rubber.

Construction

The concept tire uses a thermoplastic resin spoke structure along the inner sides of the tires that supports the weight of the vehicle, just as pressurized air does in a regular tire. That means no risk of leaks, and no risk of punctures.

The resin is also 100 percent recyclable which makes it far greener than regular tires, many of which go to landfill and at best, are cut up for insulation and other uses. Bridgestone envisions a continuous cycle of recycling and re-use as the thermoplastic can be constantly re-formed when heated.

Michelin also tried working with airless technology back in the early 2000s but the tech has now got to the point where its becoming production viable.

Other benefits

The consequences for puncture-proof tires are wider than simple convenience, too.

Fewer and fewer cars are being supplied with spare wheels these days, many opting for a can of tire-sealant instead. These new tires would allow all cars to go without either, saving all-important weight, currently public enemy number one in the car industry.

With no provision for a spare tire, trunk space would also be freed up - making cars more practical.

Tires have seemingly been holding back the cars they're fitted to in many areas then, but with the efforts of companies like Bridgestone, they may soon be one of the most cutting-edge technologies on your car...

Author Schweizer: Pelosi Made Killing Off of Most In-Demand IPO in History

By Paul Scicchitano and Ashley Martella

As Congress weighs a measure that would ban insider trading among lawmakers and federal workers, the conservative author whose book touched off a national maelstrom on the topic, insists that the practice rises to the level of corruption.

“There’s no question about it. We are supposed to be a country governed by laws, not by men,” charges conservative author Peter Schweizer in an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV.

A research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Schweizer chronicles alleged abuses by members of both the House and the Senate in his new book, “Throw Them All Out,” which was heavily featured on “60 Minutes” with reporter Steve Kroft going after leaders of the two parties in the House on camera.

Both Speaker John Boehner and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied they had done anything wrong. But officials have been considering various measures to stop the practice, including the STOCK Act, which has attracted wide support.

“There’s no laws that are broken. They’re free to take these sweetheart, so-called friends and family [Initial Public Offering” IPO stock,” explains Schweizer. “One of the reforms I propose is that we need to ban them because they are doled out to friends in terms of people looking for favors.”

Schweizer says there should be a “zero tolerance policy” for any lawmaker who benefits financially from knowledge acquired through their House or Senate jobs, similar to trading rules that have existed for years with respect to corporate executives.

Just my opinion ----- charisma personified

Regardless of politics, Obama is one clever politician, and whether he is or not, he comes off as being a "really nice guy."

Army-Navy game, who tosses the coin, Obama, who does a great interview in the broadcast booth, "Hi Verne, nice to see you." Obama, talks about his high school days in Hawaii, his Grandfather and his being in the Army, and something about a statue in Hawaii with his Grandfather on it. Obama was warm, down to earth, extremely suave and personable.

And, what a venue, Army-Navy game, broadcast world-wide, stands filled with Cadets and Midshipmen, and women, not sure how to word that, a large crowd, in Washington, D.C.

Where are the Republicans? Criticising each other, trying to make the other guy, or gal, look bad. I have heard rumors that the RNC advised the candidates to say nothing negative about Obama, just criticize each other. Is that a great philosophy, or what?

In my opinion, by the time the next election rolls around, Obama will win, hands down. So many good things will happen, "that the press will report," that old Mr. Perception (he has now changed sides and is sitting amongst the Cadets, doing autographs ..... is he a Politician, or what?

Hey, what's the score - Ah, we don't keep score

Protests, the economy in a shambles, real estate in a state of chaos, prices going up, imports, exports, government spending that is out of control and let's not forget the "protests."

I started wondering who these protesters are, their generation, and I came to some conclusions.

These are people who never kept score in Little League, any sports, they played for the "fun" of it, they have never lost at anything they have done because no one kept score. They were never disciplined in school, probably never spanked and most likely were never taught, to think for themselves, they were never taught how to learn because the computer didn't know about that. They never learned to think for themselves, and my guess is they lived on their cell phone, and played games standing in front of their TV.

Many have been "supported" by "the government" most of their lives, rent, food, Christmas meant firemen bringing them toys and food, not Santa, firemen, "Toys for Tots."

There was no "Father" figure in many of their homes, they had one parent, they were raised by Mom, who had to work one or two jobs just to make ends meet, so their "family values" might have been blurred.

They "play the game," no winners, no losers, they just participate, and do what the coaches tell them to do. If they played basketball, there were generally one or two good players, the rest, just followed along, same in Little League baseball. Even if you had no talent at all, the rules, let you get in the game, generally in right field, the ball didn't get hit that way often, an ideal candidate to protest - something, anything. In right field they stood with a glove on their hand, now they stand with a sign in their hand, not sure what it says, but they hold it, no less, no winners - no losers, "Jus like wen I waas a kidd."

Some remember ........

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — About 120 survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor observed a moment of silence to commemorate the Japanese attack and the thousands who lost their lives that day 70 years ago Wednesday.


The moment of silence came just before 8 a.m., when the first Japanese planes launched their attack. The survivors were joined by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, military leaders and civilians at a ceremony in Pearl Harbor.

Altogether 3,000 people attended the event at a site overlooking the sunken USS Arizona and the white memorial that straddles the battleship.

President Barack Obama hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement proclaiming Wednesday as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

"Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms," he said.

Also this week, five ash scattering and interment ceremonies are being held for five survivors whose cremated remains are returning to Pearl Harbor after their deaths.

On Tuesday, an urn containing the ashes of Lee Soucy was placed on his battleship, the USS Utah, which is lying on its side near the place where it sank. The ashes of Vernon Olsen, who was on the Arizona during the attack, will be placed on his ship late Wednesday.

The U.S. lost 12 vessels that day, but the Arizona and the Utah are the only ones still sitting in the harbor. The attack brought the United States into World War II.

The ashes of three other survivors will be scattered in the water in separate ceremonies this week.

USS Utah survivor Gilbert Meyer said he comes back each year to see his shipmates entombed in the battleship which rests not far from where it sank off Ford Island.

Meyer, 88, recalled his ship rolling over after being hit by a torpedo and seeing Japanese planes dropping bombs. When the planes began showing machine gun fire, he knew it was time to move.

"That really got my attention so I got in the water and swam ashore," he said.

An Obituary printed in the London Times.....Absolutely Brilliant !!

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing..

It's good to get away ............. and WE pay for it

President Barack Obama is sending the wrong message with the fact that his family will be enjoying a sunny, 17-day Hawaiian vacation funded in part with U.S. tax dollars while millions of Americans settle for a blue Christmas, critics say.


For example, Dana Perino, who was White House press secretary for President George W. Bush, told “Fox and Friends” Monday morning that the Obama vacation simply looks bad.

“I know that a president always works. They set up the command center and it’s like the national security room,” Perino said. “For me, it is perception — Martha’s Vineyard, Hawaii. If you are going to places like that and for 17 days, you are asking for trouble.”

Obama and his family will use their own money to rent a private beach-front residence in Kailua, Oahu, for their vacation. Described as a “Winter White House,” the rental costs up to $3,500 a day or $75,000 a month, according to AOL travel blog Gadling.

But taxpayers probably will kick in more than $1 million to cover the added security and accommodations for the president’s entourage and transportation, based on estimates from Hawaiian media organizations.

Last year, the Hawaii Reporter calculated the taxpayer bill for one Obama vacation in Hawaii to be in excess of $1.5 million — for a running total of about $6 million since the Hawaiian native was elected president.

The Plantation Estate at Paradise Point, where the Obama’s vacation, was featured on the cover of Ocean Home Magazine in the April 2010 issue, according to Gadling.

The 7,000-square-foot rental features “five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a media room with surround sound, a kitchen suited for a master chef, a dining room and great room, a secluded lagoon-style pool with tropical waterfalls and a lavish island spa.” The ocean lanai and garden lanai also showcase ornate landscaping and “stunning views” of Kailua Bay and Mount Olomana.

The Honolulu Police Department spent $228,247 for the president's most recent Christmas/New Year's visit, according to the Hawaii Reporter, which noted that city taxpayers have never been reimbursed for $350,000 they spent on police overtime in 2008 and 2009 related to earlier Obama trips.

It costs about $1 million to take Air Force One to Hawaii, and an additional $140,000 for each USAF C-17 cargo aircraft that is used to transport presidential limos, helicopters and other support equipment, according to the Hawaii Reporter.

The Secret Service and Navy SEALs rented a total of six beachfront homes during the president’s 2010 Christmas vacation for between $1,000 and $1,250 a day, the newspaper reported. Coast Guard personnel also patrol the beach in front of the vacation spot with 30-foot speedboats mounted with high-powered firearms and two smaller boats.

About two dozen Obama staff also stayed at the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, on Waikiki Beach last year, which carries a non-government rate of between $350 to $450 a night.

Obama told 300 supporters during his November visit to Hawaii that he would be back “shortly” with Michelle and daughters Malia, 13, and Sasha, 9.

"It is great to be home, great to feel that Aloha spirit. And Michelle and the girls will be back shortly for Christmas vacation, as we do every year,” he said at that time. “We'll see if Washington gets its business done, so I can get here as well. But that's always a challenge."

Seattle welfare recipient lives in million-dollar home

A Seattle woman who is receiving welfare assistance from Washington state also happens to live in a waterfront house on Lake Washington worth more than a million dollars.

Federal agents raided the home this weekend but have not released the woman or her husband's name because they have not officially been charged with a crime.

However, federal documents obtained by KING 5 News show the couple currently receives more than $1,200 a month in public housing vouchers, plus state and government disability checks and food stamps. They have been receiving the benefits since 2003.

The 2,500 square-foot home, which includes gardens and a boat dock, is valued at $1.2 million. And even though the couple has been receiving the benefits for nearly 10 years, records show that they accurately listed the address of their current home when applying for the state and federal benefits.

A federal official told KING 5 that the couple likely took advantage of a loophole, which allows low-income individuals to receive financial assistance to help them pay their rent and move away from housing projects. However, the law does not require officials to verify what type of home the benefits recipient is living in.

As if the million dollar home weren't enough, the supposedly low-income couple also gave money to various charities and traveled around the world to locales in Turkey, Tel Aviv and resort towns in Mexico, according to court records.
 
Are we a GREAT country, or what?

Herman Cain to Endorse Newt Gingrich?

With the Republican field’s first major test just weeks away, the failed presidential bid of Herman Cain may be throwing his support behind the current frontrunner.

Herman Cain may endorse the presidential bid of Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich today.

Several sexual harassment allegations and a claim of a long-term affair left the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO’s White House bid all but destroyed.

The formal announcement is reportedly scheduled for this afternoon at 2pm in New York, where Gingrich is currently campaigning.

The endorsement will likely put some steam behind the Gingrich campaign, which has so far been the biggest beneficiary of Cain’s slide.

The endorsement should not come as much of a surprise, as Cain and Gingrich are friends.

We should listen to TR...........

It is rolling around again ..... December 7

I imagine the number of people who vividly remember this date is dwindling. I am 79, born in 1932, and remember that day as if it were yesterday. As FDR said, "A date which will live in infamy."

I was in Greencastle, Indiana, along with my Mom and Dad, we were visiting my Brother Dean, who was attending DePauw University. We had just finished eating lunch in the Delta Tau Delta house dining room, my brother's fraternity. I was reclining on a big leather couch, suffering from a mild allergy attack from eating too may hot homemade Parker House rolls. I knew better, I was allergic to eggs, but could not resist those hot rolls.

News was coming in on the big Philco Radio in the large Commons Room, which was filled with many students and their parents. I remember hearing, Japan, Pearl Harbor, sneak attack, bombs, aircraft, words like devastation, casualties, ships sinking, words that would soon become commonplace.

The stillness in the crowded room, the expressions on faces, there was a foreboding feeling in the room that made me acutely aware that a disaster had happened, one that would have a dramatic affect on the young men in the room. I had a feeling that they sensed how this would affect their future, that their lives would never be the same, a life altering event.

I remember the three hour drive home, in a Packard Clipper, few to no words were exchanged between the three of us. We drove in silence. The country would soon be at war, and we all knew it. My Dad had served in WWI and knew of war, his Father, Caleb,  was in the Civil War, and Dad had heard many stories of the horror of that war. He was the most silent, he knew what the future held.

December 7, 1941, "A date which will live in infamy." We should never forget that date.

Remove ANY doubt ...

This video is interesting and should clear up any doubt ....

WATCH NOW

Well worth watching ..... for everyone!

WATCH